In God's kingdom, Tomi stands before his team in a meeting hall, diagrams flashing across a digital board as he teaches new strategies to his team.
Outside, Kayle lingers by the door, watching for a moment. She frowns, then turns away, leaving the building. Her steps carry her toward Boa's golden hotel.
The lobby bustles with Boa's men, each one wearing an armband marked with the BOA symbol. Crank spots her and strides over.
"Kayle Ross," he says firmly, "Boa isn't ready to meet anyone yet. Be patient."
Kayle crosses her arms. "Even after three full days of sleep, he's still not ready? What's going on?"
Crank sighs. "He insists on handling this alone. He says that he has to redeem himself."
Kayle becomes more curious, as moments later.
In Boa's room, he lies drenched in sweat, tossing violently in bed. His body trembles, his spirit caught in another realm.
In the spirit world, countless arms rise from a black sea, dragging him beneath. Voices howl around him:
"You planned to let all of us die!"
"We've lost our trust in you!"
"How could you?!"
"You have no honor!"
The realm twists into a suffocating gray void. Boa collapses onto the ground, gasping. When he looks up, he sees a throne—and seated upon it, the spirit of the fallen King.
The King sneers. "Just as I thought. You fools put your trust in this wrong man, who couldn't even save you all!"
Boa forces himself to stand. "I'm sorry. At that time, I thought of what was best. I tried to save as many as possible."
The King points a damning finger. "Your plan was to save as many as possible, yes. But what about the rest? If you had died, all of us would have gone with you!"
Boa's voice cracks. "You're right. I couldn't save you all, but—"
"Enough!" the King roars, rising from the throne. "Forget this! All of you! Put your trust back in me! I'll take over and win this foolish Star Games in your place!"
Suddenly, millions of souls flood into the realm, their voices clashing, arguing over who deserves their trust.
The King grabs Boa, his grip crushing. "How could they ever trust you again after what you did? Give in! I am the rightful one to become God!"
Boa staggers under the crushing weight of the souls' emotions as the King shoves him down.
"Don't resist!" the King snarls. "Give me your body, and I'll make things right!"
In the real world, Boa's body convulses harder, veins pulsing dark across his skin.
Crank bursts into the room with Kayle right behind him. He rushes to Boa's side, holding him down. "Boa! Are you alright?!"
Boa doesn't respond. His eyes remain closed, body thrashing.
Kayle's gaze sharpens. "I know this… We both shared the same planetary powers so back on Doom Planet, when I charged my final arrow, I sensed Boa's spirit traveling. He was carrying trillions of souls on his shoulders. He must've bound them all to himself after defeating the King and the King's purpose was to become God and restore his universe."
She paces the room, her mind racing. "The leaderboard mentioned he brought them back to Isha. Maybe… maybe he couldn't save all of them. Now the he's facing the brute force of the backlash ."
Kayle kneels, pressing a hand against Boa's chest. "I've lost most of my powers, and I never trained much in spiritual training back at home. But I'll try."
She focuses, her spirit straining to reach Boa's, but the attempt fails. She pulls back, worried. "Damn it… I'll need more time to train in spiritual levels if I want to contact him."
Crank grips Boa tighter. His voice breaks. "I don't know if his body can handle this much longer. What are we supposed to do without you, Boa?!"
Boa's skin turns paler by the minute.
Then, in a flicker of light, a tiny polar bear spirit guide pops into the room, floating in the air.
"I heard a question!" the bear chirps. "I'll analyze the situation and give you the best answer!"
The little creature circles Boa, scanning him with beams of magic before landing lightly on the nightstand.
"You're right—he doesn't have much time," the bear says gravely. "All those souls he carries are rebelling. A greater spirit within him is trying to seize his body, but he is resisting in which it is destroying him. At this rate, in thirty minutes, his organs will fail, and he'll die."
Kayle holds onto her head. "Shit… who knew spirit training was this important? I'm going to lose a great ally if I don't think of something."
She stares at Boa, heart pounding. Then her eyes widen with sudden realization.
"I have an idea," she breathes. Without another word, she bolts from the room, leaving Crank to hold Boa as his body trembles on the edge of collapse.
