NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The Masked Fighter
Kai barely had time to react before Varzon's blade came swinging down toward him, crackling with dark Rift energy.
His instincts kicked in, and he threw up his energy blade to block the attack—
BOOM!
The impact sent a shockwave through the academy grounds, splitting the earth beneath them.
Kai gritted his teeth, his arms trembling as he struggled to hold his ground.
Damn… he's strong.
Varzon's glowing red eyes stared straight into his, filled with cold calculation.
"You are flawed."
Kai's blade flickered, his energy dangerously unstable.
Luna saw it instantly. Kai's power… it's not at full strength.
Varzon pressed forward, forcing Kai down—
Until a sudden golden flash intercepted the strike.
CLANG!
A third sword met Varzon's, deflecting the blow in an instant.
Kai and Luna's eyes widened.
Standing between them and Varzon was a figure clad in dark, sleek armor, a mask covering their face, holding a glowing golden sword.
The masked fighter stood tall, completely unfazed by the force of Varzon's attack.
Varzon's head tilted slightly. "You."
The masked fighter's voice was calm, yet powerful.
"You're not supposed to be here yet, Varzon."
Luna barely managed to speak. "Who… are you?"
The masked fighter didn't answer. Instead, they turned their head slightly toward Kai.
"You need to leave. Now."
Kai scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah, that's not happening. I don't do well with being told what to do."
The masked fighter didn't react. Instead, they vanished—
And reappeared behind Varzon in an instant.
Their golden sword slashed through the air, but Varzon blocked it effortlessly.
The two clashed at speeds Luna's eyes could barely keep up with.
Kai was stunned.
This masked fighter… they were on par with Varzon.
Maybe even stronger.
A Battle Beyond Their Level
Luna clenched her fists. She hated to admit it, but… this battle wasn't meant for them.
She had fought Hellions before. Even evolved ones.
But these two were different.
They weren't just creatures born from the Rift—
They were warriors.
And right now, she and Kai were completely outclassed.
The masked fighter suddenly landed next to them, still holding their golden sword.
"Get out of here. You can't win this fight."
Kai glared at them. "And what, you can? Who the hell are you?"
The masked fighter hesitated—then simply said:
"A friend. For now."
Varzon's red energy spiked, his body glowing with raw Rift power.
"Enough. You will all perish here."
The masked fighter clicked their tongue.
"Kai. Luna. MOVE."
A massive energy wave erupted from Varzon, ripping apart everything in its path.
Kai grabbed Luna's wrist—
And they vanished in a burst of speed.
The last thing Kai saw before they disappeared—
Was the masked fighter smiling beneath their mask.
Regrouping
When the world stopped spinning, Kai and Luna crashed into the ground, rolling across the pavement.
They had been teleported.
Kai groaned, pushing himself up. "Okay. What the hell just happened?"
Luna shook her head, still processing. "Who was that?"
Kai exhaled. "No idea. But they just saved our asses."
Luna turned toward the Rift, which still pulsed ominously in the distance.
For the first time, she felt something deeper than fear.
It was a warning.
Something bigger was at play.
And they had just stepped into the middle of it.
Elsewhere…
Varzon stood in the ruins of the battlefield, his blade still glowing.
The masked fighter stood across from him, unfazed.
"You shouldn't be interfering." Varzon growled.
The masked fighter chuckled.
"And you shouldn't be in this timeline yet."
Varzon's red eyes glowed brighter.
"Then I will correct that mistake."
The masked fighter simply raised their sword again.
"Let's see you try."
And with that—their battle truly began.