Desperation filled the Angelic world as the capital burned from the ongoing invasion. Zether stood before Valak, angered by the crimes committed by his former friend. Whatever forgiveness remained between them was now gone. Zether had made up his mind. It was either kill Valak or allow the universe to burn in chaos.
"What's the matter?" Valak asked with a grin.
The shadows began to stir as Zether called upon them once again. His body transformed into the shadow creature that was his Cosmic Ascension. His physical form was now made entirely of shadows that seemed to move and breathe as though they were alive. Valak did not seem fazed at all. He had expected Zether to use this form, and after witnessing it during their previous encounter, he knew that Zether was no match for him.
"Cosmic Ascension... That will not save you from the fate I have decided for you," Valak said.
Valak's smile widened as red chaos energy began to emerge from his body. Crimson cracks spread across his skin. They illuminated the darkness beneath as his physical form began transforming into living, void-black energy. His silver-white hair swept backward as the pressure surrounding him intensified, and his glowing red eyes burned with an unnatural intensity. Zether remained suspended in the air, watching as the energy continued to spread.
The sky above the capital darkened, while debris from the ruined buildings began rising into the air. Valak had not even attacked, yet his presence alone was enough to make the surrounding atmosphere tremble.
"Allow me to show you the difference between us," Valak said.
In an instant, the energy surrounding him erupted. A massive crimson shockwave tore through the sky, scattering the clouds and shaking the capital below. Buildings trembled as the force swept across the city, while the remaining debris was dragged toward Valak before being torn apart by the chaotic energy surrounding him.
His body became increasingly consumed by the black energy, with glowing red lines spreading across his chest, arms, and legs. At the center of his chest, a brilliant red core pulsed with destructive power, its light growing brighter with every passing second.
The transformation finally settled, revealing Valak's Cosmic Ascension in its full form. His silver-white hair flowed around his face, contrasting against his void-black body and the crimson energy coursing through it. His red eyes remained fixed on Zether, showing neither anger nor excitement. Valak simply hovered above the burning capital, surrounded by an aura of chaos that distorted the air around him. The difference in their power was unmistakable, and Zether could feel the overwhelming pressure pressing against his shadowy form.
"Cosmic Ascension," Valak said, slowly raising one hand as red energy gathered around his fingers. "Now you will understand why you never stood a chance."
Zether's hands trembled slightly as he tried to understand the power radiating from Valak. He could not get a proper read on him. It was as though Valak had tapped into something that existed beyond the cosmic forces themselves. Despite the pressure weighing down on him, Zether readied himself for the fight. The air around his body distorted as he propelled himself forward at blinding speed, closing the distance between them in an instant. He drew back his fist and landed a direct punch on Valak's face. However, instead of feeling the impact of flesh, Zether felt nothing but empty air. Confusion crossed his face as he realized that Valak had been standing right in front of him moments earlier.
Zether quickly turned around, searching for his opponent, but Valak had vanished. Before he could locate him, a cold breath brushed against the back of his neck, freezing him in place for a brief moment. Valak stood directly behind him, completely untouched and unfazed by the attack. Zether immediately swept his leg around in an attempt to catch him off guard, but Valak disappeared once again. A sharp pain suddenly tore through Zether's shoulder. Before he could react, another strike landed near his kidneys, followed by another near his neck. The attacks came so quickly that he could barely register each impact before the next one struck. Within seconds, pain spread throughout his body as Valak continued assaulting him from every direction, moving faster than Zether's eyes could follow.
Red energy burst from Zether's body as the force of the blows overwhelmed his shadowy form. He coughed up blood, struggling to remain upright as Valak finally appeared in front of him again. The difference in their power had become painfully clear. Zether had reached his Cosmic Ascension, yet Valak had dismantled him without allowing him to land a single meaningful blow.
Zether forced himself to stand upright, his shadowy body struggling to maintain its shape as red energy continued leaking from his wounds. He clenched his fists and gathered the shadows around his arms, determined to land a hit before Valak could strike again. The darkness surged outward, forming several enormous claws that lunged toward Valak from different directions. For the first time, Zether managed to force him to move, but Valak simply tilted his head as the claws passed by him. Before Zether could adjust his attack, Valak appeared directly in front of him and drove his fist into his stomach.
