Fire and Divinity Collide
Satoshi's flames erupted, his body igniting with Absolute Burning, erasing even the concept of pain.
Liam's blade should have severed him in two.
But Satoshi simply refused to be cut.
His chaos twisted reality, shifting the moment out of sequence, erasing the wound before it could settle into existence.
Then—he retaliated.
His hand moved—
And the world collapsed.
Liam barely had time to react before the void swallowed him.
A space without light. Without time. Without matter.
A realm where nothing had ever existed.
Satoshi's chaotic essence pulsed, the battlefield consumed in raw entropy, space and time shattering into an endless void.
It should have been impossible to survive.
But Liam was Pride itself.
And he refused to fall.
A Warrior's Conviction
From the abyss, a single voice echoed.
"Blessing of Endurance."
The void cracked.
"Blessing of Dominion."
Light tore through the darkness.
"Blessing of Absolute Order."
And then—
The chaos ceased.
Satoshi's eyes widened slightly as golden chains erupted from the void, entwining through the fabric of reality, purging all chaos, all destruction, all flames.
Liam stepped forward, unharmed.
His golden eyes shone brighter than ever.
"Nice trick," he said, lifting his sword.
"But this is a battle of kings."
Satoshi chuckled. "Then let's finish it."
And for the first time—
They both attacked at full force.
The Final Strike
Liam's sword burned with divine authority, infused with every blessing imaginable.
Satoshi's chaos writhed, his Absolute Burning igniting at an impossible level, bending the very laws of existence.
The battlefield could no longer contain them.
Every element bowed before Liam's will.
Every fundamental truth of existence collapsed under Satoshi's chaos.
They moved—
And then—
They stopped.
Silence.
The aftermath tore through dimensions, erasing and rewriting reality in a single moment.
And yet—both still stood.
Satoshi's hand hovered just above Liam's chest.
Liam's blade rested an inch from Satoshi's throat.
Neither had landed a decisive blow.
A draw.
They both exhaled.
Then—
Satoshi laughed.
"Man, that was fun."
Liam smirked, sheathing his sword. "For now."
A pause.
"…Tch." He pulled his sword away. "I expected no less."
Satoshi stretched, stepping back. "Man, I really wanted to see how far you could go."
Liam's golden eyes gleamed. "Likewise."
Silence.
Then—Athena let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Brother…" she murmured, stepping forward. "You've never fought like that before."
Liam glanced at her. Then, back at Satoshi.
"No," he admitted. "Because until now—there's never been anyone worth fighting."
Satoshi smirked. "You say that like this is over."
Liam returned his sword to its sheath. "It's not."
A pause.
Then—
Satoshi grinned.
"Good."
Because the next time they fought…
There would be no holding back
The Hidden War of Ephemeral
The air shifted.
Amelia's Eyes of Lust dimmed, the unnatural glow fading from her gaze as she released her control over reality.
The battlefield they had fought on—a realm of shattered stars and impossible landscapes—collapsed inward, unraveling into shimmering violet dust.
And in the blink of an eye, they were back.
The real world returned around them—the grand halls of Ephemeral's royal castle, the golden glow of celestial torches illuminating the vast chamber.
Liam stood in front of them, his golden sword already sheathed, his expression unreadable. Athena, his sister, watched from the side, her golden rings spinning slowly, her divine presence now clear.
Satoshi stretched, grinning. "That was fun."
Liam exhaled, shaking his head. "You have a strange definition of fun."
Camila, ever direct, stepped forward.
"Liam," she said, her tone serious, "we need your help. The Dark Clans are preparing for war, and we're gathering the strongest fighters we can. Will you come with us?"
Silence.
Liam's golden eyes met hers.
Then, he shook his head.
"No."
A War Hidden From the World
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Liam crossed his arms. "It's not that I don't want to. But I can't leave."
Camila frowned. "And why is that?"
Liam's gaze darkened, his divine aura flaring faintly.
"One of the Eleven Clans from the Dark Clans is already here."
A sharp silence followed.
Satoshi's grin faded slightly. Amelia's eyes narrowed.
