Life Before Death

With Vile reduced to ashes, Daunte and Anthony turn their attention to the final opponent—Vector. Calm but arrogant, Vector reveals his ability: he can spawn any object at will. Daunte dismisses it as useless and immediately attacks, launching Vector across the arena. Vector responds by conjuring a storm of falling blades, forcing Daunte to dodge while Anthony joins the assault. The two press him hard—until Vector catches Anthony’s strike mid-combo and counters. Smirking, he summons a bomb and detonates it point-blank against Daunte’s chest. The explosion rocks the arena. Blood sprays across the battlefield as Vector laughs, confident in his immunity to his own creations. But Daunte doesn’t stay down. Shaking, coughing up blood, Daunte rises with trembling eyes. The blast didn’t just wound him—it triggered something far worse. He warns Vector that the explosion is about to unleash a power he wasn’t ready to awaken. Vector mocks him, but Anthony senses the shift instantly. In a sudden burst of speed, Daunte vanishes and passes through Vector in what feels like a teleport. Blood erupts from Vector’s mouth. Desperate, Vector summons more knives, launching them relentlessly—but Daunte walks through the blades without flinching. Every strike only accelerates what’s building inside him. Vector stares in disbelief as Daunte calmly states he has long since learned to ignore pain. His body begins to tremble violently, energy spiraling out of control. The final panel lowers to Daunte’s feet as the words form— “…SSD… 4.”