Behind Light, Ace leaned against the rubble, his breath shallow and labored. Blood streaked his face, his movements slow and feeble as he struggled to rise.

“You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?” Zarek growled, his voice a mixture of disdain and grudging respect. “But you’re all alone now. Your friends can’t save you,Let me show you why they call me The Apex Butcher”.

Light glanced at Ace, his fists clenched. “They don’t need to save me,” he said, his voice low but filled with resolve. “I’m the one who’s going to stop you.”

Zarek smirked, raising his arm as the ground trembled beneath him. Massive spikes of earth erupted from the ground, each one aimed directly at Light.

“Earth’s Fury!” Zarek roared, unleashing a wave of jagged spikes that tore through the battlefield.

Light moved with precision, his Astral Awareness guiding him as he dodged and deflected the incoming attacks. A spike grazed his arm, tearing his shirt, but he didn’t falter.

With a burst of energy, Light countered. “Elemental Surge!” he shouted, summoning a torrent of wind and fire that engulfed the spikes, reducing them to molten fragments.

The explosion of elements lit up the battlefield, temporarily blinding Zarek. Seizing the opportunity, Light surged forward, his fists glowing with energy as he launched a flurry of punches.

“Cosmic Barrage!”

Each strike landed with resounding force, the energy rippling through Zarek’s body. The smuggler staggered but retaliated with a vicious swing of his massive fist, enhanced by his Etherea.

Light dodged, the force of the attack grazing his shoulder and sending him spinning back.

From behind the rubble, Ace stirred, his movements shaky but filled with determination. His bloodied hand reached for his deck of cards, pulling one with trembling fingers.

“Light…” Ace rasped, his voice weak but instant.

Zarek turned his head slightly, catching sight of Ace out of the corner of his eye. “You’re still alive? Pathetic.”

Ignoring the taunt, Ace summoned every ounce of strength he had left, infusing the card with his Etherea. “This is for my friends,” he said, his voice cracking as he hurled the card.

The glowing card spiraled through the air, its energy amplifying as it closed in on Zarek. The impact erupted into a blinding flash, momentarily staggering the smuggler.

“Ace, no!” Light shouted, his heart aching as he saw Ace collapse back into the rubble, his body limp.

Zarek growled, brushing off the attack as he advanced on Ace. “Enough of these distractions!”

With a burst of speed, Light charged forward, his fists glowing as he launched himself at Zarek. The two clashed in a flurry of blows, each strike shaking the ground beneath them.

Zarek laughed, his strength seemingly endless. “You’re tenacious, I’ll give you that. But you’re still weak!”

He summoned a massive spike of earth, driving it into Light’s side once again.

Light gasped, blood spilling from his lips as the spike pierced through him. His legs buckled, and he fell to his knees.

“This is where you die,” Zarek said coldly, raising his hand for the finishing blow.