Khael sank onto a cracked stone, wincing as he flexed his fingers. His violet-tinged eyes flickered briefly before settling back into their normal glow.

"I almost thought you died, Matthew." Khael said, voice heavy with concern.

Matthew shook his head, brushing ash from his cloak. "My spirit helped me."

From behind him, two shimmering, ribbon-bound figures materialized, twisting in harmony around his body. Their forms glimmered faintly ethereal, graceful, yet exuding undeniable power.

"Harmonae," Matthew murmured. "Twin duet spirits bound by ribbons, amplifying my strength and focus through resonance."

Andromeda whistled low, shaking his head in disbelief. "Dude… you literally became a spirit. Your soul literally came out of your body. That's… wild."

Ceyla's lips quirked into a teasing smile. "Well, someone cried."

Andromeda's cheeks heated, a mixture of embarrassment and defensiveness. "I didn't!"

"No one said it was you." Ceyla replied smoothly, crossing her arms.

A beat of silence passed before a soft laugh escaped Andromeda, shaking his head. "Fine, fine… but admit it, that was scary as hell."

Junjun, Andromeda's little Echo Pet, hopped onto his shoulder, letting out a chirpy squeak. "JunJun!" it seemed to announce, as if agreeing with the sentiment.

Khael chuckled softly, the tension of the previous battle slowly unraveling. He glanced at Ceyla, her hands still trembling slightly as she adjusted her cloak.

"You okay?" he asked, voice gentle.

Ceyla nodded, forcing a smile. "Better… now that you're awake." Her eyes softened. "You scared the hell out of all of us."

Matthew's gaze lingered on Khael, solemn. "You were… amazing back there. That dragon power of yours… it's… unlike anything I've ever felt."

Khael's fingers curled into the stone beneath him. "I barely even understand it myself." His voice was quiet, almost to himself. "Azael… he's… alive in me."

Andromeda shook his head, letting out a dry laugh. "And here I thought I'd seen everything. A kid hosting a dragon spirit… typical Tuesday."

Junjun bark again, hopping between Andromeda's shoulders like it found his jokes amusing.

Ceyla nudged Khael gently. "Hey, don't get lost in your head. You've got people here. We're… we're not going anywhere."

Khael's eyes softened, and a small, almost sheepish smile tugged at his lips. "Thanks. I… I really needed that."

Matthew twirled one of Harmonae's ribbons absentmindedly. "I've seen a lot in my time, Khael… but you? You're special. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Even…that monster."

Ceyla's gaze hardened at the mention of the enemy's name. "He won't touch us again, not while we're together."

Andromeda added, quietly, "Yeah… we've got your back. Every single one of us."

The words settled in the air, unspoken but understood. A silent pact, a shared resolve.

Junjun hopped down from Andromeda's shoulder and bounded over to Khael's feet, circling him in playful curiosity. Khael laughed a low, genuine sound that seemed to shake off the lingering shadows of battle.

"JunJun, huh?" Andromeda grinned. "Guess I have to start taking responsibility for this little guy, too."

Matthew's spirits glimmered faintly as he adjusted his stance, Harmonae's ribbons swaying in the ether. "The world is dangerous, but… together, we're stronger than anything that monster can throw at us. I believe that."

Ceyla leaned back against a nearby rock, exhaling deeply. "We're going to need more than belief if we're going to survive what's coming."

Khael's hands rested over his chest, where Azael's pulse still throbbed faintly beneath his skin. "I know. I've felt it… something bigger is coming. Lucere isn't just after the shard. He's after everything."

Andromeda adjusted his jacket, voice teasing but sharp. "Well, then we better get ready. You can't have a dragon inside you if you're not prepared to fight like one."

Matthew's eyes glimmered, his Echo Spirits swirling in quiet approval. "Then it's settled. We rest, recover… and then we plan. Lucere won't know what hit him next."

Ceyla looked at Khael, soft but determined. "No matter what happens… we're in this together."

Khael's gaze swept over them all their weary, bruised faces, the small, defiant spark in each of their eyes and he felt it: a flicker of hope.

"Together," he echoed, voice steadying, a spark of determination growing inside him. "We'll survive… and we'll fight back. Harder than ever."

And as the group shared a quiet moment of camaraderie, even the distant winds over the scarred battlefield seemed to pause, as if acknowledging the bond forged in fire, pain, and the unbroken spirit of those who refused to fall.

Junjun leaped back onto Andromeda's side, bark triumphantly. "JunJun!"

Andromeda rolled his eyes, laughing despite himself. "Yeah, yeah… you're the mascot of our little apocalypse club."

Matthew's twin spirits twined around him, glimmering faintly in the morning light, harmonizing as if in silent agreement.

Ceyla leaned her head against Khael's shoulder. "You're not alone anymore."

Khael's hand rested lightly atop hers. "I know."

And somewhere deep beneath his golden gaze, the dragon inside him stirred, calm, patient, waiting… but ready.

Meanwhile Juno Visits Master Vince

The quiet room in the academy's high-priority ward smelled faintly of medicine, antiseptic, and something bitter Juno recognized as Taishin stabilizers.

The lights were dim.

The curtains were half-drawn.

Machines hummed softly beside the bed.

Master Vince lay there.

The Wandering Fist.

The undefeated Taishin master.

The man who once punched a Shinrei Beast so hard it forgot it existed.

Now

His left arm was gone, bandaged cleanly at the shoulder.

His chest was wrapped.

His breathing ragged, assisted by the oxygen mask fitted over his face.

Burn marks lined his ribs like charred fingerprints.

And every now and then, the monitors spiked showing his internal energy still raging wildly, unstable.

Juno Arkai stood at the doorway, frozen.

He'd fought monsters.

He'd fought bandits.

He'd fought corrupted spirits.

But nothing had hit him harder than seeing his master like this.

Master Vince slowly turned his head, half-lidded eyes trying to focus.

When he saw Juno's silhouette

His chest rose with a rough, painful breath.

"…Juno… you're here…"

Juno swallowed the lump rising in his throat and stepped closer, trying to keep his hands from shaking.

"Master Vince… I…"

His voice cracked.

He forced himself to straighten.

"I came as soon as the healers let visitors in."

Vince gave a faint smile behind the oxygen mask.

"You look like hell…"

He coughed, the machine beside him beeping sharply.

"…How… are they?"

Juno tightened his jaw, forcing his voice to be steady.

"They're doing fine, Master. Khael woke up. Ceyla's stable. Matthew's awake. Andromeda's… well, Andromeda."

A weak laugh escaped Vince, but it hurt him, his torso spasmed, and Juno rushed forward instinctively.

"Master!"

Vince lifted his remaining hand slightly, stopping him.

"I'm fine… fine…"

He breathed slowly until the pain dulled.

"You said Khael woke up… that's… good."

Juno nodded.

But he didn't miss the way Vince's eyes darkened worried, thoughtful.

Almost… afraid.

To be continue

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