The earth was splitting under his feet. The sky turned crimson as the Beast and the Black Herald faced each other. Ryuusei, barely conscious, forced himself to his feet as he watched the titans fight.

The Beast, an aberration of teeth and sharp claws, roared with primal fury. Its size outshone the Herald, but the shadow of the black sword was undeterred. With a fluid motion, the Black Herald disappeared and reappeared behind the Beast, his sword descending with the precision of death itself.

A deep slash tore through the creature's skin, but instead of backing down, the Beast spun and counterattacked with superhuman speed. Its claw struck the Herald's torso, throwing him into a mountain, which completely crumbled.

"You're more annoying than you look," the Herald growled, rising from the rubble.

The Beast did not respond with words, but with another ferocious onslaught. The Herald narrowly evaded, sliding his sword to cut off the creature's arm. The limb flew into the air, but, with a grotesque roar, the Beast immediately regenerated its flesh.

"Tch... You're a nuisance pest.

The fighting intensified. Each clash between them created devastating waves of energy, sweeping through the terrain and claiming the lives of hundreds of players. The Herald's speed allowed him to slash the Beast in dozens of places, but the creature regenerated as if every wound was insignificant. The Herald was beginning to get frustrated.

And then it happened.

The Beast, in an unexpected move, caught the Herald's sword with one of its claws, and with the other, tore off the dark knight's helmet with a single blow.

The Herald staggered. For the first time, his face was exposed: pale and cadaverous, with sunken eyes and an expression of disbelief.

"Tch... He muttered, but before he could react, Ryususei teleported behind him.

He grabbed his two hammers and lowered them with all the force he could.

"Die!" Ryuusei roared, propelling the hammers with all his weight.

The impact was brutal. The spikes of the hammers pierced the Black Herald's skull, shattering it with a ghastly crack. Blood gushed out in an inhuman stream as the Herald's body shook violently, his eyes open in a mixture of shock and agony. Ryuusei felt the vibration of the blow run through his arms, but he didn't stop until he was sure that the skull was completely shattered.

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

Ryuusei roared over and over again.

The Black Herald fell to his knees. His sword slipped from his hands and his body collapsed on the ground lifeless.

Ryuusei, panting, grabbed the Herald's sword on the sly. She felt an unusual power within her.

Absolute silence.

His heart was pounding violently in his chest. He staggered, but forced himself to stand. He had won... if it could be called victory. All the work had been done by the Beast, but the danger was not over yet.

Far away, on a throne of bones, a hooded figure watched the scene.

"One less," whispered Death with utter indifference.

Around him, dozens, hundreds of dark figures waited in silence. Heralds, identical to the one who had fallen.

"It doesn't matter," Death said coldly. There is always more.

Ryuusei didn't have time to think about it. There was still an enemy to be defeated.

He gritted his teeth, wiped the blood from his face, and teleported away.

The final fight awaited him.

The Beast must die.