Chapter Ten

Years ago...

A purple, unnatural light from the strange star outside spilled through the narrow window of Lola's room, casting her shadow against the walls. She sat at the edge of her bed, her bare feet resting on the tiled floor, her gaze distant and unfocused. Wearing only in a white tank top and the bottom half of her jumpsuit, she felt the chill of the night, though it was nothing compared to the ice that had settled in her chest.

The past clung to her like a specter. The last few days' events replayed in her mind, each memory sharper than the previous. The faces of the girls—her friends—flashed before her, their unwavering eyes full of defiance even in their final moments. They had believed in something, fought for it, died for it. And Bertha...

Lola's breath hitched. Bertha had been more than a friend than she ever dared to admit. And yet, she had watched her die, powerless to stop it. The image of Bertha's lifeless, charred body that lay at Heaven's feet was burned into her mind, haunting her every time she closed her eyes. Sleep had become a cruel trick, offering only brief moments of peace before dragging her back into the nightmare.

A presence at the doorway pulled Lola from her thoughts.

"How can you just sit there after what you five did to them?"

The voice was sharp, accusatory. Lola lifted her head, her weary eyes meeting the girl's silhouette in the dim light. Small in stature but burning with anger, she trembled with hate.

Lola stood at her full height, towering over the girl, but her clenching of fists at her sides did not indicate intimidation.

"Say something!" the girl snapped. "I know you feel guilty! You loved Bertha more than anything—and you watched her die!"

Lola's throat tightened. She looked away, her gaze falling again to the floor, unable to meet the scornful eyes boring into her.

She had no defense. No words to offer.

And the silence was an admission all on its own.

"I loved Samantha! I loved her!" The girl's voice cracked, her fury trembling on the edge of grief. "She told me she wasn't coming back. I didn't believe her. I thought she'd defy all odds and return to me—victorious. That she'd killed Master Nem. That we'd finally be free of this hellhole." Her breath hitched, and she turned her head away as if looking at Lola any longer would break her entirely. Her hands balled into fists, knuckles white, nails biting into her palms hard enough to draw blood.

"She told me not to come," she whispered, her voice brittle. "And a part of me wishes I had listened. I saw how Sandra was torn apart by Hyena Girl and torched by Neveah, Anna Lee burned to a crisp, Bertha electrocuted by Heaven, Eleven Seven pierced by Sheeva, and Samantha... what Isabella did to her was just I can't even utter the words." Her shoulders trembled as she took a shuddering breath, and she whipped her gaze back to Lola, her eyes burning with hatred.

"YOU ALL SLAUGHTERED THEM LIKE THEY WERE NOTHING TO YOU!" 

The weight of her words hung between them, heavy and suffocating.

Lola didn't want to hear any more of this. The weight of the girl's words pressed down on her, suffocating and relentless. Without a word, she turned toward the door, her footsteps slow but deliberate. The girl didn't move. She remained in the hallway, standing firm, her body acting as an immovable barrier, even though she knew that Lola could push her aside without effort if she wanted to.

Lola stopped just inches away from her, towering over the more petite figure. She stared down, her expression unreadable. "Where do you think you're going?" the girl demanded, her voice laced with venom.

Lola said nothing. She held her gaze, silent, unmoving.

The girl scoffed, her lips curling into something cruel. "Do yourself a favor—never show your face around here again." Lola's fingers twitched at her sides. "No one should have to look at something so disgusting."

The words cut more profoundly than they should have. Lola had been prepared for anger, accusations, and hatred, but not this. Her expression faltered—just for a second. Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in shock. She hadn't expected that and somehow, it hurt more than she thought it would. Lola reached up, fingers trembling as they found the knot securing her hair. She untied it slowly, deliberately, letting the strands fall loose. Her long brown hair fell forward, hiding her face entirely from the world. 

Just like the girl had said, no one should have to look at something so disgusting.

On the outskirts of the third island....

"What do you mean you aren't allowing anyone in?!" Master Nem's voice boomed throughout the area. She had been arguing with her brother, Dfas, for several minutes.

"According to the higher order, ever since Hyptant's death and the boy's escaping from the island, we were ordered to seal off the remaining islands. You would know that if you were present at the meetings, Nem."

"Don't get ignorant with me, you little shit! I have reasonable suspicion that those little boys are here right now. So, this is my final act of politeness... let me and my girls through or else."

"Oh? Is that a threat? It's supposed to be us vs them, not each other. But I'll be delighted to oblige if you would like to explain to the higher order why you started this dispute, sister."

Master Nem grimaced, looking down at Yokozuna and Tobi, who were not far behind watching this go on. "Very well, brother... I won't pester you anymore. But if I find out you allowed those boys into your domain, I'll kill you myself."

"Threats from the gluttonous hideous wrench, how exciting!"

Heaven and Neveah exchanged glances with Yokozuna and Tobias. Heaven, being who she was, was mainly focused on Yokozuna. "Nah, they weren't here, " she said. Neveah looked at her sister, confused. However, there is definitely someone else involved more than those two. I don't know how they did it, but a resistance formed."

Over in the pocket dimension where Nem had held the city she had abducted days ago, Sam and Lola stood atop the tallest building, staring one another down. Down below them were people who had been wandering aimlessly. Most were sleep-deprived, aware of the current circumstances, and knew there had been no way out.

"Look at what you all have caused in the last few days. How can you honestly live with yourself knowing that you are responsible for the misery and despair that has taken place, Lola?" Sam asked.

On the other side of the roof stood Lol, who never even bothered answering his question, not so much as a shrug of her shoulders. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you don't respond. Monsters like you don't have any heart. Had it been up to me, I'd kill you myself, but someone believes you can be redeemed."

Lola, being visibly aggravated, began walking toward Sam. Her fist clenched, her veins visibly bulging out more. "How many people did you kill because you thought you were right? Tell me!"

Still, she remained silent, just only walking towards him. Looking at his hands, he saw the red energy flowing through his arms and hands. "Silent are we? No worries. We'll just this out." Hearing this made her stop in her tracks, tensing up immediately. "You know, when we were out in the middle of the ocean. We ended up being swallowed whole by a whale. Can I be the first to say it was the worst smell I could imagine... never want to experience that again. However, I had gained an ability I never thought that I would have... so let me ask you this." Sam said meeting her eyes once more. 

"Have you ever been struck with the weight of a whale?" Sam asked before launching himself forward at subsonic speeds. Lola had enough time to harden her body more, taking the strike from Sam's head straight to the side of the temple. She tried bracing herself, but the boosted strength and a whale's weight were unexpected. Sam's decisive strike led to Lola shooting across the rooftops of the building until she began falling toward the streets. People looked up and saw debris fall from the sky, including Lola. Panic began as they ran for shelter.

Lola would land on an abandoned car, flatten it completely, and then plow through the concrete, forming a crater. Beginning to get up, Lola looked up, only to be stomped down again by a falling Sam, having them both go deeper into the crater. 

"You're not winning this fight today!" Sam roared, charging at Lola with unrelenting fury. His fists blurred into a storm of rapid strikes, each blow delivered with the speed and precision of a machine. His movements were almost imperceptible to the naked eye, a flurry of motion that seemed to strike from every direction at once.

Lola grimaced, her hardened defenses absorbing the brunt of the assault. The amplified durability of her body dulled the impact of Sam's attacks, reducing them to little more than stinging annoyances. Still, his punches' sheer volume and persistence forced her to stay on guard.