Camila's expression remained unreadable. "Which one?"
Liam's next words came cold and heavy.
"The Abyss Clan."
The name carried weight, as if speaking it alone was enough to make reality shudder.
Satoshi leaned against the castle wall, tilting his head. "Abyss Clan? Never heard of them."
Liam's golden aura flared brighter. "Then you're lucky."
Satoshi smirked. "Oh? And why's that?"
Liam's expression remained unreadable.
"The Abyss Clan wields Gravity Manipulation and the power to create Black Holes."
Silence.
Then—Satoshi laughed.
"Oh, that's cool."
Camila shot him a look. "Satoshi."
He raised his hands. "What? I mean, I was expecting something like 'soul erasure' or 'multiversal corruption.' Black holes are pretty tame, all things considered."
Liam's golden aura pulsed. "You think this is a joke?"
Satoshi grinned. "No. I think it sounds like a challenge."
The Kingdoms' Secret War
Satoshi crossed his arms. "If one of the Dark Clans is here, then why doesn't this place look like a warzone?"
Liam's jaw tightened. "Because the three kingdoms are keeping it a secret."
Satoshi's grin vanished completely.
Liam continued, his golden eyes burning. "If the people knew that an Elder Clan of the Dark Clans was operating here, panic would spread. The cities would collapse. Fear would weaken the entire world before the war even began."
Camila's eyes sharpened. "So the kingdoms are hiding it."
Liam nodded. "Yes."
Amelia spoke, her tone unreadable. "How long has this been going on?"
Liam's voice was quiet. "Years."
Satoshi let out a low whistle. "Damn. And here I thought this world was all sunshine and fantasy tropes."
Liam exhaled. "The war is already here. You just can't see it."
Satoshi's grin returned.
"Well then—if we wipe them out, will you come with us?"
Before Liam could answer—
Athena, who had been silent this entire time, finally spoke.
Her voice was soft, yet unshakable.
"They are here for me."
Satoshi's smirk froze.
His Eyes of Sloth flickered.
"…What?"
Liam clenched his fists. "They're after Athena."
Satoshi's gaze shifted to Athena, scanning her—not just physically, but beyond.
His instincts screamed.
"…Why?"
Liam's expression was unreadable.
Then, slowly, he spoke.
"Because my sister has the power of Absolute Superpower Creation."
The Power That Should Not Exist
The entire room felt heavier.
Even Amelia, who had remained neutral, suddenly focused completely on Athena.
Satoshi let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's kinda busted."
Liam's golden aura burned violently. "That's why I can't leave her."
Camila narrowed her eyes. "Explain."
Liam's voice was controlled, but beneath it, something darker burned.
"My sister can create any ability she wants—without restriction, without limitation."
Silence.
"She can give herself power. She can give others power. She can place rules or remove them."
He exhaled. "She can create permanent abilities that not even gods can undo."
Satoshi chuckled. "Yeah, that tracks."
Liam's golden eyes sharpened. "The Abyss Clan wants her. If they take her, they can become unstoppable."
The words hung in the air.
And suddenly, the entire war made sense.
The Weight of a Kingdom
Satoshi exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. Yeah. That's a problem."
Liam crossed his arms. "Now you understand why I can't leave."
Satoshi tilted his head. "Can't Athena just—I don't know—give herself the ability to wipe out the Abyss Clan?"
Athena smiled slightly. "I could."
Satoshi grinned. "So why don't you?"
Her golden eyes shimmered.
"Because that's not how I want to win."
Silence.
Then—Satoshi laughed.
Liam frowned. "What's so funny?"
Satoshi wiped a tear from his eye. "No, it's just—you're all so dramatic."
Liam's golden aura flared. "This isn't a joke."
Satoshi shrugged. "Didn't say it was." He stretched, rolling his shoulders.
"Alright then. New plan."
He turned to Camila and Amelia.
"We help Liam take down the Abyss Clan."
Liam's eyes narrowed. "You'd fight for a world that isn't yours?"
Satoshi's Eyes of Wrath gleamed.
