Meanwhile at a, Cherry Blossom fragment, caught in soft cosmic wind, drifted around Void ling and Seraphina Nyx as they walked side by side under a canvas of light. In their hands? Two glowing Astral ice creams--blue flame swirl for Void, starberry frost for Seraphina.
Void ling:
(Smiling as he looks at her)
"You look...beautiful today."
Seraphina Nyx:
(Blushing, and half--stuttering)
"You're saying that just to fluster....--me."
Void ling:
(Mocking playfully)
"I mean, it it works--why stop?"
They both laughed as the breeze carried petals past them. With a sudden pause, their fingers brushed--and slowly, hands clasped. Neither pulled away.
Seraphina Nyx:
(Softly)
"You always make me feel like the universe is quieter...just for us."
Void ling:
(Smiling)
"I'm glad. Now eat your ice cream before it melt silly."
They continued walking--two legends, softened not by weakness, but by presence.
Meanwhile we shift to Blaze, as he stands by King Ryder. The stone ground hums with kinetic potential.
Ryder:
(Stepping back)
"Blaze. Position yourself. Your first stage begins: Collapse Chamber. It crushes anything on its path. Only those who bear weight without breaking pass through."
Blaze Vortex:
(With smirk and seriousness combined)
"Let it come. I'll rise through every stage. I'm not here to survive--I'm here to evolve."
King Ryder stood tall at the edge of the sealed chamber, where the floor trembled, and the pressure thickened like coiled gravity. And then he snapped his fingers.
Ryder:
(With a smirk)
"Begin."
A deafening roar surged through the chamber--walls twisted inward as the Collapse Protocol activated. Runes turned red. Blaze stood centered...and staggered. Weight unlike anything he'd felt slammed down from above--an invisible wall pressing with pressure meant to fold steel and scorched souls. Blaze stumbled, one knee nearly dropping. But with a growl, he pushed upward--his fist igniting in spiral flame--and punching the force barrier once. A ripple cracked through the chamber, but it wasn't enough. More collapsed inward. Every second increased the intensity.
Ryder:
(Voice firm but calm)
"Blaze! You're attacking it like it's surface--this isn't a wall. It's a concept. If you strike without understanding pressure, you'll be crushed not physically...but symbolically."
Blaze Vortex:
(Sweating,and whispering to himself)
"It wants to crush my intent...Then I'll give it something unbreakable. You are telling me this is what Void ling faced? This is too annoying,The hell.".
He clenched both fists, fire swirling like coiled dragons around his arms, The next surged wouldn't just resist gravity--it would answer it. The roar of crushing energy echoed through the chamber--pillars of Wright descending like invisible spears. But Blaze Vortex, now fully focused, stood motionless with eyes closed...and then moved.
One by one, he began to dodge each collapsing force--his speed reactive yet elegant, bending past every strike like flame resisting wind. His eyes remained shut. His breathing, steady. As another segment surged down, Blaze leapt and countered with a spiraling punch--shattering the force barrier mid--air. Again. And again. Until nothing remained. Ryder watched from the edge, arms folded, an eyebrow lifting with surprise.
Ryder:
(Whispering to himself)
"He's not suffering much..He's different from Void ling. If he merges his inner flame and core powers into his body completely... he might even surpass him."
Blaze Vortex:
(Grinning)
"I see, looks like this might be easy for me."
Ryder:
(Smirked)
"Well done. The next stage will show you what you really got."
Meanwhile, under a glowing sky in the Astral marketplace, Void ling and Seraphina Nyx walked slowly, finishing their ice cream. Serenity wrapped them like a love--spun blanket. Seraphina suddenly stopped...and stated at Void ling quickly.
Void ling:
(Blushing lightly)
"Wh--What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Without a word, Seraphina stepped closer and gently wiped a streak of ice cream from his cheek. And then she spoke.
Seraphina Nyx:
(Smiling softly)
"There. I couldn't let that galaxy swirling dry of you."
Void ling:
(Mocking playfully)
"You sure this wasn't an excuse to touch my face?"
Seraphina Nyx:
(Half--Blushing, half--smirking)
"Maybe. You'll never know."
They laughed, their hands brushing again--then holding firmly with blushing faces, the weight of destiny forgotten for now. Suddenly, gunshot cracked from the shadows...or rather, it tried to. But before the bullet even launched forward from its chamber, Void ling's eyes flared purple, and he reacted instantly--his palm raised, slicing through probability. The bullet dissolved mid--trajectory, never even touching light. From the shadows of a nearby archway emerge a scrappy group of men cloaked in unstable aura.
Gang leader:
(Growling)
"Hand over the girl. She's mine. She belongs with me, not beside a freak like you.
Void ling stepped forward slowly, Shielding Seraphina behind him with one arm. His eyes glowed with layered fury--but his voicd remained quiet.
Void ling:
(Coldly)
"You tried to rewrite fate without permission. Bad idea."
His aura expanded slightly, pressing the gang back without lifting a finger. Seraphina held his void ling sleeve gently, eyes locked on him with trust and calmness. The gang surged--charging like fools beneath stars they didn't understand. Voices loud. Motives louder. But Void ling? He didn't move. He disappeared. Before anyone could blink, react, or even process--he reappeared in the exact spot, casually lowering his hand. Every member of the gang collapsed unconscious at once. One finger. Zero hesitation. Zero seconds.
