The KOF XIII finals finally began amid an atmosphere of crushing tension.
The ultimate battle would be fought between the "Destiny Team" of Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and Elisabeth, against the "Protagonist Team" of Ash and his two mysterious teammates.
However, just as the announcer prepared to start the match—
The entire stadium plunged into dead silence.
All lights, all sound—gone in an instant.
Time itself seemed to hit the "pause button."
Everyone present—whether competitors on stage or spectators in the stands—felt their bodies forcibly "frozen" by an irresistible force from a higher dimension!
They could think, see, hear—but couldn't move!
Like video game characters suddenly hit with a "global stun" debuff by a GM!
"This... this is..."
"Mukai... no! Ten thousand times more terrifying than Mukai!"
Intense despair and dread flooded everyone's hearts.
Then, at the stadium's center, in that empty arena—
Space began to violently twist and fold like ripples on water.
Finally, an enormous white temporal gate composed of countless rotating gear-runes slowly opened.
Beyond the gate lay endless void—a nothingness that seemed capable of swallowing even light.
Then figures slowly emerged from that void.
Leading them were those once-arrogant cadres of Those From the Past.
But now they stood like the most humble servants, lined respectfully on either side, heads bowed, not even daring to breathe loudly.
As if awaiting their "King."
Finally, a figure slowly stepped out from that pure white void.
He appeared human.
A youth bearing seven or eight parts resemblance to Ash, with the same wild flowing hair.
Bare-chested, his skin pale to the point of sickly, wearing pants of the same fashionable style as Ash.
His face bore a smile identical to Ash's—lazy yet contemptuous.
This was the King of Those From the Past.
A terrifying monster wielding the power to control time—Saiki!
The moment he appeared, everyone present felt their very "lives" seized by an invisible hand.
It was absolute rule-based suppression transcending all power systems!
If Orochi was the embodiment of "Earth's Will," representing "nature" and "destruction"—
Then Saiki was the manifestation of the "River of Time," representing "the past" and "the end"!
He was a "god" in the truest sense!
"Heh heh..." Saiki's gaze swept over the statue-like "mortals" below, letting out a laugh eerily similar to Ash's.
"So these are... this era's strongest?"
"Truly... so weak I can't even muster the desire to destroy them."
His voice wasn't loud, yet resonated clearly in everyone's soul, filled with the arrogance and disdain of one who viewed all things as insects.
He slowly raised his hand and casually snapped his fingers.
"Time Reversal."
The next second, an unbelievable scene unfolded!
Everyone present watched in horror as their bodies began "rewinding" beyond their control!
The flames on Kyo's body went from roaring blaze to flickering sparks, then extinguished entirely.
Iori's fully-charged fist slowly unclenched.
Terry's signature cap flew up from the ground and placed itself back on his head.
Everyone's movements were "playing backwards" in defiance of physics!
They had become images in a videotape, with Saiki holding the "remote control," pressing "rewind"!
This was the power of the God of Time!
Before "time," all power, all technique—utterly meaningless!
Because he could keep you perpetually frozen in "before the strike"!
"Well? Do you enjoy this little entertainment?" Saiki admired everyone's expressions of utter terror, his smile growing more amused.
He turned his gaze to the green-haired youth frozen in place, eyes filled with complex struggle—Ash.
"Ash." His voice became a demon's whisper. "My descendant."
"You betrayed me."
"Not only did you fail to bring back the divine artifacts, you even tried to absorb their power to resist me?"
"You really are... a disobedient, bad child."
With that, he extended his hand, and an invisible "time force" instantly enveloped Ash!
"AAAHHH——!!!"
Ash screamed in agony!
The divine artifact within him—the power of the Yasakani Magatama—was being forcibly ripped from his very soul by Saiki!
Then Saiki turned his gaze to the horrified Kyo Kusanagi.
"And you, descendant of Kusanagi."
"Your sword should be offered to me as well."
The Kusanagi Sword's power began draining uncontrollably from Kyo's body!
The world seemed to have reached its final apocalypse.
Just when all hope seemed lost, when everyone thought everything was about to end—
A lazy voice utterly "out of place" with the moment suddenly rang through the frozen space-time.
"Hey, buddy."
"Showing up is one thing, but did you really need to mute the whole place AND make everyone stand at attention? Don't you think that's a bit disrespectful to us audience members?"
"Also, is that outfit a couple's look with the white-haired kid?"
"Most importantly..."
"You're bullying my brother-in-law right in front of me..."
"Did you ask permission from me, the Earth Supreme Commander?!"
With those words, that "Time Lock" force covering everyone—that seemingly irresistible power like the "Heavenly Dao" itself—
CRACK—shattered like glass.
Everyone was free again.
...
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