Chapter 30 - Arches

I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not.

I opened my eyes to the sight of an endless blue sky.

For a brief moment, I thought I'd died and ascended to heaven-until a fly decided to land on my face.

Swatting it away, I sat up and realized I was lying in a grassy field.

"Huh?" I muttered, scratching my head. "When did I fall asleep here? ...Actually, where even is here?"

I stood up, brushing bits of grass off my clothes, and took a look around.

That's when I saw it: floating islands hovering lazily in the sky like oversized pancakes.

"Okay, what?" I squinted, hoping my eyes were playing tricks on me.

Nope.

The islands were still there, just to add to the mystery, I realized I wasn't carrying anything with me.

No bag, no weapon, not even a half-eaten snack. It was just me and my poor life choices.

"So you're awake?"

I spun around at the sound of a voice. Standing behind me was a guy around my age.

With messy brown hair and fox eyes tend to have them closed all the time, like he hadn't had a decent nap in years.

"Uh... and you are?" I asked, squinting suspiciously.

"The name's Taki," he said casually, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his dark gray robe.

"I'm in the same boat as you—woke up in this weird place with no idea how I got here."

"Right..." I introduced myself with a small wave. "I'm Arche. Nice to meet you, I guess."

As we stood there awkwardly, something hit me. "Hey, wait a second. Don't you think our voices sound... I don't know, weirdly similar?"

"Yeah, I noticed that too." He nodded, unfazed. "Guess it's just one of life's mysteries."

"Life's mysteries? Dude, we woke up in the middle of a grass field with floating islands everywhere."

"That's the real mystery here!" I pointed at the biggest island, where a massive gate loomed ominously in the distance.

"Speaking of which," I continued, "that gate up there? There's probably a whole civilization behind it. Maybe even food!"

Taki tilted his head. "You think so?"

"I hope so. Unless you've got a better plan?"

"...Nope," he admitted with a shrug.

The floating island was impossibly high, and my skills with a broomstick were...

let's just say they were on par with my ability to do math-nonexistent.

"Hey, can you fly a broomstick? Because I'm stuck here." I glanced at Taki, hoping he'd have a solution that didn't involve me face-planting in the grass.

"Oh, don't worry about that," he said casually.

Before I could question his confidence, something moved in his shirt pocket.

And then-out of nowhere-a tiny dragon's head poked out.

"WHAT?! You've been carrying a dragon in your pocket this whole time?!" I practically lunged at him, staring in disbelief.

Taki chuckled like it was no big deal. "Yeah. My friend and I found a dragon egg once when we got stuck in a cave during a storm."

"When it hatched, this little guy came out." The small, gray dragon looked up at me with bright blue eyes.

It was adorable. Too adorable for someone as scruffy-looking as Taki.

"What's his name?" I asked, gently reaching out to rub the dragon's tiny head with my finger.

"Eki," Taki replied.

Eki let out a soft chirp before fluttering out of Taki's pocket and landing on the ground.

I crouched down to watch him, curious about what he'd do next.

"Arche, step back," Taki warned.

"Why? He's tiny. What's he gonna do? Bite my finger?"

"Just step back," he insisted.

Reluctantly, I took a few steps away. And that's when it happened.

Eki's body began to grow. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, until the tiny dragon I could pet with one finger turned into a massive, majestic creature that made my jaw hit the ground.

"...WHAT IN THE ACTUAL—"

"Alright, climb on," Taki interrupted, hopping onto Eki's back like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Are you serious?!" I stammered, staring at the now-mountain-sized dragon.

"Do you have another way to get to the island?" he asked with a smirk.

I didn't. And as much as I hated to admit it, he was right. So, with a lot of internal screaming, I climbed onto Eki's back behind Taki.

"Alright, Eki, let's fly!" Taki called out.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Eki took off into the sky.

The wind brushed against my face, cool and refreshing. There's just something about flying on a dragon that never gets old.

"What do you think, Arche?" Taki shouted over the rush of air.

"This feels amazing!" I replied, grinning like an idiot as Eki soared effortlessly toward the floating island.

In no time, we landed. I slid off Eki's back, only to watch in amazement as the once-massive dragon shrank back down to his pocket-sized form.

He gave a little hop and disappeared into Taki's shirt pocket.

"Alright, stay cozy in there, Eki," Taki said, patting the pocket.

I clasped my hands dramatically. "He's so cute! Why don't I have a dragon like Eki? Life is so unfair..." I muttered.

Taki raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever met a dragon before?"

"Of course I have," I said, puffing out my chest. "I had a dragon of my own once."

"He was huge, covered in red scales, and could breathe fire. Pretty scary compared to Eki."

"Seriously? What was his name?" Taki asked, looking both intrigued and a little nervous.

"Wobblekins."

"...W-Wobblekins? That's... uh... that's a very unique name for a fire-breathing death creature."

"It was a strategic name," I said defensively. "No one's scared of a dragon named Wobblekins... until it's too late."

Taki looked like he was holding back a laugh, but before I could argue further, something else caught his attention.

"Hey, Arche... isn't that your name?" he asked, pointing toward the massive gate in front of us.

I blinked and followed his gaze. Sure enough, carved into the stone above the gate were the words:

"City of Arche."

"Wait, what?" I rubbed my eyes, convinced I was seeing things.

But nope. It was still there, staring back at me in all its glory.

"City of Arche? Why would anyone name a city after me? I haven't even done anything cool yet!"

Taki smirked. "Maybe you're destined for greatness."

"Or maybe someone out there has really low standards," I muttered under my breath.

"Anyway, let's head inside," Taki said, already walking toward the gate.

I followed him, still processing the whole "city named after me" thing, but before we could enter, two guards stepped forward and blocked our path.

"Hold it right there!" one of them barked, glaring at us.

"Ah, great," I sighed. "Because every adventure needs to start with awkward conversations with gatekeepers..."

"What kind of Arche are you guys?" the guard asked, his voice oddly familiar.

"Huh? I'm just... an ordinary Arche?" I replied hesitantly, scratching the back of my head.

"And I'm Taki," Taki added, clearly trying to avoid any trouble.

The guard narrowed his eyes, then smirked. "Oh? I haven't seen you two around before. So you're the unregistered Arches, huh?"

"Wait, unregistered what now?" I blinked, completely lost.

Before I could demand an explanation, another voice chimed in.

This one sent chills down my spine-not because it was scary, but because it was way too familiar.

"Let me handle this," the voice said, calm and confident.

Turning toward the source, I froze. A man stepped forward, black-haired, emerald-eyed, and wearing glasses that somehow made him look both intellectual and sarcastic at the same time.

My jaw dropped. That face... that posture... that height...

"Arche... isn't that you?" Taki asked, his voice dripping with disbelief.

"Y-Yeah... that's me," I stammered, staring at the glasses-wearing version of myself like he was an optical illusion.

The other me adjusted his glasses, looking unimpressed. "Ugh, I've seen that dumbfounded expression a hundred times."

"You must be confused, right? Let me explain before you embarrass yourself further."

"Well, excuse me," I muttered, but he ignored me and launched into an explanation.

"Everyone in this city—and this entire world, actually—is an Arche."

"We're all from different universes, brought here for reasons no one fully understands."

He gestured toward the towering gate behind him. "Some of the first Arches who arrived discovered this city."

"Back then, it was empty, but now it's the thriving hub of all things Arche."

I felt like my brain had just short-circuited.

"Wait... so you're saying..." I pointed at the two guards who had stopped us earlier.

Without a word, the guards removed their helmets. And there it was again-my face.

"Seriously?!" I shouted, staring at not one, not two, but now three versions of me.

The armored Arche on the left spoke up. "We are the Arche Guards. Our duty is to protect this city and ensure its peace."

I blinked at them, then turned to Taki, who was trying (and failing) to suppress a laugh.

"So, uh, let me get this straight. This entire city is just... me? Multiple me's?"

"That's right," glasses-Arche confirmed with a smirk.

"Welcome to the City of Arche, where every face in the crowd is yours, and every conversation is as awkward as you'd imagine."

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "This is either the best dream ever or the worst nightmare..."

Taki finally let out a laugh. "Well, at least you'll never feel lonely here!"

"Yeah," I muttered. "Unless I get tired of my own face."

Only Taki was different, "Let's go around, Taki"

Taki nodded, then we walked side by side, and suddenly Eki came out of Taki's pocket. "You want to see too, Eki?"

Eki nodded, Eki with his small body floated following us.

"And by the way, I'm the Brainy Arche," glasses Arche declared with an arrogant smile, pushing up his glasses like some kind of self-important genius.

"So, every version of Arche gets a nickname here? What's yours—Smartass Arche?" I asked, completely ignoring his smugness.

His smug smile vanished instantly. "Smartass?! You do realize you're insulting yourself, right?!"

"And what's my nickname, then?" I shot back, folding my arms.

Glasses Arche paused, scanning me from head to toe like a scientist examining a particularly unimpressive lab rat.

