The air was thick with the acrid smell of scorched concrete and the haze of swirling dust. Molly’s eyes narrowed as she squared off against Emil, her grip on the scythe tightening with every breath. The world around them seemed frozen in time, the distant echoes of crumbling debris punctuating the silence like a slow, haunting drumbeat. Across the battleground, Ajal remained buried under the mountain of rubble, his fate uncertain, while Yumiko and Arc fought desperately against Sosira in the distance.
Emil cracked his neck, the motion casual, almost nonchalant, as if the chaos around them were merely an inconvenience. His hand lingered on the glowing vial at his hip, fingers curling around it with a sense of ownership and control. “You know,” he drawled, his voice laced with mockery, “for all your talk about being a hero, you’re not much of a fighter. Why don’t you just give up now? Save us both the trouble.”
Molly clenched her teeth and took a step forward, her gaze cold and unwavering. She didn't have time to waste trading barbs. If Emil wanted a fight, then she would give him one.
Molly burst forward with a cry, the scythe swinging out in a deadly arc. Emil sidestepped the blade and lashed out with a punch, but Molly was already moving, slipping around to his backside before his fist had even passed. Her scythe flashed, but this time Emil was prepared, ducking out of the way with ease.
Emil struck at her exposed flank, the blow knocking the wind from her lungs and sending her stumbling back.
He rushed her again, and this time she met his blow head-on.
Her scythe rang out as it caught his knuckles, and for a moment the two stood there, locked in a stalemate. But Emil was stronger, his grip slowly pushing the scythe aside as he forced her back. With a grunt, she released her hold on the weapon, letting it fly past Emil and into the rubble pile.
Jolly once again came flying out of Molly. However, Jolly lay on the ground, the stuffed animal was panting, appearing out of breath. "Molly is running out of Divinity to keep so many powerful Gifts activated. Jolly thinks Molly should retreat."
Emil grabbed the long end of the cross, dragging it behind him with a harsh, grating sound as the heavy wood and metal scraped mercilessly against the rocky terrain. The weight of it seemed inconsequential to him, his grip unwavering as sparks flickered from the contact.
Stopping a short distance away from Molly, Emil’s fingers tightened around the weathered handle, the edges and spikes of the cross digging sharply into his palm. A thin stream of blood trickled down his hand, the crimson stark against the dull, gray stone below. The sight only seemed to fuel his malice, his lips curling into a cruel smile that revealed a glint of teeth.
With a deliberate, almost theatrical motion, Emil hoisted the cross high above his head, his eyes locking onto Molly’s with an unsettling intensity. The air grew heavy, the impending strike carrying the weight of finality.
Suddenly, from seemingly nowhere, Jolly rocketed forward, phasing into Molly's body like a spectral blur. Her voice, soft but resolute, echoed in Molly's mind. "Jolly is sorry. Jolly will protect Molly."
Molly’s eyes snapped to the cross as adrenaline surged through her exhausted frame. Her hair clung to her damp face, her breaths ragged and shallow. But in the moment of desperation, strength found her.
Before the massive weapon could crash down, Molly caught it mid-swing with the center of her scythe's handle. Her hands gripped both ends of the horizontal weapon, her arms trembling under the force. The impact sent shockwaves up her body, but she held firm, refusing to yield.
Her head dipped, her hair shadowing her eyes as her tired voice broke the tense silence. "No need to apologize, Jolly. Honestly, I should be the one saying sorry... for not being strong enough."
Molly threw herself backwards, the sudden release throwing Emil off balance. She used the momentum to spin around, kicking Emil in the side of the head and sending him sprawling onto the ground.
His grip finally loosened, the cross clattering harmlessly beside him. As he rose to his feet, his expression was dark and dangerous, but the look only made Molly smile.
Before either combatant could make a move, a massive arc of white flame erupted from the pile of rubble, slicing through the air with searing intensity and hurtling straight toward Emil. Reacting quickly, Emil raised his cross to block the attack, but the sheer force of the flames was overwhelming. Even with his enhanced strength, he was sent flying backward, the impact slamming him into the far wall with a thunderous crash.
