3rd Day of the 2nd Earth Cycle[1], 2000, g.c.
You would've thought I forgot how to teleport or fly, the way I took off running toward the keep's medical center. My feet slammed against the ground in a steady rhythm, each step echoing off the stone like a drumline pushing me forward. Behind me, I heard them all keeping pace—Kimmi's lighter steps, Alex's heavier stride, Danica and Chomei gliding more than running, Kyttin and Karma moving with that unnatural smoothness they always had. A whole squad chasing the same feeling.
That pressure. That divine weight in the air. I should've said something. Told them what I felt. But when I glanced to my side, I caught Alex's face for half a second—eyes narrowed, jaw tight. He already knew. Bro felt it too. The rest of them? They were curious. Drawn in. Trying to understand what just spawned into the world.
The hallway stretched out ahead of us, wooden trim lining the walls blurring into streaks of brown as we ran. The scent hit before the room did—sharp antiseptics, that clean sting of disinfectant sitting heavy in the air. It cut through everything else, letting you know exactly where you were before you even saw the door.
The med room sat open. Waiting. I hit the doorway first. And stopped. Luda stood across the room by the window, hands folded behind his back like he had been there the whole time, just thinking. The low sunset's light poured in from outside, hitting him dead-on and bathing his entire frame in this soft reddish-golden glow.
My nigga looked... different. His green twisted locks were pulled back into a clean ponytail now, showing off his full face and those sharp, pointy ears. His posture was straight, relaxed, controlled—but underneath that? Something heavy now sat in him. His aura pressed against the room without even trying. Not loud. Not even flashy. Just there enough to make the air feel thicker.
At the edge of the bed, Roxy sat with her legs crossed, tail swaying slowly behind her. Her eyes didn't leave him for a second. The way she looked at him? That wasn't just loyalty. That shit carried devotion. Pure. Focused. And deeply hungry.
"I'm telling you, Roxy," he said, voice calm, almost amused, "this place looks like Talasi, mixed with something from Xiro's old world books. Comics, I think he called them."
I stepped in, leaning slightly against the doorframe.
"Well, you're more right than you would believe. I did get some ideas from them, and this is Talasi, my nigga."
Both of them turned. At the same time. And then they saw us. The doorway filled up quickly with faces he knew, people who had been waiting on him to wake up.
Danica didn't even hesitate. She pushed past everybody, straight into the room, tears already building as she rushed to Roxy and wrapped her up tight.
"Roxy! I'm happy you weren't reset. I was scared that big bro Luda wouldn't make it with the way his soul was looking."
Roxy stiffened a bit in her arms, tail flicking once.
"Danica... you're squeezing me too tightly."
"But I was worried, Roxy..."
Her grip didn't loosen much. While they had that moment, I kept my eyes on Luda. Really looking at him. There it was. That difference. His aura carried familiar weight now. Not just power—divine authority. The shit that came from something deeper than just mana. Something tied to the Outer Realm. If he let his control slip even a little, that pressure alone could fold a magickless creature without him lifting a finger.
"Damn, nigga," I said, stepping forward with a grin. "When did you become a God M-Cee? You look like you'll bench press a planet now."
He smirked slightly, eyes flicking over me.
"I guess we both had upgrades." His gaze lingered on my head. "When did your horns get slightly longer?"
I paused.
"My horns grew? When the hell did that happen?"
Alex snorted lightly behind me.
"Well, yeah. I thought you knew that. They've been that size since the fight with Orion. My Vessel Mark has remained this expanded as well."
Luda nodded once.
"I was going to ask about the white body art on your skin and face, Alex."
I waved it off.
"Anyways, you look pretty spry for a man almost dead ten days ago."
That made him blink.
"Ten days?" He flexed his arm slightly, watching the muscle respond. "Have I truly been out that long? That's crazy. I feel like a million coins."
Roxy finally slipped out of Danica's grip, smoothing herself out.
"You can let me go now, Danica. I'm fine. Besides, it's my Master whom you should have been worried about. I can only die if he does."
Danica wiped her face quickly.
"But worrying over his life is your job."
Kyttin crossed her arms with a small smile.
"No matter the location, Danica is always worried about Roxy's safety."
Karma leaned against the wall, watching both of them.
"Often, because they both are hot-headed and blind to their own troubles. That makes it easier for them to see others."
Roxy rolled her eyes.
"Ughh, one Omnia is a lot to deal with. Three of her has always been overkill."
Luda looked over them, taking everything in.
"I'm familiar with the Red Queen here. I'm sorry, I do not know the other two as well."
Kyttin stepped forward first.
"You can just call me Kyttin. Nice to see you again, Luda."
Chomei floated a little closer, smiling.
