ARROW OF RESOLVE

The Alpha Darkside Spirit was sent flying, crashing through a dozen trees before slamming into a giant rock. Dust and bark burst into the air, but before he could even get to his feet, Alfie was already standing before him.

Without hesitation, Alfie raised a massive shadow hammer—formed from the dark tattoos coiling along his arms—and slammed the darkside spirit into the ground. Again. And again. Over fifteen brutal strikes left the enemy weakened and buried deep in a crater of his own making.

Then, the hammer morphed. Its dark mass twisted into a colossal sword.

What is this power? Alfie wondered. Whatever I imagine becomes real. I pictured a hammer, and it appeared. Then I thought of a sword… and it changed. This power—it's like an extension of my will.

He raised the sword high, preparing to split the Alpha darkside spirit in two. But just before the strike landed, the Darkside Spirit deflected it with twin swords of his own—each stretching as long as his towering frame.

"I've hit the jackpot," the darkside spirit snarled, his eyes gleaming with greed. "This power… this Renshi… if I devour you, I'll surpass every Alpha darkside spirit on this cursed planet!"

Alfie didn't flinch. "Then come and try."

They clashed in a burst of shadows and sparks.

Alfie struck with precision, forming a second sword mid-battle to overwhelm his foe. But the Alpha darkside spirit had experience—and a tail that lashed out like a whip. Blow after blow landed on Alfie's body, forcing him backward.

The tail curled toward Alfie's legs again—attempting to trip and bind him—but Alfie anticipated it. He leapt into the air, dodging the trap. But that was the real trap. The darkside spirit lunged upward with both blades aimed straight for Alfie's chest.

Mid-air and exposed, Alfie conjured a shield just in time. It shimmered with shadow and took the full brunt of the attack. As soon as his feet hit the ground, the onslaught resumed.

Alfie gritted his teeth and raised his arms. Fifteen swords surged from the tattoos across his body, each darting toward the Alpha from different angles. The darkside spirit deflected seven—but eight struck it, ripping across its frame.

"Not bad, kid," the Alpha darkside spirit growled, blood dripping from his mouth as it regenerates from it's injuries. "You were hiding this power all along?"

Alfie's voice was calm but firm. "If I had this power earlier, I'd never have let you hurt my friend."

He summoned more blades and unleashed them all at once. But they came from the same direction this time around, and the Alpha dodged them with ease. He soared into the air, laughing wildly.

"Playtime is over!"

His Renshi surged. Rocks from the earth rose skyward, forming a colossal mass overhead—growing larger and larger, like a second moon.

Alfie's eyes widened. This is bad. It's massive—and it's still growing!

He closed his eyes and concentrated. A massive shield emerged from his shadow, larger than any he'd made before—towering a hundred times over his own body.

But something was wrong.

I can't feel my legs... I'm reaching my limit. His body trembled, strained by the unnatural power. If I block that attack, I won't have the strength left to fight. I'll die...

Then he made a decision.

I can't defend—I have to strike.

The enormous shield dissolved, reshaping into a massive bow, its form sleek and jagged like obsidian lightning. Alfie drew it back, forming an arrow of pure dark Renshi, every last ounce of his power channeled into it.

Far below, the girl watched in awe, her wound now closed thanks to a healing spell passed down by her father. She limped closer.

He's so powerful now... Was he holding back? No... he nearly died so many times. This must be a reawakening... He's awakened something ancient.

High above, the Alpha's darkside spirit attack had reached completion. A gargantuan orb of rock and dark Renshi pulsed ominously.

"This is your end, brat!" the darkside spirit bellowed. "Any last words?"

Alfie's voice was steady, fearless.

"That's my line."

He pulled the bowstring taut, his black eyes glowing with fury.

The Alpha laughed as his massive sphere descended, cloaked in malevolent energy.

Alfie released the arrow.

A shockwave exploded outward as the shadow bolt screamed through the sky, straight toward the incoming moon of stone and darkness.