The Spider Dream Eater descends from the sky, landing heavily on the street in front of the café with a resounding THUD.
Axl stares at the monstrous figure, his jaw dropping in disbelief. "What the... what is that thing?"
He thinks that it has to be some sort of prank, right? There's no way that a giant spider monster is real.
The other patrons of the café, initially stunned into silence, begin to murmur amongst themselves, their fear slowly giving way to morbid curiosity.
"Is that… a costume?" one man asks, his voice laced with nervous laughter.
"That's gotta be some kind of promotion, right?" a woman adds, pulling out her phone to take a picture. "Like, a new horror movie or something?"
Marvella, however, knows better. Her eyes wide with terror, she recognizes the creature for what it truly is. "Dream Eater… It is a Dream Eater."
Suddenly, without warning, the Spider Dream Eater unleashes a torrent of raw power, its spindly legs lashing out, destroying everything in its path. Cars are tossed aside like toys, lampposts are snapped in half, and the storefronts of nearby businesses are reduced to rubble.
Axl barely manages to dodge a massive chunk of debris, stumbling backward in shock. The initial shock wears off and is replaced with pure panic. "Holy crap! That is not a costume!"
The café erupts into chaos as the patrons scream and scramble for safety, their earlier amusement replaced by sheer, unadulterated fear. Tables are overturned, chairs are sent flying, and the air is filled with the sound of shattering glass and panicked cries.
Marvella grabs Axl's hand and runs. "We must go! Now!"
"But… but what about—"
"No time! We have to get out of here!"
With Marvella leading the way, they burst out of the café, joining the group of terrified civilians fleeing the scene.
Just as they reach the relative safety of the sidewalk, two police officers arrive. They didn't know what was going on, but they were ready to protect and serve.
"Hold it right there! This is the police! Surrender immediately!"
The Spider Dream Eater, unfazed by the officers' arrival, turns its attention to the new arrivals, its multiple eyes gleaming with predatory interest.
"We don't want to hurt you! Just put your hands in the air and come with us peacefully!"
Marvella watches in horror, knowing that the officers have no idea what they're up against. "No! Do not approach it! It is too dangerous!" she cries, but her words are lost in the chaos.
Ignoring her warnings, the first officer takes a step forward, his hand outstretched. "Alright, pal, let's not make this any harder than it has to be. Just…"
Before he can finish his sentence, the Spider Dream Eater lunges forward with lightning speed, its spindly legs piercing the officer's chest. The officer cries out in agony, his body convulsing as the Dream Eater begins to drain his Dreamflow.
Axl stares in horror as the officer's eyes glaze over, his face becoming pale and lifeless.
The second officer, witnessing the gruesome scene, recoils in horror, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon. "Backup! We need backup! Code red!"
Drawing his gun, the officer fires a volley of shots at the Spider Dream Eater, the bullets ricocheting harmlessly off its thick, chitinous hide. The Spider Dream Eater seems unbothered by the bullets. They simply bounce off its armor.
"It's no use!" Marvella cries, pulling Axl further away. "Those weapons will not harm it!"
Axl stares, wide-eyed, at the Spider Dream Eater as it finishes draining the life from the police officer. "Is that... is that the Dream Eater you were talking about?!" he asks, his voice barely a whisper.
Marvella nods grimly, "That is what I have told you!"
"Well, sorry for not believing a fantasy monster! I mean, come on! Giant spiders that eat dreams? It sounds like something out of a bad B-movie!"
The Spider Dream Eater, having finished its gruesome meal, turns its attention to Axl and Marvella, its multiple eyes fixated on them with predatory hunger. It lets out a guttural screech, a sound that sends shivers down their spines.
Realizing they are now the focus of the monster's attention, Axl's bravado quickly fades, replaced by pure, unadulterated terror. "Okay, maybe I should have listened to the crazy princess,"
Without warning, the Spider Dream Eater lunges forward, its spindly legs carrying it with surprising speed. It leaps onto the side of a nearby building, its claws digging into the brickwork as it begins to scale the wall.
"Run!" Marvella shouts, grabbing Axl's hand and pulling him along. "It is faster than it looks!"
They sprint down the street, weaving through the panicked crowd, their hearts pounding in their chests. The Spider Dream Eater follows closely behind, its massive form leaping from building to building, closing the distance between them with each bound.
Suddenly, the Spider Dream Eater shoots a stream of thick, sticky webbing towards them, the strands flying through the air like deadly projectiles.
"Look out!" Marvella cries, shoving Axl out of the way just as the webbing narrowly misses them, splattering against the wall behind them.
