Sol noticed Angelo freeze, his face transforming into a mask of horror. He grabbed Angelo's shoulders, shaking him.

  "What's happening? What are you seeing?" Sol's voice cracked with urgency.

  Blue stepped forward, his posture impeccable despite the tension crackling through the air. "It appears Neiva has been forcibly removed from the premises by Lavvy and the twins. They are currently progressing toward the town's perimeter at a rapid pace."

  Angelo's expression morphed from horror to pure fury, his orange aura exploding around him like a volcano erupting. "No more playing by the rules," he said with cold rage, turning to Sol. "We're throwing caution to the wind."

  Sol whipped off his silver jacket, tossing it aside as his own aura ignited, his blue eyes transforming to molten silver. He rolled his neck, the satisfying pop cutting through the air.

  "Right beside you, partner." His trademark confidence was back, despite the glowing stitches still visible on his chest.

  Angelo didn't waste time asking if Sol was sure—the determination in his eyes said everything. He nodded once, orange energy tendrils wrapping around Sol and Red's suddenly limp body.

  "Red," Angelo commanded, "use your puppet to slow them down. We're flying straight to your position!"

  With that, Angelo and Blue shot skyward, their powerful auras leaving streaks of orange and blue against the clouds.

  Near the town's edge, Lavvy hurried along with Ashly and Nova, Neiva stumbling between them. Ahead lay the slope leading down to the forest—their escape route almost within reach.

  "Almost there," Lavvy wheezed, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool air. He glanced nervously at the twins. "Once we're out of sight, we travel by aura, understood?"

  Nova rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first four times." She gave Neiva a rough shove to keep her moving.

  All four stopped abruptly as something unexpected appeared directly in their path—a small crimson figurine hovering in mid-air, glowing with faint red light.

  Nova's eyes widened with recognition. "No... not this thing again!"

  "Pocket Red?" Neiva whispered, hope bubbling in her chest like a warm spring.

  The tiny puppet began dancing in mid-air, its movements deliberately silly before switching to provocative gestures. The fixed smile on its mask somehow made the taunting even worse.

  Nova's patience snapped like a dry twig. "I'LL CRUSH YOU INTO DUST, YOU STUPID TOY!" Her brown aura exploded outward as metal blades materialized in her hands. She slashed wildly at the puppet, which dodged with infuriating ease.

  The puppet retaliated, launching crimson energy blasts that forced Nova to duck and weave. Ashly grabbed Lavvy and yanked him sideways, her orange aura flaring protectively around them.

  Suddenly, a shout cut through the chaos. "HALT RIGHT THERE!" Two Cliffhangers came running toward them, the female one in front with electricity crackling around her fists. The male who'd shown them to the inn panted behind her.

  "Great," Nova snarled, still trying to skewer the puppet while keeping a firm grip on Neiva. "Who invited these morons to the party?"

  The female Cliffhanger prepared to launch an attack, but a precise air punch caught her squarely in the stomach. She flew backward, landing hard on the ground, all breath knocked from her lungs. The male Cliffhanger rushed to her side.

  "Jess! You okay?" His voice trembled with concern.

  She pushed herself up slowly, gasping desperately for air. "I'm... not... done... with them..." Each word seemed to cost her enormous effort, her aura flickering unsteadily.

  Nova and Ashly assumed battle positions, Nova keeping Neiva close to prevent the pocket Red from attacking, while Ashly stood protectively in front of them.

  "This is precisely the scenario I calculated to avoid!" Lavvy hissed, his expensive coat now rumpled and dirty.

  The male Cliffhanger tugged anxiously at Jess's sleeve. "Maybe we should call for backup? These people look seriously dangerous..."

  "Don't be such a wuss, Marcus!" Jess snapped, electricity intensifying around her.

  Nova's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Should've listened to your friend." She created a metal javelin in one fluid motion and hurled it directly at Jess's heart.

  Jess closed her eyes instinctively, bracing for impact. A second passed. Then another. Confused, she opened her eyes to find the javelin's tip suspended mere inches from her chest, caught in a glowing orange gauntlet. Angelo stood before her, his face set in grim determination. Sol and Blue flanked him, ready for battle.

  "It's you..." Jess whispered, disbelief evident in her voice. "You actually saved me."

  "Get out of here," Angelo ordered, his eyes never leaving the twins and their captive. "These opponents are beyond your capabilities."

  "Angelo!" Neiva called out, her voice thick with emotion. Behind her, the pocket Red suddenly dropped to the ground, lifeless as a discarded toy.

  "Shut your mouth!" Nova yanked Neiva's arm roughly. She smirked at Angelo, then shifted her gaze to Sol. "Well, if it isn't the Angel of Death, rushing to save his little damsel in distress. And you brought your silver-haired pretty boy too? Ready for another hole in your chest to match the first one?" She pointed at her own chest with her thumb.

