Then his expression hardened. "Now, before we move forward, you need to understand the full hierarchy of ragnarök."
He turned to a digital screen, tapping a command. A diagram appeared.
[Ragnarok's Hierarchy:]
1.) Squad Commanders–Squad commanders are the lowest ranking officers. Skilled, but replaceable. Each one leads a small combat unit," Explained Saya.
2.) Executioners–"Executioners are the elite fighters. Rare, but dangerous. Each one is a walking disaster in battle," this time Dante explained.
3.) The Enforcers–"Enforcers are high-ranking members who act as Ragnarök's direct enforcers. They take orders from the top and eliminate threats personally," Explained Kai.
4.) The Pillars–"The pillars are 10 most powerful members of Ragnarök. Each one is strong enough to wipe out entire cities alone," Explained Saya.
5.) The Supreme Leader's–All we know is that they're 5 of them they are the strongest of Ragnörak. No name, no face. Only rumors. It's said they possess complete unknown Gears. And… Ragnörak's leader is part of them. He or she is the strongest among all of them," seriously explained Jax.
Jax turned back to April. "This is what we're dealing with. If you want to survive, Ultima, you'd better be ready."
April's fingers curled into fists.
She was ready.
And soon—Ragnarök would know it too.
----
April sat in silence, absorbing the information. The names, the hierarchy—it all solidified the reality of what they were up against. Ragnarök wasn't just a rogue faction. It was an empire of destruction, built on power and precision.
Jax leaned against the table. "Now that you know, what's your plan?"
April looked up, her expression one of burning determination. "Simple. I get stronger. Fast."
Kai smirked. "That's the spirit."
Saya crossed her arms. "Strength alone won't be enough. The Executioners and Enforcers don't just rely on brute force. They're specialists. Each of them has mastered their Gear in ways that most people can't even comprehend."
Dante nodded. "If you want to take them on, you'll need to learn everything about your own Gear. No shortcuts."
April exhaled. She already knew that. Ultima had made it clear—her next evolution would only come in a battle where her life was truly at stake.
But she wasn't about to sit around and wait for that moment to happen.
She stood up. "Then let's start training."
Jax grinned. "Thought you'd say that."
He turned, motioning for them to follow.
They moved through the underground base, the halls quiet except for the hum of machinery.
As they stepped into the training facility, April took in the sight—advanced combat dummies, reinforced sparring rings, a full-scale battlefield simulator.
Jax stopped in the center. "We're not just testing raw power. You need to learn control. Adaptability. And most importantly—how to win against someone stronger than you."
He cracked his knuckles. "Which means you're sparring against us."
April smirked. "Good. I was hoping for that."
Kai stretched his arms. "Alright, but don't get cocky. You might be Ultima now, but we've been at this a lot longer than you."
April pulled her hood up, adjusting her stance. "Then show me what that experience is worth."
Dante grinned. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
Saya's expression remained calm, but there was a glint of excitement in her eyes.
Jax rolled his shoulders. "Alright. First round—April versus me."
April's smirk widened.
Mufasa versus Ultima.
This was exactly what she needed.
April adjusted her stance, feet firm against the training mat. Jax stood across from her, relaxed but watchful. The weight of his presence alone was enough to make anyone second-guess attacking first.
Not her.
Kai, Dante, and Saya stood along the edges of the training area, watching.
Jax rolled his shoulders. "Let's see how far you've come, Ultima."
April smirked. "Try to keep up."
A sharp beep signaled the start of the match.
Jax moved.
Not just fast—explosively fast. His foot slammed into the ground, and the sheer force cracked the reinforced floor beneath him.
He was on her in an instant, fist reared back.
April barely had time to react.
Dodge—!
She twisted, Jax's punch grazing past her, but the shockwave alone sent her skidding back. The air rippled with the force of his raw power.
"Come on," Jax called. "That all you got?"
April's eyebrows narrowed. She wasn't about to play defense the entire match.
She pushed forward, her body moving instinctively. The moment her foot hit the ground, she surged toward him, her movements sharper, cleaner.
She swung—
Jax deflected with his forearm, but April was already shifting, her second strike aiming for his ribs.
Blocked.
She clicked her tongue. He was reading her movements like an open book.
Jax smirked. "You're fast. But speed alone won't cut it."
Then, he stepped in—too close.
April barely had time to brace before his knee slammed into her stomach. The impact sent her airborne, and before she could adjust, Jax vanished—only to reappear above her mid-fall.
She had one second.
April twisted her body in midair, using the momentum to kick off his descending fist, flipping backward before landing.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she crouched and launched herself forward, fist aiming straight for his jaw.
Jax's eyes flickered with amusement.
CRACK!
April's punch connected.
Or at least—it should have.
Instead, Jax's skin hardened, a metallic sheen covering his jaw for a split second before fading.
Her attack did nothing.
April barely had time to react before Jax grabbed her arm, yanked her forward, and spun, using her own momentum to hurl her across the room.
She hit the ground, rolled, and skidded to a stop.
Pain shot through her body, but she ignored it. She could still move. That was all that mattered.
Dante whistled. "Damn. She's actually keeping up."
Kai crossed his arms. "Yeah, but keeping up isn't winning."
April pushed herself to her feet, breathing heavy.
Jax tilted his head. "Your instincts are sharp, but you're still hesitating. You hold back. Afraid of using too much power? Or afraid of what'll happen when you lose control?"
April clenched her fists.
She wasn't hesitating.
She just wasn't there yet.
But she would be.
Jax smirked. "Alright. Let's turn it up a notch."
Then—his presence changed.
It was subtle, but she felt it.
The pressure in the air thickened. His breathing shifted. A colorless energy like mist cloaked his whole form within seconds.
Saya's eyes sharpened. "He's activating Mufasa's next phase. Mufasa's G-force energy."
Kai muttered, "She better brace herself."
April took a stance.
Jax grinned. "Let's see how you handle this—Ultima."
Then, he vanished.
And the real fight began.