Unknown Being: Hmm… so you're the one?
Flux (thinking): Whoa… this presence is powerful but still nothing compared to what I've already faced.
Flux: Yep, that's me. I want to clear the Immortal Stage. Is that a problem?
Unknown Being: Interesting… but in the Immortal difficulty, death is real. You could actually die. Do you still want to continue?
Flux: Hah! I'm not afraid of death. I'll be the one who passes this stage no matter what. So, can we start?
Unknown Being: If you insist. Let me introduce myself properly.
I'm Azuka, the one who will test you in this Immortal difficulty. Are you ready?
Flux: Ho~ Well, I'm Flux Arie. And I'll be the one shining brightest in this stage. Let's see if you can handle that.
Azuka: Such confidence… I suppose anyone bearing the Arie name wouldn't disappoint me.
Flux: Let's save the talk for after the match.
Azuka: Fine. Come at me when you're ready. Prove to me that you deserve to ascend to the next floor.
Flux: Got it, Akura!
Azuka: It's Azuka.
Flux: Yeah, yeah, whatever Uka. Let's go!
Azuka (thinking): Is my name really that hard to remember…?
---
The Battle Begins
Flux leaps high into the air, creating a massive shockwave under his feet.
A powerful surge gathers in his hands.
Flux (thinking): Both orbs won't work here… So I'll just create something new. But what?
Azuka (watching): Let's see what you're planning, kid.
Flux (thinking): Come on… create something already!
His right hand glows with freezing blue energy, shimmering with cold, while his left hand burns with deep purple darkness.
The energies flicker and distort, struggling to stabilize appearing and vanishing like two unstable stars.
But when the two finally merge
A blinding dark light bursts out, shaking the whole arena.
When it fades, Flux stands tall
In his hand, a sword of frozen crystal and void energy.
Its hilt is carved from living ice, its blade forged from pure purple darkness.
At its center spins a pulsing purple core, flooding the weapon with endless dark energy.
Flux: Whoa… What is this? I can't make my orbs anymore, but this… this might work.
Azuka (thinking): No… it can't be! That's Icicle Energy! There's no one alive who can wield it unless… unless he's the one who
(Azuka's eyes widen) killed my master…
Flux surges forward, cutting through the air like a storm.
Flux: Let's test its chill! Frost Floating Sky Piercer!
He slashes down at Azuka with a glowing arc of frozen light
Azuka blocks it just in time, sparks of frost scattering between their blades.
Azuka: You're not the only one who can summon ancient power. I can too!
Flux: Oh really? But you didn't know I have something you don't.
Azuka: Huh? What do you mean?
The camera pans up
Above them, a massive floating icicle core spins high in the sky.
Flux: Hehe… The "Sky Piercer" isn't just a name it's a setup.
The core hums, then glows brighter
sending out thousands of icy shards raining from the heavens.
Flux: Here it comes Ice Rainfall!
Azuka: Oh, you've got to be kidding RUN!
The shards crash down, creating massive explosions of frozen energy.
Each impact forms craters the size of mountains.
Azuka narrowly dodges between them, panting.
Azuka: That's… real power. Not a replica… He's the real deal.
Fine, then. I'll give it everything I have!
Azuka swings his sword with full force
"Frosted Mini Crantorration!"
A massive wave of icicle energy floods the entire field, freezing everything in its path.
Flux is caught in the blast buried under a mountain of frost.
Azuka: Hah… That took a lot out of me, but that should be enough, right?
A faint voice echoes from within the snow.
Flux: N–not… enough…
Flux bursts out, body half-frozen, blood crystallized in the cold.
His breathing is rough, but his eyes burn with unbroken will.
Flux: Not… e-even… close… I can still fight!
He raises his sword.
Flux: Darken Fl_
Azuka: Wait stop! Please, that's enough!
Azuka kneels.
Azuka: Lord… please stop. You've proven yourself. You may advance to the next floor.
Flux: W–what? Really??
Kimsi (Azuka's assistant): Huh?! Why are you stopping him?