Planting her massive feet into the ground, Lola shifted her weight and surged forward, using her size and strength to roll through Sam's attack. The sudden motion sent him stumbling back, disrupting his rhythm. Before he could recover, Lola swung a colossal fist downward, aiming to crush him with brute force.

Sam barely raised his arms in time, crossing them over his head to block the blow. The impact sent a jarring shockwave through his entire body, cracking the ground beneath him. Lola didn't let up, raining down a series of devastating strikes. Each punch forced Sam to retreat a step, his feet skidding against the rubble-strewn ground as he absorbed the brutal onslaught.

"Is that all you've got?" Sam growled through gritted teeth, his muscles straining against the sheer power of her attacks. He ducked under a wide swing, using the opening to deliver a punishing uppercut to Lola's jaw.

Her head snapped back slightly, but she quickly retaliated, sweeping her massive arm horizontally. Sam leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow, but the force of the swing created a shockwave that sent debris flying.

Lola pressed forward, her movements unyielding. She stomped the ground with enough force to send tremors through the battlefield, throwing Sam off balance. Taking advantage of the moment, she lashed out with a knee strike that caught him square in the chest, sending him tumbling backward into the wreckage of a crumbling building.

Sam coughed, pushing himself up from the rubble, his chest heaving with exertion. Despite the overwhelming force of Lola's attacks, his determination burned brightly. With a battle cry, he launched himself at her again, using the buildings around him to propel his movements.

The fight turned into a brutal exchange of blows, each combatant pushing themselves to the limit. Sam's speed and agility allowed him to weave through Lola's strikes, landing precise hits to her sides and legs. Meanwhile, Lola's sheer power and durability made her an unstoppable force, every swing of her fists carrying enough striking force to level entire structures.

Lola's seven foot frame moved with surprising flexibility as the fight wore on. Sam darted in again, his fists a blur of rapid strikes aimed at her sides and legs, but something had changed. With every flurry, Lola adjusted, her movements becoming more precise, more calculated. She began to read his patterns, her body shifting and twisting just enough to evade his blows entirely.

Sam grunted in frustration, his fists grazing nothing but air. "Now your just showing off," he muttered, launching himself upward to aim a devastating punch at her chin.

Lola sidestepped with a grace that belied her immense size, her lips curling into a faint smirk. Before Sam could recover, she planted her feet and swung a massive fist downward with unrelenting force. The blow connected with his torso, sending him hurtling down the street like a missile.

Sam's body crashed into the ground with thunderous impact, carving a massive scar into the asphalt as he skidded and tumbled for hundreds of feet before finally coming to a stop in a cloud of dust and debris. The road beneath him was shattered, chunks of pavement scattered like fallen leaves.

For a moment, Sam lay motionless, his chest rising and falling as he fought to catch his breath. Then, slowly, he pushed himself to his knees, his wounds closing almost instantly thanks to his boosted regeneration. However, the pain lingered, a stark reminder of just how strong his opponent was.

"This entire time, every time she has fought while on earth..." Sam muttered, dragging himself to his feet, his voice low but tinged with disbelief. "She's been holding back. Now, she is beginning to amp up her defenses... I do find that somewhat of a good sign."

He looked up, his eyes narrowing, as he saw Lola standing at the far end of the street, calm and unnerving as always. She wasn't panting, and she wasn't slowing down. In fact, her expression carried an unsettling calm, as though this was just another routine sparring session.

Sam clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking as his regeneration completed. "Fine," he growled, his tone defiant. "I know I can push you to your limits!"

With that, he launched himself forward again, his movements even faster and more aggressive than before, determined to find a way to break through her impenetrable defense. The street rumbled beneath his feet, and the air around them grew tense as the fight resumed.

Closing the distance again, Sam ducked underneath Lola's arm as she tried to strike him. Turning around, he was met with another strike underneath his jaw, sending him upwards. She would grab hold of his ankle, pulling him back down and slamming him into the cement again. Lifting him up holding him upside down as he was a child's doll, Lola struck Sam once more, this time in his spine. A cry let out as Sam was sent flying down several blocks till he smashed into a building, unable to move. 

"F-FU" Sam bit his lips, making himself bleed. His spine was shattered into pieces. He was utterly left paralyzed, and until his regeneration finished the job, he was left entirely immobile. "DAMN IT!" He screamed out.

Looking over to his left, he saw people seeking shelter in the building he had just crashed into. Men, women, and children were all scared and confused about what was happening before their very eyes. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry for putting you all in this mess," Sam said. 

Looking up toward the ceiling, Sam's vision became watery, feeling helpless even temporarily. He still couldn't shake the feeling that no matter what he had done, it had no effect on his opponent whatsoever. This had been the third time Sam had fought Lola, and he only managed to make it harder to hurt her. The increase of several thousand people believing in him gave them all his strength to be the victor, and the whale's strength was still insufficient to make her drop an ounce of blood. 

Sam rose his head, looking down the street to see Lola slowly approaching. "No... I can't give up! NOT NOW!" Sam sat up, his regeneration accelerating faster than before. Standing up, he looked over to the people who still remained. "Listen, I am not asking for much. But if I hope to beat this monster and get you guys to go home... lend me your strengths. We all need to hold out a little bit longer." Walking forward, Sam slowly increased in size, "nine thousand compositions..."

Lola stopped in place, taking in the notable size increase. As Sam got closer, his shadow engulfed Lola, who remained unbothered.

"Round four?" Sam asked.

Lola's only response was only a slight nod.

Sam's attacks didn't slow if anything, they became more aggressive. With his massive increase in size, he no longer had to rely solely on speed and precision. Now, brute force was his greatest weapon. Each of his strikes sent shockwaves through the crumbling city, his blows forcing Lola backward. It wasn't just about landing hits anymore he was overpowering her and planned to make the most of it.

Lunging forward, Sam wrapped his enormous arm around Lola's waist, lifting her completely off the ground. The moment her feet left the pavement, he slammed her down with the force of an earthquake, the impact sending a web of cracks snaking through the street. But he didn't stop there.

Sam held Lola firmly and twisted, hurling her through the air. She crashed through one building, then another, before colliding with the side of a skyscraper, causing it to groan under the impact.

Sam was already moving before she could recover. He closed the distance instantly, barreling toward her like an unstoppable juggernaut. His shoulder smashed into her midsection, the sheer force of the tackle driving her through layers of concrete, glass, and steel. The two of them plowed through entire structures as though they were nothing more than paper. Each building they shattered sent debris raining down the streets below, the battle leaving a path of absolute devastation.

Gripping Lola's arm, Sam whipped her overhead and slammed her spine-first into the pavement. The ground gave way beneath her, forming a massive crater. He yanked her back up again, muscles straining, and threw her with all his might this time sending her skidding across the street, tearing up the asphalt as she tumbled through abandoned vehicles like a human wrecking ball.

Sam wasn't just hitting her anymore. He was dominating her with sheer size and raw power.

But even as he stood over the destruction, his fists clenched, his chest rising and falling, there was no sign of struggle from Lola. No gasps of pain. No signs of exhaustion.

She started to rise again.

Sam's jaw tightened. She's still not going down? Even after all that? His fingers flexed as he took another step forward.

"You stubborn bitch."

Sam roared as he slammed Lola again, shaking the ground beneath them. He had gone into a primal rage. Slamming his knees on Lola's arms and firmly pinning the rest of her body down he began to pummel her with all his might. His massive fists crashed like meteor strikes, hammering into Lola's chest relentlessly. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, widening the crater with every devastating blow.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sheer force of his attacks crushed the pavement beneath them, sending deep fractures outward like a spiderweb. Dust and debris shot into the air, obscuring their figures in a thick cloud. But Sam didn't stop. He couldn't stop.

