The air vibrated with raw power. Guards coughed violently, blood spraying crimson across the metallic floor as they collapsed, one by one, unconscious.
Auransa wiped sweat from his brow, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"It's going to be fun," he murmured.
Orimo stepped forward, the heavy air brushing past him with each movement.
"Let's part ways," he said.
Ryuki exhaled sharply, steadying her breath.
"Got it, Captain."
Auransa nodded, and the trio separated, moving in different directions, their silhouettes slicing through the dim glow of the facility.
Orimo's boots creaked against the metallic floor as he ran, muscles tensing with every step. A presence slammed into his senses—a chilling weight, a voice that crawled into the marrow:
"Yoi, intruder."
Orimo stopped, eyes glinting, grin widening.
"I sensed someone… so it was you, wasn't it?"
The man remained still, his form almost shadowed.
"Who knows," he replied.
Orimo's grin stretched wider, almost predatory.
"Bring it on."
In an instant, the man surged forward with impossible speed, black flames coiling around his fists like living serpents.
"Black Flame Crash!" he roared.
The ground exploded beneath the attack, molten black fire licking the metallic walls, sending sparks flying in every direction. Orimo stood at the edge of the eruption, calm, grin unwavering.
"It's dangerous, isn't it?" he muttered.
The flames danced across the man's body, illuminating his form in a terrifying black glow.
"I am Equa Rome," he said, voice crackling with dark energy.
Orimo exhaled slowly, fists clenching.
"I am the captain of the Devil Pirates—Orimo Kuzan."
The tension between them crackled like electricity, the metallic air trembling under the weight of two unstoppable forces ready to clash.