The impact sent Zether hurtling through the air. He crashed through the side of a nearby tower, tearing through several floors before bursting out the other side in a shower of shattered stone and twisted metal. He barely had time to recover before Valak appeared above him. A powerful kick struck Zether across the chest, sending him plummeting toward the streets below. Zether twisted his body and tried to slow his fall with the shadows, but Valak was already waiting for him. He raised one hand and unleashed a blast of red chaos energy that struck Zether before he could defend himself, driving him through the remains of a ruined building.
The explosion shook the surrounding streets, sending debris scattering across the ground. Zether emerged from the wreckage, his shadowy form flickering as he struggled to recover. He gathered what remained of his strength and launched himself toward Valak once more, swinging both arms in a desperate attempt to catch him. Valak caught one of his fists with a single hand. For a brief moment, Zether stared at him in disbelief, unable to understand how easily his attack had been stopped. Valak tightened his grip, and the shadows covering Zether's arm began to crack and break apart under the pressure.
"You still haven't learned," Valak said, his red eyes fixed on him. "Power alone will never be enough to defeat me."
Valak pulled Zether forward and struck him across the face, sending him spinning through the air. Before Zether could regain his balance, Valak appeared above him and drove him downward with another devastating blow. Zether struck the ground hard enough to leave a crater in the avenue, and the surrounding buildings trembled from the impact. For several seconds, he remained motionless at the center of the destruction, his shadowy body struggling to hold together as the red energy continued to burn through him.
Valak descended slowly, his crimson aura spreading across the ruined avenue. He looked down at Zether without a trace of concern, as though the battle had already ended. Zether tried to push himself up, but his arms gave way beneath him. He had faced powerful enemies before, yet he had never experienced such a complete difference in strength. Even with Cosmic Ascension, he could barely keep himself standing, let alone challenge Valak.
"Is this truly the best you can do?" Valak asked.
Zether clenched his teeth and forced himself onto one knee, refusing to surrender despite the pain tearing through his body. He tried to summon the shadows again, but the energy around his hands flickered and faded before he could form an attack. Valak watched him struggle for a moment before raising his hand, red chaos energy gathering in his palm. Zether could barely lift his head as the destructive power grew stronger, and for the first time since the battle began, he had no way to defend himself.
A golden flash suddenly streaked across the avenue. Andreia appeared between Valak and Zether, her golden wings spreading wide as she raised a radiant barrier just as Valak released his attack. The collision sent a powerful shockwave through the surrounding streets, shattering nearby windows and sending debris scattering across the avenue. Andreia gritted her teeth as the crimson energy pressed against her barrier, forcing her backward. She poured more of her strength into the shield, refusing to let the attack reach Zether.
"Zether, get back!" she shouted.
The blast finally dispersed, allowing Andreia to lower her barrier. She turned toward Zether, who was struggling to rise from the crater. His shadowy body flickered as he attempted to regain control of his form, but he refused to abandon his Cosmic Ascension. Andreia approached him and extended her hand, allowing golden energy to flow from her palm.
"Can you still fight?" she asked.
Zether took her hand and forced himself upright. "I can fight. I just can't seem to hit him."
Andreia glanced toward Valak, who remained suspended above the avenue. His silver-white hair moved gently in the air as his crimson eyes watched them. He appeared completely relaxed, as though the battle had been nothing more than a brief interruption.
"Then we'll fight him together," she replied.
Zether looked at her before turning his attention back toward Valak. The two Orions had fought alongside each other countless times, but neither had ever faced an opponent who could overwhelm them so effortlessly. Their individual attacks had proven ineffective, and even their combined efforts had barely forced Valak to move. If they were going to stop him, they would have to push beyond their current limits.
Andreia stepped forward, her golden wings spreading behind her. She knew there was another level of power she could reach, but accessing it would require her to push her Cosmic Energy further than she had ever attempted. She looked toward Zether, who was already gathering the surrounding shadows around his body.
"Keep him occupied," she said. "I need a moment."
Zether nodded before launching himself toward Valak. Several shadow blades formed around his arms as he accelerated through the air. Valak casually avoided the first strike, then shifted his body to evade the second. Zether continued attacking, forcing Valak to redirect his attention while Andreia remained behind them.
Golden energy began gathering around her body. It spread across her armor and wings, growing brighter with every passing second. The surrounding air began to tremble as the energy intensified, and the ground beneath her feet cracked from the pressure. Andreia closed her eyes, focusing on the power within her. She had spent countless years mastering her abilities, but she had never fully awakened the potential of her Cosmic Energy.
Now there was no room for hesitation.
