The Fifth Wave Showdown!!!

Henry and I stood side by side, our breaths heavy but controlled. The battlefield around us was littered with the corpses of the humanoid bats we had just slaughtered, but there was no time to rest.

A deep, guttural screech echoed through the sky, sending a violent shockwave through the area. The ground trembled beneath our feet, and the remaining corpses around us were flung aside as something massive descended from the sky.

THUD.

The impact sent cracks through the battlefield as a monstrous creature landed before us. Towering at least twenty feet tall, its massive wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the land. Its crimson eyes glowed like molten lava, and its razor-sharp fangs dripped with thick, black saliva. Its body was layered with obsidian armor, and its claws looked sharp enough to tear through solid steel.

Henry let out a low whistle, cracking his neck. "Well, shit. That's not just a bat. That's a goddamn nightmare."

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders, feeling the weight of exhaustion, but also the thrill of battle. "Looks like we got ourselves a boss fight."

The beast roared, the sheer force of its voice sending shockwaves that nearly knocked us back. The sheer pressure it exuded was suffocating—this was no ordinary enemy. This thing was beyond what we had faced before.

Henry smirked, gripping his sword tighter. "Alright, Samuel. Got a plan, or are we just winging it?"

I chuckled darkly. "Winging it. Obviously."

Henry groaned. "Really, dude? A bat pun?"

I shrugged. "Figured I'd lighten the mood before we probably die."

The beast didn't wait for us to finish talking. With a single flap of its wings, it launched itself forward at inhuman speed, its massive claw swiping straight at us.

BOOM!

The force of the attack shattered the ground, sending debris flying in all directions. We barely managed to dodge in time, rolling to opposite sides.

Henry shot me a glance. "No more puns. Focus!"

I grinned, my eyes blazing. "Fine. Let's kill this thing."

With that, we lunged forward together, prepared for the deadliest fight yet.

Henry tightened his grip on his sword, cracking his neck. "Oh, great. Because the last four waves weren't hellish enough," he muttered.

I rolled my shoulders, flexing my fingers as dark energy crackled around them. "Yeah, and I was just starting to enjoy myself," I smirked.

The monstrous bat let out a deafening screech, the sheer force of it sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The air around us distorted, and for a brief moment, my vision blurred.

Henry spat on the ground, shaking off the effects. "Enough of the theatrics, ugly. Let's get this over with."

The bat lunged, its massive claws slashing through the air. I barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as the ground where I stood moments ago exploded into a crater.

Henry dashed forward, his sword glowing with divine energy. He swung hard, but the bat's thick hide absorbed the blow like it was nothing. It retaliated instantly, whipping its colossal wing at him. Henry raised his arms to block, but the impact sent him crashing into a boulder, shattering it into dust.

"Tch… Bastard's tough," he grunted, staggering to his feet.

I activated Void Step, vanishing from sight and reappearing mid-air above the creature. With all my strength, I slammed my fist down, activating Breath of Destruction at point-blank range. A massive shockwave erupted upon impact, sending cracks across the battlefield. The bat screeched in pain, staggering backward, but it wasn't down yet.

"Not bad," I muttered, landing on the ground.

Henry wiped the blood from his lip, eyes burning with excitement. "Alright, no more holding back." He activated Judgment's Wrath, his entire body surging with divine energy.

The bat let out another screech, its body mutating—spikes erupted from its back, its fangs elongating even further. A dark aura surrounded it as it evolved.

My grin widened. "Oh? You just made this interesting."

Henry and I exchanged a glance—no words were needed. We moved simultaneously, a perfect blend of destruction and divine retribution.

Henry went low, slicing through the bat's legs with incredible speed, forcing it off balance. I capitalized on the opening, launching forward with Void Step, appearing just below its chin.

Dragon Fear— I unleashed my aura, momentarily paralyzing the beast with sheer dominance.

Henry took the chance, leaping high into the air. "Time to end this!" His blade shimmered with pure celestial light.

I clenched my fist, charging Heaven's Wrath, my own power distorting the very air around us.

"Together!" I roared.

Henry came down with divine force, his sword cleaving through the bat's skull just as my fist struck its chest.

A massive explosion of energy followed—light and darkness intertwining in a violent, beautiful storm. The creature let out one final, ear-piercing screech before its body collapsed into itself, disintegrating into nothing but ash.

Silence followed.

Henry exhaled heavily, sheathing his sword. "Damn, that was… something."

I dusted off my coat, cracking my neck. "Not bad, not bad. But I was expecting more of a challenge."

Henry rolled his eyes. "Yeah? Next time, let's not fight an evolving monster."

I smirked. "No promises."

A System Notification appeared before us.

[Fifth Wave Cleared!]

Rewards: +15 Strength, +10 Endurance, Night Vision Upgrade Unlocked.

I stretched my arms. "Alright, one quest down. Next?"

Henry sighed, rubbing his temples. "You really don't know how to take a break, do you?"

I grinned. "Nope."

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. "That was satisfying."

Henry grinned, gripping his chest as a surge of power rushed through him. "Damn right. Looks like we just leveled up."

A System Notification popped up before us.

[Congratulations! You have defeated the Titan Bat Lord!]

[Henry has received: Heart of Titan – Grants limitless endurance and rapid regeneration.]

[Samuel has received: Gauntlets of the Abyss – Unbreakable, enhances destructive power by 50%.]

I looked at my new gauntlets, flexing my fingers as black and red energy pulsed through them. "Now this is my style."

Henry laughed, feeling his own power surge. "Looks like we're not done evolving yet."

"Not even close," I smirked. "Let's keep going."

Henry stood beside me, his fists clenched, his body trembling—not from exhaustion, but from something else entirely. A strange glow surrounded him, pulsating from his chest like a heartbeat. Then, the system notification appeared before us.

----

[REWARD ACQUIRED: TITAN HEART]

Effect: Enhances strength, endurance, and regeneration beyond normal limits. Grants the ability to withstand fatal damage and recover rapidly in battle.

----

I watched as Henry's expression twisted, shifting between shock and exhilaration. His breathing grew heavier, and then suddenly, he let out a low, guttural growl as the power of the Titan Heart surged through him.

"Henry," I called, watching as veins of golden energy cracked across his skin, his body adapting to the sheer force coursing through his veins. "How do you feel?"

He let out a slow, deep exhale, rolling his shoulders as if testing his body's new limits. "Like I could tear down mountains with my bare hands," he said, his voice laced with raw power. He looked at his hands, flexing his fingers as if he could feel the immense energy flowing through him. "This… this is different from anything I've ever felt."

I smirked. "Good. We're going to need every bit of that strength for what's coming next."

Henry chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming. "Damn right. Baron won't know what hit him."

I cracked my knuckles, feeling the weight of the next battle looming over us. This was just the beginning. If Henry had received something as powerful as the Titan Heart, then it meant we were heading straight into a fight unlike anything we'd faced before.

And I couldn't wait.