The void of space enveloped Kazimir as he traversed the ethereal corridors of the Hollow Moon, a celestial sanctuary hidden in the shadows of Vrasnia's twin lunar sisters. The chambers glowed with a soft, ethereal moonlight, their aesthetics a symphony of silver and indigo, resonating with the moon's ancient rhythm. Sigils etched into the walls pulsed gently, casting dancing shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of the cosmos. Each step Kazimir took echoed through the vast halls, the sound reverberating like the heartbeat of a distant star, leading him deeper into the sanctum where the Twin Moon Sisters awaited.
Mahina and Luna stood in the central chamber, their forms bathed in resilient lunar glow, their eyes shimmering with the light of eternal moons—pale and unyielding, like guardians of forgotten nights. "We welcome you, Emperor of Vrasnia," Mahina intoned, her voice a soft melody that carried the weight of eons.
Kazimir nodded, his galactic eyes—swirling with stars and a crescent moon pupil—reflecting the chamber's radiance. "It's been a long time, Mahina and Luna. I hope the years have treated you well."
Luna's gaze held a quiet intensity, her lunar aura flickering like moonlight on water. "We've endured. So, what brings you to our realm, Emperor?"
Kazimir's voice was steady, laced with urgency. "I need a favor. Show me exactly what's happening on the moon outside this dimension—the one under Solaris' rule."
"Very well," Mahina said, her tone grave. "Step forward."
Kazimir approached the circle of lunar sigils on the wall, their intricate patterns forming a perfect ring that hummed with latent power. The Moon Sisters flanked him, their presence a calming force amid the cosmic tension. Luna's voice guided him. "Place your hand out and close your eyes. Let the lunar energy faze through you. It will reveal the truth of that moon."
He extended his hand, closing his eyes as the energy stirred. A ethereal moon formed in the circle's center, its glow intensifying as lunar essence flowed into him, a cool, invigorating surge that connected him to the distant orb. Mahina's voice pierced the silence. "Do you see it, Emperor?"
Kazimir's brow furrowed, his mind flooded with visions. "The lunar energy from the moon is being absorbed by the dynasties. They're sacrificing themselves to… something. Is this a ritual?"
Luna's expression darkened. "Yes, but whatever that entity is, it's feeding on them. It's transforming into something humanoid, absorbing the lunar power and every form of energy around it."
Kazimir's eyes snapped open, his void aura flaring faintly. "That looks very bad. Raijin, Kamaki, Felicia, and Lihanna are all on that moon with that thing. They have to find it fast—they can't afford to let it complete its transformation."
Luna's lunar glow intensified. "Your allies are on that moon with that potential Sovereign."
Kazimir's voice sharpened with confusion. "Sovereign?"
Luna nodded solemnly. "Sovereigns are what you are—more dangerous than dynasties but this one is false. They must be created, meaning Abiba is likely the architect behind this."
Kazimir's jaw tightened. "I see. I didn't even know Sovereigns existed."
Mahina's voice carried a warning. "They are abominations, born from corruption and sacrifice. Abiba's hand is clear in this."
Luna interrupted, her eyes widening. "Hold—I sense something. A battle is unfolding on that moon."
Kazimir's expression hardened. "That Sando hero guy. He's been stirring trouble."
On the moon's barren surface, under the distant glow of Earth, the battle raged like a cosmic tempest. Sando charged with his sword toward Raijin, the holy light of his blade cutting through the vacuum. "So, you came for me first!" Raijin braced, his lightning-wreathed form crackling.
But Kamaki appeared in a blaze of blue flames, drop-kicking Sando in the chest. Sando rolled across the lunar dust, scrambling to his feet as the two pushed forward. Kamaki's flaming fists deflected Sando's blade attacks with explosive force, while Raijin exploited blind spots, his wind and lightning striking like vengeful storms. Sando leaped over them, sliding with a hand on the ground, his holy aura flowing around him and his blade. "You two are such a pain!"
In an instant, Sando dashed to Kamaki, thrusting his sword with precision. But Raijin moved like a lightning bolt, passing Kamaki to meet Sando's blade. The shockwave from their clash rippled across the moon's surface, kicking up dust clouds. Raijin blocked with his dual daggers, the impact sending sparks flying. "Nice save!" Kamaki grinned.