The gathered crowds spectators gasped, jaws dropping. Guards stood stunned. Even nearby vendors froze mid--scoop of starlight noodles. Whispers rippled like spells:
Crowd 1:
(Whispering and shock)
"Did he just--without a gesture---?"
Crowd 2:
(Shocked eyes widened)
"He moved faster than light reacts to cause..."
Crowd 3:
(Eyes shocked)
"Is that Void ling's speed?!"
He turned to Seraphina with a warm smile, brushing off non--existent dust. And then he spoke.
Void ling:
(Smiling)
"Shall we go, my lady?"
Seraphina Nyx:
(Softly)
"Lead the way...hero."
And just like that, they walked away--leaving unconscious bodies and awed hearts behind. Meanwhile back beneath the Kingdom's foundation, Blaze stood now in the center of a new platform--walls vibrating with stored kinetic energy.
Ryder:
(Firmly)
"This is the Rupture Arena. You'll train your strength and endurance against constant, unrelenting shock."
The Arena growled, floor plates rising like jagged teeth, a rumble intensifying and then king Ryder spoke again.
Ryder:
(Final warning)
"Brace yourself, Blaze. If your souls cracks here...your flame may never recover."
The moment the stage activated, the ground beneath Blaze Vortex splintered and surged. Massive slabs twisted sideways, sharp pillars erupted, and collapsing segments threatened every step. The Rupture Arena didnt just test his strength--it reshaped the battlefield beneath him. Holes opened randomly, some bottomless,other splitting. Crushing arms swung across the path.
The floor cracked with rhythmic violence. Blaze dodged, leapt, rolled--but his breathing grew ragged. Sweat streamed down his forehead. His muscles ached with pressure that built not from speed... but sustained brutality.
Ryder:
(Voice booming across the chamber)
"You must find a way to react the finish line. If you dont--it will carve right through you. This Arena doesn't accept half--measures. Blaze, keep going!"
Blaze Vortex:
(Whispering to himself)
"I didn't come here to fall short. Pain is the toll...and I'll pay full price. "
Blaze pushed forward tirelessly, his flames began syncing--not erupting outward, but pulling inward. Fusing with his heartbeat, compressing his arms, legs, spine. Each movement stared to ripple--powered not just by fire, but merged resistance. The core was awakening. With a burst of flame--twisted wind, Blaze vaulted over a collapsing ridge, landing hard but stable. The platform cracked behind him--he kept moving forward.
As dark bathed the Astral sky in violet hues, the royal banners shimmered with the Empress sigil. From the high balcony, Queen Revy stepped forward, her voice carried across kingdoms with speaker.
Revy:
(Clear and commanding)
"Attention to all Kingdoms. By decree of Empress Asuna, The Grand Multiverseal Tournament begins in 10 days. Each kingdom shall nominate two of their strongest champions. Selections must be sent by tomorrow. All kingdoms are allowed to choose their picks. And yes--Blaze, Void, and Seraphina are eligible. The arena will test power, unity, and purpose. Prepare your hearts."
With a final nod, she turned and stepped back into the Dynasty hall. Void ling and Seraphina overhead the decree as banners lit up.
Void ling:
(Calm)
"A Multiverseal Tournament? They really went big."
Seraphina Nyx:
(Blushing slightly)
"Guess we're fighting more than ice cream cravings soon."
At the Crimson Kingdom. Everyone reacted to the Announcement they just heard. And they spoke.
Ryuu:
(Intrigued)
"I see Multiverseal Tournament... this is fun."
Kai:
(Focused)
"We need to prepare quick. Ten days is a blink."
Kaia:
(Half--laughing)
"We've already got candidates. They just need polishing...and survival."
Elsewhere, in the Hexagram Apex Kingdom... King Lucio's and his crew reacted to the situation.
Lucio:
(Rising from his throne)
"Then fate will watch us fight."
Liam:
(She smirked)
"I see, then we will have pick two most powerful people's in our group."
Back underground, the Rupture Arena roared louder. Shockwaves blasted against Blaze's body, cutting and scraping. He staggered--then rose again. His blood mixed with sweat. His footing cracked under pressure. But he pressed forward.
Blaze Vortex:
(Through clenched teeth)
"I didnt come to fail. I came to finish."
Ryder:
(Soft, approving)
This... is what training should feel like."
With a final surge of speed, Blaze Vortex tore forward compressed alone his spine, bursting outward with focused fury. One leap. One pivot. He smashed through the final Rupture wall--breaking everything barrier in his path--and collapsed over the finish line, panting, bruised, but victorious. He pusled thundered like war drums. But his feet...never stopped moving. From the edge of the chamber, King Ryder watched with arms behind his back.
Ryder:
(Nodding and smiling)
"You did well, Blaze. Better than most, and faster than army."
He snapped his fingers. Every obstacle in the arena flickered--then vanished into golden dust. Silence returned. The floor steadied. King Rydsr stepped forward, extending a crystal flask filled with purified ember--water.
Ryder:
(Softly )
"Rest a bit. The next trial won't be mind either."
Blaze reached out, his hand trembling lightly as he took the flask.
Blaze Vortex:
(Exhaling)
"Ahh... water is soo good.."
NEXT EPISODE UPCOMING