Far, far away—beyond the reach of mortal dreams, beyond the highest heavens and deepest abysses—there lay a realm that no one in the Cardinal World even knew existed. Its skies shimmered with colors that had no name, and its lands stretched endlessly, changing shape as if the realm itself were alive.
Here, seated upon an enormous marble balcony carved into the side of a floating mountain, two beings watched the battles of the Cardinal World unfold like a living mural in the air before them.
One was Veldanava, the god of the Cardinal World, his eyes deep pools of wisdom and eternity. His presence radiated calm authority—an aura so steady it could soothe the heart of even the fiercest warrior.
The other was Kaelor, the creator of the Boundless Reach, a realm vast and strange, filled with warriors and creatures never known to the Cardinal World. Kaelor's aura was more… restless. Sharp. He carried himself like a storm trapped inside the shape of a man, eager to see movement, change, challenge.
The two gods were locked in quiet observation as the image of the battlefield shifted before them. They saw Saphielle—Kaelor's first chosen warrior—fall to Veldora's overwhelming might. One moment she had stood, blazing with determination, and the next… she was erased.
Veldanava chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair.
"Your warrior lasted… what? Four minutes?" His tone wasn't mocking—more amused than anything.
Kaelor groaned and rubbed his temples. "Four minutes and twenty-one seconds, to be precise. And it's not as if she wasn't strong! You saw her abilities—speed beyond mortal sight, magic that could crush an army, swordsmanship sharper than wind—"
"And yet," Veldanava interrupted, raising one eyebrow, "all of that meant nothing against Veldora's will. Power is one thing, Kaelor, but the will to use it without hesitation… that's something else."
Kaelor scowled, though his eyes glinted with grudging agreement. "I'll admit, your dragon was… impressive. More disciplined than I expected. I thought he'd be reckless—easy to bait. But no… he fought like a king."
Veldanava's lips curved into a knowing smile. "That's because he is a king. A king of his own nature, his own chaos. You don't tame Veldora—you inspire him. And when you inspire him, you awaken his true force."
The god of the Boundless Reach leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished stone railing. "And you think all your champions are like this?"
"Not all," Veldanava said, eyes narrowing as the battlefield shifted to show Milim locked in a furious struggle, Leon sweating under the pressure of his duel, and Draguel clashing blow-for-blow with his copy. "But enough of them are."
Kaelor tapped his chin. "Well… this was just the first. We agreed on twelve. One every year." His voice took on a faintly competitive edge. "One warrior down doesn't mean the others will fall so easily. I have… others. Stronger than Saphielle. Harder to predict."
Veldanava's chuckle deepened. "You make it sound like you want to win something, Kaelor."
The creator of the Boundless Reach grinned. "Of course I do. Why else would I have asked for this test? Your world is full of legendary beings—demon lords, dragons, gods' chosen ones. I wanted to see if they could be pushed. To see if even they have a breaking point."
"And," Veldanava said, tilting his head, "to prove that your realm breeds warriors that can rival mine?"
Kaelor laughed openly now, a sound like rolling thunder. "You know me too well."
The image in the air shifted again, showing the moments of Saphielle's defeat in slow motion—Veldora's raw, swirling power smashing through every defense, reducing her to nothing but light and fading echoes.
Kaelor's grin faded slightly, and he exhaled. "She won't take that well. Saphielle is… proud. Being erased so completely will gnaw at her."
"She'll grow from it," Veldanava replied simply. "Defeat is a better teacher than victory."
For a moment, neither god spoke. The battlefield continued in silence before them—magic flaring, swords clashing, warriors shouting in determination.
Finally, Kaelor stood, stretching his arms with deliberate slowness. "Alright. I'll get the next warrior ready." His tone was calm, but there was a dangerous sparkle in his eye. "If Veldora was your king's opening move, I'll make sure the next one demands more than just brute strength to defeat."
Veldanava leaned forward slightly, interested. "And this next one… will they be like Saphielle?"
Kaelor's lips twisted into a sly smile. "Oh, no. This one will be worse. Not in power—though they have plenty of that—but in how they fight. They won't just clash and test strength. They'll hunt. They'll break spirit before body."
Veldanava's eyes gleamed with quiet intrigue. "Then perhaps," he said softly, "you'll give my champions something to truly fear."
Kaelor chuckled again and began walking toward the shimmering gates that led back into his realm. "We'll see. One has fallen… eleven remain. I wonder which of yours will break first."
Veldanava smiled faintly, not rising from his chair. "None of them."
The Boundless Reach's god paused at the gate, glancing back with a spark of amusement. "Careful, Veldanava. That sounds like a challenge."
