Chapter 12
The cave trembled under the weight of their battle. Sparks flew as iron met claw, fire clashed with metal, and wind howled through the battlefield. Lucas and Nephis moved in perfect sync, their attacks fluid and relentless. Raven, the infamous leader of the Iron Clad bandits, was now realizing that he had severely underestimated the two.
Lucas shot forward like a beast uncaged, his movements erratic yet calculated. His Beast Instinct enhanced his reflexes, allowing him to weave through Raven's attacks with almost unnatural precision. Each strike of his Beast Fist sent shockwaves through Raven's iron-clad body, drawing fresh blood from unprotected spots.
Nephis supported from the rear, her hands weaving elemental chaos—fire, water, and wind dancing in perfect harmony. She summoned a Torrent Whip, slamming it into Raven's leg, sending him staggering backward.
The sound of cheers echoed from the sidelines.
"Yeah, kick his metal-plated ass!" Kaito hollered, rattling his chains like a crazed fan at a wrestling match.
Blaze, still chained up, said. "You do realize you're not helping, right?"
Kaito ignored him. "Raven, you're getting bodied by two kids! Maybe you should consider retirement—oh wait, I forgot, you probably can't afford it!"
Raven's eye twitched. His anger was boiling over. He was getting wounded left and right, and now this loud-mouthed brat was verbally assaulting his dignity from the sidelines?
Kaito wasn't done. "Hey, does your metal magic work on your brain too? 'Cause you seem pretty dense, buddy!"
Raven nearly tripped over his own foot.
Lucas, dodging another metal-covered punch, laughed mid-battle. "Hey stranger, if we get out of here alive, I'm buying you dinner."
"Make it two!" Kaito grinned. "I've been carrying the mental battle here!"
Raven let out a primal growl. His patience snapped like a brittle twig. "ENOUGH!"
His fists slammed into the ground, shaking the entire cave. Cracks splintered beneath them. He slowly rose, blood dripping from his wounds, his breathing heavy, yet his rage unwavering.
"You brats," Raven spat. "I can't believe I'm being forced to use my strongest technique on a bunch of children!"
Kaito scoffed. "Awww, is the big bad bandit about to cry?"
Raven's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
"IRON BODY!"
His skin turned jet-black, layers of metal plating his body like a demonic exoskeleton. He no longer looked human—he looked like a walking, breathing fortress.
The air grew heavy. A suffocating pressure spread across the cave.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" Raven bellowed.
But… his outstretched finger wasn't pointing at Nephis.
Nor Lucas.
It was pointed directly at—
"WHY ME?!" Kaito screamed, practically yanking his chains off the wall.
Before anyone could react, Raven vanished from sight.
Lucas barely had time to blink before—
BOOM!
A monstrous impact sent Lucas flying like a ragdoll, slamming him into the cave wall. Blood dribbled from his mouth.
Nephis gasped. Raven's speed had increased exponentially!
"Lucas!"
Lucas groaned, spitting out dust. "Okay… that actually hurt."
Nephis didn't hesitate. She raised both hands, summoning a whirlwind of fire and water. Steam exploded through the cave as a vortex of scalding mist engulfed Raven.
But Raven broke through it effortlessly, lunging forward—his face still resting on the trembling Kaito.
"HEY, HEY, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS!" Kaito yelped, his voice breaking.
"700 IRON SPEARS!"
The cave erupted with metallic energy. Hundreds of iron spikes formed mid-air, their deadly points glistening. With a simple motion, Raven flung them all forward—straight at Lucas and Nephis.
Lucas and Nephis closed their eyes.
This was it.
But then—
A sudden gust of freezing air swept through the battlefield.
A loud crack echoed.
The iron spears froze solid mid-air.
Shattering.
Like fragile glass.
Everyone turned.
Standing before the twins was a tall, blonde-haired man clad in a flowing blue robe. His piercing blue eyes radiated an unnatural coldness. His outstretched hand slowly closed into a fist, and with it, the frozen spears crumbled into dust.
Silence fell over the cave.
Lucas, wide-eyed, glanced at Nephis. "...Okay, who the hell is this guy?"
Nephis shook her head. "I have no idea."
The stranger tilted his head slightly. His voice was calm, yet laced with authority.
"You two did well to last this long," he said, his gaze drifting toward Raven. "But it's time you step aside."
Lucas look at the back of the stranger.
Something told him...
This guy was no ordinary warrior.