The moment hung in stunned silence, the sheer power of the attack leaving everyone frozen in place. From the dissipating dust and debris, Ajal emerged, his steps deliberate and unwavering as he strode forward. He stopped in front of Molly, his frame standing tall and resolute.
Without sparing her a glance, Ajal kept his focus locked on the direction Emil had been sent flying. His entire posture radiated calm intensity, as though every fiber of his being was ready for whatever came next.
Molly paused, her expression unreadable as she spoke. "I have to thank you again. Allowing Jolly to touch you let me copy your Gift once more."
"That's fine," Ajal responded, his tone calm and detached. "And don't worry—I'll take you down after I finish with Emil."
Molly's eye twitched at his remark, her irritation evident.
Meanwhile, Emil began to rise from the rubble. His movements were slow but deliberate, his body showing little sign of strain despite the recent impact. A thin trickle of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, the vibrant red stark against his pale skin. He wiped it away with a casual swipe of his thumb, flashing a grin that was equal parts unsettling and confident.
"You sure know how to make an entrance after getting your ass handed to you," Emil taunted, his voice laced with amusement.
Ajal's lavender eyes narrowed, his body tensing, but before he could respond, a deafening roar reverberated through the subway, shaking the very foundation of the structure. Ajal and Molly turned in unison, their attention drawn to the source of the sound.
With a thunderous crash, the wall behind Ajal exploded outward, sending chunks of stone and dust flying in every direction. Ajal stumbled slightly but managed to keep his footing, his gaze locked on the towering figure emerging from the destruction.
A massive metallic foot slammed into the ground, causing the earth to tremble beneath them. The monstrous machine that followed was a titan of engineering, standing nearly three stories tall. Its body was a labyrinth of clanking gears, glowing panels, and armored plating, each step reverberating through the air like a cannon blast. The sheer size of it dwarfed everything around it, casting long shadows across the debris-strewn battlefield.
Molly and Ajal stood frozen, their jaws slack in disbelief.
From the subway entrance, a familiar voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "Hey guys! I made it back just in time!"
Arc's face lit up, her expression transforming into one of pure relief and joy. "Master Jean!"
"Yup, that's me!" Jean announced proudly, stepping into view. He struck a triumphant pose, gesturing grandly toward the hulking machine behind him. "The greatest inventor and genius the world has ever known!"
Yumiko, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter, doubling over and clutching her stomach as tears streamed down her face. "You—You found that? Are you serious?!"
From her position, Sosira let out a dry chuckle. "The coward’s back," she muttered under her breath, though her expression betrayed a flicker of curiosity as she watched the giant machine wind its arm back for a punch aimed right at Jean.
"We fought one of those earlier," Arc said, realization dawning as her gaze flicked to the massive machine. "Why did you bring another one here?"
Jean adjusted his goggles with a self-satisfied grin. "Simple. I realized there's no way we can beat this Drapabarn head-on. That means our best shot at passing is the Keystone."
"And what does the giant robot have to do with that?" Arc pressed, her tone tinged with exasperation.
"Distraction," Jean answered smugly, gesturing to the towering mechanical titan. "We needed something strong enough to keep her busy. And now..." He glanced toward Yumiko, who was still laughing so hard she could barely stand. "...we also have someone fast enough to take advantage of the situation. It all worked out better than I could’ve hoped."
Before anyone could respond, the robot's massive fist came crashing down with a thunderous force. The wind roared as its arm sliced through the air. Arc reacted instantly, grabbing Jean by the arm and leaping out of the way just as the impact sent shockwaves through the subway floor. Yumiko and Sosira darted in opposite directions, narrowly avoiding the debris that exploded outward, chunks of shattered concrete and twisted metal flying in all directions.
On the other side of the subway, Ajal, Molly, and Emil instinctively shielded themselves as chunks of debris rained toward them.
"You okay?" Arc asked as she set Jean down a safe distance away.
"Of course!" Jean responded, his excitement completely unshaken. His grin widened as his eyes sparkled with childlike wonder. "This is the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me!"
