Overbrawl and Krane lay crushed against the scorched ground, flames raging behind them. Duke stood over both, cannon raised, Power Gem glowing in his hand like a stolen heart.
His neon-green eyes sharpened into a thin, lethal stare as he let out a low chuckle.
"Perfect. Another win. And consider yourselves lucky—if either of you were Lunaranite, you'd already be ash."
Krane lifted his head, blood tracing down his temple. His voice barely made it out:
"…What do you mean?"
Duke's expression darkened.
"Not your problem."
He holstered his weapon and turned away, stepping through fire and broken stone like he owned the battlefield.
Overbrawl nudged Krane.
"Bro, we can't just let him walk off with the Power Gem."
Krane groaned.
"We don't have the strength to stop him…"
But Overbrawl forced himself up—limping, cracked armor, breathing like a furnace about to burst.
"Here we go again…."
Duke stopped. Turned his head. A half-smirk—less amusement, more insult.
"So you're still standing. Why? You can't scratch me in that condition."
Overbrawl tightened his fists.
"I'm a mercenary. I chase paychecks, and I don't give up until I can buy the future I want. Even if it kills me."
Duke raised his cannon again—ready to erase him—
until Krane stumbled to Overbrawl's side.
"I'm not letting him fight alone."
They lifted their fists.
"COME ON. TRY US."
Duke dropped into a stance, voice low:
"Fine. One more round."
And then they all moved.
The collision cracked the sky.
Krane's fist buried itself in Duke's gut, ripping the air out of him. A flaming uppercut smashed Duke's jaw and launched him upward.
"THESE GEMS—!" Duke roared, rage shredding the wind. "—THEY'RE MINE!"
Overbrawl blinked into the air above him and hammered him down like meteor impact. Duke crashed through spires, skidding across molten stone.
Krane was already on him.
Blazing punches. Spirit-infused strikes cracking ribs and skull. A spiritual side-kick hurled Duke across the battlefield.
Overbrawl warped behind him, detonating a blow against his spine. Duke rocketed upward again—
Krane met him midair and sent him crashing down in a thunderous explosion.
The land split open. Clouds vaporized.
Duke twisted on the ground, sweeping Krane's legs, but Overbrawl dropped from above with a devastating overhand, smashing the dust into a crater.
Duke staggered, snarling, neon bleeding from his pores:
"THE GEMS AREN'T TREASURES—THEY'RE SURVIVAL. THEY'RE WHAT MY FUTURE DEPENDS ON!"
Overbrawl shot back,
"Then your future ends here!"
They clashed again. Duke blurred upward, neon fists ripping through the air. Krane intercepted with rapid-fire jabs—until Duke countered with a hook that sent Krane spiraling.
Overbrawl dove in, fists blazing, but Duke weaved and axe-kicked him into the dirt, teleporting forward to slam both fists into his chest. The explosion washed the world in green and white.
"WITHOUT THEM—!" Duke roared, smashing Krane's head into the ground over and over,
"—I'LL HAVE NOTHING!"
Krane spat blood.
"Then nothing's all you'll get."
Overbrawl erupted with red energy, beams carving molten lines through the battlefield. Duke charged into the chaos, glowing like a dying star.
"THE FUTURE WILL BELONG TO ME!"
Overbrawl flashed in front of Krane, energy bursting from his fists as he launched Duke skyward, spraying blood into the air. Duke twisted in midair, blasted away, and vanished into the distance in a streak of neon.
Overbrawl and Krane stood, shaking, barely holding themselves upright.
Then a voice echoed from the smoke:
"Hand over the Power Gem…"