Azuka: I'll explain later. But for now he's passed.
Azuka heals Flux's wounds with a flick of frost energy.
Flux: Are you sure? I can go?
Azuka: Yes. You've earned it.
Flux: Fine then. Next time, I'll return the favor you'll be the one facing my test.
Azuka: I'll look forward to it.
Flux vanishes into the next floor.
Kimsi: Master, why let him go? He didn't even finish!
Azuka: Kimsi… Did you feel that purple core's power?
Kimsi: Y-yes, but you're stronger aren't you?
Azuka: No. I only stood a chance because he used ice power. I've trained for quadrillions of years to resist that alone.
If he unleashed even a fraction more of that purple core… I'd be dust.
Kimsi: So he really is… that powerful?
Azuka: Yes. Let's just rest for now.
---
Meanwhile, with Mike
Mike: So, what's my test, Mr. Guardian?
Unknown Figure: My name's Kaisha, not "Guardian." Don't call me superior I dislike that.
Mike: Oh sorry, Mr. Kaisha. So, what's my test?
Kaisha: You chose a hard path. You'll face seven waves of monsters. Survive them all, and you'll face the final boss. Are you ready?
Mike: Ready as ever.
Kaisha: Then let's begin.
The ground shakes. The scenery morphs into a vast colosseum, surrounded by glowing runes.
Mike: Whoa… this place is huge!
Kaisha: It should be. Prepare yourself the first wave is coming.
A thunderbolt strikes the ground.
From its impact emerge horrific creatures half-zombie, half-unicorn.
Mike: What the what are those?
Kaisha: Zombicorns. A fusion of zombie and unicorn tough creatures. Be careful.
Mike: Got it.
The zombicorns charge
But Mike doesn't move. He closes his eyes, breathing deeply.
Mike (thinking): I can do this… I already did it once before. I can… create it again.
A voice echoes inside his mind.
Inner Voice: Oh Mike… why do you struggle so much? Just give up. You're not important. Why keep fighting?
Mike (thinking): Huh…? That voice… It feels… right. Why am I even trying?
Inner Voice: Exactly. Stop fighting. No matter how hard you try, no one will care. Everyone always blames you. So why not… end the suffering?
Mike: End… it?
Inner Voice: Yes. Just let go. Just
Flux's voice cuts through the darkness.
Flux: Oi! You idiot! You really planning to fall for that garbage?!
Mike: Flux?!
Flux: Yeah, it's me, you fool! You're tired? So what?! That's part of living!
If you keep going, your effort will pay off. Even if no one sees it your body, your soul will know. That's what matters.
The darkness shatters. Mike's mind clears.
Flux (fading): That's the Mike I know. The friend I chose.
---
In the real world, light gathers around Mike's hands.
The glow condenses into a brilliant white sword, humming with pure energy.
Mike: Let's do this!
He leaps forward, slicing through the zombicorns
One swing, and a blinding arc of energy vaporizes all 200 enemies instantly.
Mike: What… what just happened?!
Kaisha: Impressive, kid. Fine, I'll skip the rest. Ready for the final boss?
Mike: Mr. Kaisha, can we just move straight to the boss? I think I've got this.
Kaisha: Hmph. Confident. Very well.
The arena darkens. A massive figure steps out of a gate of darkness
A fallen warrior, wielding a black axe forged from obsidian and shadow.
Mike: A fallen warrior, huh? Let's finish this.
Both charge forward
Their weapons clash, the impact splitting the air like thunder.
Kaisha (thinking): Their powers are draining each otherMike's sword absorbs the axe's darkness, while the axe consumes his purity. Perfect balance…
They clash again, sparks flying, both trembling from exhaustion.
Then Mike smirks faintly.
Mike: My turn.
He surges forward, blade shining brighter than ever
And with one swift strike, he cleaves through the darkness, shattering the fallen warrior's axe and ending the battle.
Kaisha: …He actually won.
Mike: Panting Hahh… Told you, I can handle it.
---