"Well, I'm the Blue Queen, but you can call me Chomei."
Karma pushed off the wall, arms crossing under her chest.
"I'm the Noir Empress, but Karma is much quicker."
Luda chuckled softly.
"Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet all of Xiro's girlfriends. Or should I say the halves of his main lady?"
Kyttin shrugged.
"Whatever you choose. Besides, Master is quite popular with the womenfolk."
I smirked.
"Blame my looks on genetics."
"I blame your big head." Kyttin rebutted with a playful smile.
Luda lifted a finger like he was keeping score.
"0-1, Kyttin."
Alex folded his arms.
"I blame your magickal strength. Women seem to like strong men, no matter how evil they look."
I shot him a look.
"Then that would explain a lot of women's sudden interest in you, huh?"
Luda lifted another finger.
"1-0, Xiro."
Alex shook his head.
"Damn, Xi. That's fair, my nigga."
I laughed.
That feeling? That back-and-forth took me straight back to the days we were training under Mom.
Chomei drifted closer to Luda, her eyes scanning his mana signature intensely.
"Speaking of magickal aura, Luda's now holds the same pressure that Xi's has."
She tilted her head slightly.
"So... he's truly become an Archon after his Lord Seed blossomed."
I nodded slowly.
"That would technically mean he's a Demon Lord as well. Since achieving the status requires you to have a Lord Seed and be at least S-Class."
Alex stepped forward, grinning.
"Hell yeah. We all got a Lord Seed from the labyrinth. And I know I'm SS-Class in combat rating now."
I crossed my arms, smirking.
"Yeah, we are a generation of new Demon Lords. What's even better is that we're mostly from one clan."
I glanced at Luda.
"You know Luda's honorary Mikazuki."
He nodded once.
"Not only that, we're Demon Lords who can actually kill the Trappers and free the planet from their grasp."
His eyes hardened slightly.
"I don't give a damn what Taurus said about it being a farm for them. This is our home."
Alex stepped in beside him.
"Hell yeah. I've been telling a few people about how we defeated two of them."
I sighed lightly.
"That explains why the talk about me suddenly increased. The people sure love their gossip."
Alex laughed.
"Well, compared to how much stronger we are since we've gotten back, folks have been praising us heavily."
Kimmi stepped forward, brows furrowed.
"Stronger? Being honest… I can't even sense Big Brother's signature or Luda's. It's just this phantom pressure around them both."
Alex tilted his head in confusion, his white dreadlocks falling with the head lean.
"You can't? I can, even though they both are near endless. Both have a tremendous weight that feels otherworldly."
Danica looked back at Alex.
"Since you have a Guardian Armament, you're already familiar with the sensation of God Qi. That's why."
Luda tilted his head.
"What's God Qi, Danica?"
She opened her mouth, then hesitated slightly.
"That's the stuff that separates the mana of Aeons and Archons from the watered-down mortal version."
Roxy added, calm and precise.
"It's the life energy created from true divinity."
Kimmi leaned toward Alex, bumping him lightly.
"Hey, Alex... what are they talking about?"
He scratched his head.
"I'm guessing this is their explanation. I'm still kind of confused."
Danica turned suddenly, grabbing Karma's hand.
"Big Sisters, could you all turn back into Omnia so she can do the big sis science thingy to explain it better?"
Karma blinked. Looked at Chomei. Chomei smiled.
Kyttin sighed, tossing her hands up. "Fine."
The three of them stepped closer together. Their bodies began to glow.
Soft motes of spiritons peeled off their forms, drifting into the air like glittering ash. The energy pulled inward, condensing into a sphere of Astral Mana that pulsed once—twice—
Then expanded. The room dimmed for half a second as Omnia stepped out.
Whole. Complete in her biodoll form. Her honey-brown skin shimmered under the room's light, cyan eyes glowing faintly as her monochrome aura wrapped around her like living smoke. Twin panther tails swayed behind her, fey wings fluttering with a steady hum of magitons. For the face of death, she was always stunning when I laid eyes on her.
The scent hit next. Sweet vanilla & jasmine. Sweet enough to linger. She brushed her hair off her shoulder and winked at me.
"Moonlight, did you miss me?"
I flashed my fangs.
"Welcome back, Lova."
She turned toward the room, posture shifting as she slipped into that teaching mode.
"To be honest, I didn't expect more than one of the Sonata Syns or Vyrtues to be this successful."
Her gaze moved across us.
"Yet Moonlight's growth and presence appear to be the catalyst for the others."
A small smile.
"I must say... I'm pleased with the outcome."
Danica tugged at her sleeve slightly.
"Big Sister, are you going to explain God Qi to everyone now?"
Omnia nodded.
"Sure."
