Healing

The beast squirms away as the pain is too much to bear, its massive body dragging across the ground. Its every movement screams of desperation, but it can't escape the agony caused by the blow. Kaijo, never one to let an opportunity slip away, charges forward, hoping to land a second, decisive strike. The beast, aware of its imminent doom, summons the last of its strength and, with a guttural roar, unleashes its final ability—"Void Collapse." The air around them warps, swirling into a singularity that begins to suck everything in its vicinity toward it.

Liu's instincts kick in. Without a second of hesitation, he calls forth his red dragon, a creature of magnificent power and grace. "Huānlè de huǒyàn," he commands, and the dragon responds immediately, opening its vast maw. From its throat bursts a torrent of fiery energy, so pure and intense that it almost seems to dance with joy as it surges forth. The flames snake through the air, coiling around themselves before shooting toward the collapsing void, like a comet racing to its target.

The moment the dragon's attack collides with the beast's destructive wave, the two forces meet in a violent clash. An explosion erupts, dwarfing anything they had seen before—its size rivals that of an atomic bomb, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area, distorting the air for miles. Liu, his reflexes sharper than ever, grabs both Kaijo and Mikimo, teleports them out just as the explosion reaches its peak, and they appear within the secure walls of WanlingXin H.Q.

On the 37th floor of the skyscraper, Calg, deep in the middle of some paperwork, is interrupted by the sudden blast that shakes the building. He stands, instinctively heading for the door, his curiosity piqued. He peers around the corner but finds nothing out of the ordinary. Only when he looks down does he notice something that catches his eye—a bloodied, battered Mikimo, supported by Liu, and another boy he doesn't recognize. The trio's arrival at this particular spot seems almost… unreal.

Without hesitation, Calg leaps down from the 37th floor, his feet hitting the ground with a soft thud, completely unfazed. He swiftly closes the gap between them, landing in front of the trio like a character straight out of an action-packed film. His gaze shifts from one person to the next, scanning them intently. "I see you guys made it out alive…" Calg comments, his voice steady and calm, despite the circumstances. His gaze locks onto Kaijo. "Who's the kid...?" His eyes narrow slightly, probing.

Liu, ever the calm leader, responds without missing a beat. "Oh, this kid helped us defeat the Void Beast, MoK, and Kalkuh. His name's Kaijo. Come on, Kaijo, introduce yourself." He gestures toward Kaijo with a welcoming hand.

Kaijo, his eyes wide in awe, takes a deep breath before responding with a sense of newfound confidence. "Whew... My name is Kaijo Hiemura, and I'm a 30th gen Flame apprentice, trying to become a warrior," he declares proudly.

Calg's expression softens, but only slightly. "Hmm..." He considers Kaijo for a moment. "Go heal your injuries in the F-Tank," he commands, the tone of his voice unyielding.

"F-Tank?" Liu raises an eyebrow, clearly confused.

"It's a tank that can heal fatal wounds, injuries on the verge of death. So get in there, quick. Now, go!" Calg repeats firmly, pointing toward the hallway.

Mikimo, still visibly weakened, nods in understanding, and the trio starts walking toward the tanks. As they make their way down the corridor, they are unsure of what lies ahead, but the weight of the situation is clear. Calg watches them for a moment before pressing a button on the wall, causing three sections of the floor to open up. A hidden stairwell leads them downward.

"The tanks are below you," Calg announces, his voice booming through the now-open spaces. "Go inside, weakest at the top, strongest at the bottom." He gestures for them to proceed.

Kaijo, Liu, and Mikimo exchange uncertain glances, debating amongst themselves who is the weakest and the strongest. The tension in the air is thick, the uncertainty palpable. Calg watches them silently, his gaze unwavering. "I'll check your ability stats," he offers, pulling a sleek thermometer from his jacket and holding it to each of their heads.

The small device hums softly as it processes their stats, the screen flickering with calculations. After a few moments, Calg speaks with the air of someone who knows exactly what they're talking about. "From the calculations, Mikimo is the strongest, and Kaijo is the weakest," he states plainly, his eyes scanning each of them.

All three of them stand stunned. The reality of their individual abilities hits them harder than any physical blow. Mikimo, usually so humble, doesn't know whether to be proud or anxious. Kaijo, despite the comment, stands tall, his resolve unwavering.

Without further discussion, they each enter the tanks, and one by one, they submerge themselves into the healing waters. The tanks close over them with a soft hiss, and their faces become obscured by the masks that fit tightly over their mouths. The water rises up, enveloping them completely, and they sink into the depths, where time seems to stand still.

Calg, having ensured they are settled, moves back toward the upper floors. As he presses another button on the wall, the tanks are sealed with a finality, and Calg ascends back to his office, his footsteps echoing in the now-silent corridors. With a final glance at the trio from above, he resumes his work, knowing the battle is far from over.