For two days, Xin honed his control over the Dharma Wheel.
It was becoming second nature—the way it moved, how it responded to his ether, how it pulsed with golden energy when he channeled his will into it. Unlike his old spear, which had demanded close-quarters combat, the Wheel allowed him to strike from afar, to defend, to heal, and to shift seamlessly between offense and support. It was not just a weapon. It was an extension of himself.
Belial had watched his progress in silence, arms crossed, expression unreadable. But Xin had seen the flicker of satisfaction in his golden eyes.
This was why Belial had risked so much—why he had subjected himself to the Regalia's influence, hoping against hope that Xin would prove worthy.
And he had.
The Regalia was more than just a weapon. It was their key to survival in this wretched land. And Xin, with his massive ether reserves, was the perfect wielder.
The Wheel enhanced his abilities, allowed him to mend wounds, and, most importantly, gave them an edge against the horrors that lurked in the dark.
And they would need every advantage they could get.
The landscape around them was shattered and twisted, the pale moon casting eerie reflections off the crystalline formations that jutted out of the ground like jagged teeth. There was beauty in the land's desolation, a haunting kind of majesty, but they had no time to admire it.
They had a mission.
They needed water.
Meat was easy to find though dangerous But water was essential. Belial led the way, guiding them toward the Giant ruined mountain ahead. Its peak was shattered, broken open as if something enormous had torn through it. A water source supposedly lay at the top. That was their destination.
But then Belial stopped.
His hand shot up in a silent signal.
Raven tensed beside him, armored fists clenching.
Xin's pulse quickened.
Something was here.
And then he saw it.
A hulking bipedal monster stood ahead, nearly eight meters tall. Its grotesquely muscular frame rippled beneath an outer layer of ribcage-like armor, jagged and unnatural. Three massive claws twitched restlessly at its sides, and a long, barbed tail swayed behind it like a predator toying with its prey.
But it was its face that made Xin's breath catch.
Three twisted horns jutted from its skull, framing a nightmare of a visage. Five black, gleaming eyes darted in different directions, shifting, searching. The creature's breath came in deep, guttural rumbles, its chest expanding and contracting with a mechanical rhythm, as if something otherworldly was keeping it alive.
A Minor Mirror Monster.
A Dusked Class huh
They had faced lesser creatures before—distorted beasts that were mere reflections of the horrors that lurked in the depths of this land. But this? This was a higher-tier abomination. Faster. Stronger.
Xin's fingers tightened around the Dharma Wheel as he increased the ether flow, readying his healing abilities should Belial or Raven need them. The golden glow pulsed as he synchronized with the Regalia.
The monster snorted, steam-like mist escaping from the gaps in its ribs.
Then it moved.
A slow, calculated step forward.
Raven inhaled sharply. His entire body coiled like a spring ready to snap.
This was going to be a fight to the death.
Belial's voice was low but urgent. "Xin, focus the ether on yourself instead and the Regalia."
Xin nodded. He knew what Belial was planning. The monster was too powerful to face head-on. They had to cripple it first—take away one of its limbs, weaken its movements.
He channeled his ether, weaving it into the Dharma Wheel. The golden energy flared, illuminating the darkness.
Now.
With a single thought, the Wheel spun.
It whistled through the air, faster than an arrow, a golden blur cutting through the night.
The monster had no time to react.
The Regalia's blades bit deep into its leg, slicing cleanly through muscle and bone.
A sickening crunch echoed through the air.
The creature wailed. A deafening, inhuman screech.
It staggered, its severed limb collapsing to the ground in a spray of blackened ichor.
It went down onto its arms, crawling like a quadrupedal beast. Well, more like a tripedal now.
Xin rushed back into position, amplifying Raven's ether as Belial lunged in for the next attack.
Raven was a storm of motion, absorbing the creature's blows, deflecting with brute force, countering with precise, devastating strikes.
Belial, ever the opportunist, darted in and out, using Raven's blocks to reposition himself, slashing at tendons, weak points, and joints.
The monster was still stronger and faster. They had to outthink it.
They were holding their ground.
For now.
The monster's remaining limbs dug into the ground, its claws carving deep gouges into the earth as it propelled itself forward with terrifying speed. Its five black eyes locked onto Xin, and a low, guttural growl rumbled from its chest.
"It's targeting Xin!" Belial shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Xin's heart palpitated as the creature lunged toward him, its massive claws slashing through the air. He barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as the claws tore through the space where he had just stood. The ground erupted in a shower of dirt and stone, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the air.
Belial was already moving, his Violet eyes blazing with Resolve. He leapt onto the monster's back, his blade flashing as he drove them into the gaps in its ribcage-like armor. The creature roared in pain, thrashing violently to dislodge him, but Belial held on, his movements fluid and precise.
Raven, meanwhile, charged forward, his armored fists glowing with ether. He slammed a punch into the monster's side, the impact resonating like a thunderclap. The creature staggered, its massive frame swaying under the force of the blow, but it quickly recovered, swinging its barbed tail in a wide arc.
Raven barely managed to raise his arms in time to block the attack, the tail slamming into him with enough force to send him skidding backward. His boots dug into the ground, leaving deep furrows as he struggled to maintain his footing.
Xin, still recovering from his near miss, focused his ether into the Dharma Wheel. The golden energy surged, and with a thought, he sent the Wheel spinning toward the monster once more. This time, it aimed for the creature's tail, the blades slicing through the thick, armored flesh with ease.
The monster let out another ear-piercing screech, its tail severed and writhing on the ground. But it wasn't done yet.
With a sudden burst of speed, it lunged at Xin again, its claws outstretched. Xin's eyes widened as he realized he wouldn't be able to dodge in time.
But then Belial was there, his Blade intercepting the claws in a shower of sparks. The force of the impact sent Belial skidding backward, but he managed to deflect the blow, giving Xin the precious seconds he needed to retreat.
"Xin!" Belial barked, his voice sharp. "Give Raven a boost!"
Xin nodded, his breathing ragged but his resolve unwavering. He channeled more ether into the Dharma Wheel, the golden glow intensifying as he prepared for another attack.
Raven, now recovered, charged back into the fray. His fists crackled with energy as he delivered a series of rapid punches to the monster's side, each blow landing with bone-crushing force. The creature roared in pain, its movements becoming more erratic as it struggled to fend off the relentless assault.
Belial took advantage of the distraction, darting in to deliver precise strikes to the monster's joints. His Blade moved like lightning, each cut weakening the creature further.
But the monster wasn't going down without a fight. With a sudden burst of strength, it slammed its massive claw into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked both Belial and Raven off their feet.
in an instant It
whipped its barbed tail around,
the jagged spikes slicing through the air with deadly precision. Belial saw it a fraction of a second too late. The tail slammed into him, sending him hurtling across the battlefield.
He crashed into the ground with a sickening thud, his sword clattering from his grip. Xin's breath caught. The creature turned, its five gleaming eyes locking onto the fallen warrior. It lowered its massive maw, jagged fangs glinting in the moonlight.
Ready to devour him whole.