Her eyes sharpened just a bit.
"Listen closely, this time."
Omnia reached out and rubbed the top of Danica's head again, slow and affectionate, before lifting her gaze to the rest of us. Her twin panther tails hovered behind her like they had their own awareness, swaying in smooth arcs while her fey wings kept that steady, delicate flutter. Each flap shook loose tiny clusters of magitons that sparkled in the air like drifting stardust, dissolving into nothing before they hit the ground. The room felt fuller with her there. More complete or something.
She inhaled softly, like she was organizing her thoughts.
"God Qi, or as it is sometimes called, God Particles, are a unique type of daton combination and quark collection that is made from the pleroma."
I didn't even let her finish the explanation.
"That's too nerdy for them. Dumb it down."
Kimmi raised her hand like she was in class, brows pulled together.
"What is a pleroma, Omnia?"
Omnia blinked once, then nodded.
"My apologies, Kimmi."
She shifted her stance slightly, wings slowing their flutter.
"The pleroma is the fullness of divinity. The power source of consciousness and life. The magickal source behind most mana and Ether. Think of it like the ocean that life came from."
Her voice carried smoothly, but there was a subtle weight behind it. The kind that made you feel like the words mattered beyond just the information she was giving.
"The pleroma was created by the combined forces of Khaos and Order. A result of their consummated union that gave birth to the very powers and abilities of every universe in the omniverse."
The room went quiet. You could feel it settling in. Roxy picked up from there, her tone more grounded.
"Aeons and Archons have Soul Frames made completely from the pleroma, giving them the divine strength to maintain the Prime Realms."
She uncrossed her legs, posture straightening just a bit.
"After becoming an Anima, we were given Soul Cores instead, yet we still kept our connection with the pleroma."
Danica perked up, raising a finger like she had something to add.
"I like having a Soul Core. Pops created them to allow for love."
She scrunched her nose slightly.
"Those stuffy Soul Frames don't accept the concept or truly allow it."
Roxy nodded in agreement.
"That's why we designed our cores to be phantoms of our selected Sonata Syn."
Omnia stepped forward slightly, reclaiming the floor.
"The Sonata Soul Cores are all created with multiple shards of the pleroma to power them."
Her eyes moved across each of us, lingering just a bit longer on me.
"They are specially designed to grow the shards' strength and connection as the cores mature and get stronger."
She paused. Then added—
"...All of them except Core Zero."
Yeah. I already knew what was coming. Still didn't make it any less awkward.
"His core is powered by something different," she continued, voice lowering slightly. "Like the original Abraxas, Xiro is powered by the primordial void."
Her gaze locked onto me.
"The kenoma."
And just like a sitcom cue hit the room everybody turned their heads toward me at the same time. All eyes. All questions. Like I was about to stand up and give a damn lecture on my own existence.
Alex scratched the back of his head, squinting.
"I gotta pull a Kimmi here. What the hell is the kenoma? And how is it different from the pleroma?"
Omnia answered without missing a beat.
"The Kenoma is the emptiness of divinity. The endless abyss of true death and nonexistence. And I mean empty like nothing was ever there." Her voice dropped just a little. "It is the magickal energy behind the dark manas and Nihility."
A faint shimmer passed through her aura as she spoke, like the concept itself brushed against reality.
"It is said to be behind the very concept of night and death and was the result of Xero's birth from Khaos after she attempted to kill herself."
That made Luda tilt his head.
"Why was a Primordial Godking suicidal?"
Omnia blinked.
"She wasn't. Khaos was just curious and random." A shrug followed. "Death didn't exist until that moment."
Alex let out a low whistle.
"So Xiro is powered by the void, essentially?"
Luda smirked.
"Seems consistent with Xiro's whole dark image theme."
I shot him a glare.
"You talking shit about my look? What's wrong with my drip?"
Kimmi leaned in, nudging me with her shoulder.
"You would look good in brighter colors, too, bro. You don't always have to dress so edgy."
I clutched my chest like she stabbed me.
"E'tu Kimmi? I'm wounded."
Omnia smiled softly, stepping just a little closer.
"You know I love you in your dark, moody designs and colors."
I waved it off.
"Gettin' back to it, what was the true purpose of the Sonata Cores?"
That question shifted the room. You could feel it. Like we stepped into deeper water without realizing how far it went.
Omnia's expression changed. Subtle. Serious.
"The Sonata Cores were created as a key to the revival of the Axions."
Luda's attention snapped tight at that word.
"Orion mentioned that word when Xi and I fused."
Alex nodded.
"That Xida guy was pretty cool. Not gon' lie."
Roxy immediately made a face.
"Disgusting, Grand. He was such a turn-off, only being half of my king."
Omnia gave a small nod.
