The portal spat them out without warning, dumping Dark and the others onto the edge of a dense forest. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting fractured silver onto the earth below. For a moment, the stillness of the night surrounded them—so stark, so quiet it felt unreal after the chaos they'd endured.
Dark staggered slightly, his boots sinking into the dirt as he caught his breath. His crimson eyes flicked upward, scanning the landscape. Trees stretched tall and ancient, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers. The world was calm here, but something about it felt... off.
Leona dropped to one knee, steadying herself as she exhaled sharply.
Leona: (grumbling) I swear, if I see one more void or portal today—
Tier cut her off with a sharp motion of his hand, his expression tightening. He didn't speak, but his eyes, colder than usual, darted around the clearing.
Tier: (low, almost inaudible) ...wait.
Gilmuar stilled beside him. His golden gaze, sharper than any blade, narrowed as he glanced toward the forest ahead.
Gilmuar: (firmly) There's something wrong. Do you feel that?
They all fell quiet.
The forest had gone deathly still.
No wind. No chirping insects. Not even the distant calls of birds. It was as though the world itself had paused, holding its breath for something inevitable. The air thickened, pressing against their skin with a weight they couldn't explain. Dark straightened, his fingers tightening around Kyuketsu's fractured hilt.
Dark: (low) ...Stay ready.
And then it happened.
The tremor started beneath their feet, subtle at first—like the heartbeat of the earth itself. It swelled violently in an instant, ripping through the ground with a force that shook the entire clearing. Trees groaned as roots were torn free, their trunks snapping like brittle bones. Dirt and debris exploded outward, filling the air in a whirlwind of dust and chaos.
BOOM.
The impact came next—a deafening, soul-crushing collision that shattered the night's silence. Something massive had crashed into the earth just beyond them. The shockwave rolled through the clearing, knocking Leona and Tier back a step, forcing Gilmuar to brace himself.
Dark stood firm, his eyes locked on the epicenter of the blast.
As the dust settled, the clearing was no longer still. A jagged crater scarred the earth, steam and smoke curling from its edges as though the ground itself had been scorched. Its depth swallowed the moonlight, leaving it a pit of pure shadow.
And then they saw it.
A figure, crumpled and unmoving, lay at the heart of the crater.
The air shifted again, heavier than before. No one spoke, but the tension was palpable—a coil wound so tight it could snap at any moment. Dark took an instinctive step forward, his expression unreadable as his crimson eyes narrowed on the figure's silhouette.
Leona: (whispering, unsettled) ...What the hell just fell?
Tier: (low, gruffly) That's not a what. That's a who.
Gilmuar didn't move. He only watched, golden eyes narrowing faintly.
Dark said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on the figure.
The crater seemed to groan as the dust swirled, carried by an unseen force. The figure's form was obscured by shadows, but something about it felt wrong. Its presence alone made the air shiver, as though existence itself didn't know how to process it.
And then—
The figure shifted. Just slightly.
Dark froze, his grip tightening on Kyuketsu.
Dark: (softly) ...It's not dead.
The others tensed. Leona's hand shot to her weapon, Tier's jaw clenched, and Gilmuar took a half-step back. The figure in the crater remained still, its form still hidden beneath the veil of smoke and moonless shadow.
And then it moved again.
Slowly.
The movement wasn't clumsy or pained—it was deliberate. Calculated. A single hand rose from the darkness, fingers curling into the earth as the figure pushed itself upward, emerging from its own impact like a specter rising from the grave.
For the first time, they saw him.
The figure stepped forward into the fractured light, his face obscured at first—his movements silent and unnatural. The steam curling off his form made him seem almost ethereal, like something that didn't belong in their reality.
And then he looked up.
The smoke thinned just enough to reveal his face—normal, almost human, yet impossibly unsettling. His expression was calm. Cold. Almost... amused.
And then he grinned.
Wide. Jagged. Wrong.
Dark's heart slammed in his chest, though his face betrayed nothing. The figure's smile widened further, his pitch-black eyes locking onto theirs, unblinking.
