Chapter 3: The Truth of War
Far beyond the human world stood the Time Center, the home of the Blue Team.
A man known as Blue A rushed into the throne room and knelt before the God of Time, Bibek.
"My Lord, we finally found hope."
Bibek slowly opened his glowing blue eyes.
"What is it?"
Blue A smiled.
"James... the legendary warrior... is alive."
For a moment, the room became silent.
"So, after one hundred years..." Bibek whispered. "Our strongest warrior has finally returned."
He stood up from his throne.
"But what about Saku?"
Blue A lowered his head.
"We're still searching for him."
Bibek nodded.
"Prepare the Blue Team."
Blue particles surrounded his body as a magical staff appeared in his hand.
"The war is about to begin."
Meanwhile, at Siya's house...
Arashio was still thinking about her words.
"So... James isn't a Monster Soul?"
Before Siya could answer—
BOOM!!
A loud explosion echoed outside.
Four people entered the yard.
Luca.
Bacon.
Indra.
And Zealois.
Luca smiled.
"Siya, is it true? You're leaving the Blue Team?"
Siya nodded.
"I want to live peacefully."
"And I want to protect Arashio."
Bacon looked at Arashio.
"This boy?"
"Yes," Siya replied confidently. "He's much stronger than he thinks."
Arashio quickly shook his head.
"N-No, I'm not."
Indra laughed.
"Then prove it."
"Fight me."
Arashio became nervous.
"I'll lose..."
Siya walked beside him and smiled.
"Trust yourself."
"And trust James."
Far away, inside the Nature Center, a man named Red A stood before the God of Nature, Biyan.
"My Lord, we've found Saku."
Biyan smiled.
"Excellent."
"Our strongest warrior has awakened."
Red energy exploded around him as a black-and-red scythe appeared in his hand.
"Prepare the Nature Army."
"The final war is coming."
Back at the Blue Team Arena...
Indra stepped forward.
"Let's begin."
He raised both hands.
"Water Turbine!"
A giant tornado of water rushed toward Arashio.
BOOM!!
Arashio barely dodged it.
"Not bad," Indra said.
"But try this."
"Water Smash!"
A massive wave crashed into Arashio and sent him flying across the arena.
He struggled to stand.
Inside his mind, he shouted,
"James!"
"Please help me!"
But there was no answer.
Indra sighed.
"If you won't use your real power..."
"This fight is over."
A magic circle appeared beneath him.
"I summon you..."
"Blue Whale!"
A gigantic whale rose from the water.
"Water Beam!"
The whale gathered all the water into its mouth before firing a devastating beam.
BOOOOOOM!!
The blast hit Arashio directly.
Smoke covered the arena.
When it disappeared...
Arashio lay motionless on the ground.
"I..."
"I failed..."
Indra turned around.
"The battle is over."
Suddenly...
A blue spark appeared.
Crackle...
Crackle...
Blue flames surrounded Arashio.
The ground shook.
The sky turned dark.
Everyone stepped back.
Zealois whispered,
"That aura..."
"It's James."
Arashio slowly stood up.
His eyes glowed Neon Blue.
When he spoke...
It was James' voice.
"Now..."
"My turn."
In an instant—
He disappeared.
BOOM!!
James appeared in front of Indra and grabbed his neck.
Before anyone could react...
He teleported thousands of meters into the sky.
Indra's eyes widened.
"W-What?!"
James looked down at the arena.
"Sleep."
SMASH!!
He slammed Indra into the ground with terrifying force.
The entire arena cracked apart.
Dust covered the battlefield.
As the blue aura faded away, Arashio collapsed unconscious.
"Arashio!"
Siya quickly caught him before he hit the ground.
Luca called an ambulance while Bacon and Zealois stared at the destroyed arena.
"James really came back..." Bacon whispered.
Later that night, everyone gathered inside Siya's house.
Luca looked at Siya.
"I think Arashio should join the Blue Team."
Siya slowly shook her head.
"Not yet."
"He still can't control James."
"If the world learns James has returned..."
She looked out the window.
"The Dragon King..."
"The Shadow King..."
"And every SS-Rank enemy..."
"They'll all come after him."
The room fell silent.
Outside, dark clouds slowly covered the moon.
The war between the Blue Team and the Nature Team...
Had finally begun.
To Be Continued...