As soon as Paul rushed toward us and we stepped outside, the scene sent chills down my spine.

A massive cloud of smoke rose in the distance, while people ran in every direction, desperate to escape.

—Kiomi! Naoko! — I called out to them for assistance.

—Yes! — they replied in unison.

We exited the café as quickly as we could, with Alexander joining us.

—Alexander, it’d be better if you stayed in the café, — I told him, worried about his safety.

—Don’t worry, I’m not that old. Besides, who else will help evacuate the people? —

Honestly, I hadn’t thought about that. My mind was entirely focused on the invasion and the leader the prisoner had mentioned.

When we arrived, we positioned ourselves atop a building tall enough to avoid being seen. Soldiers were everywhere, accompanied by numerous ogres similar to the one I had faced when I first arrived. From this vantage point, it became clear that what had happened in Siberia was nothing more than a mere distraction or warning.

On the ground stood who seemed to be their leader.

He was an imposing figure, a blend of nature and something almost mechanical. His body appeared to be a complex living armor: thick, muscular limbs were covered with a texture resembling wood, adorned with curved lines and patterns that evoked the veins of a tree.

At his joints, a glowing, almost liquid sap of white-green color flowed with every movement, emitting a faint glow. It seemed to be part of him, both his blood and his lifeforce.

Atop his head, a sort of helmet shaped like a crown encased what appeared to be a radiant, pulsating orb, as though it held the very essence of his being. This "helmet" wasn’t made of metal but of dark, polished wood that exuded an aura of ancient power.

His face, though vaguely humanoid, had features that broke any sense of familiarity: a visible mouth and nose, but instead of ears, two long appendages resembling branches or antennae extended to the sides, vibrating slightly, as if perceiving the environment.

His eyes were mesmerizing: circular openings in what seemed to be a mask partially covered his face. Instead of the usual whites, the sclera of his eyes were pitch black, accentuating glowing green pupils that seemed to peer directly into the soul of anyone daring enough to face him.

His posture was that of an undeniable leader. Arms crossed over his chest, he radiated a confidence and authority that felt almost tangible. Each step he took caused a subtle tremor beneath him, as if he were physically connected to the earth itself. There was a perfect blend of natural majesty and palpable menace in his presence.

In front of him stood the Red Ranger, clearly injured but showing not a shred of fear. I wondered how he had arrived so quickly when he’d just been on television, broadcasting live.

The other Rangers lay on the ground: Green, Yellow, Pink, Blue. All of them appeared lifeless. Yet there he was, standing tall, a confident smile on his face. His red suit gleamed brightly, a beacon amidst the destruction, as if declaring to the world that a hero still stood.

Then, he crouched down and picked up a pair of flashy glasses from the ground, adjusting them theatrically.

—Don’t worry! — he shouted, raising his arm toward the sky. "As long as there’s light, there’s hope!"

—Has he lost his mind? — Naoko asked, perplexed.

Honestly, I might’ve thought the same, but there was something about him that didn’t feel like madness... it was something else.

—You bald ape, haven’t you had enough? — the leader said, his deep voice laced with contempt.

—Hehehe... — The Red Ranger let out a brief chuckle, full of confidence. —With a little determination, you can achieve anything! No matter the situation! No matter the moment! If you’ve got determination, you can even cut through the skies themselves!—

It was as if he were filming a TV commercial, but this time he had no audience. Still, that big grin of his remained unshaken.

—I’ve had enough of you, — the leader growled. —Prepare yourself, bald ape! —

The central plaza vibrated with tension. The remaining inhabitants, those who hadn’t managed to flee, hid behind the ruins, watching with a mix of fear and awe. On one side stood the imposing figure of the leader; on the other, the Red Ranger, moving forward with that defiant smile that seemed to challenge fate itself.

The leader raised his right arm, which extended like an expanding branch straight toward the Red Ranger. The speed of the attack was astonishing, but the Ranger, with honed reflexes, darted to the side, gracefully evading it.

—Is that all you’ve got? — he taunted, his broad smile unwavering as he spun and dashed toward his enemy.

Each blow the Ranger delivered struck the leader’s body with a dull thud. The armor didn’t show so much as a crack. Even so, the Ranger didn’t relent. He leapt, rolled, threw kicks and punches, maintaining his speed to avoid the leader’s counterattacks.

From our vantage point, we watched intently.

—He’s fast... but it doesn’t look like he’s doing anything, — I murmured, worried.

—He’s looking for a weak spot, — Kiomi interjected, her eyes narrowing as she analyzed every movement.

Suddenly, the ground beneath the Ranger fractured. A massive trunk erupted with brutal force, hitting him squarely and flinging him into a nearby wall. The impact sent up a cloud of dust, and for a moment, everything went silent.

