With each step, the ground cracked. Its molten red eyes burned through the smoke, and its boulder fists slammed into the ruins - sending shockwaves across the battlefield.
Buildings were burned, vegetations were scorched as it dragged itself through Soluna.
A Lunar man who was just running from the monster was crushed alive by a molten boulder and a Solar woman who was trying to take vengeance was in ashes before she even stepped forward.
Most of the Solunar people were running in terror and whoever tried to fight back:-
"Take that you oversized rock." (A bunch of Solar people used radiant Solar blasts only to be incinerated)
"Ah...Ah...It burns."(They were burned alive due to the intensity of the heat)"
"You will pay for it."(Some Lunar people were angered and tried to use freezing Lunar beam)
"Uh...it's..it... hurts."(The Lunar people were easily terminated by a heat wave which was voluntarily coming out of the monster which was overwhelming for them)
The Monster was also smashing through whoever came in it's way, even though they were innocent Solar or Lunar people. It's size and power were incredible.
Tim's heart pounded in his chest as he was seeing everything happen in front of him.
"What... is that?" he whispered in agony.
Heatsun's jaw clenched.
"A monster of Dark Void," he muttered grimly. "And it's coming for you, Tim."
Tim grabbed his Solar Saber, the blade flaring to life once again - but this time, there was no room for hesitation.
Tim stuttered in hesitation, holding off his tears. " If people...have to die for me, I have to take care of that thing... even if I am not confident."
_ _ _
The Boulder Beast let out a deafening roar- a sound like grinding stone and molten lava bubbling beneath its rocky skin.
Every step it took left craters in the ground, and its massive fists smashed the ruins of Soluna, sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield catching even the Solunar people who were trying there best to escape.
Tim gripped his Solar Saber tighter, its bright golden glow cutting through the smoke.
His heart pounded - not just from the beast's towering size but from the weight of Heatsun's words:
"It's coming for you, Tim."
Henry and Marie stood at a distance, their usual playful demeanor replaced by solemn focus.
"Stay back!" Heatsun barked at them. "This fight belongs to Tim."
Henry opened his mouth to protest, but Marie placed a hand on his arm, shaking her head.
"He has to prove himself," she whispered.
Tim swallowed hard and stepped forward. The Boulder Beast's glowing red eyes locked onto him.
"Alright... I can do this," Tim muttered, planting his feet firmly. "I took down those soldiers - I'll take this thing down too."
The monster lunged.
With a deafening crack, its fist, as large as a boulder itself, slammed down toward Tim.
"Solar Saber Slash!" Tim shouted as he transformed at the same time, his saber glowing fiercely as he swung it upward.
The saber met the monster's fist, and a burst of fiery energy erupted - enough to push the Boulder Beast back a few steps.
Tim grinned. "Yeah! Gotcha!"
But the grin vanished as the monster barely flinched - the cracks on its arm glowing hotter, as if absorbing the attack's heat.
Heatsun's voice boomed from behind.
"Tim! It's not enough to just attack head-on - find its weakness!"
The Boulder Beast roared and smashed both fists into the ground, sending a shockwave that launched Tim into the air.
"Woah-!"
He twisted mid-air and landed hard on his feet, his saber clattering to the ground beside him. Dust and debris swirled around him.
"Okay... not as easy as I thought."
The monster charged again.
Tim barely grabbed his Solar Saber in time, dodging another bone-shattering punch though it burned through his leg hurting him.
"Yooowch....aw....it's hot it's hot, aw, like seriously it burns so hard." Tim shouted lifting his leg.
Henry cupped his hands over his mouth. "Come on, Tim! Use your head!"
As the burn faded (thanks to his suit), his mind raced.
"I need a plan - something more than just slashing away." He thought.
As he thought, suddenly a magma charged boulder came charging towards him.
"Oh...It was the second time. Come on, give me some time to think. It's not fair." Tim grumbled as he leapt in time to dodge that fiery boulder as it decimated a building instead.
Henry sighed. "As if the boulder guy would be considerate to you."
When Tim landed, another magma boulder was thrown towards him.
"Come on! Not again, give me some break atleast."
And this time, he pulled out his Solar Saber to cut it in multiple pieces instinctively.
"Safe again. Good, I had a backup plan ready, in case or....No...I can't die so early." Tim dramatically announced to the beast who was clearly paying no attention.
Then-
"Wait!" Tim muttered as a sudden thought crossed his mind.
Heatsun's earlier words, flashed in his mind:
"You can blast spaceships with slashes from your saber. Jump and slash them down."
Tim's eyes then flickered to the glowing red cracks on the Boulder Beast's arms as he dodged yet another burning boulder.
The heat... that's it.
He tightened his grip on the saber.
"If I can hit those cracks hard enough... maybe I can make the heat build up and break its core!"
The Boulder Beast lifted both arms to crush him again.
Tim didn't wait.
He sprinted forward, his saber glowing brighter.
"Solar Saber Strike!"
He leapt into the air, twisting his body to avoid a punch - and in a flash of gold, slashed directly across the glowing cracks on the monster's arm.
A fiery burst exploded from the wound - the beast roared, stumbling back. The cracks spread further, the red glow now pulsing dangerously.
