The Shadow Abyss Lion stepped forward, each pawfall silent yet heavy, crushing underbrush with the weight of its immense presence. The black mist that clung to its form twisted and writhed like a living thing, stretching across the battlefield like ink spilled on canvas. Its eyes—pale blue flames—locked onto Li Wei with an intelligence that went beyond beastly instinct. It recognized him.
And it was not afraid.
The air around them turned frigid, the canopy above dimming unnaturally, as if even the sun dared not shine upon this creature. Despite Zhao Wuji's presence and the overwhelming force of the Vigorous Vajra Bear's spirit pressure, the Shadow Abyss Lion didn't retreat. It roared—not loud, but low and deep, like a thunderclap rumbling beneath the earth. A warning. A challenge.
Li Wei exhaled, breath misting. The FormRide Blade Sword floated before him, humming with golden light and faint Rider sigils that shimmered with condensed spirit energy. He reached for it, fingers curling around the hilt. The moment his hand touched the weapon, his soul power flared.
This is no ordinary beast, he thought. It's not just strong—it's a predator that's lived through countless battles. It knows pain. It knows how to kill. It come to them for a challenges.
Behind him, the others stood in tense formation. Tang San's eyes darted, calculating, adjusting strategies on the fly. Xiao Wu's fingers curled, eyes sharp but anxious. Zhu Zhuqing's breath slowed into a predatory rhythm. Ning Rongrong stood with her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda activated, spirit rings rotating slowly around her. Even Oscar looked grim as he prepared his recovery sausages.
And Zhao Wuji… the moment the Shadow Abyss Lion moved again, Zhao Wuji stepped forward like a mountain rising from the earth.
"I'll take point," he said calmly. "This one's beyond your level. Don't act rashly."
But Li Wei didn't retreat. His grip tightened around the Blade Sword, and his feet remained planted beside Zhao Wuji.
"Then let me fight by your side."
The older man gave him a sidelong glance. "You're brave."
"No," Li Wei said. "I'm with Shrek now. And this… this is my battle too."
For a moment, Zhao Wuji didn't speak. Then he nodded once.
"Don't die."
The Shadow Abyss Lion moved.
It wasn't a charge—it vanished, mist trailing behind as if the air itself refused to hold its presence. In an instant, it was behind them.
"Scatter!" Tang San's voice snapped like a whip.
Blue Silver Grass erupted, forming a net of vines that barely intercepted the beast's slashing claws. Sparks flew, the tendrils shredded in an instant—but the delay was enough.
[BuffRide: Kabuto!]
Li Wei fired the silver card into himself, and a surge of speed exploded in his veins.
He blinked forward, intercepting the lion's path with the glowing Blade Sword and swung with everything he had.
Steel met shadow. The impact sent a shockwave through the trees, leaves bursting into the air as wind and force collided. The Sword howled, and Li Wei gritted his teeth as the recoil shuddered up his arms.
So heavy!
Zhao Wuji roared, his spirit avatar swelling—fur erupting, claws extending, his body expanding into the monstrous form of the Vigorous Vajra Bear. He struck with both fists, sending the Shadow Lion flying back into the trees.
But the beast landed smoothly, unharmed. It crouched, growled, and split into three mirror images, all shifting through the mist.
"Clones?" Ma Hongjun shouted, launching flames wildly. "Which one's real?!"
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass darted toward one of the phantoms, but it passed through like smoke.
"Middle one," Zhu Zhuqing said suddenly. Her eyes glinted as she blurred and reappeared behind the center lion, claws extended.
She struck.
This time, the beast flinched.
"Confirmed!" Tang San roared. "All ranged attackers, middle target!"
[KamenRide: Ryuki!]
Li Wei called, summoning a crimson-armored rider who immediately slashed at the lion's flank with his Drag Saber, the summoned Dragreder firing a blast of flame that forced the beast back.
The Shadow Abyss Lion bellowed, mist exploding in all directions. A wave of dark energy surged outward, and everyone was blown back.
Li Wei slammed into a tree, groaning as pain shot through his spine. The FormRide Blade Sword flickered in his hand but held its form.
'Damn… it's playing with us.'
He struggled to his feet. Around him, the others were already regrouping. Oscar ran between them, tossing food with practiced precision.
"Recovery boost coming! Eat quick!"
[BuffRide: Faiz!]
Li Wei aimed at Ning Rongrong. The crimson light entered her body, and her pagoda shimmered even brighter.
"Speed and precision amplified," she said, smiling faintly. "Let's push it."
They moved in unison now.
Tang San took lead, lashing the lion's limbs with vines while Dai Mubai roared and struck its flanks. Xiao Wu danced between attacks, leaping into aerial assaults while Ma Hongjun kept the mist at bay with waves of phoenix flame.
[KamenRide: Agito!]
Li Wei summoned the golden rider, who delivered a flaming uppercut that stunned the beast for half a second—just enough.
"Now!" Zhao Wuji thundered.
He leapt high, both fists glowing. "Gravity Punch!"
The ground cratered as the blow landed squarely on the Shadow Lion's back. The beast howled, its illusions dispersing in an instant.
Li Wei saw his chance.
[Final Attack Ride: Blade!]
The floating Blade Sword shone with pure light, and Li Wei took a breath, channeling every ounce of soul power he had left. The blade extended, growing as light condensed around it in layers of cascading energy.
"Dimension Slash!"
He swung.
The beam carved through the air, slicing clean through the lion's side in a massive arc. The beast screamed, blood and shadow mist spraying across the ground as it tumbled backward in pain.
But even then—it did not fall.
It staggered up, eyes glowing brighter. Wounded, but not defeated. A final stand.
Li Wei's legs buckled. That strike had taken everything.
"I'm… out," he gasped, knees hitting the dirt.
Tang San caught him. "You did enough. Rest now."
But even as he said that, the Shadow Abyss Lion let out a final roar and charged.
Zhao Wuji braced himself—but just before the lion could reach him, something unexpected happened.
The beast halted.
Its gaze locked onto Li Wei—wounded, spent—and then to the rest of the Shrek team. For a long moment, it stood still.
Then it turned and fled into the forest, trailing blood and mist behind it.
Stunned silence followed.
"What… what just happened?" Ma Hongjun asked.
"It retreated," Tang San said slowly. "It might have realized it couldn't win without risking its life."
"It wasn't just a beast," Zhu Zhuqing murmured. "It also knew how to made a choice."
Zhao Wuji reverted to his human form, exhaling deeply. "That thing was old. Smart. It fought us to gauge our strength. Maybe it'll be back. Maybe not."
Li Wei slumped against Tang San, panting.
"I thought it would kill us all…"
"But it didn't," Xiao Wu said gently. "You held it off. That mattered." Feeling a little elated that another spirit beast was not killed.
Ning Rongrong came to kneel beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We all did our part. But you stood at the front. You earned your place, Li Wei."
For a moment, the only sound was the breeze rustling the leaves. The battle was over.
But something deeper had changed.
They were no longer just students forced to work together.
They were comrades.