Someone placed a hand on Nile’s shoulder.

  “Dying like a coward?”

  He froze.

  “Who… who are you?”

  Before him, he saw his mother — just as she had looked fourteen years ago.

  “Mother… you…”

  “If you don’t fight, she will die.”

  “No… that can’t be…”

  “So stand up. Take your sword. Awaken the dragon,” she said in a commanding voice.

  On the battlefield, Noa was still fighting the Nickman. She was injured and exhausted.

  The Nickman attacked again, aiming directly at her eyes.

  “Ah, now you will see…” he muttered.

  His fingers moved strangely.

  A dark poison began spreading in Noa’s eyes.

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  Her body weakened. She could barely stand.

  The Nickman stepped forward to finish her—

  But suddenly—

  A freezing wind passed between them.

  The air turned cold.

  Ice began forming across the ground.

  “Ice?” the Nickman muttered.

  When he looked again, Noa was gone.

  Nile stood several meters away, holding Noa in his arms.

  He gently placed her against a rock, letting her rest.

  “Take a rest. I’ll handle this giant pig,” he said, tightening his grip on his sword.

  “Oh? So eager to die?” the Nickman laughed.

  Nile rushed forward at full speed.

  The Nickman swung his blade.

  Nile dodged.

  He slashed—

  The battlefield instantly froze over.

  Everything became covered in ice.

  The Nickman’s movements began slowing.

  His legs started freezing.

  “Wh… what is this? I can’t move my legs…”

  “You should breathe more. You need to get back your strength,” Nile said calmly.

  “Shut up! That’s your trick!”

  Nile positioned himself for one final strike.

  “Goodbye.”

  He dashed forward.

  “I am not a coward,” he said firmly.

  Suddenly, the Nickman heard a sound in his consciousness.

  " Leave the place, now."

  "No! I won't flee like a coward, " the Nickman said sharply.

  "I say leave. Use those powers that I have given you. "

  Just as Nile got close—

  The Nickman suddenly shattered the ice around him.

  CRACK!

  He broke free and swung his sword with full force.

  The blade pierced into Nile’s abdomen.

  Nile’s eyes widened.

  Blood spilled onto the frozen ground.

  He dropped to his knees.

  The Nickman stepped back, laughing.

  Nile trembled.

  The Nickman pulled out his sword and fled into the darkness.

  Nile tried to stand.

  But he couldn’t.

  His vision blurred.

  Blood dripped from his mouth onto the ice.

  “I… have… to keep awake…” he whispered.

  The cold battlefield faded from his sight.

  Everything became dark.