The battlefield fell silent as Hiofekus slowly walked toward Arin and the others.
Then—
He vanished.
Everyone spun around, searching for him.
He appeared directly in front of Hanase.
"Crimson Gate."
A binding spell erupted beneath her feet. Scarlet chains wrapped around her body, freezing her in place.
Hiofekus calmly placed his sword on her shoulder.
Hanase trembled, sweat running down her face.
"Help—!"
Before she could finish, Leiofa turned and saw him.
"RUN!"
Leiofa lunged forward.
Hiofekus didn't even look at him.
He kicked Hanase away.
Her body slammed into a tree with a sickening crack. Blood spilled from her mouth as she collapsed.
"LEIOFA, STOP!" someone shouted.
Too late.
Hiofekus dashed forward.
He slashed the air.
The sky exploded with light—
Then everything went dark.
From the darkness, a colossal shadow emerged.
A towering figure formed from pure blackness, wearing a king's cloak made of living night.
The shadow struck.
Hugurou.
Neblaheim and Dephore rushed in, blocking the blow.
But the impact sent all three of them flying.
Hiofekus spread his arms wide.
"I AM THE KING OF THIS WORLD."
"FEAR ME, MORTALS!"
His laughter echoed across the battlefield.
Hugurou slowly stood up, teeth clenched.
"You are no king…"
He spat blood onto the ground.
"…you damn monster."
Hiofekus' smile faded.
His face twisted in cold anger.
In an instant—
He appeared in front of Hugurou.
A single kick.
Hugurou's body slammed into the cliff behind him.
A horrific crack echoed.
His left arm was severed, flying through the air as blood poured from his shoulder.
Hugurou screamed.
Hiofekus stepped closer.
"As a graceful and merciful king…"
He raised his sword.
"…I shall grant you the highest honor."
"I will execute you myself."
He began to laugh again.
"NO!" Arin charged forward—
But invisible force froze him in place.
Hiofekus lifted his sword toward the heavens.
"I command the gods."
"Heed my words."
"Befall… the Oblivion."
A massive circle of tinted light appeared above him.
It dwarfed the battlefield.
The circle began to spin.
Faster.
Faster.
Faster.
Until the eye could no longer follow it.
The light condensed.
Forming a giant hand descending from the heavens.
It moved toward Hugurou.
Slowly.
Hugurou closed his eyes.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Live on… my friends."
The hand descended.
It crushed him instantly.
Then the light ignited.
Burning everything within it—
Until nothing remained.