Chapter 28: The Whisper of Destruction

After returning to the past, Shion, Lilyan, and Albert decided to let the timeline proceed as it was supposed to toward Nazaria. They didn't want to risk creating a worse time distortion. However, upon approaching the city, the three of them found a purplish energy dome had encased all of Nazaria, shimmering with powerful magic. They couldn't get in.

"Damn it! What is she planning? To cage the city like this?" Shion growled, trying to sense the magical power behind the dome.

Suddenly, they felt Sylvie's aura vanish from around the city. As if knowing where she had gone, the three of them immediately rushed toward the city's outskirts, to the area where Alex and his grandmother lived.

Visual: The city of Nazaria is seen from a distance, covered by a pulsating purplish energy dome. Shion, Lilyan, and Albert stand outside the dome's boundary, looking worried.

Alex, sensing the presence of the person he hated most, immediately ran out of his house. Standing in front of his gate was Seraphine, but her aura was cold and threatening.

"So the prophecy was true. You've come back," Alex said, his hand already gripping his sword's hilt, ready to fight.

"Give up, my prince. You're not a worthy opponent for me," Sylvie replied, her voice holding a mocking yet slightly seductive tone. Suddenly, her form changed back into Seraphine, with wavy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "I thought this form would be more pleasant for you to look at, wouldn't it, my prince?" A thin, mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

Visual: Alex stands in front of his house, tense with his sword in hand. In front of him, Sylvie changes from her true form into Seraphine, a cunning smile on her face.

"To me, you're all the same," Alex hissed, his eyes filled with rage. "No matter how beautiful you are, I still can't forgive you for taking Diego's life." Without waiting, Alex drew his gleaming sword and activated his Victory Form magic. Instantly, he was clad in gray armor with a red cape billowing behind him, and a platinum sword extended in his hand.

Visual: Alex in Victory Form, radiating an aura of power and determination. His platinum sword glows under the now-cloudy sky.

The fierce battle began. Sylvie returned to her true form, with her silver hair and terrifying red eyes. Meanwhile, Shion, Lilyan, and Albert were still trying to break through the magical barrier around the city. Suddenly, an incredible sonic boom shook the atmosphere, coming from the west. The magical dome instantly cracked and shattered into pieces.

Sound: A deafening sonic boom, followed by the sound of cracking magic.

In the western sky, a black figure was seen shooting forward at full speed, leaving a trail of dark energy behind it. It was Leon, but his aura was different—darker and more threatening.

"Mr. Leon?" Lilyan whispered, her eyes wide as she saw the figure.

"Lily, forget Leonix," Shion said in a serious tone. "He's not himself anymore. We have to stop them from fighting, no matter what."

Below, Alex activated his Victory Slash Mach magic, a series of rapid slashes that managed to slightly wound Sylvie's arm. She staggered back, turning into Seraphine once more, and looked at Alex with teary eyes.

"Alex... is that really you?" Seraphine whimpered, her voice full of feigned desperation.

At that moment, a dark sword nearly slashed Alex's back from behind. Fortunately, his instincts were sharp, and he managed to dodge. Just then, Shion, Lilyan, and Albert arrived. A sword imbued with black lightning separated Alex and "Seraphine." From behind the flash of lightning, Leon appeared. His figure was now taller, his aura pitch black, his eyes glowed red, and his hair was almost completely white. This was Dark Leon.

Visual: Dark Leon lands with a dark aura surrounding him. His eyes glow red, staring at Sylvie with pure rage. The sword in his hand crackles with black lightning energy.

"I finally found you, you damned Goddess!" Leon roared, his voice deep and trembling as if it wasn't his own.

"Oh? A black dragon, are you? It's been a long time," Sylvie replied, standing up with a smirk on her face. "I thought you and your kind were all truly dead hundreds of years ago."

"You insolent wretch! Watch your tongue!" Dark Leon roared, the dark energy around him intensifying. "If it weren't for you, my family might still be alive! And because of you, they're gone now! Feel the wrath of the Ancient Dragon!"

The battle between Dark Leon and Sylvie was inevitable. Leon's dark power clashed with Sylvie's destruction magic, creating shockwaves that shook the ground. Meanwhile, from the sky, two threatening figures descended: Lucifer and Daemos.

"Well, well, it seems the party is over. We've arrived late," Daemos said with a mocking tone, seeing the destruction around them.

"On the contrary, the party is just about to begin," Lucifer countered, his eyes instantly locking onto Lilyan. He moved quickly to capture the girl, but his speed was matched by Sylvie, who suddenly attacked the two Demon Generals brutally.

"You bastards! How dare you interrupt a lover's reunion!" Sylvie growled, attacking without mercy.

This was Lilyan's chance. She quickly pulled Alex's grandmother away from the battlefield, seeking a safe place. Shion, who was about to help Sylvie, was stopped by Albert.

"Let them fight!" Albert said, his eyes intently watching Leon and Sylvie, as if he knew something was about to happen.

In a nearby valley, Dark Leon was out of breath. His energy was not yet fully under control. He was thrown back by Sylvie's attack and lay weak. But at the same time, an ancient power from within him, the black dragon's magic, began to merge with him.

Visual: Dark Leon lies in the valley, surrounded by a pulsating black aura. Suddenly, a dense black light envelops him.

"Dragon Howling Thunder Breaster!" Leon roared in his mind.

The black armor that protected him began to merge with dragon scales, becoming stronger and more durable. The Orb Calibur Magnificient sword hanging at his side glowed brightly, changing to a platinum and gold color. Leon's eyes changed completely into a dragon's, glowing red with vertical pupils, and his teeth slightly extended, forming fangs.

Visual: The epic transformation of Dark Surgery Leon begins. His black armor merges with dragon scales, his sword shines platinum and gold, and his eyes become terrifying dragon eyes.

With a powerful roar, Dark Surgery Leon flew into the sky at full speed, leaving a trail of black lightning behind him. Instantly, he slammed into the battlefield where Sylvie was fighting Lucifer and Daemos. The impact of his landing created a devastating shockwave that sent everyone at the location flying.

Sound: A dragon's earth-shattering roar, followed by a massive energy explosion.

Shion felt a terrifying aura, an aura she had never felt before. For the first time, she felt true fear. Dark Surgery Leon had arrived.