!!! PLANETARY BROADCAST ALERT !!!
The calm voice of a woman echoed through every television, radio, phone, and digital device across the galaxy.
Planetary broadcasts were exceedingly rare. They were reserved only for events so significant that every inhabited world had to be informed.
"Greetings to all citizens of the Galaxy. We interrupt your scheduled programming to report on the recent terrorist attack that took place on Planet Nitchtron, in Darant City."
As she spoke, images of the devastated city filled the screens. Entire districts had been reduced to rubble, streets were stained with blood, emergency crews searched through collapsed buildings, and civilians wandered aimlessly through the ruins.
"The attack resulted in the destruction of approximately thirty-seven percent of the city's eastern district. Current reports confirm six hundred and eighty fatalities, while another one hundred and twenty-eight victims remain in critical condition."
Silence followed for a brief moment before the footage changed. The images became harder to watch.
Bodies.
Fire.
Collapsed buildings.
Children being carried away by rescue workers.
The scale of the tragedy left countless viewers speechless.
"It has now been one week since the incident. After concluding the initial investigation, authorities have authorized the release of the following information."
The screen displayed the face of a Nitchtronian man.
Accix Toxis.
"The individual identified as the principal architect behind this incident is Accix Toxis, a councilor of Nitchtron's Capitol Council. According to official reports, Accix secretly collaborated with a previously unknown Demon faction known as the Ancients."
Images of the hidden fortress appeared across the screen before shifting to laboratories and the remains of the destroyed facility.
"The Ancients had been conducting illegal research involving Stardust enhancement technology. Their objective was the creation of an army of artificially empowered soldiers capable of securing Nitchtron's dominance over the galaxy."
The report continued.
"Evidence also confirms that the Ancients entered into an alliance with the Earth-based Demon faction known as the Red Moon Clan. However, according to Accix's testimony, that alliance ultimately collapsed when members of the Red Moon turned against them, triggering the catastrophe that unfolded in Darant City."
The footage changed once again.
This time...
It showed Rumbler.
The giant appeared on the screen, leveling buildings with overwhelming force while terrified civilians fled through the streets.
"The widespread destruction was caused primarily by the Earth-born Fighter known as Rumbler, a respected Seraphim who was abducted and subjected to illegal experimentation."
The next images revealed the mysterious artifact recovered during the investigation.
"Authorities believe the Ancients transformed Rumbler into a living weapon through the use of the prohibited Stardust enhancement artifact. The same artifact is believed to possess enough power to rival even the Archangels. Although investigators later discovered the Ancients' fortress, it had already been destroyed, leaving almost no evidence behind."
The screen darkened.
Then two new faces appeared.
Kayo.
Followed by another figure standing amid smoke beneath the evening sky.
Crimson eyes.
A gaze devoid of hesitation.
The camera slowly zoomed in.
"Authorities have identified both individuals as members of the Red Moon Clan."
"The Prodigy of the Red moon clan.
"Kayo Tenson..."
His profile remained on screen for only a moment before Levi's image replaced it.
"...and the Seventh Blade of the Red Moon."
The reporter paused.
"As confirmed by Earth authorities..."
"His name is..."
A brief silence settled across every screen in the galaxy.
"Levi."
"...better known as..."
"The Wrath Boy."
The name lingered across every screen for a brief moment, leaving an uneasy silence in homes, restaurants, workplaces, and city streets throughout the galaxy.
"Unfortunately, despite the arrival of Nitchtron's Archangel, Ragnor, the Red Moon Clan successfully escaped the planet. Their current whereabouts remain unknown."
The images shifted one final time, showing the ruins of the Ancients' fortress.
"As for the Ancients, authorities have been unable to determine whether any members survived the destruction of their headquarters. The investigation remains ongoing."
The broadcaster's tone remained calm, though the gravity of her words was unmistakable.
"The incident has sparked widespread unrest across the galaxy. Social media platforms have become flooded with debate, public demonstrations have erupted on multiple planets, and political tensions continue to rise as both Humans and Nitchtronians seek to place responsibility for the tragedy upon one another."
She lowered her head slightly.
"This concludes our planetary broadcast."
"Thank you for your attention."
"And stay safe."
—
The screens faded to black.
Inside a luxurious conference chamber, the leaders of the galaxy's most influential planets remained seated around a circular table, each having watched the broadcast without interruption.
