The forest was still.
After the distant roar faded, an uneasy silence spread through the ancient trees. The wind whispered through the branches, but none of the travelers spoke.
Kazan stared toward the mountains in the distance. Dark clouds circled their peaks like a storm that refused to leave.
"That roar…" Kazan said quietly. "What was it?"
Haku's face was grim.
"Something powerful," he replied. "Something that should not be awake yet."
Riki crossed his arms and looked toward the mountains as well.
"You think it's connected to Demrak?"
Haku did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward the pile of burned roots that had once been the Forest Guardian.
"Yes," he finally said.
Before anyone could speak again, the wind suddenly changed.
A cold, unnatural chill swept through the forest.
Kazan felt the fire inside his body flicker violently.
"What's happening now?" he muttered.
Then the ashes of the guardian began to move.
Riki immediately drew his sword.
"Kazan… look."
The burned roots slowly twisted together. Dark energy crept through them like black veins spreading through wood.
The ground trembled as the remains of the guardian began to rise.
"No way…" Kazan whispered.
The creature reformed, but this time its body was darker. The glowing green eyes were gone, replaced by a deep crimson glow.
The corrupted guardian let out a horrifying roar.
"The forest spirit is being corrupted," Haku said. "That darkness… it's coming from the mountains."
The beast lunged forward.
"Move!" Riki shouted.
Both twins jumped aside as the massive claws crashed into the earth, sending dirt and broken roots flying everywhere.
Kazan drew his sword.
Flames burst along the blade.
"Flame Strike!"
He slashed forward, sending a wave of fire crashing into the corrupted guardian.
But the creature tore through the flames and charged straight toward him.
"It's stronger than before!" Kazan shouted.
Riki dashed forward with incredible speed. His sword flashed through the air, striking the creature's leg.
The guardian staggered.
"Focus, Kazan!" Riki yelled.
Kazan gritted his teeth. The fire inside him was growing wild again.
Heat rushed through his arms.
The flames around his sword suddenly grew larger and brighter.
"I can't control it…" Kazan said.
The corrupted guardian roared and prepared to strike.
"Kazan!" Riki warned.
At the last second, Kazan closed his eyes.
He remembered Haku's words.
Power without control will destroy you.
He took a deep breath.
Slowly, the raging fire inside him began to calm.
When Kazan opened his eyes again, the flames around his blade had changed.
They burned brighter—but steadier.
"Riki!" Kazan shouted.
Riki instantly understood.
He rushed forward and attacked the creature again, drawing its attention.
The guardian swung its massive claws toward him.
Riki leapt back.
That was Kazan's moment.
He jumped high into the air, his sword blazing with controlled fire.
"Blazing Twin Strike!"
His blade crashed down onto the creature's head.
A massive explosion of fire lit up the entire forest.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then the corrupted guardian collapsed, its body crumbling into lifeless ash.
The dark energy faded.
Kazan landed on the ground, breathing heavily.
Riki sheathed his sword.
"Looks like we handled it."
But Haku was still staring toward the mountains.
"That darkness…" he murmured.
Suddenly, the sky above the distant peaks split with a flash of red lightning.
A massive pillar of dark energy shot upward into the clouds.
The ground trembled again.
Kazan felt the fire inside him react violently.
"What is that?" he asked.
Haku's face turned pale.
"That… is Demrak's power."
Far above the mountains, something enormous moved inside the storm clouds.
Two glowing red eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
Riki gripped his sword tightly.
"Kazan…"
"Yes?"
Riki didn't look away from the mountains.
"I think the real battle is about to begin