The thick canopy of Linka's jungle filtered the harsh sun into mottled patches of light on the mossy ground. Xzavier's hands tightened around the Thunder Blade as he watched Raijin carefully wipe the grime from the blade's hilt before nodding solemnly. The weight of the news Raijin shared pressed on Xzavier's heart like a crushing stone.
"The situation is worse than we thought," Raijin said quietly, voice heavy. "Gimori and the Dawn's Awakening have descended into madness. Torturing and killing innocents at random, sowing terror wherever they go. And they've taken Princess Zadie Tengu."
Xzavier's jaw clenched, eyes flashing with fury. "Then we have to save her."
Raijin shook his head. "Not alone. But we're not alone either. Levine, Yagumi, and Sensei Gara are here on this island. The outer jungle of Linka… that's where they're last seen."
Before Xzavier could respond, a chilling roar echoed through the dense foliage. From the shadows emerged a figure—Kaze, once an ally, now corrupted by Gimori's dark power, his eyes glowing a sinister Aku no blue and black veins crawling beneath his skin like living shadows.
Levine, Yagumi, and Sensei Gara stepped forward, tension crackling in the air. Levine's cold smile barely concealed his disdain. "Kaze," he sneered, "what a pathetic failure you've become. Cowering in the jungle, controlled by darkness."
Yagumi chuckled darkly, the Aku no eye in his own gaze flickering with corrupt light. "You lost yourself a long time ago."
The fight erupted instantly.
---
Kaze lunged with the speed of a tempest, fists crackling with corrupted energy. Levine parried effortlessly, his blade slicing through the charged air, deflecting Kaze's furious blows. Yagumi circled, his corrupted eye shimmering as he conjured shadowy tendrils that whipped towards Kaze like living snakes.
Kaze dodged and countered, unleashing a whirlwind of strikes that battered Levine's defenses, but Levine's calm precision kept him in control. Sensei Gara, calm and calculating, stayed back, observing and waiting for the perfect moment.
Despite his corrupted strength, Kaze faltered. Levine's blade found its mark again and again, each strike forcing Kaze back, his energy draining under the onslaught.
Yagumi joined in, their attacks synchronizing like a deadly dance. Kaze was driven to his knees, black veins pulsing violently.
---
Levine stepped forward, blade raised, ready to finish it. With a swift, clean cut, he sliced through Kaze's Aku no eye.
The corrupted blue glow shattered like glass, black veins retreating as the dark corruption fled his body. Kaze gasped, trembling as his sight cleared, and for a moment, he looked lost—then his eyes focused with clarity.
"I'm free," Kaze whispered, voice raw but resolute.
Levine reached for the Wind Blade, its legendary edge gleaming with power.
Before he could grasp it, a sharp kick sent him stumbling backward.
Xzavier, though bladeless, stood firm beside Raijin and Sensei Gara, their presence like a wall of steel.
---
Sensei Gara moved with swift precision, slicing through the air to cut Yagumi's Aku no eye. The corrupted glow shattered, and Yagumi collapsed, clutching his head, free from the darkness that had controlled him.
Levine's expression shifted from contempt to surprise as Sensei Gara locked eyes with him.
"Sensei Gara..." Levine murmured, his voice thick with a mix of respect and challenge.
---