Constellation Level

Kado's dark power loomed heavily over us, the shadows swirling like a living nightmare, threatening to consume the light we fought to uphold. My heart raced as I steadied my breath, remembering the potential buried deep within me—one that I had only recently unlocked.

"Shido! What are we going to do?" Yuki shouted, narrowly dodging a dark tendril that lashed out in our direction. Her eyes were wide with fear, but I could see that her spirit remained unbroken.

"I have an idea," I breathed, my mind racing with possibilities. "But I need to channel my Xora to reflect his abilities!"

Kado cackled, sensing our desperation. "You think you can counter my forbidden Xora? You are foolish, Shido!"

"You will find out just how foolish I can be!"

I shouted back, my Xora ring starting to glow a brilliant silver light, harnessing the energy coursing through me.

I focused on Kado, channeling the energy from my surroundings while tapping into the knowledge I had gained through training.

"Reflect is my will, let your darkness return to you!"

A surge of brilliance enveloped me, and as Kado unleashed a barrage of shadowy tendrils aimed directly at me, I raised my hands, instinctively activating my newly learned skill. The world around me fell silent for just a moment as I honed in on the darkness rushing toward me.

"REFLECT!"

I cried out, and as I invoked the power, an ethereal barrier formed around my body. The tendrils collided with it, only to be reflected back at Kado, their malevolence turning against their master.

Kado's eyes widened in disbelief as his own attack surged back toward him. The shadows he had summoned reared up, enveloping him in a sudden confusion of his own making.

"No! This can't be happening!" he roared, struggling to regain control.

My heart raced with exhilaration.

"It worked!" I shouted, feeling the power of the reflection course through me. The ability had a cooldown—twenty seconds—so I needed to act quickly.

"Now's our chance!" I yelled, turning to my teammates.

"Let's strike while he's vulnerable!"

Aiko was the first to heed my call. "HOLD ON! FLAME BARRIER!" The wall of fire erupted, creating a protective line as we surged forward.

"STONES OF RESOLVE!" Kenta shouted, raising his hands and summoning a fortress of rock that shielded us from any remaining dark minions. "We can't let anything stand in our way!"

"ICE SHARDS, FLY!" Mei commanded, launching a volley of ice that struck Kado as he struggled to defend himself against the reflection.

"GUST OF GAIL!" Riko cried, sending a whirlwind that further disoriented him, forcing Kado back with the fury of spinning winds.

As we pressed forward, I kept my eyes on the countdown ticking in my mind. I would only have to wait a few moments before I could summon my reflection again.

"Once my skill is ready, I'll use it again! We just have to keep the pressure on him!" I declared, feeling the adrenaline rush within me.

Kado stumbled back, attempting to gather dark energy once more. "Impressive, Shido," he sneered, wiping a line of blood from his mouth. "But you won't catch me off guard again!"

Just then, Kado shouted out words of dark energy, a forbidden chant that reverberated through the courtyard, drawing shadows to him in a desperate attempt to regain his strength. I recognized that he was preparing another attack, and the faint glow across my Xora ring signaled that my Reflect was almost ready again.

"On my mark!" I instructed my team. 

The air crackled with Kado's dark energies, wrapping around him in chaotic tendrils as he focused his power. "Prepare to meet your end! BLADE OF DARKNESS!"

The shadows echoed his will, extending sickle-like blades aimed directly at us, malice pooling within each strike.

"NOW!" I shouted, timing it perfectly as I activated my skill again. "REFLECT!"

Once more, the ethereal barrier enveloped me, absorbing the shadows as they lunged forward. The moment they collided, I redirected the attack back to Kado in a brilliant flash of light, his own darkness twisting and spiraling as it returned towards him.

"NO!" he screamed, realizing too late that the very essence of his attack was now against him. The shadows enveloped him, slicing into his form as he staggered back, thrown off balance.

With this moment of opportunity, my team exploded into action. 

"FLAME FUNNEL!" Aiko roared, unleashing a fiery torrent that spiraled toward Kado like a blazing tornado.

"CRUSADER WALL!" Kenta shouted as he summoned a barrier of rock, creating a protective wall behind us while launching stones at Kado's weakened form.

"ICICLE BLAST!" Mei screamed, her ice shards striking with impeccable precision amid the confusion.

Riko soared above us, a gust of wind propelling him. "WINGED WHISPER!" He unleashed a barrage of slicing wind, further constricting Kado's escape.

Kado staggered, panting heavily, fury dancing in his eyes as he struggled against the onslaught. It was clear he was beginning to falter, shaken by our relentless attacks.

But in the depths of desperation, I sensed him conjuring one final gambit. The air thickened around him, his presence swelling to an overwhelming intensity.

"SHADOW REAPER!" he bellowed deeply, gathering all his remaining strength into one horrific attack, rendered dark and powerful by his earlier forbidden chant.

A shudder rippled through the ground as darkness exploded outward, veiling the battlefield in shadow. I gasped, knowing that we faced the culmination of his power—a force that could crush us if we didn't act fast.

"Stay strong, team!" I urged, voice steadying despite the chaos enveloping us. "This next attack will be critical!"

With our courage renewed in the stream of collective potency, we rallied for one last charge. 

"LET'S FINISH THIS—TOGETHER!" I yelled, invoking all of our knowledge, might, and hope. 

As I braced for the battle of my life, I felt the power of Reflect coursing through me once more. I needed to be ready for whatever dark storm Kado unleashed. The final clash would determine not just our fate but the very future of Xora Academy, also known as Hoshin Academy itself.