They continue to run, dodging debris and panicked civilians, the Spider Dream Eater hot on their heels, its relentless pursuit a terrifying reminder of the danger they face. The Spider Dream Eater shoots more webs. They almost hit Axl and Marvella again.
The Spider Dream Eater, relentless in its pursuit, shoots another volley of webbing, this time with deadly accuracy. The sticky strands wrap around Axl's legs, immobilizing him instantly. He tumbles to the ground, landing hard on the asphalt.
"Axl!" Marvella cries, her voice filled with alarm.
The Spider Dream Eater descends upon him, its multiple eyes gleaming with predatory delight. Axl stares up at the monstrous creature, his face contorted in a mixture of fear and disgust. Up close, the Spider Dream Eater is even more grotesque than he imagined. Its mandibles click menacingly, and its hairy legs twitch with anticipation.
"Ew~gross!" Axl exclaims, his voice muffled by the webbing.
Without hesitation, Marvella raises her hands, focusing her energy. A soft, ethereal glow emanates from her palms, growing in intensity with each passing second. She closes her eyes, her face serene despite the danger, and channels her Aetheris magic.
With a mighty roar, Marvella thrusts her hands forward, unleashing a surge of pure, radiant energy. A wave of light explodes from her, striking the Spider Dream Eater with incredible force.
The Dream Eater recoils from the blast, its chitinous armor cracking and splintering under the impact. It releases Axl from its grasp, staggering backward as the shockwave washes over it.
"What was that?!" Axl asks,
"Aetheris magic. It is not enough to defeat it, but it will buy us some time."
They resume their flight, sprinting down the street, their footsteps echoing in the sudden silence. The Spider Dream Eater, momentarily stunned but far from defeated, recovers quickly and resumes its pursuit, its massive form crashing through obstacles in its path.
They round a corner, disappearing into a narrow alleyway, hoping to lose the Dream Eater. After a moment, they stop, leaning against a brick wall, gasping for air.
"We should be safe for the moment, but it will soon find us."
Axl, still catching his breath, stares at Marvella, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Okay, space princess, that was… intense. But how do we beat that thing? Lasers? Giant robots? Please tell me you have a giant robot."
Marvella sets the suitcase she had been carrying on the ground and opens it. Inside are three Stellar Braces.
Axl watches her, his curiosity piqued. "Woah, what are those?"
Marvella picks up one of the Stellar Braces and examines it closely. "These are Stellar Braces. They are used to harness the power of the Astra Coins."
She looks up at Axl, her violet eyes locking onto his. "Give me the Astra Coin, Axl. If I do not have it, that creature will kill us both."
Axl hesitates, his hand instinctively reaching for his pocket, where he had been keeping the coin. He glances back towards the direction they had come from, his mind racing.
Give up the coin?But it's the key to my dreams! To everything I've ever wanted!
But then he remembers the sight of the police officer, his life force drained, his eyes vacant and lifeless. He remembers the sheer terror he felt as the Spider Dream Eater descended upon him, its mandibles clicking hungrily.
But is it worth dying over?
He glances back at Marvella, her expression unwavering, her eyes filled with a desperate plea. He knows that she is right. The only way to defeat the monster and save themselves is to give her the Astra Coin.
With a sigh of resignation, Axl pulls the golden coin from his pocket.
"Here, take it."
Marvella reaches out and gently takes the Astra Coin from his palm. Her fingers brush against his, sending a strange jolt of energy through his body.
"Thank you, Axl. You have made the right choice."
The Spider Dream Eater lands a few feet away from them, its massive form blocking the alleyway's entrance. It screeches, saliva dripping from its mandibles.
Marvella steps in front of Axl, shielding him from the monster's gaze. "Stand back, Axl. This is my fight."
Axl hesitates for a moment, then nods, taking a step back.
Marvella raises her left wrist, holding the Stellar Brace overhead. The metal gleams in the dim light of the alleyway. With a deep breath, she focuses her energy, channeling the power of Aetheris magic.
"Astra Change!"
She inserts the Astra Coin into the Stellar Brace, expecting a surge of power. Instead, a jarring error message flashes on the Brace's surface, accompanied by a burst of static.
[Error]
"What?!"
The Stellar Brace begins to spark and sputter, emitting a series of high-pitched whines. A jolt of electricity surges through Marvella's arm, causing her to cry out in pain. The Stellar Brace burns her.
She stumbles backward, clutching her wrist, her face contorted in agony. The Stellar Brace, now glowing with an ominous red light, falls from her grasp, clattering against the asphalt.
