Chapter 48: The Cost Of Secrets

The training room was filled with an intense Neba as Beth and her opponent faced each other.

Beth made the first move, darting forward with a speed that left a blur in her wake. She was a whirlwind of motion, her agility and grace making her seem almost ethereal.

Her opponent, however, stood his ground, his strength and durability a stark contrast to her swift elegance.

Their swords clashed with a metallic ring, the sound echoing through the room. Beth's strikes were precise and fast, aiming for his weak points.

She danced around him, her movements fluid and unpredictable. Each swing of her sword was a calculated effort to outmaneuver her opponent, who parried with brute strength.

Despite her agility, the man's endurance began to show. He absorbed her blows with minimal reaction, his eyes tracking her every move. With a sudden, powerful swing, he forced Beth to backflip away, narrowly avoiding his blade.

She landed lightly, her feet barely touching the ground before she launched herself back at him.

Beth's sword glinted in the light as she twirled and spun, her attacks relentless. The Zeten responded with heavy, forceful strikes that shook the ground with their impact.

He was slower, but his hits were devastating, each one capable of causing serious damage if it connected.

Beth ducked under a sweeping strike, her sword flashing upwards to cut a thin line across his cheek.

He roared in pain and anger, his next blow more vicious. He swung his sword with such force that Beth was forced to block with both hands, the impact sending vibrations up her arms.

Their swords locked, and for a moment, they were face to face. Beth's eyes were steely, her determination unwavering.

The man smirked, using his superior strength to push her back. She gritted her teeth, using her agility to twist away and disengage.

Suddenly, he changed tactics. Feinting to the left, he brought his sword down in a powerful arc that caught Beth off guard.

She barely managed to deflect it, but the force of the blow sent her sprawling. She rolled to her feet, but not before he closed the distance and slashed at her arm.

Beth gasped as her left arm was cut, blood streaming from the wound. She bit back the pain, her eyes narrowing with resolve.

Her opponent pressed his advantage, his strikes becoming more aggressive. Beth evaded as best she could, but he was relentless.

A particularly brutal strike caught her leg, the bone snapping with a sickening crunch. Beth cried out, collapsing to one knee.

She was breathing heavily, her body trembling with the effort to stay conscious. But even in her weakened state, she refused to yield.

With a burst of speed, she lunged forward, her sword slashing in a desperate arc. She managed to cut off two of his fingers, the severed digits flying through the air.

He howled in pain, momentarily distracted. Seizing the opportunity, Beth twisted her body and sliced off a portion of his ear.

The man staggered back, clutching his wounded hand to his head.

His rage was palpable, his red aura flaring wildly. Beth struggled to her feet, her leg barely supporting her weight.

She held her sword in a shaky grip, ready for his next attack.

The fight was brutal and merciless, with both combatants pushing their limits. Beth's speed and agility were her only advantages, but the man's strength and durability made him a formidable opponent.

Dune and Atlas sprinted side by side through the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing in unison.

The air was thick with tension, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they pushed forward. Suddenly, without warning, the floor beneath them erupted in a violent explosion.

Atlas reacted instinctively, shoving Dune aside with all his might. Dune stumbled and fell, saved from the immediate danger, but Atlas wasn't as fortunate. The ground gave way beneath him, and he plummeted into the darkness below.

Dune barely had time to process what had happened before a series of subsequent explosions rocked the academy.

"What the hell is happening?"

he thought, panic clawing at his mind. The cacophony of destruction was deafening, and the once familiar halls of the academy had transformed into a chaotic battlefield.

Separated from Atlas, Dune felt a pang of desperation.

Suddenly, something glinted in the corner of his eye, a flash of blue hurtling towards him. He turned just in time to see a Blue Zeten sword spinning through the air, its trajectory aimed directly at him. "What?" he muttered, but it was too late.

The sword struck him in the shoulder with brutal force, sending a wave of pain crashing through his body.

Dune cried out, stumbling but refusing to fall. He grit his teeth and forced himself to his feet, the adrenaline coursing through his veins propelling him forward.

