The earth shook once again as Agharna raised his hand, summoning yet another wave of spikes—larger, sharper. They erupted from the ground like a swarm of mechanical serpents, gleaming in the fading light as they shot toward Eleo with terrifying speed.
Eleo, panting and exhausted from the previous chases, looked back in disbelief. His eyes widened as the spikes closed in, faster and deadlier.
With no time to waste, Eleo bolted, his legs moving on pure instinct as adrenaline flooded his system. He zigzagged through the broken forest, dodging the flying shards of debris that the spikes kicked up with each strike. The spikes hissed through the air, whistling like a storm of deadly missiles.
The ground beneath him seemed to ripple as the spikes moved, almost as if it were alive. Every step Eleo took was followed by the earth tearing open, the spikes bursting from the ground, threatening to skewer him at any moment.
“I’m too tired for this!” Eleo shouted, leaping over a fallen tree and narrowly avoiding a spike that erupted where his foot had just been. “Do you ever stop?”
Agharna, from a safe distance, was watching with a smirk plastered on his face, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “You can run, Eleo, but you can’t escape! The spikes are inevitable!”
“I hate that word!” Eleo growled, darting around a boulder, only for the spikes to smash it into dust a second later. “Why can’t we just—talk about this? You know, like civilized people!”
But Agharna was having none of it. “Where’s the fun in that? Keep running! You’re making this way too easy.”
Eleo darted into a thick patch of trees, hoping to slow down the spikes, but they tore through the forest like a swarm of angry bees, splintering everything in their path. Eleo glanced back to see the devastation behind him and shouted in exasperation, “You know, some of us like nature! Can’t you stop destroying everything?!”
As if in response, the spikes sped up, now only inches behind him, slicing through the air with a terrifying screech. Eleo leaped into the air, grabbing onto a branch to swing himself forward just as a spike shot beneath him.
“Close! Too close!” he muttered as he released the branch and landed in a roll, immediately back on his feet and running again. But the spikes weren't giving up—they adjusted their trajectory, coming at him from all angles now. They burst from the ground in front of him, curved around trees, and even shot upward to come down from above.
Eleo’s heart was racing. “It’s like they’re… learning! This is ridiculous!”
Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, the spikes started to behave even more erratically. They weren’t just chasing him in a straight line anymore—they were zigzagging, crisscrossing, and coming at him in bizarre, unpredictable patterns. One moment, they’d shoot straight toward him, the next they’d veer off course, only to loop back around.
“What is this, some kind of carnival ride from hell?” Eleo yelled, ducking as a spike swooped down at him like a bird of prey.
He ran as fast as he could, trying to lose them in the terrain, but everywhere he went, the spikes seemed to follow. At one point, he sprinted across a river, hoping the water would slow them down, but the spikes just hovered over the surface, slicing through the water as if it wasn’t even there.
“Great, they can fly now,” Eleo groaned, leaping from rock to rock as he crossed the river.
The spikes sped up again, and now Eleo was really starting to panic. “What do you want from me, Agharna? My soul?!”
From behind, Agharna’s laughter echoed through the forest. “No, Eleo, just your suffering.”
Eleo, his breath ragged and his body aching, finally had enough. “Okay… think, Eleo, think!” he muttered to himself, dodging a spike by a hair’s breadth as it whizzed past his ear. “There’s gotta be a way out of this. I can’t keep running forever.”
As he ran, an absurd idea popped into his head. It was goofy, it was ridiculous, but it just might work. With a determined look, Eleo glanced back at the spikes—still chasing him, relentless as ever—and made a sharp turn, heading straight for the nearest cliffside.
The spikes followed, gaining on him with terrifying speed.
“Here goes nothing!” Eleo shouted, sprinting toward the edge of the cliff. He leaped off the edge, plummeting downward for a split second before grabbing onto a jagged rock, his feet swinging below him as he hung there, dangling over the abyss.
The spikes shot over the edge of the cliff, following Eleo’s trajectory… and immediately plunged into the chasm below, vanishing into the darkness with a faint, metallic hiss.
Eleo hung there for a moment, breathing heavily, his heart still pounding in his chest. “Ha! Outsmarted by gravity… again!”
But his victory was short-lived. Agharna’s voice rang out from above, and Eleo looked up to see the villain standing at the cliff’s edge, grinning down at him.
“Nice try, Eleo,” Agharna said, raising his hand again. “But I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”
The ground began to rumble once more, and Eleo’s face fell as he saw the telltale signs of spikes erupting from the cliffside, aiming straight for him.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” Eleo muttered as he scrambled to climb back up, knowing the chase was far from over.
