The road stretched endlessly under the pale light of the moon, the hum of the car engine the only sound in the tense silence. They were halfway to their destination when it happened—shadows moved unnaturally fast across the asphalt. Figures emerged from the darkness, but they weren't human.
These were them—the invaders who had attacked Earth before.
"Stop the car!" Takumi shouted. Tires screeched. Everyone spilled out and ducked behind the vehicle, hearts pounding.
But Renjiro… he was still inside. His head hung low, his body trembling. He looked broken.
"Renjiro!" Haruto called, but before he could move, a flash of metal caught Takumi's eye—one of the creatures was aiming directly at the car.
Takumi reacted instantly, summoning his power in a blazing arc. Mizuki and Tsubasa attacked alongside him, but their enemies dodged with inhuman speed. Then—a single gunshot rang out.
Glass shattered.
The bullet tore through the car window and buried itself deep into Renjiro's chest.
"RENJIRO!!!" Haruto and Miyako screamed.
His body jerked, and something inside him cracked—the sound of his core shattering. He slumped forward, slipping from the car onto the cold road.
Takumi's rage exploded. "Mizuki! Tsubasa! Protect Haruto, Miyako, and Renjiro!" He charged forward, weapons blazing. Another gunshot split the air—one enemy dropped, then another.
A sleek black car skidded to a stop. From it stepped a tall woman with calm, commanding eyes. "Get in the car!" she ordered.
Takumi froze. "…Father?"
It was Shiori Akebono—known to them as Father.
She rushed to Renjiro, checking his pulse. "Help me get him in!" she barked, motioning to Takumi and Haruto.
But before they could lift him—
The ground shook violently.
An earthquake ripped through the street. Renjiro's body began to lift from the ground, hovering in midair.
"Father, what's happening?!" Haruto demanded.
"I… I don't know," Shiori admitted, her eyes narrowing.
Renjiro's body steadied unnaturally. Takumi gripped his weapon tighter. "Something's wrong. If a core is destroyed, we die. But he's still alive…"
Shiori's eyes widened as she looked into his face. "His eyes…"
Mizuki gasped. "What about them?"
"They're… a universe," Shiori whispered, her voice trembling.
A wave of radiant aura burst from Renjiro. The quake intensified—then, in a flash of light, he was gone.
Panic erupted. "Where did he go?!" Miyako cried.
Shiori turned grim. "There's something I need to tell you about Renjiro's core. It's been there since he was a child. When the scientists examined him, they found he already had one—and I told them to keep it secret. The core we made for him… we gave to Aika, so she could survive."
Takumi's jaw dropped. "From the beginning… that means he's had powers all along? That's why he's stronger than all of us?"
Shiori nodded. "Yes. And there's more—you've all heard the old fairy tale of Amaterasu no Kōtei, haven't you?"
Haruto frowned. "I heard about it in school…"
Shiori's voice grew heavy. "His eyes tell me one thing. Renjiro… has become Amaterasu no Kōtei—the Cosmic God."
---
Far away, among floating planets and shimmering stars, Renjiro stood transformed—his eyes reflecting galaxies, his clothes regal, ancient.
On another world, Aika was imprisoned. Nearby, Sayo knelt before a throne. Upon it sat Izanagi, ruler of the universe since sealing away Amaterasu no Kōtei.
"Bring me the human girl," Izanagi commanded.
Sayo obeyed, retrieving Aika with angelic guards. But upon seeing Aika, Izanagi's face twisted. "Lock her away."
As guards escorted Aika across a bridge, Sayo suddenly attacked them. "Run!" she hissed to Aika. They fled toward a waiting ship—but more soldiers appeared, surrounding them.
Sayo drew her weapon, ready to die protecting Aika. One sword swung toward them—
And stopped mid-strike.
A shadow loomed above. They looked up.
Renjiro stood in the sky, glowing with cosmic power.
In an instant, every soldier collapsed. Izanagi teleported before him, eyes narrowing. "It's been a long time, Amaterasu no Kōtei."
Renjiro's gaze was cold. "Too long. But I'm not here for nostalgia. I'm here to end you."
Their clash shook the heavens. Izanagi fought fiercely, but the Cosmic God's power was absolute.
"You sealed me away," Renjiro said, his voice a low thunder. "This… is my revenge."
With a final strike, Izanagi fell.
The universe spiraled into chaos, planets drifting wildly—but Renjiro's power surged, restoring balance, guiding the cosmos back into harmony.
He turned to Aika. "Are you alright?"
She smiled softly. "You saved me… again. How is my life worth so much to you?"
Renjiro's eyes softened—until they fell on Sayo. His voice hardened. "You betrayed us. I should kill you." He raised his katana.
Sayo didn't flinch. "Do it."
But Aika stepped between them. "Stop. She's our friend. Don't kill her for me."
Renjiro hesitated, then lowered his blade. "…Fine."
"Let's go home," Aika said, taking Sayo's trembling hand. Tears welled in Sayo's eyes.
Renjiro smiled faintly. "Let's go home."
They flew together through the void. Aika gazed at the floating planets. "It's beautiful…"
Renjiro nodded. "Yes."
As Earth came into view, he restored its colors and life with a single wave of magic. Survivors looked up, smiling.
They landed where the others waited. Haruto and Takumi ran forward, hugging Renjiro tightly. Miyako and Mizuki wept in relief. Tsubasa and Takumi simply smiled, the tension easing.
Shiori stepped forward. "So… the Amaterasu no Kōtei. A Cosmic God. I never imagined I'd see one again."
Renjiro's lips curved. "Father… you're back."
She nodded. "Yes."
Takumi grinned. "Alright, everyone—let's go home and eat. Our god must be starving."
They climbed into the car. Shiori took the wheel, and the road stretched ahead, lit by the glow of a new dawn.