His eyes gleamed when he apparently came up with the perfect name.

"Basic Arche," he announced proudly, like he'd just won an award for creativity.

"Basic?! That's so lame!" I protested, throwing my hands up.

"Well, you don't exactly have any striking characteristics," he said with a mocking smirk.

"Wow, thanks," I muttered, trying to swallow the insult.

But as I fumed, something clicked in my brain. "Wait, you said everyone here is an Arche, right?"

"Correct," glasses Arche nodded, clearly relishing the chance to explain something again.

I turned to Taki, who had been standing there awkwardly this whole time.

"But his name is Taki, and he doesn't even look like us!"

"Oh-ho?" Glasses Arche leaned in close to Taki, inspecting him like a jeweler appraising a fake diamond. "Same face as us... same height as us..."

"Uh, I'm really confused right now," Taki said, looking visibly uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

"And even the voice! It's identical!" Glasses Arche declared, snapping his fingers.

"There's no mistake-he's part of us. He's just... a variant."

"What do you mean, 'variant'?" Taki asked, looking even more bewildered.

"In this city, there are Arches with different names too. He's one of them!" Glasses Arche said confidently.

Taki and I exchanged horrified glances. "Wait, so you're saying... I'm a part of you?" Taki asked hesitantly.

"Precisely," glasses Arche said smugly.

"Alright, so we have Basic Arche and Taki Arche. I'll add that to the list."

He whipped out a notebook and started jotting things down like this was some kind of bureaucratic process.

Before I could complain, he clapped the notebook shut and gestured dramatically toward the gate.

"Alright, you're good to go! Welcome to the City of Arche!"

We stepped inside, and I immediately stopped in my tracks, my jaw dropping.

The streets were bustling with... me. Everywhere I looked, there were Arches walking around, talking, and going about their business.

I saw myself in a pirate outfit, strutting down the street with a parrot on my shoulder.

I saw myself as a police officer, blowing a whistle and chasing another Arche who was dressed like a thief.

I even saw an Arche wearing a pink maid outfit, holding a tray of parfaits and humming a cheerful tune.

"This is... a lot to process," I mumbled, my eyes darting around.

"Hey, you better get used to it," glasses Arche said as he walked past us.

"After all, you're home now. Welcome to your personal chaos!"

"Yeah, sure. Home," I muttered, watching as a knight Arche accidentally tripped over his sword while a chef Arche screamed at him for dropping a pie.

Taki leaned closer and whispered, "This is either the weirdest dream... or the most elaborate prank."

"Either way, we're stuck here," I sighed.

We began walking together, still processing the madness we had just witnessed.

"But I'm still shocked... I mean, you're me—but from another world," I said, glancing at Taki.

"I was equally surprised," Taki replied, his tone oddly calm for someone who'd just discovered he was part of a multiversal Arche conspiracy.

Suddenly, a soft voice cut through the air. "So cute... I really want to touch it..."

Both of us froze, turning around slowly. Standing there was a woman with short black hair, emerald green eyes, and an expression that could only be described as... predatory.

"Huh?!" I blurted out, trying to process the sheer intensity of her gaze.

She seemed to realize we had caught her staring. Her expression quickly shifted to one of mild panic as she awkwardly approached us.

"Uh..." she stammered, clearly struggling to come up with an excuse for whatever she had just muttered.

Wait a second. If Glasses Arche was right about everyone here being a version of me, then...

Oh no.

"Hey," she said as she stopped right in front of us.

"You're... Woman Arche, right?" I asked cautiously, bracing for impact.

"Yes," she replied with a smile that could have made weaker men fall to their knees.

I stared at her for a moment. Then I looked at Taki. Then back at her.

Is it just me, or is she... really attractive?

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "I've heard the name Arche is more often used for women, though..." I mumbled.

But my eyes betrayed me as they drifted—purely out of curiosity, of course to her figure.

Let's just say it was... uh... well-proportioned.

Taki leaned in and whispered, "You're staring."

"I'm not staring," I whispered back defensively, though my face was probably doing a great impression of a tomato.

Woman Arche tilted her head, clearly amused by my reaction. "You're one of the new Arches, huh?"

"Y-Yeah," I replied, trying to maintain eye contact and failing miserably.

"Well," she said, her voice taking on a teasing tone, "welcome to the City of Arche."

"Don't worry—I don't bite." She smiled mischievously before adding, "Unless you want me to."

Taki chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "So, if I heard correctly, you mentioned something about 'cute,' right? What exactly do you consider cute?"

Woman Arche blinked, her surprised expression suggesting she hadn't expected the question. "Uh, well..."

She hesitated, her gaze shifting from me to Eki, then back to me, before finally settling on the little dragon. "...It's that little dragon."

Taki and I turned to look at Eki, who appeared just as baffled as we were by the sudden attention.

"Oh? Eki?" Taki asked, raising an eyebrow.

Woman Arche nodded slowly, her lips curving into a playful smile as her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yeah... he's kinda cute."

"Cute?" I echoed, glancing at Eki.

The poor dragon looked like he'd just been put on the spot during a surprise presentation.

"Can I pet him?" Woman Arche asked, her tone brimming with enthusiasm.

"Sure, if Eki doesn't mind," Taki replied.

Eki gave a tiny snort of acknowledgment before fluttering over to Woman Arche.

She extended her hand, and Eki landed delicately on her palm.

Her eyes lit up as she stared at him, almost as if she'd discovered a treasure. "Wow..."

She began petting Eki gently, her smile growing wider with every stroke.

I could hear her mumbling softly, "So cute... so cute..."

I stood there, watching the scene unfold, but my gaze couldn't help but wander back to her.

Her soft black hair, her emerald green eyes, her playful smile... and, uh, her figure.

I mean, she's me—but somehow the universe decided to make her...

really attractive? Like, seriously, the proportions were downright distracting!

Without realizing it, I muttered under my breath, "I think I'm falling in love with myself..."

Taki, ever the opportunist, chuckled again. "Well... I can't blame you. She is pretty attractive."

Woman Arche perked up, her smirk widening. "Oh? Are you guys talking about me?" she asked, finally pausing from pampering Eki.

She turned to face us, her emerald-green eyes gleaming with mischief. "I did hear something about someone finding me attractive. Care to explain, hmm~?"

Great. Of course, she'd have my teasing nature too. Why wouldn't she?

I crossed my arms, matching her energy. "Yeah, so what if I do? How about we go on a date?" I fired back with a grin, figuring two could play this game.

Her smirk didn't falter for a second. "Oh? Asking me out already? How bold~," she said, putting a finger to her chin as if she were considering it seriously.

"But sure~," she added, shrugging nonchalantly, as though agreeing to a date with another version of herself was the most natural thing in the world.

Teasing yourself from another universe... what a low point in life.

Trying to salvage some normalcy, I quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, we were planning to explore the city. Want to come with us?"

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Absolutely! I was going to walk around anyway," she said, carefully placing Eki back into her pocket.

The little dragon seemed perfectly content in her care, probably because she was basically Taki's female counterpart.

If Eki had a preference, he wasn't showing it.

"Alright, let's go!" she chirped.

We started walking through the bustling streets of Arche City.

Everywhere I looked, I saw alternate versions of myself in every conceivable outfit.

It was surreal and mildly terrifying.

Just as I was getting used to the chaos, I heard a loud yell from above.

"Hey! Watch out!"

I instinctively looked up, just in time to see a black cat hurtling toward me. Before I could react, it landed squarely on my face.

"Gwah!"

The cat used my face as a stepping stone, launching itself gracefully to the ground and strutting off like nothing happened.

Meanwhile, I staggered back, clutching my nose. "Ow! What the hell was that?!"

Both Taki and Woman Arche rushed over, their faces etched with concern.

"Are you okay?" they asked in unison, their synchronized worry somehow making the situation even more ridiculous.

"I'm fine, just..." I winced, still holding my face. "...What kind of cat uses people as landing pads?!"

The black cat, now sitting calmly on the cobblestones, yawned as if mocking me.

Woman Arche stifled a laugh, clearly failing to hide her amusement. "Well, Arche, you do have that kind of face..."

I glared at her. "What kind of face attracts aerial cat attacks?!"

"Do you need anything for your face?" Woman Arche asked, leaning in closer to examine the damage.

I smirked, not missing a beat. "I need a kiss from a beautiful woman..." I said teasingly, my tone dripping with fake innocence.

"A kiss, huh?" She chuckled, grabbing my chin with surprising confidence and tilting my face upward.

Her emerald-green eyes sparkled with mischief.

"And where exactly do you want this kiss~?" she asked, her smirk deepening.

I closed my eyes and grinned. "Right on the lips, please."

WHACK!

Instead of soft lips, I felt the unmistakable force of a fist slamming into my face.

"Like hell I'd do that, you idiot!" Woman Arche shouted.

I was launched backward, landing flat on the cobblestones.

A crowd of passing Arches stopped in their tracks, their jaws dropping at the scene.

