The cyclops had completely destroyed the area where Gael was. A cloud of dust rose from the blow the giant had struck the ground with his brass knuckles, scattering debris and wreckage throughout the chaotic environment, showcasing the might of the colossal monster.

But as the dust began to settle, the cyclops realized that its punch hadn't hit Gael. He had managed to dodge the blow, but not on his own. A slightly older young man than Silva, with orange hair and a wooden toothpick in his mouth, had saved the boy in an impressive display of skill. His movements flowed like a dance, and his reflexes were precise and swift.

"You fought well!"

The red-haired guy said, leading Gael away from there, amidst the ruins.

"Keep your breath so the elemental energy can heal your wounds."

It was Vinícius Lubu who had arrived in the battle, and he didn't look pleased. The guardian was surprised at the progress of Gael's power, who, in a short time, had already managed to manifest the true form of his sword. The blade gleamed with a unique radiance, emanating a mysterious and powerful aura.

"A N O T H E R W E A K L I N G H A S A R R I V E D?!!"

The cyclops shouted, trying to taunt the guardian about how he had defeated Gael in its mind.

"I F Y O U A R E A S W E A K A S H I M, P R E P A R E T O D I E!!!"

The guardian continued leading Gael through the houses, crossing the debris of the battle that had unfolded there. He was pondering what Silva had managed to do in that fight until he arrived:

"Exceptional control of breathing in such a short time and the true form of his sword has already appeared; there's something different about this kid."

As he made his way through the houses on that street, he then found the person he was looking for. Another young man who had been present at the meeting where Gael had been introduced as Rick's replacement. He was one of those standing by the table, his posture displaying an air of negligence yet confidence in Vinícius. Silva was having difficulty breathing, his vision slightly distorted, but he managed to remember who he was.

The surroundings reflected the magnitude of the recent confrontation, with debris and wreckage scattered, creating an atmosphere of destruction and chaos.

The dark-skinned, bald young man, wearing an open black shirt like a black vest, a white t-shirt, and black pants, upon seeing Vinícius, ran towards him. He was the one who had crossed his arms at the meeting, looking like he didn't want to be there. This time, he was on alert for what Lubu might bring, and it seemed serious.

The scene around was tense and urgent, with debris and wreckage scattered, witnessing the intensity of the clash between Gael and the giant cyclops. The guy's black shirt blended with the somber atmosphere hovering over the scene.

"Lucas, stay with Gael here and assist him with his breathing."

Lubu emphasized what his apprentice should do in that situation, while concern marked his features.

"Focus on this, please. We can't let him die, Herhrick!"

The disciple's response was filled with uneasiness, seeking to better understand the situation to ensure Gael's safety.

"What happened to him?"

The young man asked, eager for more information about what had happened in the battle.

"His body wasn't ready for a shadow of this level; the blow injured his physical body a lot."

The guardian tried to convey the information he had deduced from the intense fight between Gael and the cyclops, while Lucas's gaze sought to understand the extent of his friend's injuries.

"H A V E Y O U G O T S O A F R A I D O F M E T H A T Y O U D E C I D E D T O R U N A W A Y, K I D?!!"

The cyclops shouted again, trying to provoke Vinícius.

Lubu didn't address the cyclops directly, simply ignoring the monster, realizing that Gael was already managing to stabilize his breathing.

"The cyclops seems incapable of manipulating elemental energy through his body, but he can transfer it to his physical blows. His power is undoubtedly linked to the earth element."

Vinícius's insights were frightening, as in just a few minutes of observing the scenario that Gael had willingly entered, he was able to measure and standardize the full force of the shadow.

"His staff must come from his secondary element, vegue; it must be the only thing he can generate. That's why the blow Gael took was so strong, even without apparent elemental energy."

The damaged roof of one of the houses nearby, a result of the confrontation, served as temporary shelter for the group.

"I'll handle this now, Lucas. Stay vigilant and remember to thank Stef for running to warn us."

The guardian told his disciple, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between them. Then, addressing Gael, who was lying on the roof, he added.

"Stay here and focus only on recovering from your injuries."

Vinícius's eyes revealed a wisdom beyond his apparent age. It was as if centuries of experience were engraved in his gaze, telling stories of battles fought throughout the ages.

Lubu moved away from where Gael was and went towards the cyclops at a frightening speed. The scene around was one of destruction and chaos, with debris and wreckage testifying to the intensity of the clash between the giant and the young warrior.

The guardian looked at the monster and expelled his elemental energy, and the environment began to change. The temperature around started dropping, plummeting drastically. The cyclops, feeling the temperature drop, had its adrenaline reduced, but the pain in its body started pulsating, causing intense discomfort in the area where its arm had been severed.

Vinícius, in turn, left the midst of the rooftops of the houses and descended towards the street, advancing calmly towards the one-eyed monster. He raised his right arm and made a small hand movement, closing its fingers, directing his energy to the center of the cyclops.

