The sky above what remained of Tokyo had turned a pale gray, thick with drifting mana and ash. The air itself felt heavy, as if the city were tired of holding together. Broken towers leaned at strange angles, and distant roars of beasts echoed from every direction, mixing with the faint rumble of collapsing streets.
Jaze Azenzo walked forward through the wreckage with steady steps.
Behind him, the Holy Landers moved in formation, each of them alert, eyes scanning every rooftop and shattered alley. They were used to Jaze's overwhelming presence now, or at least they were trying to be. The man's Density Magic warped the space around him subtly, making even the air feel denser when he passed.
Up ahead, a group of sorcerers stood near a half collapsed plaza.
They were young compared to Jaze and his Landers, but their presence was impossible to ignore.
Hiko Shinoegami stood at the front, cursed flames faintly flickering around his hands even while at rest. Beside him was Goru Orasu, his Glorious Claws catching what little light remained in the sky. A few steps back stood Kaiser Touya, calm and unreadable as always, and near him were several other strong students and Master Group members.
And in the center of them all was Rougen Ray.
The moment Jaze saw Rougen, he slowed.
Rougen's void like presence was unmistakable, even without his realm active. His eyes were focused, calm, but behind them was a depth that only those who had seen countless battles carried.
Jaze raised a hand.
The Holy Landers stopped instantly.
Rougen took a step forward.
"So it really is you," Rougen said. "Jaze Azenzo."
Jaze's lips curved slightly.
"Still standing, Rougen Ray. I should not be surprised."
They walked toward each other through the broken plaza until they stood only a few steps apart.
Hiko watched carefully. He could feel it. The tension between the two men was not hostile, but it was powerful, like two mountains acknowledging each other.
"You have not changed," Rougen said. "Still carrying that same heavy aura."
"And you still look like you are carrying the weight of the universe," Jaze replied. "So you are leading these students now."
Rougen glanced back at Hiko and the others. "Someone has to."
Jaze's gaze moved over the group.
Hiko met his eyes and felt something press against him. It was not killing intent, but the sheer density of Jaze's presence made it hard to breathe.
"You are Hiko Shinoegami," Jaze said. "Ren's son."
Hiko stiffened. "You knew my father?"
"Yes," Jaze replied. "He was… impressive."
Hiko did not know what to say to that.
Goru stepped forward. "So you are the Azenzo Clan leader."
Jaze nodded. "And you must be Orasu. I can feel Tengen's blood in you."
Goru clenched his fists slightly.
Rougen lifted a hand. "We are on the same side right now. Tengen Orasu is tearing this country apart."
"That is why I am here," Jaze said. "The Azenzo Clan will not stand by while Japan becomes a graveyard."
Before Rougen could respond, a roar cut through the air.
From the far end of the plaza, the ground cracked open as a massive beast crawled out. It looked like a fusion of a lion and a centipede, covered in jagged armor plates and dripping with dark mana.
A Rank 1 beast.
Its eyes locked onto the group.
"Here we go again," Kaiser muttered.
Rougen turned slightly. "Hiko. Goru. Take it."
Hiko nodded. "Got it."
Goru flexed his claws. "Let's move."
The beast lunged forward, tearing through the broken pavement.
Hiko rushed first, cursed flames igniting around his fists. He ducked under a swipe and slammed his fist into the beast's side. The flames burned through its armor, but the creature barely flinched.
Goru appeared beside it, slashing with his Glorious Claws. Dimensional cuts ripped through space, slicing deep into the beast's body.
It screeched and lashed out, throwing Goru back.
Before it could follow up, a massive pressure slammed down on it.
Jaze had moved.
He stepped forward and placed his hand on the air above the beast.
The space around the monster compressed.
Its body crushed inward as if an invisible mountain had been dropped on it.
In less than a second, the Rank 1 beast collapsed into a mangled heap.
Silence followed.
Hiko stared. "That was… insane."
Jaze withdrew his hand. "It was efficient."
Rougen chuckled softly. "You always did like to end things quickly."
More roars echoed from the distance.
Three more beasts emerged, all Grade 1 or higher.
The Holy Landers moved without waiting for orders.
Raken drew a glowing blade and rushed one of the beasts. Another Holy Lander unleashed waves of lightning, pinning a second creature in place.
Hiko and Goru joined in, fighting alongside them.
Hiko leaped through the air, flames swirling around him as he struck a beast's head again and again. Goru supported him, his dimensional slashes cutting open paths through the enemy's defenses.
Kaiser stood back, flipping a coin.
It landed on heads.
His aura flared, and he moved like a blur, striking a beast at just the right moment to make it trip into a Holy Lander's attack.
Within minutes, the plaza was filled with the remains of defeated monsters.
When the dust settled, everyone was breathing hard except Jaze and Rougen.
Jaze looked at the group again, this time with a hint of approval.
"They are strong," he said. "You have trained them well."
Rougen nodded. "They are still growing."
Hiko stepped forward. "So you and Rougen are really friends?"
Jaze glanced at Rougen.
"We fought together long ago," Rougen said. "And survived things that should have killed us."
"That is friendship," Jaze added.
Hiko felt something strange in his chest. Seeing Rougen, who always seemed so distant, talk like this made him realize how deep the past went.
Goru looked at Jaze. "If you are here, does that mean the Azenzo Clan is fully joining the war?"
"Yes," Jaze replied. "And my Holy Landers will fight alongside you."
A distant explosion shook the city.
Rougen's expression hardened. "Then we do not have time to waste."
Jaze nodded. "Tengen Orasu will not wait for us to be ready."
The two leaders turned toward the ruined skyline, knowing that much worse was coming.