"Hey, are you okay?!" Axl asks, his voice filled with concern. He rushes to her side, kneeling beside her. "What happened?!"
Marvella shakes her head, her eyes filled with confusion and distress. She stares at the Stellar Brace lying on the ground, its red light still pulsing ominously.
"Impossible…" she whispers, her voice barely audible. "The Astra Coin rejected me?"
The Spider Dream Eater doesn't wait. It lunges. Axl reacts instinctively. He grabs Marvella, yanking her out of the path of the Spider's attack. The Dream Eater's leg slams into the wall where they stood moments before, leaving a deep gouge in the brick.
"What should we do now! Can you try it again?!" Axl asks.
Marvella shakes her head, her face grim. "The outcome will only be the same. The Astra Coin rejected me. It is impossible."
"Then we're screwed!"
"No, we still have a chance!"
"Really, because it looks like we're about to be spider food!"
Marvella ignores him, her eyes locking onto his. "Axl, you need to use the Stellar Brace."
"What?"
Before he can protest, the Spider Dream Eater lets out a deafening screech, its attention now firmly fixed on the pair. Marvella wastes no time. She grabs the Stellar Brace and thrusts it into Axl's hands.
"There's no time to explain. You must try to transform. It's the only way we can defeat this creature."
"Transform? But… I'm just a regular guy! I'm not some kind of superhero!"
"Just try it. Please, Axl, you're our only hope!"
Axl looks down at the sleek, high-tech device in his hands, his fingers trembling. He knows that Marvella is right – this is their only chance. He has to try. He has to do something.
With a deep breath, he slides the Stellar Brace onto his wrist. It snaps into place with a soft click. The cold metal feels alien against his skin.
"What should I do?"
"Insert the Astra Coin into the Stellar Brace, and say, 'Astra Change!'"
Axl hesitates for a moment, then steel his resolve. He grips the Astra Coin tightly in his hand. Following Marvella's instructions, he inserts the coin into the slot on the Stellar Brace.
"…Then, Astra Change!"
A blinding light erupts from the Stellar Brace and Astra Coin, forcing Marvella and the Spider Dream Eater to shield their eyes. The alleyway is bathed in an intense radiance, obliterating the shadows and illuminating every nook and cranny.
[♩♪♬♬♪♩]
The transformation sequence begins. Musical notes erupt around Axl, swirling like a chaotic symphony. The notes coalesce and solidify, transforming into sleek, angular armor pieces. These fragments, pulsing with vibrant energy, streak towards Axl, each finding its designated place on his body.
Greaves resembling powerful speakers snap onto his legs. Gauntlets shaped like the necks of bass guitars encase his hands. Finally, a helmet with a sharp visor clicks into place, completing the transformation.
The light fades, revealing Axl standing tall in his new armor. The suit is sleek and angular, with a striking red-and-black color scheme. The chest plate is designed to resemble a guitar, complete with glowing strings that pulse with energy, mirroring the rhythm of his heartbeat. His helmet maintains the angular design, featuring a sharp visor that reflects the alleyway's dim light.
The transformation is complete, and the red warrior, Astra Red, is born.
Axl catches a glimpse of himself in a nearby storefront window—and freezes. His reflection stares back, decked out in the new armor. Sleek. Shimmering. Totally rockstar.
"Whaaaaaat!"
* * *
Axl stares at his reflection from a nearby window, utterly bewildered. He can't help but think.
Damn, I look good.
But as he's admiring himself, a shadow falls over him.
Oh, right. Giant spider monster.
The Spider Dream Eater pounces. Axl barely has time to register the movement before he's slammed against the brick wall, the air knocked out of his lungs.
"Ouch~huh?" he groans, shaking his head. He expects a crushing pain, but…it doesn't hurt nearly as much as he thought it would. The armor definitely works.
The Spider Dream Eater tries to seize him with its mandibles, clicking hungrily, but Axl reacts on instinct. He throws a punch, a wild, desperate swing.
His fist connects with the Spider Dream Eater's face—or whatever passes for a face on that monstrosity—and the impact sends the creature reeling backward. The Dream Eater crashes into the opposite wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks in the brick.
Axl stares at his fist, dumbfounded. He can't believe the strength he just displayed. He's never packed that kind of punch before. This armor is insane!
Then, he hears it.
A faint, almost imperceptible rhythm. A beat that seems to permeate the very air around him. Music?
He focuses, and the rhythm grows stronger, more distinct. It's not just music; it's the pulse of the city, the thrum of energy flowing through everything. He notices that the Spider Dream Eater's movements, the falling debris, even the flickering neon sign across the street, are all synchronized to the beat.
