"Camearra…"
The crack on the Ultimate Light Pot kept widening, and Yu Zhou's energy was insufficient to withstand the relentless attacks.
Turning back to look at Camearra one last time, Yu Zhou made his decision.
"Senpai!"
At that moment, Dyna flew toward Yu Zhou and Camearra, shouting in alarm.
In that split second, the Ultimate Light Pot in front of Yu Zhou completely shattered. Yu Zhou used one hand to push Camearra toward Dyna's direction.
Time seemed to slow down. Camearra reached out with her golden whip, trying to catch him and expand the range of the light beam's attack.
But it was too late.
The black beam engulfed Yu Zhou's entire body the instant Camearra was pushed forward.
The once battle-filled ocean fell silent, leaving only the sound of crashing waves.
Camearra's golden whip recoiled, but it brought back nothing.
Yu Zhou was gone.
The silver-purple-red tri-coloured figure had vanished.
Staring blankly at the black beam that pierced the sky, Camearra's whip slipped from her hands into the sea.
Her whole body felt powerless. Her Colour Timer flashed red as she began to fall toward the water.
Fortunately, Dyna was there and prevented her from falling into the ocean.
"Yu Zhou-senpai…"
Dyna supported Camearra, looking at the black beam with a mixture of grief, anger, and helplessness.
Yu Zhou, his senior and mentor, had always encouraged him, helped him solve problems, and appeared at crucial moments to overcome difficulties.
And now… he had been taken by the evil god…
"Impossible…"
Kei Ichijō in a fighter jet shook his head, unable to believe what he saw.
The scene was reminiscent of the time Daigo had faced Gatanozoa in the past, when his body was pierced by the petrifying light, leaving everyone in disbelief.
"Yu Zhou can't lose!"
Ichijō repeated what he had said back then.
Indeed, in his heart, Yu Zhou had always been composed, facing every difficulty with confidence. He had never failed.
Yet now, it was happening right before his eyes.
"Yu Zhou…"
The Victory Team fell silent, hearts heavy.
Watching a comrade seemingly die, powerless to intervene, filled them with despair.
"It's our fault. We're too weak to help."
Kudo spoke, full of grief and self-blame, leaving everyone feeling helpless.
If everyone had the power of the Ultramen, Yu Zhou wouldn't have had to fight alone.
"No… it's impossible."
On the beach, Kirino's popcorn fell onto the sand as he stood in disbelief, staring at the screen.
"He can't lose… he's never lost before!"
Yet the black beam piercing the sky silenced him.
"Ultramen… have they lost?"
Even the Super Victory Team was stunned. Seven Ultramen against a sea-based evil god, and they had been brought to such a state.
"Are we really doomed?"
Young Mai's fear was evident.
"No," Ryō said beside her. "Humans are an incredibly resilient species!"
…
"Tiga…"
"Have all the Ultramen failed?"
"Did Tiga die…"
"Impossible…"
"Tiga will never fall!"
"We will not lose!"
"…."
People across the world were divided—some despairing, some remaining optimistic.
From the previous battle against Gatanozoa, most still held onto hope.
After all, they now knew that not only Ultramen, but everyone could become light themselves.
In shelters worldwide, particles of light slowly emanated from hopeful humans, drifting through the crowds and accumulating power.
…
Over the ocean.
Charija sat atop Zoiger, staring at the black beam streaked with purple lightning, lost in thought.
Moments later, he had Zoiger land on a deserted island and stored the two Zoigers into capsules.
Beneath the dark sky, Charija took out a briefcase and began tinkering.
"I still have to try."
Muttering to himself, he sighed.
As he worked, the sky brightened.
Not just the sky—the entire deserted island and ocean became brilliantly illuminated.
The black mist on the water vanished in the light.
Looking up, Charija was astonished.
Countless comet-like light spheres shot from all directions toward the battlefield.
These light spheres scattered particles of light, illuminating the dark land and sky brilliantly.
"The light is here!"
On the EAGLE's flying craft, Kudo shouted in excitement.
A light shot from him, joining the sky's glowing army.
Not just Kudo—everyone from the Victory Team and Super Victory Team emitted streaks of light toward the spheres in the sky.
"These are… the lights from back then!"
Kirino, on the beach, watched the light spheres in astonishment.
A streak of light also emanated from his body, flying over the ocean.
"These lights are…"
Dyna, holding the dazed Camearra, looked up in awe.
"Human lights of hope!"
Dyna laughed joyfully.
Over ten years ago, when he was a small kid facing the world-ending evil god, he had also become light and entered the body of an Ultraman.
This light was humanity's hope.
Just as these lights surged toward Yu Zhou's former position, a strong light suddenly flashed through the black beam, instantly breaking Ythogtha's continuous attack.
When the black beam dissipated, the silver-purple-red tri-coloured giant shone brilliantly, appearing in everyone's sight.
"Sigh… you've forced me to use the Shining Power."
Yu Zhou's voice resonated softly, awakening Camearra.
"Yu Zhou-senpai!"
Dyna also shouted, seeing the figure now over twice its original size.
"I'm fine." Yu Zhou nodded to both, noticing the environment around him had become so brightly lit.
"Why is it so bright?"
He looked around and then upward at the sky, frozen.
The light spheres that had been heading toward him now hovered in place, awkwardly unsure where to go.