The leader stood motionless, observing the spot where the Ranger had fallen. But then, laughter broke the silence.

—That really hurt! — The Red Ranger emerged from the rubble. His suit was torn, his glasses shattered, and a trickle of blood ran down his forehead. But his dazzling smile remained, as if the pain were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

The leader tilted his head slightly, as though evaluating his opponent.

—No matter how hard you try, you’re insignificant. —

—Insignificant? — The Ranger laughed louder, stepping forward, staggering slightly but holding his defiant stance. —Maybe. But I won’t stop. —

—Bald ape, — the leader growled, visibly irritated, though his expression suddenly shifted to a sardonic smile. —Tell me, why don’t you just give up? —

—Because justice never gives up. —

The leader seemed puzzled but maintained his mocking tone.

—How are you still standing after all that? —

—Determination. — The Ranger spoke the word with unwavering conviction, as if it were the very essence of his being.

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—Well, I have to admire that determination; I’ll admit it. — The leader shifted his stance, pointing at the Ranger with an air of challenge. —Tell me your name, bald ape. In return, I’ll tell you mine. —

—Heh, I’m flattered. — Miguel wiped the blood from his forehead, still smiling. —My name’s Miguel. —

—Miguel? That’s certainly a strange name. — The leader resumed his imposing posture, arms crossed. —I am Sora Verdant, general of the EDI, under Lord Abyrion’s command. —

‘A general?!’ I thought, unable to hide my shock. So, he’s not the boss? Well, in a way, he is, but…

—I’ll admit, bald ape, that this ‘determination’ of yours is something I’ll admire for the rest of my existence. Keep that in mind. — Sora lowered his arms slowly, adopting a battle-ready stance.

—I’m glad to hear that. — Miguel’s broad smile remained, despite his obvious exhaustion.

—Should we step in to help? — Naoko asked, glancing at the weary Ranger.

Before I could answer, Sora raised his left arm, which extended once again like an expanding branch, directly toward Miguel.

Without a second thought, I rushed to his aid, blocking the attack with my sword. The impact reverberated strongly, sending a faint tremor up my arm. Good thing I reacted in time, I thought, noticing how Miguel hadn’t moved an inch, as if he no longer had the strength to do so.

"I was wondering when you lot would step down," Sora said, retracting his arm slowly. His mocking tone remained as he readied himself for his next move.

—Naoko, Kiomi, Alexander, go and evacuate the injured, along with Miguel. —

—But, Zein…— Naoko said, her concern evident.

—Let us help! — Kiomi interrupted, glancing urgently at Naoko.

—No, I need you to get these people out of here. I’ll hold them off. —

They stayed silent for a moment, but Miguel's laughter broke the tension.

—He's right! — Miguel said, as if the blows he had taken hadn’t fazed him. —We need to get everyone out of here! —

—Fine, — Kiomi replied reluctantly, —but be careful. —

—I will. Now go. —

—What a brave act, — Sora said mockingly, —but it won’t do you any good. —

—Save your taunts for later. You’ll be facing me now. —

I rushed toward Sora as fast as I could, my sword gleaming under the sunlight. However, Sora reacted just as quickly, dodging the attack with an agile movement. In an instant, his arm whipped out like a lash, delivering a crushing blow to my ribs. The impact was devastating, sending me flying into one of the nearby buildings.

—Zein! — Kiomi cried out, her face full of anguish. She instinctively tried to run back to help me, leaving the evacuation to the others, but I stopped her.

"Keep going! I’m fine!" I shouted as I stood up, shaking the debris off my armor.

With a fluid motion, I summoned my second sword. I charged back into the fight, now wielding both blades, which traced dual arcs through the air with deadly precision.

Sora, unfazed, stomped on the ground. The force of the impact raised a wall of wood from the earth, as if nature itself responded to his will. My attack collided with the makeshift barrier, sending splinters flying in every direction.

But it didn’t end there. Sora brought the wall crashing down with immense force, aiming to crush me. I reacted in time, crossing my swords to block the strike. The impact rang out like thunder, making the ground beneath us tremble.

Our eyes met, and the air between us seemed charged with energy, as if the clash of our wills was as intense as the battle itself.

—I must admit, you’re quite strong, — Sora said with a mocking smile.

—Thanks, — I replied in kind.

Without wasting any time, I lunged at Sora again. However, something unexpected happened. From the building behind him, two massive tree trunks began to extend like living serpents, moving toward me at incredible speed.

With a swift movement, I cut them down in an instant, my blades tracing precise arcs that reduced the threat to splinters. But when I looked up to search for my enemy, Sora was already gone.

