Chapter 67: The Unknown State!

Deep within Neo-Kyoto's dense

forests, concealed by towering trees and an unnatural silence,

lay an ancient cavern, its entrance sealed by a massive, immovable boulder. But

as the wounded warrior approached, the rock shifted. A thin, red scanner

beam ran across his broken body, recognizing him instantly. With a

loud grinding sound, the boulder slid aside, revealing

a high-tech underground fortress—the secret stronghold of Lord

Z.

The man limped inside, his form

battered and drained, his once unshakable aura now flickering weakly.

At the center of the base, surrounded

by towering screens and pulsating energy conduits, sat Lord Z, his

figure shrouded in shadow, his piercing gaze locked onto his returning soldier.

"It seems they defeated

you," Lord Z said, his voice

unreadable.

The man's jaw tightened. "Not

exactly. I barely escaped."

Lord Z's eyes narrowed. "Escaped?

Your Dark Energy reserves have dropped to barely 7% percent. How did you burn

through that much power?"

The man exhaled sharply. "They're

more than just brats, Z. You have no idea what it's like to fight them—to lose

your arms, your weapons, and to have your very core shattered."

Lord Z leaned forward slightly. "What

exactly happened?"

The man's fists clenched. "They

entered Phase Three." His expression darkened. "It

wasn't for long. I thought I had them. But then…" He hesitated;

his voice laced with disbelief. "That brat, Senjuro… He used a

natural ability nearly identical to mine."

A brief silence.

Then Lord Z chuckled—a slow,

deliberate sound. "Of course. He was in the Kurogiri Mansion…

under the watchful eyes of Raizen and Syvian." His gaze

sharpened. "They could have trained him."

The man scowled. "It took

me half my life to master that ability."

Lord Z's amusement didn't fade. "You

forget what you did?"

The man's face twisted in

frustration. "I know what I did! But for him to master it in

a week? That should be impossible!"

Lord Z leaned back, his fingers

tapping rhythmically against his throne. "At the rate Senjuro and

the others are growing, they are becoming a greater threat by the day…" His

voice dropped slightly. "Especially Senjuro."

The man exhaled, the weight of failure

pressing on him. "I know." His gaze darkened. "But

don't think for a second that I'm out of the game. I still have a few tricks up

my sleeve."

Lord Z smirked. "I would

expect nothing less."

A beat of silence.

Then the man glanced toward the dimly

lit corridor behind Lord Z. "And what about him?"

Lord Z's smirk widened. "He'll

come soon."

The once-magnificent Kurogiri

Mansion was in ruins. Broken pillars, shattered glass, and

the lingering scent of burned energy filled the air. The

battle had ended, but the devastation it left behind was unmistakable.

In the grand hall, Raizen

Kurogiri stood before Kyrin and Senjuro, his expression

grim.

"Kyrin, Senjuro…

while you were battling, something happened," he began, his voice heavy with concern. "Syvian,

Kairen, and Zyren suddenly collapsed. They are in a critical state."

Senjuro's fists clenched. "What?

What's wrong with them?"

Raizen sighed. "An

unidentified Dark Energy Venom has infiltrated their cores. It has placed their

life force in a semi-dormant state."

Kyrin narrowed his eyes. "What

does that mean?"

"Their core abilities

are completely shut down," Raizen explained. "If

the venom is not removed in time, their cores will eventually deteriorate. And

once a core is destroyed, death is certain."

A cold silence settled

between them.

Senjuro's gaze hardened. "Then

we need to find a cure. There has to be a way."

Raizen nodded. "There

is." He turned toward the massive mountain range visible

through the shattered entrance. "Beyond those peaks lies, a rare

herb will bloom. It has the power to neutralize the venom."

Kyrin immediately

straightened. "Then we'll go and get it."

Raizen held up a small glass

vial filled with a shimmering blue liquid. "Not so fast.

The flower is heavily protected. You won't be able to pluck it with your bare

hands. This essence will allow you to safely extract it."