His muscles burned from the sheer exertion, veins bulging as he poured every ounce of power into each relentless strike. He struck with the weight of thousands behind him, fueled by the belief and strength of those who had trusted him. But despite the sheer brutality of his assault, despite the destruction he was causing to the very ground beneath them.

Lola still wouldn't break.

Even as her body sunk deeper into the earth from the repeated hammering, even as the rubble around them turned to nothing but dust, there was no struggle from her. No scream. No reaction.

She just took it.

Sam's breathing grew heavier, sweat dripping down his forehead. His strikes slowed, but his rage didn't fade.

"Why won't you go down?!"

With a final, echoing roar, Sam clenched both fists together and drove them down into Lola's face with all his might. The impact sent a massive shockwave outward, splitting the street in all directions. Buildings in the distance trembled, windows shattering from the force.

Sam pulled back, his breath ragged, his massive form looming over the crater. Dust filled the air, obscuring his view. He waited, chest rising and falling, watching the settling debris.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, through the dust, movement. Sam's eyes widened in disbelief. "STAY DOWN!"

As Sam raised his fists for one another devastating blow, his breath ragged, his muscles screaming from the sheer force he had exerted, he swung down only for his entire body to halt. Lola's hand had shot up, her fingers grabbing onto his massive wrist with an iron grip.

Sam's eyes widened. He tried to yank his arm free, but it wouldn't budge. It was as if he had just been caught in an unbreakable vice.

Then—CRACK!

A sickening sound echoed through the crater as Lola wrenched Sam's wrist to the side, snapping it instantly. Pain exploded through his arm, his massive frame staggering backward as a raw cry tore from his throat. His once mighty fist now hung limply, twisted at an unnatural angle.

Sam's breathing turned sharp, his face contorted in agony. His regeneration kicked in immediately, but the pain still lingered—a reminder that, despite all the force he had unleashed, despite all the power of thousands surging through his body.

Lola was still stronger.

Before Sam could fully process the pain in his wrist, Lola rushed forward, closing the gap between them with terrifying speed. Her hand gripped his throat, yanking him downward with a force that made his knee slam into the shattered ground. Then, without hesitation, she began to pummel him.

Her fists, unrelenting, crashed into Sam's face and torso like battering rams. Each strike came faster than the last, a brutal onslaught that showed no hesitation, no mercy.

Boom!

A fist to his temple sent his vision reeling.

Boom!

Another caved in his ribcage, the sickening crunch of bone barely audible over the sheer force of the blows.

Sam tried to retaliate, but every time he even flinched, another devastating strike cut him off, knocking his head to the side or driving deeper into his body. He couldn't even lift his arms to defend himself—she was too fast and far too strong.

Then—CRACK!

Lola's fist collided with Sam's jaw; this time, the sound of breaking bone was unmistakable. His head snapped back violently, his mouth twisting unnaturally as pain erupted through his face. Blood splattered from his lips as his jaw hung loose, dislocated, and shattered in an instant.

Sam's vision blurred, his massive body swaying. His regeneration would kick in, but the pain—the pain—was undeniable. He had taken beatings before. He had never felt something like this.

Lola let go, and Sam's body fell back wholly limp, his breath ragged, his limbs no longer responding to his will. His once-massive form shrunk, muscles retracting, bones shifting, until he was back to his standard height of five feet seven inches. His broken jaw hung awkwardly, and the pain still roared through his body like an unrelenting storm.

Lola, unwavering, reached down and gripped his throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. His legs dangled, his body weight meaning nothing to her monstrous strength. His vision swam, the world tilting as he fought to stay conscious. But despite the overwhelming pain, despite the sheer difference in power, Sam managed to do something that made Lola pause.

He smiled.

A weak, defiant grin stretched across his bloodied face, and through the haze of his fading vision, he saw it.

A single crimson trail slid from Lola's nose.

His mind barely registered it, but it was real. He had hurt her.

She had severely underestimated him, and had gotten ignorant. Lola had thought that fifteen percent was going to be all she needed to be fine. Had it not been for her increasing her defenses at the very last moment, that final hammer fist would have knocked her out. She had been seconds from collapse, her body unable to entirely negate the force he had unleashed.

Sam let out a weak, gurgling chuckle, his cracked lips parting as if to say something. But his body betrayed him, and his vision faded to black before a word could escape.

Lola slowly opened her fingers, releasing her grip. Sam's body dropped, hitting the broken ground with a heavy thud. He lay still, his chest barely rising and falling, his breath ragged and uneven. For a moment, she stared at him, unmoving. The battle was over his body had given out. He was done.

Lifting a hand to her face, Lola wiped at the crimson streak on her nose, glancing at the blood now smeared against her fingers. Her blood. It was almost hard to believe. No one had ever made her bleed before. All those years of honing her ability she thought she would have never seen blood again. 

She exhaled through her nose, closing her fist, the moment's weight settling in. Then, slowly, she gave a single nod as a sign of respect. Sam didn't stop when clearly he was outmatched and Lola could not help but find that admirable.

Cling!

A small rock struck Lola's temple with a light tap, barely a nuisance but enough to make her shift her gaze.

Standing a short distance away was a little boy, no older than ten, his face twisted in anger and fear. His tiny hands trembled as he reached for another rock, his body tense but determined.

"GET OUT OF HERE, YOU BIG BULLY!" he screamed, his voice cracking with emotion. He threw the second rock with all his might.

It barely even reached her.

Lola remained still, her cold, unreadable eyes locked onto the boy. She made no move toward him, no reaction other than the slight tilt of her head.

Around them, others had begun to peek from their hiding places—men, women, and children alike. Their eyes were wide with both terror and awe, watching as the child stood his ground against the monster that had just obliterated their only hope.

Yet, in that moment, despite everything… Lola did not strike back.

The small act of defiance from the boy ignited something in the crowd. From all around, people emerged from their hiding spots, eyes full of fear and desperation. They, too, were tired of the torment of being powerless. They were tired of her.

One by one, rocks began to fly in her direction—small, jagged stones, each one aimed at the towering figure who had destroyed their city and their lives. The projectiles bounced harmlessly off her hardened body, but it didn't stop them.

Clink.

A rock struck her shoulder.

Thud.

Another hit her side.

Ping.

Despite the futile nature of their actions, they kept throwing, each rock adding to the desperation that clung to the air. The sounds of stone against her form echoed, but Lola's gaze remained fixed forward, unreadable. For a long moment, she said nothing, and the crowd's bravery seemed to build. They were angry. They were frustrated. They had seen their world burn, their loved ones die, their homes destroyed, and now they wanted to fight back, even if their weapons were only stones.

Lola's fists clenched, the tension in her body palpable, but she held her ground. She could crush them with a thought and instantly end this pitiful show of resistance, but she didn't. She watched, unmoving, as the rocks continued to fall around her.

Then, her gaze slowly shifted back to the boy.

"YOU'RE A MONSTER! YOU WEAR YOUR HAIR DOWN SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SEE YOUR UGLY FACE!"

The man's voice cracked as he shouted, his words full of hatred and disgust. It was a sentiment that felt all too familiar to Lola, a cruel reminder of that very day—the day Samantha's lover had spat similar words.

At that moment, the world seemed to fall away. The chaos around her, the rocks flying through the air, and even the angry shouts of the crowd faded. It was just her, standing frozen in time, her hair cascading over her face. The memory of that confrontation flooded her mind with vivid clarity. "No one should have to look at something so disgusting." The girl's voice, so full of venom and accusation, twisted in Lola's thoughts. And then came the lover's voice, ringing louder, more searing—the words that would never leave her mind.

