Shadows Of Deception

BOOM!

A massive shockwave echoed as Shenlog's dragon roared, diving toward the field where the remaining 92 Neph Giants marched with unwavering determination. Hovering above, Shenlog scowled, his frustration palpable. "Only eight taken down," he muttered, his tone laced with dissatisfaction. His dragon's wings adjusted sharply, carrying them into a fiery descent.

Suddenly, a figure appeared amidst the giants. Darting from one massive shoulder to another, the figure leapt from one giant to the next with impossible agility, laughing as he moved. "Jump! Jump! Jump!" the voice rang out in a playful, taunting tone.

Shenlog's dragon, sensing the figure's presence, bared its fangs and released a low growl. Shenlog narrowed his eyes as the figure leapt from one giant's shoulder to the next, finally landing on the lead Neph Giant.

The figure stopped, standing on the giant's head, flames flickering at his feet. His hair ignited with fire, illuminating his youthful yet sinister face. With a cocky grin, the figure tilted his head toward Shenlog. "Quite the flame show you're putting on, dragon man," he said mockingly, placing a hand casually on the giant's face.

Shenlog's dragon roared fiercely, its maw glowing with an intense, fiery light. CRACK! The air fractured as the dragon released a devastating condensed flame blast, hurtling toward the lead giant.

The figure didn't flinch. Instead, he stepped forward on the air itself, his feet ablaze. Raising both hands, he caught the flame head-on with his bare palms. BOOM! A massive explosion erupted, shaking the earth and filling the air with smoke and fire.

When the flames cleared, the figure stood unharmed, his body glowing with embers. "That was warm. Try again," he teased. It was none other than Greyjoy, the God of Fire.

Seiji and the others sat around a small fire in the mountains. Mengi passed around food, tossing a meatball to Jin, who caught it effortlessly. Seiji sat apart, staring at the horizon, his expression dark. Madagascar tried to break the tension. "Cheer up, Seiji. You look like you're gonna murder the food instead of eating it."

Seiji sighed. "We don't have time for this. Let's get moving." The team rose, gathering their things, and resumed their journey, leaping from peak to peak, unaware of the chaos unfolding in the Free World.

The Neph Giants pressed forward, their thunderous footsteps shaking the ground. The rookies guarding the gates trembled as the hulking figures grew closer.

"We're dead meat!" one rookie cried, his weapon slipping from his hands.

"Shut up, Tommy! We can hold the line!" another shouted, though his voice wavered with fear.

"You think those giants care about us? We're ants to them!" a third rookie whimpered, gripping his sword tightly.

From above, Shenlog hovered on his dragon, scanning the battlefield. "Enough of this cowardice!" he bellowed. "You have families, lovers, people you want to protect. If you let fear rule you, everything you hold dear will be destroyed! Stand your ground and fight like warriors of the Free World!"

The rookies exchanged glances, their fear replaced by determination. A collective roar erupted from the ranks as they charged toward the incoming giants. "FOR THE FREE WORLD!" they screamed in unison.

The God of Fire burst into laughter, his flames intensifying as he watched Shenlog's approach. "So, you're Shenlog, the Dragon God? Jiangshi spoke of your flame manipulation, and it annoyed me to think someone else could match my fire. Let's see who burns brighter!"

Shenlog's dragon spoke, its voice deep and resonant. "Go into Version 2, Shenlog. This one's no joke."

For the first time, Shenlog's expression hardened. His body began to transform, scales forming across his skin, his eyes glowing with draconic energy. But before the transformation could complete, Greyjoy blitzed forward, flames trailing behind him.

"FLAME TECHNIQUE: THREEFOLD PUNCH!"

BOOM!

Greyjoy's flaming fist struck Shenlog with devastating force, creating a crater in the air. Shenlog hurtled backward, separated from his dragon as his partially transformed scales shattered. Greyjoy landed on the dragon's head, grinning. "Let's see what you've got, big guy!"

The dragon roared, snapping at Greyjoy, but the God of Fire dodged effortlessly. CRACK! Greyjoy delivered a fiery kick to the dragon's skull, sending it plummeting to the ground.

From the gates, Jingwei and Cade watched in disbelief.

"He just took out Shenlog and his dragon in seconds," Jingwei muttered.

"This isn't a fight; it's a massacre," Cade added grimly.

Shenlog crashed into the ground, struggling to rise. His dragon roared, taking flight to shield its master. Meanwhile, the Neph Giants resumed their advance. From their massive hands, they hurled boulders toward the Free World gates.

BOOM! A rock smashed through a house, scattering a family mid-dinner.

"Mama, run!" a child screamed before the roof collapsed.

"HELP ME!" another voice cried as debris pinned down their legs.

Blood and chaos filled the air as civilians ran for their lives.

Cade clenched his fists, his face twisted with frustration. "I'm ending this."

Zach placed a hand on his shoulder. "Cade, you know it's forbidden—"

"NOT TODAY!" Cade roared, shaking Zach off. He stepped forward, veins bulging as his eyes turned crimson. Stretching his arms outward, blood surged from his fingertips, twisting and dancing in the air.

"FORBIDDEN BLOOD MANIPULATION: BLOOD BLENDING!"

The giants froze mid-step, their bodies suspended in the air as Cade manipulated their movements like marionettes. With a flick of his wrists, he twisted their limbs unnaturally, spinning their massive forms like helicopter blades.

"BLOOD STYLE: BLOOD BLADE!"

The blood spiraled around the giants, slicing through them with surgical precision. BOOM! One by one, the Neph Giants crumbled into pieces, their massive forms reduced to lifeless heaps.