Leona: (whispering, horrified) Who is that?
The figure didn't speak.
But the grin told them everything they didn't want to know.
Copi: Hmm? What are you looking at?
Dark's breath catches in his throat as he hears it—the voice. Not just the sound, but the weight behind it. It presses down on him like an unseen force, cold and invasive, as though it's reaching into his very soul.
Dark: (thinking) That voice... it's wrong.
Copi tilts his head, his jagged grin sharp enough to cut through the tension. He takes a step forward, the air around him distorting with each movement.
Copi: What? What's wrong with my voice, Dark? Does it scare you?
The others stand frozen, their expressions shifting from confusion to unease. Lara's hands tighten into fists, her eyes darting between Copi and Dark. Leona instinctively reaches for her weapon but stops, her hand trembling.
Leona: (whispering) What... is that thing?
Copi's gaze shifts to the group, scanning them as though they were nothing more than insects beneath his notice. Then his grin widens, and he chuckles softly, the sound low and mocking.
Copi: You know, I was just having a little... disagreement with Cosmic. And wouldn't you know it—he sent me flying straight into you guys. Isn't that just a beautiful coincidence?
Dark's eyes narrow, his fists clenching.
Dark: What do you want? And what do you mean by fighting Cosmic? If you were actually fighting him, you wouldn't even be standing here. He would've erased you before the fight started.
The words hang in the air like a challenge, but the effect is immediate. The ground beneath them trembles as the air grows heavy, suffocating. A faint hum begins to rise, an otherworldly sound that makes their ears ring.
The playful grin on Copi's face vanishes. His eyes darken, and his chaotic aura intensifies, rippling outward like waves crashing against a fragile shoreline. The others stagger slightly, their knees buckling under the sheer weight of his presence.
Copi: (softly) Before the fight even started?
The hum grows louder, sharper, as Copi spreads his arms wide. His voice erupts like thunder, shaking the very air around them.
Copi: JUST HOW LOWLY DO YOU THINK I AM?!
The sheer force of his words sends shockwaves through the area, shattering the ground beneath him. Trees splinter and collapse, and even the sky above seems to ripple, bending under the weight of his fury.
Dark: (thinking) This pressure... it's suffocating.
Dark struggles to move, his muscles straining against the invisible force pinning him down. His breath comes in short gasps, every ounce of his strength focused on pushing forward. Yet, even with all his power, he can only move slightly—barely an inch.
Copi notices, his sharp gaze locking onto Dark.
Copi: Oh? What's this?
His grin returns, sharper, more menacing.
Copi: Cosmic didn't tell me his son was this strong.
Copi: (thinking) I expected him to be a Multiversal-level threat at best. But if he can even move under my time lock... no, this kid might be at the 2nd Wall. His adaptability is fascinating.
Dark forces his body to break free, his aura flaring violently around him. Crimson energy erupts as he closes the distance in an instant, his hand reaching out and grabbing Copi's head with an iron grip.
Dark: Stay down.
Without hesitation, Dark slams Copi's head into the ground with a force that shakes the planet. The impact is seismic. The camera zooms out, showing cracks spreading like a spiderweb across continents. Entire mountains crumble under the shockwave, and oceans ripple violently as the planet trembles.
The camera zooms back in, focusing on the crater where Copi lies motionless, his head buried deep in the shattered earth. Dust and debris hang in the air, creating an eerie stillness in the aftermath of the strike.
Dark straightens, his breathing heavy, as he turns to his companions.
Dark: Are you guys okay?
Lara: Y-Yeah... but...
Her voice trails off as the group's eyes shift back to the crater. The dust begins to settle, revealing Copi's unmoving form. For a moment, there's silence—then a faint sound, like the cracking of stone.
The camera pans downward, zooming in on Copi's hand as his fingers twitch. Slowly, he begins to rise, lifting himself from the rubble with unnerving ease. His movements are slow, deliberate, as though he's savoring the moment.
Copi: (thinking) That strength... I'm impressed.
