Relentless volleys battered the protective barrier deployed by Gayatri. She held the line with every drop of energy she could muster, straining to endure just a moment longer. The barrier groaned under the continuous barrage of physical weapons and dark magic.

A warrior stepped forward from the surrounding horde of dark-clad operatives. His attire was jet-black, marked with dark red accents. Gazing at the barrier shielding Nasura, he raised his right hand, summoning a massive energy blade saturated with dark magic above his head.

The spectral sword glowed with a sinister, otherworldly brilliance. Recognizing the technique, the surrounding operatives backed away immediately. The massive dark blade shot forward, driving straight into the barrier array Gayatri had erected. The attackers scattered to avoid the collateral blast, knowing full well the devastating force their commander commanded.

BLAAAAAAAARRRRRRR!

The protective dome shattered like glass under a sledgehammer. Striking Gayatri’s barrier directly, the massive dark-energy blade completely overwhelmed her defenses. An explosive shockwave erupted, blasting Gayatri and Lao backward several paces—Lao barely managing to drag the terrified Nasura out of the direct line of fire.

The three of them were hurled nearly thirty feet away from the epicenter of the blast.

The explosion carved a deep crater into the earth. Floating high above, the leader of the dark forces wore a wide-brimmed hat. Taking it off, he hovered effortlessly in midair.

Struggling to sit up, Gayatri looked at the man, feeling an oppressive, terrifying aura emanating from his frame.

"He is a peak-level martial artist! Be on your guard, Brother!" Gayatri warned Lao.

Lao felt it as well. This man was no mere commander—he was a high-ranking figure within the dark forces.

Descending slowly to the ground, the man with the energy blade paced forward with measured steps.

"Hand over Nasura, and I will grant you a quick death," he threatened, his voice heavy with dark energy. He had long, flowing hair held by a simple circlet across his brow. At the center of the spinning band was an emblem depicting a coiled dragon.

To anyone versed in the lore of the dark forces, the Five Gates were known as the primary generals of the Demon Lord. Though they operated in secrecy, a member of the Five Gates only emerged for critical, high-priority missions.

If Gayatri’s deduction was correct, this man was Gultron—one of the absolute strongest entities serving directly under the Demon Lord. His presence meant they were facing a martial artist beyond Rank 8, firmly established in Rank 9.

Stepping in front of Gayatri and Nasura, Lao drew his weapons. "Get out of here, both of you! I'll hold them off."

"But Brother, he is—"

"Enough, Gayatri! I know who he is," Lao interrupted, his tone unyielding. "He is one of the Five Gates. I have trained endlessly for this very day, and my vengeance arrives tonight. I will show them the fruits of my training. The murderers who slaughtered our parents will learn that the two children who survived their massacre have returned to break them!"

Lao’s voice resonated with absolute conviction. Tears welled in Gayatri’s eyes and slipped down her cheeks.

"No, Brother. We fight them together, and if we fall, we fall together. This is the retribution our parents deserve."

Lao looked at his sister. The deep-seated vengeance burning in their hearts ran bone-deep—as if their entire lives had been dedicated to bringing peace to their parents' spirits. They were determined to become the instruments of retribution that would finally lay their parents to rest.

Setting aside all hesitation, Gayatri summoned ten massive energy spears, their tips leveled and ready to strike. Lao gripped his new dual discs, electricity crackling and bridging the space between them. A swarm of spectral energy discs filled the air above them, primed for an all-out assault.

"A touchingly futile effort," Gultron sneered. "Do you truly believe such toys can stay my hand?"

The dark operatives stepped back to give their leader wide berth. They knew Gultron’s strength was more than enough to obliterate these Sky Squad rookies. Everyone among the dark forces knew the terrifying power of Gultron, one of the most feared commanders of the Five Gates.

"Attack!" Lao swung his dual discs forward, sending one curving off to the flank. His core energy erupted as thousands of energy discs shot across the night sky, converging on the dark general from every angle.

Seizing the momentum, Gayatri launched her five giant spears, driving them straight toward the floating general. Could even one of the Five Gates withstand a synchronized barrage of this magnitude unscathed?

BOOOOMMM! CRASH! THUDDD!

Strike after strike detonated against the general's position. Yet, through the smoke, Gultron's figure remained enveloped in a calm, impenetrable shroud of dark magic. He deflected the devastating volley with subtle, effortless movements of his hands, dark barrier shields flaring to absorb the impacts.

The combined assault from Gayatri and Lao was swept aside as if it were nothing, detonating harmlessly around him. The dark general stood completely unscathed, a mocking smile curling his lips.

"Child's play," Gultron remarked coldly.

In the next instant, he blurred, vanishing entirely from sight.

Lao and Gayatri gasped. Before they could register his movement, the dark general had already materialized directly between them. Sensing immediate peril, their instincts screamed at them to retreat, but the gap in speed was absolute.

Flanking both siblings, Gultron unleashed twin pulses of dark energy from his palms. The resulting force slammed into Lao and Gayatri, blasting them in opposite directions. Both were thrown violently into the surrounding stone walls. Lao tumbled across the dirt, crashing heavily against the base of the perimeter wall.

The display left the dark operatives grinning maliciously. To them, this was the inevitable, tragic end for any young martial artist standing against the dark forces. Who could possibly challenge Gultron? His strength sat just beneath that of the Demon Lord himself.

Cowering before Gultron, Nasura trembled violently, paralyzed with fear at the sight of one of the Five Gates.

"P-Please... forgive me, Lord Night! I was coerced and taken hostage against my will!" Nasura stammered, clasping his hands together in desperation.

"Too late, Nasura. You are no longer of any use to us."

Gultron raised his hand, an energy blade manifesting at his fingertips, humming with lethal vibration as he prepared to strike Nasura down. Cold sweat poured down Nasura's face as he braced for the end.

Nearby, Gayatri struggled to push herself up, reeling from the force of the blast. The sheer power behind Gultron's strike was staggering. Lao likewise forced himself to his feet, both siblings filled with dread as they realized they were too far away to intercept the blow.

"Rest in peace, Nasura," Gultron said softly.

WOOOSSHH!

The lethal energy blade shot forward, aimed straight for Nasura's neck.

TRAAANNGGG!

A radiant dagger, enveloped in brilliant light, cut through the night air and shattered Gultron's energy blade mid-flight. Saved from certain death, Nasura gasped for air, his chest heaving uncontrollably as energy fragments dissipated before his eyes. Utterly drained by terror, he collapsed onto his side.

Slightly surprised, Gultron turned his gaze to the left. Where had that throw originated?

Standing a short distance away was a man holding his weapon, a calm smile on his face. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he recalled the thrown dagger back into his grip, now wielding a dual set of blades.

It was a figure renowned among righteous martial artists and dark forces alike: Warrior Jiro. Standing beside him was Alicia, her drawn sword cloaked in a brilliant radiance, fully prepared for battle.

"Interesting," Gultron murmured, his smile widening.