Chapter 86:

Chapter 86: Shards of Power

GODS: Chapter of Dark Light - In a world ruled by the gods, I, the chosen one, will start a dark revolution.

Sometimes, the true abyss isn’t found in the enemy before us,
but in the broken gaze that stares back from our reflection.

Power—that seductive word, as feared as it is desired—
wears many masks.
Sometimes it comes as a gift.
Other times, as a curse.
And there are moments when it simply imposes itself,
without asking permission, demanding a price one isn’t yet ready to pay.

What truly defines a powerful being?
Their strength?
Their origin?
The fear they inspire?
Or perhaps… the weight of what they choose to protect?

Many believe that power corrupts—
but some discover that the real poison isn’t in possessing it…
it’s in fearing to use it.

Because there are wounds that don’t come from the body,
but from the silences we never screamed,
and the hands we failed to save.

And yet, even in the darkest pain,
a spark can still be born.
A fragment.
A decision.

Power doesn’t make us heroes or monsters.
We decide what it becomes.

And when everything collapses—
when nothing remains but rubble and scars—
sometimes, one single step forward is enough
to turn fear into fire, and guilt… into purpose.

——————————————————————————————————————————

A sharp whistle cut through the air.
The world seemed to stop for a second—
just before a shard of rock pierced through Edén’s chest.

There was no scream.
Only a thick silence,
as if even pain refused to manifest itself.

With his eyes lost somewhere in the distance,
Edén wasn’t thinking about his wound…
but about everything he had already lost—
and everything he had yet to protect.

—Damn it… —he thought, feeling his blood begin to stain the earth.— Am I really this weak?
At this rate… I won’t be able to protect anyone.

Just like before…

His mind was dragged into the past.
Memories cut like blades.

Gen, Shu, Yuki, Isaac, Iss…
All of them, in one way or another, had suffered because of him.
Because of his power.
Because of his inability to control it.

—One after another… I failed.

But just as the darkness threatened to consume him,
an image appeared in his mind—
all of them, smiling by his side.

Not as victims.
But as companions.
As those who still believed in him.

—Yeah… —he whispered to himself.— They’re still here. Beside me.
And they’ve trusted me.

The ground began to tremble,
as if responding to the decision taking shape within him.

—So that’s what you meant, Takahashi… —he closed his eyes for a moment.— I always thought I had to hold back. That if I released my power… I’d hurt them.
But I was wrong.

The only way to protect them…
is by mastering it.

Before him, emerging from the shadows, a familiar figure rose.

—It’s been a while… Vorathrax.

The ancient beast stared at him with slit eyes,
its body cloaked in dark mist.

—Human… it’s been long indeed. Have you come to beg for my power again? You know the price.

Edén shook his head gently, his lips curving into a calm expression.
—No. This time… I’ll be the one to take it.

A raw, deep sound rippled through the air—
like a chain breaking at the center of the universe.

Somewhere on the battlefield, Luz flinched.
—What just happened…?

The darkness surrounding Edén began to spread.
Waves of purple energy radiated from his skin like pure heat.

—Thank you… both of you, —he whispered sincerely.— I hope we can get along.

The ground cracked.
And then, the sky roared.

A bolt of light descended like divine judgment, striking Edén’s body head-on.
The explosion was so immense that every fighter on the battlefield froze, holding their breath.

Takahashi’s eyes widened in astonishment.
—What… is all this power?
It’s nothing like anything I’ve felt before…
What is happening?

Through the glowing dust, a silhouette began to take form.
His muscles had developed to their absolute limit, his right eye burned like a blazing ruby, and the tips of his hair had begun to turn a fierce violet.

Zipacna swallowed hard, unable to move.
—Are you serious…?
How can anyone… contain something like that?

Yohei narrowed his eyes.
—Looks like you’re finally waking up… demon.

Edén emerged from the forest like a controlled storm, his aura flowing like liquid fire—imposing, impossible.

Takahashi greeted him with a fearless smile.
—Yes… this is exactly what I was waiting for, Edén!

No more words were exchanged.

In the blink of an eye, their swords collided.
The impact was devastating.
Nearby trees evaporated, the earth lifted in fragments.

Takahashi tried to maintain his footing… but he was being pushed back.
—Come on, Edén! —he shouted, forcing a grin.

He didn’t have time to react.
Edén appeared right in front of him and sent him flying with a single thrust, destroying everything in his path.

Takahashi crashed into the ground, coughing blood.
—Did I disappoint you? —he asked ironically, struggling to stand.

Edén approached calmly, a faint smile on his face.
—Sorry it took me so long…
Shall we begin?

He extended his hand.

Takahashi, surprised, let out a short laugh and clasped it firmly.
—It’ll be a pleasure.

Both stood up.
The wind blew gently, brushing their hair as if celebrating the moment.