He brushes the dirt from his form, his jagged grin returning as though nothing had happened. His black, hollow eyes lock onto Dark, his expression unreadable.
Leona: (whispering) What... what is he?
Copi's gaze shifts, landing on Lara. He tilts his head slightly, studying her with an unsettling intensity. Then he looks back at Dark, then to Lara again, as if piecing something together.
Copi: Hmm...
Dark: No.
Copi's grin widens, sharp and predatory.
Dark: No. No, don't you dare—
Copi: Stop me, Dark. STOP ME!
In an instant, Copi vanishes, reappearing behind Lara. His hand closes around her arm, and before anyone can react, they're gone.
Dark freezes, his breath caught in his throat. Then his eyes widen, blazing with unrestrained fury. His aura ignites violently, the sheer intensity of it causing the ground beneath him to crumble.
Dark: No...
He drops to his knees, his fists trembling as the weight of the moment crashes down on him. Then, with a roar that shakes the heavens, he slams his fist into the ground.
The impact is catastrophic. The ground beneath him collapses, a massive crater forming as shockwaves ripple outward. Entire sections of terrain are obliterated, the surrounding forest reduced to rubble.
Dark: COPI!!!
The sky darkens, the atmosphere quaking under the force of his rage. His aura continues to surge, wild and uncontrollable, as the camera pans upward, capturing the sheer scale of the destruction.
The impact is catastrophic. The ground beneath Dark collapses, a massive crater forming as shockwaves ripple outward, obliterating everything in their path. Entire sections of terrain are annihilated, the surrounding forest reduced to splintered rubble and dust.
Dark: COPI!!!
The sky above shifts, dark clouds spiraling unnaturally, as though even nature itself recoils from the sheer force of his rage. Lightning crackles, painting the world in flashes of pale white and crimson. His aura surges violently, black and red tendrils clawing at the air, spiraling upward like flames that refuse to be contained.
The camera pans upward, capturing the sheer magnitude of the destruction. The forest that once surrounded them is gone, replaced by scorched earth and fractured ground that stretches for miles. Above, the sky quakes, the atmosphere trembling under the weight of his raw power.
Dark's breath heaves, his fists clenched so tightly that blood drips from his palms. His crimson eyes flicker wildly, unrestrained, and his body shakes as if struggling to contain the storm building within him.
Dark: (thinking) Lara...
His aura spikes again, a deep, resonant hum echoing in the air, the kind that crawls into your bones and makes the world itself seem heavier. His horns, remnants of his demonic form, begin to grow—first subtly, then violently, tearing through the flesh on his head as they extend upward. The black surface of the horns glows faintly, dark-red cracks spreading like veins as molten energy seeps through them.
Dark's body begins to shift. His muscles tighten and expand, his frame growing bulkier yet sharper, more defined. His skin darkens to an obsidian hue, and his aura changes—no longer just a chaotic swirl of black and red, but something far more menacing. The black is darker than the void, devouring light itself, and the red pulsates like a heartbeat, the color of blood under moonlight.
Dark: (growling) Copi...
The camera zooms in on his eyes as they change. The crimson hue fades, replaced by a pure black that seems endless, a void that stares back at anyone foolish enough to meet his gaze. In the center of the black, faint, dark-red rings pulse, spinning slowly, hypnotically, like the embodiment of rage and destruction.
The ground beneath him begins to crack further, unable to withstand the weight of his transformation. His aura bursts outward, forming a shockwave that rips through the remaining debris. The sky above is now completely dark, the swirling clouds tinged with the same malevolent red as his aura.
Dark's voice drops, deeper and more guttural, carrying the weight of his fury.
Dark: I'm not done.
He bends his knees slightly, his entire body tensing like a coiled spring. Then, in an instant, he leaps into the air. The camera struggles to keep up, zooming out to reveal the scale of his ascent. He disappears into the clouds, leaving behind a streak of black and red energy that lingers like a scar across the sky.