Arc gave him a deadpan look, unimpressed by his enthusiasm. "Cool or not, what are we supposed to do about the robot?"
Jean’s smile didn’t waver. "We’ll worry about that later. Look!" He pointed toward the center of the subway. "The Keystone is right there!"
Arc followed his gesture, her eyes landing on the Keystone. It lay on its side amid the chaos, the holographic countdown hovering just above its surface, glowing faintly in the dust-filled air. The timer showed 1:20 remaining. The sight of it sent a ripple of urgency through the group.
Ajal and Molly snapped out of their brief moment of shock as Emil charged toward them, his massive cross swinging in wide, powerful arcs. Though his movements were wild, there was a sharpness to them—each swing carried a calculated intent, fueled by a volatile mix of desperation and rage. The metallic clangs and dull thuds of their weapons meeting echoed through the crumbling subway, a chaotic symphony that underscored the ferocity of their three-way clash.
Emil’s cross came down with devastating force, slamming into the ground and sending up a plume of shattered concrete. Ajal leaped back, narrowly avoiding the strike, while Molly sidestepped to the right, her scythe spinning in a defensive arc. Emil’s face twisted into a manic grin, his eyes gleaming with unrelenting determination.
He roared, swinging his cross horizontally. The massive weapon whooshed through the air like a battering ram. Ajal ducked under it, the force of the swing ruffling his hair, while Molly jumped onto a nearby pile of rubble to evade it.
Molly’s voice cut through the clash. “This is getting us nowhere! Ajal, can't you fire off another fire attack like you did earlier?”
“I’m trying, but I’m not good at using my Divinity in the middle of a fight yet.” Ajal shot back, barely blocking a downward strike from Emil with the shaft of his scythe. Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed, the sheer power of Emil’s attack forcing Ajal to his knees.
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“Enough!” Emil barked, shoving Ajal backward and spinning his cross with a flourish. “You two talk too much!”
Without warning, Emil’s hand shot to his belt. He ripped the green potion vial from his pouch, holding it up for both of them to see with a wicked smile. “Let’s turn up the heat, shall we?” He hurled the vial into the air with a flick of his wrist. It spun wildly before halting midair, defying gravity, the neck of the vial pointing downward.
“What the hell is that?” Molly growled, tightening her grip on her scythe.
Before either of them could react, the vial shattered, releasing a cloud of green mist that expanded across the ceiling of the subway. The mist began to condense into droplets, each one glowing with an eerie luminescence. Suddenly, the droplets fell, turning into a relentless rain of acid. The acidic downpour hissed and sizzled as it struck the broken concrete, melting through it and creating small craters wherever it landed.
“Acid rain?! Are you kidding me?!” Ajal yelled, dodging to the side as a glob of acid splashed mere inches from his boots.
Molly grimaced, holding her scythe over her head to deflect the rain. “He’s insane! We can’t fight like this!”
Emil laughed maniacally, his voice echoing through the subway like a mad symphony. “Oh, I’ll show you why I’m the greatest! Let’s see how you handle fighting me and the rain!”
The battlefield descended into chaos. Ajal darted between the falling droplets, his movements erratic but deliberate. Each step was calculated to avoid the acid while keeping Emil in his sights. Molly, on the other hand, used the curved blade of her scythe as a makeshift shield, deflecting the rain with expert precision as she closed the distance to Emil.
Emil lunged at her first, swinging his cross in a wide arc. Molly parried with her scythe, the clash of their weapons reverberating through the subway. Acid rain splattered around them, sizzling against their weapons but failing to break their focus.
Ajal saw his chance and dashed toward Emil’s exposed flank. His scythe gleamed in the dim light as he brought it down in a calculated strike. Emil twisted at the last second, raising his cross to block the blow. The impact sent shockwaves through both fighters, but Ajal pushed harder, his lavender eyes glowing faintly with determination.
“Persistent little pest!” Emil growled, shoving Ajal back with a burst of raw strength. He pivoted and swung his cross downward, aiming to crush Ajal under its weight.