Tim landed, spinning his saber. "Yes!"
Heatsun nodded slightly. "Good... now finish it."
The Boulder Beast staggered, its body cracking apart - but it wasn't done yet.
It lifted both its arms, preparing to slam them down in a final, devastating attack.
Tim's heart raced.
"One shot... I will finish it in one shot... No time to stall."
He raised his Solar Saber high into the sky.
"Solar Saber - Final Slash!"
Golden energy surged through the blade, spiraling upward like a blazing sunbeam.
As the Boulder Beast's fists came down, Tim jumped - soaring high above the monster's head.
With all his strength, he brought the saber down.
The golden energy struck the monster's glowing chest core - and with a thunderous explosion, the Boulder Beast's entire body erupted into a fiery cascade of molten rock.
BOOM!
The ground trembled as the monster collapsed into a pile of glowing rubble.
The battlefield fell into silence.
Tim, breathing heavily, lowered his saber as he fell to the ground as a result of the impact. His heart pounded in his chest harder- but he did it. He wasn't able to believe it worked.
Henry and Marie broke the silence first, cheering.
"That's our Tim!" Henry laughed. "The Solar Warrior!"
Marie clapped, smiling proudly. "I knew you had it in you."
Heatsun remained stoic but gave Tim a small nod. "Good work... but don't get cocky. There will be more."
Tim grinned, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
Then the group of terrified Solar and Lunar came to Tim thanking him.
"You were the Solar Warrior from the previous day?"
"You were truly a saviour, the monster took my Uncle's life, you avenged him."
"My entire family and neighbours were killed. I was a coward to run away to save myself. But you fought for us. I am thankful."
"So from now on, we will name you as the Saviour of Soluna."
Tim's face was flustered in embarrassment as he wasn't sure how to react to so many complements.
Heatsun stepped and announced to the crowd. "He is Tim, The Solar Warrior who had taken the burden to defend Soluna and will protect you all from Dark Void."
The crowd cheered in releif and cheered. "Long Live Solar Warrior, The Saviour Of Soluna."
Tim whispered to Henry and Marie who were standing beside him. "Yeah, I enjoyed being the hero but I never knew hero has so much responsibilities. It's stressful."
Henry mischievously smiled. "Which means no more slacking off, no more meditating with rocks, just training and more training without rest."
Tim dramatically collapsed in a comical way after hearing that with a sigh." Come on, I am a living being, not a robot."
Marie pushed Henry saying. "Henry! You seriously have to joke about it? He is already too burdened about it."
Henry muttered half laughingly." Sorry! Can't help."
Marie ignored him and told Tim. "Well, don't mind him. You can never be perfect but atleast you can give your best. That matters the most. They will respect that effort so don't stress."
Tim got back up immediately as if he was waiting for the script to play out. "Fine." he said.
"Then, from now on, I will take more rest and less training cuz it's the best effort I can put in." he said it way too proudly.
Heatsun heard him and asked fuming in rage. "What did you just say?"
Tim: "Ah..Nothing. Just wanted...little..extra...break"
Heatsun immediately snatched his Solar Saber and tried slicing him as Tim instinctively dodged.
"Hey, don't tell me you are trying to kill me." Tim grumbled.
"It's training. Plus, there is no way you should die with such a little exercise."
Tim started to run but Heatsun was persistent in chasing him as he continuously used Solar Saber Slash towards him- some hitting, some missing.
It was a comical scene.
"Damn! I think I have no right to express my emotions."
The crowd stared in surprise seeing it. Henry and Marie just waited for it to end as they were already habituated seeing such a routine.
"Aww...it hurts." Tim shrieked as he was hit by another Solar Slash by Heatsun.
_ _ _
Then suddenly, a flicker of darkness lit up the sky.
Heatsun immediately stopped and looked at the sky. So did Tim who was sliding his hands through his little training wounds, he received from Solar Slash.
The entire crowd alongside Henry and Marie stared at the same direction.
A familiar voice echoed across the skies - cold, mocking.
"Impressive... for a child."
Tim's expression tensed as he heard the voice.
A holographic projection crackled to life - revealing Dark Void.
His glowing red eyes stared down at Tim, his lips curled into a cruel smirk.
"So you destroyed Sunburn's little toy," Dark Void said. "I expected nothing less from the so-called Solar Warrior."
Tim snatched his saber from Heatsun in desperation and pointed it at the hologram. "I'm not playing your games, Dark Void. I'll protect Soluna - no matter what monsters you throw at me."
Dark Void chuckled darkly. "Oh... but this is no game."
The projection shifted - and standing beside Dark Void was Commander Moonsalt.
Her icy stare sent a shiver down Tim's spine.
"Prepare yourself," Moonsalt said softly. "Because next time... you'll face something far worse."
The hologram vanished.
Tim's grip tightened on his Solar Saber.
Heatsun then placed a hand on Tim's shoulder, his voice softer this time. "It's time you take this more seriously as the entire fate of Soluna rests on you and Dark Void won't be showing any mercy for anyone. You have to understand the reality. "
Tim nodded slowly in hesitation. "I know."
As the smoke cleared, Tim gazed into the horizon - ready for whatever Dark Void would send next.