“Move!” Light shouted, grabbing Ace and pulling him out of the hammer’s path just in time.

Mark vaulted to the side, his body a blur of motion as his Etherea flared to life. He spun mid-air, using the momentum to launch a powerful kick aimed at Zarek’s shoulder.

“Take this!” Mark yelled, his foot glowing faintly with kinetic energy.

The kick connected, sending a shockwave rippling through Zarek’s body. The smuggler staggered back, his hammer slipping slightly from his grip.

Zarek growled, his amber eyes narrowing as he turned his attention to Mark. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, kid.”

Mark landed gracefully, a cocky grin spreading across his face. “Yeah, and I’ve got the kicks to back it up.”

Zarek swung his hammer in a wide arc, the sheer force of it toppling crates and shaking the ground. Mark ducked under the swing, his movements fluid and precise. He pivoted on one foot, delivering a spinning back kick to Zarek’s ribs.

The kinetic energy from Mark’s Etherea exploded on impact, sending Zarek skidding back a few feet.

“You’re not as tough as you look,” Mark taunted, landing in a defensive stance.

Zarek smirked, rubbing his side. “Oh, I’m just getting started.”

He slammed his mechanical arm into the ground, summoning a wall of jagged stone spikes that shot toward Mark.

Mark leapt into the air, twisting his body as the spikes erupted beneath him. He planted his foot on one of the spikes, using it as a springboard to launch himself higher. From above, he aimed a downward kick at Zarek’s head.

The smuggler raised his hammer just in time to block the attack, the force of the collision creating a shockwave that rattled the room.

While Mark kept Zarek occupied, Riya melted into the shadows, her Phantom Requiem ability allowing her to disappear from sight. She reappeared behind Zarek, her dual laser guns already aimed at his unprotected back.

“Let’s see you block this,” she muttered, firing a rapid volley.

The shots struck true, burning through Zarek’s barrier and leaving scorch marks on his mechanical arm.

Zarek roared in frustration, twisting around to swipe at her with his hammer. But Riya was already gone, slipping back into the darkness.

“You’re quick,” Zarek admitted, his voice laced with annoyance. “But you can’t hide forever.”

Light observed the fight carefully, his Astral Awareness allowing him to track Zarek’s movements. He focused his energy, summoning a faint golden shield as he darted forward.

“Riya, cover me!” he called out.

Riya emerged from the shadows, firing another volley to distract Zarek. The smuggler growled, raising his hammer to block the shots, leaving his side exposed.

Light seized the opening, closing the distance in an instant. His dagger shimmered with cosmic energy as he slashed at Zarek’s side, the blade cutting through the smuggler’s defenses and leaving a glowing wound.

Zarek grunted, stumbling slightly. He turned to face Light, his eyes burning with rage. “You’ll pay for that!”

He swung his hammer in a wide arc, forcing Light to retreat.

From a safe distance, Ace shuffled his deck of cards, a mischievous grin on his face. “Let’s see if luck’s on our side.”

He flicked a card into the air, and it shimmered with a faint golden light as it descended. The card landed near Zarek’s feet, triggering a small explosion that threw the smuggler off balance.

Zarek snarled, his barrier flickering as he steadied himself.

“Not bad,” Ace said, smirking. “But I think we can do better.”

The warehouse shook as Zarek unleashed his power. Slamming both fists into the ground, he summoned a massive shockwave that sent everyone flying. Stone pillars erupted from the floor, creating a maze of jagged rocks that separated the team.

“You think you can take me down?” Zarek roared, his voice echoing through the room. “I’ve faced armies! You’re nothing but insects!”

He charged toward Mark, his hammer glowing with earthen energy. Mark dodged to the side, but the sheer force of the swing sent him tumbling.

Riya fired from a distance, but Zarek deflected the shots with his hammer, advancing toward her with relentless determination.

Light struggled to his feet, his mind racing. “We need to regroup!”

Zarek slammed his hammer into the ground, creating a massive fissure that split the floor beneath the team. Dust and debris filled the air as the warehouse began to collapse around them.

Light, bruised and bleeding, stood his ground, his teal eyes glowing faintly. He clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest.

Zarek turned to face him, his grin wicked. “You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. But this ends now.”

Zarek lunges at Light with his hammer raised, the warehouse trembling...