Cocolia stood atop the icy plateau.
Beside her loomed an enormous device, its core pulsing fiercely with energy—the Stellaron itself, suspended at its center.
She gazed coldly down at Belobog, watching as countless Swarm bugs poured from the Fragmentum, blotting out the sky as they descended relentlessly upon the city.
Their sheer numbers were enough to make even her heart tremble.
If the Eternal Freeze and Fragmentum had gradually gnawed away at Belobog, leaving it barely surviving in agony, then these bugs were ravenous beasts poised to devour the entire city—no, the entire planet—in a single gulp.
Then there was the threat from the IPC, who intended to enslave her "new world," forcing Belobog into submission.
And those two bizarre cats, who'd inflicted upon her the greatest humiliation imaginable. She would destroy it all, ushering in the birth of her new world.
As the Stellaron filled her with boundless power, everything became clear, her strength growing ever greater.
"Hm?"
Sensing movement behind her, Cocolia turned slightly, her violet eyes glimmering with an ominous depth.
"So you've arrived after all."
"I thought you'd be buried beneath the Underworld. It seems that giant True Sting couldn't finish the job."
I knew it.
Yevenko's eyes flashed knowingly. Although the Swarm wasn't directly controlled by Cocolia, the timing and location of that giant bug's appearance had always felt suspiciously convenient.
IPC's sudden presence in the Underworld, along with the Trailblazers' timely rescue by Sambo, were surely no coincidence. Cocolia couldn't control the Swarm directly, but through the Stellaron's influence, she'd indirectly guided them there.
The Fragmentum was born from the Stellaron's corruption. Those Swarm bugs were probably driven to the Underworld through it, intentionally or not.
As for those emerging directly from underground—those had arrived naturally.
But now the Swarm appeared suddenly, openly, in massive numbers, indicating the Stellaron had released whatever power had held them at bay until now.
Likely, this was to push Cocolia into true despair, forcing her to make a final choice and accept her evolution through its influence.
The more Fragmentum creatures it created, the greater its strength.
Corrupting Cocolia simply accelerated this process.
By now, Cocolia was deeply ensnared in its manipulation. Even if small doubts arose, she would ignore them—or perhaps, she no longer dared to question herself.
To turn back now would mean denying everything she'd come to believe.
Nearby, Bronya argued desperately with Cocolia, unable to accept that her mother, the Supreme Guardian, had truly sided with the Stellaron.
But neither could convince the other.
Seeing their deadlock, Yevenko intervened:
"Bronya, you need to decide quickly. Topaz has activated the Underworld's military factory, and I've sent Ei to defend Belobog. Together, they can buy the city some time, but not forever."
"We must return and deal with the attack soon."
"But Cocolia won't change her mind. Reasoning with her is pointless—just wasting precious time."
Bronya inhaled deeply, uncertainty fading from her silver-gray eyes, replaced by resolute determination.
"I understand, Yevenko. I know what must be done."
"We Guardians are chosen by the people. Mother, you've abandoned your responsibilities—betrayed your role as Supreme Guardian."
"And that—"
"—I cannot forgive!"
Bronya raised her lance decisively, pointing it straight at Cocolia.
"Tom, charge!"
"Everyone, rush her together!"
Seeing Bronya's resolve, Yevenko shouted immediately. Who cared about fair fights when facing a villain? They'd beat her down together!
Topaz didn't move, watching silently, prepared to intervene only after the fight concluded.
As an IPC employee, profit was supposed to be her priority. The situation had clearly spiraled out of control, and they were only here now because leaving wasn't even possible. With so many True Stings flooding the skies, attempting to fly off-world would be suicide.
Topaz sighed softly.
"What a losing deal this has become."
"I just hope Jarilo-VI survives—it might still have some value left then."
Meanwhile, Tom eagerly charged Cocolia, pulling out a double-barreled shotgun from behind his back. After all, he and Yevenko had easily handled this woman before.
So easy!
It was time to show his master what he was really capable of!
Tom quickly closed in on Cocolia, brandishing the shotgun and flashing a wicked grin.
Suddenly, the ground began trembling beneath him.
Frost shimmered in Cocolia's hand as an icy spear materialized. She raised her voice sharply:
"As the Supreme Guardian, I command you—"
"—Engine of Creation, rise!"
Instantly, minor tremors exploded into violent shaking, and an enormous mechanical hand burst forth, followed by a towering mechanical giant with four glaring red eyes. Its huge body loomed menacingly behind Cocolia, lifting her gently into the air.
Tom froze at the sight, eyes wide. Faced with such a colossal opponent, the previously rigid shotgun drooped sadly in his hands.
Cocolia, recalling her earlier humiliation at the paws of a certain cat—though she wasn't sure if this one was responsible, it hardly mattered—shouted fiercely:
"Engine, crush it!"
Following her command, the giant swung its massive iron fist downward.
Tom quickly abandoned his shotgun and bolted, frantically sprinting away. The huge fist narrowly missed him, crashing violently into the ground instead.
Tom felt a chill breeze brush his back, glancing behind him only to see his fur had been cleanly shaved off, exposing a pair of bright red boxers.
Tom hurriedly covered himself with both paws, giving an embarrassed grin and quickly tiptoeing out of view.
An awkward silence filled the tense battlefield.
March 7th, Stelle, Bronya, Dan Heng...everyone instinctively glanced downward toward Yevenko, making him shiver and quickly cover himself.
"What are you looking at me for?! I'm not wearing red boxers!"