The camera follows him, the world below blurring into insignificance as he soars through the air. His heightened senses guide him, the faintest trace of Lara's scent pulling him forward. It's a mix of fear and desperation, a trail that cuts through the chaos.
Dark: (thinking) Lara. I'm coming.
His form flickers in and out of sight, moving at incomprehensible speeds. The camera pans around him, capturing the intensity of his expression, the dark-red glow of his aura illuminating his features. His horns crackle with energy, leaving faint trails of molten fire in the air.
Minutes pass like seconds as Dark's pursuit continues. Then, he slows. His head tilts slightly, his nostrils flaring as the scent grows stronger. He's close.
The ruined structure appears in the distance, its silhouette barely visible against the crimson horizon. Dark lands silently on the outskirts, his movements precise, predatory. The camera zooms in on his face, his expression a mask of fury barely restrained.
The scent of Lara is overwhelming now, mingled with the faint, chaotic energy that can only belong to Copi. His fists clench, his aura flaring momentarily before he forces it back under control. He steps forward, his form almost blending into the shadows as he approaches the structure.
From within, faint noises reach his ears—a soft laugh, low and mocking.
Copi: (voice faint from within) Oh, Lara... your silence is so endearing.
Dark's entire body tenses, his aura flaring uncontrollably for a moment. The ground beneath his feet cracks, but he forces himself to stay silent. He edges closer, the camera following his every step, the tension palpable.
The scene shifts to inside the structure. Copi stands beside a twisted iron apparatus, his chaotic energy binding Lara in place. Her wrists are held by tendrils of shadow, her face turned away as she struggles weakly.
Copi: (grinning) You're a fighter. I like that.
His hand reaches toward her face, but before he can touch her, the air around them explodes.
The wall behind Copi disintegrates as Dark crashes through, his aura a storm of black and red. He moves too quickly to be seen, his massive form already behind Copi before the chaotic being can react.
Dark: Get away from her!
Dark's hand clamps down on the back of Copi's head, the sheer force of his grip causing cracks to form across Copi's chaotic form. Without hesitation, Dark slams him into the ground with unimaginable force.
The impact is cataclysmic. The ground beneath them doesn't just crack—it collapses, forming a massive crater that stretches outward for miles. The surrounding terrain is obliterated, the shockwave rippling through the air and sending debris flying in every direction.
The camera zooms out, showing the destruction from above. The entire area is unrecognizable, a wasteland of jagged rock and smoldering earth. Then it zooms back in, focusing on Dark as he rises to his feet, his aura crackling violently around him.
He turns to Lara, his expression softening slightly, though his aura remains fierce.
Dark: Are you okay?
Lara nods weakly, her voice barely a whisper.
Lara: Y-Yes...
Dark steps forward, reaching for her restraints, but before he can free her, a low, mocking laugh echoes from the crater.
Copi: (voice muffled, distorted) Not bad, Dark... not bad at all.
Dark stands frozen, his pitch-black eyes narrowing as Copi's laughter echoes from the massive crater. The air around him crackles with unrestrained energy, the aura of black and dark red swirling violently like a living storm. Every muscle in Dark's body tenses as he turns toward the source of the laughter.
Copi rises from the rubble, his jagged grin intact, his body seemingly unscathed despite the devastation. He tilts his head, his hollow, pitch-black eyes locking onto Dark. The chaotic energy radiating from him is more intense now, distorting the space around him in erratic waves.
Copi: (mockingly) That was a nice little surprise, Dark. Really. I'm almost impressed. Almost.
Dark: (growling) Shut up. You don't get to talk.
Dark's aura flares violently, the ground beneath his feet cracking further. He clenches his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he takes a step forward. The sheer weight of his presence makes the air around him feel suffocating.
Lara, still bound by the chaotic tendrils, watches him with wide, fearful eyes.
Lara: Dark... be careful...
Her voice is faint but enough to snap him back to the moment. He turns his head slightly, just enough to glance at her. His eyes soften for a brief second before they darken again, the storm inside him reigniting.
Dark: (thinking) I can't let him hurt her. Not again.
