In the energy realm, the darkness lashes onto Lars's back. His eyes bleed into black as he staggers forward, choking. From his mouth pour writhing worms of shadow that twist and knot together until they take shape—his father, Zion.
Dark Zion's hand clamps around Lars's throat, lifting him off the ground. Lars claws weakly at the grip, his voice breaking.
"F-Father…"
The darkness swallows him whole. His mind fractures under its weight, corrupted beyond resistance.
The Power Dragon's orb, drawn to the corruption, plunges into Lars's chest. He throws back his head and unleashes a roar that shakes the void. The sound rolls through the realm, and the rushing flood of darkness suddenly halts, as if commanded by his will.
From the stillness emerge two more figures— the corrupted Lady of the Planet and the shadow-twisted King. They drift to Lars's side, their eyes empty, their movements unnatural. Together, the three corrupted beings wander the realm, lost in the abyss, mindless and terrifying.
In the eastern village, the residents watch in awe as Ignis steps into the center, the light from his orange flames spilling across the square. He places a hand on his chest, eyes blazing with determination.
"I just have to believe in the power of protection… the light that never fades, even in the darkness!" he shouts.
His flames flare brighter and brighter until a massive orange sun forms above the village, pushing back the encroaching shadows. Exhausted, Ignis collapses to one knee beneath its glow. Tears stream down the villagers' faces as they witness this beacon of hope.
Jen hugs Prekayda tightly. "We should've been here…"
Prekayda shakes her head. "We thought it was fine to let the darkness consume us, since our leader, Boa, was going to reclaim our souls anyway… but I can feel it. The darkness is corrupting us, and even for Boa, it'll be hard for him to recover these souls."
The villagers' attention turns to Boa, still deep in slumber. Suddenly, villagers begin dragging others toward Ignis—many still tainted by lingering darkness. With a sweep of his hand, Ignis releases a bright orange flame that purges the dark worms from their bodies. Tears of relief and gratitude fill their eyes as they begin to pray, their voices unified.
Prekayda joins them, whispering, "Thank the Gods that another Chosen has risen to save us from this dark age."
The crowd hails Ignis like a god. Nox channels some of the sun's orange flames, as the floating village comes flying nearby, he then infuses this magic of light with the massive glowing sphere that hovers over the floating village. The sphere pulses with energy, extending a protective barrier into a orange one. Golems leap from the floating village into the eastern village, their chests absorbing the light and glowing orange as they also assist in pushing back the darkness from lingering villagers with the glowing lights from their rune bodies.
Kayle exhales deeply, and green birds of light emerge from her body. They illuminate the land, weaving pathways through the darkness. Each bird that lands grows into a radiant energy tree, forming beacons that drive back the shadows. Soon, the eastern village and its outer lands glow with vibrant orange and green, the combined power of fire and life pushing darkness away.
Nox watches in amazement at the display of combined light and planetary energy.
Jen runs through the village, guiding the golems to cleanse animals still under the darkness's sway. She reaches the dire wolf, the Omega of the new pack, and strokes its fur as it coughs up the dark worms. Nearby, the Chimera, Alpha of the old pack, awakens as the darkness leaves its body and approaches Crank, whose form still steams with shadow.
No matter how hard the golems try, the darkness clings to Crank's body. The Chimera cries, and the surrounding animals join, forming a mourning circle around him. Villagers gather around Boa, praying fervently for his return.
Ignis, exhausted, is supported by Tomi and Vel as he rises. "Crank has fallen into a deeper darkness. It'll take more time to bring him back," he says, his voice heavy. "But Boa… his soul is elsewhere."
A hush falls over the village. Ignis raises his head, voice firm. "I was once trapped in the spirit realm, inside the Blaze Dragon's belly. He the one who saved me… now I'll do the same and save him. And since Boa's power still lingers within you all, I ask you all to help me master in spirit meditation so I can reach him."
One by one, villagers place their hands on Ignis. He feels their support, their unwavering faith. Looking up at the blazing orange sun, he whispers, "Tobias… are you still watching? I am alive for your sake. I will survive, and I will see you again."
From the far distance, within the pulsing pillar of the darkness volcano, a small shaft of light emerges. A glowing sphere shines brightly amidst the oppressive shadows. Dark monsters surge from the darkness, claws and fangs reaching to tear it down, but the sphere dodges with effortless speed and ascends, fleeing through the chaos.
