There is a discord for this fic. It has Live Updates about chapter progress and when they are completed, pictures for characters, lots of tidbits about the story, among other things. I'm also very active there and am likely to respond to any message sent there. Join at discord.gg/aWZ9qX9mAW
Glory to my chief Proofreader: Solare. For he is the one who points out mistakes and acts as my favourite wall to bounce ideas off of.
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Cricket crossed his arms as he tilted his head at the old man with confusion. "Alright, old-timer, mind telling us who exactly these Shandorians that you're fightin' are? And why are you fightin' them to begin with?"
The elderly Skypiean shifted the sack of rice on his shoulder, letting out a weary sigh. "Ah, it is a tragic thing, truly…" His voice carried the weight of experience, but there was something else laced within it – subtle, yet unmistakable to those with enough experience or intuition: Bias.
"They're the Savages of Shandora." The old man continued, his brows furrowing with clear disdain.
"They refuse to accept their place and dare to challenge our rule! The Holy Land, Upper Yard, belongs to us by divine right, yet those barbarians still fight for what was never theirs to begin with." He shook his head, frustration evident in his weathered face.
"I was once a warrior myself, but then I took an Arrow to the Knee! I've never truly recovered since… Now, all I can do is carry what little rations I can to our brave soldiers on the front lines."
Adam's sharp crimson eyes locked onto him, the gears in his mind already turning. 'So, that's how these winged Mongrels see it, huh? He speaks with conviction, but he's clearly regurgitating propaganda. Whether he believes it or not, that's another matter entirely.'
'Still, there is no need to challenge his perspective just yet. Instead…' Adam's smirk softened into something deceptively friendly, and he nodded in apparent agreement.
"A most noble cause!" He mused in agreement, his voice smooth as silk. "These ungrateful wretches ought to learn their place. Tell me, old man, where exactly is this war taking place?"
The old man hesitated for a moment, clearly not expecting outsiders to take an interest in their conflict. But after a moment, he nodded, seemingly reassured by Adam's words.
He then raised an aged hand, pointing a backwards thumb at what looked to be an actual physical island with a huge forest upon it in the distance. "The battle rages in Upper Yard, near Kami's fortress. Our warriors are engaged in fierce combat, but with divine providence, we will surely emerge victorious."
Adam hummed thoughtfully, his smirk widening. "Is that so? Well then, I-"
A pulse of his Conqueror's Haki exploded outward before the old man could react. His body tensed as the overwhelming force seized him, his vision darkened in an instant. Then, without so much as a whimper, he collapsed onto the ground, the sack of rice he held spilling beside him in a heap.
Cricket watched this unfold with an exhausted sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered, "Did you really have to knock out the old guy?"
"I didn't want this Mongrel running off and announcing our arrival." Adam scoffed, turning his gaze towards Upper Yard with disinterest, his wings shifted slightly as his tone dipped into irritation. "I have no patience for Pests."
Cricket exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Alright, fine. What now?"
Adam's smirk twisted into something downright demonic. His crimson eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and malicious intent as the flames on his back flickered ever so slightly.
"I've decided." His voice was laced with sheer arrogance as he stretched his wings, casting an imposing shadow over the street. "Skypiea will be Mine."
His smirk deepened as he spoke, as if the declaration itself had already solidified into fact. "This so-called 'Godland' is the perfect place for my base. It sits above the Filthy Diseased World, untouched and unseen by the Mongrels below."
"It is completely out of reach of the World Government as well; not to mention that only a handful of people could reach it consistently. A Perfect Natural Stronghold!" The Lunarian explained with a grin. "And as its soon-to-be ruler, I can't have my future kingdom tearing itself apart, now can I?"
Cricket could only stare at him with mouth agape, trying to process the sheer audacity of this man. "You just got here, and you already want to take over?"
Adam ignored him entirely, his wings flexing in anticipation. "I'm going to crash this war, put these Half-Breeds in their place, and end this little dispute myself." His tone dripped with utter certainty, as though the battle had already been decided.
Cricket sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Right. Of course. Because why the hell not? Wait, what am I even wasting my time here for? Somehow I completely forgot this isn't even your first time overthrowing a country alone!"