A brilliant golden explosion erupted from her body, sending a shockwave across the capital. Her wings expanded, becoming brighter and more radiant as intricate patterns of light spread across their surface. Golden energy flowed around her like a living force, responding to her movements as though it had become an extension of her body. When the light finally settled, Andreia opened her eyes, revealing the full power of her Cosmic Awakening.
Valak turned toward her, his expression showing a hint of interest.
"Cosmic Awakening," he remarked. "So you've finally decided to tap into your true potential."
Andreia raised her hand, and a brilliant golden blade formed within her grasp. "I won't let you destroy everything we've sworn to protect."
Valak's smile widened. "Then come and stop me."
Andreia immediately joined Zether in the air. The two Orions exchanged a brief glance before launching another coordinated assault. Zether moved first, sending several enormous shadow blades toward Valak from different directions. Valak shifted to avoid them, but Andreia had already anticipated his movement. She appeared above him and brought her golden blade down with tremendous force, forcing him to raise his arm to block.
The impact sent a shockwave through the sky.
Before Valak could counter, Zether appeared behind him. His shadowy body stretched outward, forming a massive claw that swept toward Valak's back. Valak twisted away, but Andreia followed with a burst of golden energy that struck his side. The explosion forced him several meters backward, giving the two Orions their first real opportunity to press their advantage.
Zether spread his arms, causing the shadows beneath the capital to rise into the air. Countless tendrils emerged from the darkness and surrounded Valak, restricting his movements. Andreia immediately understood his intention. She raised both hands, and several golden rings formed around the tendrils, reinforcing them with her light energy. The two powers intertwined, creating a powerful restraint that tightened around Valak's body.
"Now!" Andreia shouted.
A massive sphere of golden energy formed above her. Its radiance illuminated the surrounding clouds as she concentrated her power into a single point. Zether tightened his grip, forcing the shadows to hold Valak in place while Andreia released the attack. A concentrated beam of light descended from the sky, crashing into the center of the restraints and engulfing Valak in a tremendous explosion.
The shockwave spread across the capital, tearing through the clouds and sending debris tumbling from the damaged buildings below. Andreia continued pouring energy into the attack, while Zether maintained his hold despite the strain spreading throughout his body. They had combined their powers more completely than ever before, using their abilities to restrain and attack their opponent simultaneously. For a moment, the entire battlefield was consumed by golden light, then a crimson glow emerged from within the explosion.
The golden beam began to fracture as red chaos energy spread through it. Andreia's eyes widened as she felt her attack being forced apart. Zether attempted to reinforce the restraints, but the shadows surrounding Valak began disintegrating one after another. The golden rings shattered, followed by the remaining tendrils of darkness. A powerful surge of chaos energy erupted from the center of the explosion, scattering their combined attack.
Valak emerged from the fading light without a single visible wound.
"An interesting combination," he remarked. "But you're relying too heavily on the same opening."
Before either Orion could respond, Valak disappeared.
Andreia barely had time to turn before he appeared beside her. His fist struck her across the stomach, sending her tumbling through the air. She struggled to regain her balance, but Valak was already moving toward her. He appeared above her and drove his knee into her chest, sending her crashing through the remains of a nearby tower.
Zether immediately rushed toward Valak, gathering concentrated shadow energy around his fist. He swung with everything he had, but Valak caught his arm before the attack could connect. Rather than simply overpowering him, Valak pulled Zether forward and used his momentum to drive a knee into his chest. Before Zether could recover, Valak struck him across the face and sent him flying toward the avenue below.
Andreia emerged from the collapsing structure, her golden aura flickering as she spread her wings. She saw Zether being thrown aside and immediately rushed back into the fight. She raised her sword and released a series of golden strikes, forcing Valak to turn his attention toward her. Zether recovered and attacked from behind, sending several shadow blades toward Valak's exposed flank.
Their coordination had improved. Andreia no longer needed to call out every attack, and Zether had begun anticipating her movements. Whenever Valak avoided one strike, the other Orion was already positioned to follow up. They attacked from opposite directions, alternating between close-range combat and powerful energy attacks. Their combined abilities created openings that neither could have produced alone. Yet Valak continued to stay ahead of them.
When Andreia attacked from above, Valak deliberately moved toward Zether's position, knowing that Zether would attempt to intercept him. The moment Zether committed to his attack, Valak changed direction and slipped between them, forcing both Orions to abandon their strikes to avoid hitting each other. Before they could recover, Valak appeared behind Andreia and struck her across the back.
