The sand suddenly erupted.

  Flames exploded outward from William's body like a volcanic eruption, a pillar of crimson fire spiraling violently into the sky. The heat distorted the air, turning the battlefield into a shimmering haze. The ground beneath him cracked, glassing over where the sand melted from the sheer temperature.

  Everyone instinctively backed away.

  Even Kagetsu.

  For the first time since the fight began… he took a step back.

  The flames twisted higher, roaring like living creatures, until a figure slowly stepped out from the inferno.

  A boy.

  But not the same boy from before.

  William stood there, his shinobi-gi whipping in the violent heatstorm. His hair had turned a deep burning red, strands floating upward as if gravity itself had rejected him. Resting above his head was a crown of fire, flickering and shifting like living flames acknowledging their king.

  The fire didn't burn him.

  It bowed to him.

  His face was the same.

  But the expression…

  The smile creeping across it was not William's.

  It was sharp.

  Cruel.

  Amused.

  Like a devil who had just stepped out of hell and found the world far more entertaining than expected.

  He slowly looked around the battlefield.

  His eyes passed over Cameron…

  Maya…

  Jordan…

  Then they landed on Kagetsu.

  The smile widened.

  "So…" he said casually, rolling his neck as if warming up his body.

  "You're the one he told me to kill."

  His voice was deeper. Sharper. Almost playful.

  "You must've made him pretty mad if he came begging me for help."

  A quiet, menacing laugh escaped him.

  Kagetsu's grip tightened on his sword.

  "Do you think you're going to kill me?"

  The red-haired boy tilted his head slightly.

  "Oh…"

  He bent down and picked up William's sword from the sand.

  The metal instantly glowed red from the heat pouring through his hand.

  "I don't think."

  He slowly lifted the blade, pointing it lazily toward Kagetsu.

  "I know."

  And then—

  They moved.

  The clash was instant.

  Steel slammed against steel, sparks exploding between them like fireworks. Their swords collided again and again in blinding bursts of speed, the sound of metal cracking through the air like thunder.

  Kagetsu was fast.

  Blindingly fast.

  But something about this opponent was… wrong.

  The moment the rhythm of the battle started to settle—

  It shifted.

  Completely.

  Eclipse vanished.

  Not disappeared.

  Vanished.

  Kagetsu's eyes widened.

  Before he could even react—

  CRACK.

  A hand appeared in front of him and slapped him across the face so hard the sound echoed across the battlefield.

  Not a strike meant to injure.

  A strike meant to humiliate.

  A declaration of superiority.

  Kagetsu's body spun violently through the air before crashing headfirst into the sand, carving a trench through the ground.

  Eclipse stood where he had struck him, casually lowering his hand.

  "That's embarrassing," he said with a grin.

  Kagetsu pushed himself up, blood dripping from his lip.

  "Dark Dragon…"

  The air around him twisted.

  "Heed my call."

  Dark energy surged violently through his blade.

  "Black Spear!"

  A massive spear of condensed darkness exploded forward, tearing through the air like a missile of pure shadow.

  But Eclipse didn't move.

  The flames around him suddenly roared higher.

  The spear of darkness collided with the inferno—

  And the flames devoured it.

  Eclipse stepped forward.

  Straight through the attack.

  The sword in his hand cut through the remaining darkness like it was nothing but smoke.

  Then he appeared in front of Kagetsu again.

  Punch.

  His fist slammed into Kagetsu's stomach with the force of a cannon.

  The air exploded out of Kagetsu's lungs as his body folded around the impact.

  But Kagetsu reacted instantly.

  His blade erupted with dark energy, unleashing a violent slash of shadow.

  Eclipse leaned back slightly.

  The blade passed inches from his face.

  He sighed.

  Almost bored.

  "You're trying really hard."

  Then—

  He disappeared again.

  Kagetsu spun around in panic.

  Too late.

