*Chapter 79: The Void of Karet**
Draven emerged fully from the ground, his body levitating high above, his silhouette almost blocking out the sun. It was as if he had divided the sky itself, his presence casting a shadow that stretched across the barren landscape. Below, Shiki stood, his lips curling into a faint smile. But there was no warmth in that smile—only the cold calculation of a predator sizing up its prey.
Draven's hands shifted, and the sky responded with a deafening *BOOM*. A straight, searing yellow lightning bolt erupted from the clouds, its brilliance blinding. Shiki's eyes narrowed, catching the moment the lightning formed. He recognized the danger immediately—this wasn't ordinary lightning. It was softer, almost fluid, yet it moved with the speed of a thousand bolts converging into one. The yellow lightning streaked downward, faster than anything Shiki had ever seen. Even with his heightened reflexes and foresight, he couldn't dodge it.
*CRACK!* The lightning struck in less than a second, its force shaking the ground. Shiki's Severing Angel manifested in a flash, its massive form embodying him completely. The angel raised its colossal sword, the Gehinom Blade, to block the attack. The clash was deafening—a metallic *SCREECH* echoed as the yellow lightning collided with the blade. For a moment, it seemed the Severing Angel might hold. But then, with a *SNAP*, the Gehinom Blade split in two. The lightning surged forward, obliterating the angel's arms and sending them flying into the air. The force of the attack left the Severing Angel wide open, its form dissolving into golden particles that scattered like embers in the wind.
Shiki's eyes widened as a single bead of sweat rolled down his temple. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he felt a flicker of fear. His Severing Angel—his ultimate defense—had been completely erased. Draven, still levitating above, watched with cold detachment. He raised his hand, and the remnants of the yellow lightning crackled around his fingers. "Yellow Lightning: Indra's Thunderbolt Technique," he declared, his voice echoing like a god's decree.
Shiki stared at the dissolving remains of his Severing Angel, his mind racing. "If that attack had hit me directly…" he muttered, his voice low. He glanced at the horizon, imagining the devastation such a technique could unleash. "If this level of power struck Antarctica, it would wipe everything clean." His eyes hardened as he turned his gaze back to Draven. "I underestimated you. Even my visions couldn't see beyond your death. Whatever happened to you in that state… it changed you."
Shiki stretched his arms upward, and the two golden monkeys—Golden Langur—began to merge into his body. Their forms dissolved into shimmering golden energy, which flowed into his hands. There was no grand transformation, no dramatic shift in appearance. Instead, a pair of intricate gold amulets materialized on his wrists, glowing faintly. He slammed his hands into the ground, and the earth beneath him began to shimmer. The ground liquefied, turning into a golden pool that rippled like molten metal.
Draven's eyes narrowed as he observed the phenomenon. "What is this?" he muttered, his voice tinged with curiosity and caution. The golden liquid surged upward, forming twenty sharp spears that shot toward him with terrifying speed. Draven dodged the first, the second, the third—but the sheer number and pressure of the spears began to overwhelm him. He clenched his fists, and another yellow bolt of lightning streaked down from the clouds. *CRACK!* The bolt struck the spears, melting them into golden liquid that splashed harmlessly to the ground.
But as the golden liquid dissipated, Draven realized Shiki was no longer there. A sudden *WHOOSH* filled the air as a rift opened above him. Draven turned just in time to see Shiki's Severing Angel burst from the rift, its massive hands grabbing him. The angel's grip was ironclad, and before Draven could react, he was pulled into the rift. The portal closed with a *SNAP*, leaving the battlefield eerily silent.
---
Inside the rift, Draven found himself in a void—a dimension of endless darkness punctuated by faint, glowing lines that crisscrossed like a cosmic web. Shiki stood a few feet away, his expression calm but resolute. "Welcome to my Karet," he said, his voice echoing in the emptiness. "A dimension in the void between life and death. Here, I have absolute authority."
Draven's eyes scanned the strange realm, his All-Creation Eyes flaring to life. The hue of his irises shifted, revealing the intricate patterns of energy that flowed through the dimension. "A pocket dimension," he muttered. "Impressive. But do you really think this will stop me?"
Shiki smirked. "Stop you? No, I intend to correct your mistakes."
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Back in Antarctica, Huey sat on a makeshift throne of ice, his expression one of mild amusement. He chuckled softly, his voice carrying a note of admiration. "I never knew Shiki had the Karet ability," he said, leaning back. "That boy always has a few tricks up his sleeve."
Kenzy and Gansu stepped forward, their faces etched with concern. "Will Draven be okay?" Kenzy asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Huey's smile widened. "The rest is up to the two brothers now," he said, his tone almost casual. "Whoever comes back… is the winner."
The wind howled across the icy plains, carrying with it the faint echoes of a battle raging in another dimension. The stakes had never been higher, and the outcome was anything but certain.