The battlefield lay in smoking ruin.
A crater steamed where once a towering B+ ranked parasite had stood. Its monstrous carcass twitched beneath the residual currents of lightning and flame. High above, Felicia hovered with her saber glowing, descending in a slow arc like a divine executioner. On the ground below, Lihanna exhaled as the remnants of the corrupted dragon she summoned dissolved into flickers of black and red energy.
Everyone was frozen in awe.
Tojo: "Holy shit…"
Raijin: "Gyattt… that was insane!"
Gendai: "Felicia, though… that impact shook the whole island."
Riah stood at the edge of the viewing platform, arms folded, a smirk curling across her lips. "I'm proud," she said, voice soft but resolute.
Kazimir, eyes closed and arms crossed, opened them slowly. "Those six… are wonderful."
Ingress gave a low chuckle. "You're right. That wraps it up. Summon them."
In a flash of ethereal light, the six candidates—Felicia, Lihanna, Mia, Tyrone, Sera, and Evelyn—were teleported onto the sky platform, where the Vandors and Alliance representatives stood waiting. Confused and slightly disoriented, they looked around—until they saw them: the Five Vandors, icons of legend and might.
Tyrone whispered, "These are the Five Quints…"
Raijin snapped, "Yeah, so shut up."
Jessie scowled. "You shut up, Raijin."
Raijin: "I'm sorry…"
Neve stepped forward, her white hair billowing like silk. "Since Felicia's already pledged herself to Riah…" She turned to Evelyn, eyes sparkling. "You, lightning girl. What's your name, and who do you choose between Kazimir and Ingress?"
Evelyn bowed slightly. "My name is Evelyn. I choose the Shadow Vandor."
Ingress raised an eyebrow. "Excellent choice."
Jessie gestured toward the next. "Next up."
Mia: "I choose the Lightning Vandor."
Ingress growled softly under his breath. "Grrr…"
Neve: "Next."
Tyrone took a confident step forward. "Hey. Name's Tyrone. General Kazimir, if you don't mind, I'd be honored to join your faction."
Kazimir smirked slightly. "So formal. You're welcome. I like your instincts."
Tyrone: "Thank you, good sir."
Gendai: "Hmph."
Jessie: "Next."
Sera stepped forward, graceful and proud. "Lord Ingress, I would love to study under you. Please take me under your wing."
Ingress: "As you wish…"
He paused, frowning. "I suppose the last one goes to me since he has more now."
Jessie: "Nope, that's not how it works."
Neve: "And last—but certainly not least—the star of the show. My love, who do you want to go with?"
The atmosphere changed.
Lihanna took a step forward, eyes glinting.
Lihanna: "It's nice to meet you, my older cousin… General Riah."
Neve blinked. "Oh? She's your cousin?"
Riah's expression softened in surprise. "Yes… she is. I can't believe you made it here. I'm so glad you're safe. It's truly good to see you."
Lihanna smiled. "You too. I hope you're doing well." She turned to Kazimir, eyes narrowing with focus. "And I want to be guided by the General Kazimir. If you'll accept me."
Kazimir: "I do. I admire your swordsmanship—and that mode of yours… it's enlightening."
A sharp, electric pressure filled the platform.
Ingress's aura began to rise. "This isn't fair! He has more than me!"
Neve: "They chose with their will. You brought them here. Now deal with it."
Ingress stepped forward, power surging. "No. Let's have a match. Winner takes Lihanna."
The air went still.
Kazimir raised an eyebrow. "Are you… delusional? You're just looking for an excuse to fight me."
Ingress: "And so what? Accept my challenge. It's fair. One duel. Winner claims her."
Kazimir: "Are you even hearing yourself right now?"
Ingress stepped closer. "Come on, accept it. Let's give the crowd a show."
Kazimir closed his eyes, then slowly opened them. "I don't know why you're so obsessed with me… but if it's a fight you want—"
He took a step forward.
"—then I'll let you have it."
Jessie clapped her hands. "I'll host this match. There's an arena here on the platform."
Tyrone: "Huh?! We get to see two Vandors in action?!"
Mia: "This should be interesting. That Ingress guy's got some serious sass."
Felicia: "Kazimir… I pray for your victory."
Gendai folded her arms, eyes sharp. "I guess now we'll see how much he's really grown."
Raijin: "Not even up for debate. Kazimir is the second person in history to take down a Dynasty. He's in a league of his own."
Tojo: "That's our boy. No way he'll disappoint."
Jessie: "Actually…" she tilted her head, smiling mischievously, "…this arena's way too small."
She raised a hand and the entire platform shimmered—
In a flash, everyone was teleported back to the island.
The moment they landed, the gathered new recruits stared in open-mouthed shock.
All New Years: "V-VANDORS?!?!"
Neve: "Everyone, return to the ships. We'll broadcast the match through the crystal screens across the island. Watch closely—"
Her voice lowered, eyes glowing with excitement.
"—you're about to witness what a true clash between legends looks like."