"Ah, just as I thought..." I groaned, pushing myself up from the ground.

"The female version of me isn't an easy woman."

"Of course I'm not!" Woman Arche retorted, crossing her arms with a huff. "You think it's that easy to get a kiss from me?"

"You really know how to draw attention, huh?" Taki said, shaking his head. "Even you're attracted to you."

Woman Arche flipped her hair with a cocky grin. "Well, who wouldn't be attracted to someone as amazing as me?"

I dusted myself off and walked back toward them, muttering under my breath about my bruised pride.

Just then, I heard a mocking voice ring out. "You're so lame. Couldn't even dodge that punch, huh?"

"Huh?! Who said that?" I looked around, fuming.

"Down here, idiot," the voice replied.

I looked down and froze. There, sitting smugly on the ground, was the black cat from earlier. Its green eyes gleamed with amusement.

"As people say, black cats bring bad luck," Taki chimed in, trying to hold back his laughter.

"Wait... don't tell me you're the one mocking me!" I pointed an accusatory finger at the cat.

The cat smirked-actually smirked. "Took you long enough to figure it out," it said, its voice oozing with sass.

I crouched down and picked up the cat, holding it at eye level.

"You're seriously a talking cat?! Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

The cat flicked its tail lazily. "Oh, I don't waste my breath on boring people. But you? You're such a clown, I couldn't resist."

I felt my eye twitch. "Great. Now I'm getting roasted by a cat."

Woman Arche's eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked at the cute black cat.

"So cute..." she cooed, her voice practically dripping with affection.

"Can I pet it?" Woman Arche asked, clearly smitten by the tiny feline.

I couldn't help myself. "You want to pet everything? If you want to pet something, just pet me!" I said, lifting the black cat up to my face.

Woman Arche gave me a sly smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "So, you want me to pet you? How desperate~"

"Please, ma'am!" I said dramatically, lowering my head like an eager puppy, waiting for the affection.

"Such a desperate little boy~" Woman Arche teased, taking a step closer to me.

Before I could react, she slapped my head with a thunk.

"Ouch!" I dropped the black cat in shock. The little feline yowled as it landed on the ground, and Eki flew back into Woman Arche's shirt pocket to return to Taki.

"You really thought I'd pet you?" Woman Arche laughed, watching me clutch my throbbing head. "You're such an idiot~"

"Hey, you two, stop fighting," the black cat spoke up, sounding irritated. "Huff... you two are like siblings who can't get along."

I blinked at the talking cat, stunned.

"What kind of Arche are you guys?" the cat asked, looking up at us with an almost judgmental stare.

"...Basic Arche..." I grumbled, taking a deep breath. That nickname was so lame.

"And I'm Taki," Taki answered, raising an eyebrow at the cat.

The cat gave a huff of approval. "Right. Taki and Basic Arche, huh?" It then turned to Woman Arche. "And you?"

"I'm Woman Arche," she said with a smirk, puffing out her chest proudly.

"Then it's my turn," the cat said, "I am the cat version of Arche, or you can call me Arcat."

I blinked, still processing this world where even cats had egos.

"So—" Arcat was about to continue, but suddenly, a voice cut through the air, stopping him.

"Hey, your conversation seems interesting, can I join in?"

We all turned to see another version of me, this time wearing a dark green kimono, landing gracefully in front of us.

He had a confident smirk plastered on his face. "No need for formalities," he said, crossing his arms.

"I'm Arashi Yorutsuki, a ronin-a wanderer without a master."

"I simply follow the wind... and my blade, of course," he mumbled, as if it was the most poetic thing anyone could say.

Woman Arche's eyes sparkled as she checked him out. "A ronin, huh? Sounds cool."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "So, why does a ronin like you want to join our conversation?"

The ponytailed man flashed a grin. "Because I'm bored!"

"Ah... that's so me..." I muttered.

Woman Arche chuckled. "You're bored, huh? That's understandable."

"But joining our conversation just because you're bored is a bit..." Taki began, looking slightly exasperated by the sudden interruption. "Ridiculous?"

Arcat, suddenly bouncing, leapt up and climbed onto Arashi's shoulders like he was some kind of personal sidekick.

"You're disturbing me from talking," Arcat declared, his voice dripping with exaggerated annoyance.

Arashi froze in shock. "This talking cat just climbed onto my shoulder!"

"Come on," Arcat said, sounding unnervingly mature for a cat.

"Let's get away from here. There's something I want to talk to you guys about. Since you're new here, right?"

I exchanged confused looks with the others, and I couldn't help but think: Somehow, Arcat seems way too grown-up for this group.

Woman Arche narrowed her eyes at Arcat, her suspicion clear. "Wait, you want to talk about something with us?"

"And how do you know we're new here?" I asked, confused. How did he know?

Arcat smirked, clearly enjoying our confusion. "Because I'm one of the versions of Arche who came first to this world."

We exchanged glances before we followed him to the park.

The park was eerily quiet, the empty paths only adding to the atmosphere.

Most of the Arches had flooded the food shops, no surprise there.

Arashi, still not completely convinced, leaned forward. "So, what do you want to talk about, talking cat?"

"Yeah, it must be something important, right?" Taki chimed in, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

"Don't waste our time," I added, crossing my arms.

Woman Arche gave him a stern look, arms folded. "Yeah, get to the point."

Arcat paused for dramatic effect, taking a deep breath like he was about to reveal some earth-shattering news.

"You guys are so impatient, aren't you?" he teased, as if we weren't on the edge of our seats waiting for the answer.

"So, in this world, there is a dangerous version of Arche. We call him 'Evil Arche.'"

A chill ran down my spine at the name.

"He's gathered several evil versions of Arche to join him, forming a team of dark Arche versions." Arcat continued, his voice steady but serious.

I could feel the tension in the air. "What's his plan?" Taki asked, clearly just as curious.

Arcat shook his head. "We don't know yet. All we know is it's bad. Really bad."

Woman Arche's eyes narrowed. "A dangerous version of Arche, huh? And he's creating a team of evil Arches to do something..." Her voice trailed off, her curiosity piqued.

I couldn't help but feel a knot tighten in my stomach. "And you don't know his plan yet? That's pretty dangerous..."

"Yeah," Arashi muttered under his breath, "we're gonna need a lot more than just cute cats to deal with this."

Arcat nodded gravely. "Exactly."

"Okay, I'll help," I heard my voice say, but it wasn't my voice.

We all turned around, bewildered, and saw another version of me casually sitting on a roof, like it was no big deal.

He jumped down and strolled toward us like it was a normal Tuesday.

"Uh, who are you?" Taki asked, clearly puzzled.

The new Arche brushed off his clothes like he just woke up from a nap.

"They call me Arche who can use magic."

We stared at him, trying to process what we were seeing. He looked like me, but not quite.

Same basic vibe, but... something was off. A magical twist, maybe?

"Second Basic Arche, then," Woman Arche said, crossing her arms.

"You're the first one," she added, pointing directly at me.

"Magic Arche," I repeated, still trying to make sense of it all. "Wait... I can't feel his aura, though?"

Magic Arche shrugged, unbothered. "Second Basic Arche is too long anyway. It's a hassle, trust me."

Woman Arche made an exaggerated face of agreement. "True, Second Basic Arche is way too long."

"Just call him... Magic Arche or something." She turned to him, now intrigued. "So, you can really use magic, huh?"

He grinned. "Yep, I sure can."

The mention of magic triggered something in me. "Ah... I miss Elaina already," I mumbled without thinking.

"Huh? Elaina? You mean, Elaina the Ashen Witch? You know her too?!" Woman Arche practically yelled, her eyes wide with excitement.

Taki stared at me, his jaw dropping. "You know Elaina too?" Eki poked his head out of Taki's pocket at the mention of her name, clearly interested as well.

I scratched my head awkwardly. "So, maybe we were all really destined to meet Elaina," Magic Arche said with a cryptic smile.

"Wait a minute," I said, eyeing Arcat. "In your world, is Elaina also a cat?"

"Of course not! I was a human too, you know!" Arcat exclaimed, his tone defensive.

"Besides, I haven't even met her for a long time."

"Eh?" Magic Arche blinked, clearly confused. "You were originally a human?"

"Uh... are you referring to the ashen-haired kunoichi by the name of Elaina?" Arashi asked, looking at us with a raised eyebrow.

"Eh?" We all echoed in perfect sync, as if rehearsed.

"Kunoichi?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "Now I'm really curious about your story."

"Is she this kind of woman?" Taki asked, pulling out a photo of him and Elaina.

He looked at it for a moment, eyes softening at the memory.

"Ah, yes, that's her," Arashi replied with a knowing nod.

"In my world, though, she's not called Elaina. That's what's confusing me."

"Oh? Then what's her name?" Woman Arche asked, leaning forward like she was about to hear a juicy secret.

But before Arashi could respond, we heard a sudden explosion.

We all turned in unison, eyes wide, as smoke billowed from the source.