  Sol's playful smile didn't reach his eyes as he settled into a perfect kickboxer's stance, silver lightning dancing around his fists. "Nah, today's not about collecting scars. It's about settling debts."

  "Don't delude yourselves into thinking this encounter will mirror our previous clash," Ashly warned, her orange aura intensifying. "We've thoroughly analyzed your techniques."

  "On that point," Angelo's voice dropped to that dangerous quiet that made criminals tremble, "I can wholeheartedly agree."

  His evolved form materialized around him—flowing orange robes and a glowing halo as he rose several feet into the air. He extended his hand upward, catching Mercy's Edge as it was thrown to him from behind. The silver scythe gleamed dangerously against the cloudy sky.

  "Here's yours too, pretty boy!" Red landed with a dramatic flourish, handing Sol his crimson gauntlets.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Sol grinned as he slipped them on. "Thanks, Red. You're a lifesaver. Think I'll name these—how does 'Crimson Comets' sound?"

  Red bounced on his heels, his wild grin stretching impossibly wide. "Like they're about to deliver a world-class ass-kicking!"

  Ashly's confident expression faltered as she stared at Angelo's scythe. "That silver blade..." Recognition flashed in her eyes. "You've created permanent matter weapons in advance."

  "Just like the boss does..." Nova whispered, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

  Angelo raised Mercy's Edge, its silver surface catching what little light filtered through the clouds. "I'll be generous and say our last encounter doesn't count." He settled into a battle stance that promised pain. "Behold the instrument of judgment before you," Angelo's voice resonated with cold authority, the silver scythe gleaming like captured moonlight in his grip. "Beyond mercy's edge awaits only oblivion. The choice stands before you now—choose redemption, change your hearts and surrender... or strike against me and discover what happens when mercy has reached its limit."

  Nova and Ashly exchanged glances, hesitation written clearly across their faces. Behind them, Neiva closed her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.

  "Soon," she whispered to herself, "I'll be standing with you, side by side." And she took a deep breath.

  Her eyes snapped open, glowing neon blue as her aura flickered to life around her. Before Nova or Ashly could react, Neiva tore free from their grasp and sprinted toward Angelo.

  Everyone froze in shock—Nova and Ashly at Neiva's unexpected escape, and her friends at the sight of her glowing blue aura. But Neiva didn't care about any of that. She was safe in Angelo's arms, finally an Auron herself. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she hugged him fiercely, the blue light of her aura mingling with his orange glow.

  Nova's face twisted with fury as she saw Neiva in Angelo's arms. "You little...!" she shouted, flinging her arm forward. Dozens of metal blades shot toward them, riding on her sister's powerful gust of wind like deadly leaves in a storm.

  "Not happening!" Red leapt forward, crimson energy flowing from his hands.

  "If I may interject," Blue added, his perfect posture never faltering as azure energy poured from his palms.

  Together they created a wall of red and blue energy. The blades slammed against it, metal screeching as they fought to break through. The wall held firm, though cracks spread across its surface like spiderwebs.

  Behind this protective barrier, Angelo gently set Neiva on her feet. His usually stern face softened with genuine approval.

  "Not bad for your first time," he said, nodding at the blue glow surrounding her. "Keep that aura active—it'll protect you if things get messy. Stay back and watch how this is done."

  Neiva nodded eagerly, jumping backward with newfound grace. Her eyes widened as she landed several meters away without effort. "Whoa! This feels like unlocking a movement speed buff in real life!"

  The energy wall dissolved as Red and Blue prepared for battle. Angelo stepped forward, resting Mercy's Edge on his shoulder. The silver scythe caught what little sunlight filtered through the clouds, gleaming dangerously.

  "You've made your choice," he said, his voice cold as winter steel. "I hereby sentence you to death."

  With that final pronouncement, Angelo launched himself at Nova while Sol and Blue engaged Ashly. Red followed Angelo like a crimson shadow, their movements perfectly synchronized from years of fighting together. Lavvy was nowhere to be seen, having slipped away in the confusion.

  Nova charged to meet Angelo, metal blades spinning around her like deadly satellites. When they clashed against Mercy's Edge, the silver scythe sliced through them like they were made of paper. Surprise flashed across Nova's face as she backflipped away from Angelo's follow-up swing.

  Red was waiting for her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, crimson energy tendrils sprouting from his body to bind her tight.

  "Gotcha!" he cackled, his wild grin stretching ear to ear.

  Nova screamed in rage, metal spikes erupting from her entire body like a threatened porcupine. The spikes tore through Red's grip, but he'd anticipated this. His body dissolved into crimson smoke, flowing harmlessly around the spikes before streaming back toward Angelo.

  As Red rejoined him, Angelo swung his scythe in a perfect arc. The silver blade caught Nova across the ribs, cutting through her Auranium under-armor with relative ease.

