STORY TIME PART 5

Simbad enters a clothing store and calls out loudly, inquiring if anyone inside is free from the infection. Suddenly, four zombies emerge from the changing area and rush towards him. With unwavering focus, Simbad wields his katana, decapitating each zombie consecutively. The effort leaves him breathless and fatigued, prompting him to comment that it's been quite some time since he felt this active.

While in his labored breathing, he detects movements from the changing area. As he looks over, he spots a mother and her daughter approaching him. Grateful for his intervention, they express their thanks. Simbad offers to guide them to a secure location with surveillance cameras, where they would be safe. Though puzzled, the mother and daughter agree, trusting Simbad's judgment.

Escorting them out of the store, Simbad locates a nearby camera and signals it by jumping and waving. He then retrieves his walkie-talkie, attempting to reach Rex, but only static emanates from the device. Amidst the interference, a woman's voice breaks through, calling out the name "Nhia." Perplexed, Simbad persists in his efforts to capture Rex's attention through the camera feed.

Subsequently, distant crackling reaches Simbad's ears, prompting him to turn and observe a zombie engulfed in flames advancing toward their location. Simbad swiftly assumes a defensive stance and instructs the mother and daughter to remain shielded behind him. The fiery zombie halts, its burning form casting an intense glow. Gradually, its features become more discernible, revealing the face of none other than Mr. Kaika. The sight shocks Simbad profoundly as recognition sets in.

Mr. Kaika's mouth stretches open wide, his words echoing a desire for hearts. His fiery exterior ripples as he sheds the flames, while his zombified eyes emit an eerie magical luminance. His heart, too, emits a brilliant glow, a transformation that bewilders Simbad. Unexpectedly, a spike of human flesh launches from Mr. Kaika's hand, hurtling toward Simbad. Swiftly, Simbad deflects the spike, causing it to strike the ceiling. Realization dawns upon Simbad that the situation has escalated to a dire level, prompting an urgent need to flee.

With a roar, Mr. Kaika generates additional spikes from his body, launching them in Simbad's direction. Employing his katana with precision, Simbad cleaves through numerous spikes. Abruptly, a spike pierces the mother from behind, extracting her heart from her chest. The daughter's horrified screams pierce the mall. In an instant, Simbad identifies another spike hurtling towards the daughter. Acting quickly, he rushes over and slices the spike in mid-air. Without hesitation, he seizes the daughter and bolts away, closely pursued by a barrage of spikes.

In a frenzied sprint, Simbad races past a stream of individuals who are fleeing from the opposite direction. Urgently, he implores them to change course, seeking safety. Regrettably, their response is cut short as the spikes pierce their hearts before any words can be exchanged. The grim spectacle unfolds before Simbad's eyes as several dozen people fall victim to the merciless spikes.

Simbad momentarily releases his grip on the daughter and intercepts the incoming barrage of spikes. However, the overwhelming number of projectiles proves insurmountable, resulting in more people succumbing to the fatal strikes. A glimmer of hope arises when a young boy steps forward, shielding the daughter from the onslaught. Simbad rushes to their aid, wielding his katana to repel the approaching spikes.

Yet, the exertion takes its toll on Simbad's stamina. His continuous strikes reveal his lack of physical conditioning, and in a devastating turn as he drops his katana, a spike punctures his chest, eliciting a gush of blood. Despite the setback, Simbad manages to halt the spike with his hand just shy of reaching his heart, summoning memories of countless near-death situations he's faced in the past. Reflection reveals that he's often been rescued by Rune during such moments, but now he stands alone.

Summoning an unwavering resolve, Simbad lets out a determined roar, vowing to survive. Amidst the turmoil, his gaze lands upon the young boy who clings to his katana, swinging it valiantly to sever a spike. Seizing the opportunity, Simbad yanks the spike from his chest and retrieves his katana from the young boy's grasp. Meanwhile, Mr. Kaika's presence looms closer. The floor then opens up, causing both the boy and the daughter to plummet downwards. Simbad, too, begins to descend, but he manages to haul himself out of the gaping hole just in time. The floor seals shut once more, the determination is evident in Simbad's eyes as he stands his ground.

Voicing his determination, Simbad declares that his heart will forever remain beyond Kaika's reach. Mr. Kaika's response is an angered roar, accompanied by a surge in his size. Simbad's gaze falls upon his katana, its resilience hanging by a thread, capable of enduring only a few more blows before fracturing.

