Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Path of the Nine Fins

Kaido stood motionless, his heart still racing from the battle. The energy of the First Fin pulsed through his body, but it felt unstable, as if it could vanish at any moment. The battlefield around him remained eerily silent, the remains of the defeated beast dissolving into the air like mist.

Indar observed him with cold, calculating eyes. "You won, but barely. Power alone will not be enough."

Kaido clenched his fists. He knew Indar was right. The battle had pushed him to his limits, and he had only defeated the creature by instinct. If he faced a stronger opponent, his hesitation would get him killed.

"Then what do I do?" Kaido asked, his voice firm despite his exhaustion.

Indar turned away, walking toward the edge of the battlefield. "Follow me."

Without hesitation, Kaido followed, his mind filled with questions. They walked in silence for what felt like hours, the barren landscape shifting around them. It wasn't just a place—it felt like a living entity, changing with every step they took.

Finally, they arrived at a vast canyon, its depths obscured by swirling darkness. Indar stopped at the edge and gestured downward. "This is your next trial."

Kaido peered into the abyss. A strange energy radiated from below, cold and suffocating.

"What's down there?" he asked.

Indar's expression remained unreadable. "A choice."

Without another word, Indar stepped aside, making it clear that Kaido had to go alone.

Kaido inhaled sharply. His body was still sore, his mind still trying to process everything, but he knew there was no turning back.

With a deep breath, he took a step forward—

And jumped.

The darkness swallowed him whole.

---

Kaido felt himself falling, the air rushing past him as the abyss consumed everything. Then, suddenly—silence.

He landed on solid ground, but it wasn't the battlefield above. The air here was thick, heavy with something ancient. Shadows twisted around him, forming distorted shapes.

A voice echoed through the darkness.

"You have entered the Domain of the Fins."

Kaido turned, searching for the source, but he was alone. Then, out of the shadows, figures began to emerge—twisted, monstrous creatures. But unlike the beast he had fought before, these had two fins.

His trial had just begun.

To

survive, he had to awaken the Second Fin.

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