Den gripped Oblivion tightly, feeling the power of the spirits he had absorbed. Their voices whispered in his mind, begging for release. But Den only grinned. "More… I need more."
Matthew stood behind him, watching carefully. "That sword is dangerous, Den. If you absorb too much power, you might lose control."
Den scoffed. "You think I care? Luz has beaten me too many times. With this sword, I'll destroy him!"
He swung Oblivion, and a dark energy wave shot forward, slicing a huge boulder in half. The raw power of the sword made Den laugh.
"Let's go," he said. "There's still more to take."
---
Back in Biringan…
Luz stood on the balcony, looking over the city. The streets were calm, but he knew peace wouldn't last. Den would come back. He always did.
Elena approached him. "You're worried," she said softly.
Luz nodded. "Den is searching for something… I can feel it."
Before Elena could reply, Ino rushed in, panting.
"Luz! We have a problem!"
Luz turned to him. "What happened?"
Ino clenched his fists. "There's been a massacre."
Luz's eyes widened. "Where?"
"A village near the mountains," Ino said. "Everyone is dead… but there are no bodies. Just… empty clothes. Like their spirits were taken."
Elena gasped. "No bodies? That's impossible."
Luz's heart sank. He knew only one person would do something like this. "Den…"
---
Den's Rampage
Den walked through the ruined village, stepping over the lifeless clothes of the people he had killed. Their spirits had fed his sword, making him even stronger.
Matthew stood nearby, arms crossed. "This is reckless. You're drawing too much attention."
Den ignored him. He was too focused on his new power. "I can feel them… the souls inside the sword… they're making me stronger!"
He looked at his own reflection in the blade. His eyes were darker than before, filled with hunger for power.
Suddenly, Matthew sighed. "If you really want to beat Luz, we need a plan. If you just attack head-on, you'll lose again."
Den scowled, but he knew Matthew was right. Luz always found a way to win.
"Fine," Den said. "We'll wait… but not for long. I'll make Luz suffer before I kill him."
As he spoke, the sword pulsed again, whispering in his mind. More… feed me more…
Den grinned. "Soon."