Copi stretches his arms lazily, his grin widening.
Copi: (mockingly) Oh, don't worry about her, Dark. I haven't even started having fun yet.
Dark doesn't wait. He moves in an instant, his form disappearing in a blur of black and red. The camera pans to Copi, whose grin falters for the first time as Dark reappears directly in front of him, his fist already swinging.
The impact is explosive. Dark's punch connects with Copi's torso, sending him hurtling backward through the remains of the structure. The camera follows his trajectory, the sheer force of the blow creating a shockwave that obliterates everything in its path. Copi crashes into a distant mountainside, the impact so violent that the mountain collapses in on itself.
Dark doesn't stop. He's already moving again, his form a streak of black and red energy as he follows after Copi. The camera cuts to Lara, who watches in stunned silence, the chaotic tendrils around her beginning to weaken.
Tier: (off-screen) Lara!
Tier, Gilmuar, and Leona rush into the scene, their expressions a mix of relief and concern. Tier moves to free Lara, his hands glowing with a faint golden light as he cuts through the remnants of Copi's bindings.
Tier: Are you okay? Did he hurt you?
Lara shakes her head, her voice trembling.
Lara: I'm fine... but Dark... he's going to destroy himself if this keeps going.
Leona's eyes narrow as she watches the distant flashes of energy where Dark and Copi are clashing.
Leona: We need to stop him.
Gilmuar steps forward, his expression grim.
Gilmuar: No. This is his fight. If we intervene, we'll only get in the way.
The camera shifts back to the battlefield. Dark and Copi clash in mid-air, their movements so fast that the camera struggles to keep up. Each blow creates shockwaves that ripple across the sky, tearing apart the clouds and sending debris raining down onto the desolate landscape.
Copi: (grinning) You're really something, Dark! But do you think this will be enough? Do you even understand what you're dealing with?
Dark doesn't respond. His focus is absolute, his movements precise and unrelenting. He swings his blade—a jagged weapon of black and red energy—and strikes Copi with enough force to carve a rift through the sky.
Copi blocks the attack with a chaotic barrier, his grin widening as he counters with a surge of his own energy. The two forces collide, creating a massive explosion that lights up the battlefield.
Dark: (growling) Stop talking.
Dark's aura surges again, his horns crackling with energy as he channels all of his power into a single strike. He disappears and reappears behind Copi, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.
Copi barely has time to react as the blade connects, cutting through his chaotic form and sending him crashing to the ground below. The camera pans out, showing the massive crater that forms as Copi's body impacts the earth.
Dark lands a moment later, his black and red aura swirling around him like a living entity. He approaches the crater slowly, his eyes locked on Copi's fallen form.
Dark: Get up.
Copi's body twitches, and then he laughs—a low, guttural sound that sends chills through the air. He rises slowly, his form flickering and unstable, but his grin as sharp as ever.
Copi: (softly) Is that all you've got, Dark? Oh come on, thought you were stronger than this.
Dark doesn't hesitate. He charges forward, his blade igniting with even greater intensity. The ground shatters beneath his feet as he launches himself at Copi, his movements fueled by pure rage and determination.
The clash that follows is cataclysmic. The camera captures every detail—the sparks of energy as their attacks collide, the shockwaves that ripple outward, the destruction that spreads across the battlefield. It's a battle of titans, each strike pushing them closer to their limits.
But Dark is relentless. His attacks grow faster, stronger, more precise. He overwhelms Copi, forcing him to retreat under the weight of his assault.
Dark: (roaring) I won't let you touch her again!
With one final, devastating strike, Dark slams his blade into Copi, sending him hurtling into the ground once more. The impact creates a massive explosion, the shockwave tearing through the landscape and leaving nothing but a smoldering crater.
Dark stands at the edge of the crater, his breath heavy, his aura still blazing around him. He stares down at Copi's motionless form, his expression unreadable.
Dark: Stay down.
The camera lingers on the scene for a moment before cutting back to Lara and the others. They watch in stunned silence, the weight of the battle hanging heavily in the air.