Zether immediately turned to help her, but Valak had already anticipated that response. He raised his hand and released a concentrated burst of chaos energy, forcing Zether to defend himself while Valak continued attacking Andreia. By the time Zether managed to break through the blast, Andreia had already been sent crashing toward the ground.
The two Orions regrouped, realizing that Valak was not simply reacting to their attacks. He was studying their movements, recognizing their patterns, and using their desire to protect one another against them.
Andreia tightened her grip on her sword. Her Cosmic Awakening had given her access to a tremendous amount of power, and their combined attacks had become considerably more effective. Yet none of it seemed to matter when Valak could anticipate their next move before they even made it.
Zether gathered the shadows around his body once again. "We need to change our approach."
Andreia nodded, keeping her eyes fixed on Valak. "He's reading every move we make."
Valak looked down at them with a faint smile. "Finally. You're beginning to understand."
The red energy surrounding his body intensified, causing the air around him to distort. He raised one hand as a dense mass of chaos energy began forming above his palm.
"Unfortunately, understanding your weakness doesn't mean you can overcome it."
Andreia spread her wings and gathered what remained of her strength. Zether summoned the surrounding shadows, preparing himself for another assault. They knew they were running out of time, but neither was willing to abandon the other. Valak watched them prepare their next attack, completely confident in the outcome.
Meanwhile, within the Realm of Fate, Renku stood beside Aevor as he looked across the vast landscape. He had visited this realm before, but something about their return felt different. In the distance, the five pillars stood as they always had, each representing a different cosmic force. Three of them appeared as enormous beams of coloured light extending toward the heavens. The red beam belonged to Valak, the golden beam to Andreia, and the black beam to Zether. The remaining two were physical pillars, each with a beam of light extending from its centre.
Renku's attention settled on the blue pillar. Its light stretched far beyond the clouds, illuminating the surrounding area with a brilliant blue radiance. He could feel a familiar energy coming from it, something that seemed connected to him on a much deeper level.
"Why have you brought me back here?" Renku asked.
Aevor turned toward him, his orange eyes fixed on the blue pillar. "Because your awakening can no longer wait. Valak has reached a level of power that threatens the balance of existence itself. If he continues unchecked, there may come a point when nothing will be left to save."
Renku looked toward the pillar again. "And you believe I can stop him?"
"I believe you are the only one who has the potential to stand against him."
Aevor paused before continuing. "Your power is connected to Hope, Renku. However, you have yet to understand the true extent of what that means. You have spent your life drawing upon your own strength, never realizing that the power you represent exists within countless others. The pillar will allow you to connect with that force and accelerate your Cosmic Awakening."
Renku remained silent for a moment, trying to understand what Aevor was telling him. He had always known that his abilities were connected to Hope, but he had never considered that the hopes of others could become a source of strength for him.
"What do I need to do?" he asked.
"Place your hand against the pillar. Allow its energy to reach you, and do not resist what follows."
Renku approached the blue pillar and raised his hand. The moment his palm touched its surface, a brilliant blue light spread across the surrounding landscape. Energy surged through the structure and entered his body, forcing him to take a step backward. He clenched his teeth as the power continued flowing into him, growing stronger with every passing moment.
Then something unexpected happened.
The energy around Renku began to settle, and the sounds of the Realm of Fate slowly faded away. In their place, he began hearing voices. At first, they were faint and difficult to understand, but they quickly grew louder. He could hear people speaking from places far beyond the realm, their voices reaching him from across the universe.
A child wished for their parents to return home safely. A soldier prayed that he would survive the battle and see his family again. A mother hoped that her children would grow up in a world without war. Somewhere, an entire civilization wished for another chance after losing everything they once knew.
The voices continued.
Some were filled with desperation, others with determination, but every one of them carried a desire for something better. Renku could feel their hopes as though they were his own. He heard people wishing for peace, people searching for happiness, and people who had lost almost everything but still believed that tomorrow could be different.
His eyes widened as he began to understand what was happening.
These were the hopes of countless living beings across existence.
The blue energy surrounding him intensified as more voices reached his mind. He could feel their hopes flowing into him, each one adding to the power already gathering within his body. What had once felt like a single source of energy had become something far greater. It continued growing without any sign of stopping, reaching beyond the limits of what Renku had previously believed possible.