"He's here, huh?" Arcat muttered, his voice filled with annoyance.

"The evil Arche is here?" Taki asked, his eyes darting to Eki, who had popped his head out of Taki's pocket in alarm.

"Why didn't you tell him you were coming now?!" Woman Arche yelled at Arcat, her fists clenched in frustration.

"I wanted to tell you guys, but you got all caught up in talking about Elaina," Arcat defended, clearly unfazed by the explosion in the background.

"Well, we just need to beat them, right? Let's go!" Arashi said, already charging toward the explosion with the kind of reckless enthusiasm that only a ronin could muster.

"Ah, that stupid ronin..." Arcat muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes.

"Alright, everyone, go after them!" Arcat barked, before dashing after Arashi, Woman Arche hot on his heels.

"Alright, let's go, Arche," Taki said, his voice determined.

"Yeah," I nodded. Magic Arche gave me a side glance, and then we both turned to face each other.

"Uh... do you mean me, or him?" Magic Arche pointed at me and at Taki, looking slightly confused.

"Uh, yes, who do you mean?" I pointed at Taki and Magic Arche, just to mess with him.

"Ah, sorry, I meant this Arche." Taki pointed at me again, and we exchanged a brief moment of "Really?"

We then pointed at each other in synchronized confusion.

"Alright, enough pointing! Let's go!" I yelled, and with that, we all charged toward the explosion.

We stopped suddenly in the middle of the city, looking around.

"Now what?" I asked, trying to stay cool while inwardly freaking out about what was going to happen next.

The air crackled with tension as we stood on the battlefield, facing the army of evil versions of myself.

There was one standing at the front, clearly the leader, his presence darker and more commanding than the rest.

His eyes gleamed with a malevolent energy, as if he relished in the coming chaos.

"I am the Arche you call the Evil Arche," he declared, his voice booming across the field. "We are here to defeat you."

A cold shiver ran down my spine, but my resolve remained unshaken. I knew what had to be done.

We were now divided-good versus evil, the light versus the dark, the many versions of me standing in opposition.

I stepped forward, my every muscle coiled, ready for battle.

The good versions of me stood behind me, their faces filled with determination. Some were nervous, others were eager, but all were prepared.

I locked eyes with the evil version of me. He looked older—around forty years old and far more menacing.

His smile was cold, calculating. I could see the years of bitterness etched into his features.

"Oh? Arche, what are you?" Evil Arche asked, his tone mocking, as if he was disappointed by the simplicity of my existence.

"Basic Arche," I answered, the words dripping with a calm that contrasted the storm brewing within me.

"Basic Arche, huh?" Evil Arche sneered. "Really lame."

"Indeed," I said, taking a slow, controlled breath. "But put that aside. Because now, we're going to war."

The words echoed in my mind as I surveyed the battlefield, knowing that some of the evil versions of me weren't entirely evil-they simply longed for a fight.

A battle against their own versions, just like me. The battle I had wanted for so long. The one I needed.

"ARCHE!" I called out, my voice cutting through the air, rallying the good versions of me behind me.

"I won't let you win," I muttered under my breath, my eyes narrowing at the evil version of myself.

"It's showtime..." I grinned.

With that, the war began.

Arashi drew his katana from its sheath with a sharp, deliberate motion, the blade gleaming in the dim light as he faced the notorious Pirate Arche.

"So, you're my opponent?" Arashi sneered, his voice laced with sarcasm, before lunging forward.

His katana slashed in a deadly arc, but Pirate Arche dodged with ease, his movements smooth and practiced.

With a wide, cocky grin, Pirate Arche raised his pistol. "Not bad! You've got some skills, huh?"

Arashi's gaze was cold as he tightened his grip on the katana.

"Today will be fun, Zangeki," he muttered, addressing his blade as if it were alive.

Pirate Arche didn't wait for a reply. He opened fire, unleashing a barrage of bullets that tore through the air.

Arashi darted and weaved, evading each shot with sharp precision.

But when the final bullet came too close, he swung his katana with breathtaking speed, slicing it clean in two.

"Is that all you've got?" Arashi mocked, his voice dripping with disdain.

"I expected more. I can't believe that a version of me in another world would be so... pathetic."

The katana gleamed ominously in the dim light as Arashi raised it. "This blade is called Zangeki (Sinbreaker)."

"It doesn't just cut flesh; it severs the sins of those it strikes."

Pirate Arche's grin grew wider, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Oh, really? Then do it! Kill me!"

"I've got enough sins to keep that blade busy for a lifetime!" Without hesitation, he fired again, faster and more relentless this time.

The air was filled with the crack of gunfire, and even Arashi struggled to keep up.

A sharp pain shot through him as one bullet found its mark, embedding itself deep into his shoulder.

Arashi staggered, dropping to one knee as blood seeped from the wound. "Damn it..." he hissed through gritted teeth.

Pirate Arche laughed darkly, his voice bitter yet proud. "Being a pirate isn't a choice—it's survival."

"Do you think I wanted this life? I've done terrible things, sure, but I did them because I had to."

"Every sin I carry is the price I pay to keep breathing."

Arashi's eyes burned with intensity as he forced himself to his feet. "Then let me help you pay off that debt."

With a burst of speed, Arashi surged forward, Zangeki slicing through the air in a deadly arc.

The blade carved a deep wound across Pirate Arche's chest, from his shoulder down to his abdomen.

Blood sprayed as Pirate Arche crumpled to the ground, his pistol slipping from his grasp.

"Lie there," Arashi commanded, his voice cold and unyielding.

"Reflect on the weight of your sins. And when you rise again, find a way to atone."

Pirate Arche lay on the bloodied ground, his breaths ragged and shallow.

Yet a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You're right," he murmured weakly. "Maybe... I can..."

Meanwhile, Taki and Magic Arche soared through the skies atop Eki, the mighty dragon.

Suddenly, without warning, Magic Arche leapt off Eki's back, plummeting toward the battlefield below.

With lightning magic crackling violently in his hands, he struck the ground hard, landing with thunderous force.

The impact unleashed a massive surge of electricity, sending several alternate versions of Arche flying backward, their bodies convulsing from the shock.

"He landed from that height and didn't even flinch..." Taki muttered, his voice trembling slightly. "He's... terrifying."

Magic Arche glanced up at him with a confident smirk. "Relax, Taki. I strengthened my muscles and bones with magic. A fall like that is nothing to me."

Taki's eyes widened. "Wait... Did he just hear me?" he whispered before shaking his head. "Focus, Taki. Focus."

"Let's go, Eki!" Taki yelled, gripping tightly onto the dragon.

Eki let out an earth-shaking roar, descending swiftly and landing with a crash that rattled the battlefield.

With a mighty swing of its tail, Eki sent several alternate Arches sprawling across the ground like scattered leaves.

Taki leapt off Eki, charging forward to face one of the alternate versions of Arche head-on.

With a well—placed punch, he drove his opponent into the dirt.

Magic Arche was already beside him, fending off another version with swift, precise movements.

"You're pretty impressive," Taki said, panting slightly as he ducked under a strike.

Magic Arche grinned, casually deflecting a blow and countering with a blast of lightning magic.

"I used to be a thief. Experience like that tends to make you resourceful."

Taki's eyes sparkled with admiration. "You were a thief? That's awesome!" he exclaimed, slamming an alternate Arche into the ground.

"Did you use your real name back then?"

"Of course not," Magic Arche said, slicing through another version with his blade. His movements were fluid, almost effortless. "I went by a fake name."

Taki kicked another alternate Arche back into the dirt, pausing to glance at Magic Arche. "What was it?"

"Arcane, the Emerald Specter," Magic Arche declared, his voice filled with pride and a hint of amusement.

Taki's grin widened. "That's so cool!"

The two shared a brief glance, their mutual respect evident, before throwing themselves back into the fight.

Lightning flashed, fists flew, and Eki roared as the trio battled the alternate Arches with relentless determination.

On another side of the battlefield, Woman Arche had just finished taking down several alternate versions of herself.

But as she caught her breath, yet another version appeared.

This time, it was an adorable, innocent-looking Arche. Woman Arche froze for a moment before a wide, almost predatory grin spread across her face.

Her greatest weakness? Cute things.

"Hi there! They call me Girl Arche!" the newcomer chirped, her voice sweet and bubbly as she introduced herself.

"Ack! I can't fight you!" Woman Arche exclaimed, walking slowly toward Girl Arche.

Her eyes sparkled with dangerous excitement. "Hey... can I... pet you? Hug you...?"

Her demeanor shifted into something unsettlingly perverse, and Girl Arche blinked in confusion before nodding cheerfully. "Sure!"

Without hesitation, Woman Arche wrapped her arms around Girl Arche, pulling her close.

Girl Arche's head nestled against Woman Arche's chest as she gently stroked her hair.

"You're just too cute!" Woman Arche cooed, her voice almost trembling with joy.

But suddenly, Girl Arche's expression turned cold, and without warning, she tried to stab Woman Arche with a hidden dagger.

