Holy is the thingon its slow dance across the night,all chalk-faced and beaming,filling the ... [+]
Maxien charges ahead, knuckles stretching his skin to the edge, aimed towards the King of the planet. He has had enough of his rules. The punishment. The control. This was inevitable, the day Maxien was born the King knew he'd be trouble. Nine years later... The day had come.
Maxien leaps high, fists blazing with blue lightning. "This is it, old man! Today's the day I end you!"
King Reign stands unfazed. "Hmm... where have I heard that before?"
Maxien grins, forcing his fists together as the energy resists him.
Reign sighs. "Incredible. I can't believe you control such power at your age," he says, smiling as he drops into stance. "Give me all you've got."
With a sharp cry, Maxien unleashes the lightning. "Here goes—Thunder Fists!"
The world shudders as the Thunder Fists rip through the air, blue energy slamming into the King's chest in a burst of heat. Maxien lands, breathing hard, a smile on his lips. "That'll show you," he murmurs.
"I'll admit," calls a voice through the fading smoke—King Reign's. "That was impressive. It would've killed anyone else... except me."
Lightning crackles around his fist, ready to strike.
Maxien can't move. He braces himself—it's only fair, he thinks.
"You're brave, boy," Reign says, charging forward, lightning flashing from his hand.
Facing King Reign's full power, Maxien stands tall. His eyes follow the glowing fist as it nears, burning brighter with every inch. Their gazes meet—Reign hesitates.
Thunder claps. The grasslands burn behind Maxien, yet he stands unharmed.
"You're incredible, my boy," the King says, lowering his fist to embrace him. "I'm proud of you, Max."
Reign kneels, resting a hand on Maxien's shoulder. "One day you'll rule Salva. This world and its people will be your-"
"Father..." Maxien whispers. "I want to explore the stars. I don't want your throne."
Reign rises, turning away. "You can't leave this planet. It isn't safe."
"That's all you ever say, but you never tell me why!"
Maxien lunges, grabbing his father's arm. "Why keep me trapped on this damned planet?"
Reign tears free, lightning flashing as his fist slams into Maxien's face, sending him crashing down.
The ground splits as Maxien bursts up, swinging a kick. "I hate you!"
Reign sidesteps, grabs his leg, and slams him back down. "You don't need that burden, boy."
Maxien staggers to his feet, tears burning his eyes.
Reign reaches out, breath catching before he exhales, shoulders sinking—
the perfect moment for the assassin in the trees to strike.
The world freezes as Reign's eyes widen. He catches a flicker of light and snaps his head up—
a shadowed figure is inches away, a knife aimed at Maxien's throat.
Maxien blinks through tears, vision blurred. As reality sharpens, he sees a man in black and a knife rushing toward him. He throws up his arms to block.
Thunder claps.
Maxien opens his eyes slowly. His father now stands where the man once was. Reign's gaze locks on the smoke rising in the distance—where the attacker was sent by his thunderous fist.
Reign kneels down. "You okay?" he asks Maxien.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Maxien replies. "Who was that?"
"Max... I'm sorry," Reign says softly.
Before Maxien can respond, Reign strikes him, knocking him unconscious.
The smoke thickens. Reign scans the chaos, spots a pile of rocks, and carries his son there. He lays Maxien down gently, pulling him close in a brief embrace before standing to face the storm.
Thunder claps. Reign appears and vanishes, locked in a face-off with the unknown foe.
After several clashes, the attacker steps back, letting the dust settle. Reign does the same, catching his breath.
As the haze clears, Reign meets the attacker's gaze. "You are... him, aren't you?" he asks.
"You know who I am?" the attacker replies with his own question.
"Yes. I know who — and what — you are."
The attacker laughs, "Please, do not keep us in suspense, who am I?"
Reign swallows hard. "You're the one murdering my kind, hunting us one by one. The Angel in Black."
"My name is Armin King, and yes — I'm on a hunt. But I am no angel."
Armin takes a deep breath, "I've heard about you too, Reign. I hear you wield unimaginable power."
Reign smiles as he rolls his shoulders back. "Now where'd you hear such a thing?" he asks, widening his stance.
"I know several of your friends," Armin says, glancing down at his hands. "I pulled a few of their spines out."
Reign clenches his fists, sparks dancing across his knuckles. The ground sinks as dark clouds gather. His body glows—lightning erupts, tearing the world apart. He trembles, struggling to contain the energy. Muscles tighten, head bowed, arms drawn back. Then, with a blinding roar, he releases it—shockwaves ripping through the air.
Armin stands unfazed, arms crossed as the shockwave rips past him. Smoke leaks from Armin's body as he stands firm, eyes locked ahead. The ground trembles. A flash of orange flares from his chest—then engulfs him in fire. He roars, fists clenched, the blaze erupting into a shockwave. The orange turns blue, then purple, each burst ripping the air apart. One final surge—his aura burns black.
As Armin's aura settles, Reign bolts forward, hand like a blade aimed at his chest. Armin deflects with his left, pushing it aside. Reign drives a knee into Armin's head, sending him flying. He lunges to follow with a Thunder Fist—but Armin flips back, vanishing and reappearing in front of him, smashing an elbow into Reign's face.
They trade blows at light speed. Reign bears every wound, his breath ragged, while Armin stands flawless—untouched, as if the fight never happened.
"You've never faced anyone stronger than you, and it shows," Armin says flatly, reaching under his coat to unsheath a black sword. "Your son will suffer the same fate if he lives by your rules."
Blood runs down Reign's face. He gasps, "You won't kill him?"
Armin tilts his head, voice dry. "You're the only one they specified."
Reign blinks through tears, a small smile breaking through. "I understand, thank you, Armin."
Reign inhales deeply. As he exhales, his power floods back at once—so massive even Armin flinches, the shockwaves cutting his face. "Tell Max to go explore the stars and never look back!"
Cuts heal across Armin's face, black flames wrapping him as he smiles and steadies himself. Lightning strikes, thunder roars. "So this is your all? Not bad, let me show you mine!"
Armin lifts his right hand, index finger pointed skyward. A blue spark races from his chest up his arm. Lightning strikes—connecting directly with him. He roars as white light engulfs his body. When it fades, his black flames twist into black lightning pouring from his pores.
Reign bellows, channeling his power into his fists. The energy turns black at the core, radiating violently and crushing the ground around him. He fires—Thunder Fists unleashed.
Armin sprints through the blast, dodging by inches, and flashes past Reign, leaving him exposed in the chaos.
Silence. Reign stands frozen, his aura gone.
Armin slowly sheathes his sword with his left hand—his right clutching a still-beating heart. When the blade locks in place, Reign collapses to his knees, then his chest.
Armin never looks back. He slips the heart into a jar as Maxien wakes, frozen in silence—staring at the man who ended his world.
Maxien erupts in rage, a dark aura blasting out in waves. Armin dodges, eyes sharp as Maxien charges.
He waits, ducks low, and drives his shoulder into Maxien's gut—dropping him as the aura fades.
"You want to kill me?" Armin says, meeting his eyes. "Then come find me when you're ready."