The roar of cameras echoed. Helicopters hovered above the battlefield, broadcasting to the entire world a scene that seemed torn from legend. The sky trembled, the air grew heavy, and before all eyes, the greatest hero of the world faced the Universal Emperor.
Ethan opened his eyes, confused, until he recognized the silhouette standing before Kairon. His heart nearly stopped.
— D-Dad…!!
His cry shattered the silence, blending with the sound of rotor blades. Within seconds, every television, every screen, every device connected to the planet displayed the same vision: Inavy Stormbreak, the Legend, face to face with Kairon, the Judge of Stars.
[Lorien Valtier's Office]
In his study, Lorien sat frozen before his computer. His hands trembled until he finally stood, clenching his fists. He donned the golden suit, his blazing aura filling the room.
— I have to go there.
A soft, yet firm voice stopped him.
— Don't go, Lorien.
It was Diana Flamesoul, his wife and Inavy's former master. Her eyes gleamed with determination.
— You'll only get in the way.
— But he needs our help! — Lorien snapped, fury pouring out.
— No. — Diana took a deep breath. — Darius is already there. Kelvin too. And more than anyone, you know… when Inavy steps into a one-on-one, he despises interference.
Lorien slammed the table, the crack echoing.
— But what about the promise I made to Ray?! Inavy cannot die!
With tears in her eyes, Diana smiled tenderly.
— He understands that sacrifices must be made. And no one better than him to show the world what it means to be a hero. Trust him, Lorien. Please… let Inavy fight.
The hero bit his lip, powerless. Finally, he closed his eyes and thought, suffocated:
— …Please, Inavy. We're all counting on you.
[The Stormbreak Home]
In the living room, Rose Eldara, Inavy's wife, stared at the screen with hands clasped. Tears streamed down her face. Beside her, little Saddie Stormbreak tugged at her dress.
— Mommy… Daddy's going to win, right? He's the strongest!
Rose smiled through the tears, stroking her daughter's hair.
[Nionderland]
In the distant kingdom, the ancestral Zenya and her people had fallen into silence. None dared to breathe. All watched the rightful King of Nionderland — not fighting only for humanity, but for the world itself.
The Queen rose among her people, her voice firm:
— My grandson… show Kairon what you're made of.
And then, like a single chorus, the world roared in unison:
— LET'S GO, INAVY STORMBREAK!
Ryan, still dazed, lifted his voice too, his chest exploding with fire:
— GOOOOO, INAVY!!!
[Clash of Titans]
The Blade of Chaos gleamed. The black steel rose against the Spear of Destiny. The universe seemed to hold its breath when the two collided.
Each strike was cataclysmic. Earthquakes shook the land. Shockwaves forced even helicopters to reel, yet the cameras never stopped rolling — no one dared miss a second of the duel.
From afar, Kelvin Nox observed with arms crossed, his face cold. His mind replayed Inavy's words.
"I'll hold Kairon and weaken him. In the end, you and Darius will use your techniques. Darius with the Final Aurora. You with the Yami no Shinpan."
Kelvin closed his eyes, muttering:
— Go on, Inavy… you can do it.
[The Truth of Inavy]
On the field, Inavy glared at Kairon with fury.
— You think I don't see through your little scheme? This nonsense about "universal balance"… you just want to show the world that their pillar has fallen. But there's something you don't know.
His aura exploded. Black lightning with crimson edges ripped through the air.
— If I fall… someone stronger than me will rise.
Kairon raised an eyebrow, laughing.
— That someone is your son, Ethan, isn't it?
Inavy never looked away.
— I don't know. But I do know this: he'll be one of the pillars that destroys you… if I fall here.
The Emperor turned to Ethan, preparing a strike. But Inavy appeared like lightning, landing a brutal kick that sent him flying back.
— Your opponent is ME, you bastard!
Inavy's eyes burned with fire.
— You're nothing but another worm claiming to be a god. And just like I did seventeen years ago, I'll fight to kill you!
He raised his sword, clasping both hands.
— Nion… are you sleeping? Let's go, Synchronize!
Nion's voice echoed, amused:
— Hmph. I thought you'd never call.
Together, they roared:
— ARHHHHHHHHHH!
[The New Form]
A black aura with crimson edges and golden particles burst forth. Inavy's hair bristled, flames of black and white danced, and his eyes now glowed like golden suns.
The Blade of Chaos radiated energy that bent reality itself.
The world stood frozen in awe.
Kairon narrowed his eyes.
— Interesting…
Channeling the Spear of Destiny, he touched Inavy. An implosion of futures collapsed against him — as though every path and choice crumbled into one inevitable point.
But Inavy resisted.
From the depths of the universe, Chaos answered. A cosmic echo rang through the Chosen, reaching even Yon. The order of destiny was denied.
Kairon trembled.
— I… impossible…
And for the first time, the Universal Emperor felt something alien.
Fear.
[The Voidrend Slash]
Inavy raised his blade, his voice deep, resonating as if from the very cosmos:
— Voidrend Slash… Rupture of the Void.
The sword descended. A living rift tore through space-time. Sound folded. Light was swallowed. The ground erupted with chaotic energy, and whispers of other dimensions echoed, maddening, like senseless phantoms.
The technique struck Kairon, wounding him.
Silence reigned.
Then, Kairon raised his head, smiling.
— At last… now we can truly dance, Stormbreak. You are worthy of facing me as an equal.
[And the chapter ended.]