Adam threw his head back and laughed.
"KUHAHAHAHA! Exactly, Chestnut! Why the hell not?! I Can, and I Want to, so I Will!"
With a powerful Sky Burst, Adam launched into the air, leaving behind only a sonic boom in his wake. Cricket barely had a second to brace before Adam grabbed him mid-flight, dragging him along like luggage.
"FUCKIN' HELL, FLAMEBORNE, WARN ME FIRST-!!"
"STOP COMPLAINING MONKEY, AND TRY NOT TO PUKE THIS TIME!"
The two of them soared across the White Sea, leaving the unconscious old man behind as they made their way toward the heart of the War – toward Upper Yard.
…
Meanwhile, in Upper Yard.
The sounds of steel clashing against steel rang through the humid air, reverberating across the dense jungle of Upper Yard. The scent of churned-up earth mixed with fresh blood, filling the battlefield with the stench of war. Tension crackled between two opposing forces, neither willing to take the first step but both knowing that peace was no longer an option.
At the heart of this conflict stood two warriors, their presence alone commanding the battlefield. Gan Fall, the 'God' of Skypiea, stood tall, clad in golden armor, his winged helmet gleaming beneath the sun. His grip on his spear was firm, yet he made no move to raise it, his stance carrying the weight of a man who sought resolution, not destruction.
Opposing him, a battle-hardened warrior radiated defiance, his decorated spear resting at his side. Kayan, the Leader or Chief of the Shandians, was a warrior whose name had once shaken the very skies, his eyes burning with unwavering hatred for the man before him.
"Enough blood has been spilled." Gan Fall spoke, his voice even but resolute, his plea not one of weakness but of wisdom. "This land does not need to claim more lives. Let us end this before the next generation inherits our hatred."
Kayan scoffed, his grip tightening on his weapon, the mere suggestion of surrender an insult to the generations that came before him. "You speak of peace, but you sit upon a throne of lies, ruling from land stolen from my ancestors. You call yourself a God, yet you know nothing of the suffering your rule has caused."
Gan Fall's expression darkened, his patience waning as he stepped forward, his voice firm but carrying no malice. "This cycle of violence will only breed more suffering. There is another way, there has to be."
"There is only one way!" Kayan snarled, taking a step forward, his warriors shifting in anticipation. "If you truly seek peace, then return Shandora! Give us back what was taken, and we will spill no more blood."
A tense silence settled over the battlefield, a single moment of stillness before the inevitable storm. The air was thick with hostility, both sides waiting for the first act of aggression. Then, without warning, an arrow was loosed, streaking through the sky like a vengeful spirit, cutting through the brief illusion of diplomacy.
The war had begun.
The once-untouched skies of Upper Yard erupted into chaos as war drums pounded and battle cries filled the air. Shandians, clad in painted armor and wielding weapons passed down through generations, charged forward with the unyielding fury of a people fighting for their homeland.
Opposing them, Skypiean warriors in golden armor met them head-on, their pride as "Chosen People" fueling their resistance. The jungle ground trembled beneath their feet as steel clashed with steel, warriors engaging in brutal combat where neither side would yield an inch.
Dials flashed amidst the battlefield – Impact Dials absorbing devastating blows before releasing them in explosive retaliation, Axe Dials cleaving through armor like paper, and Jet Dials propelling warriors at unnatural speeds, turning them into blurs of death.
The air crackled with the force of their collisions, but among them, a select few stood above the rest.
Those who wielded Haki.
A Shandian warrior barely dodged an incoming spear, his body twisting in a motion that seemed impossible to react to – His Observation Haki, or what the people of the Sky call 'Mantra', guiding him away at the last second.
From the Skypiean ranks, a soldier retaliate in kind, predicting the swing of an enemy's axe and countering with a precise Impact Dial blast that sent the Shandian flying backward. Those who could wield such power dictated the flow of battle, their clashes sending shockwaves across the field.
But amidst the chaos, one warrior carved through the battlefield like a force of nature.
