cosmic outbreak

Chapter 13: The Flames of Despair

Kuroshin stood still, his breathing slow and measured. A dark aura radiated from his body, his newfound power coursing through his veins. He gripped his spear, its edges pulsing with a deep, ominous glow.

"You're finished," he whispered, his voice filled with a quiet rage.

Xander smirked, summoning a tornado of illusions. The air twisted, and Kuroshin found himself surrounded by a thousand versions of his enemy. But with a swift motion, he slashed through them with his dark spear, dispelling the mirage in an instant.

Xander's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible—!"

Before he could react, Kuroshin dashed forward, his movements too fast to follow. His spear carved through Xander's leg, severing it in one clean strike. The reptilian let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Meanwhile, Asahi swung his colossal hammer at Zorlak, landing a direct hit on the alien's torso. The impact shook the battlefield.

"That actually hurts," Zorlak growled.

A fiery glow surrounded his eyes, and in the next moment, he unleashed a devastating fire vision that burned through everything in its path. The heat was unbearable—scorching, suffocating.

Ryo clenched his fists, ice forming along his arms. He dashed toward Zorlak and drove his spiked fists into the alien's body, tearing through the flames.

For a brief second, it seemed like they had the upper hand. But then, Zorlak turned his searing gaze on Ryo.

In an instant, both of Ryo's arms were gone.

He collapsed to the ground, his screams piercing the battlefield.

"No… Ryo!" Emi shouted, rushing to form a protective barrier around him.

Renji's body trembled with rage. He surged forward, delivering a flurry of punches and kicks, each one fueled by desperation. He grabbed Zorlak's arm and snapped it like a twig.

Zorlak merely laughed.

A beam of heat shot from his eyes, piercing straight through Renji's chest.

The battlefield fell silent.

Everyone watched in horror as Zorlak walked over, lifted Renji's lifeless body, and took a bite.

"No…" Hikaru's voice cracked. His vision blurred with tears.

Kiyoshi clenched his fists but said nothing. Toma, kneeling in the dirt, whispered, "Just kill me already."

Asahi's hammer lay shattered beside him.

For the first time, the team felt truly powerless.

"We can't win," Hikaru muttered. "What's the point…?"

Muscle, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. He wiped the blood from his face and let out a deep breath.

"Don't lose hope," he said firmly. "Even at the edge of death, there's always a way forward."

Hikaru gritted his teeth. "Renji is gone. Ryo—he's—"

"And do you think Renji would want us to give up?" Muscle cut in. "We came this far. We won't fall now."

Hikaru stared at the ground, fists clenched. Then, he took a deep breath.

"You're right."

From across the battlefield, Kuroshin's voice rang out. "Focus on your breath. Feel the flow of your blood."

Hikaru wasn't sure what he meant, but he listened.

Muscle turned to Zorlak. "This ends now."

The ground trembled as the two warriors clashed. Muscle's fists blurred as he rained blow after blow upon Zorlak. The alien struggled to keep up, blocking as best he could. But one punch landed—a direct hit to his skull.

Zorlak staggered.

Then, Muscle pulled back his fist, his knuckles glowing with unimaginable power.

"Zero Knuckle!"

His punch connected, sending Zorlak flying across the battlefield. He crashed into Daiki, the force shaking the very earth beneath them.

Hikaru stepped forward, his eyes burning with determination.

"You're going to die,zorlak.