Ajal rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the devastating blow. He sprang to his feet, gripping his scythe tightly. His mind raced as he analyzed the situation. Between Emil’s relentless attacks and the acid rain, it felt like the walls were closing in.
“I need an opening…” Ajal muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the battlefield.
Molly provided that opening. With a fierce battle cry, she launched herself at Emil, her scythe blazing with purple flame. Emil blocked her first strike, but she pressed on, delivering a flurry of slashes that forced him to focus entirely on her.
“This is your chance, Ajal!” Molly shouted over her shoulder, her voice tinged with urgency.
Ajal didn’t hesitate. He gripped his scythe with both hands, channeling every ounce of Divinity he could muster into the weapon. The closed eye on the blade’s surface began to glow ever-so faintly, as if responding to his determination. Ajal dashed forward, his speed unmatched as he closed the gap between himself and Emil.
Emil sensed the incoming attack and spun to face Ajal, but it was too late. Ajal’s scythe arced through the air with blinding speed, a trail of white flame following its path. Emil raised his cross to block, but the force of Ajal’s strike was overwhelming. The impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending tremors throughout the subway.
The acid rain intensified, the droplets falling faster and thicker, but Ajal remained undeterred. He pressed forward, unleashing a barrage of strikes that left Emil struggling to keep up. Each swing of Ajal’s scythe grew more precise, more powerful, as if he were drawing on a wellspring of untapped potential.
Emil, desperate to regain control, took a step back and swung his cross horizontally with all his might. Ajal ducked under the swing, using the momentum to pivot and deliver a devastating upward slash. The white flames surged along the blade, engulfing Emil in a burst of radiant energy.
Emil staggered backward, his grip on the cross faltering. “Damn you…!” he growled, his voice filled with frustration.
Ajal saw his opportunity and went for the finishing move. He spun his scythe in a wide arc, the flames on the blade intensifying until they burned brighter than ever before. With a roar of determination, he leaped into the air, raising the scythe high above his head.
“This is it!” Ajal shouted, bringing the scythe down in a powerful, two-handed strike. The blade connected with Emil’s cross, shattering it into pieces with a deafening explosion of light and energy.
Emil was sent flying across the subway, his body slamming into the wall with enough force to leave a crater. He collapsed to the ground, his breathing ragged and his body battered. The acid rain ceased, the remnants of the green mist dissipating into the air.
Ajal landed gracefully, his scythe’s flames flickering before extinguishing. He turned to face Emil, his expression calm but resolute. “It’s over,” he said firmly, his voice cutting through the chaos of the subway, rising above the clanging of metal and the distant thunder of the rampaging robot.
Emil chuckled weakly, lifting his head to meet Ajal’s gaze. “You… really are something else,” he admitted, a faint trace of respect lacing his voice. “Guess that means I failed…”
His body slumped against the rubble, motionless. Ajal let out a slow breath, his scythe dissolving into faint wisps of white flame as he allowed it to fade back into the recesses of his Divinity. The air was thick with the acrid scent of scorched stone and melted debris, the aftermath of their chaotic battle still lingering in the hollowed-out subway.
Before Ajal could fully catch his breath, he felt a sharp shift in the atmosphere. A pair of footsteps echoed in the silence, deliberate and steady, each one laced with intent. He turned to see Molly approaching, her scythe resting against her shoulder, its violet flames flickering faintly in the dim light.
Without warning, Molly’s scythe swept toward Ajal in a blur of violet flames. Ajal narrowly sidestepped, beads of sweat rolling down his face as he retaliated with a wide swing of his own. Their scythes clashed, sparks flying from the collision of Divinity, but this time Ajal found himself on the defensive. Molly pressed her advantage, her movements sharp and relentless, every strike forcing him further and further back.
“You’re slowing down,” Molly taunted, her voice steady despite her heavy breathing. “You think you can keep up with me when you’re this tired?”
Ajal grunted, deflecting another swing aimed at his midsection. “I don’t know—” he ducked under her follow-up strike and spun to create space “—I think I’m doing alright so far.”
