Mirazh: I'll send you to the depths of Helheim for her to judge you!
Mirazh lunged forward, his movements blurring with speed—
Volk: Lykos, on your right! Oka, above! Kitsune, fire to your left!
Volk's future vision snapped into play, predicting Mirazh's every move. Lykos spun, barely catching the enemy's blade with his axe. Kitsune's fire exploded against Mirazh's side, searing him. His screams echoed through the battlefield—
Volk: Alright, let's finish this!
__________________
Alepou: What did you do to them?!
Her golden bubble surrounded her like a shield, crackling with energy.
Mirazh: Oh, I simply let them believe they're winning. One by one, they'll turn on each other, lost in their illusions. And I? I'll stand here and watch as they tear each other apart.
A cold chill ran down Alepou's spine.
Alepou: You monster!
She stepped forward, letting her bubble drop.
Mirazh: Oh? And what do you plan to do? No Telum, no strength... you're nothing.
He surged forward, both weapons raised high. Alepou's bubble flashed back into existence, deflecting his strike. The impact sent ripples through the barrier, forcing Mirazh back a step. Before he could react, Alepou dropped the shield and drove a kick into his ribs. He barely flinched, grinning as he lunged again.
A flurry of blows rained down, Alepou's shield flickering under the pressure. Mirazh's attacks intensified, each strike cracking her defense. She had seconds before it shattered completely.
Thinking fast, she dropped the shield just before his final strike, rolling left. His weapons struck empty air, embedding into the frozen ground. Seizing the moment, Alepou encased her fists in shimmering energy and delivered a brutal punch to his face.
Mirazh stumbled, the illusion over the others wavering. Alepou pressed forward, landing another crushing blow. This time, Mirazh snarled and caught her arm.
Mirazh: Impressive... for someone powerless. But this is where it ends.
His grip tightened, his other hand raising his axe for a final swing—
A shield slammed into his weapon, knocking it aside. A split second later, a spear cut through his arm, severing it clean. Alepou dropped to the ground, scrambling away. Mirazh whirled to see Volk and Fidi standing side by side.
Lykos and Okami wasted no time, charging him. Mirazh pulled his sword, deflecting their strikes. Then, he smirked and lifted a single finger. Shadows twisted around him. A dozen identical clones appeared, surrounding the group.
Mirazh: You really thought you had me?
Kitsune: Volk! Get me up high!
Volk: So I'm a catapult now?
Without hesitation, he launched Kitsune skyward. Flames erupted from her hands, incinerating the clones below. As she began to fall, Volk sprinted and caught her mid-air.
The fox spirit Kitsune summoned earlier lunged at the real Mirazh, locking onto his arm with fiery fangs. Taking the opening, the team struck.
Okami's scythe severed Mirazh's remaining arm. Fidi's spear found its mark, piercing his chest. Lykos, gripping his axe, stepped forward and buried it into Mirazh's neck, carving downward. The body hit the ground, dissolving into dust. In its place, an orb remained.
Argos (in Lykos' mind): Take it. Whatever it is, it's powerful.
Lykos: I'm not using it... Sky, catch.
Skylos barely had time to react before the orb flew toward him. He snatched it mid-air, absorbing its energy instantly. But there was no time to focus on that—his eyes darted to Fidi.
Father and son locked eyes.
Skylos ran forward, arms wrapping around Fidi in a crushing hug.
Fidi: Sky?! You're so tall! What the hell happened?!
Skylos: Dad, you've been gone for over seven years. Of course, I grew up.
Fidi pulled back, eyes wide in disbelief.
Fidi: Seven years?! I was in Amnea just a few days ago...
Lykos: Amnea fell around the same time you and the Protectors of Freedom vanished. So yeah... over seven years ago.
Fidi: No... that's impossible. The fight was just days ago...
Alepou: What happened back then?
Fidi: We were fighting three massive monstras. Two went down, but the third... it was stronger. Liontari and Arkouda charged in recklessly and got sent flying into a building. Accalia and I held our ground, waiting for them to return... but they never did. Then I got hit—and suddenly, I was in a frozen valley.
Volk: Sounds like you were thrown forward in time.
Fidi: As insane as that sounds... it might be the only explanation.
He exhaled sharply, studying the group again.
Then his gaze locked onto Volk and Okami.
Fidi: Wait... let me guess. You're Volk, and you're Okami.
Volk & Okami: Yeah?
Fidi's expression darkened.
Fidi: Then you really don't know, do you?
Okami: Know what?
Volk: What aren't you telling us?
Fidi sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Fidi: Lykos, Volk, Okami... you three are sons of Accalia.
Silence fell.
Lykos: Wait... they're—
Okami & Volk: We're brothers?!
Sobaka: Okay, but can we save the family drama for later? It's freezing, and we need shelter.
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