The battlefield had quieted. After the storm, silence reigned.
A carriage rolled through the fractured land, drawn by golden beasts whose steps left trails of light. The door opened gently, and from its shadow emerged a figure wrapped in imperial robes of black and crimson.
Lord Emperor Ryujin Akagiri had arrived.
He took a single step forward, his boots pressing into scorched soil.
Then he lifted his eyes to face the three warriors standing nearby.
"Look at this..." he said calmly. "I finally get the chance to meet you three. RYŪ — Beyond the End. NECROS — God of Death. JACK — The Unblessed Legend."
A pause.
"Truthfully, I like your titles more than I like you."
None of them replied.
Because all three were thinking the same thing.
> Ryujin Akagiri… Lord Emperor of the Sixth Generation. The strongest of his era. Smartest among war tacticians. The pinnacle of Gen 6 power.
---
📜 Narration: Generations of Power
> There are nine generations. The older the generation, the stronger its people.
> - Generation 0 (Pre-Gen): Age of the Elders. Origin of divine knowledge and forgotten godhood.
> - Gen 1: Those who saw the Elders and some learned directly from them. Their blood carries myths.
> - Gen 2: Era after the Elders vanished. During Erabus' destruction, Gen 1 nearly went extinct. The survivors fought off the Demon King and divided the world into eight continents.
> - The 1st continent was declared Demon Realm, shaped by volcanoes and eternal war.
> - The 2nd continent was gifted to the Elves, sealed under treaty—no conflict, no interference.
> - Gen 3: The age of betrayal. Humanity turned on itself. Civil wars decimated lands.
> - Gen 4: The rebuilding. Modern civilization began. The foundation of cities, code, and peace.
> - Gen 5: The era of royal blood—kings and emperors. Ruka's grandfather, and Ryujin's father, ruled this age.
> - Gen 6: Ryujin Akagiri's generation. Strongest. Sharpest. The legend who surpassed every benchmark.
> - Gen 7: Kael, Ryū, Necros, Jack, Lee… warriors raised in fire and blood.
> - Gen 8: Ardy, Leo, Akumo, Ruka, Zero, Edward, Sumi… the newest generation of heroes trying to survive a legacy built on ashes.
Jack glanced sideways at Ryū and Necros.
"…We're facing the strongest man alive," Jack muttered.
Ryū said nothing. Necros scowled.
Then, without speaking a word, the three looked at each other—
And ran.
Not toward Ryujin… away from him.
The Emperor blinked, watching their figures vanish into the fog.
"Oh my. They just… ran?"
He stepped calmly forward, ignoring them. His attention turned to the unconscious figure nearby.
It was Ruka, lying pale against a broken tree.
He knelt beside her and brushed her hair from her face. Then lifted her gently, placing her into the royal carriage.
Looking back at the crowd of stunned students, he spoke clearly:
"Is everyone here alright?"
Akumo saluted. "Yes, my lord. Except…"
He nodded to the side.
Zero lay unconscious beside Kael, his chest barely rising.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"And where is Ardy?"
No one spoke.
Everyone turned toward the jungle.
Jack, Ryū, and Necros were first to arrive.
They stood at the edge of the battlefield—quiet, ruined.
Beneath a shattered cliff, they found Leo and Ardy.
Both unconscious. Both bloodied.
Their battle had ended… in a draw.
Jack sighed. "Well, they didn't kill each other."
Ryū looked at Leo. "Take him."
Necros hoisted Ardy's body over his shoulder without comment.
They disappeared into the fog.
Inside the carriage, Ruka stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open. She winced as she sat up, grabbing her shoulder.
"…Where… where is Ardy?"
Sumi rushed forward. "Ruka! You're awake!"
Ruka gripped Sumi's sleeve. "Where is he? Where's Ardy?!"
Akumo exchanged glances with Edward.
"Jack and the others took him."
Ruka blinked.
"They… kidnapped him?"
Sumi nodded slowly.
Ruka's voice dropped to a whisper.
"No matter what… I'll bring him back."