  Eclipse appeared directly behind him, leaning casually toward his ear.

  "How would you like to die?"

  The whisper froze Kagetsu's blood.

  For the first time…

  He stepped back in fear.

  Eclipse smiled.

  Then he leapt high into the air.

  Flames spiraled violently around his body as he pointed his sword downward.

  "Heed my call…"

  His voice echoed like a command to the world itself.

  "Red Dragon."

  The flames erupted violently around the blade.

  "Flame Vortex."

  A colossal spiral of fire exploded downward like a meteor, a tornado of blazing destruction tearing across the battlefield.

  The sand melted instantly.

  The air itself screamed under the heat.

  Kagetsu barely managed to dodge, rolling desperately out of the way—

  But the edge of the attack still struck his leg.

  The explosion sent him crashing to the ground.

  He tried to stand.

  His leg collapsed beneath him.

  Then he saw something that terrified him even more than the injury.

  Through the wall of fire—

  Eclipse was walking.

  Slowly.

  Casually.

  The flames wrapped around him like loyal servants.

  They didn't burn him.

  They welcomed him.

  Every step he took left a burning footprint in the sand.

  Kagetsu felt something he hadn't felt in years.

  Fear.

  Eclipse flexed his hand, examining it with mild curiosity.

  "Huh."

  He clenched his fist.

  "This body's stronger than the last time I used it."

  He looked down at Kagetsu.

  "I guess William's training paid off."

  Then he knelt down in front of him.

  Kagetsu tried one last desperate slash—

  Eclipse slapped the sword straight out of his hand.

  The blade spun across the battlefield.

  "Didn't I tell you," Eclipse said softly,

  "I'd make you taste dirt?"

  He grabbed Kagetsu by the head.

  And slammed it into the sand.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Three times.

  Four.

  Five.

  Again.

  Again.

  Again.

  Each impact echoed sickeningly across the battlefield as blood splattered into the sand.

  Everyone watching felt their stomachs twist.

  The sheer bloodlust pouring off Eclipse was suffocating.

  Cameron couldn't move.

  Maya looked horrified.

  Even Jordan felt a chill crawl down her spine.

  Only one person smiled.

  Kurohana.

  She loved it.

  But then—

  Eclipse looked up at her.

  Just one glance.

  And even she instinctively stepped back.

  That look in his eyes…

  It wasn't human.

  Kagetsu lay barely conscious, blood dripping from his face.

  Eclipse lifted his hand—

  Ready to finish it.

  "Shadow Vile Technique."

  Kurohana's voice cut through the battlefield.

  "Black Cloud."

  Darkness exploded across the area.

  A massive cloud of shadow swallowed everything.

  No one could see.

  Not even Eclipse.

  Then—

  The darkness vanished.

  Kurohana stood at the edge of the battlefield.

  Kagetsu slung over her shoulder.

  She waved lazily.

  "Alright, alright."

  "You guys win."

  She turned toward the portal.

  "But next time?"

  She glanced back with a grin.

  "He'll kill you."

  They disappeared through the portal.

  The battlefield fell silent.

  For a moment…

  Nothing happened.

  Then the air began to heat up again.

  Eclipse stood there, shaking with anger.

  The flames around him surged violently.

  The heat became unbearable.

  People struggled to breathe.

  Jordan stepped forward.

  "That's enough," she said firmly.

  "You won."

  Eclipse turned slowly toward her.

  His eyes were still burning.

  Jordan placed her hand on his arm.

  For a split second—

  Eclipse moved.

  His arm raised.

  Almost striking her.

  But then—

  His body froze.

  The flames flickered violently.

  William's eyes suddenly cleared.

  The red in his hair faded.

  The crown of fire vanished.

  His body swayed.

  Then he collapsed.

  Unconscious.

  His hair returned to normal.

  The flames disappeared.

  The battlefield went quiet again.

  Only one thing remained.

  Blood.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Still dripping from William's hands

  The sand suddenly erupted.

