Cadogan's mind raced. Two forces? If these monsters aren't his, then who…?

Matiane laughed sharply. "Oh, Cad. How unfortunate. Whoever that guy is, he definitely doesn't like your city."

But then, both Cadogan and Matiane froze.

A chilling sound pierced the air. What was it? A melody. A haunting tune played on a piano, soft at first, sending shivers through them both. The music grew louder, each note heavier than the last.

Their eyes turned toward the source.

From the fog emerged a figure, wearing a pirate-like hat and a long, black robe with its ends made of dragging chains. Every step it took burned the ground beneath with a searing purple glow of Neba.

Cadogan's heart tightened as the music stopped. The figure stood before them now, its face obscured by the hat. Yet, even in the shadows, Cadogan saw its unnerving features: blackened teeth and a deformed face, half human, half skull.

This has to be the attacker, Cadogan thought.

Matiane shifted, adjusting his mask.

"Who are you?" Cadogan demanded, his voice steady despite the dread building inside him.

He glanced behind, catching a glimpse of people still streaming into the portal for safety. I need to buy more time, he thought.

Cadogan was in a bad situation. He glanced behind him, preparing to fight both Matiane and the mysterious figure that had just appeared.

But then, without warning, the figure charged. Chains glowing with purple Neba lashed out toward him. "Purple?" Cadogan raised a shield of ice to block them, but the chains shattered it with ease. He barely managed to dodge the next strike.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Matiane sprinting toward the escaping crowd.

"Matiane!" Cadogan shouted, but before he could give chase, one of the chains coiled around his leg.

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"Damn it!" he cursed as the black-teethed figure yanked him off his feet and hurled him across the ground. He landed hard, the impact jolting through his body, but the blue glow of his power flickered to life, steadying him.

"You bastard," Cadogan growled, staggering to his feet. His eyes locked on the figure. "I'm gonna call you Blacktooth from now on. You might be purple, but i'm not going down that easily."

Summoning his strength, he forged a sword of ice in his hand and lunged at the figure. Their blades clashed, sparks of purple and blue lighting up the foggy battlefield.

Meanwhile, Matiane darted through the panicked crowd, his red hair trailing behind him like a streak of fire. He moved too quickly for anyone to stop him, weaving between fleeing people with ease.

"I can feel it," Matiane muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "There are four Zetens here. I'll catch them all… and then I'll finish Cadogan after."

Meanwhile, Dune finally broke free from the chaotic crowd, gasping for air as he stumbled to safety. He gently set Ned down on the ground.

Before he could look up, something struck him from behind, a sharp, searing impact in the neck. He collapsed forward, a burning sensation spreading across his chest.

"Shit… what the hell… who hit me?" he hissed, clutching at his chest. Pain flared like fire as he fell to his knees, his vision blurring.

When he glanced ahead, his eyes locked onto a shadowy figure stepping into view. The figure's eyes glowed an unsettling purple beneath a hood that obscured its face.

"You… i know you!" The word came out as a strained whisper, memories of this figure rushing back. Dune's chest burned hotter, and he cried out, the pain unbearable.

"Ahh, what's happening to me?" he gasped, his breath ragged. "What did he inject into me?"

His body convulsed, his stomach churning violently until he vomited blood. Whispers, thousands of them, filled his mind like a haunting chorus. They clawed at his sanity, leaving him shaking and disoriented.

When the whispers finally stopped, Dune collapsed, gasping for air. Weakly, he turned his attention to Ned, who lay unconscious nearby. Relief washed over him, at least Ned was still alive. But it was short-lived.

Matiane emerged from the fog, his masked face unreadable, though his tone carried a mocking edge. "Well, well, well… look who we have here. A Red Zeten."

Dune's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Zeten? What are you talking about?"

Matiane crouched down beside Ned, examining him with unsettling calm.

"Impressive," he murmured, almost to himself. "Ah, but his hands are gone… That's not good, is it?"

Before Dune could react, Matiane reached out. A faint, crimson glow emanated from his hands as he regenerated Ned's missing limbs with unnerving precision. Dune's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who… who are you?" he demanded, his voice trembling.

Matiane raised a gloved finger to the lips of his mask, silencing him with a taunting "Shhh."

Then he pulled out a weapon, a red cross, sharp and jagged at the bottom, glowing with an ominous red hue.

"What is this?" Dune asked, his voice laced with dread. "A gift," Matiane replied casually.

Without warning, Matiane drove the blade into Ned's chest.

"No!" Dune's voice cracked as he watched in horror. He sprang to his feet, rage blinding him. Fueled by fury, he charged at Matiane, his fists swinging wildly. Matiane laughed, sidestepping easily before landing a brutal kick to Dune's stomach.

"You ungrateful brat," Matiane sneered as Dune crumpled to the ground, coughing violently. He's so strong… Dune thought, struggling to get back on his feet.

Matiane stood over him, his weapon poised to strike. "You're next, Zeten," he said coldly.

Dune's mind reeled.

"I'm not a Zeten! What are you talking about?" Before Matiane could deliver the blow, another figure stepped in, saving Dune from Matiane.

It was Atlas.

Dune's breath caught in his throat as he looked up. "Atlas…"

Atlas sighed heavily, his expression grim. "I'm sorry, Dune. I was late…"

Matiane stepped back a few paces, his demeanor shifting slightly as he regarded Atlas with a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Where is Ned?" Atlas asked, his tone sharp.

Dune turned around, his heart sinking as he realized the spot where Ned had been lying was now empty.

"What? Where did he go? Ned!" Dune shouted, scanning the area frantically.

A low chuckle escaped Matiane's lips, sending chills through the air. "Two more to go," he said mockingly before unleashing cross shaped sword again.