"Agreed, Roxy. No one is better than my Moonlight."
Then she added—
"But Xida's existence was proof that the Sonata Cores were a success."
Roxy crossed her arms. "I was speaking about my Allegretto."
Alex leaned forward slightly. "So I gotta ask this, what exactly are Axions?"
Danica shot her hand up like she was excited to answer.
"Oooh, I know this one." She bounced a little on her heels. "They are Tru-Devils made from the same kenoma as the Archon of Night."
Omnia stepped in, expanding on it.
"The Original Archon of Night, Xero, was the first Axion." Her wings flared just slightly.
"A race of ascended beings known also as Tru-Devils. Gods of destruction who inhabited Infernia." Her voice deepened. "Beings of unbelievable might and magick."
The air felt colder. Conceptually.
"Due to them holding Soul Frames of Kenoma," she continued, "it gave them the strength to rival and bully many Archons in combat."
Her eyes dimmed just a little.
"Wiping out many universes during their time in the 1st Stellar Kingdom Cycle."
Roxy nodded, picking up the thread.
"I remember how Paradiso would often lose battles against them, since Axions couldn't be controlled with the Prime Realm System." Her tail flicked once. "Their natural existence level was the same as Seraphims."
I crossed my arms.
"So, did you hope to bring back Axions to destroy the universe?"
She answered quickly. "No—"
And for a split second? That felt reassuring.
Then she finished.
"I wanted them to destroy as many universes and timelines as possible if it meant one of them could kill Destini."
I dragged my hand down my face.
"Omnia, baby..."
Man, her hatred for her mom was different. Beyond surface-level. That shit ran deep. And she would burn everything if it meant getting her win.
Luda leaned forward slightly, thinking it through.
"Does that mean that I, Xiro, Alex, and Steez are going to reach the level of Xida's power if we keep getting stronger?"
Omnia nodded once. "Simply, yes."
Her gaze shifted across the room.
"Even Luvina can, as well as other Sonata Cores, theoretically."
I added on, tone a little more grounded.
"The Angels have known about the Sonata Cores' housing crazy potential for a long time now." My jaw tightened slightly. "They've been hunting, farming, and eating Sonata Cores to evolve into Muons."
Kimmi blinked.
"Is that like a holy cow or something?"
I snorted.
"You know, I made that same joke, Wu."
Danica shook her head.
"Kimmi, Muons are these scary-strong Angels that protect the Elohim of Paradiso."
Kimmi folded her arms confidently.
"It doesn't matter. Big bro can kick their ass."
Omnia smiled and stretched.
"You're right, Kimmi-boo. There's no one that Master cannot defeat."
Roxy stepped in, more grounded than the rest of them.
"Let's not forget that while big bro Moonlight is strong, it took the assistance of my Master to help him even beat Orion." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And that Dominion is still weaker than the Seraphims and Muons."
I cracked my neck.
"Not even the heavens can escape my wrath." My voice dropped just enough. "I'll kill every one of them."
Luda grinned.
"You damn right, my brother. The heavens need a forced regime change."
And just like that? The energy shifted again. Alex nodded. Omnia leaned closer. Kimmi beamed with pride. Their faith hit me all at once. Very heavy. Very addictive. The kind of support that made you feel like you really could run through the heavens and flip that whole shit upside down, effortlessly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Roxy watching us. Confused. Trying to piece together how Luda could look at me like that. How everybody else did too. She ain't know yet. But she would. That same dangerous faith? I held it for all of them, too.
As the conversation kept rolling, things shifted from surface-level understanding into something deeper. We weren't just talking about power anymore. The topic moved to why we were built the way we were, and who made sure we turned out like that. Omnia dropped that next piece of information calmly, like she wasn't casually rewriting how we viewed ourselves.
"Luda's Sonata Core was created with the unique essence of the Archon of Day... along with Roxy's most inner desires."
That sat in the room for a second. Then she added, "Very much similar to how my Moonlight's soul was created."
I leaned back slightly, letting that sink in. Knowing I wasn't the only one engineered for something beyond just survival? That hit different. We weren't just strong. We were designed. Purpose-built. And lowkey, I fucked with not being alone in that. Made what we had feel like we were brothers by more than just circumstance.
Danica leaned forward, eyes shining with that playful curiosity. "...And that's why Roxy is always looking at him with yearning eyes."
Roxy snapped her head toward her immediately, tail twitching.
"Hush, Danica. Master Allegretto doesn't want to hear about my desire for him."
Luda didn't even flinch. He smiled. Soft. Warm and relaxed.
"No, I don't mind."
His voice carried easy confidence as he folded his arms.
"Danica, do feel free to tell me more during our downtime."