However, Woman Arche's reflexes were sharp-she caught Girl Arche's hand mid-thrust, gripping it tightly.

"My, my, aren't you a dangerous little cutie?" Woman Arche said with a sly smirk. "Still, you're adorable."

Frustrated, Girl Arche kicked her hard in the stomach, sending Woman Arche stumbling backward.

"Ugh, come on! We could've been friends!" Woman Arche complained, brushing herself off.

"Well, I like grown women," Girl Arche retorted with a mischievous grin, gripping her weapon tighter.

Without further ado, Girl Arche charged forward, her dagger slashing in quick, precise movements-first from the left, then the right, then thrusting forward.

But Woman Arche dodged every attack with ease, her movements fluid and almost playful.

"Oops!" Woman Arche said as she tripped Girl Arche with a swift sweep of her foot, sending her tumbling to the ground.

"Are you okay?" Woman Arche asked, her tone suddenly brimming with concern.

Before Girl Arche could answer, several more versions of Arche appeared, rushing toward the distracted Woman Arche.

One tried to attack her head-on, but Woman Arche swiftly drove her knee into his groin, dropping him to the ground in agony.

Another lunged from the front, but Woman Arche grabbed his collar and slammed him to the dirt with a loud thud.

A third came at her from the side, but she hooked her arm around his leg, spinning him mid-air before tossing him into the others.

"You're terrifying," Girl Arche muttered, staring wide-eyed as she picked herself up from the ground.

"Well, I'm only 14-there's no way I could beat you."

"Hehehe," Woman Arche chuckled, brushing her hair back.

"Let's just be friends instead," she said, extending a hand toward Girl Arche.

Girl Arche hesitated but eventually took her hand. "Sure..."

The moment she stood, Woman Arche pulled her into another tight hug, stroking her hair lovingly.

"You're just so cute! I can't help myself!"

Girl Arche blinked, utterly confused by this alternate version of herself.

But as Woman Arche's warmth enveloped her, she couldn't help but let out a small, bewildered smile.

"What is wrong with you...?" she murmured, her voice tinged with reluctant amusement.

Atop a crumbling building, Arcat perched with a calm, watchful demeanor.

The battlefield below roared with chaos, flashes of magic and clashing weapons illuminating the carnage.

But Arcat, being a simple cat, had no intention of joining the fray.

"So, why aren't you fighting?" Arcat asked lazily, glancing at the young man sitting beside him.

The other Arche slouched and looking entirely out of place amidst the chaos-sighed heavily.

"They're fighting like maniacs. Daggers, axes, and all sorts of dangerous weapons... I don't stand a chance."

"And what kind of Arche are you, exactly?" Arcat asked, his tail flicking with faint curiosity.

"I'm Arche from the 21st century," the young man replied, his voice tinged with resignation.

"Just a regular high schooler. No magic, no weapons. Just... me."

Arcat tilted his head, his piercing feline eyes narrowing. "Then how did you end up here?"

The high school Arche looked down, his fingers tightening into fists. "I got into a fight with a gang of thugs."

"Tried to stand my ground, but they beat me to a pulp."

"The next thing I knew... I woke up here." His voice faltered for a moment, frustration mixing with confusion.

"I have no idea what's going on."

"Unlucky," Arcat replied nonchalantly, stretching his paws. "Well, I guess we'll just sit here and watch."

"I'll only jump in if it becomes absolutely necessary."

High school Arche glanced at the cat, then back at the battlefield below.

He nodded quietly, his lips curling into a weak, bitter smile. "Yeah... watching sounds good for now."

Amid the chaos of battle, I stood face-to-face with Evil Arche.

His presence alone was suffocating, a cold, unrelenting aura radiating from him.

His gaze, empty and calculating, seemed to pierce through me, as if weighing every move I could possibly make before I even made it.

Desperation took over as I lunged forward, aiming for his torso, but his hand moved with mechanical precision, effortlessly catching my arm.

His grip was vice-like, and with a flick of his wrist, he twisted it.

Pain shot through me, and a strangled scream escaped my lips.

"Pathetic," he muttered, his tone devoid of emotion.

I tried to fight back, throwing a desperate kick at his stomach, but he stepped back smoothly, letting my leg swing uselessly through the air.

His expression didn't change—no anger, no mockery-just cold indifference.

Summoning what little strength I had left, I aimed a kick at his head, but he dodged with minimal effort.

Without warning, his fists struck me, each blow landing with brutal precision.

Blood spilled from my lips, staining the ground beneath me as my vision began to blur.

"You're predictable," he said quietly, almost bored.

He stepped forward again, and this time I managed to evade, rolling to the side just in time.

My heart pounded-my first successful dodge. A flicker of hope stirred in my chest.

I swung wildly at his face, but before I could connect, his hand shot out, clamping around my face.

His cold, steely grip tightened as he lifted me slightly off the ground, and then, with terrifying force, he slammed my head into the dirt.

The world spun as my skull cracked against the ground. My mouth opened in silent agony, but no sound escaped.

My body screamed in protest, yet I couldn't move.

"Is that all there is to you?" he asked, his voice flat, devoid of even the faintest trace of humanity.

"You're just another weak Arche. Another failure."

His words cut deeper than the physical pain. Gritting my teeth, I reached out, grabbing his ankle, and pulled myself up with sheer willpower.

My legs wobbled as I stood, blood dripping from my lips, but I refused to give in.

I threw a punch, fueled by desperation and anger.

It was useless. He sidestepped effortlessly and delivered a kick to my chest.

The impact sent me flying, slamming into a wall with a sickening crack.

I crumpled to the ground, my body battered and broken.

I tried to move, but my limbs refused to respond. Blood pooled beneath me, and my breaths came shallow and ragged.

Above me, Evil Arche stood tall, his cold eyes gazing down at me like I was nothing more than an insect.

"You thought you could win?" he said softly, his tone as icy as his expression. "You were wrong."

"No, we will win." A firm voice rang out, followed by the deafening roar of a dragon that shook the ground beneath us.

Evil Arche hesitated, taking a cautious step back. My eyes fluttered open, and to my surprise, a strange warmth surged through my body.

The searing pain in my wounds ebbed away as if they were being stitched back together by unseen hands.

My vision cleared, and standing before me was... me. Or rather, someone who looked like me, yet wasn't.

His hands glowed with a faint magical light as he healed me.

"Can you manage this, Magic Arche?" a voice asked, and my heart skipped a beat-it was my voice, but not mine.

"Relax," Magic Arche replied with a sly grin, his tone brimming with confidence. "I was the best magic user in my academy, you know?"

I turned my head slightly to the right and saw another familiar figure-Taki, his expression calm but focused.

Strength returned to my limbs, and I stood up, feeling more alive than ever.

The aches and injuries were gone. "Thank you, Arche," I said quietly.

"Don't mention it, Arche," Magic Arche replied, the smirk never leaving his face.

"Catch!" Taki called out, tossing a dagger toward me.

I caught it effortlessly, its weight perfectly balanced, its blade sharp and sleek.

"That was forged by Blacksmith Arche," Taki explained.

I nodded in gratitude, gripping the dagger tightly. My gaze locked onto Evil Arche, who stood across from us, his expression unreadable but his stance unwavering.

Magic Arche moved to my left, twirling his own dagger with practiced ease.

Taki stood on my right, pulling out a curved knife of his own.

"Just knives?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Taki said with a faint smile. "But they're enough."

"Where's Eki?" Magic Arche asked, glancing around.

"Helping the others," Taki replied curtly.

"Then it's just the three of us." I smiled, my blood pumping with renewed determination. "Let's finish this."

Magic Arche grinned, Taki tightened his grip on his blade, and together we took our stances.

"Let's fucking go!" we shouted in unison, charging forward as one.

I lunged forward, slashing at Evil Arche with all my might, but as always, he evaded with infuriating ease.

Yet this time, as he dodged, Taki darted in from his blind spot, aiming for his side.

Evil Arche, ever alert, grabbed Taki's wrist in a swift motion, halting the attack mid-air.

Before Taki could react, Magic Arche closed in from behind, his dagger gleaming as he aimed for the kill.

But Evil Arche, with cold precision, swung Taki's body around, using him as a shield to crash into Magic Arche.

The two collided with a sickening thud, collapsing to the ground in a heap.

Rage boiled within me. Summoning every ounce of strength, I drove my fist into Evil Arche's stomach.

His body jerked backward, the force sending him stumbling away.

Not giving him a moment to recover, I sprinted forward, grabbing his face with both hands and slamming his head into the ground with a resounding crack.

Gripping his arm, I twisted it sharply, mimicking the move he'd used to torture me earlier.

His muscles tensed, but before I could press further, he reached into his belt and pulled out a flashbang.

Realization hit too late. The device exploded in a blinding burst of light, and I was plunged into darkness. My vision swam, my senses reeling.

By the time the world came back into focus, Evil Arche was already on his feet, his expression composed yet deadly.