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be having fun."
Camila sighed, crossing her arms. "We were already going to."
Amelia smirked faintly. "This could be interesting."
Liam studied them for a moment.
Then—he nodded.
Satoshi grinned. "Perfect."
His flames flickered, the promise of war burning in his gaze.
"Let's go hunt some monsters."
A Throne Unworthy of Sin
The Royal Palace of Ephemeral was grand beyond imagination.
The golden halls stretched endlessly, lined with massive pillars inscribed with divine script, pulsating with celestial energy. Sacred flames floated weightlessly, casting an ethereal glow across the throne room. The very air hummed with power, thick with an unseen force that made weaker men tremble.
And at the far end—
Upon a throne of radiant obsidian and golden flames, sat King Bill.
The ruler of Ephemeral.
Satoshi, Camila, Amelia, and Liam stood before him, their presence an impossible contradiction in a place built for divine authority.
Satoshi's Eyes of Sloth flickered, his instincts immediately screaming.
This man…
His power was immense.
It wasn't just raw strength. It wasn't just divinity.
It was something more.
Something ancient.
Something dangerous.
Bill's golden eyes burned like twin stars, his expression unreadable as he studied the newcomers.
Then, one of the royal knights stepped forward.
And the peace was shattered.
"Kneel Before the King."
The knight's voice boomed across the hall, filled with arrogance and divine authority. His silver armor gleamed, his aura suffocating.
"You stand before the King of Ephemeral! You will kneel!"
His demand echoed, a command that had never been refused.
Satoshi blinked. "Oh."
The knight frowned. "What?"
Satoshi grinned. "Nothing, I just—I was waiting for this moment."
The knight scowled. "What—"
Camila stepped forward.
Her golden clock-like eyes rotated, the sheer weight of time itself pressing down on the room.
"No."
The knight's expression froze. "Excuse me?"
Camila's voice was calm, but beneath it was absolute authority.
"I do not kneel."
Silence.
Satoshi and Amelia simply watched, waiting.
The knight clenched his fists, his divine aura flaring. "Do you think yourself above the King of Ephemeral?!"
Camila's gaze sharpened.
"I am the Goddess of Time. I kneel to one being."
She lifted a hand, her Eyes of Time gleaming like an endless cosmos.
"The Soul King."
A wave of power rippled through the hall.
The knight took a step back, eyes widening slightly at the sheer force of her presence.
Then—his gaze snapped to Satoshi and Amelia.
"You two," he barked. "You are vessels of the Eyes of Sin! You are not gods! You will kneel."
Satoshi yawned. "Ah, here we go."
Amelia sighed. "We just got here."
The knight tensed, his voice growing sharp. "I will not repeat myself."
Liam said nothing. His golden gaze was unreadable, but he did not interfere.
The knight took another step forward.
"Kneel."
Satoshi smirked.
And then—
They tried.
Reality Begins to Break
Satoshi and Amelia moved—just slightly, just enough to show submission.
And that was all it took.
The world collapsed.
A violent tremor rippled through the palace, the walls cracking instantly, divine energy splintering apart.
Outside, the skies darkened, as if something far beyond the kingdom's comprehension had been disturbed.
Buildings shook violently, cracks spreading through the very foundation of Ephemeral.
The entire realm trembled—as if it was about to be annihilated.
And then—it got worse.
Time itself wavered.
Space warped violently.
People across the city collapsed, gasping for air as an invisible force crushed their souls.
The knights in the throne room fell to their knees, choking, unable to move, unable to comprehend what was happening.
The moment Satoshi and Amelia attempted to kneel, the universe rejected it.
And then they understood.
The Law of the Eyes of Sin
Camila's voice cut through the chaos.
"They cannot kneel."
The knight, struggling to breathe, gasped out—"W-Why?"
She turned, her golden eyes cold and absolute.
"Because the Eyes of Sin have only ever bowed to one being."
The Soul King.
The being that had created sin itself.
The true sovereign of the sinful vessels.
Satoshi exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he stood up straight.