A blur of raw strength tore through enemy lines, unstoppable as the storm itself. He was Lufan, a man with hair as crimson as the blood that ran through their veins. He waded through Skypiean ranks like a knife through butter. His arms, lined with burn scars, bore testament to the devastating power he had endured and unleashed upon his enemies.
With a powerful leap, Lufan hurled himself into the fray, his Heat Axe Dial glowing with molten fury as it cleaved through Skypiean defenses. He landed amidst a group of warriors, his Mantra - His Observation Haki - allowing him to weave through their attacks with eerie precision.
A spear thrust aimed at his heart was dodged with a tilt of his head, his counterattack coming in the form of a Jet Dial-powered strike that shattered his assailant's ribs on impact.
A squad of Skypiean warriors rushed him in formation, attempting to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. To that, he simply squinted his eyes with a hint of pity. The next instant, he vanished from their sight, his Jet Dial propelling him behind them in a blur of motion.
A single arc of his axe was all it took.
Blood painted the jungle floor as four warriors fell, their golden armor splitting like brittle shells. Lufan rested his axe against his shoulder, his gaze shifting toward the battlefield, where both sides continued to slaughter one another.
"You Golden Birds don't belong here." He muttered under his breath. "Get off our land before I have to kill more of you."
The Skypieans hesitated, their resolve wavering, but retreating was not an option. The battle raged on.
But. in the heart of the battlefield, something changed.
Gan Fall's spear was locked against Kayan's, their duel reaching a fever pitch, when suddenly, both warriors froze. A silent ripple of awareness spread across the battlefield, every warrior who wielded Observation Haki tensing in unison. Kayan's grip on his weapon faltered for just a moment, his gaze shifting toward the heavens.
"What in the hell…?"
Warriors on both sides halted mid-strike, their bodies turning in the same direction, their instincts screaming at them that something was coming. The air itself seemed to grow heavier, suffocating in its presence, yet the rest of the soldiers, unable to perceive it, stood in confusion. One Skypiean, his voice barely above a whisper, spoke in a hoarse tone.
"I… I feel it… A Monster is coming."
And then-
BOOM.
The impact of something heavy striking the cliffside shook the entire battlefield. Dust and debris were thrown into the air as a figure descended from the heavens, landing with such force that the warriors instinctively shielded their eyes. As the dust cleared, all eyes turned toward the new arrival.
Perched atop a nearby cliff face, a man stood with crimson eyes gleaming with amusement, his black wings casting an ominous shadow beneath the golden light of Skypiea's sky. His long black coat billowed from the force of his landing, he had a smirk dripping with arrogance. Beside him, another figure lay sprawled on the ground, groaning.
Cricket coughed violently, his body still recovering from the flight. "You couldn't have landed more gently?!"
Adam ignored him completely. Instead, he let out a booming laugh, the sound sending an eerie chill through the warriors below.
"KUHAHAHAHAHA~!!" His voice dominated the battlefield, its confidence absolute.
"Well, well, well… It seems you Half-Breeds have gotten a little too rowdy for your own good!" His voice carried across the battlefield, dripping with arrogance. "It's about time someone put you all back in your place!"
Both Skypieans and Shandians stared at him in stunned silence. Not just because of his words- but because of his presence. The raw power rolling off of him was like an unrelenting storm, suffocating in its presence. Then, without warning, that overwhelming pressure exploded outward.
A wave of invisible force rushed over the battlefield, suffocating and absolute – Conqueror's Haki. It crashed into the warriors of both sides like an unseen tidal wave, rattling their very souls.
If this amount of Haki had been unleashed upon any other army – One that didn't consist of only the most elite warriors of Skypiea and Shandora – They would have collapsed instantly.
Even then, some of the weaker fighters struggled to remain standing, their knees buckling, breath shuddering as they fought against the crushing weight bearing down on them. Hands trembled against weapons, sweat trickled down foreheads, and more than a few found themselves gasping for air, trying to resist the overwhelming urge to submit.
Gan Fall gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand tall. 'Who is this man?!'
