Chapter 31-Awakening

The battlefield has dropped in temperature dramatically. The feeling of ice begins to permeate the air, the bright blue glow coming from Kiyoshi's eyes increasing in intensity and brightness as the ice begins to form within the surroundings, starting at the very air and atmosphere itself. While floating in the air, Kiyoshi suddenly freezes entirely, as all the energy he was emitting abruptly gets dissipated into the surrounding area. The explosion is massive, sending debris and dust everywhere as this massive buildup of energy explodes outwards in a massive range in all directions. The blast of energy is so intense that it leaves no trace of the energy that had been built up, only devastation and destruction where the blast occurred. The battlefield is enveloped in a rush of smoke, the aftermath of the massive explosion being so immense it leaves behind only a thick smog covering the entire battlefield. Ren smiles in the midst of the smoke, waiting to see what Kiyoshi will look like after his awakening. The thick smoke diffuses outward, revealing a familiar sight: Kiyoshi standing proudly in the middle of the battlefield, his eyes brighter and bluer than ever before, exuding a powerful icy aura that permeates the atmosphere around him. His physique has also been dramatically enhanced and seems to have evolved in order to match his new power level. He has reached a new level of power completely, and he seems poised and ready for whatever comes his way. Ren smiles proudly as he sees the awakened Kiyoshi's power and abilities and compliments him and his newfound level of strength. "Well then Kiyoshi, now we can finally get started, congratulations on your awakening." He smirks, a bit condescendingly towards the newly awakened warrior. "You'll need it."

Ren charges towards Kiyoshi, with his enhanced abilities the two duelists now moving at incredibly high speeds as the energy they are emitting intensifies and amplifies. Before Ren can reach him, Kiyoshi charges up his energy and waits for him to get close, before suddenly releasing a massive release of energy and projectiles, sending dozens of massive glaciers towards the charging Ren, the force of the strikes and energy sending Ren flying away and crashing through many trees before landing on a large section of glacier. After crashing into the glacier and crashing into several trees, Ren slowly gets up, realizing Kiyoshi is nowhere to be found. All he can see is a massive abundance of massive glaciers, which completely block his view of Kiyoshi anywhere nearby. However, it appears that some of those glaciers may be moving, as ren can't help but feel like he isn't completely alone in his current surroundings... Ren walks around, trying to find Kiyoshi, but all he can see are the massive glaciers and huge masses of ice everywhere. Out of nowhere, one of them turns out to be the ice-powered warrior himself, and he pierces Ren with a frost blade, however, he is careful enough to avoid striking any critical or vital organ areas, making sure to only deal damage that can be healed by Ren. Kiyoshi has awakened, and in doing so his new abilities have transformed him into a being completely made out of ice. Just like Ren, who is a master of nature, Kiyoshi's powers have now allowed him to turn his physical body into ice itself, in order to take advantage of his environment and abilities in the most effective way possible.

Ren chuckles, "damn, I should have thought about that", Kiyoshi dashes back to safety and as Ren's back is turned to him, he transforms back into a glacier. Ren laughs at Kiyoshi's clever way of turning the battle fields against him, by turning himself into a glacier and taking advantage of his ice abilities. The problem now is that he has no idea where Kiyoshi is, how far away or how close he is, with Kiyoshi could be disguised as any one of these glaciers around him and he would have no clue which one he was. The battle moves into Kiyoshi's favor, with him using his new-found abilities to his advantage. He keeps striking Ren in his blind spots, while also disguising himself in order not to be seen. The fight has turned into a battle of attrition, with Kiyoshi slowly tiring Ren out and pushing him further and further by never showing himself directly, yet still managing not to allow Ren a clear opportunity to counterattack. Ren has had enough and has decided to turn the tides of the battle back into his favor by altering the environment itself. He raises his arm into the sky and focuses all of his energy into the area, turning the weather into a blazing hot heatwave that melt all the glaciers around him. He also causes heavy rainfall and a massive storm to sweep through the battlefield as well, as if he had suddenly summoned nature itself to his aide. Kiyoshi is no longer just fighting Ren; he is now battling against the very wrath of nature itself. Kiyoshi is overwhelmed by the magnitude of the storm that Ren has summoned, with the sheer intensity of lightning strikes raining down on him nonstop, shocking him with no protective or shielding options available to him. The sheer fury of Ren's barrage from the wrath of nature itself is too much for Kiyoshi to handle, sending him crashing into the ground and being unable to move at all.

