Nato7

After a cataclysm called The Fracture, the world is split into zones, each ruled by different elemental beasts and corrupted heroes from an old war. Kids born after The Fracture awaken "Wills"-unique power traits shaped by their desires and trauma. An elite academy trains them to fight rogue Wielders and hunt corrupted relics from the past.

Shadowborn: Rise of the Last Will

The night air was thick with tension.

Sparks of Will energy cracked between Kael and Ryuu as they stood across from each other under the pale moonlight, silent… until Ryuu made the first move.

A thunderous step forward—he vanished.

Kael's eyes widened.Ryuu's speed… it had increased.

Kael barely raised his armguards in time as Ryuu's blade, burning with Will energy, clashed with them, forcing Kael back through the dirt, his boots dragging trails behind him.

Ryuu (furious):"You always hold back when it's me. STOP THAT!"

He flipped back, slashing the air, releasing a crescent of raw energy. Kael ducked, then launched forward with Voidstep, appearing behind Ryuu with a charged punch.

A burst of energy erupted between them as their fists collided—Kael's Void-enhanced strength meeting Ryuu's blade channeling. The shockwave shattered a nearby practice dummy, sending debris into the air.

Kael (gritting his teeth):"You want me to go all out?! Fine!"

His Overdrive Mode flickered to life—dark wisps crackling over his body. The reinforced armguards glowed as the alloy adapted to his rising power.

Ryuu leapt, flipping through the air, shoulder guards glowing with the runes Eri carved into them.

Their collision lit up the entire yard.

A nearby wall crumbled under the pressure. Dust shot into the air as the two kept trading blow for blow—neither one backing down.

Ryuu gritted his teeth as Kael's fist landed across his ribs.

Ryuu (coughing, blood spitting):"I won't be left behind… not by you!"

He gripped his blade with both hands and released a concentrated energy slash, catching Kael across the shoulder. Kael spun from the hit, staggered—but then roared and unleashed a sweeping shockwave of his own.

They flew at each other again—no words, just fury and heart.

Ryuu's mind flashed with every time he was overshadowed.

Kael's with every burden he tried to carry alone.

Friends. Rivals. Brothers.

By the time the dust cleared again, the ground beneath them was cracked. Both stood panting, blood trickling, eyes locked in mutual respect and pain.

Kael (breathing heavy):"You done?"

Ryuu (spits blood, grins faintly):"…Not even close."

Chapter 61: Brothers in Collision