She hadn't forgotten. She'd tried to bury it. But now, standing amid the very people she had fought against, those words came rushing back like a flood—reminding her of all the hatred that had been poured on her, the contempt she had endured, the isolation she had forced herself into.

For a moment, Lola's hands trembled, her fists clenched tighter. The weight of the memory, combined with the jeering cries of the crowd, almost threatened to overwhelm her.

But she didn't show it.

Her gaze remained cold, her features unreadable as the boy's words rang in her ears once more.

Suddenly, Lola was hit in the head with a rock, and pain instantly shot through her body. Her breath hitched as she opened her hand to catch it just before it hit the ground. She could feel the sting and the heat, and when she looked down, she saw it: the rock wasn't just ordinary stone. It was covered in blood a vivid, crimson smear marking its surface.

A moment of confusion gripped her. How had this happened?

Frantically, she scanned the crowd, her eyes darting around, searching for the source of this unexpected attack. But there was nothing—only chaos. People were shouting, throwing more rocks, their faces twisted with anger and fear. None of them seemed to hold anything but desperation in their hands.

Lola's mind raced. Where was the blood coming from? She looked down to confirm Sam was still lying unconscious.

The rocks continued to rain down on her, each one striking with force, but none of them were like the blood-soaked one. She couldn't see anyone with a weapon. She gritted her teeth, but it was clear that the crowd had found a new, terrifying way to strike at her—a way that hurt.

The realization hit her like a wave: something wasn't right here.

Another rock hit her. The impact came with a sickening thud, and Lola's vision blurred for a moment as the blood-covered rock collided with the back of her head. She staggered slightly, the pain radiating through her skull, sharp and unforgiving.

She instinctively reached up to the spot, her fingers brushing against her hair, and when they pulled away, there was the unmistakable warmth of blood.

Her heart pounded as she turned in every direction, her eyes scanning the faces in the crowd. But they were just faceless masses, each shouting, some looking at her with disgust, others with fear. They had become a blur of hatred and desperation. And yet, among the chaos, she could feel the presence of something… someone lurking behind the collective rage.

Lola's senses sharpened as she clenched her jaw, the blood dripping from the back of her head staining her fingers. Her gaze narrowed, fury building within her chest. The same question kept ringing in her mind: Who is doing this?

Suddenly, another rock flew from the back of the crowd, catching her square in the side of her face. This time, it didn't just hurt. It felt like it cut through her skin.

Lola whipped around again, her eyes wild, searching with frantic urgency for the person responsible. And then, in the distance, she caught a flicker—a brief glint of movement. Someone, hiding behind the people, behind the safety of the masses, was throwing the rocks with deliberate aim.

Her eyes locked onto the figure who dared throw that rock, knowing the pain it had caused. Once she locked on, she ran straight toward the crowd, targeting that individual.

Then, a sudden blow landed square on her jaw with more than enough force to send Lola flying backward. Her head snapped to the side, and before she could even register what had happened, her body was hurtling through the air, tumbling uncontrollably. The ground beneath her shattered as she crashed into the debris, the force of the impact sending waves of pain through her spine.

She smashed through blocks of crumbled concrete. Her body flipped and spun in a chaotic mess, disoriented and struggling to regain control as she finally slammed into the side of a building, crumpling to the ground in a cloud of dust and rubble.

For a long moment, everything was silent—her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath. Her vision blurred, pain radiating from her jaw, and blood dripped down her face. She lay there for a moment, disoriented and vulnerable in the wreckage, as the realization set in. Someone had struck her.

Her mind scrambled to process who or what could have delivered such a blow. It wasn't a rock—no, it was a punch, a powerful strike from someone. Lola's pulse quickened as she slowly pushed herself up, the dust clinging to her skin like a second layer. Her eyes, wild and searching, locked onto the crowd, scanning for the figure who had dared to approach her directly.

The air was thick with tension as she wiped the blood from her mouth, her jaw aching, but she couldn't afford to stay down. She couldn't afford to show any weakness. Her gaze flicked through the masses, locking onto a shadowy figure—someone standing apart from the others who dared to take the fight to her.

With a growl, Lola pulled herself to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. Whoever had struck her would pay for daring to challenge her like that.

Lola's breath hitched as she focused her gaze through the settling dust. The figure approaching her wasn't just another fighter—this was someone dangerous. Someone who, despite never crossing fists with her before, had the potential to do what no one else could.

Through the wreckage, Kirk Lakeland emerged moving with a steady stride a unmistakable smirk plastered on his face. "I've been itching for this for quite a while, Lola," he said, his voice carrying an unsettling confidence.

Lola's muscles tensed. She had never faced Kirk in battle but knew exactly who he was. Master Nem's intelligence had been clear Kirk wasn't just strong. He was a nightmare for someone like her. His abilities bypassed durability itself, rendering her most significant advantage useless. No amount of hardened skin or reinforced defenses would matter against his strikes.

Kirk stopped just a few feet away, rolling his shoulders as if loosening up for what was to come. Then, with an amused chuckle, he gestured toward her.

"Stand up and fight."

Lola remained still for a moment, her mind racing. This wasn't just another fight. This was different. Lola had known that she was severely outmatched.

As Kirk stood before Lola, issuing his challenge, the little boy who had first thrown a rock at her didn't stay to watch. Instead, he turned and sprinted toward Sam, weaving through the rubble and scattered debris. His small frame trembled with adrenaline, but his determination pushed him forward.

Sliding to his knees beside Sam's motionless body, the boy hesitated, his breath shaky. "H-Hey…" he whispered, reaching out with trembling hands. He gently shook Sam's arm, his fingers barely registering the warmth of his skin. "Are you okay? Please wake up…"

Sam's breathing was shallow, his body unmoving, but he was still alive. Relief washed over the boy, but it was quickly overshadowed by fear. He looked up, his gaze darting between Lola and the man who had just arrived—Kirk Lakeland.

He didn't know who Kirk was, but he could sense something had changed. This wasn't just another fight. It was something more significant.

Tightening his fists, the boy stayed beside Sam, silently praying that he would wake up soon.

The boy clenched his fists and took a deep breath, his small frame shaking with determination. "You said you need all of us to win, right?" he asked, glancing back at Sam's battered body. His voice was quiet, but there was a fire behind his words.

He turned to face the scattered crowd, standing tall despite the fear gripping his chest. "It's okay, I'll make sure that happens!" he declared.

Without another thought, he sprang to his feet and cupped his hands around his mouth. "EVERYONE, LISTEN TO ME!" his sharp and urgent voice rang out. People in the crowd turned, some still clutching rocks, others frozen in place.

"Sam needs us! He's the only one who's ever fought for us, the only one trying to stop all this! We have to help him!" His voice cracked with desperation, but he didn't stop. "He said he needs our strength—so give it to him! Give him everything you can!"

A murmur rippled through the crowd as people exchanged uncertain glances. Fear and hesitation lingered, but a spark of hope ignited in the eyes of a few.

The boy didn't wait—he pressed his hands together, closed his eyes, and focused. "Take everything I have," he whispered.

Then, one by one, others followed.

Though this wasn't the entire city trapped in the pocket dimension, the contained area still spanned over three square miles. Nearly 10,000 people remained within it—scared, exhausted, and desperate for a way out.

The boy didn't stop screaming, his voice raw and unwavering. "If you can hear me, help him! Give Sam your strength!" He waved his arms, running through the crowd, urging more and more people to join in.

