The stench of blood ruled the air. Búdica’s body lay near the cracked wall, her expression still frozen in the act of shielding Leli.

  Valquíria was on her feet, hammer dropped, coughing blood between broken breaths.

  — Lukas… Luiz… kill that bastard… — she muttered before collapsing to the side.

  Leli, unconscious, was sprawled nearby, protected only by the shadow of a shattered column.

  Maugrim Voraz advanced. Golden fangs gleamed under the pale light seeping through the cracks above. His muscles bulged beneath gray skin, and his armor of polished bones creaked with every step.

  — Two real warriors… finally. — he said, licking the blood from his claws.

  Lukas felt César pulse in his left arm, and the steady voice rang in his ear:

  — Boy… if you miss now, there won’t be a next time.

  — I know… — Lukas whispered back.

  Then, a chilling breeze brushed his neck — Morgana’s presence. From above, her eyes burned as she sent a stream of violet-black energy straight into him.

  — Just because I can’t step down there… doesn’t mean I’ll let you die, chocolatinho… — she murmured, her voice trembling.

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  The blend surged through him like fire and ice together. His vision sharpened, each heartbeat slowing, every movement calculated.

  — Luiz… — Lukas said. — Stay with me.

  Luiz twirled his spear, crimson aura bursting around him like wildfire.

  — Always, little brother. Let’s hunt this mutt together.

  Maugrim moved first — a blur of muscle and fangs. Lukas twisted, sliding into the 1st Surgical Strike of the Shadows, sharp as a whipcrack. Luiz followed immediately, his spear slicing past the beast’s ribs.

  They alternated.

  Strike. Thrust. Cut. Lunge.

  The rhythm built — as if they’d trained their whole lives for this moment.

  — Interesting… — Maugrim grinned, red eyes glowing. — But still… far too slow!

  He roared, his body swelling, fur thickening, claws lengthening, jaws splitting with rows of extra fangs.

  — Form of the Crimson Moon’s Fury…

  And then he vanished.

  A crash. Luiz was hurled against the wall, spitting blood. Lukas felt claws tear across his shoulder and barely stayed on his feet.

  Valquíria tried to raise her hammer but crumpled again. — Damn it… I can’t…

  Lukas drew every ounce of energy Morgana poured into him, every reserve César reinforced in his muscles.

  — 22 Sacred Surgical Strikes of the Shadows!

  His blades carved the air, streaks of light and darkness entwined. Luiz, bleeding and limping, locked into the final motion, his crimson spear plunging into Maugrim’s shoulder before twisting to rip the flesh apart.

  The monster staggered back — and laughed.

  — Yes… yes… now it’s getting fun!

  End of chapter 22