Molly’s scythe roared to life again, its purple flames flaring as she launched a spinning attack. Ajal raised his weapon just in time, the impact sending vibrations up his arms. His grip faltered, but he managed to hold on, pushing back against her strength.
“You’ve got skills,” Ajal admitted, his voice strained as he locked blades with her. “You've really taught me a lot.”
“Stop underestimating me,” Molly shot back, breaking the deadlock with a swift kick to his stomach. Ajal stumbled, struggling to maintain his footing as Molly advanced with another flurry of strikes.
The battle between them was a relentless back-and-forth, each fighter giving everything they had left. Molly’s attacks were precise and deliberate, each one forcing Ajal to react faster than the last. Ajal, meanwhile, relied on his reflexes and adaptability, barely keeping up with her unrelenting pace. Both combatants were clearly exhausted, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, but neither showed any signs of giving up.
Molly’s scythe came down in a wide arc, aiming for Ajal’s shoulder. He parried, deflecting the blow to the side, and retaliated with a quick upward slash. Molly leaned back just enough to avoid the blade, spinning on her heel to deliver a counterstrike that nicked Ajal’s side. He winced, the sharp pain fueling his determination to stay in the fight.
“I'll admit you're not as bad as I initially thought,” Molly said, her tone begrudgingly respectful. “But this ends here.”
She surged forward with newfound intensity, her scythe blazing as she aimed for his chest. Ajal braced himself, stepping into the attack to block it head-on. The force of the clash sent shockwaves through the air, and for a moment, it seemed like they were evenly matched. But Molly’s stamina began to falter, her arms trembling as she struggled to maintain her assault.
Ajal saw his opening and swung his scythe in a powerful horizontal arc. Molly raised her weapon to block, but the strain of the fight finally caught up to her. Her grip slipped, and her scythe fell from her hands, clattering to the ground. The violet flames surrounding it flickered and died, and Molly’s ability to copy Ajal’s Gift vanished with it.
Ajal’s eyes widened as he realized what had happened. Without her scythe, Molly was defenseless. He tried to halt his swing, but his momentum carried him forward, his scythe slicing through the air toward her. Time seemed to slow as Jolly, the stuffed rabbit, leaped into the path of the blade.
“Jolly!” Molly screamed, reaching out as if to stop the inevitable.
Ajal’s scythe tore through Jolly, the blade creating a jagged rip down the plush rabbit’s body. Jolly’s Divinity flared for a brief moment before fading entirely, leaving the stuffed animal limp and motionless. Ajal stumbled back, his scythe dissolving in his hands and his scarf reappearing around his neck as he stared in shock at what he had done.
Jolly’s small, stitched mouth moved one final time. “Jolly is… sorry,” she said weakly, her voice faint and trembling. “Jolly… failed to protect Molly…”
Her words trailed off, and her body fell to the ground, lifeless. Molly dropped to her knees, cradling Jolly in her arms as tears streamed down her face. She clutched the stuffed rabbit tightly, her fingers trembling as she realized she could no longer feel Jolly’s Divinity.
“No…” Molly whispered, her voice cracking. “No, no, no… Jolly, wake up! Please, wake up!”
Ajal took a hesitant step forward, his expression filled with guilt and regret. “Molly… I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t you dare speak to me!” Molly screamed; her voice filled with raw, unfiltered anger. She glared up at him, her eyes blazing with fury. “You… you killed her!”
Ajal flinched at her words, his guilt weighing heavily on him. “Molly, I’m sorry—”
“Sorry?!” she cut him off, her voice rising. “You think ‘sorry’ fixes this? Jolly is gone because of you! First mom, now Jolly. How much more are you going to take from me?!”
“I didn’t want this to happen,” Ajal said quietly, his voice filled with genuine remorse. “I was trying to stop…”
Molly shook her head, her tears falling freely. “Just... Shut up.” She turned her attention back to Jolly, holding the limp stuffed animal close to her chest. “Just take me out and claim your points.”
