Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage of the Star Dou Forest, its golden warmth mingling with the morning mist that still clung to the underbrush. Dew sparkled atop leaves like scattered gems, and the forest seemed almost tranquil—if one ignored the aftermath of battle that still lingered on the air.
Li Wei exhaled softly, seated atop a moss-covered stone, Diendriver resting across his knees. The faint glow of residual soul power clung to him like a second skin, his muscles faintly trembling from the exertion of the previous night. Around him, the rest of the Shrek group was stirring, their expressions a mix of fatigue and awe.
They had survived.
No—they had won.
Oscar, sitting nearby as he munched on a sausage to replenish his energy, gave a low whistle. "Man… Li Wei, when you pulled out those Riders last night, I thought we were in some spirit beast horror story!"
Li Wei chuckled, adjusting his coat. "Good to know I'm memorable."
Ning Rongrong crossed her arms with a sniff, looking over from where she had been tending to a minor wound on Zhu Zhuqing's arm. "Memorable? You were glowing like a mini sun with that final beam. What was that move?"
"Final Attack Ride: Diend. Dimension Shoot," he replied smoothly. "It's my trump card. But I can't use it often. The cost is high."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak, but her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary before she turned away, brushing her bangs aside. Ma Hongjun let out a puff of breath and flopped down beside Li Wei.
"You saved us, man. That final hit? Glorious. But don't think you're stealing the spotlight every time," the rotund boy joked. Retelling about the attack from the first beast.
"I wouldn't dare," Li Wei replied, a faint grin on his lips. But deep inside, a warm, unfamiliar sensation bubbled—acceptance. For the first time, he didn't feel like an outsider. These people… they fought with him, bled with him, trusted him.
Tang San was crouched near Xiao Wu, who sat cross-legged, her brow furrowed in concentration as she cycled her spirit power. Though her playful nature had returned in brief flashes, the intensity of the battle had clearly left its mark. Li Wei could tell they both felt it—the taste of near-defeat.
And Zhao Wuji? The elder Spirit Saint stood a small distance away, arms crossed as he observed the clearing with a contemplative look. He hadn't moved during the fight—not even once. But Li Wei understood now. It wasn't indifference; it was trust. The man had been their shield only when truly needed. Everything else… they had to earn.
As the group rested, Li Wei stood and walked a few steps into the woods, letting the ambient sounds of the forest wash over him. He could feel it—spirit beasts nearby, some strong, others weak. But none dared approach now. The scent of battle lingered. Predators knew better.
Footsteps crunched lightly behind him.
"You did well yesterday," came a quiet voice.
He turned to find Zhu Zhuqing standing just behind him, arms at her side. Her golden eyes met his, calm but unreadable.
"I was just doing what needed to be done," Li Wei replied.
"You fast reaction yesterday of boosting Oscar really save Rongrong." she said after a moment. "You moved instinctively. That… wasn't strategy. That was loyalty."
Li Wei blinked. "You saw that?"
She nodded. "We all did."
A strange silence passed between them. Zhu Zhuqing was not one to speak needlessly. Her words held weight—and intention.
Li Wei hesitated, then smiled faintly. "I guess I'm starting to care. Is that such a bad thing?"
Zhu Zhuqing turned her face slightly, and though her expression didn't change, her voice softened. "No. It's not."
Before he could say more, a sharp whistle split the air—Tang San's signal. Everyone instantly snapped to readiness.
"Something's moving near the northeast perimeter!" Tang San called out, his Blue Silver Grass already flicking outward like a living radar. "Multiple signatures. Spirit beast-level energy, moving low!"
"Another attack?" Xiao Wu asked, her voice tense.
"Possibly. But they're too quiet. Too… precise," Tang San muttered.
Li Wei felt it too now. A chill ran down his spine as shadows slithered just out of view, moving unnaturally through the trees. These weren't ordinary beasts. No rustling leaves. No scent. Just a creeping, cloying sense of dread.
Zhao Wuji's eyes narrowed. "They've surrounded us."
From the treeline, a burst of black mist exploded as the first beast emerged—a sleek panther-like creature with shadow tendrils lashing from its back. Its eyes were red as rubies, and its steps made no sound. Behind it, three more slinked into view—shadow-type spirit beasts, clearly coordinated.
"Spirit beasts with group tactics?" Dai Mubai snarled, stepping forward with his White Tiger spirit erupting. "Now this is getting interesting."
"They're testing us," Tang San said grimly. "Looking for weaknesses."
"Then let's show them we have none," Li Wei said, Diendriver snapping into his hand.
"[KamenRide: Blade!]"
A flash of blue light surged as Kamen Rider Blade leapt from the card, sword in hand, engaging the leftmost shadow beast.
"[KamenRide: Kabuto!]"
Kabuto followed with a burst of crimson, his swift 'Clock Up' ability activating instantly as he blurred into motion, intercepting another.
The battle erupted once more, but this time, it was different. The group moved in synch, each member falling into rhythm.
Oscar stood in the center, tossing recovery sausages and enhancement food nonstop. "Boost coming in three, two, now!"
Dai Mubai roared and tore into a beast with raw strength, while Ma Hongjun unleashed his Phoenix Firewheel to pin one down from above.
"[BuffRide: Faiz!]" Li Wei shouted, shooting the red light into Xiao Wu.
Her eyes lit up, and her figure blurred into a whirlwind of kicks. "Wooo! I'm lightning now!"
Zhu Zhuqing moved in her usual silent streaks, and Li Wei caught himself watching her as she blinked behind one of the beasts and severed its tendrils with graceful precision.
Tang San directed the entire battlefield like a general, Blue Silver Grass wrapping around two shadow beasts at once. "Li Wei, can you give Dai Mubai a boost?"
Li Wei didn't hesitate. "[BuffRide: Kuuga!]"
The glowing card shot into Dai Mubai's chest, and the White Tiger roared louder, his next strike shaking the ground as he pummeled the beast into the earth.
One by one, the beasts began to fall, but just as the last one screeched and tried to flee, the forest went dead silent.
All of them froze.
Something far larger… far stronger… was approaching.
A low, guttural growl rippled through the trees, vibrating the air like a plucked string.
And then it stepped forward.
Massive. Cloaked in writhing black mist. Its fur shimmered like shadows, and its eyes were twin orbs of pale blue flame.
Li Wei felt his heart skip a beat. "That… That's not just a shadow beast."
Tang San's face paled. "That's a Shadow Abyss Lion. And it's at least… over ten thousand years."
Zhao Wuji finally stirred, stepping forward with a grim look. "Now this… this is my cue."
The air thickened, and his aura surged like a tidal wave, his Vigorous Vajra Bear spirit roaring to life.
"Kids. Fall back and regroup. I'll take point."
But Li Wei's hands tightened around the Diendriver.
No. He wouldn't fall back.
Not when his friends were in danger.
Not now.
He loaded another card into the slot.
"[Final FormRide: Blade!]"
With a flash of light, Rider Blade transformed into a massive glowing sword, hovering before him.
He met Zhao Wuji's gaze.
"Let's fight together."