The gate cracked open like a shattered mirror Light spilled across the throne room of black and gold Ryo leaned back on his throne calm his wolf pup curled beside him The Fragments knelt at his feet trembling as the first enemies entered
Three figures stepped forward.
The first wore armor woven from collapsing stars His face was hidden but his voice thundered
Star Knight: You've dared to claim the Unwritten Surrender the throne or your kingdom dies before it begins.
The second was a shadowy queen her crown forged of broken timelines her eyes glowing like suns
Time Queen: Your law threatens ours Give it up, or be erased with your own hand.
The third was silent A child He held nothing but a cracked toy Yet the pressure around him warped the ground His power was unspeakable.
Serath whispered shaking
Serath: Ryo… these aren't ordinary foes They are
Ryo raised a hand.
Ryo: Don't explain It's boring when someone spoils the fight.
The Challenge
The Star Knight pointed his blade at the throne.
Star Knight: We represent the Balance Your banner cannot exist Kneel or die.
Ryo smirked.
Ryo: I don't kneel I don't balance I erase.
He snapped his fingers Instantly the Star Knight's blade shattered into dust The knight himself froze his body trembling as cracks spread across his armor.
Ryo: You pointed a weapon at me That's enough reason for your existence to vanish.
The knight tried to speak but his voice dissolved mid sentence He was gone Not dead Not erased into nothing Never written
The Queen's Strike
The Time Queen screamed With a gesture timelines split open thousands of alternate Ryo's summoned to be trapped bound sealed She raised her hand to crush him.
But every timeline shattered like glass the moment it touched him.
Ryo rose from the throne slowly casually brushing his cloak.
Ryo: Do you think time applies to me? I exist before it Beyond it Against it.
He lifted a single finger The queen's crown exploded Her timelines folded in on themselves erasing every version of her until the throne room was silent again.
The Fragments gasped.
Fragment: Two gone… without effort.
The Child
Only the child remained He lifted the cracked toy and stared at Ryo with wide ancient eyes.
Child: Why do you destroy?
Ryo stopped surprised at the question.
Ryo: Because it's easy Because I can And because… I'm building something better.
The child tilted his head.
Child: Will there be room for me in your kingdom?
The Fragments muttered in confusion Serath stepped forward tense
Serath: Don't trust him Ryo That child is
Ryo cut him off.
Ryo: If you want to join then kneel If not stand in my way and vanish.
The child looked at his cracked toy then at Ryo's throne After a moment he knelt placing the toy before Ryo.
Child: Then I kneel.
The wolf pup barked once as if approving
The Kingdom Stands
Ryo sat back down on the throne lifting the cracked toy He placed it beside his banner and the sigil of his kingdom flared brighter than before.
Ryo: Good My kingdom doesn't need balance It needs loyalty.
Serath exhaled in relief though his hands still shook.
Serath: You destroyed two cosmic rulers in seconds… and gained a child who bends reality Who else will come?
Ryo smirked resting his cheek on his fist
Ryo: Everyone And that's exactly what I want.
The gate pulsed again More enemies stirred watching And Ryo waited smiling for the war to come.