Crimson soared through the dark skies above Emberfall, rage erupting around him like a storm. His crimson aura burned brighter than ever, lightning cracking through the clouds. His eyes, filled with fury and grief, locked on the king's palace.
With a violent crash, he blasted through the walls of the palace, reducing them to rubble. The structure trembled. Cracks spread across the marble floors like veins of destruction. Crimson landed in the throne room—but the throne was empty.
"Where are you, bastard?!" Crimson roared. "Come forward! This will be your end!"
Suddenly, five powerful figures appeared—Celestis Rank Hunters from neighboring kingdoms. They were Argon, Aric, Caspian, Darian, and Rowan—the elite warriors summoned to suppress Crimson's wrath.
Before Crimson could react, Argon appeared and landed a devastating punch. Crimson was hurled through the walls, falling unconscious amidst the debris.
Argon chuckled. "I expected more from you, little Crimson baby."
The king walked in smugly, clapping slowly. "Oh, is this all you've got? I warned you, didn't I? But you just had to play hero for your pathetic wife and child."
Crimson, bleeding and unconscious, could still hear the words echoing in his mind. Tears streamed down his face.
"You could've had another wife, another son. You threw away everything for what? Love? Ha! Fool."
Rowan glanced at Crimson's motionless body and whispered, "I doubt he'll even stand again, let alone fight."
The king smirked. "I don't need Crimson. I made a deal with other kingdoms—traded gold for power. Argon here is my new Celestis Rank Hunter. And now, finish him off!"
Argon powered up, preparing a devastating hand blast.
"Goodbye, Crimson. Sorry—but today's your funeral."
As the blast charged, a blur of light appeared in front of Crimson—Azalea.
"STOP!!" she screamed.
Argon faltered, lowering his hand. Everyone stood frozen.
"What are you doing?!" the king barked. "Get out of the way or die like your brother!"
But Caspian stepped forward.
"My king, may I make a request?" he asked.
"What?! On whose side are you?!" the king demanded.
"No one's. Just… if Crimson apologizes, could we spare him?"
The king paused, then smirked. "Fine. If he apologizes." (He laughed inside—Crimson will never bow.)
Caspian knelt beside Crimson, shaking him. "Crimson! Wake up! Hey!"
Azalea clenched her fists. That bastard king… he knows Crimson will never forgive him...
Crimson's eyes snapped open.
In an instant—Argon was slashed in half.
Everyone froze.
"WHAT?!" Rowan screamed.
She unleashed her ultimate—Luminous Resonance—but before the blast even fired, Crimson appeared behind her. Her eyes widened as her head hit the floor, body drenched in blood.
Caspian gasped in horror.
Aric attempted to summon Aegis, his legendary shield—but his hand hit the floor before the power could even rise.
Crimson grinned darkly. "Sorry... am I being too harsh?" He laughed, a sound filled with pain and madness.
Darian rushed to aid Aric, but—
"Help me!!" Aric screamed—
—Too late. Aric's body was shredded into 3509 bloody pieces.
Azalea gritted her teeth, firing a containment beam to trap her brother's movement. "Laser Bind!"
Caspian joined her—"Kinetic Theft!"—pulling back Crimson's energy.
Darian stepped up, enraged. "You bastard! You killed three of us!" He launched forward to punch Crimson.
"NO!!!" Azalea screamed, losing grip of the bind.
Crimson struck her. She was thrown through the palace walls.
He grabbed Caspian, lifting him by the neck. "Mercy? You think I need mercy?!"
"Black Fire."
Caspian was consumed in black flames, his screams fading into ashes.
Darian gripped Crimson from behind. "Zanos!" A paralyzing energy surged through Crimson's body, knocking him unconscious—for three seconds.
Crimson's eyes flared open.
"Too late." He hurled Darian into the wall, then raised his hand.
"Black Fire."
Darian cried, "No! No! I'm sorry!! I'm sor—"
A roar of black flames devoured him whole.
The palace shook. The king stumbled backward, trembling.
Crimson stood in the ruins... covered in blood... eyes filled with vengeance.
(Chapter 43 Fin)