The moon's crimson veil shimmered under the blood moon's eerie glow, its surface scarred by the echoes of battle—craters smoldering, dust swirling in the void like the remnants of a fallen dream. The clock on distant Earth ticked to 02:40 AM EDT, September 15, 3012, a silent witness to the drama unfolding on this desolate stage. Raijin and Kamaki descended from the starry expanse, their boots crunching into the lunar soil, their breaths heavy with exhaustion and relief.
A holographic image flickered to life before them, Riah's radiant form materializing—her red-and-white striped hair aglow, her crimson-red and black eyes etched with worry. "Is everything okay?" her voice trembled through the ether.
Kamaki wiped sweat from his brow, his blue flames dimmed but steady. "Yeah, we defeated the Sovereign. We're on the moon now. Lihanna and Felicia are alive but wounded—not severely, but they used all their power to beat that thing."
Riah's gaze softened, scanning their battered forms. "I can see you and Kamaki are hurt too. We're on our way—hold tight."
Raijin nodded, his lightning aura crackling faintly. "Roger that. Have you reached Kazimir?"
Riah's expression darkened. "No, not since his broadcast. Last he said, he was with the Moon Sisters."
Raijin sighed, the weight of their isolation settling. "Alright, see you soon." The hologram faded, leaving a tense silence.
Kamaki muttered, "They're on their way now." He glanced at Raijin, then toward Sando, Gendai, and Ayane. "Now we're stuck here with them."
Raijin smirked, his voice low. "At least the purple-haired girl doesn't look bad."
Sando rose, his sword igniting with holy energy, its glow a stark contrast to the blood moon's hue. "Shut your mouth!" he snarled, his voice a thunderclap in the void.
Kamaki chuckled, his tone mocking. "Look who's got fighting spirit now. Where was that when the Sovereign was here? You were crying 'Glavatus! Glavatus!'—ordering them to death, then cowering like a frightened pup."
Gendai's scream pierced the air. "Shut the hell up, you two!"
Kamaki and Raijin exchanged a glance, grins widening. "No way, it's the 'feel-pity' girl," Kamaki taunted. "Go bounce on that dick like the lover you are."
Gendai's rage erupted. "YOU ALL ARE TRASH! DON'T YOU DARE DISRESPECT ME AND SANDO'S RELATIONSHIP!"
Raijin leaned in, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh yeah? Judging how a man of god dates the devil. Thought a thirty-year-old would have wisdom."
Kamaki piled on. "Calling us trash when she lied about a guy who rejected her, breaking laws—got deported for it."
Ayane stood silent, her purple hair framing a face frozen in shock.
Sando's fury boiled over. "That's it—you talk too much!" His sword glowed brighter, divine energy surging as he lunged, aiming a lethal slash at Raijin and Kamaki. Ayane stared, awestruck; Gendai's expression remained blank. Kamaki looked up, the blade descending—when suddenly, it halted, weighed down by an unseen force.
A blur of motion—Kazimir materialized, his indigo-blue coat billowing, black hair tipped with blue streaks catching the blood moon's light. In a blink, he stood on Sando's sword, delivering a kick to his jaw with blinding speed. Sando's body rocketed backward, splitting the moon's surface like a tidal wave, dust exploding in a cinematic arc. Kamaki and Raijin grinned. "About time you arrived, but sadly too late for the party, Kazimir."
Ayane's breath caught, her eyes wide. Kazimir's back faced them, his galactic eyes—swirling with stars and a crescent moon pupil—shimmering as he turned. "I apologize for sending you here," he said, his voice resonant. "Had I known it was a Sovereign, I wouldn't have. But you defeated it—I underestimated you. Good work."
Kamaki raised a thumb, smirking. "Shit, you better."
Gendai trembled, her gaze fixed on Sando's shredded armor, his unconscious form foaming from the mouth on the ground. Ayane muttered, awestruck, "What the hell? His power's insane… being near him makes me want to pass out. This is another league—he didn't even try with Sando, just effortless."
Raijin and Kamaki slumped to the ground, Felicia and Lihanna unconscious beside them. Kazimir's gaze shifted to Gendai and Ayane, his galactic eyes piercing. Each step he took deepened Gendai's terror; she crawled backward, her back hitting a rock wall, her face paling as if facing a ghost. "What?" she whimpered, tears brimming.
Kazimir's voice was calm, yet commanding. "Why are you afraid? Don't tremble because I showed humanity's weakness. That was your best hope—Sando thought he could rival a disciple. He lost to Vanessa, whom I begged not to kill him. I'm not here to kill you—what would I gain? I could've had Vanessa end you all, but I wanted you to live, or that Sovereign would've destroyed Earth."
He surveyed the moon's scarred surface. "Some of your allies died. A pity—your leader's actions had consequences. Cooperating could've saved two friends. A shame."
Gendai's sobs broke free. Kazimir's eyes narrowed. "And you lied about me to the planet, fueling their fire. Over a hundred Vandors from five nations are gone because of it."
A ship hovered overhead, its descent a silent promise. Kazimir and the group looked up as it landed, dust swirling. "Now's my cue to leave," he muttered. "Raijin, Kamaki, let's go." They lifted Felicia and Lihanna, heading toward the ship. Gendai sat against the rock, crying silently.
Ayane rose, stepping forward. "Wait!" Kazimir turned, his galactic eyes locking with hers, sending chills down her spine. "Yes, how may I help you?"
"Can I join you?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tremor in her heart.
Kazimir studied her. "Yes, you can come. Anyone's welcome—except Gendai. She stays."
Ayane nodded. "Alright, sir." She boarded the ship, Gendai watching as the doors sealed and it lifted off, vanishing through a portal toward Vrasnia, leaving her alone with Sando's broken form under the blood moon's fading light.