The sun beamed lazily over the peaceful coastline of Linka as Xzavier laid in a hammock tied between two thick jungle trees. After clearing sixteen daily missions over the past week, he found himself enjoying an unfamiliar feeling: peace. No berserkers, no Wraiths, no corrupted allies. Just the wind, the swaying leaves, and the quiet sound of waves lapping against the shore.
But serenity, it seemed, was never meant to last.
Splash.
Xzavier's body tensed. He heard water breaking—two figures swimming up from the sea. He leapt from the hammock and in one fluid motion unsheathed the Thunder Blade. Its electric pulse crackled in his grip.
"Who goes there?!" Xzavier barked, narrowing his eyes.
Two soaked figures staggered onto the shore, coughing and wheezing. As the mist cleared and the sun hit their faces, Xzavier's breath hitched.
The first figure stood tall, blonde hair drenched and Aku no eye glowing menacingly beneath his damp bangs.
"Kaze..." Xzavier muttered.
The second figure collapsed into the sand—Raijin. Still pure, but battered, his clothes ripped and his left arm bleeding profusely.
"Why... Why are you here?" Xzavier asked, teeth clenched.
Kaze smirked, brushing wet hair from his Aku no eye. "I came to finish what Hageshi failed to do. Gimori sends his regards."
Xzavier's expression darkened. "You're corrupted too..."
Kaze laughed, unsheathing his Wind Blade. A sharp gust rippled outward. "The Aku no eye grants clarity, Xzavier. You're the one who's blind."
In a blink, Kaze activated his Legendary Art: Wind Step.
He disappeared.
But Xzavier was ready. He activated Lightning Blur, anticipating the next move.
The two Legendary Arts collided midair—lightning crackling against slicing wind. They clashed in the air, blades ringing. Xzavier blocked a slash to the neck, twisted, and retaliated with a bolt-charged swing.
Kaze flipped back, landing in the shallow water. "You've gotten faster," he sneered. "Let's test your mind."
He activated Mist Illusions. A thick fog erupted from his blade, enveloping the shore.
Xzavier stood firm, listening.
A slash came from the left—he blocked.
Another from behind—he ducked.
A third, from above—
Clang!
He parried just in time, sparks flying. But the illusions were wearing on him. Kaze was moving unpredictably, using the fog and wind to his advantage.
"You can't win this," Kaze whispered from somewhere in the mist.
Then came silence.
Until—
Fwoosh.
Kaze emerged mid-slash, blade phasing through a boulder.
"What the—?!" Xzavier exclaimed.
"Legendary Art... Faze Technique."
Xzavier barely managed to leap back. Kaze's form shimmered, untouchable. His body phased through trees, stones, even Xzavier's blade.
"You can't hit me while the blade's drawn," Kaze said, grinning. "And I don't plan on sheathing it."
"Then I'll just make you!" Xzavier shouted.
With newfound resolve, he rushed forward. He used Lightning Blur repeatedly, building static across the terrain. Then he slammed the Thunder Blade into the earth.
Thunder Pulse.
A shockwave exploded outward, destabilizing the mist. The electromagnetic surge bent the fog's flow, revealing Kaze's outline.
"Gotcha."
Xzavier appeared beside him, launching a furious combo of lightning-infused strikes. Kaze tried to phase but was forced to block, the rapid voltage interrupting the Faze Technique's control.
Kaze's face twisted in frustration. He vanished again, swirling wind left in his wake.
From the sky, he dived.
Typhoon Fang!
A spiraling slash of wind screamed toward Xzavier.
Xzavier raised his blade. "Thunder Guard!"
The winds crashed against a field of crackling electricity, forcing both combatants back.
Panting, Kaze landed beside Raijin's unconscious body. "You always were too stubborn..."
"You always had a good heart," Xzavier countered. "Gimori twisted that. I won't let him twist anything else."
Kaze charged again, but his movements were slower now. The fog was gone, the wind thinner. His Aku no eye flickered.
Xzavier readied his final move.
"Ascended Bolt!"
A spear of lightning formed in his hand. He hurled it with all his strength.
Kaze activated Faze—
But Xzavier had timed it. The moment Kaze's form flickered back to tangible between movements—
Boom!
The bolt struck dead-on, launching Kaze into the air. He crashed into the tree line, groaning.
Xzavier rushed over, blade still drawn.
Kaze, barely conscious, chuckled. "Still... the strongest, huh?"
Xzavier stood over him. "You don't have to serve Gimori. This isn't you."
Kaze looked away. "Maybe... maybe it's too late."
Raijin groaned behind them. Xzavier turned briefly to check on him, then back to Kaze—
—but the corrupted warden was gone.
The wind howled through the trees.
Kaze had vanished once more.
Xzavier clenched his fist, staring at the spot where Kaze had lain. "I'll save you. Even if it's the last thing I do."
He knelt beside Raijin and carried him toward the encampment.
Trouble had found him again.
But now, he was stronger.
And he wasn't alone.