Before they could clash again, rapid footsteps approached from behind, bringing a much-needed surge of relief and concern simultaneously. Kaito glanced back momentarily as Satoshi appeared, Yuuna, Kojiro, Emi, and Shunjiro close behind him. “Brother, we’ve come to back you up!” Satoshi shouted, his crystal katana already drawn, glinting in the fading sunlight. Kaito’s heart lifted slightly, recognizing their reinforcements. Yet his eyes narrowed with worry as they landed on Emi and Shunjiro. Those two aren’t ready for a fight of this magnitude, he thought. Nevertheless, he knew there was no time to argue. Roman let out a hearty, mocking laugh. “Eight against one, Kaito? Are you so desperate you rely on this trash? How far you’ve fallen!” Kaito didn’t flinch. “Look at yourself, Roman. Relying on corruption. Who’s truly fallen?” Roman’s smile twisted with anger. “Enough talk! If you think numbers will save you, come and prove it!” Without hesitation, Hiroto surged forward first, his body visibly denser, feet cracking the pavement as he charged. Roman leaped back just in time to evade Hiroto’s devastating punch. The ground shattered, debris raining outward. “You’re heavy, big guy,” Roman taunted. “But slow as shit.” “Keep talking, bastard,” Hiroto shot back, already lunging again. Roman prepared to counterattack but was forced to dodge suddenly as a sharp wave of crystal spikes erupted from beneath his feet. Satoshi smirked, crystal shards dancing around his fingertips. “Mind your step, Roman!” Roman leapt clear, landing precariously as Yuuna appeared, ice spiraling around her palms. “Freeze!” she shouted, releasing sharp spears of ice toward Roman, forcing him to evade. Roman twisted midair, narrowly dodging Yuuna’s ice spikes, only to find Kaito flashing forward at lightning speed. He swung his katana, slashes of spiritual energy slicing toward Roman. Roman raised his corrupted barrier, deflecting most attacks, though a sharp pain across his shoulder indicated one had broken through. Roman hissed, clutching his fresh wound. “You’re becoming a nuisance!” He dashed forward, aiming for Kaito, but Akira intercepted swiftly, swinging her blade of pure light. Roman spun, clashing against Akira’s blade, dark energy sparking violently against the luminous weapon. “Trying to cut me again, Akira?” Roman sneered. “Count on it!” she retorted, pressing harder. The sizzling energy between them forced Roman back, giving Hiroto another opening. Hiroto lunged, density increased, fist colliding heavily with Roman’s side. Roman staggered but retaliated viciously, cracking a fist into Hiroto’s jaw, sending him stumbling. Kojiro, sensing an opportunity, launched forward. His limbs transformed swiftly into razor-sharp blades as he attacked Roman’s exposed flank. “Blade Rush!” Kojiro shouted, limbs slashing in a rapid dance of steel. Roman was forced to pivot sharply, narrowly avoiding severe wounds, though multiple shallow cuts streaked across his torso. Roman snarled, eyes burning fiercely. “You’ll regret that!” Kojiro quickly withdrew, but Roman closed the gap rapidly, his fist blazing with corrupted energy. Kojiro braced for impact, but a thin thread suddenly wrapped around Roman’s wrist, halting his momentum momentarily. Emi stood a distance away, hands trembling slightly, threads taut. “Got you!” Roman growled, ripping free effortlessly. “Stay out of this, weakling!” He threw a sharp burst of energy towards Emi, who yelped and stumbled backward. Shunjiro dashed forward, heart racing, sand swirling around his Devil’s Luck dagger as he deflected the energy blast. “Careful, Emi!” Shunjiro called, standing protectively before her. His breathing was erratic, and his heart pounded with adrenaline. “Leave him to us.” Roman chuckled mockingly. “Pathetic. Is this all the Kingdom of Radiance has to offer?” Kaito’s expression darkened, and he took a deep breath, centering himself. “Enough. We take him together!” “Right!” shouted Akira and Hiroto simultaneously, rallying around their leader. The group coordinated their attack, moving as one. Hiroto led, altering his weight to leap high, then crashing down heavily, forcing Roman back again. Yuuna swept in from the side, releasing another volley of ice spears to restrict Roman’s movements. “Cover me!” Kaito yelled to Satoshi, who nodded sharply, crystals erupting from the ground in quick succession, forming deadly traps around Roman’s feet. Roman tried dodging but was slowed considerably, forced to fight defensively as Kaito’s superspeed brought a storm of precise slashes upon him. Roman’s barrier flickered as fresh wounds opened along his limbs. Roman’s temper snapped. “Enough games!” With a furious roar, he expanded his corrupted energy, the force knocking everyone backward. Kaito skidded back, blade raised defensively, while Akira and Hiroto struggled to remain upright under the violent pressure. As the dust cleared, Roman stood panting heavily but still unbroken. “I underestimated your coordination… but playtime is over.” Hiroto chuckled breathlessly. “We’re just getting started!” “Agreed,” Akira added, stance unwavering. “We won’t stop until you fall!” Shunjiro gritted his teeth, gripping his dagger tighter, determination overriding his fear. “We’re with you!” “Don’t push yourself,” Kaito warned him gently. “Stay alert!” Roman laughed bitterly, wiping blood from his mouth. “Even insects can sting if they gather. But it’s not enough.” He rushed toward Kaito with ferocious speed, landing consecutive blows that forced Kaito back painfully. Akira intercepted again, her blade slicing dangerously close. Roman dodged and countered, his energy-infused punch narrowly blocked by her blade. “Persistent!” Roman snapped, kicking Akira fiercely aside. Satoshi charged again, crystal sword gleaming brilliantly as he swung, slicing into Roman’s side. Roman roared in pain, retaliating with violent fury, sending Satoshi sprawling. Yuuna and Kojiro continued their tandem attacks, blades of ice and steel forcing Roman into a continuous defensive pattern. Emi used her threads strategically, binding his limbs momentarily to disrupt his rhythm, buying precious moments for their leaders. Each fighter began to feel exhaustion creeping in, their movements becoming strained and heavy. Kaito knew their stamina was limited; the longer the fight dragged on, the greater the risk they all faced. Roman seemed aware of this as well, his eyes glinting malevolently. “You’re all slowing down!” he mocked. “Soon, your bodies will betray you!” Hiroto forced himself forward again, his body feeling like stone. “We’re not finished yet!” Roman’s lips twisted into a sinister smile. “Then show me your resolve!” As the dust stirred by their violent clash settled once more, a tense standoff ensued. Roman stood battered yet defiant, facing the eight exhausted warriors surrounding him. Every fighter drew deep breaths, summoning whatever strength remained. Kaito glanced around, taking stock of each comrade. “One final push! We can do this!” “Yes!” Satoshi shouted firmly, rallying everyone’s spirits. “Let’s end this together!” Roman’s corrupted aura surged once more, dark energy spiraling menacingly around him. “Come, then! Face your end!” With renewed determination, the warriors of Radiance prepared to give everything they had left. The clash resumed, more intense than ever, a desperate battle to protect everything they held dear, knowing failure would spell destruction for the entire kingdom. Their hearts beat in unison, unified by a single, resolute purpose: they had to stop Roman, no matter the cost.