Nato7

The Awakening: Around 150 years ago, a mysterious event known as "The Rift" caused a dramatic shift in the world. This event opened portals from another dimension, bringing Essences—mysterious and powerful entities—into the world. These Essences granted some individuals extraordinary abilities and set in motion a global conflict.

Essence Warriors: These are people who possess the power of an Essence, which can take various forms depending on the individual’s soul and affinity. Some are born with their Essence powers from birth, while others awaken them later in life. These warriors are ranked according to their power level, and the rankings play a significant role in their status, training, and missions.

Essence Reborn

The storm had begun to fade, but the air remained heavy with tension. Smoke rose from the ruined ground, scorched by the fury of gods and monsters. Craters dotted the earth where Riku and Gekido had clashed, and arcs of energy still crackled in the aftermath of the battle.

Riku hovered just above the rubble, Celestial Nexus still aglow. His golden aura shimmered like a divine flame, but his face remained calm… even thoughtful.

Gekido knelt in the shattered debris below him — blood dripping from his mouth, cracks splintering across his yellow mask. His body trembled, barely able to support itself.

Yet, despite it all, he was smiling.

"You're holding back," Gekido rasped, coughing blood onto the scorched stones. "I can tell... You're not even trying yet."

Riku floated down, his feet touching the ground softly. He crossed his arms, brow furrowed. "...You really want to see it?"

Gekido's voice was hoarse but determined. "Then TRY, Riku Hayashi. Let me see what you're really made of."

For the first time, Riku's expression hardened — his stance shifted.

"Alright then," he said quietly. "Let me show you the difference between power… and dominance."

In the blink of an eye, Riku moved.

The world blurred.

He became a living storm — fists and strikes moving with blinding speed, hitting with enough force to bend the air itself. Gekido tried to block, tried to swing, but every movement was countered, every opening punished.

Riku's palm slammed into Gekido's chest, launching him backward.

Before Gekido could recover, a spinning kick caught his side, shattering stone as he crashed into a broken monument. The masked warrior coughed up blood, staggering to his knees.

"You win…" he grunted, breath shallow. "That strength… I've never felt anything like it. You're the strongest opponent I've ever faced."

Riku walked forward, calm now. His aura faded slightly, returning to its dormant state. "You were the toughest I've fought," he admitted. "Veynos was nothing compared to you."

Gekido lay back, staring at the dark sky through the cracks in his mask. Blood pooled beneath him. His voice, weak, trembled with pride.

"Kill me," he whispered. "I'm just glad… I got to fight someone like you. You… you might even be strong enough to face him."

Gekido's voice grew softer. "The boss... you'll meet him eventually. He's not like us. Not like anyone. If I ever return somehow… I'll fight beside you. But after that… we'll fight again. One last time…"

He coughed again — blood speckled his mask.

"Now… do it. The time has come. End it."

Riku stood silent for a moment, gaze unreadable. He stepped forward, raising one glowing hand.

"…You were a warrior," he said. "And a damn good one."

A burst of golden light pierced Gekido's chest. His body shuddered — then went still.

Riku exhaled slowly, standing over the fallen titan. His face was calm… but there was a trace of concern in his eyes.

He looked up to the dark sky, now clearing as the storm faded.

Whatever was coming… it was far from over.

Riku was just glad this fight was.

But as he looked around the battlefield — at the broken ground, the shattered buildings, the bodies of allies and enemies alike — he felt the heavy weight of loss in his chest.

So many had died.

The real war hadn't even begun.

Chapter 148: The Warrior's Farewell