Furious, Nérion advanced with surprising speed. The Knights braced themselves for the confrontation.
Maya launched her Andromeda Current, trying to ensnare Nérion. He deftly dodged, approaching her in an instant. With a swift strike, he attempted to hit her, but Maya blocked with the chain, sparks flying from the impact.
Fernando seized the opportunity, attacking from behind. "Fox's Flame Tail Strike!" The flaming tail sliced through the air toward Nérion, who spun and blocked the attack with his forearm, dispersing the flames.
Léo rushed toward them, using the Sculptor's Chisel Strike. He struck the ground, causing stone spikes to emerge beneath Nérion's feet. However, Nérion leapt with superhuman agility, avoiding the attack.
In the air, Nérion extended his hands. "Shadow Whip!" Tendrils of dark energy surged forward, hitting Fernando and Léo, who were thrown backward.
Maya tried to take advantage of the distraction to hit Nérion with a spinning kick. Her feet almost reached him, but he grabbed her leg in the air, hurling her against a nearby rock.
"You are too weak," Nérion mocked.
Fernando struggled to rise. "We're not finished yet!"
He and Léo exchanged a glance. "Let's combine our attacks."
Léo agreed. "Sculptor's Element Dance!"
Manipulating the terrain, Léo created a seismic wave that surged toward Nérion, while Fernando used the Fox's Cunning to move swiftly around him, delivering precise strikes.
However, Nérion anticipated the strategy. With a circular motion, he released a wave of energy that neutralized Léo's technique and struck Fernando squarely, causing him to fall heavily.
Maya, still in pain, stood up. "I won't give up!"
She advanced, delivering a series of punches and kicks. Nérion blocked each blow with ease, an arrogant smile on his lips.
"You have courage, but you are no match for me."
Taking advantage of a momentary lapse, Nérion concentrated energy in his hand and struck Maya in the abdomen. The impact was devastating; she felt the air leave her lungs and fell to her knees, struggling to breathe.
"MAYA!" Fernando and Léo shouted.
Nérion looked at them with disdain. "You never learn."
He raised his hand, preparing to launch a final attack. "Disappear!"
Before he could act, an intense light emerged between them. Aisha appeared, enveloped in a celestial glow.
"Aisha!" exclaimed Léo, surprised.
She looked at Nérion with determination. "I won't allow you to harm my friends any further."
Nérion raised an eyebrow. "Another fool to be defeated."
Aisha elevated her cosmo. "Compass's Celestial Shine!" A blinding light flooded the area, forcing Nérion to momentarily cover his eyes.
"Fernando, Léo, we need to unite our forces now!" she said.
The two stood up, still shaken but determined. "Right!"
They advanced together. Aisha used the Compass's Dazzling Path, moving swiftly around Nérion, creating illusions of herself. Fernando utilized the Fox's Spiritual Flame, invoking the spirit of a fiery fox that attacked Nérion with burning bites.
Léo, in turn, launched the Sculptor's Chisel Strike, targeting Nérion's weak points. For a moment, it seemed they were managing to pressure him.
But Nérion, furious, unleashed a burst of dark energy that struck them directly. The Knights were thrown to the ground, barely able to move.
"You are insignificant in the face of Chaos's power," Nérion declared, slowly approaching.
Maya tried to rise, but her body wouldn't respond. "No... we can't give up..."
Nérion raised his hand, preparing the final blow. "It's time to end this."
Suddenly, a firm voice echoed. "That's enough, Nérion."
Kaily of Aries appeared, her golden Armor shining intensely. "You will no longer face children. Now, you will fight someone of your level."
Nérion narrowed his eyes. "A Gold Amazon? Interesting."
Kaily positioned herself between Nérion and the fallen Bronze Knights. "Rest. Let me handle the rest."
The tension in the air was palpable. Nérion and Kaily faced each other, both aware of the opponent's strength.
Without warning, Nérion advanced, delivering a punch that sliced the air toward Kaily. She dodged gracefully, counterattacking with a spinning kick that Nérion blocked with his forearm.
"You're fast," he commented.
"You haven't seen anything yet," Kaily responded.
She unleashed Stellar Extinction, a beam of golden light that sped forward. Nérion raised a dark barrier, but Kaily's attack broke through the defense, forcing him to leap backward.
Nérion concentrated energy in his hands. "Dark Blades!" Black energy blades were fired in sequence. Kaily moved gracefully, dodging each one.
Taking advantage of his approach, she used Crystal Wall, creating prisms that reflected the blades back at Nérion. Surprised, he was struck solidly, being pushed backward.
"You're not like the others," he admitted, wiping a strand of blood from the corner of his mouth.
"As a Gold Amazon, it's my duty to protect Athena and this world," Kaily declared.
Nérion smiled. "Then let's see how far your power goes."
He elevated his cosmo to the maximum, and the atmosphere around them grew heavy. "Prepare for my final attack: Chaos Abyss!"
A black sphere began to form between Nérion's hands, rapidly growing and absorbing the surrounding light.
Kaily stood firm. "I won't allow you to release that energy."
She concentrated all her cosmo, the Aries Armor glowing intensely. "Stellar Revolution!"
A spiral of golden light surged toward Nérion. The two energies collided in the air, creating an explosion that shook the entire mountain.
For moments, everything was enveloped in dust and light. When her vision cleared, Kaily stood, panting, while Nérion knelt, visibly injured.
"This... can't be..." he murmured.
Kaily approached cautiously. "It's over, Nérion. Surrender."
He looked up, a sinister smile on his face. "You may have won this battle, but soon everything will be concluded. Chaos will be reborn, and you won't be able to stop it."
Before he could be stopped, Nérion enveloped himself in shadows and disappeared.
The Bronze Knights began to recover. Aisha helped Maya stand, while Fernando and Léo approached Kaily.
"Thank you, Kaily. If it weren't for you..." Léo said.
She smiled slightly. "You were very brave. But we need to be prepared for what's to come."
Maya looked to the horizon, where the black clouds were beginning to dissipate. "He mentioned that Chaos will be reborn. What does that mean?"
Kaily furrowed her brow. "I'm not sure, but we must inform the Grand Master and Athena immediately. We need to gather all possible information."
Back at the Sanctuary, the Knights gathered in the main hall to report the events.
"It's concerning," said the Grand Master after hearing the report. "If Nérion is trying to bring Chaos back, we need to find out how and stop it at all costs."
Athena nodded. "We must remain united. You have demonstrated courage and resilience. I have faith that together, we can overcome any challenge."
Maya, still recovering, spoke with determination. "No matter what Nérion is planning, we will find and stop him."
Fernando agreed. "And this time, we'll ensure he doesn't escape."
Léo adjusted his glasses. "I'll analyze the data we've collected. Maybe we can find out where his next move will be."
Aisha placed her hand on Maya's shoulder. "We're in this together."
Kaily added. "The Gold Knights will be ready to support you. Whatever comes, we'll face it as one."
As night fell over the Sanctuary, the Knights dedicated themselves to preparing for the next battle. They knew that greater challenges awaited them, but they were determined to protect the world.
In the distant horizon, Nérion watched, his eyes glowing in the darkness. "They still don't know what's coming," he whispered. "Chaos is approaching, and nothing can stop it."