His own body responds to the rhythm, moving almost involuntarily. He feels a surge of power, a connection to something larger than himself.
Wait a minute... I can use this.
Axl realizes that the rhythmic beat is the key. He observes the Spider Dream Eater's movements, anticipates its attacks, and dodges with an almost supernatural grace. Each step, each punch, each block is perfectly timed, synchronized with the music of the world.
The Spider Dream Eater lunges again, its mandibles snapping, its legs scuttling across the ground. Axl side-steps the attack, and he uses the momentum to spin into a powerful kick that connects with the Spider Dream Eater's leg.
The Dream Eater stumbles, momentarily thrown off balance. Axl presses his advantage, launching a series of rapid-fire punches, each one perfectly timed to the beat. The Dream Eater roars in frustration, its attacks becoming more frantic, but Axl is always one step ahead, dodging, weaving, and striking with pinpoint accuracy.
Sparks fly as Axl strikes the Spider Dream Eater, his armored fists pounding against its grotesque form. The alleyway becomes a chaotic dance of destruction, a tokusatsu battle unfolding in the heart of the city. He feels like he is acting on instinct, his body moving and attacking the Spider Dream Eater without him even thinking about it.
Marvella watches in stunned silence as Axl dances around the Spider Dream Eater. She is mesmerized by the raw power radiating from him.
Is this...the power of the Astra Coin? It's incredible.
The Spider Dream Eater, momentarily stunned, recoils from Axl's relentless assault. A primal rage flares within the creature, its multiple eyes glowing with malevolent intent. It backs away, its spindly legs clicking against the grimy asphalt.
Then, with a burst of unnatural speed, it leaps.
Not towards Axl, but upwards.
The Spider Dream Eater launches itself onto the adjacent building, its sharp claws finding purchase on the brick facade. It scuttles up the wall with terrifying agility, disappearing onto the rooftops.
Axl stares up, momentarily disoriented. "Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
Suddenly, the Spider Dream Eater reappears, launching itself from one building to another, its massive form silhouetted against the night sky. It moves with incredible speed, traversing the urban landscape like a predator stalking its prey.
It uses its agility to its advantage and starts striking from unexpected angles. The Spider Dream Eater dives from the rooftops, claws outstretched, and webs shooting from its spinnerets. Axl struggles to keep up.
Too fast!
He dodges one attack, then another, but the Spider Dream Eater is relentless. Its attacks come from all directions, each one carrying a concussive force. Sparks fly from Axl's armor as the Dream Eater's claws rake across its surface.
"Gah!" Axl cries out, staggering backward. He is hit again and again by the Spider Dream Eater's relentless attacks.
The Dream Eater dives down once more, this time unleashing a barrage of webs. The sticky strands ensnare Axl's legs, then his arms, immobilizing him completely.
He struggles against the webbing, but it's no use. The Spider Dream Eater's webs are incredibly strong and incredibly sticky. He is trapped, a helpless insect caught in a monstrous spider's snare.
"Oh, man!" Axl exclaims.
He tries to summon the rhythmic energy that had empowered him moments before, but the webs are disrupting his flow. "Is there anything else I can do?!"
Suddenly, a blinding light erupts from Axl's chest. The guitar emblem on his armor glows intensely, pulsating with raw power. The energy builds, then explodes outwards, shattering the webs that bind him.
A sleek, guitar-shaped weapon materializes from the light, launching out from his chest and into his waiting hands.
"Woah…" Axl says, staring at the weapon in disbelief. It's no ordinary guitar. The instrument hums with power, resonating with the same rhythmic energy he felt earlier, and it fits perfectly in his grasp.
Axl strums a single chord, a powerful, reverberating note that echoes through the alleyway. The sound intensifies, morphing into a sonic blast that slams into the Spider Dream Eater.
The creature is sent flying backward, crashing through a stack of garbage cans and landing in a heap against the far wall.
Axl stares at the Power Chord, his eyes wide with amazement. "This thing is… incredible!"
He grins, a spark of excitement igniting within him. "I think I'm gonna call you… Power Chord."
The Spider Dream Eater screeches in rage, its multiple eyes burning with hatred. It lunges towards Axl, intent on tearing him apart. But Axl is ready this time.
Gripping the Power Chord tightly, Axl strums the strings, and a sound wave of pure force erupts from the guitar. The sonic blast slams into the Spider Dream Eater, stopping it dead in its tracks. The creature is knocked back several feet, its spindly legs flailing wildly.
"Alright, spider-breath. Let's see if you can handle a real guitar solo!"
