As everyone woke up, they quickly realized Uno was already gone. In his place was a note, left on the table.
Belial was the first to notice it. He grabbed the note and called the others over. Clearing his throat, he began reading aloud:
"I've stepped out to investigate further. There are two locations that need checking—one is a dojo, the other is deep in the Woods. I need you to split up. Belial and Azire, I want you two to take the Woods. The rest of you, head to the dojo. I believe in you all. Don't let me down."
Azire cracked his knuckles and stepped forward. "Alright, y'all three head to the dojo. Me and Belial will take the Woods."
Everyone nodded, following the orders as written
In just a few minutes, Hollie, Maya, and Suna arrived at the dojo. The building was eerily silent, its doors slightly open, yet not a soul in sight.
Suna looked around cautiously. "Looks like it's closed."
Hollie nodded in agreement. "Yeah… I wonder where everyone is."
Maya, staying quiet, studied the area carefully, sensing that something was off.
Moments later, a man in a martial arts gi approached the dojo without looking up, walking with a slow, deliberate pace.
Acting quickly, the three hid inside nearby lockers, peering through the slits as the man entered. Following behind him was a group of young beastkin, seemingly students.
Maya huffed in disappointment. "This is so trash. It just looks like a normal dojo to me—nothing special."
Suna sighed but remained patient. "It's Uno's orders. We have to wait."
Hollie, already losing interest, leaned back inside the locker. "Well, I'm taking a nap. Wake me if something actually happens."
The three remained hidden, waiting for something to unfold
Meanwhile, Belial and Azire ventured deep into the dense Woods, the trees growing darker and thicker with each step. Eventually, they came across a campfire, its flames flickering unnaturally.
At the center of the fire's glow sat a solitary figure—an angel with golden horns.
Azire tensed immediately. "Belial… you seeing this?"
Belial's eyes narrowed. "Yeah…"
The angel had long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, his features bright and serene. But something was wrong. Despite his radiant appearance, his aura was ominous—a dark, suffocating gray. He was a contradiction—light on the outside, pure malice within.
"He looks… evil," Azire muttered.
For a split second, the two looked away, surveying the camp. But when they turned back—
He was gone.
Their stomachs dropped.
A sudden, chilling presence washed over them, and as they looked down—
A wide, unnatural grin stretched across the angel's face, inches from their own.
With terrifying speed, he unsheathed his sword and slashed at them in an instant.
Azire barely had time to react, activating a barrier using his eye, but the moment the angel's blade touched it—
SHATTER!
The barrier broke effortlessly.
The angel scoffed. "Pathetic."
Azire gritted his teeth and summoned Abyssfang, his demonic sword appearing in his grasp as black mist coiled from its blade. He charged forward, swinging the sword with all his might.
The angel laughed, catching the blade with his bare hand.
"Wow… so strong." His voice was mocking, dripping with amusement.
Belial followed up with a full-force punch, aiming straight for the angel's face.
CRACK!
The punch landed clean—but the angel didn't even flinch.
With effortless strength, he grabbed Azire and hurled him into a tree, the impact shaking the ground. Before Belial could react, he was kicked straight into the campfire, rolling across the dirt.
The angel dusted off his hands. "You're nothing but cattle. Mindless creatures running in a farm, thinking you have power." His eyes gleamed. "You can't compete with an angel like myself."
He raised his hand.
"I'll let my people handle you."
Suddenly, dozens of angels appeared, surrounding the area, their weapons gleaming under the moonlight.
The golden-horned angel smirked. "I wonder how your little friends are doing… I got reports from a 'little friend' that there's more cattle in this farm."
With that, he vanished, leaving Azire and Belial alone against an army of angels.
Belial clenched his fist, his gauntlet forming over his arm.
"Eclipse Gauntlet!" he roared, his power surging.
The gauntlet pulsed with black and gold energy as he activated his move.
"Eclipse Counter!"
A massive shockwave erupted from Belial's fist, knocking back several angels instantly.
Azire rose to his feet, wiping the blood from his lip.
"No time to waste," he muttered. He raised his hand, summoning dark magic above them.
The sky rained black flames.
As the chaos erupted, Belial rushed in, using the cover of the flames to attack. He moved like a blur, punching, kicking, and slamming angels left and right.
But more kept coming.
One after another.
The battle raged for what felt like an eternity—Azire and Belial fighting off over a hundred angels. By the end, both were bloodied, bruised, and exhausted.
Azire panted heavily. "We have… to keep going…"
Belial nodded, equally breathless.
The two spread their wings, taking off toward the dojo.
But when they arrived—
Standing before them, waiting at the entrance, was a single man in a martial arts gi.
His eyes were sharp. His stance was unshaken.
And his presence was heavier than anything they had felt before.