"W-wait, what?"


    "What''s going on?"


    "Why is this happening now?"


    Suddenly, those who possessed Arcanas began to exim just as they were about to gain the upper hand.


    With shock and disbelief on their faces, they watched as their abilities stopped functioning. As though that wasn''t bad enough, they felt the power given to them by the Arcanas leave.


    Ciel watched this sight in surprise, however, she did not break into relief.


    >SHWUUUSSSHHH!!!<


    Their cards left them and lunged in the direction of a white cocoon that now hovered in the air.


    The process was faster than anyone could follow, so before they could do anything, it was practically toote. The Arcanas fused with the white cocoon, along with a couple of others that flew over from their respective locations.


    All the cards flew into the single white object.


    "What in the wor—" Before Ciel or anyone else could properly react, a loud eruption caught their attention.


    >BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<


    This explosion also came from above them—far beyond the height of the white cocoon and on a scale that none of them could fathom.


    "I-is that…?!"


    "N-no way! It really is him!"


    "He didn''t die! I knew it!"


    "H-how is this… this is impossible!"


    While the allied fighters expressed delight, Ciel disyed immense disbelief. What she was witnessing defied her view of her Master and his supreme power.


    "Jared… and Kuzon…"


    They all watched as light and darkness danced in the sky above thempletely beyond the realm that mere mortals could reach.


    "... They''re on apletely different level!"


    *


    *


    *


    "You''re pretty good." Kuzon smiled as he flew side by side with Jared''s duplicate.


    It was a mere husk, meant to duplicate his body and nothing else, yet Kuzon could not helpmunicating with it.


    So far, they had tried their best to match the Nether—it was mostly thanks to theirbined efforts and the support they rendered to each other. Although, so far things were at a stalemate.


    "How long will this process of yours take?" Kuzon asked, barely dodging a very dangerous strike from the Nether as he swiftly closed in on the aggravated enemy.


    He did not expect Jared''s duplicate to answer, but to his surprise, the clone nced at him with a disapproving look in its eyes.


    "You shouldn''t be distracted. Carelessness is an enemy." It spoke.


    Kuzon''s eyes instantly popped wide open—not just because Jared''s clone had spoken, but because of the feminine tone that emerged from his lips.


    It sounded melodious, yet firm. Kuzon instantly recognized that the voice belonged to none other than—


    "Aether?!"


    "Yes. I have decided to control this form in order to offer my help. The most I can do, however, is remotely manipte it. It''s not sufficient for habitation."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Kuzon''s smile widened and his expression brightened instantly. Hearing that he had Aether by his side was more than enough to cheer him up.


    "Aether. So you finally decided to show up." The Nether''s tone caused the air to vibrate and a far more malevolent aura took over the area.


    "Keuk!" Kuzon felt a force pushing him back, but he quickly regained hisposure as he stood beside Aether''s bright form—or rather, her manifestation in Jared.


    "I will not allow your will toe to pass." Her voice echoed from Jared''s lips, and her bright golden eyes shone with determination.


    "That vessel is too weak. I grow stronger with every moment that passes. Even if you stall, there is no point."


    Almost immediately after he spoke, his power climbed to yet another degree.


    "He''s already stronger than the both of us, and it''s difficult to keep up. Any longer and…" Aether''s eyes narrowed.


    "Isn''t it ironic that the essence of hope and light is being pessimistic?" Kuzon responded with a smirk to hide his own nervousness.


    "I am not the personification of hope or pure light. Despair exists in this world and so does darkness. I am all of those things. However, I also represent the natural order of things, which ensures that hope triumphs over despair, and light over darkness. I am bnce."


    "You are a fraud." The Nether interrupted with a menacing cackle.


    "Your so-called bnce is wed and you know it. You are only one side of the coin, while I am the other." He added. "The one who actually seeks bnce is me!"


    "What you seek is the destruction of all that exists in your selfish pursuit to be whole. That is not bnce at all. It is simply chaos."


    "Call it whatever you want. No one will be around toin once I get what I desire."


    The Nether''s grin grew wide, and he immersed himself in his growing energy, while the power of his adversaries kept getting smaller inparison.


    However—


    "MASTER! That strange cocoon is taking in all the surrounding Arcanas! I fear they may be up to no good!"


    Ciel''s warning was enough to snap the Nether out of his arrogant rants and break away from the distraction that both Kuzon and Aether tried to offer.


    "You…" He growled, instantly shooting his attention towards the cocoon. "What are you up to now?"


    He knew it was impossible for them to seal him away without the power of all the Arcanas. However, the Nether was also well aware of the fact that it was possible to duplicate Arcanas if one had enough power.


    The fact that so many Arcanas were gathered in a single location already meant that something was definitely wrong somewhere.


    He could not allow it!


    "Stop the Nether with all your might. Make sure you protect Jared." Aether spoke, swiftly moving Jared''s duplicate to intercept the iing Nether.


    "Get out of my way!" Instantly utilizing an overpowering pulse, he instantly pushed the duplicate body out of his way, overwhelming it with corruption so that it disintegrated.


    Kuzon appeared before the Nether next, his eyes zing, and his will unmoving. Once again, he faced this creature of darkness, but now he was at a disadvantage.


    However… that didn''t deter him from his mission.


    "No way are you going past me."


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    Please check out my new book, called SWORDCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Nameless Nobody.


    It''s yet another reincarnation novel, full of action, as well as adventure, and I can guarantee your enjoyment.


    Cheers!