"No problem," Raijin replied. "You had my back—now I've got yours."
On Felicia's side, Glavatus, Pluto, and Ayane targeted her. Ayane fired ice arrows, their frozen trails streaking toward Felicia, who dodged soaring through the sky. She punched Ayane, sending her flying into a crater with a thunderous impact. Pluto struck Felicia's back with a wind attack, the force knocking her off balance. Glavatus jumped into the air, grabbing Felicia's head and slamming her into the moon's ground, the crater deepening with the force. "Nice one, Glavatus!" Pluto called. "This Phoenix girl isn't gonna be much trouble after all."
Felicia stood up, a bruise on her head pouring blood, her pale blue flames flickering with rage. "Not much trouble, huh?" she said coldly, her sky-blue cape billowing.
Glavatus laughed. "Yeah, look at you—I didn't even try hard."
Felicia's smirk turned deadly. "Now I'm pissed off." She burst into flames so hot they warmed the moon's freezing surface, the temperature shift palpable. Everyone felt the change in climate, her pale blue flames scorching like a wildfire. Raijin and Kamaki, mid-fight with Sando, exchanged glances. "Looks like Felicia's mad," Raijin said.
"Yeah," Kamaki responded, "I think we might be in danger from her too."
Pluto, Glavatus, and Ayane stood in shock. "What the hell?" Pluto muttered. "She's not even a Vandor, but that power…"
Sando shifted his gaze to Felicia, heading toward her. But Lihanna appeared with one arc of her sword, slashing Sando on the arm. He thought he'd dodged—until blood poured from the wound. "What?" he gasped. "She slashed me—I barely saw her blade, but I thought I dodged it. She's more trouble than the others—she's fast, very fast."
Lihanna stood, her nodachi in hand, her water aura humming. Gendai appeared behind her, spear striking, but without notice, she received a brutal kick to the nose as Lihanna stretched her leg backward. Gendai staggered, blood flowing. Felicia stood next to Lihanna, Raijin and Kamaki joining them side by side.
Lihanna spoke, her voice calm amid the chaos. "There's no point in fighting. We have to hurry and stop that thing from getting worse. This is a waste of time."
Sando sneered. "You're our enemy—does it matter?"
Lihanna's eyes locked on Gendai. "Your taste in men is something else. Were you desperate or something? This guy looks thirty and acts like ten."
Gendai screamed, her voice raw. "Shut up! Talking about taste when you're with that nerd Tyrone!"
Lihanna's response was cool. "At least he doesn't act ten."
Gendai lunged, but Lihanna vanished, placing her palm on Gendai's head. Gendai's eyes widened in confusion. Lihanna brushed her hand gently through Gendai's hair. "I swore you'd be stronger after two years. But tell me, Gendai—since you're a demon dating a holy man, do you know how to properly pray to a god? I'll show you."
Gendai whispered, "How?"
Lihanna dashed, slamming Gendai's head repeatedly into the moon's craters until she fell unconscious, dust exploding with each impact.
Sando screamed, "YOU BITCH!"
Lihanna turned, her voice unyielding. "That's one down. And aren't you a holy man? I guess even holy sword wielders are sinners."
Kamaki and Raijin stood, eyes wide. "Damn, Lihanna's out here aura farming," Kamaki said.
Raijin nodded. "Yeah, for real. She's cold—and not gonna lie, I think I underestimated Tyrone's game. That was hot to witness."
Ayane stood back, fear creeping into her stance from Lihanna's presence. Then, a strong surge of lunar power emerged, a portal of corrupted lunar energy swirling under their feet. The intensity shook the ground, Pluto gasping, "This power is intense!"
Glavatus shouted, "What the hell is that thing?"
Sando watched, his face filled with frustration. Felicia asked Lihanna, "Looks like we're too late."
Lihanna nodded. "Yes, we are. And whatever this is, it isn't a Dynasty. It's something far worse."
Lihanna and everyone stood, their eyes locked on the humanoid monster emerging before them, its form twisting with corrupted lunar energy, a shadow of dread against the moon's pale surface. The air grew heavy, the creature's presence a harbinger of doom, as the battle paused in the face of a sovereign threat.