Run...?

"This is not a drill, Alex. Get out of there. If you stay any longer, you're a goner." 

The urgency in Ragna's words spurred Alex into action. Despite the disorientation from the unexpected attack, he managed to regain control of his descent. The wings adjusted, slowing his fall just enough to soften the impact. As he landed on the ground with a resounding thud, his suit absorbed much of the shock, but the reverberations echoed through the desolate realm.

In the aftermath of the cosmic clash, Alex found himself sprawled on the frost-laden ground of Hyousetsu, his body battered and his armour showing the scars of celestial confrontation. The icy winds whispered tales of the battle that had unfolded, carrying echoes of power that resonated through the desolate expanse.

His crimson nanotech suit, once gleaming with cosmic vitality, now bore the visible wounds of celestial warfare. The helmet, a testament to the resilience of its wearer, displayed a network of cracks, fractures that mirrored the intensity of the cosmic forces that had clashed. Blood oozed from beneath the shattered visor, a stark contrast against the cold, unforgiving backdrop of Hyousetsu.

Alex groaned, his movements laboured as he struggled to rise from the frozen ground. The broken nose, a casualty of the onslaught, added to the symphony of pain that reverberated through his senses. Every attempt to move sent jolts of discomfort through his battered form. Blood streaked down from Alex's forehead, that clung to his nanotech suit.

Amidst the winds, a blurry figure emerged from nowhere – a sinister silhouette that seemed to dance with the breeze. The laughter grew louder, echoing with a haunting quality. A voice, tinged with mockery and arrogance, reverberated through the realm.

"Ah, the mighty Renegade, now a Transcendent. How amusing! Did you really think conquering the realm would go unnoticed?"

The voice taunted, weaving through the air like a venomous serpent. Alex, still recovering from the surprise attack, scanned the surroundings with vigilance. The figure remained shrouded in darkness, a malevolent presence that seemed to relish in the unfolding drama.

As the laughter continued, an unsettling realization dawned upon Alex – a formidable adversary lurked in the shadows, a force that had been watching and, now, revealing in his vulnerability. The expanse of Hyousetsu transformed into a stage for a perilous encounter, and Alex, despite his newfound rank, faced a challenge that surpassed any he had encountered before.

The echoes of malevolent laughter resonated through the icy realm, setting the stage for a confrontation that would test the limits of Alex's transcendent power.

The frosty air crackled with tension as Alex, undeterred by the veiled adversary's revelation, summoned his shadows to surround him. Claw, Frost, and Fang materialized from the depths of the abyss, each a manifestation of formidable power. Their forms, bathed in the crimson glow of Alex's nanotech suit, exuded an otherworldly aura.

The blurry figure, still shrouded in darkness, responded with a menacing laughter that reverberated through the icy expanse. The shadows cast eerie silhouettes on the frozen ground as the confrontation escalated. The adversary's voice, dripping with malice, sliced through the chilling wind.

"A four versus one; that's about fair, isn't it?" The figure chuckled, a sound that seemed to echo from the depths of an abyss. "But did you ever stop to wonder why and how you defeated that piece of shit next to you that easily?"

The words hung in the air like a sinister riddle, prompting Alex to question the nature of his recent battles. The figure continued, unravelling the truth behind the fallen monarch.

"It was a mere puppet, enhanced to S-rank by me. The monarch was mine to control, and you killed him, forcing me, one of the council members, to come and deal with you before you start becoming a pain in the ass."

The revelation sent a chill down Alex's spine, a realization that his recent triumphs were orchestrated, and the challenges he faced were mere pawns manipulated by a puppet master hidden in the shadows. The deceptive power-play left Alex contemplating the true extent of his encounters in Hyousetsu.

The battleground shifted, and the air crackled with tension as Alex, now aware of the puppeteer orchestrating the events, prepared for the impending clash. The shadows, loyal to their master, mirrored his resolve. Claw, the embodiment of darkness and strength; Frost, once an adversary turned ally; and Fang, a relentless force forged from the essence of a defeated opponent.

As the confrontation resumed, weapons clashed, and the dance of shadows unfolded. Alex, wielding Oblivion with finesse, engaged the adversary while Claw and Fang flanked from the sides. Frost, now under Alex's command, showcased the newfound unity of shadows.

The blurry figure, no longer shrouded in obscurity, materialized as an imposing presence. The revelation of being a council member elevated the stakes, marking this battle as a clash of powers that transcended the boundaries of Hyousetsu.

The winds carried echoes of strikes and parries, the clash of blades resonating in the air. The adversary, once concealed, now confronted Alex openly, revealing a prowess that matched the transcendent power recently bestowed upon the apprentice.

The blurred figure, now fully revealed, bore the mantle of a cosmic council member, a being of profound power and influence. The adversary's movements became more calculated, a reflection of the experience that came with standing among the celestial rulers. The confrontation intensified as Alex, resolute and unyielding, faced an opponent whose mastery of shadows mirrored his own.

Fang, a shadow forged from the essence of a once-formidable adversary, moved with a primal ferocity. Its strong tail clashed against the adversary's weapons, creating sparks that illuminated the battleground. Frost, under Alex's command, weaved through the air, manipulating the frosty blade to gain a strategic advantage. The interplay of shadows painted a surreal spectacle against the canvas of Hyousetsu.

Claw, the embodiment of darkness itself, engaged the adversary with a relentless onslaught. Each strike resonated with the haunting echoes of abyssal power, a dance of malevolence that mirrored the cosmic forces at play. Oblivion, in Alex's hands, became an extension of his will, a blade that cut through the fabric of reality itself.

As the clash unfolded, the adversary's laughter, once filled with arrogance, morphed into a mixture of frustration and admiration. The cosmic council member had underestimated the apprentice's resilience and prowess. The battle had transcended the boundaries of a mere confrontation; it became a manifestation of wills, a struggle for dominance in a realm where shadows and frost coexisted.

The echoes of each strike reverberated through Hyousetsu, a symphony of power that captivated the attention of its ancient spirits. The landscape seemed to respond to the intensity of the confrontation, with tendrils rising from the ground and shadows dancing in tandem with the combatants.

The cosmic council member, forced to abandon the puppetry that once concealed their true abilities, unleashed a barrage of cosmic energy. The winds carried the resonance of each clash, a cosmic harmony that harmonized with the ethereal forces of the realm. Alex, however, stood undeterred, his crimson eyes ablaze with determination.

The battle reached its zenith as both Alex and the council member tapped into the essence of Hyousetsu. The realm itself became a participant in their conflict, amplifying the power of each strike. The confrontation became a dance of destiny, a collision of forces that would determine the fate of not only Hyousetsu but also the balance within the cosmic council.

In the culmination of the clash Alex delivered a final, decisive strike. Oblivion, infused with the essence of his journey, pierced through the adversary's defenses. The council member, unable to maintain the charade of invincibility, succumbed to the abyssal power.

As the defeated cosmic entity coughed up blood, a deep cut gushing crimson from his chest, a sinister laughter echoed through Hyousetsu. Despite the grievous wounds, the figure displayed a twisted satisfaction. "You're something else, you are," he wheezed, the laughter interspersed with each pained breath.

With an ominous promise, he added, "I'll see you soon."