Roxy froze. Then turned away fast, her face heating up as that blush crept across her cheeks.
"My king! Seriously?"
She covered part of her face with her hand, tail flicking sharply behind her like she was trying to swat the embarrassment away.
Danica giggled under her breath. "Will do. Hehehe."
I couldn't help but smile at that. Then I looked back at Omnia.
"Yo, Omni-baby, how did the first Archon of Day die?"
Her expression flattened just a bit.
"He was killed by Xero once he was separated from the pleroma during a destructive battle."
That answer hit colder than I expected. Luda caught the detail instantly.
"Separated? So, what half of him am I created from?"
Omnia's lips curved slightly, like she respected the question.
"Quite astute of you to pick up on that little detail."
She stepped a little closer, wings humming faintly.
"You are created from his vessel, as Destini stole away his magickal power."
Her gaze sharpened just a bit.
"While your current strength is all from your hard work alone, it is your Outer Realm potential that gives you the ability to house its growth."
Luda went quiet for a second. Processing it all. Then he let out a low breath.
"And here I thought life was more random with creation."
He looked down again. This time longer.
His eyes dipped slightly before lifting again.
"Seems as if I was constructed to be who I am."
Alex crossed his arms, leaning his weight to one side.
"Looks like everyone with a Sonata Core was created with some alternative expectations."
He glanced over at Danica. She immediately turned her head away, lips pursed as she started whistling like she wasn't just called out. That weak-ass fake whistle told me everything. She wasn't innocent either. A couple of us chuckled. The tension broke just enough to let the conversation breathe again. Luda turned his attention back toward the window, dusk brushing across his face as he looked out at Talasi.
Then he glanced back at me. Eyes sharp. "So, Xi, what happened to Talasi while I was sleeping?"
I shrugged slightly.
"Since I'm King and a Demon Lord now, I thought it was time for me to improve every aspect of life within my kingdom." I leaned back a bit, arms folding. "Somebody told me when I was younger that I shouldn't sit idle while my land crumbles."
That hit him. I saw the memory of his words refreshed on him. That flicker of recognition. He smiled.
"I'm proud of you, bro."
He nodded once, firm.
"I knew you would be a great king. You've even stepped into royalty with honorable intentions."
I rolled my neck slightly.
"The meetings get hella boring, sometimes."
That got a laugh out of him, low and knowing. Man had lived that life already as a prince. He knew exactly what I meant.
Alex had been quiet for a minute, studying Luda like he was trying to read something deeper. Then he finally spoke.
"Hey, Luda, what's it like being as strong as Xiro?"
Luda paused. Looked down at his hands. Flexed his fingers slowly. Then lifted his gaze back up.
"Truthfully, I'm still trying to understand if I really am."
He tilted his head slightly.
"So to find out, I would have to fight him."
A small grin formed.
"While I feel incredible pressure and force within. I don't really understand where it all came from."
Omnia stepped in smoothly.
"Just like Moonlight, Luda's Pure Lord Seed blossomed into a Pure Lord Lotus."
Her wings flared slightly as she spoke.
"That is the base cause of his new growth."
She turned slightly, addressing the room.
"Lord Lotuses are pleroma shards that allow the soul to produce ascended mana much easier and use divine magick."
Her gaze shifted to me briefly.
"The fact that it nearly mirrors Master Xiro's in output capability after almost shattering due to limit overload is something else entirely."
I lifted a hand.
"I can explain that part."
All eyes came back to me.
"During our time fused together, one of Luda's V-Skills triggered his [Dominus Avaritiae] and duplicated some of the data from my Soul Core."
I shrugged slightly.
"He also appeared to have duplicated my entire MP at the time, causing a skill of his named [Overcompensation] to strengthen him in reaction."
Silence. Then—
Everybody reacted at once. Eyes wide. Faces in disbelief. That kind of quiet shock that hit when the implications finally clicked. Luda really pulled some me type shit while we were fused. I couldn't even be mad at it.
Alex leaned forward slightly. "Can that Sonata Skill be that broken, for real?"
He shook his head.
"And here I thought yours was a cheat."
I smirked.
"I think it's more so a mental and belief thing."
I tapped my chest lightly.
"It only duplicates wealth and riches. Luda would have to view those parts of my soul as a wealth of mine, which would become a wealth of ours, since we were one person at the time."
Omnia nodded immediately.
"Under that belief, he would be abiding by the rule of his Sonata Skill while still acquiring what he truly desires."
I pointed at her.
"Correct."
Then added—
"He let imagination and belief outsmart the Prime Realm System."
Omnia's eyes lit up slightly.
"So those days when he was still unconscious were his Soul Core still tuning and aligning with the new magickal power settling within him."
I gave her a small nod.