From his form, Mr. Kaika unleashes a fresh barrage of spikes aimed at Simbad. Reacting quickly, Simbad wields his katana to sever numerous spikes while remarking on the predictability of Mr. Kaika's attacks—focused solely on targeting Simbad's heart. With resolve, Simbad retrieves a dagger from his waist and hurls it with formidable strength. The dagger finds its mark, lodging into Mr. Kaika's head and inducing a momentary stun. As a consequence, the spikes plummet to the ground, and Simbad briefly believes the battle's end is imminent.

However, his hopes are shattered as the truth dawns: Mr. Kaika's survival is assured. The creature releases another torrent of spikes, shattering mall walls in various directions. Simbad's surroundings transform into a perilous arena, spikes converging on him from every angle. Evading and deflecting with deftness, Simbad tumbles down an escalator, springs back to his feet, and blocks a volley of spikes with his katana. This force propels him across the mall, smashing through a pillar before crashing into a heap of lifeless zombie bodies.

In pursuit, Mr. Kaika closes in on Simbad, discovering an expanse strewn with the remains of countless zombies. Atop this grisly mound sits Rune, blood-soaked, his demeanor void of emotion, fixated solely on the impending battle. Rune inhales deeply, preparing for combat. Swiftly, Mr. Kaika projects a profusion of spikes from his limbs, only for Rune to execute a single fluid motion, severing every spike in his path. In a single decisive strike, Rune cleaves off Mr. Kaika's head.

Emerging from the morbid heap of zombies, Simbad declares the decapitation insufficient to halt Mr. Kaika. Reacting quickly, Rune turns his attention to the headless Mr. Kaika, effortlessly slicing through more spikes that continue to erupt from the remains. Rune intercepts a relentless barrage of spikes, fending off hundreds of them aiming for his chest. The sheer force of the assault lifts him off the ground. Simultaneously, Simbad draws his katana, only to discover that it has been shattered and rendered unusable.

Rune shatters the glass ceiling, simultaneously fending off the menacing spikes ahead. As he gazes around, more spikes emerge, threatening his rear. Caught mid-air, Rune grapples to shift his position, his mobility constrained. Eventually, the spikes make contact with his back, resulting in a splatter of blood. Rune's formidable physique absorbs the impact, a testament to his superhuman strength. The agony he endures harkens back to battles of his youth.

Down below, Simbad disrupts Mr. Kaika's vision by hurling bones and zombie remains, obscuring his sight. This instantary distraction temporarily freezes the spikes targeting Rune. Capitalizing on this window of opportunity, Rune pivots quickly, slashing through the encroaching spikes with his weapon. With newfound momentum, he descends forcefully, delivering a resounding blow. Mr. Kaika wipes away the gore and remnants, only to find Rune hurtling down towards him. Reacting swiftly, he encases himself in a barrier of spikes. Despite this defense, Rune's strike penetrates the spikes, propelling Mr. Kaika downward, plummeting beneath the mall's expanse.

Simbad's voice rings out with urgency, proclaiming the gravity of the situation as survivors and Rex remains beneath the mall's depths. Rune's expression shifts to one of disbelief, recognizing his blunder. With synchronized resolve, Rune and Simbad leap into the fissure in the flooring. In the subterranean recesses of the mall, Mr. Kaika descends, surveying fleeing survivors. A brutal impact with the ground forces him to expel blood. Mr. Kaika slowly gets up and voices his insatiable desire for the many hearts present in the vicinity. His body morphs, projecting lethal spikes.

Responding to the threat, Rex triggers his magical barriers, manifesting as walls that emerge from the floor, obstructing the spikes. However, a few spikes breach this defense, impaling unsuspecting individuals' hearts. Will and Cameda swiftly move several individuals clear of the menacing spikes. Witnessing Mr. Kaika's menace, Nhia recoils and narrowly avoids a spike. His attention is drawn to Stella, who confronts an oncoming spike. With unwavering resolve, Stella opens her arms, bracing for the impending strike. The spike pierces her chest, blood splattering in its wake. Gazing upward, Stella privately acknowledges that a life devoid of her sister holds no meaning.

Nhia's voice breaks through her thoughts, urgently seeking assistance. Stella's gaze shifts downward, revealing Nhia grasping the spike embedded in her chest. Nhia's persistent efforts to dislodge the spike prevent it from reaching her heart. A surge of bystanders, inspired by Stella's previous actions, rallies to aid her, collectively wrenching the spike free. Nhia's impassioned proclamation rejects the notion of allowing Stella's demise. The spike is successfully extracted from her chest, yet the toll is evident as Stella's physical condition deteriorates. Collapsing onto her back, she regurgitates blood.