Lara: (softly) Dark...
The camera lingers on the scene for a moment before cutting back to Lara and the others. They watch in stunned silence, the weight of the battle hanging heavily in the air.
Lara: (softly) Dark...
Leona steps forward, her fists clenched, her knuckles white. Her voice is shaky, but there's an underlying anger.
Leona: (sharply) This isn't a fight! It's a goddamn execution. He's toying with him!
Tier stands beside her, his face pale but resolute, his hand gripping his weapon so tightly it trembles.
Tier: (gritting his teeth) We have to do something. We can't just stand here!
Gilmuar raises a hand, stopping Tier from moving forward. His golden eyes are locked on Copi, analyzing every movement, every flicker of his chaotic aura.
Gilmuar: (calmly) If we step in, we die. It's as simple as that.
The group falls silent, their fear and frustration palpable. Lara clutches her hands to her chest, her eyes brimming with tears. She takes a step forward, her voice breaking.
Lara: (desperately) Dark... please, don't push yourself anymore. Just stop... please...
The camera cuts back to Dark, his breathing ragged as his aura flares violently around him. His severed arm begins to regenerate again, but the process slows, the toll of repeated dismemberment beginning to show.
Dark: (thinking) I can't stop. Not now. Not ever.
He glares at Copi, his blackened eyes narrowing as he shifts his stance. His body trembles—not from fear, but from sheer rage and the effort of holding himself together. His voice cuts through the tension, low and filled with defiance.
Dark: (growling) You think this is a game? You think I'll just roll over and let you win?
Copi tilts his head, his jagged grin widening as he takes another step forward. His chaotic aura ripples outward, the air around him distorting and cracking like fractured glass.
Copi: (mockingly) A game? No, Dark. This is art. And you... you're the canvas.
Dark lunges forward again, his speed so intense the camera seems to struggle to follow him. He vanishes and reappears directly in front of Copi, his fist blazing with dark energy as he drives it toward Copi's face. The impact creates a shockwave that shatters the ground beneath them, sending debris flying into the air.
But Copi doesn't move. He doesn't block. He doesn't even flinch.
The fist stops just before it connects, frozen in mid-air. Dark's eyes widen as he realizes what's happening. Copi's eyes are open, glowing faintly with chaotic energy, and the space around them seems to ripple with his will.
Dark: (thinking) What..he stopped my attack... with just his presence?
Copi smirks, and with a casual flick of his wrist, Dark is sent hurtling backward, his body crashing into the ground with enough force to carve a massive trench into the battlefield. The camera zooms out to show the sheer scale of the destruction before cutting back to Copi, who begins walking toward Dark.
Copi: (calmly) You're strong, Dark. I'll give you that. Stronger than I expected. But you're not on my level. You'll never be on my level. Not in hell. Not in heaven. Fuck off.
Dark struggles to his feet, his aura flickering as he tries to steady himself. Blood drips from the corners of his mouth, but his eyes remain locked on Copi, burning with unyielding determination.
Dark: (growling) I don't care how strong you are. I'll keep fighting until I can't stand anymore. Until every atom I have burns. I'll still keep going.
Copi stops a few feet away from him, his chaotic form flickering like a mirage. He leans forward slightly, his grin turning darker, more menacing.
Copi: (softly) And what happens when you can't stand anymore, Dark? What will you do then?
Before Dark can respond, Copi's chaotic aura surges outward, engulfing him in an instant. The energy wraps around him like chains, tightening with each passing second. Dark grits his teeth, his muscles straining as he tries to break free.
Copi: (mockingly) You talk about strength, about resolve, but you don't even know what true power is.
The camera pans to the others, their expressions filled with horror as they watch Dark struggle against the overwhelming force.
Leona: (shouting) Dark! You have to get out of there!
Lara takes a step forward, her voice breaking as she screams.
Lara: (desperately) Stop! Please, stop!
Dark's aura surges again, the black flames roaring to life as he lets out a primal roar. The chains of chaotic energy begin to crack, fragments of Copi's power breaking away as Dark pushes himself to the limit.