"Correct, squared. Look at you, baby."
She smiled softly.
"Thank you, Master. I read the notes of Tsukuyomi's examination."
Luda paused again. Then let out a breath. Followed by a laugh that sounded half relieved, half nervous.
"Hahaha, sorry about that, Xi." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, I always wished I knew some things that you knew… but I didn't realize it was so embedded in my consciousness."
I waved it off with a grin.
"Don't feel bad. During our time fused, I learned a few of your tricks as well."
I tilted my head slightly.
"Let's just call it a trade."
Kimmi's head started bouncing between us like she was watching a tennis match. Back and forth. Back and forth. You could see the question building on her tongue before she even opened her mouth.
"Well..." she started slowly. "Which one of you is really the strongest?"
Luda's eyes flicked to me.
"That's something I'm a bit interested in, myself."
I cracked my knuckles.
"No sweat on finding out."
A grin spread across my face.
"I have a special room here in Castle Midnight where we can go for a quick spar."
I turned toward the door.
"Follow me."
Alex perked up instantly.
"Ain't no way I'm about to miss this. Let's go, Kimmi."
We moved quickly. Me. Luda. Alex. Kimmi. Out of the room in seconds. But behind us? They stayed.
Just for a moment.
Omnia glanced over at Roxy, a playful smirk creeping onto her lips.
"Roxy... how do you feel about Sonata Uno's success?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Do you like the man it produced?"
Roxy went quiet. Her gaze dropped to the back of her hand resting on her thigh. Her fingers curled slightly.
"I'm delighted, of course."
Her voice softened.
"It's just..." She hesitated. "...I didn't think I would find myself so attached to a newborn soul."
Her tail slowed. "I truly felt fear and concern during those moments where I thought he might die."
Omnia's expression softened just a bit.
"That's what the Lower Realm calls love."
She folded her arms.
"You aren't familiar with normally caring for others."
Danica leaned in, smiling extremely wide.
"It's intense, ain't it?"
She tapped her chest lightly.
"I feel it from Alex, often. These Gaians really do know how to express all forms of passion."
Roxy exhaled slowly.
She didn't answer right away.
"Still, they are so fragile compared to those born in the Outer Realms."
Her eyes flicked toward the doorway we left through.
"Even now, we're protected from erasure and reincarnation due to being Guardian Armaments."
Omnia's voice sharpened slightly.
"Then it's your job to keep him out of the Well of Souls."
Roxy nodded slowly.
"You know... when his core was breaking from the power overload..."
Her voice dropped.
"He kept subconsciously soothing my anxiety, telling me that he won't let anything happen to me."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"All while he was in unbearable pain."
A breath.
"I felt almost helpless as I watched."
Danica clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling.
"Oooohhh, how romantic."
She leaned in closer.
"It's shocking to hear you were so concerned about another. You've only ever respected success and greed."
Omnia smirked.
"That's because Allegretto is the man of her dreams."
She glanced at Roxy.
"She helped design his core with everything she found attractive in life."
Roxy looked away again, flustered.
"Still, there was no way of knowing he would turn out to be such a perfect man."
She shook her head lightly.
"Mortals born in the Lower Realms tend to suffer from Sophia's Flaw."
Danica nodded quickly.
"Big sis Omnia said that while she was wielding Jerrica's magick, there would be a much lower chance of Sophia's Flaw happening."
Omnia clicked her tongue softly.
"She wasn't listening, Danica."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's why her core is racing with new emotions."
Then she added—
"Just wait until she and Allegretto have sex."
Danica lit up.
"Oh yeah! She's going to really enjoy that."
She placed her hands on her hips proudly.
"I know I do with Alex."
Roxy froze, completely.
"Sex?"
Her head snapped toward them.
"Wait a moment... Are you saying that you've... bonded with the flesh?"
Danica nodded like it was nothing.
"Yep. Even twice before coming here."
Omnia smiled, completely unbothered.
"I, as well, have drained my Master dry for the day."
Roxy's eyes widened.
"E'tu Omnia?"
The two of them just giggled together. Like they were sharing some secret club she hadn't been invited to yet. Roxy sat there. Processing. Thinking it over and over. Feeling something new twist up inside her chest. It was easy to see she wasn't gonna stay behind on that part for long.
In a neighboring section of the keep, I led Luda, Alex, and Kimmi into one of my favorite flexes in the entire castle. My dojo. I couldn't wait to show that bitch off. The moment the doors slid open, that smell hit first. Blackwood & jasmine.
Warm, rich, and clean at the same time. The sweet kind of scent that sat in your lungs and made your body feel ready before you even moved. The polished floor stretched out wide in front of us, smooth enough to reflect the rune-powered lights above. Those bulbs hummed quietly, casting a soft glow that made everything feel balanced.