At first, there was hesitation. Then, like a ripple spreading through a vast ocean, people closed their eyes, pressing their hands together, willing their energy forward. It started small—a trickle, a single pulse of strength—but soon, it became a flood.

A faint glow shimmered through the crowd, flickering like embers catching fire. Sam's body, still unmoving, began to stir. His fingers twitched, his shallow breathing deepened, and the air around him grew heavy with energy.

One by one, people began collapsing, drained of their strength. Knees buckled, bodies slumped to the ground—yet still, they gave. The boy turned, his legs trembling beneath him, but he refused to stop. "More! Just a little more!"

The surge of power was undeniable now. Sam's body pulsed, muscles tightening as raw energy flooded into him. The earth beneath him cracked, dust rising in swirling tendrils. His wounds sealed at an accelerated rate, his shattered bones knitting together almost instantly.

And then, his eyes snapped open.

The boy's voice rang out one final time, filled with unwavering faith. "I believe in you, Sam!"

Then, his tiny body gave out. His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the cracked pavement, unconscious like so many others who had given everything they had.

A hush fell over the battlefield, broken only by the low rumbling of energy surging through Sam's body. His fingers curled into fists, trembling as his strength returned—not just returned, but multiplied. The sheer magnitude of power coursing through him made the very air tremble.

Slowly, Sam pushed himself up, his movements deliberate. Dust swirled around him as he rose, his once-weakened form radiating with raw, unrelenting force. His gaze lifted, sharp and focused, locking onto Lola in the distance.

Lola, still on one knee, felt the weight of the situation shift. Once solely hers to dominate, the battlefield had turned into something else entirely. She wiped the last traces of blood from her face, her fingers tightening into fists as she faced the two warriors before her.

Kirk rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck with casual ease. "Thanks for holding out. Sorry for being a little late. Just had to make sure those idiots were officially off the island." he said, "now, Lola it has been brought to my attention that you were beating my older brother. I don't take kindly to that."

Sam clenched and unclenched his fists, testing the immense energy coursing through him. His body pulsed with the strength of nearly 20,000 people—a force unlike anything he had ever wielded before. He exhaled sharply, his eyes never leaving Lola. "It's fine Kirk, even if it was a little it was refreshing to see her bleed. Now, how about we finish this?" He asked Kirk. 

Kirk smirked, rolling his wrists. "Fine by me.... let's do it."

Standing shoulder to shoulder, the two prepared for battle. Across from them, Lola slowly rose to her full height, silent as ever. Though she gave nothing away with words, her stance spoke volumes.

She was ready. And she wasn't holding back.

Kirk closed the distance in an instant, his movements swift and precise. Lola braced herself, reinforcing her body as much as sixty percent. It was the highest she had pushed her defenses in this fight, but it wouldn't matter against Kirk's blood manipulation. She knew it. He could bypass durability and render her natural toughness meaningless. But raw strength? That was still on her side.

If she could land one straight hit, she knew that would be enough to put Kirk down. She has already established.

Kirk feinted left before twisting his body midair, aiming a precise palm strike toward her ribs. Lola reacted instantly, pivoting her entire frame and launching a counterstrike. A devastating hook tore through the air, the force behind it enough to level a building.

Kirk saw it coming. He had to. If that hit connected, it would take him out in a single blow.

He ducked at the last moment, letting the wind pressure from her swing blast past him. "Damn, you're fast!" He twisted his body, driving his palm forward his fingers barely grazing her skin. "But I am faster!"

Lola's eyes widened beneath her curtain of hair as an unbearable sensation spread from the contact point. It was as if her face was on fire.

Even still, she didn't flinch. Instead, she stepped into it, absorbing the pain and using the moment to lash out again.

Kirk's smirk faltered. She's not hesitating.

Her knee shot up like a cannon, aimed straight for his ribs. Just before Lola's knee could drive into Kirk's ribs with crushing force, Sam intercepted. His fist collided with Lola's side, sending a shockwave rippling. The sheer force of the impact blasted her off-course, her body skidding across the rubble-strewn ground, carving a deep trench in her wake.

Kirk exhaled sharply, glancing over at Sam, who stood between him and Lola. "Heh. Didn't think I needed saving."

Sam didn't look at him. His focus remained on Lola as she slowly pushed herself up, shaking off the hit. Lola was, in fact, unbelievably tough. Even after being thrown like that, she didn't seem fazed.

"She's trying to end this quickly," Sam muttered. "She knows what you can do, Kirk. If she gets one solid hit, you're done."

Kirk rolled his shoulders. "Yeah, I figured that much. But I know just like Jacan, she can't keep pushing her body like this forever."

Lola was already on her feet, stance steady, eyes locked on the two of them.

Sam clenched his fists. "Yep, exactly."

Without another word, both of them launched forward at once.

Lola barely hit the ground before Sam was on her again. He didn't give her a chance to recover, raining down a brutal barrage of punches, each one powerful enough to crater the street beneath her.

But Lola wasn't staying down.

Even as she absorbed the blows, her hands shot up like vices, clamping around Sam's forearm. Her grip was overwhelming, her fingers digging into his flesh as she twisted her body, using his momentum against him.

With a mighty heave, she swung Sam like a wrecking ball and slammed him into the pavement.

Kirk was already moving. The moment Sam was thrown, he took advantage of the opening. A crimson streak of blood lashed from his fingertips, solidifying into a jagged whip as he swung it toward Lola's exposed side.

But Lola was ready.

She threw herself backward at the last second, narrowly avoiding the whip's lethal touch. But Kirk wasn't done—he flicked his wrist, and the whip split into razor-sharp tendrils, curving midair to chase her down.

Lola had no choice—she vaulted off the ground, twisting her body unnaturally midair, her sheer physical power allowing her to contort and dodge. Still, one of the blood tendrils grazed her arm, a deep, unnatural gash splitting across her skin.

For the second time that day, Lola bled.

She landed in a crouch, eyes snapping to the wound. It wasn't deep, but the fact that it existed at all was a problem. She could increase her defenses all she wanted, but it wouldn't change the fact that Kirk's abilities negated them entirely.

Before she could act, Sam came roaring back.

Still recovering from her landing, she barely had time to raise her arms before Sam drove his foot into her stomach with a seismic kick. The sheer force launched her off the ground, flying her through a half-collapsed building.

Kirk didn't hesitate. He lunged after her, blood swirling around his hands like writhing snakes. Lola hit the rubble, rolled, and immediately pushed off, meeting Kirk head-on. The moment they nearly clashed, Lola threw a monstrous right hook Kirk ducked.

He countered with a brutal upward strike, a sharpened spike of blood-forming from his knuckles as he aimed for her ribs. She twisted, narrowly avoiding a fatal hit, but the spike still dragged across her side, tearing through her skin. She gritted her teeth—she couldn't afford these kinds of wounds.

Her focus sharpened. She read his movement.

As Kirk went for another strike, she lashed out like a coiled spring, gripping his wrist. Before he could react—she flung him over her shoulder, slamming him into the concrete with bone-crushing force.

But Kirk laughed.

Lola barely had time to react before his blood whip lashed around her ankle and Sam was already there behind her.

Before Kirk could pull her down, Sam blitzed in from the side, striking with a double-fisted hammer blow to Lola's temple. The hit was vicious and disorienting—she stumbled, forced to release Kirk as she caught herself.

Sam landed, rolling through. "Tough, huh?"