A chill ran down my spine as I scanned the plaza, and then I saw him. Sora stood atop a platform of tree trunks that rose above the ruins. His posture was relaxed, almost insolent, as he smirked mockingly.

—Hello, — Sora said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I didn’t hesitate for a second. I launched myself forward, my swords poised to strike. However, Sora moved with an unsettling grace, dodging the attack as if it were a mere game.

He landed firmly, and I quickly turned to keep my enemy in sight. My breathing was heavy but steady.

"Is that all you’ve got?" Sora taunted from his elevated position, a laugh escaping his lips as he regarded me with blatant disdain.

I gritted my teeth. My mind raced. I couldn’t afford to let Sora maintain the height advantage.

I kept my gaze fixed on him as he stood above me, relaxed and confident—or so it seemed. I began to walk slowly around his position, analyzing every angle in search of a weak spot.

—Are you looking for an escape route? — Sora teased, his smile lighting up his face.

—It’s useless.—

—Why are you so confident? — I asked without stopping, my eyes locked on him.

—Because I’m strong, — Sora replied, his voice brimming with overwhelming certainty.

I tightened my grip on my swords.

—Let’s see how strong you really are. —

Without hesitation, I sent a burst of mana toward the debris at Sora’s feet. The impact shook the platform he was standing on, destabilizing it. Sora reacted quickly, extending whip-like branches from the ground, replicating the same attack that had taken Miguel out of the fight.

But this was exactly what I had hoped for, what I wanted him to do. With precise timing, I crossed my swords to block the strike. The impact echoed through the air, but instead of retreating, I used the momentum to propel myself forward, closing the distance between us.

When I was close enough, I aimed a direct slash at Sora’s torso. However, something unexpected happened. Sora murmured a word under his breath—too faint for me to hear clearly.

—Imaginary. —

Suddenly, thousands of branches sprouted from the surroundings, enclosing us in what appeared to be a dome, though it wasn’t entirely closed. The ceiling stretched high above, as if we were inside a massive tree.

—Impossible, — I muttered, astonished.

Sora chuckled, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mockery and challenge.

—We’ve been watching you closely, Zein. Don’t think this technique is so rare that only you and Kiomi know it. —

The place transformed into a dense, oppressive forest. Everything around us was nature, thick trunks, twisting roots underfoot. Above, it seemed like the sun was shining brightly, but it wasn’t real; it was an artificial glow that breathed life into this strange environment.

—You’ve impressed me, — Sora said, his tone a blend of acknowledgment and sarcasm.

—I’m glad to hear that. Now prepare yourself, Zein Ravenscroft, because this is the beginning of your downfall. —

I didn’t hesitate for a second. I launched myself at Sora with all my strength, but just as I was about to strike, he disappeared—as if merging with the ground, becoming one with nature.

Then the attacks began. Trunks and branches erupted from every direction, moving like living serpents. I barely managed to react, blocking or dodging each strike as sweat beaded on my forehead.

—Damn it! — I muttered between gasps. —How am I supposed to figure out where he is? —

Amid the chaos, something caught my attention. In the spots where the trunks emerged, I briefly noticed a blurred silhouette. It moved quickly, almost imperceptibly, but I managed to make it out.

—Could it be? — I thought, analyzing its movements.

Studying the pattern, I reached a conclusion.

He can attack from anywhere, but inside this place… he needs to approach the origin points for greater speed, strength, and precision. That will be his downfall.

As the trunks continued their assault, I started moving among them with a clearer strategy, dodging and finding cover. Finally, during one of the attacks, I found the perfect moment. With a swift move, I slipped through the trunks, relying on my speed to confuse Sora.

—What...? — Sora reacted upon seeing the shadow I left behind, a figure resembling me but not truly me.

Seizing his distraction, I delivered a precise, clean strike, cutting through the tree where he was hiding. I infused my blade with mana, amplifying the impact and shattering the natural structure.

The attack was devastating. The tree split in two, and with it, Sora was exposed—his body cleanly severed in half. For a moment, I thought I had won.

—No! It can't end like this! — Sora shouted in desperation, his voice filled with disbelief. —I can't be defeated by someone like you! —

A wave of triumph surged through me, but it was short-lived.

—Ha... ha... HAHAHA! — Sora laughed mockingly as his lower half began to rise on its own. Living branches extended, lifting his destroyed torso and slowly reattaching it. Before my incredulous eyes, his body regenerated as if it had never been cut.

Sora dusted off his clothes calmly, as if nothing had happened.

—Did you really think that was enough to kill me? — he asked with disdain, his tone dripping with mockery. —You’ll have to try much harder than that. —

The air grew thick with tension once more. I gritted my teeth, feeling frustration and determination burning inside me. This fight was far from over.