Aevor watched as the energy surrounding the pillar began to surge.
"Do you hear them?" Aevor asked.
Renku could barely respond. The voices were everywhere, and he could feel the immense power building within him.
"All of them..." he whispered.
"Hope exists within every living being who believes in a better tomorrow," Aevor explained. "It does not disappear simply because someone suffers or loses everything. Even in the darkest moments, there will always be someone who refuses to give up. That is the power you represent, Renku."
The pillar erupted with an enormous surge of blue energy. The force spread throughout the Realm of Fate, illuminating the surrounding structures as the streams of cosmic energy began flowing toward Renku. His silver hair lifted as the energy continued gathering around him, and glowing blue patterns began spreading across his body.
Renku closed his eyes, allowing the voices to guide him. He could feel the hopes of entire civilizations flowing through him, and with each passing moment, his connection to the cosmic forces grew stronger. The power no longer felt like something he had to summon. It was all around him, constantly growing as long as someone, somewhere, still believed in a better future.
A tremendous explosion of blue light erupted from the pillar, sending a shockwave across the realm. Aevor raised his arm to shield himself as the energy continued expanding. The pillar's radiance intensified until the surrounding landscape was completely illuminated.
Within the explosion, Renku's body began to transform. His previous armor changed, taking on a sleek silver and black appearance as glowing blue lines spread across its surface. His body became covered in a celestial silver form, with brilliant blue energy flowing through it like veins of light. A radiant symbol of Hope formed at the centre of his chest, pulsing with the immense power now flowing through him. His silver-white hair grew longer and flowed around his face as his eyes opened, glowing with an intense blue radiance.
The energy eventually began to settle, revealing Renku standing before the pillar in his Cosmic Ascension form. The voices had not disappeared. He could still hear them, their hopes continuing to flow through him. For the first time, Renku understood that Hope was not simply something he carried. It was something shared by every living being who refused to surrender to despair. Their hopes gave him strength, and that strength continued growing beyond anything he had ever imagined.
Aevor lowered his arm and looked toward him. Even he could feel the immense energy radiating from Renku's newly awakened form.
"Your Cosmic Awakening has been accelerated," Aevor said. "But remember, this power is not yours alone. You carry the hopes of countless others. Do not allow their faith in you to become another burden."
Renku looked down at his hands as blue energy flowed around his fingers. He could feel the difference immediately. His power had reached an entirely new level, but more importantly, he finally understood what it meant to be the Orion of Hope.
He turned toward Aevor. "Valak is still out there."
Aevor nodded. "And he will not stop until everything he considers corrupted has been destroyed."
Renku looked toward the distant horizon. The voices were still there, reminding him of everything that remained worth protecting. He clenched his fist as the blue energy surrounding his body intensified.
"Then I won't let him take that away from them," Renku said.
Aevor opened a portal, revealing the distant world beyond the Realm of Fate.
"Go, Renku. The multiverse is depending on you," Aevor stated.
Back in the skies above the capital, Valak continued his assault against the two Orions. Andreia and Zether had exhausted nearly everything they had, but neither was willing to give up. Andreia attempted another strike with her golden blade, only for Valak to catch it between two fingers. Before she could pull away, he released a burst of chaos energy that shattered the weapon and sent her flying backward.
Zether immediately rushed toward him, gathering the remaining shadows around his arms. He swung with everything he had left, but Valak caught his fist and tightened his grip. The shadows covering Zether's arm began breaking apart as the red energy spread across his body. Valak pulled him forward and drove his knee into his stomach before striking him across the face. The impact sent Zether crashing through the air, his shadowy form flickering violently as he struggled to recover.
Andreia spread her wings and attempted to intercept Valak before he could follow up. She gathered the remaining golden energy around her body and launched herself toward him, but Valak barely moved. He raised his hand and released a concentrated burst of chaos energy that struck her directly. The explosion engulfed her in crimson light before sending her crashing toward the avenue below.
Her Cosmic Awakening began to fade. The golden radiance surrounding her body weakened, and her expanded wings gradually disappeared as she returned to her original form. Andreia struggled to remain conscious as she fell, eventually striking the ground among the remains of a destroyed building.
Zether attempted to rise again, but his Cosmic Ascension was also beginning to collapse. The shadows covering his body broke apart, revealing his original form beneath them. He looked toward Valak, struggling to understand how completely he had been defeated. Despite everything he and Andreia had done, they had barely managed to slow him down.