Eleo’s arm bulged and stretched as he activated Ink Goliath, his left arm swelling to an enormous 30-foot form. The ink crackled as it expanded, the sheer force of it distorting the air around him. With a roar, Eleo leaped into the sky, towering over the battlefield. His giant ink arm came crashing down on the spikes Agharna had summoned, obliterating them in one devastating blow. The ground trembled, and a cloud of dust rose into the air as the ink spread like a wave, smothering the remaining spikes.
As Eleo's arm shrank back to its normal size, he wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to Agharna, who was watching with his ever-present, unflinching smirk. Eleo jogged back toward him, out of breath but still defiant. “I swear,” Eleo said, glaring at his opponent, “if you summon one more of those damn spikes, I’m just gonna give up.”
Agharna chuckled darkly, the spikes along his silver body gleaming in the fading light. “This battle has been going on long enough, kid. I say we end this.”
Eleo nodded, his body aching from the relentless fight. “Yeah, I’m at my limit too, old man.” As he caught his breath, Eleo’s eyes drifted toward the ocean in the distance. An idea formed in his mind, and a grin slowly spread across his face.
Agharna noticed the shift in Eleo’s expression, raising an eyebrow. “What are you smiling about now?”
Without answering directly, Eleo pointed toward the ground. “Before I do what I’m about to do… take a look at your feet.”
Agharna glanced down and froze, his eyes widening as he saw ink snaking up from the ground, wrapping around his ankles and hardening like a vice. “What the hell… how did you—?”
Eleo smirked, crossing his arms as he watched Agharna struggle. “While you were busy making me run from your dumb spikes, I had my ink clone set a trap. You were too busy watching me to notice. Now, you're stuck.”
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Agharna’s eyes narrowed, frustration flickering across his face as he pulled at his legs, trying to break free. “Damn you… clever, kid. But do you think this is enough to stop me?” His spikes bristled, shimmering with a dangerous metallic sheen.
Eleo shook his head, stretching his left arm as he began to charge his next attack. “I’m not trying to stop you,” he said with a grin. “I’m sending you to the ocean.”
Agharna’s eyes flared with defiance. “Go ahead, kid. My spikes will protect me from anything you throw at me.”
Ignoring his opponent’s bravado, Eleo planted his feet and focused all of his remaining energy into his left arm. As his arm began to glow with swirling ink, the pressure built up so intensely that his veins popped, and his hand trembled from the sheer force of the power gathering within it. Blood started trickling down from his palm as the ink swirled violently in a circular motion.
With a final shout, Eleo unleashed his attack. “INK TWISTER!” The ink twisted and spiraled, forming a vortex that ripped through the air with terrifying speed, aimed directly at Agharna’s midsection. The ink tore through the wind, whistling like a storm as it neared its target.
Agharna gritted his teeth, refusing to show any sign of fear. “This power is impressive,” he muttered through clenched teeth, “but it won’t get through my spike defense!” His body began to bristle with even more spikes, sharp and deadly, as they expanded outward to shield him.
As the swirling ink made contact with Agharna’s spikes, Eleo pushed harder, the strain causing his arm to bleed profusely. The sound of the spikes grinding against the ink was deafening, and Agharna's confident smirk began to falter. He roared in pain, trying to hold back the onslaught, but the ink twister continued to drill through his defense.
Eleo’s eyes burned with determination as he yelled, pushing his hand forward. “You’re not getting out of this one!”
Agharna let out a pained yell, the spikes on his body breaking under the relentless force of the ink. His feet, still trapped by the ink on the ground, prevented him from escaping as the vortex spun him violently, lifting him off the ground. His massive body began to rotate uncontrollably as the ink twister took hold, spinning him faster and faster.
“SHIT!” Agharna cursed, unable to break free from the spinning force. His spikes crumbled under the pressure, and with one final burst of strength, Eleo hurled Agharna through the air. The massive figure of Agharna spun like a ragdoll as he was launched across the battlefield, flying over the cliffs and toward the ocean.
The sound of Agharna crashing into the distant waves echoed back across the land, and Eleo stood there, panting heavily, his body covered in blood and sweat. He collapsed to one knee, clutching his left arm, which was still bleeding from the exertion.
He smiled faintly, looking out over the ocean. “You’re tough, old man… but I told you… I’d send you flying.”
The battle had pushed both fighters to their absolute limits, but for now, the ocean claimed Agharna as Eleo stood victorious—barely.
As Agharna floated in the ocean, furious, his voice echoed across the waves. “Just wait until I get out of this ocean! You’re dead, Eleo!” He splashed and looked around for a way to escape the deepening abyss, but the relentless ocean currents tugged him downward. The water roared around him as if mocking his threat.
