One Week Later, Ostrava, Earth
The sun blazed over Ostrava, Sando's homeland, its golden rays glinting off the sleek, modern spires of the city. A week had passed since Kazimir and Riah's garden talk in Vrasnia, their plans to counter Nebula and Rygar still simmering under the purple moon. On Earth, the air was thick with tension, the memory of the Capriha Incident and the Kazimir Exclusion Accord casting a shadow over every nation. In Ostrava's bustling heart, the headquarters of the Azure Sky—a team of elite Vandors—stood as a fortress of resolve, its glass and steel facade shimmering under the daylight.
The doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a grand atrium bathed in luxury. Crystal chandeliers refracted light into dazzling patterns, and polished marble floors stretched endlessly. Gendai, her succubus aura flickering subtly, stepped inside beside Sando, her eyes wide with awe. "Wow," she breathed, her voice echoing in the vast space. "This place is huge—and gorgeous."
Sando chuckled, his holy sword glinting at his side, the faint glow of Solaris' fragmented power pulsing within. "Thanks. This is where my team lives. We're all Vandors of Ostrava."
Gendai tilted her head, her green hair swaying. "More Vandors? I thought you were the only one."
Sando shook his head, a grin spreading. "Nah, there's four of us in this crew. And they're all here."
Three figures emerged from the shadows of the atrium, their presence commanding yet distinct. A man with black hair and piercing blue eyes stepped forward, his black coat flowing like a storm cloud. "Nice to meet you," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I'm Pluto, he was like 5'11" and probably the least annoying of this lot she mummered."
Gendai smiled, her aura softening. "Nice to meet you too."
A towering figure, 6'2" with a muscular frame, bounded up next, his energy bursting like a supernova. "Well, well! I'm not like this emo sucker over here," he boomed, jabbing a thumb at Pluto. "Name's Glavatus, Vandor of Ostrava. We're a big, happy family—emphasis on happy!"
A sharp slap echoed as a petite woman with light purple hair and dark purple eyes smacked Glavatus' neck. "You talk too much, you damn yappaton!" she snapped, her one-sided cape billowing with her elegant outfit with crystals. "Anyway, cutie, I'm Ayane, and I keep these clowns in check. Only girl around here—until now."
Glavatus clutched his neck, whining. "What do you mean?!"
Ayane glared, her eyes like amethysts glinting with authority. "Shut up and be quiet like Pluto over there. Don't interrupt when two gorgeous women are talking." Pluto stood silently, unfazed, his emo vibe unshaken.
Ayane turned back to Gendai, her smile warm. "Anyway, Gendai, you're welcome to join us. It'd be nice to have another girl to balance out these idiots."
Gendai's eyes sparkled, taking in Ayane's stunning presence—her flowing cape, her radiant beauty. "I'd love to join," she said earnestly. "I told Sando I wanted in, and seeing how you all interact… I know you're a tight group. I want to be part of that."
Pluto nodded, his voice calm. "Welcome to Azure Sky."
Ayane's eyes narrowed, studying Gendai. "You said you were with the Prismic Gathering… with that monster Kazimir?"
Gendai nodded, unfazed. "Yeah, I was."
Ayane sighed dramatically, tossing her hair. "He's so hot, but that's how it goes—every gorgeous guy's a rotten piece of work."
Glavatus piped up, grinning. "That include me?"
Ayane shot him a withering look. "Eww, no. Sando's the cute one. Pluto could pass, but he's too emo for my taste."
Glavatus, undeterred, pressed on. "So, who's hotter—Sando or that demon Kazimir?"
Ayane groaned. "Are you dumb? There's a difference between hot and cute! Either way, I hate Kazimir for what he did to the world. And that Phoenix girl he's with? Also hot."
Gendai's voice was soft but firm. "All the Vandors in Capriha are with Kazimir on Vrasnia."
Ayane's jaw dropped. "No way! Even my queen Neve?!" Gendai nodded, and Ayane wailed, "NOOO! She's my idol—literally the hottest—and now she's my enemy?!"
Pluto rolled his eyes. "Sheesh, dial down the drama."
Sando's gaze hardened. "Did you all see that White Hole? It freaked out Capriha too."
Pluto nodded. "Yeah, it appeared out of nowhere. Whole city's on edge."
Gendai frowned. "Nobody's got any info on it."
Suddenly, the HQ's massive screen flared to life, cutting through their banter. Ayane's eyes widened. "No way… is that Kazimir?"
Gendai's voice was barely a whisper. "Yes… but why's he contacting Earth?"
Sando's fists clenched, his holy aura flaring with fury.
Across the world, screens flickered—skytrains, billboards, personal devices—all hijacked by a global broadcast. Kazimir's face appeared, his galactic eyes gleaming, his black hair with blue tips framed by Vrasnia's crystalline palace. His voice echoed, calm but commanding. "It's been a while, Earth. You may not know, but your moon's under attack. Dynasties and parasites are draining its energy, growing stronger as we speak. We've been monitoring from Vrasnia, along with that White Hole you saw—beyond our galaxy."
Humanity's outrage roared through the streets, but some listened, hanging on his words. Kazimir's tone grew grave. "I know I'm the villain in your eyes, but hear me out. Earth's facing destruction—a great war is coming."
In the HQ, Pluto scoffed at the screen. "This is a trap."
Sando growled, "That Disciple of Nebula can't be trusted."
Gendai stood silent, her thoughts unreadable. Ayane, arms crossed, listened intently.
Kazimir sighed, his voice steady. "I've deployed ships to the Prismic Gathering." Footage flashed—massive vessels hovering over Earth's oceans, their scale dwarfing cities. "I may be a Disciple of Nebula, but I fight against her and her followers. If you value your lives, board those ships. They're your future. And to any Vandors thinking to destroy them, thinking I'm here to harm your people? Try it. Two of my strongest are guarding them."
Sando's teeth ground together, his holy aura blazing. "Screw this! Put me on with him—I've got words!"
Kazimir's image shifted, a direct link opening to Ostrava's HQ. Glavatus gaped. "How the hell did he do that?"
Gendai's voice was calm. "Vrasnia's tech is light-years beyond Earth's."
Sando joined the broadcast, his face a mask of fury. "Kazimir!" he spat.
Kazimir raised an eyebrow, his tone mocking. "Hmm?"
"Why don't you come down here and face me!" Sando roared.
Kazimir smirked, his galactic eyes glinting with amusement. "You don't want that, Sando. That tiny Solaris fragment you wield? It's not enough to match me. Facing me would crush humanity's hope in you."
Sando's voice trembled with rage. "If that's true, prove it, you devil! Those ships—you're brainwashing our people to side with you!"
Kazimir's smirk faded, replaced by a rare, chilling smile—the first the public had ever seen. "Answer this, Sando: do you think you're on Azoth's level?"
"Yes!" Sando snapped. "I won't repeat his mistakes or let this planet down!"
Kazimir's smile widened, sharp and dangerous. "Alright, hero. Here's a deal: defeat Vanessa, the Warden of Nullity. Win, and you'll rewrite history—and I'll give you the fight you're begging for. Lose? Your people's faith in you crumbles. Think hard, Sando. You sure you want this?"
The broadcast lingered, Kazimir's challenge hanging like a guillotine over Ostrava, as the world watched, torn between fear, hope, and defiance.