The metallic hum of the battleship carved through the silence of the sky. Clouds split like curtains as the vessel glided forward, carrying its deadly cargo. On the main deck, the soldiers shifted uneasily. The air itself trembled with a prelude of war.
Hikari stood tall at the center, his silhouette sharp against the evening light. He tapped the railing once, eyes fixed on the endless horizon.
Hikari: "What time is it?"
A servant bowed quickly. "It's Eranthis, my Lord. Just one hour more."
Hikari's lips curled into a predatory smile. "Good. The time has come."
All across the deck, his forces shivered. In their minds, a single voice echoed: Now… the time has come.
---
White's Side — The Whispered Conspiracy
While soldiers sharpened weapons and tightened armor, White's gaze lingered on one figure.
"Hey, Vantres."
The speed god tilted his head, Purplish blue hair brushing lightly against his cheek. "Yes?"
"Come," White motioned. "I need to tell you something."
Vantres frowned but followed. They moved a short distance away, voices dropping low as if the shadows themselves leaned closer.
Minutes later, the silence was shattered.
Vantres: "WHAT?! What are you saying?!" His voice thundered across the chamber.
White's eyes didn't waver. "Please… just believe me."
Vantres clenched his fists, speed aura crackling faintly. "But if what you're saying is wrong, the consequences—"
"It won't be wrong." White cut him off. "I know his nature. And I've convinced almost everyone."
Vantres narrowed his eyes. "Everyone who?"
White listed calmly: "Alicia. Zygord. Fruxiya. Hidori. Ixia."
Vantres froze. "And they… agreed to this?"
White nodded. "Yes. So — will you?"
The silence pressed heavy. Finally, Vantres exhaled, frustrated. "Ugh. It's hard to believe you're actually doing this… but fine. Okay."
White's lips twitched into the faintest smile. "Thanks."
He turned back to the group. "Everyone ready?"
The Legends and their allies raised their voices as one: "Yes!"
White's eyes gleamed. "Good. Because he's coming."
---
The Calm Before the Clash
In the distance, the battleship loomed larger, its blackened steel glinting beneath a dying sun.
Vivi leaned to her companion with a pout. "Ohh… well, it's a bit small for a battleship, don't you think?"
Xixi nodded, arms crossed. "Yeah. Even Ixia can control the Craptle Tower, and it's way bigger than this."
Vivi: "Exactly."
Silvana chuckled, shaking her head. "Hey, did you forget? They don't fight with battleships. It's just transportation. None of them are someone like Sir Zygord, who could level cities with his step."
Vivi and Xixi puffed their cheeks but muttered together. "We know… but still."
Silvana's eyes narrowed as she adjusted her gauntlet. "Enough chatter. Get ready."
The air thickened with killing intent.
---
The First Strike
A servant ran forward, voice booming: "Lord Hikari! Arie arrives with full forces!"
Hikari raised his chin. "Good. Send Hiko first."
The servant bowed low. "As you command." He rushed to the waiting warrior. "Sir Hiko! The Lord says you go first."
Hiko's grin widened. "Me, huh? Alright then. Let's go."
The teleport cannons whirred, glowing with an ominous light.
"TP cannon ready, Sir Hiko!"
Hiko drew his blade and pointed. "Fire me at Hidori. I want him."
"Understood!"
BOOOOOOM!
The cannon fired, bending space. In an instant, Hiko materialized in front of Hidori, dust whipping into a whirlwind.
Hiko's smirk was razor-sharp. "Yo. Long time no see, Hidori."
Hidori raised an unimpressed brow. "Where's Piko?"
Hiko rolled his neck, laughter escaping. "I'm here to fight you. Don't underestimate me, okay?"
Hidori snorted. "Blah blah. You think you can win against me?"
Hiko's grin widened. "Sure."
Hidori's golden eyes flared. "Then come."
CLASHHHHHHHH!
Steel screamed against steel as their weapons met, shockwaves ripping the ground beneath their feet. Sparks showered the battlefield like rain.
Evenly matched — every blow meeting its equal.
Hiko growled mid-strike, "Hehe, you think you can just push me aside? I've grown too, y'know."
Hidori's laughter boomed. "Okay, okay. Wanna go serious then? Let's use Sectors!"
Hiko leapt back, smirk feral. "Heheheh… sure."
He raised his weapon. "God's Sector — Imperial Sword!"
A massive sword materialized in his hands, dark-gold steel wrapped in a violent purple aura. The air warped around it.