Before Agharna could make another move, Eleo teleported high into the air above him, his body framed by the dim sunlight filtering through the clouds. Eleo’s legs expanded again, towering ink limbs stretching wide as he slammed down onto Agharna, sending him even deeper into the ocean. The force was brutal, and Agharna struggled to hold his ground, blocking the relentless assault with his spikes.
"Shit… is he… he’s sending me deeper into the ocean!" Agharna thought, panic setting in as the depths swallowed him.
For what felt like an hour, Eleo kept pressing his advantage, his attacks pushing Agharna down further and further. Each blow came harder than the last, the water resistance barely enough to slow Eleo’s ink legs. Agharna’s silver form shimmered faintly in the darkening water as he was driven into the deep, his spikes struggling to defend against the ceaseless barrage.
Finally, Agharna found himself a staggering 500,037 feet (100,984 meters) beneath the surface of the ocean. The crushing pressure of the deep water surrounded him, and in a desperate effort, Agharna encased himself fully in his spikes. His breath came ragged, but his arrogance hadn't left him. “Fool… I’ll just cover myself in my spikes and live down here for a while.” He gritted his teeth, his voice a murmur in the dark waters. “This is far from over, Eleo…”
Meanwhile, Eleo, exhausted and gasping for breath, fell into the ocean after his final attack. The cold water stung his skin, but he swam back toward the distant shore of the island, struggling against the weight of fatigue. His ink powers had drained him nearly to his limit, and the ocean waves seemed to drag him down with every stroke. But finally, he reached the shore of the Animal Kingdom.
As Eleo pulled himself onto the sand, he collapsed and transformed back into his base form. His body trembled, and his vision blurred. The weight of the fight pressed down on him, and the world seemed to spin. He hadn’t noticed the figure approaching until it loomed over him.
A familiar voice broke through the haze. “Mr. Eleo, it seems your friends have caused a lot of damage to this island.”
Eleo looked up, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. “Wait… Mr…?”
The figure was a large, imposing panda. “It’s Bao,” the panda said with a calm smile. His eyes surveyed Eleo with a mix of curiosity and concern. “I must say, I’m impressed. You defeated Agharna and escaped prison. So, does that mean you're evil?”
Eleo’s face paled, and he fell to his knees in front of Bao. “No, Mr. Bao, I’m not evil. It was Agharna… he was the evil one.”
Bao’s large hand reached out and rested on Eleo’s head. Eleo flinched, unsure of what was about to happen. But instead of an attack, Bao seemed to focus for a moment, scanning Eleo’s essence. “Hmm,” Bao muttered thoughtfully, “there’s little evil in you.” He rubbed his chin, considering what he had sensed. “Well, you’re not fully evil… maybe I should’ve checked Sharky and Sarugami like this too.”
Eleo looked up, still groggy. “Wait… Sharky and Sarugami, are they okay?”
Bao hesitated for a moment, then gave a light chuckle. “Well… let’s just say they’re taking a nap for now.”
Eleo sighed in relief. “That’s good…” His body couldn’t take it anymore, and with a faint smile on his face, Eleo flopped onto the ground, his exhaustion finally overtaking him.
Bao looked down at Eleo, his expression softening. “Rest, kid. You’ve earned it.” He turned to walk away, but not before giving one last glance at the horizon where the ocean stretched out—where Agharna had disappeared beneath the waves. Eleo woke up slowly, blinking against the pale light filtering through the medical bay. The sterile smell of medicine and faint antiseptic filled the room, grounding him back to reality. He stirred, feeling the weight of the covers over his body. His limbs felt heavy, as if he had just woken from a deep, dreamless sleep. Groggily, his eyes focused on the familiar faces surrounding his bed: Tony, Kenji, Olorun, and Lilith.
Before he could speak, Lilith rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Eleo! You're awake! Thank god, you had us worried sick." Her voice was trembling with relief, and Eleo could feel the warmth of her embrace radiate through him, easing some of the aches in his body.
"I’m okay," Eleo mumbled, still disoriented. He noticed the others, their expressions a mix of relief and subtle awe.
"You actually did it, Eleo," Kenji said, standing with arms crossed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You beat Agharna. I didn’t think anyone could."
Olorun chimed in, his tone light but sincere. "Yeah, I knew you had it in you, man. But four days out cold? That's a new record, even for you."
Eleo’s heart skipped a beat. "Four days?!" He shot up, instantly regretting it as his head spun. "What happened? How long have I been out?"
Tony, leaning against the wall, raised a hand to calm him. "Relax, Eleo. It’s seven in the morning, and yeah… you’ve been out for four days straight. You were in pretty rough shape."
Lilith frowned and gently pushed him back down. "You really need to rest. You were pushing yourself so hard."
