The night after Kawa's sudden attack was heavy with silence. The Nexus Vanguard, usually filled with energy and laughter, sat broken and frustrated. Their first true encounter with the Dark Nexus had ended in humiliation.
Supira clenched his Spiral Staff so tightly that his knuckles turned pale, fury seething through him. "How could we be beaten so easily…?" he muttered, his voice shaking with rage. Suddenly, he turned and began storming toward the motel's walls, intent on smashing them apart.
Before he could act, Mizu dashed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him. "Stop, this i isn;t the Supira!" she cried. "Destroying this place won't change what happened… please."
Supira froze, chest rising and falling, his staff glowing faintly before dimming in her embrace. He exhaled deeply, tears hidden behind anger, and lowered his weapon.
Meanwhile, Kori was sprawled out, muttering in his sleep, his earlier rage drained into exhaustion. Kudo, calm and unbothered, picked up the young thunder warrior as if he were a child. He gently patted Kori's head and spoke with a faint smile:
"Defeat is not the end. It's the first step to strength. Learn from this… and rise above it."
His words steadied the group, though the bitterness of failure still lingered.
Shimo stepped close to Kaosu, her voice sharp but clear. "That No. 2 on his hand… it means there are more. Many more."
Kaosu nodded, a rare smile forming on his face. "Good eye, Shimo. If they're numbered, that means we know one thing: they can be counted. And if they can be counted, they can be defeated."
Doraibu, still buzzing with restless energy, scanned the area as ordered. Hours passed before he returned with a crumpled piece of parchment found near the edge of the forest. Without disturbing his brothers, he handed it to Rai and Kaiyo.
Rai read aloud the ominous words:
"We will not leave nor stop until this world is in ruin. Look upon the heavens—there you will find us."
Doraibu tilted his head, confused. "What does that even mean…? The heavens?"
Kaiyo, calm and sharp, answered plainly. "It's obvious. They're not hiding on the ground. 'Look upon the heavens'… they're in the sky. The Dark Nexus is above us."
Kudo smirked, still carrying the dozing Kori. "Sharp boy. You've figured it out."
Kaosu stepped forward, his eyes glowing faintly with resolve. "Then we have no time to waste. By dawn, we head to the Dojo of Thunder. We will train, and we will grow stronger… strong enough to face the heavens themselves."
As he spoke, Kaosu gently patted Kori's head, the young warrior snoring soundly in his arms. For the first time that night, the group felt a spark of hope.
But far away, in the endless darkness, a grand chamber buzzed with whispers. A tall figure sat upon a throne of shadows, his face obscured, his aura suffocating. Before him knelt dozens of warriors, each bearing glowing numbers on their arms—from 1 to 25.
At the center of them, Kawa bowed his head low.
The shadowed master rose to his feet and spoke, his voice echoing like thunder:
"You are my chosen twenty-five… my *…"
The sound cut out before his words could be heard, leaving only the chilling silence of anticipation.