The Earth's skies were calm—too calm.
Ken stepped through the shimmering portal, his boots touching familiar soil once more. For a moment, the world felt peaceful. Then, the portal rippled behind him… and Rex emerged. His cloak fluttered in the wind, his gaze sharp.
"Well done, Ken," Rex said, his voice deep and steady. "But don't let that victory blind you. A greater threat is already on its way."
Ken's expression tightened. "The Dark Dragon…"
"He has sensed your power," Rex continued, "and he is sending his army here to burn Earth to ashes."
Ken exhaled, the weight settling on his shoulders. "I haven't even mastered the Sword and Ring together yet."
Rex stepped closer, his eyes like steel. "In war, mastery is a luxury. Survival is a necessity. Strategy wins battles—not perfection."
Ken gave a small nod. "Alright… but what about Earth?"
"You still have time before the attack begins," Rex said. "Warn your allies. Hide the civilians. And prepare yourself."
Ken's jaw set. "Then I'm going to see my friends. I've been gone too long. For me, it's been days—maybe weeks. For them, it's been hours."
---
Moments later…
Ken stood before Lana and Art. "An attack is coming in a few days. We have to be ready."
Lana's eyes widened. "Ken… we're just normal people. What can we even do?"
Ken smiled faintly. "Then I'll make you more than that. I'll leave elemental duplicates here—each one wielding a different element. And I can channel my power into weapons so anyone can fight."
Art glanced at him with a smirk that didn't quite hide the worry in his eyes. "Fine. But just promise me one thing…"
Ken tilted his head. "What?"
Art's smile softened. "Come back. And don't die. We still have games to play."
Ken chuckled quietly. "Yeah… I'm not leaving you hanging."
As Ken worked, forging elemental-infused blades and summoning his duplicates, a figure in the shadows watched—Zevan. His eyes glimmered with disbelief at what he was seeing.
He stepped forward. "That… power…"
Ken's head snapped toward him, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Out of everyone, it had to be you. If you value your life, you'll tell no one."
A crack of lightning split the air as Ken unleashed a burst of elemental energy, scorching the ground between them.
Zevan flinched back. "…Alright. I won't tell. I'll even help your friends protect the city."
Ken gave him a cold nod. "Good."
---
Before leaving, Ken visited his mother. He hugged her tightly. "Be safe. When I come back… I'll have a surprise for you."
Then he returned to Rex.
"All preparations are done," Ken reported.
"Good," Rex replied. "I've placed a protective barrier around Earth. It will hold for a while—but not forever." His voice dropped to a grave tone. "Now, it's time for you to go to the one place the Dark Dragon will not expect—his home. The Dark Dimension."
Ken's brow furrowed. "The Dark Dimension…"
Rex's voice lowered even more, as if speaking of them summoned their presence. "It is a place where light is swallowed whole. Where the very air remembers every scream. And it is guarded by four beings… not mere dragons, but weapons. The Dragon of Devil—whose flames burn the soul. The Dragon of Void—who devours reality. The Dragon of End—whose breath stops time itself. And the Dragon of Death—whose shadow rots everything it touches. These… are his Elite Dragons."
Ken's grip on his sword tightened. "Then I'll strike before his army reaches Earth."
"And Earth?" Rex asked with a knowing smirk.
Ken's eyes lit up. "Lexus." He summoned the warrior through the ring's power.
"The Dark Dragon's army is coming," Ken told him. "Defend Earth until I return."
"I will," Lexus promised without hesitation.
---
Rex extended his hand, and a swirling black portal opened before them. "Go."
Ken stepped through—and was instantly swallowed by a crushing wave of darkness. The air was thick, almost liquid, pressing against his skin. The ground crunched under his boots, made of cracked obsidian laced with rivers of glowing crimson.
The wind carried whispers—low, broken voices speaking in a language older than worlds. In the distance, the Dark Dragon's castle loomed like a jagged fang against the black sky.
Ken moved forward. The shadows shifted unnaturally, almost avoiding him… almost watching. The first wave of creatures attacked—twisted, snarling, with eyes like molten coals. His blade danced, cutting them down one after another.
But with every creature slain, the air grew heavier.
Then, the ground trembled—not from his steps, but from something vast moving ahead.
A deep rumble tore through the silence. The mist parted.
Four titanic shapes emerged. One was crimson and radiated heat like a burning star. Another was a void in the shape of a dragon, its edges dissolving into nothing. The third carried horns and spines like a crown forged at the end of time. The last was wrapped in an aura so cold, so lifeless, that the ground withered under its claws.
"We are the Elite Dragons," they thundered. "The Dark Dragon's chosen creations. We destroyed the elemental dragons in Infinity. You will be no different."
Ken's lips curved into a smirk. "We'll see about that." He pulled out the Dragon Stone, and light erupted from it. Four elemental dragons materialized in a storm of energy, their roars shaking the sky.
As the titans clashed, Ken pushed forward toward the castle.
The massive gates creaked open.
Inside, the air was colder. A single figure stood in the shadows of the throne room.
The voice was deep. Familiar.
"Son… did you come to save me?"
Ken's heart skipped a beat.
"…Father?"