Chapter 4:First strike

The blackened sky twisted as the newly formed Rift pulsed violently above Sector 7 Academy. The unnatural energy it emitted sent shivers down Luna's spine.

Kai stood next to her, his usual smirk slightly fading. This wasn't normal.

The Hellion that had just emerged was unlike any they had seen before. It spoke.

"You are too late."

Luna tensed, gripping her arcane spear, her mind racing. Too late for what?

Kai's fingers twitched near his side, ready to summon his energy blade. "Okay, I'll bite. Too late for what exactly? You guys planning a surprise party?"

The Hellion didn't react. Instead, its form shifted, flickering like a living shadow. Then—

It moved.

Luna barely had time to react as the creature vanished from sight.

A second later, Kai was sent flying backward, crashing into a pile of debris.

Luna's eyes widened. "Kai!"

He coughed, shaking off the impact. "Damn. Fast one."

The Hellion reappeared in front of Luna, its red eyes glowing like burning coals. It raised a clawed hand, and black energy crackled along its arm.

Luna didn't hesitate. She swung her spear, the weapon glowing with radiant energy. The Hellion barely dodged, sliding backward with inhuman grace.

Luna clenched her teeth. "It's learning."

Kai reappeared at her side, summoning his blue energy blade. "That just makes it more fun."

The Hellion tilted its head slightly, as if… analyzing them. Then, its body expanded, shifting into a more monstrous form.

It was evolving.

The First Strike

The Hellion lunged, its dark claws slicing through the air toward Luna. She barely managed to parry, but the sheer force of the blow sent her skidding back.

Kai took advantage of the opening, blitzing forward in a burst of speed. His blade met the Hellion's body—

And passed through it.

"What—?"

The creature's smoky form reassembled instantly. Then it countered, slamming its fist into Kai's stomach.

He gasped, sent flying again, this time crashing into the academy's training field.

Luna didn't have time to process what happened. The Hellion was already on her, striking with relentless speed. She summoned a barrier, but each hit made it flicker and crack.

"This thing…" she growled. "It's way beyond the others."

Kai groaned from the ground, coughing. "Y'know, I'd prefer normal monsters next time."

He staggered up, wiping blood from his lip, and grinned. "Alright, no more messing around."

The air around Kai shifted.

Luna's eyes widened as blue lightning crackled around him, his power momentarily spiking.

But just as fast as it came—he suppressed it.

Kai rolled his shoulders. "Guess I'll have to get a little serious."

Luna shot him a glare. "You mean you weren't serious before?"

Kai grinned, launching himself forward, energy blade flaring with renewed power.

The real fight had begun.