Centered on the far wall hung our clan's flag. Purple crescent moon with the white outline. Black background. Clean white stripes running beneath it like a signature. That symbol carried weight in Velonica.
And under it? A vase. Three sets of roses—red, blue, and midnight—resting in a perfect arrangement. Kimmi darted ahead immediately, golden eyes wide as she bounced over to the flowers.
"That's nice, bro. You have roses in here."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You sure do love things in 3, huh?"
Alex stepped in behind her, kicking off his shoes like he already knew what time it was.
"He showed me this earlier."
He rolled his foot against the floor, testing it.
"The floors here feel great on your bare feet. So smooth and waxed."
Luda stepped in last, turning slowly as he took everything in.
"This is really dope, Xi."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the space.
"I feel like it's much bigger inside than it appears outside."
I smirked.
"That's because it's a grower, not a show-er."
He didn't miss a beat.
"Eh, sounds like excuses to tell the women when you're embarrassed about the appearance."
Alex clapped once.
"1-0, Luda."
I laughed, shaking my head.
"Hahahaha. Fuck you."
I stepped toward the center of the floor, rolling my shoulders.
"Anyways, this place is designed to handle me at my full power, even when raging and shit."
I turned back toward him.
"So you'll be fine to go all out if we want without worrying about collateral damage."
That did it. Luda's smile widened just enough to show he was locked in. He started stretching his left shoulder, rolling it slowly as he followed me to the center. His Bio Mana began to stir under his skin, faint golden currents tracing along his arms and neck.
Behind us, Alex guided Kimmi to the sideline. He pointed toward the outer ring, where faint layers of transparent barriers shimmered like heat waves.
"Xi set this up so nothing spills out and hits those watching." He tapped the air lightly, showing her the resistance. "Projectiles, pressure, heat—all of it gets contained inside the ring."
Kimmi nodded, impressed.
"That's fire."
A flash of Quantum Mana cracked beside them. Then Spatial Mana folded inward. Three figures stepped out as the energy dispersed. Omnia, Danica, and Roxy.
They didn't waste time. They took their spots like it was a front-row seat to something they'd been waiting on. Danica leaned forward immediately.
"I'm rooting for the both of y'all!"
Roxy crossed her arms, eyes locked on Luda. "Go, my king."
Omnia didn't say anything. She just watched me. Smiling.
Back in the center, Luda and I faced each other. Our auras started to rise naturally, no forcing it. Mine burned indigo—deep, cosmic, threaded with streaks of dark light that bent the space around it. His? Golden. Bright. Solar-based. The kind of glow that made everything around it look like it was being lit from the inside out. Micro lightning popped around us—small arcs of charged magick snapping and fading in the air as our Bio Mana surged through our circuits.
Adrenaline kicked in. Heavy. That familiar itch under the skin.
"Even if this is for fun," he said, lifting his face cowl up to cover his mouth, "be sure to hit me hard enough that I can feel it."
I cracked my neck once.
"As strong as you feel now, only a fool would completely pull his punches with you."
We settled into our stances. Subtle shifts of our feet. Weight distribution. Eyes locked. No countdown. No signal. We instantly moved. Our right fists slammed into each other's faces at the exact same moment. The impact alone could've shattered an island. Knuckles pressed deep into cheeks. Shockwave exploded outward. We both smiled.
Before the air even finished rippling from that first hit, we were already moving again. Three hundred exchanges within that second. Kicks snapped into shins, sending vibrations up our legs. Elbows crashed into forearms, blocks redirecting force with precision.
My elbow caught his guard—barely.
Fists hammered into ribs, shoulders, jawlines—each hit landing with enough power to cave structures if they weren't contained. Booms cracked through the dojo with every collision, pockets of air bursting like explosives around us. Our speed climbed. We got faster. Sharper. Attacks got cleaner.
On the sidelines, everybody leaned in. Except Kimmi.
"This sucks," she groaned, squinting. "All I hear is noise. I can't even see them moving or nothin'."
Omnia stepped behind her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.
"Having sight problems, huh?" Her cyan eyes glowed faintly. "Let me assist, Kimmi-boo."
Her gaze shifted.
"[Pawprints & Dreams]." Her irises split into that familiar triune—crimson, cerulean, indigo. Then—
"Extend and share, [Kaleidoscope Eyes]."
Kimmi gasped. Her vision shifted instantly. Her golden eyes fractured into rings of her own gankyril with three shades of blue—cobalt, navy, periwinkle. The world opened up. Movement slowed. Colors deepened. She could see more than she ever could before.
"Wooaahh," she breathed. "This is really cool. I can see everything."