Kayan's sharp gaze flickered between his own warriors and those of the Skypieans, assessing how many had been affected. He clenched his fists, rage bubbling beneath his otherwise composed exterior. 'He isn't one of ours… Nor theirs… Then what is he?'
For the first time since the battle began, the War itself was forgotten.
Adam merely smirked, taking his time as he leapt down from the cliffside, landing with effortless grace between the two armies. His black wings stretched slightly before folding back into place, the motion slow and deliberate, his every movement a display of dominance.
Without realizing it, the warriors around him took an involuntary step back.
Gan Fall and Kayan locked eyes across the battlefield, the same thought crossing both their minds.
'This man is Dangerous.'
In that instant, an unspoken decision was made.
Gan Fall adjusted his stance, spear at the ready. "We deal with him first."
Kayan exhaled through his nose, his grip tightening around his weapon. "Agreed."
Without hesitation, the warriors of Skypiea and Shandora – once locked in bitter, generational bloodshed – turned their collective focus onto a single man.
Adam, watching this temporary truce form against him, let out another booming laugh.
"KUHAHAHAHA!" He shook his head, crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "How amusing! Even if hundreds of Ants work together… Do you truly believe you can take down a Lion?"
The tension in the air thickened as he slowly raised his hand, extending two fingers before curling them in a beckoning motion.
"Come on then." His smirk widened, his stance unshaken. After all, everything was going according to his plan. "Let's see if you lot can entertain me."
As Adam stood before the combined forces of Skypiea and Shandora, his crimson eyes glinting with anticipation, his mind briefly drifted back to the conversation he had with Cricket before they arrived.
———Earlier———
"You know…" Adam mused, standing on the cliffside overlooking Upper Yard, arms crossed as he studied the battlefield below. "From what I've observed, the fastest way to make people get over their petty differences is to give them a Common Enemy."
Cricket, standing beside him with his arms tucked into his coat, raised an eyebrow. The harsh winds of Skypiea bit at his skin, but he barely felt them – He was too focused on Adam's tone. There was something unsettling about it, something methodical.
"Alright…" Cricket muttered, tilting his head slightly. "So what are you planning to do, Flameborne?"
A small, devious smirk crept onto Adam's face as he turned to glance at him.
"Simple." He drawled, stretching out his wings slightly. "I will be their common enemy."
Cricket blinked. "Hah?"
Adam's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with something wicked. "By showing them how equally Worthless and Weak they both are, I'll make them understand something very important – They aren't all that different to begin with."
Cricket's lips parted slightly, but he said nothing, just stared at Adam.
The Lunarian continued, now grinning outright. "And once I break them down, once I strip them of their delusions of superiority, I'll show them the only way they can continue existing." He turned fully, the wind whipping through his white hair as he rubbed his chin lightly with satisfaction and mirth.
"Under my Rule, of course."
Silence followed his words.
Cricket then let out a slow, deep breath, shaking his head slightly.
"You're Terrifyingly smart when you want to be…" He muttered, his voice laced with something between admiration and sheer unease.
Adam's grin stretched even further, almost Predatory.
The way his crimson gaze bored into Cricket made the Chestnut haired man shiver harder than the freezing wind at his back.
———Present———
Adam snapped back to reality as he watched the warriors of Skypiea and Shandora adjust their stances, gripping their weapons with renewed determination. Even after the sheer weight of his Conqueror's Haki, even after he had so effortlessly made them feel small, they still had the gall to stand before him.
He clicked his tongue, shaking his head. 'Mongrels never know when to quit. I suppose if nothing else, it shows they have balls.'
The silence between them was razor-sharp, the tension coiling like a spring ready to snap. Adam could feel it in the air, the collective decision – They were going to attack him first.
Good.
He raised his hand again, curling his fingers in another slow beckon. His grin widened. "Let's get started, shall we?"
Then, like a dam bursting-
They Charged.
Adam took slow, deliberate steps forward, his boots pressing into the clouded battlefield as the warriors of Skypiea and Shandora charged at him with everything they had. He didn't rush to meet them. He didn't need to. Instead, he let them get closer, let them think they had the advantage.
Then, in a single instant, his body tensed-
BOOM.
A burst of wind and fire exploded beneath him as he vanished.
