Twenty meters tall wasn't exactly huge—compared to Golza, these crab-like monsters didn't even reach up to its neck.
"These are Flame Shells," Charija explained, pointing toward the group of creatures crawling out of the molten river. "They're a species that live inside magma—kind of like hermit crabs from Earth. Native lifeforms of Volcano Star."
"...???"
Yu Zhou was completely dumbfounded.
If his memory was correct, the name Flame Shell was something he'd seen before—in a game.
In fact, those Flame Shells in the game also lived on Volcano Star!
"What's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost," Charija asked, noticing Yu Zhou's strange expression.
"Nothing," Yu Zhou shook his head, snapping back to focus. "Just wondering… does this star system also have a planet called Sky Cloud Star?"
Charija blinked. "Huh? How'd you know about that? Wait—don't tell me you've been there before?"
"So, it does exist?!"
Yu Zhou's jaw dropped. This universe was getting eerily similar to that game.
"Rrrh!"
A pair of loud roars interrupted their conversation.
Both men turned to see the two Golzas charging into the group of Flame Shells, attacking the magma-dwelling creatures without hesitation.
In a short while, each Golza returned triumphantly, carrying a dead Flame Shell in its claws.
The male Golza tried a cautious bite, then nodded approvingly at his mate.
Moments later, the two monsters began devouring the creatures with gusto.
"Well then," Charija said with a satisfied grin, "it seems you like it here. You can live here from now on."
He gave them a parting wave before hopping onto his black umbrella and flying into the distance.
Yu Zhou, naturally, followed closely behind.
After flying for a while, Charija stopped and released another Golza—the one he had originally owned—from its capsule.
"Rrhh?"
The Golza appeared, glancing around warily before relaxing with relief.
"Golza," Charija said with a small sigh, "you can live here too. When I need you, I'll come back for you."
He could only shake his head at this "perverted" Golza.
If the others were being left here to roam freely, then it was only fair that this one stayed as well. Seeing how it eagerly rushed toward a magma river, roaring happily, Charija didn't have the heart to take it away.
"Let's go," he said at last.
Leaving all three Golzas to thrive on Volcano Star, Charija signalled Yu Zhou to depart.
As they cruised through the void of space, Yu Zhou suddenly asked, "By the way, Charija—have you ever heard of Blazing Gorilla?"
Charija tilted his head, puzzled. "Huh???"
…
Back on Earth, after parting ways with Charija, Yu Zhou had planned to get some rest.
Interstellar travel was exhausting—even for an Ultraman. Honestly, he kind of missed the warm volcanic springs from earlier.
But just as he stepped into the Crystal Palace, his phone rang.
The caller ID read: Captain Megumi Iruma.
Yu Zhou frowned slightly, then answered, holding the phone to his ear.
"Yu Zhou-kun, it's an emergency!"
The captain's voice came through sharp and urgent.
"Captain? What happened?"
Sensing the tension in her tone, Yu Zhou's expression hardened. Clearly, something serious had gone down.
"Daigo and Asuka have been captured!" Megumi said quickly. "We tried calling you several times, but your phone was unreachable! I don't know if it's already too late!"
"I was off in another galaxy," Yu Zhou replied at once. "You said Daigo and Asuka were captured? What exactly happened?"
Daigo and Asuka—both were special cases within TPC.
According to the top-secret archives, Daigo was recorded as Ultraman Tiga.
Alongside him were Yu Zhou and Masaki—both also listed as Giants of Light.
If Daigo and Asuka had been kidnapped, it could only mean one thing: someone had leaked TPC's classified data.
Perhaps Commander Gondo again—trying to create more artificial giants by capturing real Ultramen for research.
But if that was the case… why only Daigo and Asuka? Why not Masaki as well?
"What about Masaki?" Yu Zhou asked quickly.
"He went after them!" Megumi answered, voice trembling. "Yu Zhou-kun, you have to hurry! The enemy is extremely powerful!"
"Powerful? What kind of enemy?"
Yu Zhou frowned. From the way she said it, it clearly wasn't a human culprit this time.
"I'm not sure," Megumi said, struggling to describe it. "It's enormous—mostly yellow in colour, with two massive horns on its head, and a red cape flowing behind it!"
"I'm sending you the footage we recorded!"
The call ended, and seconds later, Yu Zhou's phone buzzed with a video message.
He opened it—and his eyes narrowed.
Above the Earth, a gigantic floating fortress materialized from thin air—a massive citadel hovering in the sky.
From its gates emerged a towering being.
"The Super Dimensional Demon God… Etelgar!"
Yu Zhou muttered under his breath, instantly recognizing the figure.
It was him—the same golden demon he'd once been curious about. The very one who appeared as the final boss in Ultraman Ginga S: The 10 Ultra Warriors!
The video continued.
After Etelgar appeared, both Tiga and Dyna rushed to engage him—but within moments, they were defeated and sealed by his overwhelming power.
Then, Etelgar re-entered his colossal Time-Space Castle, which began rising into the cosmos.
Trailing close behind was Masaki—transformed as Ultraman Cain—chasing after the fleeing fortress.
"So that's it," Yu Zhou realized. "Etelgar came to this timeline… and captured Tiga and Dyna here!"
He finally understood the missing piece of the puzzle.
Etelgar, the Super Dimensional Demon God, possessed the terrifying ability to traverse across both dimensions and time itself—tracking down Ultramen from various universes and sealing them one by one.
But it seemed he had no idea that on this Earth, there were more than just Dyna and Tiga.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have simply left after taking Daigo and Asuka.
"Himala," Yu Zhou said, turning toward his attendant as he strode for the door, "if I don't return soon, inform Camearra."
With that, he transformed into light and shot up through the atmosphere.
Etelgar—the golden demon—was a formidable foe.
Yu Zhou knew this fight would be dangerous.
But he couldn't just stand by while that monster took Asuka and Daigo away.
If his instincts were right, Masaki—Ultraman Cain—had likely already fallen into Etelgar's grasp as well.
Breaking through the atmosphere and entering outer space, Yu Zhou's gaze locked onto the distance—where a dazzling explosion of light erupted, scattering nearby asteroids into fragments.