The battle raged on...

The ruined temple trembled beneath the violence unfolding within its ancient walls. Broken pillars littered the chamber, shattered marbles covered the floor, and dust drifted endlessly through the crimson light pouring from the gaps in the ceiling.

And at the center of it all, the giant feline continued thrashing violently. It’s massive body twisted and bucked with terrifying. Every movement carried enough strength to crack stone and topple pillars.

It’s mane whipped through the air like a storm-tossed banner while furious snarls echoed throughout the hall.

Clinging desperately to it’s back, Regaleon felt as though he was trying to ride an earthquake. Both hands were buried deep within the creature’s thick mane.

His boots dug into it’s spine as he fought to maintain balance. Just one mistake... And he might fall to a certain doom.

Meanwhile, Valmyr was already preparing another attack. The failed Vanguard’s chest rose and fell heavily; blood stained his lips in scarlet streaks while every muscle in his body protested seriously...

His reserves of Aether were nearly depleted, and yet he still tightened his grip around his Broadsword. At this point, there was no room for retreat in the battle, just attacks.

Silver light gathered around the blade as he activated the Essence Rune "Cataclysmic Strike."

Unlike before, he didn’t combine it with "Giant Slayer" because his mere awakened body simply couldn’t handle the strain.

So, he poured every remaining ounce shred of Aether into this strike. His Earl Tier Broadsword hummed... And then, he charged...

His boots crushed fragments of marble beneath them as he sprinted forward with a beastial momentum.

Tue giant feline was still focused on trying to throw Regaleon off it’s back so this was the one chance he gets. His Soul Essence rose high and then descended...

Yet at that exact moment, a golden light suddenly erupted across the creature’s body. The glow spread rapidly through the metallic scales covering it’s limbs, chest, spine and neck...

Like molten sunlight flowing across forged steel, the radiance transformed the already monstrous beast into something even more terrifying; a living fortress.

Valmyr’s expression darkened as he realized that the creature had activated an Impulse. But even so, he didn’t stop his attack as his Broadsword continued descending...

CLANG!

The impact exploded throughout the temple and a shower of sparks followed... Yet, the result left him stunned.

Nothing happened at all... The scales remained intact and not even a single crack appeared on them. In fact, not a single drop of blood emerged as it flesh was completely unharmed...

For a brief moment, disbelief rooted him to the spot; the very same attack that had injured the creature earlier had suddenly became meaningless...

Then everything became worse as the giant feline suddenly stopped struggling against Regaleon. Slowly and deliberately, it turned it’s head toward the failed Vanguard...

It’s remaining amber eyes glowed ominously as it looked at the bulky youth.

Valmyr’s stomach sank as he saw the murderous gaze directed at him. And before he could even react, a massive claw swept toward him...

Instincts took over as he raised his Great Shield instantly while activating "Mountain Stand."

BOOM!

The impact detonated like thunder, and despite activating his Essence Rune at hat last possible moment, Valmyr felt as though a mountain had slammed into him.

His feet left the ground... The world spun... And he crashed through a pile of rubble before tumbling across the floor.

Pain erupted throughout his body; his arms trembled violently, his ribs screamed, and for several seconds, he couldn’t even breath properly.

Nearby, his Shield lay partially buried beneath debris with four deep claw marks stretching across its surface.

He tried to reach for it but strength failed him as he was just too exhausted to move now...

In the meantime, Vaelorin also acted. The failed Pyromancer raised his Staff and activated "Solar Lance."

Gold-red flames erupted from the Fiery Soul Essence and a torrent of fire surged across the temple...

The concentrated Inferno slammed directly into the feline’s forelegs. Heat distorted the surrounding air as the beast disappeared within the flames.

For several seconds, the fire continue raging. Then suddenly... The flames parted and the giant feline emerged calmly, as though it had just taken a walk through gentle rain.

The golden glow covering it’s scales remained untouched...

Vaelorin’s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets and before he could even process what he was seeing...

The predator lowered it’s body; muscles coiled beneath scales, it’s remaining eye narrowed, and then it pounced...

BOOM!

The temple shook violently we the giant beast exploded forward...

Vaelorin’s face turned pake as he watched death rush tuward him... And yet before the Anima could reach him...

GRRAAHH!

A furious growl erupted from it’s throat as a violent jerk snap it’s head backward.

Still clinging to it’s back, Regaleon had buried both hands into it’s mane. Every muscle in his body strained as he pulled with everything he possessed...

The giant feline stumbled and it’s charge ended abruptly.

Seeing this, Vaelorin immediately retreated backward...

It was only now did the creature seem to remember something, there was still an annoying human standing atop it’s back...

Regaleon didn’t hesitate as he manifested his Halberd before activating "Silver Sheen" and "Conqueror’s Momentum" immediately.

