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Chapter 13 - The Hunt of Kai

Scene: The Planet of Giants – Makumbha

Across the galaxy, on a world bathed in red storms and thunder, Makumbha, the Planet of Giants, trembles. The air itself rumbles with the chants of ancient warriors — guardians of strength and legacy.

In the heart of their stone citadel, a massive being stands tall — his body like carved mountains, eyes like molten suns.

Rayor, the Titan Aether Core of Makumbha.

Rayor (to the warriors around him):

"The flames have whispered of death. Something dark… is coming."

A portal opens. The skies split in a wave of heat.

Black Kai steps out.

His body glows with burning red sigils, and steam rises from his skin with every breath.

The warriors charge — but in one motion, Kai rips through them, his rage silent and efficient.

Rayor (roaring):

"You dare enter Makumbha?!"

Kai (calmly):

"I'm not here for war.

I'm here… for your core."

Aether ignites. They clash — fists shattering mountains, flames boiling oceans. But Black Kai is beyond rage now. He's a Flame Titan with one goal.

He breaks through Rayor's final defense and crushes his core with his bare hands.

Rayor (falling, fading):

"You were… once a protector…"

Kai (coldly):

"Now I devour what I once swore to guard."

As Rayor dies, his core energy swirls into Kai's body. A new burning rune appears across Kai's chest.

---

Scene: The Core Map – Only Five Remain

Black Kai walks to an ancient altar. He places a crystal tablet on it. A map of glowing orbs appears — showing all the remaining Aether Cores.

Only five lights remain.

One of them pulses green… small, young… Marine.

Black Kai (quietly):

"So the child still breathes…"

A moment's silence. Then he smirks.

> "Let her grow.

The stronger she becomes…

the sweeter the end will be."

---

Scene: Kazuya's Vision

Back in Airaelum, Kazuya gasps awake from meditation. His eyes glow gold — he just witnessed it all through the Aether Flow.

Kazuya (horrified):

"He's still hunting… and now there are only five left."

He looks at Marine, asleep near the fire, her energy soft and innocent.

Kazuya (gritting his teeth):

"Rayor was one of the strongest. If even he couldn't stop Kai…

Then we don't have time."

Battle 1: Zel'Nirra – The Water Aether Core

On planet Virellis — oceans rise like towers, glowing blue as the moonlight dances. Zel'Nirra, calm and composed, walks across liquid sky.

Suddenly, a wave freezes mid-air.

From the center of the ocean mist, a burning figure appears — Black Kai, steam rising off his arms.

Zel'Nirra (calmly):

"You carry rage like a disease."

Kai (softly):

"And you carry peace like a weakness."

Zel'Nirra lifts her arms — twelve serpent-like water dragons rise behind her. She claps — they strike in a spiral of blue energy.

Kai counters by stomping down — a volcano bursts through the ocean floor, lava crashing with water. Steam and lightning collide.

He darts through the mist — breaks through the dragons one by one using bare hands and rage-fueled strikes.

Zel'Nirra (panting):

"Why do this… you were one of us."

Kai (burning brighter):

"No. I was the one they left behind."

He grabs her by the throat — water hardens to ice as her tears freeze mid-air.

With a final whisper —

> "Rest now, gentle wave…"

He crushes her Aether core, and a massive geyser explodes skyward, visible from space.

---

Battle 2: Thornex – The Beast Aether Core

Planet Zarak. Jungles roar. The trees breathe here — everything is alive. Thornex, a lion-like humanoid with glowing tribal tattoos, roars from a cliff.

Thornex:

"I smell death… but I will be the one delivering it."

Black Kai arrives, dragging chains of flame behind him.

The jungle attacks first — vines, beasts, even storms — all obey Thornex.

But Kai doesn't dodge.

He walks through fire and fang — face blank, body glowing hotter with every hit.

Thornex leaps, turning into a giant beast-form. The ground collapses as his claws strike Kai, who barely budges.

Then — Kai grips Thornex's paw mid-air.

Kai:

"You were strength. But I… am vengeance."

He lifts Thornex and slams him into a mountain, breaking its spine. As Thornex rises, bloodied, Kai punches his core directly through his chest, holding it as the jungle dies.

---

Battle 3: Elthea – The Mind Aether Core

On a reflective silver moon, Elthea, the Aether of Wisdom, hovers over a star-filled pool. Her hair flows like silver rivers.

She senses him long before he arrives.

Elthea:

"So you've truly fallen, Kai."

Kai (emerging silently):

"No. I've risen beyond forgiveness."

She summons illusions — copies of herself, warping reality. Kai walks through them. He bleeds — but keeps walking.

Elthea:

"I won't fight you. Not like them."

Kai (whispers):

"Then you'll fall faster."

She touches his forehead — he sees visions of Sophie, of Marine as a baby, of himself laughing once...

He flinches.

Kai (growling):

"Don't show me what I buried."

With one thrust, he impales her core using his bare soul, dragging her spirit into the Aether Flame. She vanishes like a falling star.

---

Battle 4: Baromak – The Flame Guardian

The red desert trembles. Baromak, a giant clad in flaming bronze armor, slams his hammer to the ground — the world responds with firestorms.

Baromak (grinning):

"Come then, traitor. Burn with me."

Kai arrives shirtless, fire sigils glowing like brands. The two flames clash — crimson vs gold, rage vs honor.

They don't speak — just strike.

Every punch causes volcanoes to rise. Baromak swings his hammer — Kai catches it with both hands, the ground beneath cracking.

Baromak:

"You think you're the flame? You're just its shadow!"

Kai (eyes glowing red):

"Then let's see how much shadow burns."

They scream — final blows colliding. The sky splits.

Baromak's armor shatters — Kai's fist burns through his chest, crushing the core.

The desert howls with his death. His hammer melts into ash.

---Back to Airoma – The Mirror Shatters

Isaka screams and pulls back from the relic.

Isaka (breathing fast):

"He… he killed them. All four. One after another…"

Marine (rushing in):

"What happened?! Who did this?!"

Isaka (still shaking):

"Kazuya… Who was that man?"

Kazuya stands, eyes shadowed, staring into the broken mirror.

Kazuya (quietly):

"Once… he was my closest friend."

A pause.

Kazuya (soft but full of pain):

"But now… he's the hunter of Aether Cores."

---

– Black Kai Alone

In the Void between stars, Kai floats — the air around him vibrating with the power of the four absorbed Cores.

He looks at the final glowing dot on his map.

Marine.

Black Kai (to himself):

"You're the last one… little star.

The one they tried to hide from me.

I'm coming."

The screen fades to black as his eyes ignite into flames.

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