Shadows Of Deception

A deafening roar of thunder cracked through the sky, splitting the dense clouds that loomed over Blackstone. From within the tempest, a figure emerged, shrouded in brilliant arcs of lightning. The air trembled with his descent as the wind howled violently. Strikes of lightning cascaded downward, fracturing the already desolate landscape.

"Catastrophic Thunderstorm," the figure intoned, his voice carrying an otherworldly authority.

In response, the heavens raged. Bolts of lightning rained upon Blackstone, accompanied by massive wind pools swirling downward like vortexes. Structures collapsed into ash under the relentless assault, while the ground beneath them cracked and splintered.

From the epicenter of destruction, the figure's calm voice rang out again, "Thunder Qilin."

In a flash of blinding light, a creature materialized—a magnificent yet fearsome amalgamation of a dragon and a unicorn, entirely composed of raw, crackling electricity. The Qilin moved faster than sight, tearing through the remnants of Blackstone. Its very presence scorched the air and obliterated all in its path. The beast effortlessly swept through what was left of Nereus, snatching his battered form and leaving nothing behind.

Seiji acted instantly. "Everyone, hold position!" he commanded, his voice unwavering despite the chaos. The 32 Marks of God flared brightly across his body, forming a protective humanoid structure that enveloped the team. Shenlog's dragon recoiled slightly from the overwhelming energy, growling low as it braced against the storm. Madagascar, still reeling from the destruction, shouted, "What kind of madness is this?" as Ma and Pa frantically tended to Jin, who lay unconscious.

As the cataclysm subsided, an eerie silence followed. Blackstone had been reduced to a void—nothing but scorched earth remained, save for the small patch of safety protected by Seiji's barrier.

The figure floated downward, sparks of lightning cascading from his body as he finally revealed himself. His sharp, ancient eyes narrowed at the survivors. "You've proven resilient," he said coldly. His movements were deliberate, almost disdainful, as he vanished and laid his lightning-coated hand on Weapon Mass. " I was able to avoid you destroying you " The machine pulsed once before vanishing into thin air with a sharp crackle of energy.

Standing tall, surrounded by arcs of lightning, the figure was unmistakable. Lei Gong, one of the Shadow Council's most feared members, ranked Number 3 on their radar. His calm demeanor only added to his menacing presence. Mengi whispered, his voice tinged with apprehension, "The God of Thunder… Lei Gong."

Jin's eyes fluttered open as consciousness returned to him. Taking in the devastation, he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper, "What… happened here?"

Lei Gong's sharp gaze locked onto the survivors. Sparks danced across his fingertips as he tilted his head slightly, addressing the group with icy disdain. "Still alive, are you?" he mused, his tone devoid of emotion. "I should commend you. Not many withstand the wrath of my catastrophic thunderstorm."

His fingers twitched, and a surge of energy began to radiate from his body. "But let's see how well you fare against this," he murmured.

With barely a flick of his wrist, Lei Gong unleashed a bolt of lightning so fast it was imperceptible to most. "Bolt of Thorn," he declared as the air itself seemed to shatter.

Seiji's eyes widened as he sensed the attack. "Divine Mirror!" he yelled, activating another layer of his power. The bolt collided with the protective structure, shattering the humanoid barrier instantly. However, the Divine Mirror surrounding them redirected the energy outward, scattering it harmlessly.

Lei Gong floated higher, his expression unreadable. "Ah, the 32 Marks of God. I see now. That explains your survival," he remarked, his voice carrying a faint note of curiosity.

Before anyone could respond, another presence manifested beside Lei Gong. A glowing compass appeared, spinning slowly in the air. A figure materialized, ancient yet composed, dressed in robes that seemed to ripple with an unseen energy.

Jin's breath hitched, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Jon?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

The mysterious figure glanced down at Jin with an expression of quiet authority, his arrival raising more questions than answers.