~Chapter 3- The boys' return~

Aero and Jirro hurried through the Lands of Ralosia as quickly as they could, following the path of destruction that Zantii and his army left in their wake. Trampled earth, ransacked towns, bodies scattered about. There was the stench of death and destruction around Challenger's Lake; they could tell some great conflict must've happened here.

Around Aero's neck was a drawstring and satchel, and within it was the merging orb. Their secret weapon. Hopefully they'd find Zantii before it was too late.

The two sixteen-year-olds came upon Dialtown and saw a great battle ensuing. One which shook the earth beneath them with its intensity. Battlements fired projectiles at each other from across the plains. Flashes of light from Focus users emanated from the battlefield. Powerful warriors destroyed the landscape with their ferocity.

"We need to find Zantii!" Aero said as he looked at the chaos.

Jirro thought for a moment, "If I was him, I'd be on the front lines. But breaking through the enemy's ranks or circling around would take too long."

Aero looked at the battle with a worried expression. Who knew how many people were dying? He hoped everyone was okay. Especially his dad and sister.

Aero spotted a catapult among Zantii's army. One of their Densius beasts hopped into it and was launched into the air across the battlefield. Aero grinned, "I got an idea!"

Aero and Jirro hurried behind enemy lines and waited for one of them to load their catapults again. As soon as they did, the boys hurried and jumped onto a catapult. The mechanisms whirred and launched them into the air over the battlefield.

As they hurtled towards the ground, Aero punched down. A red burst of light came from his fist, slowing their descent enough that they landed on the ground gently.

The boys looked around at the overwhelming chaos they had fallen into; they appeared to be at the point where the two armies were clashing. Soldiers from Zantii's army saw them and didn't hesitate to attack. Aero felled each of them with single powerful blows.

They traveled through the chaos in search of Zantii and instead found their fathers. Lucar and Razan were in battle with a large black-stoned Densius. It was nearly double their size, and when it struck around them, the ground cracked.

Lucar kicked the Densius, it responded by grabbing him and pummeling him into the ground. Jirro and Aero charged at the Densius.

With a flash of blue light, Jirro bounded through the air and kicked the arm of the Densius. Its body shook, and the rocky arm fell from its form. Aero attacked low and swept its leg from under it, toppling it. As it released Lucar, Razan punched the air, and a radiant burst of red light sent the Densius skidding through the battlefield.

Lucar stood with wide eyes, "Boys?"

"Hey, dad!" Jirro greeted.

Lucar hurried to Jirro, picked him up, and embraced him, completely disregarding that they were in the middle of a battle. An enemy soldier charged at them, but Aero kicked them away.

Jirro broke free of the over-affectionate hug, "Now's not the time dad!"

Lucar winced, "Oh, sorry. I suppose you're right!"

Aero pointedly asked, "Where's Zantii?"

Razan turned towards the city, "He just headed into Dialtown after the Sky Deity."