"It is," Veldanava replied calmly. "One you will lose."
Kaelor laughed, disappearing into his realm, his voice echoing back through the air like distant thunder. "We'll see about that…"
And so the first year closed with Saphielle's fall—one warrior erased, and the gods' wager now burning brighter than ever. The Cardinal World's greatest champions had no idea… that their true trials had only just begun.
Back in the Cardinal world...
The battlefield's dust had barely settled, and yet the atmosphere shifted from the tense hum of combat to the promise of celebration.
Veldora, still radiating the confident presence of a ruler who had not only defended his people but inspired them, swept his gaze across the gathered warriors and Demon Lords.
With a booming laugh that rolled like distant thunder, he announced:
"Enough fighting for one day! The storm has passed, and now… it's time to eat, drink, and celebrate our triumph together! You are all my guests—no, my honored guests—in the Storm Kingdom!"
He didn't wait for agreement. Veldora's mind reached out, his thought communication flowing like an invisible lightning bolt straight to Shuna.
In the Storm Kingdom's grand palace kitchens, Shuna had been overseeing the final cleanup after a modest dinner for the local guards when Veldora's voice exploded in her mind.
Veldora: "Shuna! Prepare a feast—no, a storm of a feast! I'm bringing company… all the Demon Lords, and my sister. I expect nothing less than the most glorious banquet this kingdom has ever seen!"
Shuna: "All the Demon Lords?!"
Veldora: "Yes! And Velgrynd! You've got the maids, the staff, the skill—make it happen!"
Shuna: (already scribbling notes) "Very well. Leave it to me, my lord. I will see to it that they eat until they cannot move."
Within seconds, the palace kitchens erupted into controlled chaos. Maids dashed between pantry and counter, rolling out trays of spices, rare meats, fresh vegetables, and barrels of Storm Kingdom's finest brew. Pots clanged, ovens roared to life, and the scent of roasting meats began to swirl through the halls like a siren's call.
At the same time, Veldora sent his other trusted allies into motion.
Benimaru, Souei, Geld, Shion, and Rigurd stood in formation before him.
"Spread the word," Veldora commanded. "Tell the soldiers, the guards, everyone—prepare the palace grounds! Light the streets, set the banners high, and make sure every corner of the city is ready to welcome guests worthy of legends."
Benimaru smirked. "Understood. By the time you arrive, the Storm Kingdom will shine brighter than the heavens themselves."
Souei, ever the shadow, simply vanished, already whispering orders through his network of ninja-like agents.
Geld rallied the construction crews to reinforce the banquet hall seating—after all, Demon Lords and True Dragons were not known for their… delicate eating habits.
Shion enthusiastically volunteered to "help" in the kitchen, which prompted Rigurd to sprint after her in a panic.
"Lady Shion! Please… don't help in the kitchen again!"
The air above the battlefield shimmered as wings, magic, and pure flight power carried the group toward the Storm Kingdom.
Milim, naturally, was the most excited. She zoomed ahead, her pink hair streaming behind her like a comet.
"FOOOOOOOOD!!! I'm gonna eat everything! I'm not stopping until I can't stand up!" she shouted, spinning loops in the air.
Guy Crimson, smirking as he glided effortlessly alongside, called out, "Try not to drain Veldora's entire treasury in one sitting, Milim."
Milim just stuck her tongue out. "Not my fault if your appetite can't keep up with mine!"
Velgrynd flew close to her brother, her elegant presence still glowing from battle.
"You sure about this, Veldora? Inviting every Demon Lord and their egos into one palace could turn the feast into another war."
Veldora laughed. "Then it will be the most entertaining feast in history!"
Behind them, Leon flew in his usual composed silence, while Luminous—already planning her wardrobe change—sighed and muttered something about "at least serving wine of proper vintage."
Draguel, Carrion, and Frey exchanged knowing looks; none of them doubted that tonight's feast would be as chaotic as any battlefield.
By the time they approached the Storm Kingdom's glittering skyline, word had already spread.
Lanterns lined the streets like stars fallen to earth. The palace gates stood wide open, banners snapping in the wind, each embroidered with the Storm Kingdom's crest—a roaring dragon surrounded by spiraling lightning bolts.
The scent of grilled meats, sweet pastries, and exotic spices filled the air, carried by the wind to meet them mid-flight.
Veldora's grin widened.
"Perfect… they've outdone themselves."
As the group descended toward the palace courtyard, the gathered soldiers and citizens erupted into cheers, their voices rolling like waves across the kingdom. The feast was about to begin—and for one night, the Cardinal World's most powerful beings would lay aside battle and politics… and simply celebrate.