Moments later, inside a cozy coffee shop, a tiny polar bear magically flies along the counter, carefully pouring a steaming cup into a mug for Corvex. She takes it with a little nod of thanks, her steps light as she walks outside to the terrace.
There, seated with perfect composure, is Nox, already sipping his own coffee.
Corvex smiles and sits across from him. "I'm surprised that you accepted my date invitation."
Nox doesn't flinch. His voice stays calm. "It's not a date. You offered coffee, and I wanted some."
Corvex keeps smiling sweetly, but inside she's screaming, "Why is he playing so hard to get?!"
"Oh, is that right?" she says, tilting her head playfully. "Then I suppose we'll take it slow. Still, let's get to know each other more—because who knows if we'll survive the next couple stages."
Nox sets his mug down, eyes locked on hers. "I can see it in your eyes… the real reason you joined the Star Games."
Corvex straightens in her chair, her heart skipping. "You do?! No man has ever read me that quickly. Explain yourself!"
Nox leans back, relaxed. "You came here to find love. Because back in your world, you couldn't. But even if you don't find it here, you were determined to win the Star Games. You thought—when you become God—you'd create the perfect man for yourself."
His words cut deep. Corvex stares at him, stunned. "You saw all of that… just by looking into my eyes?!"
Nox takes another sip before answering. "But even if you win, that's not real love. Creating your perfect ideal man isn't love when he's designed to love you. Real love comes when a man chooses you with his own freewill."
Corvex feels her chest tighten, the sting of his words striking harder than she expected. She grips her cup. "Stop it! My heart can't take this anymore! I don't care about any of that! I've already found the love of my life—and that's you! Once I win the games, I'll bring you back exactly as you are of course. Then, together, we'll be the Gods of love!"
For the longest time, Nox smiles faintly, impressed by her raw determination. He opens his mouth to reply—
—but with a heavy gust of wind and heavy footsteps.
"Nox!" Kayle shouts, rushing in. "You have to come with me! I need your help!"
Before Corvex can even blink, Kayle grabs Nox's arm and pulls him away.
Corvex freezes in shock, her heart dropping. "H-Hey—wait—what?!"
By the time she regains her voice, the two are already another block down. Corvex leaps to her feet, stomping after them.
"How dare you ruin my date!" she yells, chasing Kayle with burning frustration.
Moments later, Kayle and Nox burst into Boa's room.
Kayle rushes to Boa's bedside, her voice urgent. "You have to help Boa! It's far too early to lose someone like him. Please—you're the only person I thought of when it comes to spiritual training!"
Nox steps closer, studying Boa's trembling, sweat-soaked body. His tone stays calm, but his eyes sharpen. "I see… he's caught in a bind of his own. Hmmm."
He crosses his arms, reflecting aloud. "This Boa does interest me. The influence he carries is greater than any mortal I've seen. The first time I fought him, I never imagined the prisoners of the slums would have such unity—to break through my defenses. Even now, inside the Games, his influence still shines back in Isha. His people became the first rebels strong enough to draw the attention of a Gem Noble. Yes… he is a bright asset."
Kayle watches him, silently pleading.
Finally, Nox kneels at Boa's side. "I'll help—only because he's useful asset in the later stages." He presses his hand against Boa's chest, closing his eyes to spiritual travel.
But a violent crash shakes the halls.
Kayle and Crank darts outside, only to find Corvex rampaging through Boa's men in the golden hotel lobby. With furious elegance, she kicks one across a table and hurls another into the wall.
She spins toward Kayle, her finger pointed like a blade. "I demand a duel against Kayle Ross! The winner will receive Nox's love!"
Kayle freezes in disbelief. "What—?"
A mini polar bear guide pops into existence, floating between them with a smile. "This challenge is within the rules! Do you accept?!" A magical screen flickers open in front of Kayle, displaying glowing text:
Duel of Love: Accept or Decline.
Crank growls, stepping forward. "You can't just come in here beating up everybody!"
The bear cheerfully counters, "These Stars denied her entry, so she offered them a brawl instead. They accepted—under the condition that if she won, she could enter. Therefore, she is in her rights!"