His Halberd flashed downward toward the scruff of the beast’s neck as the axe blade descended with a tremendous force...

CLANG!

Regaleon’s pupils pinpointed as he watched he strike fail completely. Rather than piercing flesh, the blade bent awkwardly against the glowing scales.

Clearly, the Impulse had strengthened it’s defenses to an absurd degree. Suddenly, the giant feline hurled itself sideways...

BOOM!

It’s body crashed into a nearby pillar hardly...

Regaleon barely held on for dear life but his Halberd didn’t. The weapon flew from his grasp and clattered across the marble floor.

Immediately, the Forgotten Knight’s expression darkened as he realized he just made a horrendous mistake; losing his weapon in the heat of battle.

And in this battle especially, losing it against an Anima was potentially fatal...

Meanwhile, the predator didn’t care what he was thinking and continued thrashing around; but this time, it was more violent than before.

It slammed itself against pillars and twisted it’s massive body in every direction...

Atop it, Regaleon struggled to maintain his grip before calling out desperately...

"Kaeloris!"

The failed Gnost immediately acted. His hands trembled as he unfurled his Scroll once more. Aether flowed into the Soul Essence as he activated "Law Script."

The word SLOW appeared, but this time, the glowing letters looked noticeably dimmer than before. Clearly, even he was beginning to reach his limit...

An invisible pressure descended upon the giant feline and once more, it’s movement immediately became sluggish.

Seeing this, Regaleon released the handful of mane and jumped. And the moment his boots touched the ground... The beast shattered the effect of the Rune’s influence.

Kaeloris staggered backward with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth...

The creature stood once more, but this time, it’s fury had reached a new level. This insignificant humans had humiliated it for far too long; they had wounded it, restrained it, ridden upon it’s back, and it is time for them to pay...

It’s remaining eye burned with beastial rage as it turned towards Kaeloris, then pounced...

This was the one who kept interfering with it and he would pay first...

But before the predator could reach the failed Gnost...

BOOM!

Regaleon slammed into it fiercely. Like a battering ram smashing through a gate, he threw his entire body into the collision...

The beast stumbled as it’s charge faltered. Then it turned toward the failed Knight and opened it’s jaws...

A pair of saber canines and rows of teeth descended instantly...

Regaleon’s Armour flashed as he activated "Bulwark Flesh." Then, he stepped forward, grabbing hold of both saber fangs...

The giant maw tried snapping shut, but Regaleon held them open...

For several seconds, the two side was lock in a stalemate; the predator pushed downward ferociously... And Regaleon met it with an equal force...

The giant feline roared furiously, then it shook it’s head violently. Finally, Regaleon’s grip broke and the Forgotten Knight was thrown across the temple...

He rolled across broken marble floor before forcing himself upright. Though he was also exhausted, he forced himself to remain standing as his golden eyes was fixed on the beast...

Then, the Anima lunged again, but this time, it was towards the silver-haired Knight...

And for the first time since the battle began, Regaleon finally saw it... And opening.

The giant feline had committed fully to the pounce as it allowed it’s beastial instincts to take over in it’s rage; it’s limbs spread outward and it’s underbelly became exposed.

Scales still covered most of it, but there was one place that did not have their protection, making it very vulnerable...

The failed Knight’s eyes sharpened and without hesitation, he sprinted toward his fallen Halberd. His fingers wrapped around the weapon before he charged forward...

Both figured rushed tuward one another without slowing down; the Anima’s claws glowed as it activated one of it’s Impulses...

While Regaleon’s blade glowed as he also activated "Silver Sheen" and "Predator’s Strike."

Across the battlefield, Valmyr watched from where he collapsed on the ground. Hope flickered within his exhausted eyes...

Vaelorin clutched his Staff tightly, heart pounding rapidly in his chest as he also watched...

Even Kaeloris adjusted his glasses with trembling hands as he fixed his gaze on the impending clash between Awakener and Anima...

The giant feline descended toward Regaleon and for a brief moment, it seemed as though the predator would crush him completely.

Then, the silver-haired Knight suddenly slid beneath it...

The world slowed...

The wind also stopped, as though it was watching them closely...

The opening appeared directly above the failed Knight...

Muscles tightened, grip strengthed and then, he thrust upward...

His elongated blade shot toward the vulnerable target, which was a place the sun had never shined before; it was the tool of inheritance...

This was the place no scale protected, and place cherished so deeply by every male...

The Halberd connected and immediately, a spray of blood erupted...

GRRRAAAHHH!!!

The howl that followed was more than beastial. In fact, it was louder than any roar the creature had released thus far. It was a howl of primal agony, one that most males could empathize with...

The blade sunk deep into that spot and instantly, the giant predator’s body convulsed violently....

Immediately after, Regaleon rolled away and regained his footing...

Behind him, the giant feline staggered and then, it’s enormous body collapsed forward...