Valak descended toward them, his crimson eyes glowing as the chaos energy surrounding his body continued to pulse.
"Your resistance has been admirable," he said. "But it ends here."
Several districts away, Zarella continued struggling against Morveth. Her weapon was barely holding together, and the injuries she had sustained throughout their battle were beginning to take their toll. She had managed to keep the Demon King occupied for as long as possible, but the advancing Demons had finally begun pushing through the defensive line.
Morveth swung his arm, releasing a wave of blue hell flames that swept across the avenue. Zarella raised her weapon to redirect the attack, but her weakened body could no longer withstand the force. The flames struck her directly, sending her crashing across the street. She landed hard against the pavement, struggling to draw breath as the fire spread around her.
Morveth approached without haste, his blue flames continuing to burn around his arms.
"You've fought well, Commander," he said. "But the battle is over now."
Zarella pushed herself onto one elbow, refusing to look away from him. She tried to stand, but her legs gave way beneath her. Morveth turned his attention toward the capital, and Zarella followed his gaze.
What she saw made her heart sink.
The city she had sworn to protect was almost unrecognizable. Buildings had collapsed, entire avenues were burning, and thick clouds of smoke covered the skies. The remaining Silver Wings were struggling to defend the evacuation routes as the Demon forces continued advancing. Above the capital, she could see the distant figures of Valak, Andreia, and Zether.
Her eyes widened as she realized what was happening.
Andreia had lost her Cosmic Awakening, and Zether's shadowy form was beginning to disappear. Both Orions were barely able to remain standing before Valak.
Zarella clenched her fist against the ground. She had given everything she had to protect the capital, yet she was now forced to watch as the last of its defenses collapsed.
Valak looked down at the two fallen Orions. Andreia struggled to move, while Zether attempted to push himself upright despite the injuries covering his body. Neither had enough strength left to continue fighting.
Valak raised both hands, and an enormous mass of red chaos energy began gathering above him. The energy continued expanding, forming a gigantic sphere that radiated destructive power. Crimson lightning spread across its surface as the surrounding atmosphere began to distort. The clouds above the capital were pulled toward the growing mass, while debris from the ruined buildings rose into the air.
The sphere grew larger until it resembled a miniature sun of destruction.
"Chaos Comet," Valak declared.
Valak lowered his hands, sending the enormous Chaos Comet hurtling toward the two fallen Orions. Its crimson light consumed the surrounding sky as the destructive energy continued growing stronger. The ground beneath Andreia and Zether began to crack, while the remaining buildings shook under the immense pressure. Neither Orion had enough strength left to move, and the approaching attack left them with nowhere to escape.
Just as the Chaos Comet was about to reach them, a brilliant blue light erupted across the avenue.
A massive blue barrier materialized between the Orions and the incoming attack. The Chaos Comet collided with its surface, unleashing a tremendous shockwave that swept across the capital. Crimson lightning spread across the barrier as the destructive energy attempted to break through, but the blue shield remained firmly in place. Valak's attack continued pressing against it, causing the surrounding air to tremble as the two opposing energies clashed.
Then the blue light intensified. The barrier expanded, completely enclosing the Chaos Comet before its destructive energy could escape. A moment later, the enormous sphere erupted within the shield, releasing an explosion of crimson energy that illuminated the entire sky. The resulting blast sent waves of red and blue light across the capital, but not a single trace of the destruction reached the two fallen Orions. As the explosion finally subsided, the blue barrier began to dissolve, revealing a figure standing between them and Valak.
Valak looked toward the newcomer. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly before a smile appeared across his face. Andreia slowly lifted her head, struggling to understand what had happened. Zether managed to turn toward the figure, his amber eyes widening as he recognized the familiar silver hair and the blue energy flowing around his body.
Standing before them was Renku.
His silver-white hair flowed gently as brilliant blue cosmic energy surrounded his body. His silver and black celestial armor shimmered beneath the light, with glowing blue lines spreading across its surface. The symbol of Hope at the centre of his chest radiated an intense brilliance, and his blue eyes remained fixed on Valak.
Andreia stared at him in disbelief. Zether could barely speak, but the sight of Renku standing between them and their attacker filled him with a feeling he thought had been lost.
Valak's smile widened.
"So," he said, looking over Renku's newly awakened form. "You've finally arrived."
Renku remained standing, his blue aura spreading across the ruined avenue.
"Your reign of terror ends now!"
End of Chapter 32