In a dimly lit bar, the air was thick with the scent of stale cigarette smoke and spilled beer. The bartender wiped down the counter, the rhythmic sound of the rag against the wood punctuating the low murmur of conversation. Overhead, a television flickered with breaking news footage of Iron Man and Kamen Rider's clash against the monstrous Wulfu.
Across the room, an aquarium tank bubbled softly, its colorful inhabitants drifting through the water, oblivious to the drama unfolding outside their watery confines. A few patrons glanced up from their drinks, their eyes drawn to the screen, their faces illuminated by the flickering light.
In the dimly lit bar, the Grongi gathered, their eyes fixed on the television screen. Ladya, her ladybug-like features delicate yet regal, let out a soft chuckle.
"Look at Wulfu, so impulsive, getting himself killed," she said, her tone laced with a hint of disdain.
Me·Gadra·Da, the towering tiger-like Grongi, turned to her, his expression stern. "This is no laughing matter, Ladya. One of our own has fallen."
Ladya's antennae twitched, a sign of her irritation. "Wulfu was a fool. His recklessness has jeopardized our plans."
Gadra's gaze hardened. "We cannot afford such mistakes. The Gegel must proceed as planned, no matter the cost."
The other Grongi, their animal-like features casting eerie shadows in the dim light, remained silent, their attention focused on the unfolding events on the screen. The weight of Wulfu's demise hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the high stakes they were playing for.
La·Balva·De, the imposing leader of the Grongi, let out a soft sigh. "Kuuga has grown stronger than we anticipated," she said, her eyes narrowing. "We must be more cautious in our approach moving forward."
Before the Grongi could respond, a sudden chill filled the air. The lights flickered, and a tall, imposing figure materialized in the center of the room. The Dai-Shocker Executive, his features obscured by shadow, surveyed the gathered Grongi with disdain.
"Incompetent fools," the Executive spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You have allowed Kuuga to grow in power, and yet you still fail to eliminate him." He turned his gaze to Balva. "Your inability to control your subordinates is unacceptable."
Balva held the Executive's gaze, unflinching. "We are doing all we can to ensure the success of the Gegel," she replied, her tone measured.
The Executive let out a harsh laugh. "Your 'best' is clearly not enough." He raised his hand, and a swirling portal opened beside him. "I have brought you assistance to finish the job."
From the portal emerged a twisted, arachnid-like creature. Its body was a mottled black and purple, with a chitinous exoskeleton that gleamed in the dim light. Spindly legs tipped with sharp claws extended from its torso, and a large, bulbous abdomen pulsed with an eerie energy.
"This creature is Dispider," the Executive declared, his tone brimming with a sense of accomplishment. "It will eliminate Kuuga and ensure the continuation of the Gegel."
Dispider let out a high-pitched chittering sound, its mandibles clicking together as it surveyed the Grongi. Its eyes, multiple glowing orbs set deep within its skull, seemed to bore into each of them, as if assessing their worth.
The Grongi remained silent, the weight of the Executive's words and the presence of the monstrous Dispider creating a palpable tension in the room. Balva's expression was unreadable, but the slight tightening of her jaw betrayed her unease.
Balva's eyes narrowed as the Dai-Shocker Executive introduced the monstrous Dispider. "The Gegel is our ritual, our way of determining the hierarchy within the Grongi," she said, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "Outsiders have no place in it."
The Executive's expression remained impassive. "The Gegel is taking too long," he replied, his tone brooking no argument. "Dai-Shocker requires results, and the Dispider will ensure that the Gegel proceeds as planned."
Balva opened her mouth to protest, but the Executive raised his hand, silencing her. "Your inability to control your subordinates has led to this," he said, his gaze sweeping over the gathered Grongi. "The Dispider will not be deterred by your petty squabbles."
The Grongi shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between Balva and the Executive. Gadra's expression was one of barely contained frustration, while Ladya's antennae twitched with unease.
The Dispider, sensing the tension in the room, let out a low, rumbling growl. Its multiple eyes fixed on the Grongi, and its spindly legs twitched with anticipation.
The Dai-Shocker Executive's cold gaze swept across the room, settling on La·Balva·De. "Begin the Gegel," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Balva's antennae twitched slightly, a subtle sign of her internal conflict. She understood the consequences of defiance, yet the intrusion of an outsider like Dispider into their sacred ritual felt fundamentally wrong. Slowly, reluctantly, she approached the monstrous creature.
Her hand, adorned with intricate tribal markings, held the Gegel ring—a circular device pulsing with ancient energy. With precise movements, she pressed the ring against Dispider's chitinous body.
Immediately, the creature trembled. Raw power surged through its exoskeleton, filling every membrane and cellular structure. Dispider could feel the ritualistic energy of the Gegel coursing within, transforming its very essence.
"Your mission is clear," Balva stated flatly. "One hundred human lives. Seven days. Fail, and you will detonate."
Dispider nodded, its multiple eyes blinking in acknowledgment. Without hesitation, it moved toward a nearby mirror, its spindly legs clicking against the floor. With a fluid motion, the creature pressed itself against the reflective surface and slipped into the Mirror World, ready to begin its deadly hunt.
The Dai-Shocker Executive's cold gaze swept across the assembled Grongi. His voice cut through the tension like a blade, precise and uncompromising. "Dispider will handle the primary objective," he declared. "Your task is to neutralize Kuuga and ensure he cannot interfere."
Balva and the other Grongi exchanged glances. The Executive continued, explaining the strategic importance of their mission. "Dispider's ability to traverse the Mirror World gives it a significant advantage. Kuuga will be unable to track or predict its movements."
Me·Gadra·Da growled softly, his muscular frame tensing with barely contained aggression. Me·Ladya·Ba's antennae twitched, signaling her understanding of the complex directive.
"Kuuga must be eliminated," the Executive stated flatly. "By any means necessary."
La·Balva·De nodded, her rose tattoo seeming to pulse with an ancient energy. The Grongi would comply. They understood their role in the larger strategy of Dai-Shocker.
With a final, dismissive gesture, the Dai-Shocker Executive turned and walked away, leaving the Grongi to prepare for their assigned tasks.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz