At first glance the massive academy looked more like a top-class private hospital than a normal high school.
Clean white architecture stretched across the campus with giant glass walls reflecting the evening sky above.
Golden-brown clouds drifted slowly overhead.
Orange sunlight spilled through the gaps between them, bathing the school in warm fading light.
The ringing bell echoed throughout the campus.
Immediately students began pouring out from the building exits.
Voices overlapped everywhere.
Shoes tapped rapidly against polished floors.
Umbrellas opened one after another beneath the cloudy sky.
Some students headed straight toward their waiting drivers outside.
Others remained indoors for club activities, laughter and chatter continuing through the hallways.
The girls' uniforms carried a clean elegant style.
Fitted black blazers trimmed with white lines rested neatly over crisp shirts and ribbon ties.
Pleated navy skirts swayed softly with every step they took.
Thigh-high socks and polished shoes completed the look, giving off a refined and slightly formal atmosphere.
The boys' uniforms felt sharper by comparison.
More commanding.
Dark blazers with white trims layered perfectly over vests and ties.
Straight navy trousers and polished shoes gave their silhouettes weight and structure.
Yuna descended the wide staircase quietly.
Her very long silver-white hair flowed behind her like silk catching the warm light.
Students naturally moved aside without realizing it.
Some glanced toward her briefly before whispering among themselves.
(Oh...?)
A faint smile touched Yuna's lips.
(The rain stopped.)
She reached the bottom floor and looked out through the giant glass windows near the entrance.
The wet pavement outside reflected the orange sky beautifully.
"Yuna!!"
A voice suddenly echoed down the hallway.
"I brought a spare umbrella for you!"
A girl came running toward her while holding two umbrellas tightly.
Her shoes squeaked faintly against the polished floor.
"It's you, Aria," Yuna said softly.
Her vivid icy-blue eyes shimmered faintly beneath her long lashes, carrying that natural trace of melancholy within them.
Aria finally stopped in front of her.
Breathing unevenly.
Hands resting against her knees.
Small drops of sweat rolled down from her chin while her blonde hair swayed around her shoulders messily.
"You really shouldn't have run that hard..." Yuna started gently.
But Aria immediately pushed one umbrella against her chest before she could finish.
"Here, take it!" Aria said proudly between breaths.
"I went through all that effort, so don't say no."
"I wasn't planning to," Yuna replied softly.
A small cute smile appeared on her face while taking the umbrella carefully from Aria's hands.
"So... thank you."
Aria straightened herself proudly after hearing that.
Her long silky blonde hair fell all the way down her waist like flowing gold beneath the hallway lights.
Soft wavy bangs framed her cheerful expression naturally.
"Come on, be real," Aria said while giving Yuna a thumbs up.
"Friends are supposed to help each other."
"Ahaha..."
Yuna laughed quietly beneath her breath.
A soft genuine laugh.
"Yeah..." she said while lowering her gaze slightly toward the umbrella in her hands.
"I guess you're right for once."
Before long, the two of them exited the main building along with the other students.
Umbrellas opened one after another beneath the cloudy sky.
Soft rain drifted down again.
Tiny droplets slid along the pale surface of the tree leaves beside the pathway.
"Oh man~! Yuna, you seriously gotta help me study." said Aria playfully.
She lifted the umbrella higher above herself.
Her blonde bangs stuck lightly against her forehead from the humidity.
"What? You need my help?" said Yuna with a suspicious glance.
"You don't need help from me."
"Just stop watching anime late at night and actually focus on studying."
"What?!" said Aria in exaggerated shock.
She pressed a hand dramatically against her chest.
"Studying alone is boring."
"But with you, it's actually fun."
Yuna let out a soft laugh beneath her umbrella.
The corner of her lips curled slightly upward.
"You make everything sound unreasonable somehow."
As the two continued talking, the attention of the nearby students slowly shifted elsewhere.
Eyes turned toward a man standing quietly beside a black Porsche 911 GT3 near the front gates.
Rain tapped softly against the glossy surface of the car.
Around his neck rested a deep blue plaid scarf.
The dark color softened the sharp monochrome look surrounding him.
A long black double-breasted trench coat rested over a white shirt and loose black trousers.
Silver chain accessories were pinned subtly along the coat.
Small details.
Clean.
Modern.
Without looking flashy.
Haruto stood there with one hand inside his pocket.
Golden eyes calm beneath the falling rain.
Long white eyelashes catching faint light from the cloudy sky.
"Hey, Yuna." said Haruto softly.
"It's been a while."
"Mmph...?" Yuna murmured.
She tilted her umbrella upward slightly to see the person standing before them.
But Haruto's umbrella blocked most of his face from view.
Aria instantly stepped in front of Yuna.
Protective instinct taking over before thought could catch up.
Her grip tightened around the umbrella handle.
"Who are you?" said Aria firmly.
"If you're trying to do something weird, you won't get far."
Her reaction immediately pulled the attention of the surrounding students.
People slowed their steps.
A few stopped completely beneath the rain.
"What's going on?"
"Wait...isn't that Aria and Yuna?"
"It's probably another stalker again."
"Nah. That's not it." said Haruto softly.
He slowly lifted his umbrella upward.
Just enough for his sharp golden eyes to appear beneath the shadow.
Long white lashes framed his calm gaze.
"Then what are y—"
Aria's words cut off instantly.
Yuna suddenly grabbed her arm and leaned forward from behind her.
Her vivid icy-blue eyes widened brightly beneath the rain.
"You're my brother, right?!" said Yuna loudly.
A huge smile spread across her face almost instantly.
The surrounding students froze in visible shock.
Even Aria's mouth parted slightly.
"You got it right on the first try." said Haruto.
He shifted the umbrella away from his face completely.
The scarf still covered part of his mouth.
But his half-lidded eyes carried a clear smile behind them.
Yuna slipped past Aria without hesitation.
Her umbrella fell onto the wet ground beside her shoes.
She threw herself directly into Haruto's arms.
Both of her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Haruto's eyes widened slightly from the sudden impact.
Then softened almost immediately.
His free hand slowly rested against the top of her head.
Rain continued falling quietly around them.
Aria stood there quietly beside them.
Looking strangely out of place all of a sudden.
A faint blush slowly spread across her cheeks while she watched the two siblings together beneath the rain.
(What...am I feeling?)
Aria grabbed lightly at the fabric over her chest.
Confusion flickering across her face.
Cold wind lifted her blonde bangs softly.
"Brother, I missed you so much," said Yuna.
She pressed her face happily against Haruto's stomach through the layers of his coat.
"I missed you too," Haruto replied gently.
He looked down at her with softened eyes.
"So much."
"Big sis told me you were overseas," Yuna said while stepping back slightly.
Her cheeks puffed up in visible annoyance.
"You should've told me."
"That's my fault," Haruto said softly.
His eyes suddenly shifted toward Aria standing nearby.
"Oh...?"
"Is she a friend of yours, little sis?"
"Yes. Yes!" Yuna said immediately.
She happily pulled Aria closer beside her.
A cold gust of wind swept through the entrance, making their skirts and hair sway sideways.
"My best friend."
"It's nice to meet you, Yuna's older brother," Aria said shyly.
She avoided eye contact almost instantly while nervously pulling at the edge of her skirt.
(I'm so embarrassed...)
(This is my first time talking to someone this handsome up close...)
Haruto gently reached forward and took both of Aria's hands into his own.
Aria froze completely.
Red rapidly spread across her face like heat rushing upward.
Her blue eyes widened before instinctively looking up at him.
"Thank you," Haruto said with a warm smile.
"For being such a good friend to my little sister."
His grip remained gentle.
Comfortable.
Careful.
"I hope we can get along too."
That last sentence completely destroyed Aria's remaining composure.
Her entire face turned bright red.
Almost steaming.
Tiny wisps of white breath escaped past her lips while her brain visibly stopped functioning.
(It's not fair...!)
(I can't think clearly anymore...!)
(Yuna's brother is way too hot...!)
(Wait what am I even thinking?!)
The loud honk of a white luxury car suddenly echoed from nearby.
Aria snapped back to reality immediately.
"M-my driver is here..." she stuttered quickly.
Her voice came out uneven while she pulled her hands back against her chest protectively.
Without waiting another second, she hurried toward the car almost stumbling on the wet pavement.
Haruto blinked slowly while watching the vehicle drive away into the rainy street.
"Huh..." he murmured softly.
"Isn't she kind of a weird one?"
A small amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Heh~ heh~"
Yuna covered her mouth mischievously while laughing beside him.
Her icy-blue eyes curved playfully.
"She's not weird."
"You're just way too handsome for her to handle."
"Oh..."
Haruto awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
His gaze drifted away slightly.
"I don't think I'm that good-looking..."
"What~?!" Yuna said immediately.
She stared at him like he had just said something insane.
"Who exactly are you trying to fool?"
Then she grabbed lightly onto his sleeve.
Pulling him toward the parked Porsche.
"Anyway."
"Brother, let's go already."
"It's cold."
"Yeah, my bad," Haruto replied with a soft chuckle.
"Let's go."
Haruto walked over to the front passenger seat and opened the door for Yuna.
One hand resting against the top of the car.
The other gesturing calmly for her to enter first.
"What a gentleman~" Yuna teased lightly.
She closed her umbrella before slipping into the seat gracefully.
Her icy-blue eyes flicked toward him with playful amusement.
Haruto smiled faintly and closed the door for her.
Rain tapped softly against the black surface of the Porsche while he quickly walked around the front of the car.
The moment he entered the driver's seat, Yuna placed her backpack onto the backseat beside her.
Soft white lights illuminated the luxurious interior the instant the key turned.
The engine roared to life.
Deep.
Smooth.
Violently expensive.
That sound alone instantly grabbed the attention of everyone nearby.
Especially the boys still standing outside the school gates.
"No way..."
"That's a GT3..."
"Bro, take a picture!"
Phones immediately came out.
Cameras flashing beneath the rainy evening sky.
The Porsche suddenly pulled away from the curb.
Fast.
Way too fast.
The tires sliced through a shallow pool of rainwater, splashing an entire wave across a group of girls walking along the sidewalk.
"Aahh?!"
"My uniform!"
"Sorry," Haruto said absentmindedly.
One hand loosely resting against the steering wheel while his eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
"Ahaha~!"
Yuna burst into laughter beside him.
She leaned forward slightly while holding her stomach.
"That was totally intentional."
"You're so naughty, bro!"
(Her laugh really sounds like music...)
Haruto glanced sideways toward her for a brief moment.
A soft smile appearing naturally across his face while he watched her laughing happily beside him.
(Mmm...)
Yuna slowly turned her attention toward the window.
Outside, the city had already blurred completely.
Streetlights stretched into glowing lines.
Cars became streaks of color.
Buildings passed by like shadows.
The speedometer kept climbing higher.
And still rising.
Haruto drove like speed limits simply didn't exist in his world.
One hand casually controlling the wheel while the other rested against the gear shift.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Like this speed meant absolutely nothing to him.
(Damnn...)
Yuna looked toward Haruto's side profile quietly.
Silver-white strands shifted slightly from the rushing air leaking through the vents.
(Brother really drives with his whole soul...)
Even so, she never looked nervous.
Not even once.
(But he'd never put me in danger...)
A small smile appeared across her lips while she watched him drive.
The traffic light ahead turned red.
Haruto ignored it completely.
The Porsche drifted sharply around the corner with a violent screech.
Water sprayed outward beneath the tires.
Then the car shot forward again like a black bullet disappearing into the rainy city streets.
Back at Universe 060.
Itsuki sat upon his throne with one leg crossed over the other.
Mizuki rested lazily on his lap, one arm draped around his shoulder.
Cold eyes stared down the long stairway beneath them.
At the very bottom.
Arisa was pinned against the shattered floor by the red Dragon girl.
Sharp claws rested against the top of her head.
Enough pressure to crack the stone beneath her cheek.
Mmm...
Arisa's nose twitched slightly.
Her eyes narrowed little by little.
A familiar scent drifted through the air around Mizuki and Itsuki.
("Huh...? This smell...") Said Arisa internally, her brows pulling together slightly.
("It's the same as Father... the scent of someone from another reality.")
"What are you?" Asked Mizuki with a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"You're neither human nor monster."
"I'm the instrument of God." Said Arisa without hesitation.
"If you want to put it that way."
Mizuki tilted her head slightly.
A few strands of hair slipped across her shoulder.
The playful smile on her face faded just a little.
Itsuki's eyes narrowed quietly.
Studying her.
Analyzing.
"Mmm... I see now." Said Itsuki calmly, fingers tapping once against the armrest.
"She belongs to a completely different species."
"Not something created by this universe."
"Oh...?" Said Mizuki lightly, interest flickering across her eyes.
"As for her soul..." Continued Itsuki, gaze lowering toward Arisa.
"The density is overwhelmingly high."
"We could use it for our plan."
("Yes... it's partially leaking out.") Said Mizuki internally, shifting slightly on Itsuki's lap.
As spiritual beings.
They could naturally perceive souls.
Touch them.
Interact with them directly.
Mizuki slowly stood up from Itsuki's lap.
The fabric of her school skirt slid softly against his legs.
Her heels clicked gently against the stairs as she descended.
Elegant.
Slow.
Confident.
A pleased smile rested on her face the entire way down.
"What's your deal?" Asked Arisa bitterly, lifting her head slightly despite the claws digging into her scalp.
"Are you planning to destroy the world?"
"Ehehe..." Laughed Mizuki softly behind her fingers.
"Destroy the world?"
"Come on..."
"Destroying a planet is as easy as breathing for us."
("Tck... then what are you after?") Thought Arisa internally, eyes sharpening.
Mizuki stopped directly in front of her.
Eyes looked down with amusement.
"We have a far greater ambition than that." Said Mizuki, leaning down slightly toward Arisa's face.
"Cross-universe travel."
Arisa's eyes widened instantly.
A small tremor ran through her pupils.
"What...?!" Said Arisa, voice rising slightly.
"You do realize leaving a universe is impossible because of the Reality Barrier."
"Yes." Said Mizuki softly.
"Normally."
A grin slowly stretched across her lips.
"Since you're going to die anyway..."
"I'll let you in on a little secret."
"Mmm..."
"By collecting millions of souls and converting them into fuel..." Said Mizuki, slowly raising one finger.
"We can bypass the Reality Barrier."
"So that's why you attacked our nation." Said Arisa angrily, fingers curling against the floor.
"To harvest monster souls as fuel."
"Of course, darling." Said Mizuki coldly, brushing hair behind her ear.
"Did you think we'd use mortal human souls?"
"If we did..."
"We'd need to wipe out humanity entirely."
A small laugh escaped her lips.
"But monster souls are far more advanced."
"So the number drops to only a few million."
"We aren't doing anything wrong anyway." Continued Mizuki casually.
"Monster lives are worthless."
"What gives you the right to slaughter them?" Said Arisa bitterly, glaring upward.
"Oh don't worry." Said Mizuki sweetly, slowly raising her palm above Arisa's head.
"Once we take your soul..."
"The required number drops dramatically."
"Hehe..."
"That means less death."
"Isn't that wonderful?"
""Soul Absorption"."
The moment Mizuki activated her skill.
The air distorted violently.
A transparent figure slowly began emerging from Arisa's body.
Pulled outward little by little.
Arisa's soul.
But suddenly.
The transparent figure jerked violently.
Thrashing wildly in resistance.
The floor beneath Arisa cracked from the pressure alone.
("What the...?") Said Mizuki internally, her pupils shrinking slightly.
("She's resisting soul extraction...?")
("This must be "Soul Attack Resistance".")
Mizuki's smile twitched for a split second.
But panic never reached her face.
"It doesn't matter." Said Mizuki calmly, fingers tightening slowly.
"It's only resistance."
"You'd need nullification to completely stop me."
She pulled harder.
The transparent soul stretched thinner and thinner toward her palm.
Like glass being dragged apart by invisible hands.
Itsuki suddenly rose from his throne.
His cloak shifted heavily behind him.
Eyes lifted toward the daytime sky above.
The artificial stars overhead.
Were cracking.
Thin fractures spread across the glowing heavens like broken glass.
Light leaked through the gaps in violent white streaks.
"Mizuki!" Shouted Itsuki sharply, his voice echoing through the palace.
"Get out of there immediately!"
"Uhh...?" Said Mizuki in surprise, her brows pulling together as she looked upward.
That single moment of distraction.
Was enough.
Arisa's transparent soul snapped violently back into her body.
The impact made her entire body jolt against the floor.
Air burst from her lungs.
"What...?"
BOOOOM—!!
A blinding white beam suddenly tore through the cracked sky.
Descending straight downward like divine punishment itself.
The entire world flashed white.
The Dragon girl's eyes widened instantly.
Her instincts screamed.
She grabbed the ground with her claws and kicked backward violently.
Mizuki leapt away at the exact same moment, hair whipping behind her.
The beam struck the earth directly beside Arisa.
An explosion of light erupted outward.
Massive shockwaves repeated one after another.
Tearing apart the floor.
Splitting the surrounding structures.
The Dragon girl planted her feet firmly against the ground.
Muscles tightening beneath crimson scales.
She shielded Mizuki behind her body while enduring the shockwave head-on.
Dust and smoke spiraled wildly through the ruined throne hall.
Chunks of debris floated upward from the pressure alone.
The beam slowly thinned into particles of light.
Then vanished completely.
Itsuki appeared beside Mizuki instantly.
No movement.
No sound.
Just there.
His sharp eyes locked onto the smoke cloud below.
"That was close, Arisa." Said a playful voice from within the smoke.
Soft.
Mischievous.
Dangerously relaxed.
"Huh...?" Said Arisa weakly, lifting her head slightly from the cracked floor.
"Lady Fuyume...?"
Even without seeing her clearly.
She recognized the voice immediately.
"Yes, it's me." Said Fuyume cheerfully as the smoke slowly parted around her figure.
Long hair swayed lightly behind her.
A bright smile rested on her lips.
"Fuyume~."
She stood beside Arisa casually.
Hands resting behind her back.
As if this battlefield was nothing more than a peaceful walk.
Arisa's eyes widened slightly.
A small breath escaped her lips.
Relief.
"You came..." Said Arisa softly, fingers tightening against the shattered ground.
"Mhm." Said Fuyume with a small nod, glancing down at her.
"And honestly..."
"You look terrible."
"Mizuki." Said Itsuki calmly, eyes narrowing slightly.
"That woman is dangerous."
Mizuki's smile faded completely now.
Her gaze remained fixed on Fuyume.
Cold.
Careful.
"Nami." Said Mizuki quietly, raising one finger toward them.
"Take care of those two."
Her eyes shifted toward Arisa specifically.
"Leave the unidentified species girl barely alive."
The red Dragon girl.
Nami.
Slowly nodded once.
A monstrous pressure rolled outward from her body.
The floor beneath her feet cracked deeper and deeper.
Fuyume's smile widened slightly at the sight.
One finger tapped softly against her cheek.
"My my..." Said Fuyume lightly.
"This might actually get fun."
Nami leapt from the middle of the stairway at a speed that put light itself to shame.
The shattered steps exploded beneath her feet.
Her crimson hair whipped wildly behind her.
A violent pressure ripped through the air.
Arisa's eyes widened slightly.
Then sharpened instantly.
"Tck."
She forced herself up from the ground.
Her boots scraped across the broken floor.
Dust burst outward around her ankles.
Nami's fist came crashing down.
Arisa blocked it with her elbow.
A deep shockwave erupted outward.
The nearby stairs cracked apart instantly.
The red dragon girl grinned.
Sharp fangs showed behind her lips.
"Heh... still moving?"
Arisa spun immediately after the block.
Her pastel pink hair with light blue near the tipes flowed behind her like silk.
A spinning kick tore through the air toward Nami's ribs.
Nami flipped backward midair.
Her body bent gracefully like flowing fire.
The kick barely missed her by inches.
Wind exploded behind her from the force alone.
"I'll handle her." Said Arisa confidently.
She rolled her shoulder slightly.
vibrant eyes with a dual-tone effect stayed locked onto Nami.
"Still got unfinished business with her."
A small grin crossed her face.
"Besides..."
"She's probably not worth your time."
Fuyume's lips curved upward slowly.
Her half-lidded eyes narrowed with amusement.
"You're right." Said Fuyume softly.
"She isn't anywhere near strong enough compared to those two."
She casually slapped Arisa's shoulder while walking past her.
The movement looked relaxed.
Almost playful.
Yet the floor beneath her footsteps quietly fractured apart.
Itsuki watched silently from above.
One hand rested against his throne.
His expression remained calm.
(So they really can track each other.) Said Itsuki internally.
(Hm... troublesome.)
Mizuki looked upward toward him.
A faint crease formed between her brows.
"Itsuki... teleportation isn't working."
"I noticed." Said Itsuki seriously.
His red eyes shifted toward Fuyume.
"Then we'll just kill her before it matters."
Mizuki stepped forward elegantly.
Her heels clicked softly against the broken stairway.
Long golden hair slid across her shoulders.
She stopped directly in front of Fuyume.
One hand rested lazily against her hip.
Her head tilted slightly upward.
"So..." Said Mizuki with a playful smile.
"You want to fight me, babe?"
"Fufufu..."
Fuyume covered part of her mouth lightly.
Her sharp smile still remained visible through her fingers.
"Fight you?"
Her eyes slowly narrowed.
"No..."
"I want to kill you."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Their faces were only inches apart now.
Warm breath brushed softly between them.
Their auras pressed against each other invisibly.
They looked like two beautiful flowers growing from opposite sides of death itself.
Then it happened.
Their aura surfaced fully.
BOOOOM—
The entire realm trembled violently.
Massive fractures spread across the timeless dimension.
Arisa immediately looked upward.
Even Nami stopped moving for a second.
The pressure was monstrous.
Cracks spread endlessly through the realm.
Color distorted violently.
Space folded inward piece by piece.
Then the entire dimension collapsed.
Everything shattered apart instantly from the pressure of their existence alone.
The next moment.
They appeared within a subspace between dimensions.
A colorless void stretched endlessly around them.
No wind.
No sound.
No gravity.
No flow of time itself.
Only emptiness.
Fuyume smiled faintly.
Her long white hair
drifted unnaturally around her.
Mizuki cracked her neck softly.
A pleased grin rested on her lips.
Then both vanished simultaneously.
BOOOOM—
They rushed toward each other at impossible speed.
Distorted shockwaves exploded through the void behind them.
Fuyume threw a punch first.
Her fist ripped through the colorless emptiness.
Mizuki slipped past it smoothly.
Her body twisted gracefully to the side.
One hand shot toward Fuyume's ribs.
But Fuyume disappeared.
No.
She existed somewhere else while still remaining there.
Mizuki's attack passed through empty space.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Above her.
Fuyume appeared instantly.
One arm swung outward casually.
The void shattered apart from the motion alone.
CRAAACK—
A massive tear split through the dimension.
Brown light spilled violently through the fracture.
The entire subspace peeled open.
Revealing an endless rocky wasteland beneath them.
Dry mountains stretched across the horizon endlessly.
Dust storms twisted beneath the burning sky.
Jagged cliffs split the earth like scars.
Each of them stood at opposite edges of the planet.
Towering mountains rose beneath their feet.
Dust storms spiraled through the dead valleys below.
Even across that impossible distance.
They could still see each other clearly.
Mizuki slowly raised both hands.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Black and white flames danced across her fingertips.
Then she clapped her palms together.
A tiny black sphere formed between her fingers.
Small at first.
Silent.
Yet the surrounding space immediately started bending inward.
"Ultimate Destruction." Said Mizuki softly.
BOOOOM—
The black sphere launched forward at light-speed.
The mountain ranges beneath it exploded apart instantly.
Gigantic trenches carved themselves across the planet's surface.
The attack kept growing larger as it traveled.
White lightning spiraled violently around the sphere.
"Tch!"
Fuyume stepped forward sharply.
Her boots crushed the mountain peak beneath her.
She thrust an open palm outward to block it.
The moment her hand touched the sphere.
Her arm passed straight through it.
No impact.
No resistance.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"What..."
The black sphere swallowed her whole instantly.
Along with the entire mountain she stood on.
Then it detonated.
BOOOOOOM—
A blinding white light erupted across the galaxies.
Entire star systems shattered apart one after another.
Countless galaxies collapsed into dust the moment the expanding energy touched them.
The destruction continued endlessly outward.
A black wave of annihilation tearing through countless galaxies
Far above.
Mizuki floated within the outer layers of the galaxies.
Infinite spirals of galaxies reflected across her eyes.
Her long hair drifted silently in the darkness.
(Was that enough?) Said Mizuki internally.
Her gaze scanned the destroyed cosmos carefully.
Then laughter echoed through space.
"AHAHAHA—!"
Fragments of flesh slowly formed from nothingness.
White and purple energy twisted together violently.
Fuyume's body regenerated piece by piece.
Bones.
Muscles.
Skin.
Until she stood there completely unharmed again.
"That was really something..." Said Fuyume breathlessly.
A sharp grin spread across her lips.
"Cute."
Mizuki's expression stiffened slightly.
"Uhh..."
"She regenerated from Black Destruction..." She murmured mostly to herself.
"That attack bypasses regeneration itself."
Fuyume cracked her neck softly.
The sound echoed unnaturally through space.
"Don't you know?" Said Fuyume playfully.
""Godspeed Regeneration" lets the wielder regenerate even when regeneration gets bypassed."
Her smile widened afterward.
Mizuki's eyes narrowed further.
Black and white flames suddenly engulfed both her hands.
The surrounding space hissed violently.
High-level Extra Skill: "Demonic Dark Flames".
"Still using fire huh?" Said Fuyume excitedly.
"Love it."
Purple and white flames exploded around Fuyume's arms as well.
The fire wrapped around her fists like living beasts.
She lowered herself into a battle stance.
One foot sliding backward through empty space.
Her grin sharpened.
Then both vanished simultaneously.
BOOOOM—
They crashed into each other head-on.
Ignoring distance completely.
Their fists collided directly against each other's faces.
Soul-destroying flames erupted wildly on impact.
Shockwaves exploded through nearby galaxies.
Stars shattered apart like broken glass.
Yet neither flinched.
Punches.
Kicks.
Elbows.
Everything came endlessly.
Neither cared about defense anymore.
They attacked with pure offense alone.
Mizuki drove a brutal punch into Fuyume's stomach.
Fuyume folded forward slightly from the impact.
At the exact same moment.