Eleo let out a breath. His memories were still foggy, the fight with Agharna felt like a fever dream, violent and intense. "I can't believe it’s been that long. What about Sharky and Sarugami? Are they okay?"
Tony nodded. "They’re healing too. Took quite a beating from that Panda, but they'll live."
The mention of Bao stirred something in Eleo’s mind,
-
Sharky lay on a thin cot, staring at the ceiling. The rhythmic beeping of machines was a constant reminder of his injuries. He groaned and glanced over at Sarugami, who was lying in the next bed, his large frame barely fitting on the cot.
"Yo, Sarugami," Sharky called out, his voice raspy. "You awake?"
Sarugami grunted in response, eyes still closed. "Yeah, I'm awake. Can’t sleep with you whining over there."
Sharky chuckled weakly. "Can’t believe we actually thought we had a chance against Bao. The dude mopped the floor with us."
Sarugami opened his eyes and sighed. "We were outmatched. Simple as that. He wasn’t even serious." The silence between them hung heavy in the air, both of them replaying the fight in their minds. They hadn’t just lost; they were humiliated.
Before Sharky could reply, the door creaked open, and Bao walked in. His large, imposing figure filled the room, but there was a softness in his eyes that was unexpected.
"Hello, boys," Bao said, his tone calm, almost apologetic.
Sarugami tensed, sitting up slowly. "What do you want? Here to beat our ass again?"
Bao raised his hands, a small smile playing on his lips. "No, no. I came to apologize." He took a step closer, his presence commanding but non-threatening. "I was harsh, and maybe I pushed you too far. You didn’t deserve that."
Sharky blinked in surprise, exchanging a confused glance with Sarugami. "Wait… are you serious?"
Bao nodded. "Yes. But more importantly, I’m here because I’ve seen something in the two of you. Potential. Strength. Even in defeat, you held on. You didn’t give up. That’s what we need now. Tilo is dead, and… we need a leader."
Sarugami furrowed his brow. "Wait, you think we should lead?"
Bao’s smile grew. "Yes. You both have what it takes. Leadership isn’t about strength alone—it’s about will, conviction. I’ve seen that in you two. And if you agree, I’ll teach you something that will unlock even more of your potential. It’s called Sygnaflow."
Sharky sat up straighter, curiosity piqued. "Sygnaflow? What’s that?"
Bao clasped his hands behind his back, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "It’s the manifestation of your inner spirit, your life force. It allows you to channel that energy into your body, into your attacks, and even beyond. There are different techniques within Sygnaflow, each one as dangerous as it is powerful."
He began pacing slowly, explaining further. "Aura is the most common technique. It envelops your body or weapons, increasing your strength, speed, and durability. It’s a direct extension of your willpower. Then there’s Abyssal Surge, a high-risk move that surges destructive energy into your body. It’s overwhelming, but it can drain you if you’re not careful."
Sarugami listened intently, absorbing every word. "And the other techniques?"
Bao nodded. "There’s Shockwave, which lets you release a pulse of energy that can send enemies flying or tear apart buildings. It’s dangerous because it affects everything in its radius. Lifeforce Sight allows you to see the energy in others—detect their vitality, strength, and even their emotions. It can help you assess your enemies before a fight."
Sharky whistled, impressed. "And Future Sight?"
Bao’s eyes glinted. "One of the most advanced techniques. It lets you glimpse into the future, just a few moments ahead. You can predict your opponent’s moves before they even make them, giving you an edge in battle. But it takes intense focus, and even then, the glimpses are fleeting."
Sarugami leaned forward, intrigued. "And you’re saying… you’ll teach us all of this?"
Bao stopped and faced them, his expression serious. "Yes. You both have the potential to master Sygnaflow. But it’s not an easy path. It requires discipline, control, and understanding your own spirit. If you overuse it, it will drain you, leave you vulnerable. But if you master it… you will become more than just warriors. You’ll become forces of nature."
Sharky grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Well, I already have Lifeforce Sight. Looks like I’m ahead of the game."
Bao chuckled. "You’ve only scratched the surface. There’s so much more to learn."
Sarugami nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. We’re in. Teach us everything you know."
Bao smiled approvingly. "Good. You won’t regret this."
Back in the medical bay, Eleo stirred again, feeling the weight of the world slowly settle on his shoulders. He had beaten Agharna, but now there was an entire new world ahead of him. He glanced at his friends, each of them ready for the challenges that lay ahead. But even with their victory, there was a tension in the air—a feeling that the battle was far from over.
"World 2, huh?" Eleo muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Tony smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah. Time to take on the next challenge. You ready, Eleo?"
Eleo’s eyes flickered with determination. "I’ve been ready."