The twilight cliffs of Vrasnia shimmered under the eternal aurora, the purple moon casting an ethereal glow over the gathered group. The ocean below reflected the starry sky, a mirror of cosmic beauty, as Neve stepped forward, her white hair dancing in the wind. She leaned close to Kazimir, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief as she studied him like a curious scholar. "Hmm, you know, I'd be curious about that statement if I hadn't seen what you did to Earth," she said, her voice teasing. "But that Maw of the End… it looked different. Your hair, your eyes—the indigo went darker. Was that your full power, Kazimir?"
Kazimir's violet-blue eyes, met hers with a calm intensity. "I won't lie to you, Neve. If I had to put a number on it, I'd say I was using about sixty percent."
A stunned silence gripped the group. Kamaki's jaw dropped, Lihanna's eyes widened, and even Tyrone and Felicia froze in disbelief. Only Riah and Vanessa remained unfazed, their expressions betraying no surprise—they'd known the depths of Kazimir's power all along. Neve, however, leaned even closer, her voice a mix of awe and incredulity. "So you're telling me you've never gone all out? Not once?"
Kazimir's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "You saw what happened on Earth, Neve. Imagine if I gave it my all. Earth couldn't handle it. Vrasnia might, but even then, I could destroy it."
Kamaki's voice cut through the tension, bold and eager. "So, can you show us right now? What does one hundred percent look like?"
Kazimir's gaze hardened, his tone resolute. "No. I won't."
Lihanna, her mind racing, seized the moment to voice a lingering thought. "Wait, I've got something to say. If you went all out, Kazimir, would you be stronger than Riah?"
Jessie's purple hair swayed as she tilted her head, intrigued. "Yeah, now that you mention it…"
Riah stood silent, her fiery aura flickering like a dormant volcano, her expression unreadable as she listened to the group's speculation. Kazimir's eyes flicked to her, a rare softness in his cosmic gaze. "Riah is the only one who rivals me, even if we both go all out. If she unleashes her full power, I'd have a higher chance of losing. Her flames—her undying fire—are something I can't negate. She's a powerhouse. My lightning, my void… it can't devour her light."
Neve's grin widened, her voice dripping with playful mockery. "Yeah, and it seems your void lightning can't devour my ice either, huh? Remember how much you struggled with that?" She laughed, her voice ringing across the cliffs.
The group erupted in laughter, the tension breaking like a wave. Even Vanessa, usually stoic, let out a rare chuckle, her abyssal aura softening for a moment. Kazimir turned away, trying to hide the smile tugging at his lips. "Aww, look at him!" Neve teased, pointing. "He knows it's true—he's trying not to laugh!"
Kazimir's chuckle finally broke free, joining the chorus of laughter that echoed under Vrasnia's starry sky. For a fleeting moment, the weight of their cosmic struggles lifted, replaced by camaraderie and warmth.
Meanwhile, on Earth, the air in Sando's front yard was thick with resolve. Gendai stood, her green hair catching the fading light of the cloudy sky, her eyes fixed on Sando. "Since you could see them, what were they doing?" she asked, her voice tinged with unease.
Sando's golden eyes glinted as he folded his arms, his tank top clinging to his muscular frame. "They were laughing," he said, his tone steady. "But they noticed me. That Kazimir… he can look across worlds too, just with his hands. No need for holy eyes like mine."
Gendai's gaze dropped, her fingers tightening into fists. "As expected. He's a powerful foe, Sando. I don't think you should face him alone."
Sando turned to her, his expression curious but resolute. "Then what do you suggest?"
Her green eyes met his, burning with determination. "Your powers—can you enhance your allies?"
"Yeah," Sando replied, a spark of intrigue in his voice. "I can."
"Then that's the plan," Gendai said, her voice rising with conviction. "Recruit as many Vandors as you can. Kazimir isn't alone. Riah and Vanessa are just as strong as he is. If you face him, you'll need an army to match his. It'll show the world that humanity's power can stand against him."
Sando's lips curled into a confident smile. "All Vandors, huh? I like it. It'll prove humanity's strength." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "And another thing—Kazimir's got this ability called 'Imaginary Space.' It lets him negate his enemies' powers, tilting the odds in his favor."
Sando's smile turned sharp, almost predatory. "That explains a lot. He weakens his foes, strips their strength, and takes the easy win. A fraud who can't fight on equal ground—a true disciple of Nebula." He glanced skyward, his golden eyes blazing with defiance. "I saw Raijin there too. They must've slipped onto Earth unnoticed. We should've kept him detained. He's probably Kazimir's spy now."
Gendai nodded, her expression grim. "He's dangerous, Sando. Be careful."
Sando's gaze locked onto the heavens, as if challenging the stars themselves. "I'm ready for him. Let him return to Earth, Eye of Nullity. I'll be waiting."
The wind stirred, carrying the weight of their words across the yard, as the clash of fates loomed ever closer.