Struggle of Ryu and Caline

Reina Arc lay on the blood-soaked ground, her chest rising and falling with difficulty. A deep wound ran across her ribs, glowing with lingering corruptive energy.

Six nearby 6th Stage Mobs formed a protective barrier, healing and shielding her as best they could.

She whispered, "Caline… please come back…"

But her vision blurred as another tremor shook the earth.

---

At the center of the battlefield, a storm of force erupted.

Two figures clashed—one, the God within Caline's body, radiating blackish-red divinity; the other, Ryu Arc, unarmed, fighting with nothing but his fists and his unyielding will.

The air cracked every time their blows met.

Yet even with raw strength on par, Ryu was being pushed back.

> "You've grown," the God smirked, "but I'm not the same as I was either. I've been feeding..."

Another hit smashed Ryu through several trees.

---

Ryu stood slowly, coughing blood.

> "...She's still in there," he muttered. "And I'm not leaving without her."

---

Suddenly, the god raised Caline's hand to the sky. A massive sigil formed in the clouds, spinning violently.

> "She's my vessel now. In five minutes, this world will know pain again."

The ground around Ryu glowed with unfamiliar runes—a sealing field.

He realized: it was a trap.

---

Back at Reina's side, Mina Arc arrived in a flash of blue light.

> "Mina," Reina choked out, "he… can't win alone."

Mina nodded. Her eyes were cold.

> "Then I'll do what I must."

From her robe, she pulled a forbidden relic—a piece of the crystal from the last war, once used to temporarily separate a soul from a corrupted body.

> "I'll need time. Stall him, Ryu."

---

Back on the battlefield—

The God smirked, raising his hand for a finishing strike.

But Ryu, bleeding and burned, charged forward.

> "You talk too much," he spat.

He took the hit—but with the momentum, grabbed Caline's arm, locking it.

> "Caline… wake up. You're stronger than this thing. Fight!!"

---

Deep in her mind realm, Caline stood alone, chained, surrounded by shadows.

But a voice—her father's—echoed through the void.

> "We're waiting for you. Don't let him win."

Her hand twitched.

Then, she screamed—and the chains cracked.

---

Outside, the black aura around her flickered.

Mina's chant grew louder.

> "Just a little longer…!" she cried.

The God began to panic, trying to crush Ryu—but Ryu held on tighter, despite the pain.

> "You're not taking… my daughter…"

---

To be continued…