He clutched his wounded shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers, and began to run as fast as he could. "Damnit, how many Zetens are here?" he thought, his mind racing.

The academy, once a place of learning and safety, had become a war zone, and survival was his only objective now.

As he sprinted through the wreckage, the chaos around him intensified. Explosions continued to rock the foundation, debris falling like deadly rain.

Dune knew he had to find Atlas and get them both out of this nightmare, but for now, he could only focus on moving forward, one agonizing step at a time.

Dune ran as fast as he could, the chaos of the academy swirling around him. Screams echoed through the halls, and explosions shook the walls.

Other Zetens had also revealed themselves, and professors were engaged in desperate battles.

Amidst the turmoil, Dune collided with someone and fell to the ground. It was David, the Zeten.

David scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide with panic. "You're just like me... you're Zeten," he said, his voice trembling.

Dune's eyes widened. "No im not"

"My ability tells me," David replied. "I can see your White Zeten. You're unique, this strong, and you didn't even help me? What are you doing hiding here? Fight and run!"

Dune sighed.. Damn it.. this is a problem.

"I'm not going to reveal myself. And you better run already, or you'll die."

David looked at him, regretful, before running off. Dune watched him go, a sinking feeling in his chest.

As he turned to leave, he heard a sound behind him. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Alice, the red-haired girl from his class. She was not in a good condition either, several wounds and exhausted.

They made eye contact, and an uneasy silence fell between them.

Dune's mind raced. Did she hear me? Did she see me talking to David? Damn it.

He stepped forward calmly, but suddenly a blast of red Neba shot towards him. He dodged it, but his shoulder was grazed.

Alice screamed, "Zeten! He is Zeten, Dune is the Zeten! Help!, I need help"

Dune's heart sank. He stood up and chased after her. "Damn it all," he shouted.

As he ran, a voice echoed in his mind. Dune, kill the girl. I will give you my ability in

exchange.

"I can't... she's innocent. She didn't do anything wrong, did she? I can't," Dune replied internally.

This is do or die, Dune. You have to do it, Evelyn's voice insisted.

Dune chased Alice through the crumbling academy. Another explosion shook the building, and Alice fell, her leg injured.

Dune jumped down, landing a few meters away from her. "Listen, forget about this. I will not do anything to you. Just forget about this. Let's go our separate ways. Don't do this, Alice, please."

But Alice didn't listen. She stood up and activated her Red Neba, forming a long spear in her hand.

"I will kill you, Zeten. You took away my mom. I will avenge her. I will kill you."

"Stop!" Dune shouted. "Stop this, Alice. I don't want to fight you. Please, don't make me do this... I..."

Before he could finish, Alice lunged and stabbed him in the right side of his chest. He fell to the ground, pain radiating through his body.

She dashed forward again, and Dune barely managed to dodge.

He tried to block her attacks with his hands, using his White Neba, but he still didn't know how to control it properly.

Her spear pierced his hands, Dune was in agony. "Damn it, that hurts."

Alice kept attacking relentlessly, her face twisted with rage and grief. Each stab brought more pain, more blood.

Dune's vision blurred as he struggled to keep his focus. She stabbed him in the stomach, and he felt his strength fading. His sword fell from his grasp.

But In a final, desperate move, Dune finally gave up. He activated his Zeten ability. He reappeared where his sword had fallen, snatching it up in one swift motion.

He caught her off guard and plunged the blade into Alice's heart. She gasped, her eyes wide with shock and pain, and collapsed.

Dune kneeled in front of her, tears mingling with the blood on his face. "I'm sorry... I didn't want this to happen. I told you, damn it," he sobbed. "I told you."

Evelyn's voice echoed in his mind, Dune, you achieved one of my abilities... Lightstep.

Ability that lets you travel through your own Zeten.

But Dune felt no triumph. Only sorrow and guilt. He cradled Alice's lifeless body, his heart heavy with regret.