A bright morning blanketed the Central Kingdom.
Merchants filled the streets, children laughed as they chased one another, and citizens went about their daily lives.
Then, without warning—
BOOM!
The peaceful city shook violently.
A gigantic Kaiju crashed through the buildings, reducing homes to rubble with a single swing of its massive arm. Dust filled the air as terrified citizens screamed and fled in every direction.
"Run!"
"It's a Kaiju!"
"Someone help!"
The monster roared, its deafening cry echoing across the city.
Just as panic spread, two figures rushed toward the battlefield.
One wielded a sword.
The other fought with nothing but his fists.
"Lothar!" the swordsman shouted.
Lothar nodded.
Without hesitation, he launched himself into the air and drove a devastating punch into the Kaiju's face.
BOOM!
The impact shook the ground.
But the Kaiju barely moved.
Lothar's eyes widened.
"...What?"
Before he could recover, Light leapt forward.
"Now!"
His sword glowed with brilliant Voltra as he slashed toward the monster's arm.
CLANG!
Instead of cutting through flesh, sparks exploded into the air.
The blade couldn't penetrate its skin.
The Kaiju swung its arm.
Light barely had time to react before he was sent flying into a pile of rubble.
"Light!" Lothar shouted.
He rushed in again, but the Kaiju was already moving.
Its enormous fist crashed into him, throwing him across the street.
Lothar rolled across the ground before forcing himself back onto his feet.
"...This thing..."
He clenched his fists.
Voltra burst from his body.
The air around him shimmered as glowing energy surrounded his entire body.
With incredible speed, he shot into the sky and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches upon the Kaiju's head.
The beast staggered backward.
Lothar immediately changed tactics.
He gathered Voltra into both hands before releasing it.
The energy transformed into glowing ropes that wrapped tightly around the Kaiju's massive body.
The monster struggled.
The ropes tightened.
"You're not going anywhere!" Lothar shouted, gritting his teeth.
The Kaiju roared, muscles swelling as it desperately tried to break free.
Lothar strained with everything he had.
"Light!"
"It's weakened!"
"Attack now!"
Light climbed out of the rubble, brushing dust from his clothes.
A grin spread across his face.
"Leave it to me."
Instead of attacking immediately, he jumped high into the air.
He spun once.
Twice.
Then struck a dramatic pose.
"Watch this!"
Lothar's eyes widened.
"...Don't!"
Light swung his glowing sword downward.
The Kaiju shook violently at the last second.
The blade slammed harmlessly into the ground.
"...Oops."
Lothar stared at him in disbelief.
"You idiot!"
The Kaiju roared.
Its muscles expanded even further.
CRACK!
One by one, the glowing ropes shattered.
Lothar's face froze.
"It... broke free?"
Light's smile disappeared.
His mistake had cost them their best chance.
The Kaiju slowly turned toward the terrified citizens hiding behind the rescue barricades.
"No..."
Lothar remembered the King's words.
"Protect the citizens. No matter what."
The Kaiju charged.
Without hesitation, Lothar threw himself in front of it.
The monster's attack slammed into him, sending him crashing through a nearby building.
"Lothar!"
Light sprinted forward.
The Kaiju raised its massive fist to finish him.
Light planted himself between the monster and his brother.
He drove his sword into the ground and pushed against the Kaiju's gigantic fist with both hands.
The earth cracked beneath his feet.
Every muscle in his body trembled.
Sweat rolled down his face.
"Damn it..."
"I won't let you touch him!"
Despite his determination, the Kaiju's strength slowly forced him backward.
Then—
A flash of light crossed the battlefield.
A girl landed gracefully between them.
Twin swords rested in her hands.
Without saying a word, she dashed forward.
Two slashes.
Four.
Eight.
The Kaiju's body split into eight glowing fragments before dissolving into pure Voltra energy.
Silence.
The monster was gone.
The frightened citizens stared in disbelief.
Rescue teams immediately rushed forward, helping the wounded and escorting everyone to safety.
The girl calmly sheathed her twin swords before turning toward the two boys.
"It's over," she said.
Light smiled with relief.
"...Hikari."
She looked at both of them before shaking her head.
"That was far too close."
"If I hadn't arrived..."
"...both of you would've died."
Lothar slowly stood up, brushing dust from his clothes.
Before he could speak, Light smiled.
"Maybe."
"But I'd never let that thing lay a finger on my brother."
"Even if it cost me my life."
He reached out to help Lothar stand.
Lothar ignored the hand and stood up by himself.
His face hardened.
"Are you insane?"
"Do you realize how many people could've died because you wanted to show off?"
"When we're fighting..."
"Focus on the battle."
"Don't ever do that again."
Light slowly lowered his hand.
"...Sorry."
Lothar turned away.
Light remained standing there, unable to say anything.
Hikari watched the two brothers before walking over to Light.
"Don't take it personally."
"You know how Lothar is."
"When the King gives him a mission..."
"He treats it like the fate of the world depends on it."
"He blames himself whenever anything goes wrong."
Light gave a faint smile.
"I know..."
Meanwhile...
Hikari caught up to Lothar.
"What was that?"
Lothar remained silent.
"He made a mistake."
"But everyone survived."
"You should show him a little more respect."
"You know he'd give his life for you."
"He's your older brother."
Lothar's fists tightened.
"...He's not my brother."
Hikari blinked.
"What?"
Lothar looked away.
"That's exactly what bothers me."
"He's always treating me like one."
"I can't stand it."
Ahead of them, Light kept walking in silence.
He had heard every word.
But he didn't look back.
After a long silence, Hikari sighed.
"Come on."
"We should report to the King."
Far beyond the city...
The towering palace of the Central Kingdom stood proudly against the morning sky.
Behind its enormous golden doors waited the ruler of the kingdom—
The towering doors of the royal palace slowly opened.
Light, Lothar, and Hikari stepped inside, their footsteps echoing through the long marble hallway. Royal guards stood silently along both sides, their eyes fixed ahead.
At the end of the corridor stood two enormous golden doors.
The throne room.
As the doors opened, sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows, illuminating the magnificent hall.
Upon the throne sat the ruler of the Central Kingdom...
King Jugram.