In the digital realm, Taeo examines a fragment of the darkness worm, frowning. "To truly get rid of this darkness, we have to destroy the source of its power…"
Gilga nods grimly. "And that source is deep within the planet's core. By the ninth day, the entire planet will be consumed—and we'll go with it."
Taeo's eyes harden. "This darkness feeds on fear, on emotions. It manifests as a person's greatest fear—or the thing that person holds dearest."
"And only the sun's power can drive it away," Gilga adds. "We somehow need to channel the sun's energy directly from within the planet's core to purge this darkness."
Taeo exhales sharply. "We don't have time to build another Huego… or even a machine to harness the sun's power."
Gilga pauses, lost in thought. "What would Gaia think if she were here…"
Suddenly, a notification flashes across the digital screens. Both Taeo and Gilga pivot to see a small sphere of light streaking through the darkness, closing in on Taeo City.
Without another second, they step through a portal and arrive at the city gates. The light sphere speeds toward the top of the city barrier, then detonates in a radiant golden explosion. The barrier absorbs the light, becoming stronger, brighter, and even more impenetrable. Darkness retreats, and the surrounding forest glows warmly in its light.
As the golden light slowly descends, everyone watches in awe. From within it, Gaia, Rose, Hopper, and Ortis appear, descending gracefully.
Taeo steps forward, astonished. "This… this is the miracle we needed—the one who can wield the power of the sun to purge this darkness!"
Gilga's voice trembles with amazement. "Rose Diamondfuel… who would have thought you could attain such power…"
The crowd gathers around the digger platform that Rose and the others stand on. Yuri, tears streaming down his face, rushes forward.
Then, Rose's voice booms over the city, carrying strength and authority:
"Gaia and I have formed the perfect plan to rid of this darkness!"
The city falls silent, all eyes fixed on the figures bathed in golden light, hope igniting in every heart.
Rose raises her voice, firm and commanding:
"Those with brave hearts, step forward! I will grant you all the power of hope—the power of light! Together, we will fight the darkness!"
A dozen Stars step forward, courage shining in their eyes. Rose opens her arms, and a radiant light flows from her, enveloping each of them. Hopper and Ortis are also bathed in the glow, their forms radiating pure energy.
Rose continues, her voice resolute:
"There will be fifteen of us to drive the darkness back!"
Gilga and Taeo approaches Gaia, observing from nearby, nods as she receives notice of the new plan.
Gaia then also speaks to the crowd,
"We will fight together. Rose will lead this battle—she will be the one to gather the sun's power and destroy the main source of the darkness. Those who receive this power, crave her a path of light so our grand plan can stay in motion!"
The city erupts in cheers. The chosen twelve Stars lift into the air, infused with the power of light. They split into different directions, diving into the encroaching darkness to battle the monstrous shadows and drive them back.
Yuri watches in awe, his voice barely a whisper:
"Maybe… if I weren't such a fool, I would be shining up there with all of you."
Taeo steps forward, his expression serious.
"We must hold a meeting. Meanwhile, the other beacons of light will clear a path around the city for the main team to reach the sun."
Rose nods in agreement, determination blazing in her eyes. Together, the team enters a portal, leaving a trail of light in their wake as they prepare for the battle that will decide the fate of the planet.
Moments later, Ignis kneels in Boa's chamber. Boa lies unconscious in the center, surrounded by the prayers of countless witches. Prekayda steps forward, placing a calming hand on Ignis's shoulder.
"We were once able to astral project our spirits in dreams on our own," she says softly, "but with the power of our chosen leader, he gave us the power to ascend to higher levels of spirit traveling—the true understanding of the soul."
Ignis closes his eyes, focusing inward. The witches around him begin channeling Boa's power into him, streams of energy flowing like rivers of fire. Prekayda's voice continues, firm yet gentle:
"You too will receive this power… to save our chosen one."
Ignis opens his eyes, now in his spirit form. His aura burns red, yellow, and orange, illuminating the chamber as he senses the flickering spirit link still tethered to Boa's body.
"No matter what happens," Prekayda calls, "keep your honor intact and do not falter to the darkness. Grab hold of the link—and save him!"
