The night air felt heavier than before.
Aizen Ryu stood beneath the glowing arena lights, Storm Draco resting in his palm. The vibration hadn't stopped since Luna Vale spoke those words.
Seven Spiral Cores.
"…Explain," Ryu said, his voice low.
Luna studied him for a moment, crimson eyes reflecting the rotating spiral symbol above the stadium. "Not here. Too many ears."
She turned and walked away without another word.
"H-Hey!" Ryu hurried after her.
They stopped beneath a quiet overpass far from the noise of the arena. The hum of traffic echoed overhead, but the space felt strangely isolated as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Luna finally spoke. "Long ago, Beyblades were created to resonate with human will. Most are harmless. But seven were different."
She raised her hand, tracing a spiral in the air.
"They're called Spiral Cores fragments of an ancient rotation energy that doesn't obey normal rules. Each Core chooses a Blader whose heart resonates with it."
Ryu looked down at Storm Draco. "So… mine chose me."
"Yes," Luna said. "The Spiral Dragon Core."
Ryu swallowed. "And if all seven awaken?"
Luna's voice softened. "…The spiral collapses inward. Power, time, balance
everything twists. The world breaks."
Ryu clenched his fist.
"So the Spiral Tournament is meant to gather them," he said.
Luna nodded. "And control them."
A sudden slow clap echoed from the shadows.
"Well explained."
Ryu and Luna turned sharply.
The spiral-emblem man stepped forward, his coat swaying as if untouched by gravity. His eyes gleamed with amusement.
"You're eavesdropping," Ryu snapped.
The man smiled. "Observing. My name is Director Kain. I oversee the Spiral Tournament."
Ryu stepped in front of Luna. "You're using us."
Kain tilted his head. "Using? No. Guiding. Power like the Spiral Cores will always surface. We merely ensure the strongest survive."
Luna glared at him. "You'll destroy the world."
Kain chuckled. "Or save it."
Before Ryu could respond, Kain raised his hand.
"Prepare yourself, Aizen Ryu. Your next match begins now."
"What?!" Ryu shouted.
The ground beneath them glowed.
A Beystadium formed instantly, energy walls rising around them.
A figure stepped into the arena—tall, muscular, wearing a cracked red mask.
"Contestant confirmed," Kain announced calmly. "Spiral Core holder versus Core holder."
Ryu's heart skipped. "Another one…?"
The masked Blader laughed. "Name's Goro Flamefang."
He held up his Beyblade scarlet, jagged, radiating heat.
Inferno Minotaur.
"My Core feeds on destruction," Goro said. "Let's see how long your pretty dragon lasts."
Ryu felt Storm Draco tremble violently.
Another Core…
Luna shouted from outside the barrier. "Ryu, don't let his spin control you! Inferno types drain stamina!"
Ryu nodded and raised his launcher.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
LET IT RIP!
Storm Draco burst forward in a blue spiral.
Inferno Minotaur slammed into the stadium like a meteor, its rotation savage and aggressive. The collision sent shockwaves through the arena.
Clang !!
Storm Draco was pushed back instantly.
"Too weak!" Goro roared. "Burn away!"
Inferno Minotaur unleashed a blazing spin, sparks turning red as its speed increased unnaturally.
Ryu grit his teeth. "He's forcing overload…"
Storm Draco wobbled, light flickering.
Focus.
Ryu remembered Luna's words. Don't let his spin control you.
He loosened his grip on the launcher, steadying his breathing.
"Storm Draco," he whispered. "Match his rhythm don't fight it."
The blue spiral shifted.
Instead of resisting, Draco began orbiting Inferno Minotaur, synchronizing its rotation.
Goro's eyes widened. "What the—?!"
Storm Draco suddenly struck from the side, disrupting Minotaur's balance.
"Now!" Ryu shouted. "Spiral Break
Second Form!"
A compressed spiral burst outward, slamming Inferno Minotaur into the stadium wall. Cracks spread across the energy barrier.
Inferno Minotaur slowed.
Then stopped.
Silence followed.
Kain smiled. "Impressive adaptation."
Goro clicked his tongue as his Beyblade fell apart. "Tch… dragon brat."
The barrier dissolved.
Ryu collapsed to one knee, exhausted. Storm Draco dimmed but continued spinning.
Luna ran to his side. "You did it!"
Kain clapped slowly. "Two Cores confirmed awakened."
Ryu looked up sharply. "You knew this would happen."
"Of course," Kain replied. "Conflict accelerates evolution."
Ryu stood, meeting Kain's gaze. "Then listen carefully."
His voice was steady.
"I'll fight. I'll grow stronger. But I won't let you decide how this ends."
For the first time, Kain's smile faded just a little.
"…Very well," he said. "Show us what kind of spiral you create, Dragon Blader."
As Kain vanished into light, Luna looked at Ryu with concern.
"You're walking straight into danger," she said softly.
Ryu glanced at Storm Draco, then smiled.
"Then I'll spin through it."
Above them, two spiral symbols glowed brightly.
Five more had yet to awaken.