As the heatwave passes, Kiyoshi turns his body into ice, while still retaining his human form. This time, he is unfazed by the lightning strikes, his body not being conducive to electricity. He has thwarted Ren's strategy, and now the two face a brutal exchange of blows, each trying to gain the upper hand in this intense duel of ice and nature. The battle persists for a long time, and the two warriors gradually start getting fatigued, both having exhausted so much of their energy and strength in this battle. The spectators at home are on the edge of their seats, watching in suspense for who will come out on top of this final battle, a battle that will decide the fate of the world and bring about peace once more. The battle...between the Hero, and the Villain. Ren begins to laugh as the battle continues, exchanging blows with Kiyoshi just like their old days, both remembering all the battles they've had together, especially the apprenticeship tournament 7 years ago. Ren remembers all the time he spent with Kiyoshi, his friend and trusted companion, how this would now be their final and most epic battle. Kiyoshi also chuckles back, as both are enjoying this battle to its fullest despite the intense nature of the battle. They are both the happiest they've been in a long time, relishing in each other's presence and enjoying this battle as if it were the final fight, they've both been waiting for all their lives. Ren smiles and looks at Kiyoshi "it is about time we finish this, no? this plan of mine is the only reason I've agreed to this fight in the first place. So come at me with all you've got. Use everything you have to finish me off. This fight will end here and now, once and for all, old friend." The two exchange their last battle cries, each determined and resolved to finish this fight no matter the cost. With the plan now set in motion and both having said their final words, the two prepare to finally end this fight once and for all.

The final moments of the fight take on a whole new intensity, as the two friends go all out in this battle. The clash of powers and techniques is pure brutality, yet despite the intensity the two friends hold onto expressions of ecstasy, both enjoying this final showdown to the maximum and enjoying each other's presence at the same time. They continue exchanging blows and techniques, not holding anything back as the other tries to counter and out maneuver the other. Their attacks are relentless and powerful, the sheer might behind each attack almost earth shattering. Their attacks are relentless, each one becoming more powerful and stronger than the next as the battle escalates. Their strikes and techniques are fierce, powerful, and sometimes overwhelming for even one person to keep up with. The clash of their powers causes massive shockwaves and impacts that seem capable of destroying the entire landscape. Kiyoshi's side of the battlefield has now reached an incredibly cold and icy temperature, the area almost resembling a giant glacier in its own right. Ren's side is equally transformed, covered in a vast forest landscape with raging storms, violent weather patterns, and an abundance of nature that seems to be constantly changing. The two sides have completely morphed, now resembling the domains of ice and nature themselves. The combination of ice and nature has created a truly unique and epic setting on the battlefield, both sides of the area having been completely transformed. This final clash between Ren and Kiyoshi has indeed brought about epic proportions, the battlefield itself now resembling a frozen tundra and a huge forest on either side.

The battle ends, the two both exhausted and slowly trading final blows. Each knows that the end is near, and it's just one final attack that would decide the battle here and now. Kiyoshi takes his blade now, preparing to stab Ren in the chest. In this moment, everyone watching is on the edge of their seats, waiting for what's to come next. Ren falls to his knees, as the light slowly fading from his eyes. The city and those watching the battle on their broadcasts are shocked, seeing the war end in such a manner. Kiyoshi looks worried for his friend, but he decides to trust Enma's plan, and raise his fist to the sky, signifying his victory. Kiyoshi last few words were: "...And with this conflict comes to an end, peace shall once again be restored. A long and arduous battle has now become finally become history. We will rebuild and learn from our mistakes in order to create a better future. And so, I bid you farewell, old friend (Ren). You were the best friend I could have ever asked for. I will never forget you." To the normal citizens and heroes at home: "The long and grueling conflict has finally come to a close, and we have succeeded in our mission. Many lives were lost fighting this battle, but they did not sacrifice themselves in vain. Let us rebuild and create a better place in their memory, so that their sacrifices could not have been for nothing. We have overcome this darkness, and now we must embrace the light and create a brighter future for the world. It will take time and effort, but together we can do it. With these words, Kiyoshi seeks to provide a message of hope and positivity to those he has now freed from the confines of this war. He seeks to give people a new vision and outlook on the future, with the promise of a brighter horizon ahead. It may take time and effort, but with the collective determination and passion of the people, they will be able to overcome any obstacle and create a better future together.