Kirk picked himself up, grinning. "We just gotta make her bleed a little more." He says as he sees Lola wiping the fresh blood from her cheek, then raised her fists again.

She would narrow her eyes. Kirk's blood manipulation was already dangerous and due to her never encountering him before she was not use to these abilities despite having solid intel. 

"Let's see how you handle this!" Kirk said excitedly forming a small blood ball between his middle finger and thumb. Aiming it at Lola in a flicking motion he smiled, "Have a little taste!" He flicked the blood ball straight at Lola's face.

The first blood bullet zipped through the air with a sharp crack—Lola twisted her body, barely dodging it. But Kirk didn't stop. More followed one after another, rapid-fire.

One of the projectiles clipped her shoulder—immediately slicing through her skin.

Another grazed her thigh, leaving behind a thin but deep cut.

Sam used this opportunity to shoot forward like a cannonball while she had been focused on Kirk aiming straight for her sternum. Lola reacted just in time, catching his arm mid-strike. But the moment she grabbed him, Sam had headbutted her in the face then a knee strike to her stomach.

It didn't hurt, but it wasn't enjoyable.

Kirk smirked. "Someone's getting tired!" he mocked flicking his fingers three more blood bullets zipped toward her.

One struck her forearm.

Another grazed her cheek.

Blood trickled down her face, but Lola didn't flinch.

She had enough.

Before another shot could land, she bolted forward, targeting Kirk directly. Kirk's grin faded. "Oh, sh—"

Lola closed the distance instantly her fist smashed through the air, aiming to crush him with a single blow.

But Sam was there again.

He tackled her at the last second. The force sent both of them skidding down the street, tearing up asphalt in their wake.

Kirk exhaled in relief, shaking his hands. "Damn, that was close."

Sam, still holding onto Lola, gritted his teeth. "Give up already!"

But Lola wasn't done. Even as she skidded, her leg shot up, kneeing Sam in the gut with enough force to blast him off of her. He crashed into a nearby building, shaking off the impact with a cough. "Ow."

Lola rose to her feet once more, blood dripping from her wounds. She was bleeding more than ever now. But yet somehow she was still standing.

Kirk cracked his knuckles. "Alright. We have more important matters to tend too."

Lola exhaled slowly, prepared for another onslaught.

Kirk blasted forward, his body a blur, instantly closing the distance between him and Lola. He knew that keeping the fight close would limit her mobility, forcing her to deal with his blood manipulation and Sam's relentless presence.

Lola barely had time to react. Kirk's arm shot out, a whip-like movement, aiming to strike her with a blood-laced whip. The tendrils of blood wrapped around her arm, pulling her off balance. She snarled, slamming her foot into the ground, anchoring herself just as the blood tendrils pulled at her.

But Kirk wasn't finished.

He propelled at her, a barrage of blood bullets hitting her in the arm she used to block. At the same time he performed a spinning kick his shin connecting with her forearm.

Crack!

Lola gritted her teeth, seeing her own arm bend awkwardly the pain was apparent but she fought through it seeing an opening.

Before Lola could react, Sam charged forward, aiming to land a massive blow to her midsection. But Lola was quick anticipating Sam's interference. As she shifted backward, she swung her leg out, kicking Sam across the street and sending him crashing into a building.

Kirk's eyes widened as he was also struck in the midsection by Lola's fist blood shooting out of his mouth being launched like a missle down the street debris collapsing on top of him in the process. 

She growled. Frustration was obvious as that should have been enough to keep Kirk down but she knew it wasn't. Exhaustion was beginning to set in and she knew if this fight didn't end soon it was going to be over for her. Looking down at her broken arm she was handicapped as that was her dominant arm. 

Sam and Kirk had recovered from the previous hits and begun walking down the street toward Lola. She fixed her gaze and begun doing the same as well. "I gotta admit Lola, had I not broke your dominant hand there would have been no doubt you would have finished me. I was aware you weren't ambidextrous judging from your movements." Kirk said.

Lola suddenly stopped moving, her arm hanging loosely as she stared at the ground. The fury that had once burned in her eyes faded to a strange, cold stillness. She stood there, motionless, as if caught in a trance, and the fight temporarily halted.

Kirk and Sam noticed the sudden change in her behavior. Their bodies were tense, ready for whatever move she would make next. But she didn't move.

Lola's breath was steady, almost too steady. She didn't flinch at the sound of debris crumbling around her or the distant cries of the crowd. For the first time in what felt like ages, her eyes—usually wild with rage—were filled with something else entirely. A deep, unsettling emptiness.

Kirk and Sam exchanged glances, confusion spreading across their faces. Something wasn't right. Was she surrendering? They had never seen her so focused and calm before.

Then, slowly, Lola lifted her head. Her gaze flickered to Sam first, then to Kirk, and her eyes glinted with something dark. A thin and cold smile crept across her face.

"You two really want to win, don't you?" she asked, her voice smooth, almost teasing.

Both Sam and Kirk flinch immediately, a chill running through them at the sharpness in her tone. Her voice had an edge, one they hadn't heard before—a coldness that made them question whether they had been in control of the situation all along.

"What kind of dumb question is that? Of course, we do!" Sam demanded, eyes narrowing.

Lola didn't answer immediately. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, studying them like contemplating something far beyond the fight. It was as if she were sizing them up, deciding whether or not to tear them apart or something else entirely.

"Years ago, five girls had similar ideals like you all fighting for the same cause." she continued, her tone casual, almost like she was speaking to old acquaintances. "Saying that Master Nem was the enemy."

She took a slow step forward, her movements deliberate and controlled. The tension in the air thickened, Sam and Kirk preparing for whatever she had planned next. But Lola didn't rush into a strike. Instead, she focused on them, her eyes locking with theirs.

"I've spent so much time fighting against myself," she murmured, almost to herself. "You don't know what it's like! Fighting a battle that you are unsure of!"

Kirk's eyes narrowed, a slight unease creeping into his chest. What was she talking about? What was she trying to say? Sam stayed still, his muscles tensed, ready to react.

But Lola didn't make her move. She just stood there, waiting. The moment was heavy, filled with uncertainty.

Lola's body began to swell, her muscles rippling as she grew taller and broader. The ground beneath her cracked and trembled with each inch she gained, the air thickening with the power radiating from her. Slowly, she became a towering figure, dwarfing everything around her. The once broken arm had been repaired from this increase of size. 

Sam and Kirk took a cautious step back, momentarily taken aback by the sheer scale of her transformation. They could feel the weight of her newfound presence, the atmosphere growing dense with anticipation.

Lola, now towering above them, lifted her head, looking down at the two of them with a chilling calmness. She tilted her head slightly, observing the two. Lola's grin stretched wider, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling confidence. Now over one hundred feet tall, her body stood like an immovable force, as if daring them to try and stop her. With the power of her sheer size now backing her, she slightly flexed her fists, the ground beneath her feet cracking further. "I hope you're both ready," she said, her voice booming as she stood, ready for the next round of their battle.

Lola's towering figure loomed over the battlefield, her gaze piercing down at Sam and Kirk with an unsettling calmness. She flexed her fists, watching their every move with the patience of a predator.

"Sam Whitehorse and Kirk Lakeland," she began, her voice deep and resonant. You two are serious about coming out on top." Her tone was almost admiring yet laced with a hint of mockery as if she was impressed by their persistence.

Kirk, no longer intimidated by her colossal size, scoffed and crossed his arms. "You've gotten bigger, so what? That makes you easier to hit!"

Lola's eyes narrowed, a flicker of amusement crossing her features as she looked down at him. "You think that matters?" she asked, her voice a low rumble, almost challenging. She was more than ready to prove how little it mattered.