Nhia approaches her, his concern evident as he assesses the profound wound, recognizing its severity. Time is of the essence, and without prompt treatment, Stella's life hangs in the balance. In a desperate plea, Nhia implores Rex to transport them to Barbra for aid, the urgency palpable in his voice. Rex addresses the group, explaining that his exertion of power has its limits, preventing him from directly transporting them to Barbra. Instead, he can only send them to a level beneath her daycare. Nhia acknowledges Rex's plan with a nod, then makes an earnest appeal to those moved by Stella's earlier act. He calls upon them to unite in their efforts to rescue her. Responding to Nhia's plea, several dozen individuals join Nhia and Stella, standing together as the floor beneath them elevates.

In a parallel moment, Rune and Simbad plummet downward, finally landing upon a yielding surface. Without hesitation, Rune surges forward, charging toward Mr. Kaika. The floor beneath Mr. Kaika then opens up, but his magical prowess allows him to remain suspended in midair. He pivots towards Rex, a visceral scream escaping him as memories of their prior conflict resurface. His magical might propels him upward, his form expanding in size. His eyes and chest emit an intensified gleam, fueled by the hearts and blood he has consumed thus far.

Meanwhile, Rex harnesses his magic, raising floor tiles ahead of Rune's path. Swiftly, Rune seizes the opportunity, leaping onto these makeshift platforms, progressively closing the distance to Mr. Kaika. Mr. Kaika then unleashes a barrage of spikes, numbering in the hundreds, hurtling toward Rune. Reacting with heightened determination, Rune's weapon arcs in a single powerful motion, slicing through the onslaught of spikes. His resolve remains steadfast until an unexpected energy beam, conjured by Mr. Kaika, materializes and advances menacingly. Quickly, Rune employs his weapon to block the energy beam, but the energy beam carries him down onto the floor, resulting in a detonation of magical energy.

Concerned, Simbad urgently calls Rune's name. His gaze shifts to Rex, who is visibly exhilarated, fixated on a display screen indicating the progress bar reaching 99 percent. Bursting with enthusiasm, Rex exclaims that the Robo Mall's restoration to its former splendor is imminent. The progress bar ultimately hits 100 percent, igniting a cascade of magical illumination that envelops the entire mall. Rex's elation is evident as he too becomes engulfed in radiant magic.

Leveraging his augmented magical abilities, Rex orchestrates the relocation of survivors. Through manipulation of the floor beneath them, he transports them to a safe distance from the ongoing conflict, encasing them within multiple layers of protective magical walls. Amidst the haze, Simbad dashes forward, disappearing into the smoke, and retrieves an unconscious and grievously wounded Rune. With Rune in his arms, Simbad retreats from the battle's fray.

As Rex levitates in the air through his magical prowess, he addresses Mr. Kaika, calling out his name to capture his attention. Mr. Kaika and Rex engage in an intense gaze, their respective magical energies surging and colliding head-on. Subsequently, Rex envelops himself within a giant robotic form. Positioned within the chest of this mechanical behemoth is a transparent window that reveals Rex, firmly in command of the robotic avatar. A resounding proclamation escapes Rex's lips, resonating with finality, as he declares that the battle reaches its conclusion at this very moment.

Employing his magic, Rex conjures a multitude of holographic versions of himself, scattering them across the surroundings. Mr. Kaika retaliates by launching a barrage of spikes, targeting the advancing holographic replicas that are closing in on him. As tension mounts, Mr. Kaika begins amassing energy in his hands, preparing to unleash a potent energy beam.

Suddenly, Mr. Kaika finds himself ensnared within a magical enclosure made of metal. Utilizing his spikes, he shatters the confining cube. Just as he readies himself to discharge the energy beam, Rex dramatically emerges from above, delivering a forceful punch that propels Mr. Kaika through the floor, halting the energy beam's impending release. Plummeting further beneath the mall, Mr. Kaika descends into the jaws of a colossal robotic head. Within this chamber, he is engulfed in an incandescent magical radiance.

Summoning his power anew, Mr. Kaika summons countless spikes that wrap around him, shielding him from the luminous magic. He bursts forth from the mechanical maw only to be assailed by a barrage of miniature magical beams unleashed by Rex. Undeterred, Mr. Kaika's body becomes enshrouded by thousands of spikes, a defense mechanism that quickly multiplies into the millions, filling the subterranean abyss.

Rex ascends, nimbly evading the sprawling network of spikes. Seizing control with his magic, Ren constructs multiple layers of impenetrable barriers, entrapping both Mr. Kaika and the spikes. As Rex returns to the surface alongside the remaining survivors, he employs his powers to elevate the floor beneath them, the spikes then rupture through to their current floor level. The spikes pursue Rex and the survivors, a relentless chase that ensues.