BOOOOOOM!
The courtyard exploded.
Stone and ice scattered across the battlefield as Felix crashed through a broken wall. Dust filled the air.
The Chained Warrior stepped forward laughing.
"You're still standing?"
Felix wiped blood from his mouth and grinned.
"You hit like an old man."
The warrior laughed louder.
"I like you."
Then he charged.
The massive chained blade cut through the air.
CRASH!
Felix barely blocked.
The impact threw him backward again.
Meanwhile, Daniel was having his own problems.
The Spearwoman attacked relentlessly.
Every strike was faster than the last.
CLANG!
Daniel blocked.
CLANG!
He blocked again.
Then—
The spear suddenly changed direction.
Too fast.
A cut appeared on Daniel's shoulder.
Blood dripped onto the broken stone.
The Spearwoman stepped back.
"Your body reacts."
Daniel frowned.
"What?"
"The Vessel is awakening."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
Before he could ask another question, Mary jumped between them.
A burst of light exploded from her weapon.
The Spearwoman retreated.
Mary glared.
"Talk later."
Daniel smiled weakly.
"Good timing."
"You're welcome."
Across the battlefield, Noah and Zoya were struggling.
More ghost soldiers kept arriving.
Every time they defeated ten—
twenty more appeared.
"This is ridiculous," Noah muttered.
Zoya froze another group.
"We're not losing."
The academy gates shook violently.
Something huge slammed against them from the outside.
Everyone froze.
Then it happened again.
BOOOOM!
The gates cracked.
Teachers rushed toward the entrance.
Mr. Stone's face darkened.
"No..."
Lily looked up from her observations.
"What is it?"
Mr. Stone didn't answer.
Because he already knew.
Whatever was outside—
it was bigger than ghost soldiers.
Much bigger.
Meanwhile David fell to one knee again.
The whispers were becoming unbearable.
His vision blurred.
The battlefield disappeared.
Then—
He saw it.
A giant black door.
Ancient symbols.
Three locks.
And chains stretching into darkness.
The vision lasted only a second.
When it ended—
he was gasping.
Lucy rushed toward him.
"David!"
He pointed toward the ground.
"The locks..."
Lucy frowned.
"What?"
"The seal has three locks."
The hidden boy overheard.
His face turned completely white.
"No..."
Lucy looked at him.
"You know something."
The boy swallowed.
Then another explosion interrupted them.
This time the academy gates shattered completely.
CRAAAAASH!
Silence fell.
Even the ghost soldiers stopped moving.
A giant shadow stepped through the smoke.
One step.
Then another.
The ground trembled.
Students backed away in terror.
Teachers tightened their grips on their weapons.
McLone smiled.
"Finally."
The shadow emerged completely.
It was enormous.
At least three times taller than a human.
Black armor covered its body.
Its eyes glowed crimson.
And on its back rested a massive sword.
The Chained Warrior laughed.
"The Executioner has arrived."
The Great 8 stared in shock.
Even Felix stopped smiling.
For the first time all night—
he looked nervous.
The giant warrior slowly drew its sword.
The sound echoed across the battlefield.
SHHHHHHHK.
Every ghost soldier immediately stepped aside.
Like they feared it.
The Executioner pointed its blade toward the academy.
Toward the Great 8.
Then it spoke.
Its voice sounded like grinding stone.
"Bring me the Vessel."
Daniel felt every eye turn toward him.
Mary stepped forward instantly.
"No."
Felix joined her.
Then Noah.
Then Zoya.
Lucy.
Lily.
Even David forced himself to stand.
The Great 8 formed a line.
Protecting Daniel.
McLone watched quietly.
Then she smiled.
"Amazing."
The Executioner raised its giant sword.
Dark energy gathered around the blade.
The entire battlefield began shaking.
Teachers shouted warnings.
Students screamed.
And Mr. Stone's face went pale.
Because he recognized the attack.
Years ago—
an attack exactly like this had destroyed an entire fortress.
The Executioner swung.
And the world exploded.
To Be Continued...