  Flames exploded outward from William's body like a volcanic eruption, a pillar of crimson fire spiraling violently into the sky. The heat distorted the air, turning the battlefield into a shimmering haze. The ground beneath him cracked, glassing over where the sand melted from the sheer temperature.

  Everyone instinctively backed away.

  Even Kagetsu.

  For the first time since the fight began… he took a step back.

  The flames twisted higher, roaring like living creatures, until a figure slowly stepped out from the inferno.

  A boy.

  But not the same boy from before.

  William stood there, his shinobi-gi whipping in the violent heatstorm. His hair had turned a deep burning red, strands floating upward as if gravity itself had rejected him. Resting above his head was a crown of fire, flickering and shifting like living flames acknowledging their king.

  The fire didn't burn him.

  It bowed to him.

  His face was the same.

  But the expression…

  The smile creeping across it was not William's.

  It was sharp.

  Cruel.

  Amused.

  Like a devil who had just stepped out of hell and found the world far more entertaining than expected.

  He slowly looked around the battlefield.

  His eyes passed over Cameron…

  Maya…

  Jordan…

  Then they landed on Kagetsu.

  The smile widened.

  "So…" he said casually, rolling his neck as if warming up his body.

  "You're the one he told me to kill."

  His voice was deeper. Sharper. Almost playful.

  "You must've made him pretty mad if he came begging me for help."

  A quiet, menacing laugh escaped him.

  Kagetsu's grip tightened on his sword.

  "Do you think you're going to kill me?"

  The red-haired boy tilted his head slightly.

  "Oh…"

  He bent down and picked up William's sword from the sand.

  The metal instantly glowed red from the heat pouring through his hand.

  "I don't think."

  He slowly lifted the blade, pointing it lazily toward Kagetsu.

  "I know."

  And then—

  They moved.

  The clash was instant.

  Steel slammed against steel, sparks exploding between them like fireworks. Their swords collided again and again in blinding bursts of speed, the sound of metal cracking through the air like thunder.

  Kagetsu was fast.

  Blindingly fast.

  But something about this opponent was… wrong.

  The moment the rhythm of the battle started to settle—

  It shifted.

  Completely.

  Eclipse vanished.

  Not disappeared.

  Vanished.

  Kagetsu's eyes widened.

  Before he could even react—

  CRACK.

  A hand appeared in front of him and slapped him across the face so hard the sound echoed across the battlefield.

  Not a strike meant to injure.

  A strike meant to humiliate.

  A declaration of superiority.

  Kagetsu's body spun violently through the air before crashing headfirst into the sand, carving a trench through the ground.

  Eclipse stood where he had struck him, casually lowering his hand.

  "That's embarrassing," he said with a grin.

  Kagetsu pushed himself up, blood dripping from his lip.

  "Dark Dragon…"

  The air around him twisted.

  "Heed my call."

  Dark energy surged violently through his blade.

  "Black Spear!"

  A massive spear of condensed darkness exploded forward, tearing through the air like a missile of pure shadow.

  But Eclipse didn't move.

  The flames around him suddenly roared higher.

  The spear of darkness collided with the inferno—

  And the flames devoured it.

  Eclipse stepped forward.

  Straight through the attack.

  The sword in his hand cut through the remaining darkness like it was nothing but smoke.

  Then he appeared in front of Kagetsu again.

  Punch.

  His fist slammed into Kagetsu's stomach with the force of a cannon.

  The air exploded out of Kagetsu's lungs as his body folded around the impact.

  But Kagetsu reacted instantly.

  His blade erupted with dark energy, unleashing a violent slash of shadow.

  Eclipse leaned back slightly.

  The blade passed inches from his face.

  He sighed.

  Almost bored.

  "You're trying really hard."

  Then—

  He disappeared again.

  Kagetsu spun around in panic.

  Too late.