The subway seemed to fall into a heavy silence despite the ongoing chaos on the other side, the weight of the moment pressing down on both of them. Ajal stood frozen, unsure of what to do or say. Molly’s sobs echoed through the space, a heartbreaking sound that only deepened his sense of failure.
As the moments dragged on, Ajal finally took a step back. “I… I’ll leave,” he said softly, his voice barely audible. He turned and walked away, his head bowed as he disappeared into the shadows.
Molly remained where she was, her arms wrapped protectively around Jolly as she wept. The fierce warrior who had stood tall moments ago was now a broken figure, consumed by grief. She rocked back and forth, her body shaking as she whispered words of comfort to the stuffed rabbit that could no longer hear her.
“You did your best, Jolly,” she murmured through her tears. “You always did your best…”
The hollowed-out subway seemed to close in around her, the weight of her loss suffocating and unrelenting. And in that moment, Molly’s hatred for Ajal burned brighter than ever before—a fire fueled by her grief and the void left behind by Jolly’s absence.
"Damn it, we were so close again!" Jean's frustration boiled over, his fists clenching at his sides.
Sosira stood firmly in front of the Keystone, her crimson tail swaying like a metronome of menace. "You're not getting anywhere near this," she said, her voice low and threatening. Her sharp glare intensified as the anguished cries of her teammates echoed through the chaos behind her.
Jean’s eyes darted to the timer glowing on the Keystone: 0:30. Time was slipping away. They needed to act fast, but Sosira wasn’t going to give an inch.
"Fine. Have it your way," Jean muttered, feigning resignation before launching into a full sprint toward Sosira.
The towering robot, still rampaging in the background, recalibrated its sensors and locked onto Jean. Its colossal fist pulled back, gears whining as it prepared a devastating punch. At the same time, Sosira surged forward to intercept him.
Jean smirked as he ran. The plan was working perfectly. He’d gambled that the robot would target him, and now it was aiming directly for Sosira as well.
The robot's massive fist came crashing down, hurtling toward Jean like a meteor, its shadow engulfing both him and Sosira. But Sosira reacted with incredible speed and strength. Letting out a guttural growl, she planted her feet and caught the incoming fist with her bare hands, her muscles straining under the immense force. The ground beneath her splintered, cracks spiderwebbing outwards from her feet. Jean stumbled as the shockwave sent him off balance.
Taking advantage of Sosira's distraction, Arc darted toward the Keystone. She almost made it, but Sosira's crimson wraps shot out like striking vipers, ensnaring her mid-dash. Arc struggled to break free, but Sosira’s grip held firm. The timer on the Keystone ticked down: 0:10.
"Shit!" Jean cursed under his breath, panic creeping into his voice. He knew he wasn’t fast enough to close the gap in time. He needed someone quicker. His eyes darted around the chaotic battlefield until a glimmer of hope crossed his face.
"Yumiko!" he shouted desperately. "Please tell me you're not out cold!"
A barely perceptible blur zipped past Jean, faster than the eye could track. Sosira barely had time to react before the figure dodged her incoming wraps with feline precision, weaving through them like a dancer.
"Of course I’m not knocked out!" Yumiko’s playful voice rang out as she flipped through the air, her pink hair streaming behind her. "It’s just a cat’s nature to wait for the perfect moment!" She flashed a peace sign and grinned mid-flip, evading Sosira’s attacks as though they were in slow motion.
Sosira snarled, her frustration boiling over as she launched more wraps at Yumiko. But it was no use. Yumiko was too fast, her reflexes too sharp. She landed gracefully atop the Keystone, crouched low like a predator closing in for the kill.
With a flourish, Yumiko pressed her forearm against the glowing center of the Keystone. It let out a low hum, and the surface lit up with a brilliant glow. A mechanical voice resonated through the air:
"This Keystone is now in possession of Team Z."
Before anyone could process what had just happened, another announcement echoed in their minds, clear and final:
"The Exam has ended. The following teams have passed and will be enrolled into Arkphis: Team A, Team L, Team Z. Congratulations."