Dark: (shouting) I'm not done yet!
With a final burst of energy, Dark shatters the chains, his aura exploding outward in a violent wave. The force of it sends Copi skidding back a few feet, his grin faltering for the first time.
Copi: (softly) Oh?
Dark stands tall, his blackened eyes locking onto Copi with renewed intensity. His aura burns brighter, darker, more violent than ever before.
Dark: (growling) You're right, Copi. I'm not on your level. Not yet. But I'll fight you with everything I have. No matter how many times you knock me down, I'll get back the fuck up.
Copi stares at him for a moment, his chaotic form rippling as if in thought. Then, slowly, he straightens up, his grin returning.
Copi: (calmly) You're an interesting one, Dark. I would and could continue this child's play...but
Copi: (coldly) As you can see I am really bored and I hate being bored. So, goodbye.
With that, Copi turns and begins to walk away, his chaotic aura dissipating as he moves.
Dark: (sharply) Don't you dare walk away from me!
Copi stops, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk.
Copi: (mockingly) Next time Dark, next time.
And with a flicker of chaos, he vanishes, leaving Dark and the others standing amidst the ruins of the battlefield, the weight of his presence lingering in the air like a storm that has passed but left destruction in its wake.
The camera pans to Dark, his fists clenched, his aura flickering weakly as he stares at the spot where Copi disappeared.
Dark: (softly, to himself) No...
The scene lingers on Dark, his fists trembling at his sides. His crimson eyes flicker weakly as his aura sputters like a dying flame. For a moment, the only sound is his ragged breathing, the silence oppressive, suffocating.
Then it happens.
Dark's fist slams into the ground, cracking the already-ruined earth. The motion isn't calculated—it's raw, primal, a manifestation of rage that words can't convey. The air around him distorts, rippling with the intensity of his emotion. His breath grows heavier, each exhale a growl that echoes into the stillness.
Dark: (softly, but venomous) No... No, no, no, no, NO!
The final word erupts from his throat like a thunderclap, shaking the broken landscape. His aura reignites, blacker than the void, darker than despair itself, swallowing the surrounding light. Crimson veins pulsate through it, their glow rhythmic, like a beating heart ready to burst.
Lara: (whispering, trembling) Dark...
She takes a hesitant step forward, but Tier places a hand on her shoulder, his eyes wide with both fear and caution.
Tier: (low) Don't. He's... He's not in control.
The camera cuts to Dark, his back to the group as the rage within him spirals beyond containment. His horns elongate further, the molten red cracks glowing like fresh wounds. The ground beneath him cracks and shatters as the weight of his power grows unbearable.
Dark: (thinking) He... He just walked away. After everything. After what he did. After what he tried to do...
The memory of Copi's jagged grin flashes through his mind. The way Copi touched Lara, the smirk on his face, the arrogance in his voice—it all burns in Dark's mind like a brand searing his soul.
Dark: (growling) I'll kill him.
His aura surges again, erupting like a volcano. The sheer force of it sends a shockwave outward, flattening the remains of the trees, splintering what little is left of the earth around him. The camera zooms out to capture the scale of the destruction—the once-dense forest reduced to nothing but scorched ground and broken debris.
Leona: (shouting over the roar) Dark, stop! You're going to destroy yourself!
But her words don't reach him. Dark's aura begins to shift, warping unnaturally as if feeding on his fury. The black and red energy starts to condense, wrapping tightly around his body like armor. His form grows more monstrous, his muscles tightening, his stance lowering, his claws extending.
Dark: (snarling, to himself) He won't get away. Not this time. Not ever.
The camera pans to Dark's face, zooming in on his eyes. The black void within them has deepened, darker than anything conceivable. And within that darkness, faint crimson rings begin to spin—slowly at first, then faster, like the ticking hands of a clock about to strike its final hour.
Tier: (panicked) His demonic form... it's— No, this isn't the same. This is... worse.
Gilmuar: (grimly) He's breaking himself to keep going. This rage... it's pure destruction.
