The cosmic base hummed with quiet energy, its walls alive with faint pulses of light that travelled like veins through the metallic corridors.
The air smelled faintly of ozone, a reminder of the immense power coursing through the reactors buried deep beneath the structure.
In the central lounge, Yuki Fujimoto and Amy Mori sat together on a curved bench that overlooked the starfield beyond the transparent dome.
The stars glittered like shards of diamond scattered across an infinite black canvas, and the two young warriors found themselves laughing, their voices echoing lightly against the polished surfaces.
Yuki leaned back, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face, her laughter bubbling up uncontrollably.
"So, you can see what Riku is doing at all times because of the merge? That is hilarious," she said, her words punctuated by a chuckle.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she nudged Amy playfully with her elbow.
Amy rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"It is not for entertainment, Yuki. It is only there to see if he is in danger," she replied, scoffing as if the idea of spying on Riku's daily antics was beneath her.
Still, she could not deny that sometimes the merge offered glimpses that were… amusing.
The two sat in companionable silence for a moment, the laughter fading into warmth.
The cosmic base was their sanctuary, a place where battles were planned, wounds were healed, and friendships were forged stronger than steel.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
The rhythm was uneven, urgent, and unmistakably familiar.
Yuki straightened, her laughter replaced by curiosity.
Amy tilted her head, sensing the energy signatures approaching.
Before either could comment, the sliding doors hissed open, and Riku and Rajin burst into the lounge, their breathing heavy from the sprint.
"We are back!" Rajin announced triumphantly, stretching his arms wide as if he had just conquered a mountain.
His voice carried the confidence of someone who thrived on dramatic entrances.
His long coat swirled around him as he slowed, the faint glow of his aura still shimmering from exertion.
Riku followed close behind, his dual light dagger gleaming faintly in his hand.
He moved with precision, even in haste, his eyes scanning the room before softening at the sight of his friends.
Without a word, he crossed to the armoury alcove, a recessed chamber lined with weapon racks and shimmering containment fields.
Carefully, almost reverently, he placed the dual light dagger back into its slot.
The weapon pulsed once, acknowledging its return, before dimming into dormancy.
Amy raised an eyebrow. "You two look like you ran through half the galaxy just to get here," she remarked dryly, though her tone carried affection. "What was so urgent?"
Rajin grinned, still stretching his shoulders. "Urgent? No, no, Amy. We just did not want to waste time. The stars do not wait, and neither do we."
He winked, his energy infectious.
Yuki laughed again, shaking her head. "You are ridiculous, Rajin. But I will admit, it is good to see you both back safely, no soul creatures harmed you, did they."
Riku shook his head and so did Rajin
***
The wasteland winds howled, carrying dust and echoes across the cracked terrain of the Terra universe.
Paulo's grip tightened on his three-section staff, the metal links rattling faintly as if eager for battle.
Momo's ghostly form shimmered beside him, her translucent eyes scanning the horizon with unease.
Seuta Hargrove's dagger gleamed under the pale light, her stance low and predatory.
Shoto Honō's blade burned faintly with a crimson aura, his breath steady but his gaze sharp, locked onto Paulo like a hawk circling prey.
"You're quick to insult," Seuta hissed, her voice cutting through the silence. "But words won't save you when steel meets bone."
Paulo's cold eyes narrowed. "Steel breaks. Bones heal. But pride… once shattered, it never returns."
He spun his staff once, the sections snapping outward with a metallic crack that echoed like thunder.
Shoto stepped forward, his dagger raised. "We do not care about your pride. We care about the truth. The hypno killer, here is he?"
Momo's ghostly form flickered, her voice whispering like wind through broken glass. "He is near… closer than you think. But you will not reach him if you waste your strength here."
Seuta's eyes darted around, her brow furrowing. "Who said that?" She turned sharply but saw only Paulo and no one else next to him. "Is someone hiding?"
Paulo smirked, his tongue clicking again. "You cannot see her you know. That is going to be your weakness. You fight shadows without knowing they are real or fake."
The tension kind of thickened, the wasteland itself seeming to hold its breath.
Dust swirled around their feet as the three fighters squared off.