Fuyume's right hook smashed into Mizuki's chin.
"Arrgh—!"
Mizuki's face twisted sharply to the side.
Droplets of blood scattered into space.
Still they kept attacking.
Every strike carried soul destruction.
Every collision tore apart surrounding matter.
Yet both resisted it almost perfectly.
As if soul attacks themselves meant nothing to them anymore.
Fuyume suddenly caught Mizuki's wrist.
Her fingers tightened instantly.
Then she swung her violently across space.
BOOOOOM—
Mizuki's body tore through countless galaxies.
Her movement stretched into glowing white lines.
Entire galaxies split in half from the force alone.
"Mmm..." Said Fuyume softly.
A dangerous smile rested across her face.
Then her eyes narrowed slightly.
Mizuki was already standing beside her again.
Completely unharmed.
Like she had never been thrown at all.
A small pocket portal opened beside Mizuki silently.
She reached inside calmly.
Then pulled out an elegant silver bow.
Thin crimson crystal roses curled around its frame.
A divine glow shimmered across the weapon softly.
Fuyume blinked once.
(Huh...? A Mythic-Class weapon?) Said Fuyume internally.
Her excitement immediately deepened.
Mizuki pulled the string backward slowly.
A glowing white arrow spiraled into existence instantly.
Light warped unnaturally around it.
Without warning.
FWOOOSH—
The arrow shot forward while ignoring space-time itself.
Fuyume caught it cleanly between her fingers.
Right at the center.
Then suddenly.
The arrow vanished.
THUK—
Fuyume's head snapped slightly backward.
The arrow had pierced directly through her forehead instead.
Blood drifted weightlessly through space.
"No matter what you do..." Said Mizuki calmly.
"That arrow ignores logic itself."
She already pulled another glowing arrow into place.
The bow creaked softly beneath the pressure.
Fuyume grabbed the arrow lodged in her forehead.
Then crushed it between her fingers.
It dissolved into particles of light instantly.
The hollow wound in her forehead regenerated immediately afterward.
"Even if it ignores logic..." Said Fuyume softly.
"It's still not enough to kill me."
Mizuki clicked her tongue quietly.
(I could make it bypass all regeneration factors...) Said Mizuki internally.
(But with "Godspeed Regeneration"... it probably still won't matter.)
Fuyume slowly touched the spot where the arrow had pierced her head.
A thrilled smile spread across her lips.
(Amazing...) Said Fuyume internally.
(It even bypassed physical defense entirely.)
Her eyes gleamed brightly afterward.
(It must operate on a higher existence layer.)
Purple-white flames erupted violently around her body again.
(Things are about to get really insane now.)
Inside a massive science-fiction laboratory filled with white metallic walls and glowing blue circuits.
A giant glass container stood at the center of the room.
Heavy chains wrapped around it tightly from floor to ceiling.
Soft humming noises echoed throughout the laboratory.
Machines blinked endlessly in the darkness.
Cold air drifted through the room mechanically.
"Its almost done." Said Itsuki calmly.
He stood before the massive container silently.
One palm rested lightly against the cold glass surface.
His Crimson eyes reflected the countless souls trapped inside.
Each soul resembled the body it once belonged to.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Their faces twisted in endless horror.
Some clawed desperately against the glass.
Others screamed soundlessly while floating inside the spiritual liquid.
The entire container pulsed faintly like a living heart.
"What a beautiful sight to behold."
A deep voice echoed from behind him.
Itsuki's eyes narrowed slightly afterward.
He slowly turned his head toward the source of the voice.
Standing within the shadows was a tall black figure.
Its body looked completely featureless.
Dark giant wings stretched behind its back unnaturally.
Only its horrifying smile remained visible.
"Oh..." Said Itsuki quietly.
"It's you, Dragon Lord."
His expression stayed calm.
Though a faint irritation crossed his gaze.
"Do you want something?"
"Heh...heh..."
The Dragon Lord laughed softly.
Its shoulders trembled slightly with amusement.
"Not really."
He slowly spread his arms outward.
"I only came to check on how my daughter Nami is doing."
Itsuki stared at him blankly for a moment.
Then his eyes sharpened coldly.
"What lies." Said Itsuki flatly.
"You don't give a damn about her."
The spiritual monitors around the room flickered softly.
White light reflected across Itsuki's face.
"What do you actually want?"
"Whaaat~?" Said the Dragon Lord playfully.
"I love all my children."
"As if."
Itsuki turned fully toward him now.
One hand slid into his pocket slowly.
"You sold her to me without a second thought."