He launches into a blistering riff, his fingers flying across the strings of the Power Chord. Each note is a pulse of raw energy, each chord a burst of concussive force. Blasts of light shoot from the guitar, arcing through the air like tracer rounds.
The Spider Dream Eater is caught in the crossfire, its grotesque body absorbing the full brunt of Axl's sonic assault. The creature screeches in pain as the energy blasts sear its flesh, charring its chitinous armor. Patches of its body begin to smolder, emitting a foul, acrid smoke.
Axl doesn't let up, his fingers dancing across the strings with furious intensity. The Power Chord wails and screams, unleashing a torrent of sonic destruction. The Spider Dream Eater is battered and bruised, its movements becoming sluggish and erratic.
"Time for a change of pace," Axl declares, switching tactics on the fly. He slings the Power Chord over his shoulder, gripping it like a baseball bat. "Let's see how you like this!"
With a roar, Axl charges forward, swinging the Power Chord with all his might. The guitar connects with the Spider Dream Eater's head, producing a resounding THWACK!
The creature staggers, its multiple eyes spinning. Axl doesn't give it a chance to recover. He unleashes a flurry of blows, each one landing with bone-jarring force.
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
The alleyway echoes with the sound of Axl's relentless assault. The Spider Dream Eater is pummeled and battered, its body bruised and broken.
He pivots, ducks under a sweeping claw, and brings the Power Chord crashing down on the Dream Eater's back.
CRACK!
The sound is sickening, like the breaking of bones. The Spider Dream Eater collapses to the ground, its spindly legs twitching uncontrollably.
But the monster is not defeated yet. With a surge of adrenaline, it pushes itself back to its feet, its eyes burning with furious resolve. It unleashes a torrent of webs, blanketing the alleyway in sticky strands.
Axl spins to avoid the webs, strumming a protective chord on the Power Chord. The sonic vibrations deflect the sticky projectiles, creating a safe zone around him. He then blasts through the rest of the webs.
The Spider Dream Eater is staggered, but it recovers quickly, unleashing another barrage of attacks. It lunges, snaps, and fires projectiles from its spinnerets. Axl dodges, weaves, and retaliates with a furious flurry of sonic blasts and blunt-force strikes.
Axl smirks. "This has been fun. But every song has got to end."
He closes his eyes, focusing on the rhythm that pulses through his body, through the city, through the Power Chord in his hands. The music intensifies, building to a crescendo. His fingers dance across the strings, coaxing out a blistering guitar solo. The notes are fast and furious, each one a spark of raw energy.
The Power Chord hums with power, vibrating intensely in his hands. The air crackles with electricity, and the alleyway is bathed in a blinding light.
He feels the energy building, building, building, until it reaches a fever pitch. It feels like he is going to explode with power. With a final, triumphant strum, Axl unleashes all the energy in the Power Chord.
"Power Surge!"
A massive sonic blast erupts from the guitar, a wave of pure sound and force that slams into the Spider Dream Eater with earth-shattering force. The creature is lifted off its feet, its spindly legs flailing helplessly in the air. The sonic blast propels it upwards, higher and higher, until it becomes a mere speck against the night sky.
Then, with a brilliant flash of light and a thunderous BOOM!, the Spider Dream Eater explodes.
A shower of glittering particles rains down on the city, each one a fragment of shattered dreams and nightmares. The alleyway is filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of Axl's heavy breathing.
Axl stands there, the Power Chord still humming in his hands, his body buzzing with residual energy. He stares up at the sky, watching as the last of the glittering particles fade away.
He is exhausted but exhilarated. He just took down a monster—a real, honest-to-goodness monster.
He looks around the alleyway, taking in the destruction. Garbage cans are overturned, walls are cracked, and the air is thick with the smell of ozone. The alleyway is devastated. But it is also safe. The Spider Dream Eater is gone.
Axl feels a surge of pride. He did that. He, Axl, just saved the day.
He looks down at the Power Chord in his hands, a grin spreading across his face.
"Not bad for a first gig," he says to himself.
Suddenly, he remembers Marvella. He turns around, scanning the alleyway.
"Hey, Princess! You still here?"
Marvella watches the Spider Dream Eater explode, her violet eyes wide with awe. Fragments of shimmering light rain down around them, like fallen stars. She is mesmerized by the sheer power Axl wielded, the raw energy that coursed through him as he vanquished the monster.
A new hope blossoms in her chest, pushing back the despair that had been weighing her down since she fled Aetheris. If Axl, a human from this world, could harness the power of the Astra Coin and defeat a Dream Eater, then perhaps there is a chance—a real chance—to save her kingdom.