The first warrior barely had time to register the movement before a razor-thin arc of flames carved through the air, a Dismantle. His weapon split in two, sending him stumbling backward just as a crushing fist slammed into his gut, knocking the air from his lungs.
Adam spun smoothly, Cleave cutting through the next warrior's spear before his boot crashed against their ribs, sending them flying. A third came at him from behind, only for him to activate Speed Mode, shifting just out of range before twisting mid-air, catching the man's wrist, and using his own momentum to hurl him into another incoming fighter.
The battlefield was Pure Chaos.
Adam weaved through the ranks like a demon, his every movement precise, controlled, devastating. He would steal weapons from his opponents mid-swing, flipping them in his grasp before beating them down with their own tools. The same swords, spears, and staffs meant to end him were now being used to knock their wielders unconscious.
And curiously enough, through it all – Not a single person died.
Adam never struck to kill. His fists and flames incapacitated, shattered morale, and crushed their fighting spirit, but he did not end them. If he was to make Skypiea his, he wouldn't build it on the corpses of those he would rule.
The warriors realized quickly that fighting separately wouldn't work. Skypieans and Shandorians who had been enemies just moments ago now began moving in tandem, their years of experience turning them into a well-trained force.
Warriors with Observation Haki called out Adam's movements, relaying them to their allies. Skypiean soldiers took to the air with Jet Dials, launching themselves at Adam from multiple directions. Shandorian warriors used their raw strength and knowledge of the battlefield to try and box him in.
But The Flameborne outpaced them all.
A Sky Burst sent him rocketing through an airborne enemy, snatching the Impact Dial from their wrist before smashing them down with their own fist. A Shandorian warrior wielding a massive club roared as he swung at Adam's ribs, only for the Lunarian to shift into Invulnerability Mode just before impact. The blow landed, but Adam didn't budge, the weapon snapping apart against his iron-hard muscles.
And then, in a rare moment-
He took a hit.
A warrior shot past his blind spot, moving faster than the others. Lufan, the strongest of the Shandorian warriors, a man whose prowess had turned the tide of countless battles. His movements were fluid, relentless – A storm of strikes crashing into Adam all at once.
A powerful knee slammed into Adam's ribs. A spinning elbow struck his jaw. A follow-up kick connected with his temple, and finally, Lufan twisted mid-air and brought his war axe down with all his strength.
The battlefield froze.
Lufan landed, breathing heavily, his stance tense. The warriors of Skypiea and Shandora watched in silence, their eyes fixed on Adam.
The Lunarian stood completely still, his head slightly tilted downward. Then, slowly, he raised a hand to his cheek.
A single drop of blood clung to his thumb.
Lufan felt his stomach drop.
Adam examined the crimson bead, turning it between his fingers before lifting his gaze to Lufan. A cruel grin curled across his lips.
"All that…" he said, his voice calm but with a hint of mockery.
His fingers flicked outward, sending the drop of blood splattering onto the ground between them.
"For a drop of Blood?"
Lufan's breath hitched.
Adam moved.
His sucker punch landed like an explosion, crashing directly into Lufan's stomach. The warrior's entire body caved inward as he was sent flying. He soared through the air, his consciousness already slipping before he slammed into a distant cliff face.
BOOM.
The impact shattered the rock, leaving a crater in his wake.
Silence.
The warriors who had cheered Lufan's attack stared in horror.
Then, Gan Fall attacked.
The old knight lunged with his spear aimed directly at Adam's exposed back. It was a well-placed strike, precise and filled with the experience of a seasoned warrior.
But it wasn't fast enough.
Adam swerved around at the last second, his body twisting in a way that seemed almost inhuman. His leg shot up in an instant – An axe kick crashing down on Gan Fall's shoulder.
CRACK.
The impact dislocated the joint instantly, sending the knight crashing into the ground. The force splintered the earth beneath him, leaving him writhing in agony.
Gan Fall gritted his teeth, clutching his useless arm, but he did not scream.
Then, Kayan made his move.
The Shandorian chief's spear surged with electricity, sparks crackling violently as he put everything into this one attack.