The moment he did, reality restabilized.
The shaking stopped.
The kingdom stopped tearing itself apart.
Satoshi sighed, stretching. "Well. That was terrifying."
Amelia, still standing beside him, frowned slightly. "I don't like that."
Camila gave her a side glance. "None of us do."
The knight who had commanded them to kneel was trembling violently, the sheer weight of what had just happened breaking his mind.
King Bill finally spoke.
His voice was low. Calm. Commanding.
"That is enough."
Instantly, the entire palace silenced.
His golden gaze fell upon Satoshi, then Amelia.
"You truly are the vessels of sin."
It was not a question.
Satoshi smirked. "Yeah. And apparently, I come with a built-in 'do-not-kneel-or-the-world-dies' feature. Pretty neat."
Amelia sighed, running a hand through her hair. "This is going to be a problem in the future."
Camila crossed her arms. "It always has been."
King Bill watched them. Studied them.
And then—
He smiled.
For the first time since they had entered, his divine presence felt welcoming.
"Interesting," he said.
Satoshi grinned. "That's one way to put it."
And with that—
The true conversation began
Echoes of the Past
The silence in the throne room was heavy.
Satoshi, Amelia, and Camila stood before King Bill, the weight of their existence still lingering in the very air. The kingdom had nearly collapsed simply because they had tried to kneel.
And then—King Bill spoke.
"This is not the first time I have seen this happen."
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Bill's golden gaze softened slightly, as if looking back into a time only he could see. "It happened once before."
His eyes shifted toward Liam.
"When my son was a child, he tried to kneel before me."
Silence.
Satoshi's grin vanished.
Liam, standing at the side, his golden aura dimmed, said nothing.
Bill's voice was steady, but beneath it, there was something deeply buried.
"The result was the same."
Satoshi exhaled. "The world started breaking?"
Bill nodded. "The divine laws of existence rejected it. My son—**as the vessel of Pride—**could not kneel, even if he wanted to."
Satoshi glanced at Liam, who remained still.
"So you're saying we're the same?"
Bill's gaze was unreadable. "You both walk paths that do not allow submission."
Satoshi grinned slightly. "Sounds like a lonely life."
Liam finally spoke, his voice calm. "It is."
No one said anything after that.
Then—Bill sighed. "We will speak more tomorrow. You have traveled far, fought fiercely, and you must rest."
Satoshi stretched. "Not gonna argue with that."
Bill gestured to one of the knights. "Prepare a feast."
And with that—the conversation ended.
For now.
The First Warm Meal in Years
The grand hall of the palace was filled with light and warmth, the long dining table stretching across the golden chamber. The scent of divine spices filled the air, rich and intoxicating.
Plates were placed before them—foods unlike anything Satoshi had ever seen. Fruits that shimmered like stars, roasted meats infused with celestial essence, golden wine that hummed with divine energy.
Satoshi, Amelia, and Camila sat together, with Liam and Athena across from them.
Satoshi stared at the food.
Then—he grinned.
"Oh, hell yes."
Camila sighed. "Satoshi—"
But he was already eating.
And for the first time in years, he actually enjoyed it.
The food was warm.
The atmosphere was calm.
There was no war in this moment. No fight for survival.
Just a meal.
A memory he thought he had lost.
For a while—he forgot what he was.
He simply ate, laughed, and felt human again.
And then—it was time to rest.
The First Warm Bed in Five Years
Satoshi walked through the palace halls, guided by one of the knights.
Eventually, he reached the room they had prepared for him.
He stepped inside—
And froze.
The room was massive. The walls were lined with golden tapestries, enchanted candles floating near the ceiling, casting soft, flickering light. The bed in the center was far too large, draped in silk sheets, a warmth in the air that made his body relax instantly.
Satoshi exhaled slowly.
"This is… way more than I expected."
For the first time in years, he wasn't sleeping in a ruined city.
For the first time in days, he wasn't resting against a tree, with one eye open for danger.
For the first time in days, he had a bed.
Satoshi lay down.
And for the first time since escaping the black hole—
He slept.