Gale''s gaze locked onto the demon with an intensity that seemed to cut through the air like a de. His emerald eyes glinted with a sharpness that promised pain. ''''Your strength isn''t as bad as I expected,'''' he said, his voice calm butced with disdain. ''''But youck years of experience.''''


    Before Kate could respond, Gale surged forward. With the force of a battering ram, he mmed his head against hers. The impact resounded like a thunderp, the crack echoing across the battlefield. The blow left Kate momentarily stunned, her vision swimming as she stumbled back.


    Seizing the moment, Gale unleashed a devastating punch. The sheer power of it reverberated through the air, and with a deafening boom, Kate was sent hurtling backward. ck blood sttered from her mouth as her body was thrown like a ragdoll. She twisted midair, opening her leathery wings in a desperate bid for stability. With a few powerful ps, she righted herself, hovering in the sky.


    Gale wasn''t about to let up. His raven-ck wings spread wide behind him, a striking contrast against the crimson-tinged sky. With a single, mighty sweep, he propelled himself toward her like a shadow streaking across the heavens. His relentless pursuit brought him face-to-face with Kate once again.


    This time, his right fist shot forward with blinding speed, aimed straight at her.


    ''''You won''t catch me off guard twice,'''' Kate said, her voice dripping with mockery. Her lips curled into a sly smile as she raised her hands, ready to intercept the blow.


    But Gale was one step ahead.


    The punch was a feint.


    His fist blurred, vanishing just before impact, and his left hand followed through instead. It connected with a sickening crunch, sending Kate spinning uncontrobly through the air. She pped her wings wildly, struggling to regain her bnce, but Gale wasn''t done. He drove her downward with a crushing strike, forcing her into a deadly descent.


    Kate plummeted like a meteor, her body tearing through the atmosphere. When she struck the ground, the impact created a massive crater, sending waves of sand and debris surging outward. Dust clouded the air, obscuring the devastation below.


    Hovering above the battlefield, Gale stretched out his hand. ck runes shimmered to life along his arms, pulsing with an ominous energy. ''''Dark Spears!'''' he roared, hismanding voice carrying over the chaos. From the runes, a torrent of ck, razor-sharp spears materialized, hurtling downward in a relentless barrage. They rained into the crater, each impact sending up plumes of dust and debris.


    Gale''s piercing gaze never left the scene below. His mind raced. ''''These demons have been infused with the blood of a higher being. They''re not like the others. Killing them will take everything I''ve got. I can''t afford to let up—even for a moment—or she''ll grow stronger.''''


    Meanwhile, Kurt was locked in his own battle. With his newly forged bow in hand, he radiated an aura of menace that was far removed from his usual demeanor. His fingers moved with precision, drawing back on an ethereal string that shimmered into existence. A javelin-like arrow, crackling with an eerie, dull-white light, formed in ce. It pulsed with power, seeming almost alive.


    ''''Aura of Death: Death''s Projectile,'''' Kurt murmured, his voice low and resolute. He loosed the arrow, the deadly projectile slicing through the air with an unerring trajectory.


    Rex, his opponent, scoffed as the arrow closed in. ''''A mere arrow? Pathetic.''''


    But as the arrow neared, Rex''s confidence wavered. The weapon exuded an overwhelming power that made his instincts scream. He raised his hands, intending to deflect it, but the force of the collision sent a shockwave through his body.


    ''''What is this power?'''' Rex grunted, his voice strained. He sped his hands together, mes erupting around them in an attempt to redirect the arrow. With a massive burst of energy, he finally managed to knock it off course.


    Rex exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. But his moment of respite was short-lived.


    A sharp pain tore through his back. His serpentine green eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down, finding the same arrow that he thought he had deflected now protruding through his chest. ck blood poured from the gaping wound, sttering onto the ground.


    ''''How...?'''' Rex''s voice trembled, his mind reeling. ''''What kind of trick is this?''''


    Kurt remained silent, his expression unreadable as he nocked another arrow. His movements were deliberate, methodical, as though he were conducting a deadly symphony.


    Enraged, Rex roared. mes erupted from his body, the intense heat distorting the air around him. ''''You''ll regret that!'''' he bellowed. With a fiery burst from his legs, he propelled himself forward like a missile. His zing fists aimed to crush Kurt into the dirt.


    But Kurt was ready. Despite the burns already marring his skin, he moved with agility that belied his injuries. He raised his bow just in time, blocking Rex''s fiery assault. The impact was immense, sending shockwaves rippling through the ground.


    Rex smirked, his mes intensifying. ''''Let''s see how long youst.''''


    Elsewhere on the battlefield, the Magamon—a towering monstrosity of sinew and shadow—was faring poorly against its attackers. The bonded mounts were relentless, darting in and out like wolves harrying a bear. Every time the Magamon turned to face one, the other struck from behind. Its roars of frustration shook the ground, but they did little to deter its relentless foes.


    The tide of battle seemed to tilt ever so slightly in favor of Gale''s group, yet the stakes remained high.


    Back in the crater, Kate stirred. Her body was battered and broken, ck blood pooling around her. But her lips curled into a defiant smile. ''''You might be strong,'''' she rasped, her voice hoarse. ''''But you''re a fool if you think this ends here.''''


    Gale descended slowly, his wings folding behind him. ''''You''re beaten,'''' he said coldly. ''''Stay down.''''


    Kate let out a raspyugh, her broken jaw making the sound even more chilling. ''''Oh, you really don''t get it, do you? None of you intruders are leaving this ne alive. Lord Zomaza... he''s already here.''''


    Herughter grew hysterical as she reached into her tattered armor, pulling out a small, intricately designed sk. She popped it open and drank deeply, the viscous ck liquid inside sliding down her throat.@@novelbin@@


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    Immediately, her body began to change. Her muscles bulged, her wings grewrger, and her eyes glowed with a menacing red light. The wounds on her body began to heal at an unnatural speed, and the air around her grew heavy with malice.


    ''''You''re never getting away from here,'''' Kate growled, her voice now guttural and inhuman.