Cross Dragon x Devils

The infirmary's sterile light flickered faintly as Kazuki opened his eyes, the weight of his body heavy against the stiff mattress. His head throbbed, and every inch of him ached from his battle with Zephyr Shadowblade. The memory of his shattered armor and the Void Dragon's incomplete surge haunted him, playing in his mind like a taunting echo.

He turned his head, groaning softly as he took in the sight of Rito, asleep in a chair beside him, her arms crossed, her usual fiery determination replaced with an expression of exhaustion. Her wounds were still visible, faint cuts and bruises marring her usually pristine appearance. It made his chest tighten.

"She never left your side," Sutea's voice came softly from the corner of the room.

Kazuki turned to find her standing there, arms folded, her eyes dark with worry.

"How long?" he croaked.

"Two days," Sutea replied, stepping closer. "You've been unconscious since the fight. Rito's been here the entire time. She even refused treatment until she knew you were okay."

Kazuki winced. Guilt clawed at him as he shifted in the bed, the sharp pain in his ribs reminding him of his limits.

"I failed her," he muttered. "I failed all of you."

Sutea frowned, her usual calm demeanor faltering. "That's not true, Kazuki. You fought with everything you had. None of us blame you."

Before he could respond, the door creaked open, revealing Ayumi with her usual playful grin, though her eyes carried the same worry as Sutea's. She held a basket of fruits and snacks, setting them on the bedside table.

"Morning, sleeping beauty," Ayumi teased, though her voice was softer than usual. "You really know how to keep a crowd waiting."

Kazuki managed a small chuckle, though it hurt to laugh. "Guess I'm good at making an impression."

Ayumi's grin widened as she leaned closer. "Well, you'll have to step up your game, because the crowd's already forgotten about you. They're too busy talking about the guest who defeated you."

Kazuki's stomach sank. "Zephyr…"

Ayumi nodded, her playful tone gone. "He's still here. Apparently, he's been getting cozy with the school's higher-ups. And rumor has it, he's been asking about Rito."

The air grew heavy, and Kazuki's hands curled into fists despite the pain it caused.

"He's after her," Kazuki said, his voice low.

Sutea stepped forward, her expression stern. "Kazuki, you're not in any condition to fight him again. And if the Void Dragon awakens improperly—"

"I know," Kazuki interrupted, his voice sharp. He looked at them both, then at Rito, still sleeping soundly. "But I can't let him hurt her. I won't."

Ayumi sighed, shaking her head. "Well, you're going to need more than broken armor and half-awakened dragon powers if you plan to take him down. You need a plan—and maybe a miracle."

---

The Forge Within

Later that evening, after Rito finally woke and scolded Kazuki for worrying her, he excused himself to the workshop he'd been granted on campus. The air inside was filled with the hum of machinery and the faint smell of oil.

Kazuki sat at his workbench, the shattered fragments of his combat armor laid out before him. Each piece told the story of his battle, from the deep scratches caused by Zephyr's shadows to the fractures where his Void Dragon energy had overloaded the system.

"This won't do," Kazuki muttered, running a hand through his hair. "If I'm going to face him again, I need something stronger."

The Void Dragon's power pulsed faintly within him, as if in response. It wasn't fully awakened yet, but he could feel it—raw, untapped, and chaotic. He closed his eyes, reaching for that power.

Visions flooded his mind—dark scales, violet flames, and glowing eyes that pierced through the shadows. The Void Dragon wasn't just a source of power; it was a part of him, one he had yet to fully understand.

When he opened his eyes, his gaze fell on the shattered armor. An idea sparked, and he immediately began sketching new designs, his hands moving with renewed purpose.

The new combat suit would be more than just armor. It would be a conduit for the Void Dragon's energy, designed to channel its power without overwhelming him. He envisioned a sleeker design, one that combined the resilience of his original suit with the primal force of the dragon within him.

Hours passed as he worked tirelessly, welding, assembling, and fine-tuning. Ayumi and Sutea stopped by to check on him, bringing food and offering words of encouragement, but he barely acknowledged them, his focus entirely on the suit.

By the time he finished, the sun was rising. The new suit stood before him—a masterpiece of metal and magic. Its dark, scaled exterior shimmered faintly with violet light, and the energy it emitted was palpable, humming with restrained power.

Kazuki smiled faintly, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. "Let's see what you can do."

---

The Arena Beckons

The next day, Kazuki returned to the arena, where whispers and stares followed him. The audience's reaction to his loss had shifted into curiosity, especially when word spread about his new suit.

Rito, Sutea, and Ayumi watched from the sidelines, their expressions a mix of worry and anticipation.

"You think he's ready?" Sutea asked quietly.

Ayumi smirked. "He's Kazuki. He doesn't know how to quit."

The announcement rang out, declaring a rematch between Kazuki and Zephyr. The crowd roared as Zephyr entered the arena, his usual smirk in place, his shadowy aura curling around him like smoke.

Kazuki stepped forward, his new armor gleaming under the sunlight. The crowd fell silent for a moment, taking in the sight of him, before erupting into cheers and murmurs.

Zephyr raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Back for more, are we? I admire your persistence."

Kazuki said nothing, his eyes narrowing as he activated his suit. The energy surged around him, amplifying his movements and sharpening his senses.

The battle began with a ferocity that surpassed their previous encounter. Zephyr's shadows lashed out, but Kazuki's new suit absorbed the impact, redirecting the energy back toward his opponent.

Each clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the arena, the air crackling with intensity. Kazuki's movements were faster, more precise, his strikes landing with enough force to shake the ground.

But Zephyr wasn't holding back either. His shadows grew darker, sharper, and more relentless.

As the fight raged on, Kazuki felt the Void Dragon's power stirring within him, urging him to unleash more. He gritted his teeth, focusing on maintaining control.

The turning point came when Zephyr summoned a massive shadow blade, its edge glowing ominously. He swung it down with devastating force, aiming to end the fight in one blow.

Kazuki raised his hands, channeling the Void Dragon's energy into his suit. His armor glowed brighter, the violet light expanding into a barrier that caught the blade mid-swing.

With a roar, Kazuki pushed back, the energy surging through him. His transformation wasn't complete, but in that moment, he felt a connection to the Void Dragon like never before.

The arena was bathed in violet light as Kazuki unleashed a final, devastating attack, shattering Zephyr's blade and sending him crashing to the ground.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Kazuki stood victorious, his armor flickering faintly before powering down.

Rito rushed to his side, followed by Sutea and Ayumi, their faces lit with pride and relief.

"You did it," Rito whispered, her voice trembling.

Kazuki smiled faintly, his exhaustion catching up to him. "Yeah… we did."

End of Chapter 16