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Malakar stood trembling, his breaths shallow and unsteady as the weight of Nyxara's loss settled into his core. The usually composed leader of The Eclipse Sovereignty was visibly shaken, his stuttering words betraying his turmoil.
“You should have done things differently,” Seraphina said, her voice calm but edged with resolve. She stood tall, her Hellfire-clad form glowing faintly in the aftermath of their fight. “You could have worked with us, Malakar. But instead, you chose your own path, one paved with pain. And now, it has led to the death of someone valuable to you. This pain you feel? It didn’t have to happen. It could have been peace.”
Malakar’s hands trembled as he struggled to find his voice. The suffocating guilt in his chest was a foreign sensation. His eyes darted to Nyxara’s lifeless body as Seraphina’s words pressed into him.
“I’ll offer you and your group another chance at peace,” Seraphina continued. “Stop what you’re doing, join us, and we can achieve peace for everyone—together.”
Malakar finally steadied himself, his voice low and trembling with emotion. “No... you don’t understand.” His breathing was still uneven as he began to rise to his full height, his aura flickering like a storm barely contained. “The pain we endured... it was the price for the peace you all enjoy. It’s easy for you to speak of peace when you’ve never endured pain. But you so freely hand it out to others.”
He clenched his fists, his gaze hardening. “Nyxara’s death reminds me why I started this fight in the first place. Eclipse Xero will bring the change we need. And you... you need to understand what true pain is. Only then will you see why it gives rise to the peace you take for granted.”
As Malakar’s words hung heavy in the air, the battlefield suddenly shifted. Five powerful auras descended upon them, their sheer presence drawing the attention of all—even halting the fight between The Eclipse Sovereignty vs Saber and Queen Nia.
From the distance, five figures emerged, each exuding immense power and authority. They were the rulers of five of the Six Kingdoms: King Nano of the Magic Kingdom (Region 3), Queen Mirano of the Light Kingdom (Region 5), King Thornoe of the Thorne Kingdom (Region 1), King Ragnarok of the Animal Kingdom (Region 6), and Queen Nogia of the Technology Kingdom (Region 2). Their arrival was as sudden as it was imposing.
Queen Mirano was the first to speak. “Saber, what are you doing here causing chaos? I thought you were sentenced to 100 days in the Underground Prison. Why are you here?”
Saber stepped forward, his expression resolute. “I am no longer one of you,” he said firmly. “The Council revoked my title of King, and I no longer wish to serve the Six Kingdoms—especially given what we all know about our history.”
Queen Mirano’s eyes narrowed. “You shall not speak of our history. You know the pact that governs it.”
Saber’s voice rose in defiance. “I don’t care about our pact. I know where I stand—on the side of the greater good. And when the time comes, I will deal with the Six Kingdoms.”
King Thornoe’s booming voice cut through the tension. “The Eclipse Sovereignty,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “It’s been a long time since we crossed paths. Did your pitiful leader finally decide it was time to move after his defeat 400 years ago?”
Vesper’s lips curled into a sneer. “You speak with such confidence, Thornoe, as if you know the true outcome of that battle. Perhaps you should ponder why ‘he’ hasn’t spoken since.”
King Thornoe’s glare intensified. “What I know now,” he growled, “is that you are banned from the Six Kingdoms. We are here to capture you all. That includes you as well,” he added, pointing at Saber and Queen Nia.
Queen Nia stepped forward. “I am not your enemy,” she said sharply. “I am here to take down The Eclipse Sovereignty, just as you are.”
King Thornoe was unmoved. “You’ve caused damage to the outskirts of the Main District. You will face The Judge, and your judgment will be made then.”
Queen Nia’s eyes glimmered with celestial power. “Your combined strength isn’t enough to take me down. I don’t wish for destruction, and I will strive for peace—but I cannot guarantee the same for Seraphina over there.”
Thornoe scoffed. “We’re not worried about them. They’ll likely kill each other before their fight is over.”
Nia glanced at Saber, who gave a subtle nod. In an instant, her aura flared, and she unleashed Celestial Judgement. Beams of heavenly light descended, breaking the Spectral Rune Cages holding Captain Doran, Captain Daichi, and Zeraxis Prime. With another wave of her hand, Nia activated Celestial Water Gate, teleporting the freed trio beside her and Saber.
Captain Daichi immediately spoke up, his voice sharp with frustration. “If you could do that, why didn’t you earlier?”
Nia sighed. “It takes time for Celestial Judgement to recharge. Until then, Saber and I were stalling.”
Daichi’s expression darkened as a thought struck him. “Kiera Voss,” he said urgently. “She was fighting Neraxis before Vesper interrupted me. When I couldn’t sense her aura anymore, I feared the worst.”
Captain Doran’s massive form stepped forward, his cosmic energy flaring as he faced Vesper. “Where is she?” he demanded, his voice a low growl. “Where is Kiera?”
Vesper smiled, his expression cold. “She is dead.”
Doran roared in rage, his Essence Manifest: Titanic Force Nexus glowing as he prepared to strike. But as he unleashed his Interdimensional Dragon Strike, it passed harmlessly through Vesper, who sidestepped with ease. In an instant, Vesper activated Rune of Binding Shadows, freezing Doran in place with dark tendrils that wrapped tightly around him.
“What a fool,” Vesper sneered. “Letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”
“DORAN!” Queen Nia shouted, but it was too late. The shadows consumed Captain Doran entirely, leaving no trace of him.
Captain Daichi’s aura surged with fury. “YOU BASTARD!” he yelled, preparing to charge. But Zeraxis quickly restrained him.
“I understand your anger,” Zeraxis said, his voice steady. “But attacking now will only worsen the situation.”
Daichi shoved Zeraxis aside, determined to act, but before he could, Nia intervened. “Enough!” she commanded, her voice echoing with authority. With a wave of her hand, she activated Celestial Water Gate once more, teleporting them all back to Fort Vigilance.
As the group disappeared, Nia’s thoughts lingered on Seraphina. “Sera,” she thought, “I trust you to find your way out of this. Stay safe.”
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