The night was quiet in the small roadside motel. The team had finally found rest after their long journey, each member asleep in their rooms.
But Kaosu stirred awake.
"Kaosu," Kudo's voice echoed in his mind. "You have a visitor."
Kaosu snapped up, his long hair falling into his face. His eyes narrowed. "...What is it this time?"
The door creaked. Shimo stood there, the dim light of the moon brushing against her pale features.
"Shimo?" Kaosu asked, brushing his hair aside. "What brings you here?"
Her expression was calm but uneasy. "I sense something… a presence. Someone other than us is here."
Before Kaosu could reply, the shadows in the corner shifted. A man leaned casually against the wall, arms folded, a smirk on his lips.
"Well done," he said smoothly. "Your sensory skills are impressive."
Shimo froze. Kaosu's gaze sharpened. "Who are you?"
The man stepped forward, the moonlight revealing the number 2 etched into his arm.
"Name's Kawa. But you can call me… No.2."
Kaosu stood, his hand brushing against his dimension blade. "How did you get in?"
Kawa gestured behind him with a grin. "Through the window. Don't worry, I hope I didn't interrupt between the two of you."
Shimo flushed scarlet. With a flick of her wrist, razor-sharp petals sliced toward him. Kawa only laughed, slipping past them like smoke.
"Easy now, flower girl. I was just joking."
Kaosu's eyes burned. "Everyone, wake up! We've got company!"
Doors slammed open. Supira, Rai, and Mizu stumbled out, half-dressed and groggy, but ready to fight. The air grew tense.
But one door stayed closed.
Inside, Kori snored peacefully.
Kawa's grin widened. He strolled over and, without hesitation, kicked Kori's bed.
"Wake up, little baby."
The room went still.
Kori's eyes opened slowly, glowing with static. "...What. Did you just call me?"
Kawa leaned down, mockery dripping from his voice. "I said—you're just a big baby."
Lightning ripped through the room.
Kori shot out of bed, his aura blazing with thunder. His hair whipped back as sparks danced along his fists. With a single burst of speed, he blurred forward, kicking off the ground and delivering a thunderous combo straight into Kawa's chest.
The motel shook, debris falling as lightning cracked through the walls.
The team shielded their eyes from the flash.
But when the smoke cleared—
Kawa was standing there, completely unharmed. His grin was wider than ever.
"Not bad, kid," he said mockingly. "But you'll have to do better than that."
And with that, his form shimmered and vanished into thin air.
Kori's chest heaved, electricity still dancing around his body. He clenched his fists.
"I'm not a baby."
The rest of the team looked at one another, the reality setting in.
No.2 wasn't just strong.
He was untouchable.
And worse—he had chosen to appear only to mock them.
The night was silent once more, but unease lingered heavy in the air.
Epilogue – The Shadow of No.2
The motel slowly fell silent again, but the air was heavy with unease. Kaosu sat awake, staring at the window where Kawa had vanished. Even Kudo's voice was quieter than usual, his tone laced with caution. "That wasn't just a warning… it was a declaration."
Shimo clutched her petals tighter, Mizu leaned on Supira for comfort, and even Doraibu—normally loud—remained silent. Only Kori kept muttering under his breath, fists clenched, furious at being mocked and powerless.
Far away, in a hidden chamber cloaked in shadow, Kawa knelt before a figure unseen. "I've tested them," he reported calmly. "They're strong, but not strong enough." A deep voice answered, cold and commanding: "Good. Soon, the true dawn of the Dark Nexus will begin."
Back at the motel, Kaosu whispered to himself, "Zankoku was only the beginning…"
The fire of the Nexus Vanguard had been lit. But now, darker storms awaited them all.