The Great Awakening:
In the Antica Desert, inside and outside the Temple of Akhenaten,
A tremendous magical tremor reverberated immediately after the purple lightning bolt that descended from the sky.
After Exodin devoured the Fusion Beast, a terrible silence fell. Dust billowed around its gigantic body, carved from the granite of night and ancient purple energy. The Fifth Division and Raiden were paralyzed, stunned by the mythical entity beyond their comprehension.
Yuri (with a weak sigh): What... what was that?
Raiden: What a monster! It devoured the Fusion Beast with such ease. What kind of creature is that?
Exodin didn't turn to look at them. His glowing purple eyes pointed towards the entrance through which Hana and Dan had fled. He roared a roar filled with the pain and betrayal of millennia. He wasn't roaring for the temple, but for what had been stolen from within, and he unleashed a devastating attack, shocking everyone.
Raiden: Damn it. Then a voice called out: "The Chains of Epsial (Copper Whirlpool)."
Yes, it was Hanamiya Aramaki, the commander of the 7th Division. Another attack came, calling out: "The Flames of Raton (Burning Flame Projectiles)."
Hanamiya: "Raiden, are you alright? And you, guys!"
He gave them healing potions, and they recovered.
Raiden: "What a monstrous beast! You won't believe it! It devoured the other one."
Rindu: "I read about him in a book, I think. His name was Exodin, Protector of the Gods."
Everyone was surprised by his name, and Rindu began to tell his story.
Flashback: Location: A first, celestial paradise, five thousand years ago.
Time: The height of the Angel War.
Five thousand years ago, a massive, bloody battle took place between Exodin and Lucifer, who sought to take the wings of the angel Gabriel in order to destroy the celestial realm. Time freezes. The grains of sand in the air slow down. A brilliant white light emanates from the sky, splitting into two opposing beams: one furious purple from Exodin, the other serene crimson from Lucifer.
Lucifer: (in a soft but mind-piercing voice): I have long awaited this moment, stubborn guardian. Five thousand years you have slept, guarding a treasure that is no longer yours.
Exodin was in his true form: not a stone monster, but a magnificent celestial being. His body was of intense light, and he had six wings of purple and blue plasma. He stood proudly beside the angel Gabriel, who looked weary and wounded after a fierce battle.
Gabriel (in a weak voice): Exodin, my protector brother. My wounds are deep. I must descend to the underworld to recover. My wings... cannot fall into the hands of darkness. Only you can I entrust them to.
Exodin (in a voice that roared like pure thunder): I will guard them until your return, my lord. Even if it means burying myself with them beneath the ashes of the world.
Gabriel removed his luminous golden wings, which shrank to the size of two beautiful statues. He handed them to Exodin. At that moment, Lucifer suddenly appeared, not as a fierce enemy, but as a negotiator.
Lucifer (with a crooked smile): Gabriel. Even you are running away? Just like Michael.
Exodin stands before him, but Gabriel raises his hand: "No. The fight is over for today, Lucifer."
Lucifer looks at the wings in Exodin's hand and says: "A faithful guardian. How impressive."
In a flash, Lucifer takes advantage of Gabriel's distraction and shoots a dagger of dark energy not at Gabriel, but at the ground beneath Exodin's feet. The earth splits open, absorbing Exodin and the wings together, crushing his celestial light, turning him to stone, and burying him deep within Antica.
Gabriel (shouts): No!
Lucifer (coldly, as he leaves): Victory is not always achieved through direct combat, my dear Gabriel. Sometimes it comes through five thousand years of patience, and I will exact my revenge on all of you.
Exodin falls, staring at Lucifer, his purple eyes shining with the treachery and rage accumulated over five thousand years.
Exodin (his voice booms like an earthquake): Lucifer! Lucifer: You're so naive, Exodin. You don't know the whole truth.
Exodin's rage reaches its peak. He slams his fist into the ground, unleashing purple shockwaves that surge toward Lucifer.
The legendary battle begins:
Lucifer moves with absolute grace, smiling, dodging every giant stone strike. His attacks are blades of black and gold light that carve through Exodin's stony body.
Exodin is brute force: every blow is an earthquake. Stone serpents around him release tailed purple energy. The earth splits open, releasing torrents of ancient power.
But Lucifer doesn't fight to destroy him, only to weaken him. He speaks as he fights.
Lucifer: You fought fiercely, Guardian! You fought for a master who abandoned you! (He dodges a massive stone block.) Didn't you wonder why Gabriel didn't return to save you? Not because you failed! But because I will annihilate them all.
Lucifer's words wound Exodin more than any attack. His screams become filled with pain and doubt.
In a blind fit of rage, Exodin picks up half the pyramid and hurls it at Lucifer. This time, Lucifer doesn't dodge.
Lucifer (stops smiling): "Enough."
He raises his hand. A complex, black, crimson magic circle appears before him, absorbing the pyramid's impact and turning it to dust.
Lucifer: "Your role as Guardian should have ended long ago. Allow me to grant you eternal rest."
He suddenly teleports to appear directly above Exodin's head. He touches his forehead with his finger. Dark, golden cracks spread from the point of contact across Exodin's stony body.
Exodin (in a final, sorrowful, and regretful voice): Gabriel... I... I'm sorry...
End of flashback:
Hanamiya: What a story this monster has. He's truly destructive.
Then everyone stands ready for their greatest fight.
Rindo: No joking around with him. We'll fight with everything we have.
Raiden: Guys, get ready.
Hanamiya: The real fight is about to begin.
Meanwhile, Hana and Dan have escaped, while the mysterious figure watches what will happen next.