  Nova's scream changed from anger to pain. She clutched her bleeding side and leapt away, landing atop a nearby roof. Thin sheets of metal spread across her wound, sealing it temporarily. Her chest heaved with labored breathing.

  Meanwhile, Sol was dancing around Ashly, his silver-wrapped fists leaving trails of crimson light with each punch. He moved with a boxer's precision, his footwork keeping him just out of reach of her counterattacks.

  "How's this for payback?" Sol laughed, landing a solid hit to her shoulder that made her stagger.

  Ashly still had the raw power advantage, but every time she wound up for a devastating blow, Blue would appear like a ghost beside her. His movements were so fluid they seemed to defy physics as he redirected her attacks, using her own momentum against her.

  When Ashly saw Nova bleeding on the rooftop, panic flashed across her face. She thrust both hands forward, unleashing a massive blast of wind that could have toppled trees. But her movements had become sloppy with emotion, telegraphing her intention.

  Sol sidestepped with casual grace, the wind blast ruffling his silver hair as it passed. Before Ashly could recover, he drove his fist straight into her face. The impact of silver darkness energy and crimson forged energy sent her flying backward into a wall hard enough to crack the bricks.

  Ashly shook her head, blood streaming from her nose. She spat a mouthful of red onto the ground before jumping up to join her sister on the rooftop.

  "We need to retreat," she said, wiping blood from her chin. "They're too coordinated—we're at a disadvantage." Her eyes darted around frantically. "Where's Lavvy?"

  Nova's face contorted with disdain. "Who cares about that useless tub of lard? Let's get out of here and regroup!"

  "You're not going anywhere," Angelo called out as he and his companions approached the building. The twins backed away, their expressions shifting from confidence to genuine concern.

  Suddenly, heavy grunting sounded from behind them. They turned to see Lavvy crawling onto the roof from the back side of the building, his expensive coat torn and dirty. He flopped onto his stomach, breathing heavily from the climb.

  "There you are!" Ashly exclaimed, relief evident in her voice. She turned to Nova. "Let's go!"

  Lavvy raised his head, a strange smile spreading across his face. "No need for that, girls. I've brought backup."

  The air seemed to grow heavier as shadows deepened around them. Angelo looked up, his expression shifting from determination to shock as a figure descended from the darkening sky.

  The newcomer landed on the roof beside Lavvy and the twins, his movements graceful despite his intimidating presence. He wore what looked like a cape made of living black fire—flames that didn't flicker but instead moved like thick tar. The cape stretched out on either side, shaped like massive clawed hands.

  Lavvy immediately dropped to one knee, his head bowed. "Please accept my humblest apologies, my liege. There was simply no other way." He glanced at the group below, smirking with confidence.

  The twins' demeanors changed instantly. Nova bounced over to the man, her earlier injuries seemingly forgotten as she traced circles on his chest with her finger.

  "Master!" she squealed in a voice so high-pitched and girlish it was almost unrecognizable. "They hurt me really bad! Make them pay, pretty please?"

  Ashly clung to his arm, suddenly looking shy and uncertain. "We tried our best to please you, but they were stronger than we expected." A blush crept across her cheeks as she pressed against him.

  The man surveyed the scene—Lavvy's disheveled appearance, Nova's sealed wound, Ashly's bloodied face. His expression hardened as he locked eyes with Angelo.

  "So we meet again, Angel of Death." His voice was deep and smooth, like smoke given sound. He shook his head as the twins continued fawning over him. "First you kill my brother, then you harm my allies. Your evil truly knows no bounds."

  Angelo's hands tightened around his scythe. "Dray of the Black Flames," he growled through clenched teeth. "You're calling me evil? That's rich, coming from a terrorist!"

  "So this is him..." Sol muttered, exchanging with a worried glance with Neiva.

  Dray ignored Angelo's outburst. "At the very least, I should give you my gratitude," he said, causing confused looks all around. "After our first encounter, I took inspiration from your evolved ability." He stretched his fiery wings wider. "Now I too have conquered the skies."

  Black flames began spreading across the rooftop beneath his feet, though they didn't seem to burn anything—yet. The twins stepped back, their expressions shifting to something like reverent anticipation.

  "I am no longer simply Dray of the Black Flames," he announced, his voice swelling with pride. "I have ascended. Now I am Dray the Hellflame Black Dragon!"

  The black fire cape flowed over his arms, hardening into gauntlets that looked both liquid and razor-sharp. The flames crawled up his neck and over his head, forming a dragon's skull made entirely of that strange, tar-like fire. A long, spiked tail of the same material grew from behind him, whipping through the air with dangerous intent.

  Angelo and his friends could only watch in horror as the transformation completed. What stood before them was no longer just a man, but something that straddled the line between human and monster—a nightmare given physical form.