The world was still trembling from the echoes of their battle. The ground, scorched and cracked, pulsed faintly with the remnants of their power.
Even after clashing head-on with Keshav's attack, the energy from Malak's Sun's Wrath continued to burn through the air — radiant, relentless, unstoppable.
When the light finally faded, Keshav lay on the ground, motionless. Malak approached him slowly, his expression calm but heavy.
"Keshav," he said quietly, "you killed my family… yet I didn't panic or lose control. That's why I won. A calm and collected mind can't be defeated — remember that."
Keshav, blood dripping from his lip, shouted hoarsely,
"Don't give me that crap! Don't you dare pity me! You think you're merciful by letting me live? You didn't show my family mercy when you devoured them alive!"
He breaks down — raw, shaking, tears burning through the dirt on his face.
Malak's eyes widen.
"I… didn't kill your family. You did it — you killed mine!"
Keshav wipes his tears, trying to stand.
"No. I didn't kill yours. I saw you killing mine — that's why I attacked you. Why else would I?"
Malak frowns deeply. "Then something's wrong… If both of us saw different versions of the same memory…"
He pauses. "Wait. Someone wanted us to fight."
A familiar voice interrupts.
"You got it right."
Master Kiyoto steps forward, his expression grave.
"The memories were altered — by Louisel. Even I didn't sense it at first. The scenes were real, but the faces weren't. The killers you saw weren't each other."
He turns to each of them.
"For you, Malak — it was Louisel.
For you, Keshav — Carmen.
For Nikhil — Lavender.
And for Shivam… once again, Louisel."
Shira, watching from the side, sighs in relief.
"Good thing you two stopped. But the other two are still at it."
---
SHIVAM VS NIKHIL
Shivam slams Nikhil to the ground, fury boiling in his eyes. He raises his sword for the final strike — but clang!
Malak's flaming katana blocks it mid-air.
"Enough, Shivam!" Malak's voice cuts through the chaos. "You've done enough. You've already won — stop before you regret it."
Shivam snarls. "Get out of my way or I'll kill you too! You all treated me like I was nothing — ignored me every time! Even you, Malak! You never listened, never saw me!"
His voice breaks.
"And he—he killed my family! And you want me to stop!?"
Without warning, Shivam swings at Malak. Nikhil collapses, barely conscious, as Keshav rushes forward to pull him to safety.
Then Shivam gathers an immense, dark energy in his hands.
"DEATH STAR!"
The ground rips apart. Even the Matashi watching in the distance gasp in horror — a forbidden spell, one that had never been used because of its catastrophic nature.
Before the blast hits, a sharp voice echoes:
"ETERNAL PRISON!"
The explosion freezes mid-air, then collapses into nothingness — vanishing completely.
From the smoke, a figure appears, laughing softly.
"What the hell, old man? You're letting kids play with weapons that could level a realm?"
Master Kiyoto smirks and exhales, as if finally relaxing.
"About time you showed up… Rankoji."
---
RANKOJI ARRIVES
Rankoji stretches and grins. "Vacation in the God Realm was amazing! The houses, the food… and the girls—oh, the girls. Haven't seen beauty like that in centuries!"
He laughs pervertedly, earning a facepalm from Kiyoto.
"Still the same old fool," the master mutters, chuckling.
Rankoji waves dismissively. "Eh, you love me, old man."
Their laughter lightens the air for the first time in hours.
Then Kiyoto turns serious again.
"Shivam, the memory you saw was false. Nikhil didn't kill your family. And Nikhil… you didn't kill his."
Both boys go still. The weight of guilt crashes down on them.
After a moment, Shivam whispers, "I'm… sorry, brothers. I lost control. Nikhil, forgive me. And Malak… I shouldn't have lashed out at you."
Malak smiles faintly.
"It's okay, Shivam. We all got caught up in it. None of us were thinking straight." He pats Shivam's shoulder.
Nikhil, wiping his eyes, nods. "It's alright, brother. I attacked you too. I'm sorry as well."
The tension melts.
Then Malak looks toward Hima with a teasing smirk.
"Hey, Hima… I saw how worried you got when you heard us fighting. You like me that much, huh?" He raises his eyebrows mischievously.
Hima blushes furiously. "N-no! It's not like that! I-I just heard explosions, that's all!"
She stammers and runs off toward the kitchen, flustered.
As she disappears, Malak smiles to himself.
(In her mind, Hima thinks: "Thank the heavens… he's okay.")
---
SCENE CHANGE – FIRST AID ROOM
Keshav and Nikhil sit on beds, covered in bandages. Their energy is low but stable.
Meanwhile, on the mountain peak Kamigami No Okiniiri, Malak and Shivam stand before Master Kiyoto and Rankoji.
Kiyoto sighs deeply. "You two caused chaos beyond reason. I understand why it happened, but it's still an unforgettable incident. Someone could have died. You injured your friends… and even used forbidden spells."
Rankoji crosses his arms dramatically. "Oh-ho! They used those spells? Dangerous stuff! They deserve punishment!"
He starts chanting like a kid, "Punishment! Punishment!"
Kiyoto hides a smile. "You're right. They do deserve one. And their punishment is…"
He pauses dramatically.
"…to go with Master Rankoji to a very dangerous, creepy, fearsome, ugly place — the God Realm!"
Rankoji gasps theatrically.
"Yes! So dangerous! The pair of eyes staring at you can kill you! The food is so delicious you might die from overeating! You'll need courage just to survive the beauty there!"
Malak bursts out laughing. "That sounds amazing! I want to go! Please, let me join you there, Matashi Rankoji!"
Rankoji strikes a heroic pose. "Fine! But be warned — we might die surrounded by heavenly beauty!"
Shivam chuckles at their antics, shaking his head.
Kiyoto smiles faintly. "You'll go, but only after one month of training under Rankoji. Then you'll be ready for the God Realm."
Malak nods eagerly. "Deal."
---
SCENE CHANGE – INFIRMARY
Master Kiyoto walks in with Kamiro (Master of Seriousness) and Leosa (Master of Sadness).
Leosa wipes her tears. "Get well soon, both of you… so we can start training together."
Keshav glares. "We don't need your pity. You all knew the truth and just stood there — cowards, hiding behind walls while we fought. I don't want training from spineless people."
Nikhil clenches his fists. "Keshav, stop it! You're being rude!" He bows to the masters. "I'm sorry for what he said, Master Kamiro, Master Leosa."
Keshav scoffs. "They're useless. No courage — just cowardice."
The room goes cold.
Kamiro's eyes narrow, his aura thick and heavy.
"Hey, you degenerate brat," he says in an icy tone. "You think bravery means throwing tantrums? You have no right to question us. We didn't waste power on you because you weren't worth it. Don't mistake our restraint for fear."
His words cut through Keshav like blades. The air feels suffocating.
For the first time, Keshav goes silent.