She grinned, her lips stretching wide. "Thanks a lot, Omnia."
Back in the ring, our fists collided again. This time, the impact ignited the air. Sparks of fire snapped outward, dancing across the space between us before fading. I pivoted, swinging a roundhouse toward his head. My heel cut through the air fast enough to split pressure lines.
But he ducked. A clean miss. His hands shot out, grabbing my leg. And then—
I was airborne. He lifted me like I weighed nothing, arm fully extended. At the peak, I chopped down at his wrist.
Crack.
The grip broke. I flipped forward, rotating mid-air. Came down with a kick straight to his back. The impact slapped as he slid forward across the floor, boots skidding against polished wood. He didn't stop or waste a moment. He turned instantly, palms already gathering mana. Flames sparked to life. Growing and condensing with raging heat.
"Fire Mana Arts: Cardinal Embracement!"
The inferno erupted. A massive wave of red-orange fire roared toward me, heat rolling off it strong enough to melt steel like wax. I raised my hand. Calm.
Focusing my affinity while manipulating hydrogen atoms in the air. Heat slammed into my skin again—then vanished.
"Water Mana Arts: Moonlight Bubbles."
A sphere of clear liquid formed in front of me, then—It burst. Hundreds of bubbles expanded outward, creating a shimmering wall. The flames slammed into it.
HISS—
Steam exploded outward, thick mist swallowing the space as fire dispersed into nothing. Luda still didn't stop. He was already forming hand signs. A clone of his launched upward in the air, Solar Mana forming into a blazing sword in its grasp. The light from it was blinding—like staring straight into the sun.
Too obvious. I raised my hand as my [Danger Sense] rang in the back of my thoughts.
"Got you."
[Love/Hate] locked in. Magnetic force snapped around him mid-air. He froze. I gathered photons & magitons into my free palm, Lunar Mana was the result—
"Art of Xirotation: Lunar Gale Slash!"
The crescent wave launched.
BOOM.
It struck. Exploded. The clone shattered in a burst of mana—light breaking it apart like glass.
Behind me, a presence appeared. Sharp as hell. Fast as fuck. Suddenly, mana pierced through my back. Divinity Mana surged through in the form of a blade as it pushed clean through my torso.
Black blood sprayed outward, staining the steam.
"Oh shit," Alex blurted. "He actually landed a clear blow on Xiro."
"Go, my king!" Roxy shouted. "Show Moonlight who's the better Syn!"
Omnia folded her arms.
"Hmmph."
I turned my head slowly.
Looking back at him over my shoulder.
"No barrier?" he said, surprised. "I was expecting your defense to stop this."
I didn't answer. My body dissolved. Wind Mana scattered into the air.
"A fake, also?" Roxy muttered.
"Of course," Alex said, grinning. "These two are strategic geniuses. Each one is trying to think ahead of the other."
Luda scanned the room.
Fast and precise. Yet, he didn't panic. He suddenly stopped. Closed his eyes. Focused. Mana started to condense behind his right eye. A singularity started forming.
"With the empyreal sight of the sun—[Eye of Ra]."
His eye opened glowing vermillion. He swiftly looked down. His shadow rippled a darker presence.
"Duh. You've been here the whole time."
He raised his blade. Stabbed downward into his own shadow. Earth Mana and Divinity Mana surged into the weapon.
"Divine Earth Mana Arts: Landon's Retri—"
I burst out of his shadow before he finished. He canceled the spell instantly.
I landed eight meters away. Grinning from the joy I was experiencing.
"You know, that new strength of yours is the real deal."
I rolled my shoulders.
"This is hella fun, my nigga."
He adjusted his grip.
"I'm still not over why you aren't using your full defenses."
His eyes narrowed.
"Where is that dimensional barrier that makes you impossible to hit? Where are the armor defenses?"
I shrugged.
"Turned off," I smirked. "I'm having fun, so they aren't needed."
His grin sharpened. "Well... There was one more thing I learned from our time as Xida."
He extended his arm. Spiritons gathered as a weapon formed. A familiar double axe, the Meridian Goddess. Well, the Spirit Weapon copy. He spun it once.
Then—
Drove the blade straight into his own chest. No hesitation. No pain.
Suddenly, tremendous energy exploded outward.
"Journey of the Midnoon Sun—[Trance: Ra-Horakhty]."
"...Motherfucka," I murmured.
The pressure hit. Hard. Violent as fuck. The entire dojo shook. All walls trembled. The air around us compressed and dropped. Then exploded. And beyond that—
The city felt it. My grin widened into its devilish state. This motherfucka had learned the true first step into Nirvana. This nigga had learned Trance. This wasn't a spar anymore.
[End of Chapter]
[1] May on Earth