Dark suddenly moves, faster than thought, leaping high into the air. The camera follows him, capturing the trail of energy left in his wake—a streak of black and red tearing across the sky. He vanishes into the distance, the faint rumble of his departure echoing back to the group.
The camera cuts to Dark's perspective. He's moving so fast the world around him blurs into streaks of gray and red. His heightened senses kick in, and he catches the faintest trace of Copi's lingering energy. It's faint but unmistakable.
Dark: (thinking) I can feel him. He didn't go far. He's taunting me.
He adjusts his trajectory mid-air, the force of the motion creating another sonic boom. Clouds part violently as he streaks through them, his horns glowing faintly as molten energy seeps from their tips. His breathing grows heavier, more erratic, as his body strains under the weight of his transformation.
The camera pans to Dark's hands. The claws on his fingers drip with molten black energy, sizzling as they cut through the air. His form is no longer fully human—it's something far more primal, far more dangerous.
Dark: (thinking) I'll find him. And when I do...
The thought lingers, unfinished, but the intent is clear.
The scene shifts abruptly, cutting to a clearing several miles away. The air here is eerily still, as though holding its breath. And in the center of it all stands Copi. His arms are crossed, his grin as sharp as ever. He seems entirely unbothered, as if he'd been waiting.
Copi: (mockingly, to himself) Oh, look. He's coming. How adorable.
The ground begins to rumble, faint at first but growing stronger with each passing second. The camera pans upward, capturing the faint streak of black and red hurtling toward the clearing. Copi's grin widens.
Copi: (calmly) Come on, Dark. Show me what you've got.
Dark crashes into the clearing with the force of a meteor, his arrival creating a massive crater that dwarfs the one from earlier. The shockwave flattens everything within miles, sending debris and dust spiraling into the air.
Dark: (roaring) COPI!!!
His voice is unrecognizable—deep, guttural, filled with raw power and rage. His aura surges outward, engulfing the entire clearing in darkness. The camera zooms in on Copi, whose grin falters slightly as the sheer weight of Dark's presence presses down on him.
Copi: (softly, almost impressed) Hm. So, you're serious now.
Dark doesn't respond. He moves instantly, closing the distance between them in a blur of motion. His claws slash through the air, aimed directly at Copi's chest. The camera slows, capturing the frame-by-frame intensity of the attack—the molten energy trailing from Dark's claws, the distortion in the air from his speed, the faint flicker of Copi's grin as he raises a hand to block.
The collision is deafening. Sparks of chaotic energy explode outward as Copi catches Dark's attack with his bare hand. The ground beneath them cracks and buckles, unable to withstand the force of their clash.
Copi: (mockingly) You're angry. Good. But rage won't win you this fight.
Dark snarls, his other hand swinging upward in a brutal arc. Copi sidesteps effortlessly, his movements fluid, almost lazy.
Copi: (grinning) Predictable. You're strong, Dark, but strength without control is nothing.
Dark doesn't stop. He lunges again, his claws tearing through the air with wild abandon. Copi dodges each attack with precision, his grin widening with each failed strike.
Copi: (laughing) Come on, Dark! You're not even trying!
The camera pans to Dark's face, capturing the unrelenting fury burning in his eyes. He growls, his voice echoing like thunder.
Dark: Shut up.
He swings again, this time faster, more calculated. The claws of his attack catch Copi's arm, leaving a faint gash that immediately begins to heal. Copi glances at the wound, his grin faltering for the briefest moment.
Copi: (softly) Oh? So you can hurt me after all.
But his grin returns, sharper than ever.
Copi: (mockingly) Let's see how long you can keep it up.
The battle continues, the camera capturing every blow, every clash, every spark of energy. The ground quakes beneath them, the sky above twisting unnaturally as their powers collide. It's a fight unlike anything the world has ever seen—a storm of rage and chaos, destruction and fury.
And at its center stands Dark, unyielding, unrelenting, unstoppable.
To Be Continued.
End Of Arc 4 Chapter 16.