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Chapter 28: "The Inverted Blade – Beginning of the Uprising!"
[Scene: Upper Forest – Heart of the Eternal Tree]
The wind roared suddenly, and the sky turned a faint purple. Standing at the center of the natural arena, atop a massive curved branch, was the figure from an unknown dimension. He is known as: "Maverix the Inverter."
Wearing a cloak that shifted like smoke, he held a sword longer than his own height — black with a shimmering blue glow, pulsing like a dead heart.
He whispered:
"Knights... welcome to a reality where laws do not apply."
First Strike – Hell’s Opening
Suddenly, he raised his sword and unleashed a dark slash wave that split one of the massive tree branches from afar. Hundreds of meters of wood crashed down in an instant.
Kane leapt into the air and shouted:
"Shadow Dive!"
He appeared behind Maverix, daggers aimed at his back!
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But…
The attack reversed!
It struck Kane himself, sending him tumbling unconscious across the ground.
Lorina screamed:
"His power... it reverses everything! Don't attack directly!"
Team Movement – Knights Coordinate
Hakora charged in from the left, her sword glowing red-hot.
"Celestial Flame Slash!"
Maverix didn’t move. He simply pointed his sword downward —
The branch under Hakora flipped upside down!
She slammed into the rocks and nearly fell to her doom, but Ryger caught her at the last second.
Ryger growled:
"I’ll break your twisted rules!"
He leaped high, spun his spear, then hurled it with thunderous force toward Maverix’s chest.
The spear pierced the air…
But time reversed!
It came back, nearly impaling Ryger, only for Lorina to block it with a glowing crystal barrier.
The Fight Truly Begins – Strategy & Clashes
Hanto hadn’t moved. He observed the enemy carefully.
“He’s not just reversing energy… he’s reversing intent.”
Lorina cast a flurry of spells:
"Crystal Light!", "Sky Tower Reflection!", "Emerald Beam!"
But all of them rebounded and hit her instead.
Hakora returned to battle with a bleeding shoulder, but her eyes were burning.
"Even if my blow is reflected… I’ll make it hit us both!"
She spun her sword, generating a fiery tornado, then launched herself like a missile.
Result: Her strike injured her… but also scratched Maverix's chest.
Maverix looked at the blood slowly trickling…
"Blood? This hasn’t happened in a thousand years..."
He vanished in rage!
Suddenly appeared above Lorina with his massive sword descending like a guillotine.
Kane shouted from the ground:
"Lorina!!!"
But in a flash, Hanto appeared, grabbing the blade with his bare hand!
His eye glowed golden.
"I believe in honest confrontation… and my will cannot be reversed."
Climactic Combat – Physical Duel
Maverix dropped his sword and started brawling!
His punches distorted space. Each hit changed wind direction.
Hanto fought him with fists — right punch, left dodge.
Ryger rejoined, attacking from behind with a short spear.
Hakora smashed the ground, causing a rock explosion beneath Maverix.
For the first time, the team fought together in perfect coordination!
Temporary Climax – Collapse
After minutes of fierce, mind-bending battle, Maverix staggered back, breathing heavily.
His body was wounded — but he did not fall.
He looked at them and said:
"Impressive… you’re the first to draw my blood in ages."
Then he summoned a vortex of energy… and vanished within.
The knights collapsed to the ground, panting—but alive.
Hanto:
"This was just the beginning."
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