Kyrin took the vial

carefully. "Understood."

Raizen sighed. "While

you two go on this mission, I'll be relocating everyone to Neonis for

a year. The medicine I need to prepare for them will take time, and Neonis has

the resources I need."

Senjuro hesitated. "You're

taking the Dragon Lantern too?"

Raizen nodded. "Yes.

I will ignite it there. It will serve as a beacon for our forces."

Senjuro and Kyrin

exchanged a determined glance.

"Then it's

decided," Senjuro said. "We

leave tomorrow for the mountains and start our journey there."

Raizen placed a hand on

Senjuro's shoulder. "This mission will be dangerous. You may have

to risk your lives."

Kyrin smirked. "We've

never backed down before."

With their fate sealed,

the two warriors walked away, determined to save their friends—no

matter the cost.

The next morning, the sun

rose over the ruins of Kurogiri Mansion, casting golden light over the

broken battleground. Kyrin and Senjuro stood at the entrance, dressed in

reinforced battle gear.

Raizen approached them,

his expression unreadable. "Before you go, there's something you

need to know."

Senjuro folded his arms. "We're

listening."

Raizen took a deep breath. "The

path to the mountain is not just treacherous—it is alive."

Kyrin arched an eyebrow. "Alive?"

Raizen nodded. "Legends

speak of ancient guardians that protect the sacred flower. They do not

recognize good or evil—only intruders."

Senjuro exhaled. "Great.

We'll be fighting monsters before we even reach the peak."

Raizen handed them a map,

marked with a direct but dangerous path through the Terra Primal Forest—a

vast, uncharted land filled with creatures few had ever faced and lived to tell

the tale.

"If you survive the

forest," Raizen continued, "you'll

reach the Valley of Shadows. That is where the real challenge begins."

Kyrin smirked. "Sounds

fun."

Raizen ignored his

sarcasm. "Be careful. And remember—your mission is to retrieve the

flower and return. Do not engage in unnecessary battles."

Senjuro and Kyrin nodded.

As they turned toward the

road ahead, a familiar voice called out.

"Wait!"

They turned to see Sylvia

Kurogiri rushing toward them. Though her expression was calm, her eyes

held deep worry.

"Sylvia?" Senjuro asked.

She stopped in front of

them, catching her breath. "I know you both are strong, but you

don't know what you're facing. You'll need help."

Kyrin tilted his head. "And

you're volunteering?"

She shook her head. "No.

But there is someone who will."

She stepped aside,

revealing a hooded figure standing behind her. The stranger's

aura was unlike anything Senjuro had ever sensed—neither light nor dark,

but something in between.

The figure pulled back

their hood, revealing deep silver eyes and hair the color of

moonlight.

"My name is

Kael," they said, their

voice smooth and steady. "And I know the path you are about to

walk. I will guide you."

Senjuro frowned. "And

why should we trust you?"

Kael met his gaze without

hesitation. "Because if you go alone, you will fail."

A heavy silence followed.

Kyrin crossed his arms. "Bold

words. Care to prove them?"

Kael smirked. "Gladly."

With a swift movement,

Kael extended their hand, and the air around them shimmered. The

energy they controlled was unlike anything Kyrin or Senjuro had ever seen—a

fusion of elemental forces, swirling like a storm held in balance.

Raizen's eyes widened

slightly. "Aether-born…"

Kael turned to him. "You

know what I am, then?"

Raizen nodded. "I

do. And if what you say is true… you may be their only chance."

Senjuro exchanged a glance

with Kyrin.

Kyrin shrugged. "Well,

at least we won't be bored."

Senjuro sighed. "Fine.

You can come. But if you slow us down—"

Kael's smirk widened. "You'll

be the ones struggling to keep up."

With that, the three

warriors set off, stepping into the unknown.

Ahead of them lay the

untamed wilderness of Terra Primal, the Valley of Shadows, and

the ultimate battle for the cure that would save their friends.

And behind them?

A world that would never

be the same once they returned