Adam turned to him, unimpressed.
Then, in an act of sheer mockery, he opened his arms wide, inviting the attack.
Kayan's rage burned. His pride screamed. This insult could not go unanswered.
With a battle cry, he thrust his spear forward.
The moment it landed-
BOOOOM.
Lightning erupted. A massive shockwave of electricity and raw power exploded outward, sending warriors reeling from the force. Smoke and dust filled the air, obscuring Adam completely.
For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then, the smoke cleared.
And Adam stood there, unphased.
His Invulnerability Mode had nullified the worst of it, but something new had also taken form. A shield of molten flames covered his chest, hardened into a defensive barrier stronger than steel.
A perfected version of Tekkai and Haki, infused with the raw power of his Lunarian flames.
"Molten Core."
Kayan staggered back, horrified. His 'Thunder Spear', the weapon that had been passed down through generations, a weapon meant to kill Gods-
Shattered.
The pieces clattered to the ground, revealing the small Thunder Dial that had once powered it.
Adam bent down, plucking the dial between his fingers and inspecting it with mild curiosity. He turned it over once, watching the way the electricity flickered within. Then, he chuckled softly.
"How Cute."
He pocketed it.
The battlefield was dead silent.
Gan Fall, Kayan, and the remaining warriors watched in growing dread. If any of them had been hit by that attack, they would have died instantly.
Adam simply laughed – loud, boisterous, overwhelming.
"I told you this would happen." He declared, spreading his arms. "No amount of Ants can overcome Me."
Then, his expression darkened.
A shadow passed over his face, his crimson eyes gleaming with malice.
He raised two fingers.
A wave of golden flames surged out from his body, flooding across the battlefield like liquid fire.
The warriors stiffened in fear.
Adam smiled.
"My turn…"
The flood of golden flames surged across the battlefield like a tidal wave, engulfing warriors on both sides in its radiant heat. Shandorian and Skypiean alike braced for death, expecting to be reduced to ashes in an instant. But the fire did not consume them.
It Burned – Yes, their skin felt the raw lick of its searing touch – But it did not incinerate them, nor did it set the jungle of Upper Yard ablaze.
Instead, the flames moved with precision, avoiding the trees, avoiding anything fragile enough to be completely destroyed. Controlled. Intentional.
Absolute.
Adam, standing amidst the inferno, clenched his fist and exhaled slowly. His voice rumbled low beneath the crackling embers.
"I am the Bone of my Sword-"
He froze. His face twisted in immediate disgust.
'Ew. That was way more cringe than what it sounded like in my head.'
Shaking his head, he scowled at himself before muttering, "Fuck it."
His fingers twitched, gripping the air like a puppeteer pulling invisible strings.
"Unlimited Blade Works."
The battlefield shook.
The flames, once a chaotic flood, convulsed and burst upward. Fire twisted into form, bending, forging itself into hundreds, no- Thousands of solid weapons. Blades. Axes. Hammers. Spears. Swords. Every instrument of war imaginable, glowing Crimson-Gold, hovering weightlessly above the battlefield.
A single heartbeat later, they moved.
Faster than human eyes could track, the burning armaments shot forward, slicing through the air like streaks of divine judgment. Warriors flinched, gasped, braced themselves-
But they never struck.
Each weapon halted, mere centimeters from their flesh. Their razor edges hovered at throats, against wrists, poised at vital points with terrifying precision. The heat radiating from the flames was enough to sear skin, causing every soldier to tremble in place, but not a single one was fatally wounded.
The battlefield had been silenced.
Kayan and Gan Fall, standing side by side despite their decades-long war. They both stared at the scene with dawning horror as they both realised what had just happened.
'This is Checkmate!'
Adam stepped forward, his boots crunching against the scorched ground, every movement slow and deliberate as he approached the two Chiefs. His crimson gaze flickered between them, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"So~…" He drawled, his voice breaking through the stunned quiet. "Will you two finally decide to grow up and start talking like actual adults?"
The two leaders exchanged a hesitant glance, then looked back at him, their bodies still tense from the sheer shock of what had just occurred.
