The palace doors groaned open, spilling cold red light into the shadowed entryway. Winter stepped in first, blade drawn, Kyo and Elliot close behind. The walls seemed to breathe with demonic power, every torch casting twisted shadows across the black stone.
A dozen demons lined the halls, their bodies hulking, claws flexed, eyes burning with that same hungry fire as before. Winter dropped into a fighting stance, Kyo's fists sparking with electricity. But before either could move, the demons abruptly froze—then, as one, they dropped to their knees, foreheads pressed to the floor.
Kyo blinked. "Did... did we just scare them off? Are we that ugly?"
Winter kept his blade up, not trusting the sudden submission. "Stay sharp. This isn't right."
A slow, deliberate clap echoed down the corridor. Three figures emerged from the gloom—each radiating a power that made the air taste like metal. The Elite Three: Kishi, Bael, and Typhon.
Elliot's fur bristled as she hissed at them, eyes wide with animal terror.
In a blur, Kishi shot forward and sent Elliot flying with a brutal kick. The cat hit the wall with a sickening thud, sliding to the ground with only a soft, pained whimper.
Kyo's world snapped to white-hot rage. He'd never felt anger like this—something primal, electric, burning through every muscle. Even Winter was taken aback by Kyo's demeanor, though the response didn't come as a surprise.
Kyo stalked toward the Elite Three, eyes locked on Kishi. "Bring Eldo back. Now. Or I swear I'll kill you where you stand."
Kishi just laughed—a chilling, wolfish sound. "Oh, I like this one. Been a while since I got to break something fragile."
Typhon barely glanced at Kyo, his serpent arm flexing. "Enough, Kishi. I'll end the brat in one blow. No need for your games."
Kishi bristled, tail lashing with annoyance. "You always ruin my fun."
Bael, all three heads speaking in eerie unison, stepped between them. "If you were serious about saving your friend, you would have already thrown a punch. Words are wind."
Winter's lip curled into a smile. "Finally—someone speaking my language." Before anyone could blink, he darted at Bael, steel blade flashing.
Bael conjured a swirling orb of dark energy, using it as a shield as he slid backward, the fight between them exploding into a dance of purple light and slashing steel.
Meanwhile, Kyo glared at Kishi, electricity arcing from his fingertips. "You wanted a fight? You got one."
Kishi grinned, baring fangs. "I've been waiting to break someone again." She started forward—but Typhon thrust an arm in front of her, the serpent scales glinting.
"Stand down, Kishi. I'll put the boy out of his misery quickly."
Kishi hesitated, annoyed. "You never let me have any fun," she huffed, backing off—but not before she sauntered over to where Elliot lay limp on the floor, eyes cold and pitiless.
Kyo's body surged with lightning, every muscle trembling. "Get away from her!"
He lunged, but Typhon's serpent arm shot out, catching Kyo mid-charge. With monstrous force, Typhon slammed him into the ground. The floor shattered beneath the impact, cracks spiderwebbing out from Kyo's body. For a heartbeat, he lay there, unmoving.
Typhon exhaled, turning away. "Pathetic."
Across the hall, Winter was dancing through a minefield of Bael's orbs, each one pulsing with destructive force. He ducked and wove, searching for an opening—but when he caught sight of Kyo's crumpled form, instinct took over. He spun, desperate to help.
Bael seized the moment. A purple orb smashed into Winter's back, sending him sprawling, pain lancing through his body.
All three of Bael's heads spoke as one, voices a chilling harmony: "Your fight is with us, mortal. Show us the resolve that brought you this far."
Winter's hands curled into fists, steel and ice swirling around his arms as he forced himself back to his feet. The battle for Eldo, and world, had truly begun.