Light, standing at the forefront, tightened his grip on his dagger. His teal eyes flickered faintly as Astral Awareness tried to predict Zarek’s next move. Behind him, the team braced themselves, their injuries mounting but their resolve steadfast.

“You’ve lasted longer than I expected,” Zarek growled, his voice reverberating like a distant quake. “But it’s time I put you all in your place.”

Light’s voice was calm but firm. “We’re not backing down.”

Zarek raised both hands, and the massive pillar split into several smaller shards, each one glowing faintly with his Etherea. With a flick of his wrist, the shards shot toward the team like meteors.

“Earthly Dominion!” Zarek roared, his voice carrying the weight of his power.

Mark, despite his bruises, leapt forward. His legs glowed with kinetic energy as he spun mid-air.

“Kinetic Barrage Kick!” he shouted, unleashing a flurry of rapid kicks that deflected some of the shards. The impact sent shockwaves through the warehouse, but Mark’s movements slowed as exhaustion took its toll.

Swen manipulated her weight, her massive blade cutting through several shards with precision. “Stone Splitter!” she yelled, her blade glowing faintly as she cleaved through the onslaught.

Zane stepped up, his flaming gauntlets roaring to life. “Inferno Surge!” he cried, creating a wall of fire that incinerated some of the shards, but Zarek’s relentless attack forced him to retreat, the flames dimming as his strength waned.

Riya emerged from the shadows, her laser guns targeting Zarek’s knees. “Phantom Barrage!” she shouted, her precise shots finding their mark. But Zarek’s Etherea shield absorbed the blows, and with a single gesture, he sent a wave of jagged earth crashing into her.

Riya hit the ground hard, coughing as debris scattered around her. “Damn it…” she muttered, struggling to stand.

Mark tried to cover her, but Zarek’s massive fist collided with his torso, sending him sprawling. “That… all you got?” Mark groaned, coughing up blood.

Swen and Zane attempted another coordinated strike, but Zarek’s “Quake Rend” sent them both flying into the wreckage.

One by one, the team fell, their bodies battered and broken.

Light stepped forward, his body radiating a faint golden glow as he tapped into his Cosmic Dominion. He extended his hand, summoning a swirling mix of fire and wind, each element swirling in perfect harmony.

“Elemental Fury!” he cried, thrusting his hand forward. The vortex tore through the air, a tempest of searing flames and slicing gusts aimed directly at Zarek.

The attack collided with Zarek’s Etherea, the impact shaking the entire warehouse. Flames licked the walls, and wind howled through the debris-filled air. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though Zarek had been overpowered.

As the smoke cleared, however, Zarek emerged unscathed, his aura pulsing more fiercely than ever. His amber eyes gleamed with malice, his expression one of grim satisfaction. “Impressive. But not enough.”

With a guttural roar, Zarek slammed his hand into the ground. The floor beneath him erupted, and from the earth rose a massive, jagged spike of rock, its edges glowing faintly with his Etherea. In a split second, the spike shot forward, its aim unerring.

Light’s eyes widened as the spike tore into his side, narrowly missing his vital organs but sending a shockwave of pain through his body. It poured from the wound, staining his clothes and pooling on the ground beneath him.

He gasped, the breath knocked out of him as he fell to his knees. His hand trembled, his dagger slipping from his grasp and clattering onto the ground. The blade shattered on impact, fragments scattering across the floor.

Zarek stood tall, towering over Light with a menacing grin. “You’re resilient, I’ll give you that. But resilience won’t save you now.”

Light's vision blurred as he struggled to stay conscious, his mind racing even as his body faltering.

“No!” Ace shouted, his voice filled with desperation.

The normally carefree gambler launched himself at Zarek, his deck of cards glowing with energy. “Royal Flush!” he yelled, throwing a flurry of glowing cards at Zarek.

The cards exploded on impact, momentarily staggering Zarek. But the smuggler recovered quickly, catching Ace mid-air and driving his fist into his chest.

Ace flew backward, crashing into a pile of debris. He coughed violently, blood staining his clothes.

“You’re just a nuisance,” Zarek growled, turning back to Light.

Zarek loomed over Light, his voice dripping with disdain. “This is the end, boy. You put up a good fight, but you’re no match for me.”

Light coughed, struggling to his feet despite the earth spike still embedded in his side. His teal eyes burned with a newfound determination.

“You don’t… decide when it ends,” Light said, his voice low but steady.

Zarek laughed, raising his fist for the final blow. But as he swung, Light’s body erupted with golden light.

The earth spike disintegrated as Light grabbed it and pulled it free with a defiant roar. His aura surged, his Cosmic Dominion flaring to life.

“You wanted to see my strength?” Light said, his voice steady and filled with resolve. “Then take a good look.”

The chapter ends with Light standing tall, his golden aura illuminating the battlefield, as Zarek takes a step back for the first time.