Crank clenches his fists, about to charge Corvex—
—but Kayle raises her hand, stopping him. Her voice rings out. "I accept."
She leaps gracefully down into the lobby, facing Corvex head-on.
"I don't seek Nox's love," Kayle says firmly, her stance low. "But since we're waiting, a sparring session wouldn't hurt."
Corvex's face twists with jealousy. "Stop lying! No woman would take a man from another woman unless they're in cahoots!"
Kayle only shakes her head.
The moment of silence shatters—both women explode forward, their bodies colliding in a clash of speed and fury.
Meanwhile in the spiritual realm, Boa is still crushed under the heavy pressure of countless souls and their King.
The King roars, "Stop resisting! You're going to cause everyone to die!"
Boa forces words through clenched teeth. "Knowing you, you'd only make things worse. Besides, I still have people depending on me!"
He tries to rise but his knees buckle.
The King points as the souls gather around him. "Fool! Can't you see? They're all coming back to my side!"
Suddenly the realm shakes. A force tears through the void as Nox's spirit crashes down like a meteor. He stands tall and declares,
"From one King to another, I must say—we are not perfect ourselves. We are flawed. But without this man's help, you all would have been erased from existence!"
The King snarls. "What would a King like you know about what I've lost?!"
Nox lifts his hand. "I know far too well."
With a wave of his hand, the crushing weight pinning Boa vanishes. The realm glows brighter as Nox spreads his arms. "See it for yourself."
The King charges forward, plunging his arm into Nox's chest. In an instant, he sees Nox's memories—visions of the truth. His eyes widen. "No… there's no way… you're—"
Nox puts a finger up signaling for the King to be quiet.
The King stumbles back, stunned. Nox turns. "Stop overwhelming him. Let the man of honor speak."
Boa suddenly surges to his feet and drives his fist into Nox, blasting him out of the spiritual plane. Nox's spirit slams back into his body. On the floor, he groans, "At least a 'thank you' would suffice…"
Back in the realm, Boa steps forward. His voice rings out.
"Listen up! Even though I couldn't save you all and my original plan was to die but that plan has changed! Thanks to Jen, we're still here. Thanks to her, none of us are gone. We must not waste her sacrifice!"
The realm pulses brighter. Souls turn their heads.
"Please… stay with me! I've learned I'm not alone. I have friends—and so do you! Sorry to disappoint, but I'm still trying. Let's not lose hope or honor now. We must be strong until the very end! My friends and I will carry your will until I become God myself! That is your only chance to be saved, and you know it's true!"
His words blaze across the realm. Souls drift to his side one by one.
"Now that I'm clear-headed, I'll second-guess every option and choose the best path—for all of us with the help of my friends. I will not fail you again!"
The last of the souls move to Boa's side. Even the King lowers his head, a faint smile crossing his face.
"I suppose you're right," the King admits. "Carrying this burden alone… is too much for one mortal men."
He too stands with Boa.
Moments later, Boa wakes in the real world, sweat dripping down his face. He looks up to see Nox waiting.
"You're welcome," Nox says calmly. "By the way, your Project Soul is a success. Susan confirmed it, that a lot of them already has a new body. Let's work together until the final stage of the Games."
Nox offers his hand. Boa stares at it but refuses.
A thunderous crash shakes the walls. Both turn toward the sound.
They step outside to the lobby just in time to see Kayle standing victorious. Corvex lies beaten on the ground, sobbing.
Nox walks over and extends a hand. Corvex grabs it instantly and clings to him, crying, "The man has chosen his love!"
Nox pats her back, his eyes shifting toward Kayle.
Kayle notices Boa standing tall, alive and well. She bows to Nox and says softly, "Thank you."
Suddenly, three small figures pop into view—Boa's polar bear guide, Kayle's, and Nox's. They all speak at once, their voices echoing in perfect unison:
"You've been invited to Gaia's concert!"
The three guides vanish as quickly as they appear.
Boa, Kayle, and Nox exchange puzzled glances, then almost at the same time, nod in agreement. They accept the invitation.