Commander-in-Chief Benson — Planet Earth.
Eczys Floo — Planet Nitchtron.
Tryon Doom — Planet Noon.
Diane Blizz — Planet Aequor.
Lynne Taraa — Planet TaQua.
Vic Feline — Planet Ferryx.
Jordeal Tanned — Planet Luve.
Jordeal broke the silence.
"So... is this why you gathered us here, Benson?"
"It's one of the reasons," Benson replied. "The attack on Nitchtron is no longer a Nitchtron problem. Every planet represented here will deal with its consequences."
Diane nodded.
"I agree. But Earth still bears responsibility. Had Rumbler never fallen into enemy hands, none of this would've happened."
"Neither would it have happened if the artifacts hadn't spread in the first place."
Lynne turned toward Eczys.
"That operation existed under your own government, and the man behind it sat on your Capitol Council."
Eczys met her gaze.
"You're right."
The direct admission caught several of them off guard.
"Accix used his position to control the investigation. Every lead pointing toward the operation disappeared before it reached the people responsible for stopping it. We failed to uncover the truth until it was too late."
He folded his hands.
"Nitchtron accepts responsibility for that failure, and we'll commit every resource necessary to recovering every remaining artifact."
No one spoke.
Benson looked around the table.
"We've established responsibility."
His voice remained calm.
"Rumbler is back under Earth's protection. Accix is dead. The Ancients are gone. Arguing over what can't be changed won't prevent what's coming next."
The room's attention shifted back to him.
"There is another matter. One that should command our absolute attention."
He nodded toward Eczys.
The Nitchtronian leader placed a small device on the table. A holographic display rose into the air, filling the room with intercepted communications, financial transactions, surveillance photographs, and classified reports.
"This information was sent to me by Accix shortly before his capture," Eczys explained. "Once the Ancients' plan collapsed, he chose to reveal everything he knew."
The reports disappeared.
A single file remained.
The Heart of God.
Tryon frowned.
"I've heard stories about it my entire life."
"So have I," Vic said. "I've never seen a single piece of evidence it existed."
"It's real," Benson said.
There was no emphasis in his voice.
Only certainty.
Vic looked toward him.
"What convinced you?"
Eczys enlarged another document.
"Accix discovered that Casa Nostra had acquired it."
Another page appeared beside it.
"They intend to auction it."
Nobody spoke immediately.
Jordeal was the first to break the silence.
"If that's true, why send the information to you?"
"I've asked myself the same question."
Eczys glanced at the report before answering.
"My conclusion is simple. He knew he'd already lost. Exposing Casa Nostra was the only way he could keep the Heart of God out of someone else's hands."
No one seemed eager to disagree.
Benson stepped forward.
"We've spent decades dismantling Casa Nostra's operations. We've shut down their businesses, arrested their members, and seized their assets."
He looked around the room.
"They're still here."
"And if this report is accurate, they're preparing to sell the single most dangerous relic ever discovered."
The room grew noticeably more serious.
Diane leaned forward.
"So what's the plan?"
Tryon expanded another section of the recovered files.
A single number appeared.
[41086]
He studied it quietly.
"Forty-one thousand."
He looked up.
"This isn't a private transaction. It's a guest count."
His hand swept across a map projected beside the report.
"A gathering of this size limits their options. The venue has to accommodate thousands of attendees while remaining secure enough to host the most dangerous criminal organizations in the galaxy."
Vic considered the map.
"And once we find it?"
"We strike before the auction begins."
Tryon answered without hesitation.
"I recommend four Archangels, supported by each planet's Tier A and Tier B Seraphims, with Guardian Fighters and military support securing the perimeter. It gives us overwhelming force without stripping every planet of its strongest defenders."
Vic remained unconvinced.
"That's a considerable commitment."
"It is," Benson agreed. "But Casa Nostra is bringing every major buyer into one place. We may never have another opportunity like this."
This time, no one argued.
One by one, the leaders nodded.
Jordeal leaned back in his chair.
"Then everything depends on finding the auction."
"It does," Benson replied.
"And fortunately..."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"...I already know the man who can find it."
The discussion shifted toward logistics, timelines, and contingency plans, but Benson's attention had already drifted elsewhere.
Only one name occupied his thoughts.
Mahone.