But he didn't notice the two figures closing in on him.

Taki and Magic Arche attacked simultaneously from opposite sides, their blades flashing in unison.

For the first time, I saw something unfamiliar flash across Evil Arche's face: surprise.

He recoiled, retreating with uncharacteristic haste, his breathing quickening.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted his grip on his weapon.

Yet, even as his composure wavered, his lips curled into a faint, chilling smirk.

"Not bad," he muttered, his cold voice carrying a trace of reluctant admiration.

Suddenly, Woman Arche emerged from behind Evil Arche, her movements swift and precise as she aimed a powerful kick toward his head.

Evil Arche, caught off guard, managed to grab her leg mid-air.

For the first time, beads of sweat appeared on his face, betraying his surprise at her unexpected intervention.

With a smirk, Woman Arche yanked her leg back and stepped away, pointing directly at him.

"Everyone, attack him!" she commanded with unwavering authority.

Out of the shadows, a swarm of monstrous figures began to appear-zombies, incubi, grotesque creatures, and other twisted versions of myself.

They were the monstrous Arche from alternate realities, once allies of Evil Arche.

Evil Arche froze for a brief moment, his expression uncharacteristically strained.

He hadn't expected his former allies to turn against him.

Yet, the swarm didn't immediately attack. Instead, they surrounded us, forming an unbreakable circle around him.

Their silent menace ensured he couldn't escape.

This was our moment. If any other Arche from across the universes wanted to join the fray, the path to aid us was wide open.

Seeing this as an opportunity, I signaled to Taki and Magic Arche. "Fall back! We need to regroup."

The three of us retreated swiftly to a safe distance, heading toward the forge of Blacksmith Arche.

He was already waiting, hammer in hand, ready to repair our weapons and enhance our gear.

As we retreated to regroup, Woman Arche fearlessly stepped in to face Evil Arche.

"Shall we play?" she taunted, her voice brimming with confidence.

She launched a flurry of punches aimed straight at Evil Arche, but he dodged them effortlessly, his movements calculated and precise.

Suddenly, roots burst from the ground, wrapping tightly around his legs and arms.

It was Girl Arche. With a mischievous grin, she used her magic to bind Evil Arche in place.

"Got you," she teased, her hands glowing faintly with magical energy.

Now immobilized, Evil Arche could do nothing as Woman Arche unleashed a barrage of kicks, each strike landing with a resounding thud.

As the roots faded, Girl Arche released her hold.

Seizing the moment, Woman Arche locked Evil Arche's head between her thighs.

With a powerful twist, she flipped backward into a graceful somersault, slamming his body into the ground with devastating force.

She stood over him, pinning his face under her heel, her smirk as sharp as a blade.

"Pathetic," she sneered, pressing down harder.

But Evil Arche wasn't finished. His hand shot up, gripping her ankle like a vice.

With a swift yank, he pulled her off balance and drove a brutal punch into her abdomen, sending her flying backward.

Before her body hit the ground, Girl Arche was there, catching her midair with a soft cushion of magic.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched across her youthful face.

Woman Arche wiped the blood from her lip, her gaze unyielding.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, though the crimson streak running down her chin told a different story.

The Vampire Arche appeared out of nowhere, sinking his fangs deep into Evil Arche's neck.

Evil Arche gritted his teeth, his face twisted in pain, before retaliating with a fierce strike that sent Vampire Arche sprawling, unconscious.

But there was no time to breathe. Zombie Arche lunged at him next, his decaying body moving with unsettling speed.

Evil Arche's blade sliced through the air, severing Zombie Arche's arm in one swift motion.

Zombie Arche, however, didn't flinch. He calmly picked up his detached limb and, with a grotesque grin, slapped Evil Arche across the face with it.

The sickening sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed, and for a moment, Evil Arche stood frozen in disbelief.

Unbothered, Zombie Arche reattached his arm as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

Frustrated, Evil Arche grabbed him and hurled him into the distance, the undead figure landing with a dull thud.

That brief moment of distraction was all it took. From the shadows, Arashi charged forward, his katana gleaming with lethal intent.

With two swift slashes forming a perfect X, his blade tore through Evil Arche's defenses, leaving a deep wound that bled profusely.

Blood dripped from Evil Arche's mouth, but his defiant glare remained.

Arashi, however, didn't deliver the finishing blow. "I could've taken your arm," he said with a cold smirk, stepping back. "But I'll leave the rest to them."

As he retreated, I stepped forward alongside Magic Arche and Taki.

Our presence radiated newfound confidence.

Clad in stylish, reinforced attire crafted by Tailor Arche, we looked like warriors reborn.

In my hand was the enchanted dagger Blacksmith Arche had forged, its edge sharper than any blade I had ever wielded.

Magic Arche brandished his own pair of elemental daggers, crackling with electricity in one hand and radiating frost in the other.

Meanwhile, Taki held his twin blades with a deadly poise, their faint glow an ominous warning to our foe.

I smirked, "Alright, Evil Arche," I said, my voice steady and resolute. "Let's play again."

Evil Arche made the first move, sprinting forward with such blinding speed that we barely had time to react.

Before we realized it, he was already in front of us.

He launched a strike toward me, but I managed to dodge at the last second.

Taki, quick on his feet, grabbed Evil Arche from behind and hurled him back into the center of the battlefield.

Without hesitation, Magic Arche dashed toward him, plunging his dagger into Evil Arche's side.

Sparks crackled as Magic Arche unleashed a burst of electricity through the blade, sending painful jolts through his enemy's body.

Evil Arche let out a guttural growl of pain before retaliating with a fierce kick that sent Magic Arche flying.

Seeing an opening, I charged in, gripping my dagger tightly.

I aimed a slash at his chest, but Evil Arche countered with a brutal kick to my face, sending me sprawling to the ground.

Before he could press his advantage, Taki appeared behind him, moving like a shadow.

With his twin blades flashing, Taki slashed at Evil Arche, his strikes precise and relentless.

Evil Arche barely managed to evade, but as he turned, Magic Arche came hurtling toward him, landing a flaming punch squarely into his abdomen.

The force of the blow sent Evil Arche skidding backward, smoke rising from the charred fabric of his clothes.

For the first time, he looked truly cornered, his breaths ragged as he glared at us.

But then, something shifted. Evil Arche straightened, a cold aura radiating from him. His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with renewed intensity.

We felt it-something about him had changed. He wasn't done yet.

The three of us exchanged determined glances, gripping our weapons tightly as we braced ourselves.

"Here we go again," I muttered.

Suddenly, explosions erupted everywhere, forcing everyone to scatter in chaos. Debris flew through the air as the blasts ripped apart the battlefield.

"He planted bombs?! Since when?!" I shouted, my heart pounding as the ring of Arche variants broke apart, their formation crumbling as they scrambled to avoid the carnage.

At the center of it all, Evil Arche stood tall, calm, and menacing. His cold eyes locked onto us with razor-sharp precision.

Before we could react, he vanished in an instant, appearing right in front of us.

"Teleportation gem?!" I gasped, barely processing his sudden movement.

Without hesitation, he launched a brutal punch aimed at my gut.

I caught his hand mid-strike, but the sheer force behind it sent shockwaves up my arm.

He didn't stop there. His free hand shot forward, gripping my face tightly.

He hoisted me into the air effortlessly, my legs kicking as I struggled to break free.

Taki rushed in, his twin blades gleaming as he aimed to sever Evil Arche's arm.

But before the strike could land, Evil Arche used me as a weapon, slamming my head directly into Taki's face.

Both of us collapsed to the ground in a daze, pain searing through my skull as blood trickled down my temple.

Magic Arche didn't hesitate. He closed the distance, unleashing a flurry of precise strikes-jab, uppercut, hook-each aimed to find an opening.

But Evil Arche dodged them all with inhuman speed and precision.

Grabbing a jagged rock from the ground, he struck Magic Arche's face repeatedly, each blow echoing with sickening force.

Blood poured from Magic Arche's forehead as he staggered backward, clutching his head in pain.

Through sheer will, Taki and I forced ourselves back to our feet.

Seizing the opportunity, we attacked from behind, slashing with everything we had.

Our blades struck true, carving deep into his back. For a moment, hope flickered.

But then he turned. Slowly. Calmly. His face showed no pain-only cold amusement.

"He's... holding back the pain?" I whispered, disbelief creeping into my voice. "How is that even possible?!"

Evil Arche tossed a small device onto the ground. Before we could react, it detonated with an ear-splitting BOOM

The explosion hurled us backward, slamming us into walls and rubble.

The world spun as I struggled to sit up, gasping for breath.

This wasn't just a battle anymore-it was a massacre. He had been holding back this entire time.

"How... how are we supposed to beat him?" The question hung in the air, unanswered.

"Don't forget about us, idiot!" a woman's voice shouted, drawing my attention to Woman Arche, who was grinning with excitement.

"I've gathered more Arche!" She laughed.