The monster stood motionless, as if petrified. Unable to move or speak, the giant was under the control of the newly arrived guardian. Vinícius lowered his arm, and the cyclops fell face-first to the ground.

With a casual and nonchalant posture, Lubu put his hands in his pockets, as if he were just taking a carefree stroll. He walked towards the fallen cyclops, looking like an unassuming teenager returning home after school. Sitting on the giant's shoulder as if on a park bench, Vinícius finally addressed the cyclops:

"Who sent you here?"

The guardian asked, and water droplets manifested in the air, creating a moist and mysterious atmosphere around.

While the water hung in the air, Vinícius's legs swung freely, revealing an aura of calmness and confidence. He manipulated the water droplets, turning them into small ice balls that twirled in his hands, as if playing with a little treasure.

"Grrr."

Murmured the cyclops, trying to say something but unable to express itself fully.

"I apologize."

Vinícius said, sarcastically opening the fingers of his right hand a little, asking for forgiveness to the controlled giant.

"Now, you can speak."

"P L E A S E, P L E A S E, D O N ' T F O R C E M E T O T E L L Y O U T H I S!"

The cyclops said, in a desperate attempt to appeal for compassion from Lubu. However, as it faced the relentless expression of the guardian, it understood that it wouldn't have any effect, and a mocking laugh escaped from Vinícius's lips.

"KIKIKI, D I D Y O U T H I N K I W O U L D C A R E W H A T Y O U W O U L D S A Y?"

"No, I knew you wouldn't tell me, but I thought you might care about your own life."

Retorted the guardian, trying to make some argument against the monster.

"But it seems there's no feeling within your rotten excuse for a body."

Vinícius then stood up from the shoulder where he was seated, giving a jump propelled by his arms before putting his hands back into the pockets of his shorts. He changed the direction of the wooden toothpick in his mouth and walked decisively towards the cyclops's left leg.

"N O M A T T E R W H A T Y O U D O T O M E, K N O W T H A T H E W I L L A V E N G E W H A T Y O U D O, I F I T I S N ' T M E, A N O T H E R W I L L C O M E A N D S O O N A F T E R T H A T, A N D S O O N."

The cyclops spoke with its face pressed against the ground, exuding its fury.

Lubu extended his hand towards the cyclops's left leg, and upon touching the rough surface, intense cold emanated from his fingers. Ice spread swiftly over the cyclops's leg, as if winter had been invoked in an instant. The surroundings were covered in a frosty mist, and the air seemed to freeze before the guardian's powerful elemental manipulation.

Vinícius, with his serious and determined eyes, didn't hesitate to exert his force on the petrified limb. The sound of cracking echoed as the cyclops's leg shattered into thousands of ice shards, spreading like shrapnel in the wind. The scene was impressive and haunting, highlighting the guardian's unusual ability to control ice and how he applied his strength with calculated coldness.

The cyclops howled in agony, but it could do nothing in the face of the ruthless fury of the guardian and his spectacular mastery over the freezing element. The ground was now covered in ice fragments, gleaming under the diffused light of the evening, while the epic confrontation between the two beings unfolded with icy and challenging intensity.

The cyclops let out a loud roar, making the air vibrate around it, but for Vinícius, no compassion was awakened. He pressed on, heading towards the giant's other leg, repeating the same merciless process: touch, freeze, and shatter. The monster's scream of pain echoed again, witnessing the relentless power of the guardian.

"W H A T A R E Y O U D O I N G?"

The cyclops shouted, its voice reverberating through the ruins of the battlefield, while the vastness of its wounded body stood out against the destroyed backdrop.

"W H A T D O Y O U T H I N K Y O U' L L G A I N W I T H T H I S?"

"Me? I won't gain anything."

Said the guardian, emerging from behind the cyclops and advancing confidently towards the one-eyed head. His steps were firm, and his expression remained unshaken, even in the face of the imminent threat.

"I'm giving you time to reconsider your decision; your death could have been clean, but you chose this painful death."

"Y O U W I L L P A Y F O R T H I S!"

Each word uttered by the cyclops was filled with rage, and its voice echoed in a furious crescendo, while Vinícius approached mercilessly towards its head. Tension hung in the air, and the confrontation unfolded amidst the wreckage of the battle.

"H E W I L L C O M E A F T E R Y O U, I F N O T H I M, A N O T H E R W I L L C O M E A N D S O F O R T H!"

"B E C A U S E Y O U W I L L P A Y F O R T H I S! -"

Before the cyclops could finish its threat, the guardian acted with surprising speed. Like a nimble light, Vinícius placed his hand on the fallen giant's head, and in an instant, the impact was devastating. The cyclops's head shattered into pieces, fragmenting into a rain of debris that scattered around. The deafening sound reverberated, filling the environment with an aura of challenge and intensity.

After the act, the guardian sighed, releasing a controlled and warm breath, saying:

"Then I'll wait!"