They looked at each other—not as enemies,
but as equals.

—Thank you, Edén, —Takahashi said firmly.— I don’t know what was holding you back before, but… thank you for breaking it. For showing me what you’re capable of. And as thanks… I’ll show you everything I’ve got.

The ground trembled again.
Takahashi’s body began to shine with reddish, overwhelming, almost demonic energy.
His veins bulged, his eyes turned crimson, and sharp fangs emerged.

Edén smiled in surprise.
—Hey, hey… is this for real?

—So then… shall we begin?
—Yes.

And with a silent roar, both launched forward—
two meteors destined to collide.

Every impact was a thunderclap.
Every movement, a deadly dance.
The entire world seemed to tremble before their duel.

The world could no longer keep up with them.
Edén and Takahashi moved beyond what the eye could follow,
like ghosts flickering between lightning strikes.

But every clash of their blades carved irreversible scars into the land.
The air was sliced apart.
The ground split open.
The sky trembled.

—Dark Flare! —shouted Edén, swinging his sword with renewed fury.

A burning mass of black fire burst from his blade, expanding like an infernal scythe toward Takahashi.

But Takahashi didn’t blink.
With a subtle motion of his arm, his sword traced a perfect arc—

And the attack unraveled.
Disintegrated into a thousand fading sparks.

Edén smiled, genuinely impressed.
—I expected nothing less from you…

Takahashi didn’t answer with words—
but with fire.

—獄炎斬 — Gokuenzan. Infernal Flame Slash.

His blade ignited in crimson fire,
descending upon Edén as if hell itself were splitting open.

Edén raised his weapon to block it—and succeeded…

But at the moment of impact, the energy expanded.
A brutal wave of scorching heat wrapped around him,
forcing him back with a grimace of pain.

Smoke rose from his skin.
Burns marked his side.

—Bastard… —he growled, panting.
—Did I surprise you? —Takahashi replied with a teasing tone.

—A zone attack… not something you see from a swordsman. A great choice.

But…

A dark spark flickered in Edén’s eyes.
—…you’re not the only one with surprises.

Without warning, a second slash appeared in front of Takahashi—
identical to the first.

This time, there was no escape.

The blow landed squarely,
hurling him through the air and slamming him into the ground with a muted, heavy impact.

From the floor, Takahashi coughed harshly. Blood spilled.
But a laugh escaped his throat.

—A delayed attack…? —he thought, breathless.— No… a delayed technique?
That’s… impossible.
Not even elite warriors can do that.

Standing tall, Edén watched with calm eyes.
—Mixing both ideas was risky, —he thought.— The attack lost power… but it was enough to confuse him.

Takahashi slowly stood back up—injured, but smiling.
—You never stop surprising me…
Don’t stop, Edén.

—I could say the same to you, Takahashi.

Then, something changed.

Takahashi plunged his sword into the ground.
Edén raised an eyebrow.
—Seriously? You’re giving up?

—No. I’m getting ready.

—紅蓮獄 — Guren Goku. Crimson Prison.

The battlefield glowed red.
Fiery circles expanded like magical seals, intertwining into a five-pointed star.
From its edges, bars of roaring fire rose, trapping them inside an infernal cage.

—I’ll admit, —Edén said,— I didn’t expect a swordsman to drop his weapon mid-fight.

Takahashi raised his fists.
—Sorry, Edén… but I’m also pretty good at hand-to-hand combat.

—I see…

Edén let his sword fall.
Then, he removed his armor—
standing bare-chested, covered in scars and fresh wounds.

In an instant, both charged.

Fist against fist.
Bone against bone.
Explosions of invisible pressure tore through the air, shaking the very space around them.

Every strike was a declaration.
A story.
A scream from two men who no longer feared breaking.

Finally, Takahashi connected—
a direct blow to Edén’s abdomen that made him double over for a heartbeat.

But Edén answered with a clean punch to Takahashi’s jaw.

There was no hatred.
Only the desire to measure everything.

Takahashi roared with excitement,
launching a colossal punch toward Edén’s face.

Edén managed to block—
but the crack of a breaking bone shot through him.

The force sent him flying, smashing him against one of the burning bars of the prison.
A cry of pain tore from his throat as he collapsed to the ground, trembling and bleeding.

Both were at their limit.
And yet…

Both smiled.

Edén stood.
Takahashi stood.

Without a word, they took up their swords once more.
The prison faded.
They no longer needed to be confined.

They were ready.

—It’s time… —thought Edén.
—The moment’s finally here… —thought Takahashi.

Both:
—“For the final dance!”

From a distance, Zipacna watched.

—Frustrating, isn’t it?

Yohei glanced at him sideways.
—What are you talking about?

—Meeting someone stronger than you.

Yohei didn’t answer immediately.
A gust of wind brushed through his hair.