"Yeah, seeing him like this, it looks like I don't have to hold back anymore," Arashi added, talking to his katana as if it were a trusted companion.

"Are you ready again, Zangeki?"

"I'm just glad Elaina isn't here, or she'd yell at me," another Arche, one I had never seen before, remarked casually.

"She's a scary childhood friend when she's angry."

"My muscles are primed!" declared a large-bodied Arche, his muscles bulging in a way that was clearly meant to show off.

"I'm ready to punch! But please, don't hit me back too hard, okay?" said Girl Arche, her innocent, cheerful smile barely hiding her playful side.

"Fighting against my own reflection, where the shadows of doubt clash with the light of hope, a battle that echoes within, yet the victor remains unknown," said Poet Arche, though I wasn't sure if he even knew how to fight.

It was clear now that there were more Arche versions scattered around, all of them facing Evil Arche as enemies.

One of them was even holding a cat.

"Let's end this," Arcat declared, appearing beside Arche in a school uniform. "Evil Arche! We're really going to defeat you now!"

"Hmph, come at me, all of you," Evil Arche challenged, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

The first strike came from Woman Arche, who unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks, finishing with a powerful uppercut.

As Evil Arche prepared to counter, Arashi struck from behind, muttering, "Raijin Kiri."

With all his might, he slashed diagonally, channeling every ounce of energy from his body into an unstoppable cut aimed straight at Evil Arche.

Evil Arche was taken by surprise, turning quickly, and retreating until his back was against a tree.

"Zangeki Shin!" Arashi shouted, gathering both his spiritual and physical power, then unleashing a double-handed blow that seemed ready to tear through anything in its path.

Luckily for Evil Arche, he still had the teleportation gem. In an instant, he teleported behind Arashi.

When he turned around, he saw the tree split in two, and for a brief moment, he was certain that had he been caught by that attack, he would have been sliced in half.

"What kind of samurai are you?!" Evil Arche demanded, but before Arashi could answer, he suddenly felt a strange, unsettling presence.

He turned just in time to see a massive hand barreling toward him- it was the muscular Arche.

"AHH!" Girl Arche shouted as she stabbed a small knife into Evil Arche's thigh. She grinned with triumph. "I did it!"

But when she looked up, she saw Evil Arche staring at her coldly.

Girl Arche flinched, fear taking over, but Evil Arche only flicked her forehead with a sharp motion.

"Ouch..." Girl Arche groaned, holding her forehead as Evil Arche turned and walked away, pulling the knife from his leg.

The moment the knife was out, Evil Arche could smell the faint scent of poison and immediately realized that the knife had been laced with it.

He was taken aback, looking toward Girl Arche, who was now hiding behind Woman Arche.

"Did you forget that I'm you from another universe?" Girl Arche grinned, her expression full of mischief.

Evil Arche scowled in frustration. He had underestimated her, and it made his legs feel weaker with the realization.

Suddenly, from behind, Cat Arche leapt toward Evil Arche, claws extended in a wild swipe.

Evil Arche narrowly dodged the attack and retaliated by grabbing Cat Arche's tail.

"AAH! Let go!" Cat Arche screeched in pain, squirming to break free.

Evil Arche smirked, using the opportunity to deliver a sharp punch to Cat Arche's stomach, sending her flying backward.

Before Evil Arche could catch his breath, Iron-Armed Arche charged at him with unrelenting force.

But Evil Arche's reflexes proved sharp, allowing him to sidestep the attack.

Then, Robot Arche appeared, his mechanical frame whirring ominously.

"Firing missiles," Robot Arche declared, launching a barrage of projectiles from compartments hidden in his body.

Evil Arche darted to the side, avoiding the missiles that exploded behind him.

The ground shook, but before he could react, Police Arche stepped into view, his pistol aimed steadily.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Several shots rang out.

While Evil Arche dodged most of them, a few bullets grazed his shoulder, tearing through his jacket. Blood began to trickle from the wound.

"Gotcha!" Cat Arche had snuck up again, pouncing onto Evil Arche's back and clawing at his face.

Her sharp nails raked across his skin, leaving deep gashes.

Evil Arche roared in pain, blinded momentarily.

"Good kitty," Woman Arche praised, crouching to scratch under Cat Arche's chin.

The feline-like Arche purred in delight, momentarily distracted by the affection.

Evil Arche rubbed his stinging eyes, regaining his vision just in time to catch sight of a fist rocketing toward his face.

SMACK! The punch landed squarely on his jaw, sending him stumbling.

"That's why I'm the best lawyer in the world!" Lawyer Arche declared triumphantly, adjusting his tie with a smug grin.

Pirate Arche swaggered in from the side, dual pistols blazing as he fired shot after shot.

The bullets struck Evil Arche with precision, forcing him further back.

"Too easy," Pirate Arche scoffed. "I've had tougher fights with my Samurai version than this."

The taunt hung in the air as Evil Arche glared at the group surrounding him, his frustration boiling over.

As Evil Arche prepared to counterattack, his body suddenly betrayed him.

His legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees, panting heavily.

It was the poison from Girl Arche's dagger earlier. "Damn it..." he muttered through clenched teeth, his frustration evident.

When he lifted his gaze, his eyes widened. Charging straight at him were three figures-me, Magic Arche, and Taki.

Magic Arche reached him first, delivering a devastating uppercut amplified by his magic.

The blow sent Evil Arche hurtling skyward, his body twisting from the force.

"Let's finish this!" Taki yelled, summoning Eki.

Vaulting onto the massive creature's back, Taki directed Eki to lash out with its powerful tail.

The strike connected with a thunderous crack, flinging Evil Arche higher into the air.

"He's all yours, Arche!" Taki shouted, pointing up at me.

Perched on my flying broom, I had been waiting for the perfect moment.

As Evil Arche's airborne form reached me, I lunged down, delivering a fierce kick to his stomach.

The force of the strike sent him plummeting back toward the earth.

Evil Arche's body hit the ground with a sickening thud, a cloud of dust rising from the impact.

Blood dripped from his mouth as his motionless figure lay there.

We approached cautiously, unsure if it was truly over. But then, his eyes snapped open.

"He's still conscious?!" Taki exclaimed in disbelief as Evil Arche began to stir, struggling to rise.

Before he could regain his footing, thick cords of fabric shot out, wrapping tightly around his body and pinning him to the ground.

"Give it up, Evil Arche," a calm voice called out.

We turned to see 21st-Century Arche standing there, holding something in his arms.

No magic emanated from him-he wasn't a magic user. Which meant the bindings weren't his doing.

"Arcat?!" I gasped, my eyes landing on the glowing figure of Arcat in his hands.

It was Arcat's power that restrained Evil Arche.

"Is this because of you?!" I demanded, "Can a cat really do something like this?!"

Arcat, who had been eerily calm throughout the entire ordeal, raised an eyebrow at my outburst.

"Do you still consider talking cats normal?" he replied dryly, the amusement in his voice unmistakable. "There's nothing normal about me."

"So Evil Arche," Arcat continued, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "why do you want to defeat us all? What's your reason?"

Evil Arche's silence was deafening, as if he were wrestling with some internal conflict, but eventually, he spoke.

"I just want to find a version of myself that I can save."

His words were cryptic, and I couldn't make sense of them at first.

But before I could ask anything further, Arcat probed deeper.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Arcat's curiosity was evident, his gaze fixed on the older, darker version of me.

Evil Arche sighed, and with a weary tone, he began to explain his twisted tale.

"In my world, I had it all—Elaina, two children, a peaceful life. I was happy."

"We lived harmoniously, until I made one fatal mistake."

"What mistake did you make?" Arcat asked, his voice a mixture of disbelief and concern.

"I failed to destroy the Lunar Ascendance organization," Evil Arche said, his eyes darkening.

"They were the cause of everything. They destroyed my country, and in the end, they took everything from me."

"Elaina... my children... they died because of them."

A heavy silence fell upon the group, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a dense fog.

My heart pounded as I listened to his tale of loss and regret.

"I was angry. Furious," Evil Arche continued, his voice quivering with the intensity of his emotion.

"I destroyed the organization, killed their leader, DEATH."

"Even after he was dead, I destroyed his body just to make sure he could never hurt anyone again."

I felt a pang of sympathy, even though I knew it was dangerous to empathize with someone on the other side.

His pain was real, but his methods were wrong.

"But that wasn't enough," Evil Arche said, his voice breaking as he recalled the depths of his despair.

"I planned to end it all-to commit suicide. But just as I was about to take that final step, I fell unconscious."

"When I woke up... I was here," Evil Arche whispered.

"I woke up in this world, surrounded by other versions of myself."

"I realized that maybe... maybe there's a chance to fix everything, to find a version of me that can do what I failed to do."

"To destroy the organization before it ever had a chance to destroy everything I loved."

The weight of Evil Arche's confession hit me like a physical blow.

21st century Arche then asked, "Then why didn't you tell us straight about it?"

"Why did you have to attack us?" he demanded, his voice filled with frustration.