At the exact same time, they muttered, "...Yes?"
Adam smiled in satisfaction and nodded. "Good. It seems like I won't have to teach you Half-Breeds basic common sense after all."
He raised his right hand and snapped.
The weapons dissolved, vanishing into the air as if they had never existed. The flames that had once held the warriors hostage fizzled out instantly, leaving nothing but the scorched earth beneath their feet.
The battlefield breathed.
The soldiers – both Shandorian and Skypiean – staggered, their knees buckling as they collapsed onto the ground. Some laughed, others sobbed, warriors who had been trying to kill each other not thirty minutes ago now clutching one another in relief.
Enemies wept together. Old hatreds seemed insignificant in the face of sheer survival.
Adam's smirk grew sharper as he watched.
'All according to Keikaku…'
He turned his gaze back to the Chiefs, arms folding over his chest. "Now." he said simply, "why don't you two take turns explaining to me what this little war is actually about? Since I am your new ruler, after all."
The two looked far less eager at that statement, but they knew better than to argue.
And so, one by one, they explained.
Kayan spoke first, his voice filled with centuries of bitterness, recounting the tale of how the Skypieans stole their ancestral land, defiled their sacred city, and drove them from their rightful home.
Then, Gan Fall followed, giving the perspective of the Skypieans – how they viewed Upper Yard as a Holy Site, a land blessed by the heavens, one that they were destined to watch over.
Adam listened with a neutral expression, his fingers tapping against his forearm. Once both sides had finished, he gave his verdict.
"Since this land originally belonged to the Shandorians, then they rightfully have claim to it."
Gan Fall immediately opened his mouth to interject, but before a single word could escape, Adam glared at him.
The former Kami froze.
"But." Adam continued smoothly, "Since the Skypieans hold religious significance for this place, they will be given access to perform whatever useless rituals they need to."
Kayan looked displeased but accepted it. In the end, his people had won back their land. That was what mattered.
Gan Fall, however, looked genuinely relieved. This was what he had wanted all along, a peaceful resolution. And Adam had given him that.
With the matter settled, Adam turned away, stretching his arms lazily. "Now, as for me, I don't plan to start ruling you outright immediately."
Both leaders looked at him with surprise.
"I'm currently on what you could call an Adventure," Adam continued, his grin widening slightly. "One to further my ambitions and achieve my Dream of True Immortality. So I'll be leaving soon."
Kayan let out a near visible sigh of relief.
"But." Adam suddenly added, his tone darkening. "You are not allowed to fuck around in my absence and start this stupid war again. If you do, well.. To give you an idea…"
He raised a hand.
A glow formed in his palm.
Flames coalesced, Gathering, Compressing, Swelling. What started as a miniature sun, much like his 'Cruel Sun' technique, kept growing. More and more fire condensed into an unstable, boiling mass, expanding outward until it eclipsed the sky itself.
A second Sun now hung in the Heavens.
And it burned brighter than anything they had ever seen.
The heat alone scorched the battlefield, forcing warriors to stumble back in fear. The air felt heavier, suffocating. The very atmosphere seemed to bend under its presence.
Adam then flicked his finger while chanting a single word.
"Supernova."
The burning star shot forward into the sky at terrifying speeds before…
BOOOOOOOM.
The heavens erupted.
A brilliant aurora of flames exploded across the sky, blindingly bright, swallowing the clouds and leaving nothing but a clear, scorched expanse above them.
Both Chiefs stood paralyzed, their mouths dry as they stared at what was left of the sky.
Adam let his hand drop, rolling his shoulders as he started speaking casually as if he didn't just summon a borderline Star. "So, with that in mind. I trust that you won't fuck up and start this war again?"
Kayan and Gan Fall, once bitter enemies, turned to each other.
Then, simultaneously, they nodded.
"Good." Adam simply said, cracking his neck before glancing at the battlefield one last time.
The war was over.
In a mere twenty-minute intervention of godly proportions, Adam D. Valentine had ended a many-century-long Blood Feud.
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Author's Note:
More than one upload a week? Crazy.
…
Next Chapter Title: Ancestral Revelations.
…
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