Akira and Kuroo emerged from the dimension's rippling edge, bruised, battered—but alive.
The energy signature of the pirate still lingered in their bones.
> Akira (panting): "I don't know what that was… but we're lucky to be alive."
> Kuroo: "That wasn't luck. That was stupidity—his, not ours."
They stepped back into their realm only to realize something had shifted. Time had moved on. A full day had passed in their world.
And chaos had begun to rise.
---
Meanwhile, in the Realm of Devourers…
The portals had begun to bleed open. The skies darkened, thunder howled—not naturally, but as if something was screaming through dimensions.
Ghul Tar, the guardian of the edge realms, growled.
> Ghul Tar: "They survived the dimensional twist? Interesting."
He called forth four of his elite warriors—mutated, evolved beasts known only as The Grinders. Each had consumed fragments of dying gods to become what they were now.
Their mission: stop Akira and Kuroo from interfering again.
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Akira's Base - Training Ground
He gathered his team, explaining the events, the "pirate," the lost realm, and the looming battles.
> Akira: "This isn't about timelines anymore. Someone—or something—is trying to destabilize all realms."
> Rei: "Then we train harder. Faster. Until our bodies break if needed."
Kuroo, meanwhile, stood before his own twisted squad—his 'Legion of Ruin.'
> Kuroo: "We move now. Burn through the Grinders. And when the Devourer comes—he'll find we're not prey."
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Final Scene – Grinders Attack
The sky split open like a wound. Four monstrous figures emerged.
One lunged toward Akira's base, roaring.
Another crashed into Kuroo's territory, fangs bared.
> Akira (summoning his blade): "Get ready. This isn't the boss… just the warm-up."
> Kuroo (smiling): "Let them come. I need something to tear apart."
Their eyes burned with power. The real battle had just begun.
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End of Chapter 21