Hidori's grin never faltered. He raised his palm. "Divine Sector — Incrushol Needle!"
A colossal needle, glowing pure gold with a blinding white aura, appeared in his grasp. It hummed like a divine hymn.
They locked eyes.
Both together: "Let's do this."
The battlefield quaked as titans prepared to clash.
---
Piko's Entrance
On the deck, Piko tugged on his Lord's sleeve. "Wow! Can I fight too, Lord?"
Hikari barely glanced down. "Hmm. Fine. Fight the woman standing there."
Piko's face lit up. "Okay!"
Servants rushed. "TP cannon ready, Sir Piko!"
Piko hopped onto the platform, grinning. "Fire!"
BOOOM!
Piko appeared before Ixia, sword already half-drawn.
His sneer twisted. "Oh, you again? Guess I'll need to teach you some manners."
Ixia's expression didn't change. Her thoughts whispered: You don't even know what's coming, bastard.
Her lips curled into a small smile. "Hmm. Then let's go."
She raised her hands. "Shina sin min Kay!"
The ground split. From the void rose a towering beast — claws like mountain peaks, eyes blazing red.
Ixia's voice rang like a commandment: "Kill him, Miba."
Miba roared. "GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!"
The earth quaked beneath its weight.
Ixia nodded. "Good. Time has come. I just need to hold him here — in the crap they created."
Flux clenched his fists from afar. "Sis… please be fine, okay?"
Fruxiya placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Flux. I'll be okay."
---
Hikari Moves
On the battleship, Hikari scanned the battlefield like a god watching ants. His eyes narrowed.
"Where… where… ah. There she is." His lips curled into hunger. "I'm going."
Servants rushed to stop him. "Lord, where are you going?!"
Hikari's voice cut like a blade. "Don't worry. I'm going to the top of that battleship."
He vanished in a flash, reappearing high above.
From the heavens, his voice roared. "Divine Sector — Superior Beam!"
A hyperbeam of light, so massive it cut the clouds apart, hurtled straight at Flux.
Flux's heart froze. "Sis! Behind you!"
Fruxiya turned. "Huh?"
The beam struck her head.
The sound was silence.
Her body collapsed in slow motion.
Flux's scream split the battlefield. "S-S-SIS!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
His throat tore with the cry. His eyes blurred with tears.
"Everyone! Fruxiya is— she's dead… VAWWWW— wh-what…"
The world itself seemed to shatter.
---
In His Mind — Mineko
The battlefield flickered, and Flux's mind broke into fragments.
A soft voice whispered in his skull. "D-d-do you… have a g-g-girlfriend?"
Flux shook his head. "Nope. And I don't even want one."
Mineko gasped. "W-w-what? But… why?"
Flux's lips trembled. "Because… I don't like real-life girls."
Mineko blinked, confused. Flux's voice cracked again. "I mean… I like fictional girls. You understand?"
Mineko's cheeks burned. Her stutter softened. "Oh… so… I don't have a c-c-chance?"
Flux's chest heaved. Without thinking, he grabbed her into a hug.
Flux: "Shhh. Mineko. I love you."
Mineko's eyes widened, tears flooding. "F-F-F-Flux?!"
Flux held tighter. "Yes. I really love you. And… my mom too."
Mineko buried her face, voice trembling. "T-thank you…"
Flux pulled back, meeting her shy eyes. "Okay. You can give me your answer whenever you want."
Mineko whispered, cheeks crimson. "I-I… I love you too."
Flux's smile cracked. "Good. Let's go down — class starts in 2 or 3 minutes."
Mineko nodded. "Okay."
Flux's inner voice echoed: It is my first decision that I regret the most.
---
The Shatter
Minutes — or maybe hours — later, Mineko raised her head again, face pale. She forced her voice through the blood in her throat.
"S-sorry… I… l-love you… even after—" Her words dissolved into coughing.
Flux's memories slammed into him. Every smile. Every word. Every laugh.
His scream ripped the world.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
His body convulsed. Eyes glowing, aura turning pitch-dark.
"You… you killed… MINEKO!!!"
The sky shook as his humanity cracked apart.
White froze. "What the…"
Alicia gasped. "What happened?!"
White's voice trembled — the first time in centuries. "His humanity is disappearing. But… something else is awakening."
He clenched his fists, sweat dripping.
"This feeling… I know it. I'd forgotten, but… it's familiar. Too familiar. Just… who exactly is he?"
The battlefield held its breath. The storm had only just begun.