Enma presses a button in the rogue fortress, ending the broadcast of the battle between Ren and Kiyoshi to the world. The battle is now a finished thing, the final phase of the plan is in motion. The plan to save Ren's life and fake his death has now been implemented. As the broadcast ends, Kiyoshi tries to rush towards Ren. But before he can do so, out of nowhere a portal opens, and the figures of Zeref, Lisa, and Haruto step out of the portal. Zeref picks up Ren in his unconscious state, and Lisa speaks to Kiyoshi from behind him. "Hello, Kiyoshi, it's a pleasure to meet you again. Ren has told me a little bit about you, and I am glad to have met such an important person in his life. I'd like to thank you for being such a great friend to Ren, and for being there to support him when he needed you most." Kiyoshi looks at Lisa smiling and joking in a playful manner. " Oh, so you're THE Lisa? I still can't believe you fell for that idiot Ren, but it's nice to finally meet you again" Kiyoshi laughs jokingly and then asks if Ren will be alright, clearly concerned for his safety. Lisa smiles and laughs along with him, "don't worry, he is unconscious now, but he will be alright, but we must hurry with our plan now or we will be too late." With that, Haruto materializes a portal with coordinates set to Tatsu Island. The portal shimmers into existence, a bright white light illuminating the space as it fades. The portal is now ready to transport them to their next location. They all walk through portal to Tatsu Island, it's natural beauty intact in its fullest splendor and untouched by the human blight. The forests are lush and vibrant, the trees swaying softly in the gentle breeze, and the air is filled with the sounds of birds chirping and the rustle of fauna. It truly is the epitome of nature's beauty and a reminder of what the world was like before humanity encroached upon its natural wonders. It's just as it was after the battle against Akuma 5 years ago.

Ren is placed under the huge tree, and the healing process begins. It takes long hours upon hours, but Ren is slowly and gradually healing from his injuries. Meanwhile, Enma is hard at work spreading the information of Ren's death to those who hadn't seen the broadcast. The plan is well and truly being enacted, and Ren's death seems to have succeeded in its attempt to deceive the public and those who opposed him. After the healing process is complete, Ren is moved from the tree and another portal is opened to the Rogue Fortress, where he is laid in a proper bed to rest and recover. Kiyoshi returns to his own quarters at the Heroes Renaissance base, where his victory is being celebrated and commended. They both have accomplished great things and played essential roles in restoring peace to the world after the 5-year war. Kiyoshi's victory is greatly celebrated, as the whole world is being restored to its proper place. As news of Ren's supposed death spreads, citizens and heroes alike are relieved and thankful for the end of the war. The two of them have fulfilled their roles, Ren has saved the world, and Kiyoshi has restored the Heroes back to their former glory. The reactions from the citizens have been mixed, some of them supporting Ren and hoping for his victory. They saw him as a person who was willing to stand up for what he believed in, not as the villainous figure he was portrayed as. In some areas, Ren was celebrated as a martyr and a true warrior, while others criticized him for his actions during the war and the damage he had caused. All in all the world has finally returned to peace, after a long period and suffering. The world has seen such war and hardship, but has overcome it this time around, returning to a more peaceful state than it has been for a long time. The war has ended and the two heroes who played essential rolls in this battle have been recognized for their contributions in bringing about the peace to the world.