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CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE CATACLYSM STRIKE
(Armies march toward Colfroles Kingdom — Capital of the Luminaria Realm.)
---
The war drums thundered.
Armored footsteps pounded the earth in perfect rhythm as banners bearing the crest of the Arkon Realm fluttered violently in the wind. The once-peaceful valleys of Luminaria trembled beneath the weight of approaching war.
At the border connecting After Kingdom of the Xanders Realm, two figures stood silently.
Luna Nightshade
and
Catherine Stark — the King Mother.
---
Luna stared toward the distant horizon, where faint lights flickered like fireflies of doom.
"Can you really do this, King Mother?" she asked, uncertainty woven into her voice.
Catherine turned to her, eyes calm yet burning with authority.
"Even you doubt me, Luna?" she replied. "My son trusts me. That's why he said one strike—not two."
Luna blinked.
"What do you mean by that?"
Catherine smiled faintly.
"You'll find out soon enough."
---
Below them, a figure hovered in the sky—his body wrapped in flowing white mist.
It was Beams, a realm spy.
"The soldiers have reached the border," he reported. "I'll enter their mist formation and stop their advance."
Catherine nodded.
"Go. Watch closely, everyone."
The battlefield fog thickened.
Beams vanished.
---
"Who's that in the sky?!" a Realm War soldier shouted.
"Enemy attack! Ready positions!"
Luna exhaled slowly.
"Looks like Beams has stopped them."
Catherine lifted her hand. Energy spiraled around her fingers like living flame.
"This attack was created by me," she said quietly.
"First, you add Spiritual Energy.
Then Realm Energy."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Because they oppose one another, immense Magic Power is required to stabilize them."
She clenched her fist.
"Only then can a true explosion be born."
---
Elsewhere — Aethoria Realm
A massive Plane Stream Screen projected the battlefield into the royal hall.
"Deploy magic barriers—tenfold!" Hero Abass shouted, sweat dripping down his face.
Hero Dano smirked.
"You look scared, Abass."
Abass swallowed.
"Scared? Whatever that thing is… I doubt we'll survive it."
---
Catherine's power condensed.
A massive sphere formed above her—growing larger and larger until it rivaled the size of a moon.
Her voice echoed across realms.
"Forbidden Element — Ultimate Catastrophe."
"VOIDFLARE IMPACT!"
---
The world turned white.
Light erased sound.
The earth split open.
Mountains disintegrated into dust.
And when the brilliance faded—
The entire Arkon Army was gone.
Eight hundred thousand soldiers.
No bodies.
No ashes.
Nothing remained.
---
"Impossible…" Ezra whispered as the Plane Stream flickered.
Kyle clenched his fists.
"She erased eight hundred thousand troops… with a single strike."
Catherine lowered her hand slowly, her gaze distant.
"I created that attack," she said softly,
"when I was pregnant with Paul."
---
Meanwhile — Elyndor Realm (Devgolest Kingdom)
Inside the grand war chamber, tension hung thick as fog.
Elara Moonwhisper smirked confidently.
"Now that we've attacked the Luminaria Realm, the rest will fall easily."
Duke Austin nodded.
"All we do now is wait for good news."
The doors burst open.
Crifal rushed inside, gasping.
"I have a report!"
Sage Hinata looked up.
"Has Luminaria already fallen?"
Crifal's voice trembled.
"No, ma'am… the entire eight hundred thousand troops were wiped out."
"What?!" Liam Ryder slammed the table.
"That's impossible! The Arkon Army is the second strongest realm force!"
Maxwell Matsumoto folded his arms.
"Unless… Luminaria has someone capable of erasing an entire army."
---
Silence swallowed the chamber.
Elara's confident smile vanished.
"If that's true… we must declare a ceasefire immediately."
Duke Austin sighed.
"Hate to admit it—but I agree with Elara Moonwhisper, Leader of Calanthor Realm."
"Damn it…" Sage Hinata hissed. "All our strategies…"
"Crifal," Maxwell ordered, "recall all forces. Regroup at After Kingdom in Xanders Realm."
Aurora Wynter, leaning against a marble pillar, spoke softly.
"How long will this ceasefire last?"
Liam replied quietly,
"As long as I can pray for the victims of this disaster."
Aurora smiled faintly.
"Then… until we meet again, comrades."
As she left, Duke Austin muttered,
"That woman is unpredictable."
"Is it true," Maxwell asked, "that she killed her entire family?"
Hinata nodded grimly.
"Yes. She's guided by Atta, a fallen Cosmic Spirit."
"The one capable of altering reality itself?" Crifal whispered.
Duke Austin's eyes hardened.
"Better to have her as an ally… than an enemy."
Elara lowered her gaze.
"She's only searching for something."
---
Back in Aethoria Realm
"Enemy troops are retreating toward After Kingdom," Ehis reported.
Valot grinned.
"Perfect timing to strike."
Paul Stark shook his head.
"No. They're not retreating strategically."
"They're running… in fear."
Kyle approached.
"Then what now, my lord?"
Valot's eyes gleamed.
"I have an idea."
Paul smiled faintly.
"Individual training."
Valot nodded.
---
"But we're already training under Ezra," Kyle protested.
Paul turned calmly.
"That wasn't real training."
He raised his voice.
"Recall everyone. Shota Aethonix. Luna Nightshade—return to your realms."
Ten minutes later, the palace courtyard filled.
Paul stepped forward.
"From today onward, you will undergo individual training.
All except Maya Reyes."
Ezra nodded.
"You must become worthy of standing beside your King."
Valot added coldly,
"This training may kill you… so you may be reborn stronger."
---
Training Assignments
Sai Fujimoto
Master: Max Vista, Illusion Demon
Location: Emberfall City — Arkon Realm
---
Ashley Stark
Master: Selena Gravion, Elf of Aethonix
Training: Holy & Dark Magic
Location: Westholler Kingdom
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Maria Badway
Assignment: Servants of Goddess Celtic
Location: Losphoary City — Calanthor Realm
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Riley Stark
Master: Sage Havilah
Focus: Spiritual Energy
Location: Spibroion City — Luminaria Realm
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Kyle Stark
Master: Maloff, the Swedish Dragon
Training: Realm–Spiritual Balance
Location: Earth Realm
---
Paul Stark
Master: Catherine Stark
Location: Blexshire City — Aethoria Realm
---
Valot turned to the final figure.
"Rahm Wynter… your memories will be unlocked."
"You will choose your teacher—
or your opponent."
Ezra smiled gently.
"Survive. Grow stronger. Return."
---
One by one, pillars of light rose into the sky as the chosen warriors vanished across the realms.
Only Paul remained.
He gazed upward, the wind brushing through his black hair.
"Mother… I'll be ready."
---
✨ To Be Continued
— Individual Training Arc Begins — ✨