  Eclipse appeared directly behind him, leaning casually toward his ear.

  "How would you like to die?"

  The whisper froze Kagetsu's blood.

  For the first time…

  He stepped back in fear.

  Eclipse smiled.

  Then he leapt high into the air.

  Flames spiraled violently around his body as he pointed his sword downward.

  "Heed my call…"

  His voice echoed like a command to the world itself.

  "Red Dragon."

  The flames erupted violently around the blade.

  "Flame Vortex."

  A colossal spiral of fire exploded downward like a meteor, a tornado of blazing destruction tearing across the battlefield.

  The sand melted instantly.

  The air itself screamed under the heat.

  Kagetsu barely managed to dodge, rolling desperately out of the way—

  But the edge of the attack still struck his leg.

  The explosion sent him crashing to the ground.

  He tried to stand.

  His leg collapsed beneath him.

  Then he saw something that terrified him even more than the injury.

  Through the wall of fire—

  Eclipse was walking.

  Slowly.

  Casually.

  The flames wrapped around him like loyal servants.

  They didn't burn him.

  They welcomed him.

  Every step he took left a burning footprint in the sand.

  Kagetsu felt something he hadn't felt in years.

  Fear.

  Eclipse flexed his hand, examining it with mild curiosity.

  "Huh."

  He clenched his fist.

  "This body's stronger than the last time I used it."

  He looked down at Kagetsu.

  "I guess William's training paid off."

  Then he knelt down in front of him.

  Kagetsu tried one last desperate slash—

  Eclipse slapped the sword straight out of his hand.

  The blade spun across the battlefield.

  "Didn't I tell you," Eclipse said softly,

  "I'd make you taste dirt?"

  He grabbed Kagetsu by the head.

  And slammed it into the sand.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Three times.

  Four.

  Five.

  Again.

  Again.

  Again.

  Each impact echoed sickeningly across the battlefield as blood splattered into the sand.

  Everyone watching felt their stomachs twist.

  The sheer bloodlust pouring off Eclipse was suffocating.

  Cameron couldn't move.

  Maya looked horrified.

  Even Jordan felt a chill crawl down her spine.

  Only one person smiled.

  Kurohana.

  She loved it.

  But then—

  Eclipse looked up at her.

  Just one glance.

  And even she instinctively stepped back.

  That look in his eyes…

  It wasn't human.

  Kagetsu lay barely conscious, blood dripping from his face.

  Eclipse lifted his hand—

  Ready to finish it.

  "Shadow Vile Technique."

  Kurohana's voice cut through the battlefield.

  "Black Cloud."

  Darkness exploded across the area.

  A massive cloud of shadow swallowed everything.

  No one could see.

  Not even Eclipse.

  Then—

  The darkness vanished.

  Kurohana stood at the edge of the battlefield.

  Kagetsu slung over her shoulder.

  She waved lazily.

  "Alright, alright."

  "You guys win."

  She turned toward the portal.

  "But next time?"

  She glanced back with a grin.

  "He'll kill you."

  They disappeared through the portal.

  The battlefield fell silent.

  For a moment…

  Nothing happened.

  Then the air began to heat up again.

  Eclipse stood there, shaking with anger.

  The flames around him surged violently.

  The heat became unbearable.

  People struggled to breathe.

  Jordan stepped forward.

  "That's enough," she said firmly.

  "You won."

  Eclipse turned slowly toward her.

  His eyes were still burning.

  Jordan placed her hand on his arm.

  For a split second—

  Eclipse moved.

  His arm raised.

  Almost striking her.

  But then—

  His body froze.

  The flames flickered violently.

  William's eyes suddenly cleared.

  The red in his hair faded.

  The crown of fire vanished.

  His body swayed.

  Then he collapsed.

  Unconscious.

  His hair returned to normal.

  The flames disappeared.

  The battlefield went quiet again.

  Only one thing remained.

  Blood.

  Still dripping from William's hands