Kirk looked over to Sam, a nonchalant smile on his face. "With her upgrade, she isn't moving all that much. I can tell she isn't used to this form. She's far more sluggish and clumsy than usual. Desperation is in her eyes, and we will use exactly that to take her down."

As Kirk and Sam rushed forward, Lola swung her arm, the sheer force behind it creating a shockwave that sent debris flying in every direction. They barely evaded the strike, using their agility to scale her towering form. Kirk led the charge, his blood-forged daggers slicing into her dense skin, using them as anchors to climb. Sam, relying on pure speed and strength, jumped from point to point, gripping whatever he could find as they ascended.

Lola gritted her teeth, frustration flashing across her face. She wasn't used to this size her movements were slower, more deliberate. Every action cost her stamina, and she knew it. But she wasn't about to let them take advantage of it.

With a deep breath, Lola's muscles tensed, her entire body shaking for a split second. She would begin to shake violently with unpredictability. The sudden motion turned her body into a living storm, flinging both boys away. Kirk barely managed to hold on with his daggers that latched into her skin to stop his fall, while Sam was sent flying, slamming into the side of a crumbling building before launching himself back at her.

Kirk narrowed his eyes. "And you're getting tired."

Lola huffed through her nose but said nothing. She knew it was true.

With a bend of her knees, Lola had now been airborne planning to fall straight on her stomach. This would force Kirk to retreat as well as Sam. The ground violently split apart, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield. Buildings crumbled, streets buckled, and massive cracks snaked out everywhere. The sheer impact sent Sam and Kirk airborne, their balance ripped away as they struggled to regain control.

Spinning through the air, Sam threw his arms forward, digging his fingers into a fractured building to stop his momentum before launching himself right back at her.

Lola watched as they recovered with practiced ease. Her gaze darkened.

"You're not making this easy," she muttered regaining her footing.

Kirk landed hard but didn't waste a second, darting between the chunks of falling debris. "She's slowing down!" He called to Sam.

"That's what you little runts think!" Lola took one step backward and began pursuing them at alarming speed. Her massive 100 foot frame thundered forward, the sheer force of her movement cracking the pavement beneath her feet. Desperation burned in her unseen eyes—she refused to lose. With monstrous speed, she lunged at Sam and Kirk, her colossal fists swinging with enough power to level a city.

But the two boys moved like ghosts.

Kirk twisted out of the way, the force of her swing ripping the air beside him. Sam slid low, barely dodging her stomping foot as it shattered the street like brittle glass. Lola skidded to a stop, turning her head in time to see Kirk already on the move.

Scaling a half-collapsed building with inhuman speed, Kirk pushed off the highest point with a burst of power. The wind rushed past his ears, his body rocketing toward her like a missile.

She barely had time to react.

CRACK!

Kirk's fist collided with her jaw, the powerful impact sending a shockwave rippling through the air. Lola's head snapped to the side, her entire body reeling from the force. The ground beneath her buckled, her massive frame staggering as if she might fall. Lola's frame shuddered as she staggered back, a sharp gurgling sound escaping her throat. Then, with a sudden wet cough, a spray of blood shot from her mouth, splattering onto the cracked pavement below. The iron-rich scent filled the air as she dropped to one knee, the ground trembling beneath her immense weight.

Using the opening, Sam lunged forward, his fist glowing with raw power. He aimed precisely for the same weakened spot Kirk had struck.

BOOM!

His punch slammed into her jaw with a force that rivaled Kirk's, sending another deafening shockwave through the battlefield. The impact rocked her entire body, her head whipping to the side once more. The asphalt beneath her splintered further, deepening the cracks already caused by her fall.

The results were identical.

Lola trembled, her body swaying dangerously. Her vision blurred as she fought to keep herself from collapsing entirely. Two hits. Two devastating blows. Lola was on the back foot for the first time since the battle began. Refusing to crumble under the weight of the blows. Her breathing was ragged, but her fighting spirit remained.

Then, she forced herself steady with a defying scream.

The battle cry shook the air, a primal, thunderous bellow that echoed for miles. The sheer force of it sent shockwaves through the rubble-strewn streets, making the remaining structures quake under its intensity.

Fueled by fury and desperation, Lola swung her colossal arms, slamming into the remains of the already collapsed buildings. Debris exploded in every direction, massive chunks of concrete and steel hurtling through the air like missiles.

Each wild strike tore through the battlefield, sending dust clouds and shattered stone spiraling into the sky. The ground beneath her splintered, deep fissures forming as her massive fists tore through everything within reach.

She wasn't just fighting anymore—she was raging.

Sam and Kirk dodged and weaved, narrowly avoiding the massive chunks of debris raining down around them. The battlefield had turned into chaos, with Lola's wild destruction sending shockwaves through the city. Sam found higher ground, scaling a building's crumbling remains, while Kirk climbed another, his eyes locked on Lola. She was wearing down—her vision blurring, her once precise movements becoming sluggish.

Kirk knew this was his moment.

He launched himself off the building with a mighty leap, but not from the same angle as before. This time, he took an entirely different trajectory, moving underneath her line of sight. Lola turned her head, trying to track his movements, but her tired eyes lagged.

Too slow.

Kirk rocketed upward, his fist coated in dense blood energy, and slammed a devastating uppercut into Lola's jaw.

The impact rattled through her enormous frame, sending her staggering backward as another trail of blood shot from her mouth. Lola's body trembled slightly as she wiped the blood from her mouth, her gaze locked onto Kirk. He stood with a smug confidence, rolling his shoulders as he prepared to speak.

"There's also something else I wanted to show you," Kirk said, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "I bet you'll be in for a shock." He raised his hands precisely and began making intricate motions, his fingers twisting and flicking as though puppeteering something unseen.

Lola's eyes widened.

The blood that had splattered across her face suddenly shifted, thin crimson lines snaking from her wounds like living threads. They slithered downward, connecting to the broken debris littered across the battlefield—the very same debris her blood had touched during her frenzied rampage.

Her breath stopped as realization struck.

The blood-soaked wreckage trembled, then, with a violent lurch, rose into the air, massive chunks of rubble and shattered concrete floating under Kirk's control. "Let's see how you handle this," Kirk smirked, his fingers tightening as the deadly projectiles locked onto their target—Lola. The debris launched itself at Lola's face, forming a suffocating barrier over her face. She stumbled back, her hands clawing at the rubble, trying to rip it away, but more kept cluttering to her face.

"You're blind!" Kirk taunted, his voice sharp with triumph. "Sam, do it now!"

Sam pushed off the building without hesitation, his body accelerating like a human missile. He reeled back his fist, pouring every ounce of power into this strike.

BOOM!

His knuckles collided with Lola's sternum, a shockwave exploding outward from the impact. A deep, guttural sound escaped her lips as she violently slid backwards, feet skidding through the asphalt. With a thunderous crash, she collapsed into a nearby building, the structure crumbling beneath her sheer weight. Dust and debris shot into the air, engulfing the battlefield in a suffocating cloud.

For a moment, there was only silence. 

Sam landed he looked toward the wreckage, watching for any sign of movement. Was it over?

Lola panted frantically, her chest rising and falling in rapid succession as she struggled to breathe. She ripped away the debris covering her face, but as she tried to move, she felt resistance—she was stuck.

"Wha—?" she muttered, confusion flashing across her face. Seeing that everytime she tried to pull away the blood would pull her arms and body back acting like metal being drawn to a magnet. Then crimson trails shot from her face attaching onto all debris that had any blood on it.