Evil Arche didn't flinch. His gaze, cold and calculating, never left us as he answered, "Because I want to see which Arche is weak and which is not."

"If you're weak, you won't survive against the organization."

He paused, almost amused by the confusion that crossed our faces. "Just think of this as training for you all."

A silence fell over us, each of us processing his words.

Was this really a test? A twisted kind of training?

Then, to my surprise, Evil Arche called out to me, his voice firm. "Basic Arche."

"Hm?" I was caught off guard, my thoughts swirling from the shock of his sudden focus.

"I feel like you and I are the same," Evil Arche said, his tone contemplative, as if he were analyzing me.

"You're just the younger version of me."

I blinked in confusion, unsure of how to react. Was he comparing himself to me? Was that some kind of twisted compliment or a threat?

"Your movements, your techniques," he continued, "When I look at you, I see myself."

Those words hit harder than I expected. A strange unease settled in my chest.

Was I really that much like him? Was this what I was destined to become?

"Arche, listen carefully," Evil Arche said, his voice low and commanding.

I was shocked and thought what he wanted to say to me.

Evil Arche's voice broke through my thoughts. "Arche, don't do stupid things because of your love."

"Sometimes you have to make sacrifices."

He was right, in a way. My emotions had often clouded my judgment.

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat.

What kind of person would I become if I truly followed his advice?

"Okay," I finally said, my voice firm despite the uncertainty swirling in my mind. "I'll remember that."

"Thank you, Arche," I said with a smile, my voice sincere.

Evil—no, Bad future Arche, noticed my expression and shook his head with a slight smile of his own. "Was I like this before?"

Before I could respond, our bodies began to glow, a strange energy filling the air around us.

Slowly, we became transparent, as if we were fading from this world.

"We will return to our world," Bad future Arche said, his voice calm yet carrying a weight of finality.

"Huh?" Magic Arche's eyes widened in shock.

"In this world, there's another Arche," Bad future Arche continued. "One who's hiding. He's incredibly strong."

I raised an eyebrow, listening intently.

"He has golden hair and ruby eyes," he continued. "I've met him before."

"When I did, I couldn't even stand. The pressure from him was overwhelming," he added, his voice tinged with respect.

"And he seems to have figured out how we can return to our world," Adult Arche finished, the glow around us intensifying.

"Ah! I'll miss you!" Woman Arche exclaimed dramatically, pulling Girl Arche into a tight hug while stroking her hair like she was a precious puppy.

"Me too... Oh God! I love adult women," Girl Arche sighed contentedly, her head now comfortably resting on Woman Arche's chest like a pillow.

"You two are a bit much, huh?" I muttered under my breath, but it didn't stop the awkward yet heartwarming scene in front of us.

One of the Arches, who had been quietly watching, raised an eyebrow and asked,

"You've known Elaina since you were little? How come?"

"Well..." the Arche who had been helping us fight began with a sigh.

"When I was still a slave, I was taken to the city of Robetta. You know, the usual tragic backstory."

The other Arches nodded as if they had heard this before. But the story wasn't over.

"I ran away from my master, stumbled upon Elaina's house, and well, Elaina's mother took me in."

"They treated me like family, and I grew up with Elaina from childhood until now."

Meanwhile, Blacksmith Arche, who had been eyeing Arashi's katana, perked up and asked, "You've got a really nice katana! Where did you get it?"

Arashi beamed proudly, "This is a katana that's been passed down from generation to generation, you know!"

"It's been through a lot of hands... and a lot of battles."

"Sounds like it's seen more action than I have," I remarked.

As everyone gathered in little groups, chatting and exchanging stories, I couldn't help but think-this weird, chaotic group of Arches might be the strangest family I've ever had the privilege of being a part of.

"So," I said, stretching, "When are we heading back to our world?"

"Hold on," Woman Arche said, pulling Girl Arche into another bear hug.

"Just a bit longer! You don't understand, I need to soak in all this love before we go back!"

I walked over to Magic Arche and Taki, my arms outstretched.

"I'll miss you guys," I said, trying to hold back a dramatic sigh.

"Yeah, working with yourself against yourself is actually fun," Magic Arche said, grinning, making me roll my eyes.

"Mhm, you're right," Taki chimed in, nodding like he had just made a groundbreaking observation.

We all laughed together, like the dysfunctional yet oddly heartwarming trio we were. Then, without thinking, we hugged it out.

"This feels gay," I muttered, pulling back awkwardly.

"Yes, you are right," Magic Arche replied, his tone deadpan.

"Alright, let's break this hug before it gets too weird," Taki said, giving us both an awkward pat on the back.

As we separated, Arcat glanced over at Bad future Arche. "How do you feel?" he asked, his voice strangely sincere.

"I'd be lying if I said I felt nothing," Bad future Arche replied, his voice laced with a hint of nostalgia.

"There's still so much Arche has yet to go through."

Bad future Arche raised an eyebrow, "So, do you want to explain why you're a cat?"

Arcat blinked. "Long story short, I died, and... well, I got reincarnated as a cat. You know, typical fantasy stuff."

Our bodies started to fade, signaling the end of our little adventure.

"Alright! It was nice to meet you guys!" I shouted, though it felt a little anticlimactic.

"Yeah, I didn't expect to meet you guys either," Taki said with a smirk, as Eki poked its head out of his pocket and waved its tiny tail.

"If we meet again, I hope it's in a peaceful place," Magic Arche said, flashing a big smile as he slowly began to disappear.

"Yes, I want to hear your stories too," I said, my voice a little too emotional for the moment.

"See you, Arche!" all three of us said in unison, like some ridiculous cliché.

"Well, my name's Taki though," Taki was the first to vanish, a hint of his grin still hanging in the air.

"Give my regards to Elaina in your world," Magic Arche said with a grin before vanishing too.

"Am I really that annoying?" I muttered to myself, just before I disappeared as well, leaving behind only the faintest trace of the chaos we'd shared.

When I opened my eyes, I was met with the sterile smell of a hospital room.

"Huh... Ah... right, I'm still here," I muttered groggily, rubbing my temples.

"Was it all just a dream?" I asked, half to myself.

I turned my head to see a familiar figure staring out the window.

It was Elaina. She must have heard me stir, as she turned her head and noticed I was awake.

"Good evening, sleepyhead," she said with a smile, her tone teasing. "Did you sleep well?"

I couldn't help but smile back, my heart giving a little leap at the sight of her.

After hearing Bad future Arche's story, I had started fearing the worst—losing Elaina.

But here she was, right in front of me. "Nice to see you again, Elaina..."

She arched an eyebrow, giving me a playful look. "It's only been a few days, you know." 

"Stop being so dramatic," she replied, rolling her eyes as if I were overreacting.

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "You visited me? You're gonna make me blush."

Elaina let out a huff, crossing her arms. "Don't get too full of yourself now," she retorted.

"I almost got caught in the rain and had to take shelter in this hospital."

I couldn't resist smirking. "By the way, you got a greeting from someone."

Elaina raised an eyebrow, clearly curious. "A greeting from someone?" she asked, intrigued. "Who?"

With a mischievous grin, I replied, "Myself."

Her face immediately shifted into a dry expression. "Oh, seriously..." she groaned, rolling her eyes.

"You're lucky you're my friend, or I'd walk out right now."

"Also, don't you feel cold? The rain just stopped, you know?" Elaina asked, her tone casual but with a hint of concern.

At that moment, I suddenly felt a chill run through me. "Now that you mention it..." I shivered involuntarily.

"See? That's why I told you to cover yourself," she chided, her voice teasing as she walked over to my bed.

"Put your blanket on," she said, pointing to the blanket.

"I don't need a blanket," I said, though deep down I was really just enjoying the fact that she was worried about me.

"Elaina, give me a hug!" I grinned playfully.

She gave me a look of mock exasperation, clearly prepared for my antics.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I knew you'd say that."

With a sigh, I leaned back into my pillow. "By the way, have you read the book I lent you?" she asked, her voice turning more serious.

"Hm? A book?" I glanced at the table next to my bed and grabbed the book, flipping it open.

The title read Another World. I chuckled at the irony.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Is there something funny about the book?"

"Not really," I answered with a smile, my gaze drifting out the window.

"Just the title seems a bit... fitting, don't you think?"

She followed my gaze for a moment, before turning back to me.

"You look excited about something," she observed, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "What are you thinking about?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "Want me to tell you about my dream?"

Her interest was piqued. "Sure, tell me about it."

I began recounting my dream to her, and as I spoke, I noticed her expression shift to one of amusement.

She seemed genuinely entertained by my strange, rambling tale.

"Well, that was an interesting dream," she said with a grin when I finished.

I chuckled, feeling oddly satisfied. "Yeah, weird, right?"

"It's definitely something," Elaina agreed, her smile softening as she sat beside me, and for a moment, everything felt perfectly normal again.

In a world where versions of myself exist, I've learned that the greatest battle isn't against others, but against who I am, and who I could become.