Shadows Of Deception

The chapter begins with Nicklaus, his body dissolving into a red tendril that disappeared into the ground. His voice echoed faintly, "We will meet again." His departure left an eerie stillness, punctuated only by the faint crackle of residual energy from the intense battle.

Shenlog, his dragon scales still glowing faintly, landed heavily before Seiji and Mengi. He brushed debris off his armor-like skin, his breath ragged. The battle with Nicklaus, though not decisive, had clearly taken its toll.

Seiji, ever composed despite the chaos, stepped forward. "We don't have time for a breather. We need to finish this now." His 32 Marks of God glowed brighter, illuminating the battered battlefield. "I've already marked Nereus. When he adapted into that fish form and struck me, I placed my markings on his palm. But if he shifts forms again, the mark will vanish. We need to press him now and end this."

Mengi nodded, his liquid armor shifting and solidifying around him. "Let's do this."

Shenlog grunted in agreement, mounting his dragon once more. The beast roared, its wings slicing through the air as it took off, flames licking the edges of its maw in preparation for the final assault.

The Final Assault

Seiji blurred out of sight, his speed creating shockwaves as he raced across the fractured ground toward Nereus. Mengi stood firm, his golden liquid rippling as he readied his next move. Overhead, Shenlog's dragon ascended, its massive wings spreading wide as it prepared for a fiery strike.

Nereus, levitating amidst the drying waters, observed their movements with a smirk. "Predictable." His form flickered, disappearing in an instant.

He reappeared directly in front of Mengi, his trident poised to strike. But Mengi was ready.

From above, seven golden rings materialized, rotating violently. Each ring locked into place on Nereus's body: his wrists, ankles, neck, and eyes. The final ring blinded him temporarily, halting his movement. Nereus roared in frustration as the bindings glowed with ethereal energy, disrupting his adaptation process.

It was Mengi's Secret Art: Golden Sealing Rings Technique.

"Move now!" Mengi shouted, leaping backward to clear the way for Seiji. "He's adapting again!"

Nereus's body began to twist and contort, his form shifting into a monstrous Leviathan. His size increased exponentially, his scales thickening into an impenetrable armor. But Seiji remained undeterred.

"Mark Teleportation Technique," Seiji muttered. In an instant, he appeared directly in front of Nereus. His glowing palm struck Nereus's chest, unleashing a surge of divine energy. The impact sent Nereus flying skyward, his reality unraveling as the energy nullified his adaptation.

The Dragon's Fury

Above, Shenlog and his dragon seized the opportunity. The dragon's mouth opened wide, gathering an orb of swirling, condensed black flames. Shenlog shouted, "Dragon Deity: Black Gale Burn!"

The dragon unleashed a torrent of flames that roared through the sky, consuming Nereus entirely. The intensity of the attack was unmatched; the black flames burned hotter than any natural fire, erasing even the water molecules in the air. Below, the remaining floodwaters evaporated, leaving the battlefield cracked and dry.

"Fry the fish man," Shenlog growled, his voice cold and resolute.

Within the inferno, Nereus screamed, his Leviathan form deteriorating. He attempted to revert to his water form, but the flames were unrelenting. The black fire devoured everything, leaving no room for adaptation.

A Mystery Unfolds

Just as the team began to sense victory, the sky split open. Thunder roared, lightning crackled, and the clouds divided violently. The ground beneath Blackstone trembled as an earthquake shook the city to its core.

"What now?" Mengi muttered, steadying himself as the ground cracked beneath his feet.

Above, Seiji clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the disturbance. "This… this isn't Nereus."

Shenlog, still astride his dragon, narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the ominous sky. "This power… it's unlike anything we've faced before."

The chapter ends with the team bracing for whatever comes next, the battlefield bathed in an otherworldly light as the tremors intensified.