Looking forward, a massive wave of debris was rushing toward her, propelled by Kirk's blood manipulation.

"No—no way!" Lola snarled, her instincts taking over.

Rather than wasting energy escaping, she dug her feet into the ground and moved her body, shifting the heavy rubble still clinging to her back. In one powerful motion, she angled it upward, using it as an improvised shield.

BOOM!

The impact was devastating. The force sent a shockwave rippling through the battlefield, but the debris on her back absorbed the brunt of the collision, shattering into dust and rubble upon contact.

Lola stood as the dust cleared, but the shield was gone. She had no more cover but she was at least free. Her fingers clenched into fists, muscles twitching as she steadied herself. "I won't go down that easily!" she growled, but even she knew—her defenses were breaking.

Lola took a sharp breath, her body still tense from the impact. Her mind raced, processing what had just happened. 

Realization would strike like lightning when she looked down at her hands. Lola's stamina was draining too fast. Maintaining her gigantic form was taking a heavy toll. The longer she fought, the weaker her defenses became. She was becoming easier to hurt to the point that Sam was now becoming a much bigger issue then before. 

A slow exhale left her lips. "Tch..."

Lola staggered slightly as she shifted her weight, her massive form looming in the chaos. Every movement now felt like an effort, her breath coming in sharp, strained gasps. She glanced around, her vision blurry, still struggling to recover from the previous blows.

Her massive feet dug into the ground as she tried to move, but the weight of her body was becoming too much to bear. Running out of options wasn't just a metaphor anymore—it was her reality.

This form, her towering state, was no longer an advantage—it was a disadvantage. She had only relied on it twice under very different circumstances. She had never been forced to push herself to this extent. A deep sense of regret started to stir within her. Training. She had never thought she'd need to train in this form. How foolish. She had relied on it as a crutch, thinking that sheer power would be enough to win. But now, she could feel the limitations that came with it.

Every strike, every burst of power, drained her more. She hadn't mastered this form. And now, it was beginning to tear her apart. Her face winced in frustration. She couldn't keep up.

Kirk and Sam stared at Lola. Looking up at her towering figure, Kirk cleared his throat. "LOLA! We don't have to fight anymore! Join us, and we can take down Master Nem together!"

Lola staggered at his words. At a time like this, why would he even bother asking a question like that? "No," she stated without hesitation.

"LOLA! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE! JUST GIVE UP!" Kirk yelled.

"NO! YOU WON'T HAVE NO HOPE OF TAKING ME DOWN! I WILL TAKE YOU ALL TO MASTER NEM!"

"Stupid girl...." Sam muttered under his breath.

"Let's finish this," Kirk said.

Lola's massive foot slammed down with a force that shook the ground, intent on crushing everything in her path. But just mere meters away, Sam and Kirk darted in separate directions too quickly for her to react. Her groggy eyes shifted between them, struggling to keep up with their movements. The fatigue from her extended battle was beginning to take its toll.

Sam's form shifted once more, his muscles bulging with raw power. He was determined to finish the fight. "Let's take her down!" he shouted.

Kirk met up with Sam, who hoisted him in his hand, positioning him precisely.

"YOU'RE FINISHED!" Sam yelled, and with a surge of strength, he hurled Kirk toward Lola with supersonic speed.

Lola didn't realize they had maneuvered behind her. Just as she was about to turn, the force of Kirk's body collided with the back of her head with full power. The impact was enough to send a shockwave through her body, forcing her to stagger forward, her knees threatening to buckle as the world around her spun.

Sam launched himself with fierce determination as Lola struggled to regain her balance from Kirk's devastating strike. His trajectory was flawless, aiming for the same weak spot on the back of her head. His powerful form collided with her with bone-crushing force.

Lola's already weakened defenses couldn't withstand the combined assault. The impact of Sam's blow sent her body crashing forward, she laid exhausted. Threatening to fade into unconsciousness she shared glances with Kirk and Sam who looked on. "I wish I could take it all back." Lola said.

"This whole time I knew they had been right but my head was full of unclear justice and because of that they all died. I see now though, through you all the ones fighting to save everyone before it's too late. I just wish I could have seen it sooner before I commited all the damage I had done. I'm sorry Samantha." Her eyes rolling into the back of her head as her strength finally gave way. She crumpled to the ground in a heap, completely incapacitated.

The battlefield fell silent. The two boys stood, breathing heavily, watching as Lola's immense figure lay motionless on the ground. The fight had ended.

Kirk stood beside Sam, gazing down at Lola's fallen form. The dust and debris from the battle settled around them, the silence heavy after the chaos.

"You're not alone," Sam muttered, his voice tired but resolute as he reverted to his original form. His once colossal frame shrank to his regular five-foot-seven stature.

Kirk gave him a tired but victorious nod, watching Lola remain unmoving. "Yeah... we all have our demons Lola. I'm glad you finally seen it in the end though."

The air was thick with the weight of what had just transpired. They had brought down the mighty Lola, the unstoppable force who had seemed invincible. But now, she was nothing more than a heap of rubble and exhaustion.

As Sam stood there, exhausted from the intense battle, the energy he had absorbed from the crowd began to release. It rippled through his body, and a powerful surge of energy washed over him. The force was immense, but it dissipated instead of staying within him. The power that Sam had drawn from the 10,000 people he'd gathered energy from was now returning to them.

From the rubble and debris, those who had contributed their strength to Sam felt it—like a deep breath of relief as the energy flowed back into them. One by one, the people knocked unconscious or drained in the pocket dimension began to stir, their energy recharging, bodies rejuvenating from the strain of giving so much.

Sam's body sagged, his knees nearly buckling as the last of the power left him. He breathed heavily, feeling the weight of everything that had just happened.

"Thank you," he whispered, looking out over the recovering crowd. "Thank you all."

The battle may have been won, but the victory was bittersweet, knowing the toll it had taken.

As the dust settled and the energy dissipated, the boy who had motivated Sam the most began to stir. Slowly, he regained consciousness, blinking as he came to. His head was fuzzy, and his body ached, but the first thing he noticed was the silence that had fallen over the battlefield. His eyes widened as he saw Sam and Kirk standing victorious, and without wasting a second, he scrambled to his feet.

"Wow! You guys beat her! So cool!" the boy exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face as he ran toward Sam and Kirk.

Though still weak, his energy was infectious as he darted over, his eyes full of admiration. He couldn't contain his excitement at seeing his heroes standing tall after the battle.

Sam and Kirk exchanged a brief glance, both still catching their breath before Sam managed a tired but genuine smile.

"Yeah, we did," Sam said, his voice hoarse. "But it wasn't just us. It was everyone."

The boy's eyes brightened at Sam's words, and he nodded enthusiastically.

"I knew you two could do it!" he said with a grin. "I knew you guys had it in you!"

Kirk chuckled softly, leaning against a nearby wall. "You definitely played a big role in this fight. Good job, kiddo."

The boy's grin grew even more expansive, clearly proud of what he had helped inspire.

"Now, I really believe in you both!" he said, still excited.

Kirk placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, his expression serious but satisfied. "Hyena Girl is down, and now Lola has been beaten. Two more to go."

Sam nodded, "Yeah, the twins."

The weight of the remaining challenge hung in the air, but the sense of victory over Lola and the fight they'd just overcome lingered. Sam looked up at Kirk, a faint smirk forming on his face.

"Let's make sure we finish this."

The two stood there momentarily, letting the victory settle in before the fight ahead. The end was near, and they were ready for whatever came next.