Ignis grips the spirit link. In a surge of speed, his spirit pierces the dark spirit realm, passing countless raging ghost spirits, navigating through the thick, suffocating darkness. He bursts through a tear in the sky, emerging into the dark energy realm. The darkness here is heavier, almost suffocating, but his aura burns brighter, keeping it at bay.
Ahead, the corrupted King looms, and Ignis sees the spirit link plunging into the King's chest.
"Here I come, Boa…" Ignis mutters.
With a determined leap, he dives into the King's chest. A blinding burst of light explodes outward from his chest, forcing the King upward into the tear in the realm and into the real world. He crashes into the black ocean below, creating a massive whirlpool. Bursts of radiant energy shoot outward, splitting the ocean's waters, leaving the King writhing on the dry ocean floor.
From the split waters, dark monsters emerge, swarming to consume the King, trying to snuff out the rays of light emanating from his body.
On the shore of the eastern village, Jen warms up, orange and yellow auras flaring around her. She summons two magic daggers, one orange and one yellow. Beside her, Tomi appears, gray and orange aura swirling around him as he conjures his magical umbrella.
"Let's go," Tomi says. "We're going to need him in the endgame."
Jen nods. "We could never have done this without you guys. We promise to help you all in the later stages of the Star Games."
A massive dire wolf, enveloped in yellow aura, emerges running on top of the water. From the ocean depths, Melon, the whale, rises, its body also glowing with yellow energy. Nox approaches, casting orange glowing rune armor onto both creatures, intensifying their auras.
Jen leaps onto the dire wolf, Tomi onto Melon, and they surge forward, guided through the darkness by a flock of green birds.
From a distance, Nox and Kayle watch.
"They're going to fight the corrupted King," Kayle says. "One of the vessels of darkness."
Nox's eyes are focused. "And we're going to face the second vessel."
Vel, observing, asks, "How are you sure those three are the vessels of darkness?"
Kayle explains, her voice steady: "Based on what Nox has observed with his Ultra Syndicate mind—the source of the darkness landed in the energy realm where everyone was at earlier and it chose the Lady of the Planet as its main vessel. But the overwhelming power of darkness expanded to two other worthy vessels: The King and Lars."
Vel gasps. "So… if we hadn't escaped, we could have been vessels of darkness ourselves?!"
Kayle nods solemnly. "Yes. That would have been the end of us all, there would of been too many vessels of darkness to deal with."
Nox raises his hand. "Do your calling. It's time to face him again."
Kayle takes a deep breath, her aura glowing faintly as she steels herself for the battle ahead.
Nox hops onto his giant orange-and-diamond golem, its body glowing like molten crystal. Kayle mounts a massive green energy bird, its feathers shimmering with ethereal light. As they ascend into the sky, Vel waves from below.
"Good luck!" she calls, her voice carrying over the wind.
Kayle closes her eyes and begins to sing. Her voice is pure and hauntingly beautiful, a melody that once lulled her to sleep as a child. She remembers her mother singing this very song, while the young Lars—then a young boy—would cover his ears in protest, only to eventually let the music carry him into slumber.
In the dark energy realm, the corrupted Lars hears the song. His head snaps upward, and beams of light erupt violently from his ear holes, stabbing at his mind. He screams, writhing in pain as the song pierces the darkness consuming him. With a roar, Lars propels himself upward, a swirling mass of shadows, hurtling toward the tear in the sky.
Nox and Kayle reach the shadowed ruined lands below the expanding tear in the sky. Kayle claps her hands sharply as she continues singing, and the giant green energy bird explodes into hundreds of smaller birds. They scatter across the desolate terrain, each transforming into a towering tree-beacon of light that pierces the darkness, illuminating the ruined landscape in a warm, vibrant glow.
Nox tightens his grip on his diamond shovel, the weapon gleaming with refracted orange sunlight. Kayle nocks an arrow in her magical bow, the string humming with power.
From the tear above, Lars emerges, a living waterfall of darkness cascading around him, his corrupted form writhing with shadow. The sky darkens as the flow of shadows rains down, threatening to consume the newly lit landscape below.
Kayle steadies herself. "Come on, brother."
Nox nods, his golem stomping forward, shards of orange light splintering from its steps.
The two surge forward, light against darkness, ready to confront the corrupted Lars in a clash that could decide the fate of all.