Kazaf: The upside down

A tense silence filled the fortress chamber as Kazaf's eyes locked onto his father, chained and beaten inside the prison cell.

His father's breathing was weak, his once-strong frame reduced to a shadow of itself, but his eyes still held a flicker of defiance.

Kazaf's grip on his sword tightened.

He had fought too hard, endured too much—he would not let Jalwa keep his father any longer.

Across the chamber, Jalwa stood in front of the prison, a smirk curling on his lips. His dark robes seemed to move like shadows, an eerie energy swirling around him.

"You've come all this way," Jalwa said, his voice smooth, mocking. "But did you really think I would just let you take him?"

Kazaf raised his sword, his golden aura flaring. "I don't care what tricks you have, Jalwa. I'm taking him back."

Jalwa chuckled. "Oh? Then why don't you try?"

With a flick of his wrist, the room shifted. The shadows on the walls twisted, forming dark figures—Jalwa's elite enforcers.

At least ten powerful cultivators emerged, each radiating malice and killing intent.

Kazaf's allies tensed.

Dulla tightened his grip on his spear. "This is bad."

Samir muttered a curse under his breath. "Ten of them… and Jalwa?"

Rahim's expression darkened. "We can't back down now."

Harun cracked his knuckles. "Good. I was getting bored."

Asma, standing beside Kazaf, stepped forward. Her golden energy shimmered around her like a protective aura. "Kazaf, don't fight alone."

Kazaf exhaled. "I never planned to."

Then—they attacked.

---

The Battle Begins

The room erupted into chaos.

Kazaf lunged at Jalwa, his sword clashing against a barrier of dark energy. Sparks flew as his golden blade cracked the darkness, but Jalwa countered with a powerful blast, forcing Kazaf back.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group engaged Jalwa's elite enforcers.

Dulla swung his spear, clashing with two enemies at once. His strikes were powerful, sending shockwaves through the chamber.

Samir unleashed waves of fire, creating a burning inferno around him, but his opponents dodged swiftly, striking from the shadows.

Rahim moved with deadly precision, his twin blades flashing as he disarmed and cut down his opponents with relentless efficiency.

Harun roared as he grappled an enforcer, his brute strength allowing him to crush bones with a single blow.

And Asma—her golden energy shielding her allies—launched piercing beams of light, striking down enforcers one by one.

But Jalwa was watching.

And he smiled.

"You're all wasting your time."

He raised his hand—and the shadows exploded.

A shockwave of pure darkness rippled through the chamber, knocking everyone back.

Kazaf barely managed to land on his feet, but his allies were thrown against the walls.

Jalwa strode forward, his eyes glowing with crimson energy.

"You don't understand, do you?" His voice was calm, almost amused. "This isn't a battle. It's an execution."

Then, he vanished.

Kazaf barely had time to react before—BAM!

Jalwa reappeared behind him, his fist slamming into Kazaf's ribs with crushing force.

Kazaf coughed blood, the impact sending him crashing through a stone pillar.

Pain exploded through his body. But he forced himself to stand.

He wiped the blood from his lips. His golden aura burned brighter.

Jalwa's smirk widened.

"Still standing?" he mused. "Impressive. But let's see how long that lasts."

---

Kazaf's Rage

Jalwa raised his hand—and the chains on Kazaf's father tightened, causing him to gasp in pain.

Kazaf froze.

His father struggled against the chains, his eyes filled with agony. "Kazaf… don't… let him control you…"

Jalwa laughed. "Control him? I don't need to. Look at him."

Kazaf's hands shook with rage. His golden aura surged violently, his entire body trembling with raw power.

Jalwa tilted his head, watching with interest. "Ah… the power of rage. So intoxicating, isn't it?"

Then—BOOM!

Kazaf vanished—then reappeared right in front of Jalwa.

His sword swung with terrifying force, slicing through Jalwa's barrier and cutting across his chest.

Blood sprayed into the air.

Jalwa's eyes widened—then darkened with fury.

"You dare?"

Kazaf didn't answer. He attacked again, his strikes relentless, faster than lightning.

Jalwa dodged and blocked, but Kazaf's rage overpowered his defenses, forcing him to retreat.

Kazaf's voice was deadly cold.

"I'm done playing your games."

Jalwa gritted his teeth. He was losing control.

And that was unacceptable.

---

The Final Gambit

Jalwa took a deep breath—then grinned.

"Fine. You want to see my true power?"

He raised both hands.

The entire fortress trembled.

Dark energy erupted from the walls, forming a massive vortex of shadows. The air grew heavy, and the room darkened, the very light being devoured.

Kazaf felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Then—the shadows struck.

Tendrils of darkness wrapped around Kazaf's limbs, pulling him down.

Jalwa descended from the air, his voice echoing like thunder.

"This is the end, Kazaf."

The darkness closed in.

Kazaf struggled—but the shadows were stronger than anything he had faced before.

He gritted his teeth. No. He wouldn't lose.

He focused his energy, drawing every ounce of power from within him.

Then—his golden aura erupted.

A shockwave of pure light blasted the shadows away.

Jalwa's eyes widened—just as Kazaf appeared in front of him.

And this time—Kazaf didn't hold back.

BOOM!

Kazaf's sword pierced through Jalwa's chest.

Jalwa's body jerked, his mouth opening in shock.

For a moment, the entire world went silent.

Then—Jalwa staggered backward.

His lips curled into a twisted smile.

"Well played."

Then—his body collapsed.

---

Victory and Escape

The shadows in the fortress began to dissolve, the energy fading.

Kazaf's allies rushed forward, cutting down the last of Jalwa's enforcers.

Kazaf didn't waste a second.

He ran to the prison cell, shattering the chains that held his father.

His father collapsed into his arms.

Kazaf held him tightly. "I've got you, Father."

His father weakly smiled. "You're… strong…"

Kazaf helped him up. "Let's go home."

His allies gathered around him, their bodies bruised and exhausted—but victorious.

They had won.

But the battle was far from over.

As they escaped the fortress, Kazaf couldn't shake the feeling that Jalwa's fall was only the beginning.

---