A faint dislike slipped into his tone afterward.
The Dragon Lord shrugged carelessly.
Its massive wings shifted slightly behind him.
"She wasn't worth keeping around." Said the Dragon Lord casually.
"A disgrace to the Dragon Race."
His smile widened afterward.
"I would've killed her sooner or later anyway."
Itsuki's gaze lingered on him silently.
(Here I thought I was evil.) Said Itsuki internally.
He slowly turned his attention back toward the trapped souls.
The screams inside the container intensified slightly.
Some souls slammed themselves wildly against the glass.
The laboratory fell into silence afterward.
Only the low mechanical humming remained.
Cold white lights flickered softly overhead.
Both of them simply stood there.
Neither speaking another word.
Then.
Itsuki's right eye narrowed slightly.
He could still sense the Dragon Lord standing behind him.
That same horrifying smile lingering in the darkness.
"Tch..."
Itsuki lifted one hand lazily.
Then waved it once through the air.
SHRRK—
The Dragon Lord's body tore apart instantly like ripped fabric.
Black fragments scattered across the laboratory before fading away completely.
A projection.
Itsuki lowered his hand afterward.
His coat shifted softly around his legs as he began walking around the container slowly.
"I have to do everything I can to support Mizuki." Said Itsuki quietly.
His reflection stretched across the giant glass chamber.
Crimson eyes staring at the trapped souls inside.
"As I always did."
Somewhere else.
Inside the grand meeting chamber.
Towering pillars stretched toward the dark ceiling above.
Soft crimson flames flickered along the walls silently.
Only two thrones were occupied.
Liora sat with one leg crossed over the other.
Her elbow rested against the throne's armrest lightly.
Long strands of hair spilled over her shoulder like silk.
Across from her sat Vhalzareth.
Relaxed as always.
One hand supported his chin lazily.
The remaining thrones stayed empty.
Cold.
Silent.
"It's quite strange." Said Liora softly.
Her narrowed eyes drifted toward the empty seats.
"The High Circle was supposed to be a council purely made of humans."
A faint crease appeared between her brows.
"Yet there are dragons mixed into it."
"Agreed." Said Vhalzareth calmly.
"It's valid to suspect they're working together with the Dragon Kingdom."
Liora slowly uncrossed her legs.
The sharp sound of her heel echoed lightly through the chamber.
"If that's true..." Said Liora thoughtfully.
"Then maybe some of the humans within the High Circle were replaced by dragons."
"Replaced..." Repeated Vhalzareth softly.
He smiled slightly afterward.
That same all-knowing smile.
"I don't think that's the case."
Liora's eyes narrowed immediately.
A small irritation crossed her face.
"And why do you say that?"
She leaned slightly forward.
"I don't see anything leading to that conclusion."
"Rather than replacement..." Said Vhalzareth casually.
"Perhaps the High Circle itself was overthrown."
The crimson flames around the room flickered faintly afterward.
Liora fell silent for a second.
(That's possible...) Said Liora internally.
(But it can't be treated as fact yet.)
"By whom?"
"If needed we can investigate further." Said Vhalzareth.
He gestured lazily with one hand.
"But right now..."
His smile deepened slightly.
"Does it even matter?"
"Mmm..."
Liora slowly leaned back into her throne.
Her gaze turned colder.
"You're right." Said Liora quietly.
"All that matters is eliminating them."
A dangerous pressure spread softly through the room.
"We can't allow them to destroy the peace Lord Haruto fought for."
"They already laid hands on his peace." Said Vhalzareth darkly.
"That alone is a sin."
His crimson eyes glowed faintly.
"And sinners should be wiped out."
Liora blinked once.
Then suddenly laughed softly through her nose.
"That's rare coming from an actual devil." Said Liora teasingly.
"Aren't demons the origin of sin itself?"
"Mmm..."
Vhalzareth's expression twitched with annoyance.
His fingers tapped lightly against the throne.
"True." Said Vhalzareth flatly.
"But my sins were washed away by my only God."
"God...?"
Liora tilted her head slightly.
Then realization crossed her eyes.
"Oh..."
"You mean Haruto."
A faint smile appeared across her lips afterward.
"He's my God too."
Vhalzareth slowly narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"We spiders naturally share a special bond with him." Said Liora proudly.
Her tone carried obvious smugness now.
Almost like she was trying to provoke him intentionally.
And it worked.
"Fufufu..."
Vhalzareth laughed softly under his breath.
One hand brushed through his dark hair.
"Only because of your species." Said Vhalzareth calmly.
"I personally grew alongside him."