Nitchtron — Darant City
Capitol Council
Inside a dimly lit library stood a short elderly Nitchtronian. His white hair was neatly trimmed, and a long brown cloak draped over his frail frame.
Accix.
He stared out a nearby window, deep in thought.
"I wish you luck... Atrunt."
A series of knocks echoed through the room.
The door opened.
A woman stepped inside and bowed respectfully.
"Excuse me, Councilor Accix."
A beat.
"The other council members have assembled. They are waiting for you."
Accix raised an eyebrow.
Confusion briefly crossed his face.
—
The council chamber was enormous.
Mountain walls stretched high overhead, disappearing into darkness like a sky full of stars. Ancient murals covered the stone, depicting the story of the same divine being worshipped throughout Nitchtron's history.
A massive stone table ran through the center of the room.
Councilors sat along both sides.
Elders.
Statesmen.
Military advisors.
Nitchtronian men and women alike, all dressed in long brown cloaks.
Behind them stood armed guards, silently watching over the proceedings.
"Good evening, everyone."
The voice echoed through the chamber.
Eczys.
Leader of the Council.
"I imagine you're all wondering why I called this meeting on such short notice."
One of the councilwomen sighed.
"I certainly am."
"I hope it isn't over some trivial matter."
Eczys nodded.
"I am afraid it is far from trivial."
"I just concluded a galactic call with Commander-in-Chief Benso of Planet Earth."
The room grew quiet.
Curiosity spread among the councilors.
Eczys continued.
"He informed me that Earth's missing Seraphim has been brought to our planet."
A pause.
"By none other than the Demon faction known as the Ancients."
The chamber erupted with murmurs.
Several councilors exchanged shocked looks.
Accix immediately rose from his seat.
Both hands planted firmly on the table.
"That is absurd."
His voice carried through the room.
"How could a Nitchtronian faction smuggle an Earthling Fighter through galactic patrols?"
Others quickly agreed.
"It makes no sense."
"How could they possibly bypass inspection?"
Eczys raised a hand.
The room quieted once more.
"The Ancients did not act alone."
He looked around the chamber.
"According to information gathered by Commander Benso's agents, the Ancients traded a powerful Stardust-enhancing artifact in exchange for the Fighter."
Another wave of murmurs spread.
"They worked alongside another Demon faction known as the Red Moon Clan."
"They are the ones who transported him here."
Concern began appearing across the council's faces.
Eczys continued.
"The intelligence also suggests they intend to transform the Fighter into some kind of weapon capable of rivaling the Archangels."
The room grew tense.
Accix spoke again.
"And what proof does Earth possess?"
His eyes narrowed.
"These are serious accusations."
A beat.
"Accusations capable of damaging our treaty."
Eczys rose from his chair.
"He contacted us precisely because he wishes to preserve that treaty."
He began pacing around the table.
"This information has not been made public on Earth."
"At least not the portions involving the Ancients."
"All the public knows is that the Fighter was abducted by members of his own species and that an extraterrestrial artifact was involved."
He stopped directly across from Accix.
"They do not possess definitive proof."
"Because any evidence that once existed is either gone... or already here."
The two men locked eyes.
"That is why Commander Benso has requested our assistance."
"In good faith."
"As allies."
"He believes something dangerous is happening within our borders and has chosen not to violate our sovereignty by intervening himself."
The room fell silent.
Another councilor stood.
"I believe we should help."
He nodded firmly.
"Maintaining trust between our worlds benefits everyone."
Immediately another councilor rose in opposition.
"But why should we?"
His voice grew louder.
"If this information is true, then Earth is responsible as well. Their own people brought the Fighter here."
He folded his arms.
"They should solve their own problems."
"I propose we issue a galactic warrant and instruct them to handle the matter themselves."
The chamber erupted into debate.
Arguments echoed from every side of the table.
Eczys raised his voice.
"If we ignore a matter like this..."
The room slowly quieted.
"What does that say about us to the rest of the galaxy?"
No one answered.
"Our ally acted responsibly."
"They informed us of a potential threat operating inside our territory."
"They respected our borders."
"They respected our treaty."
"And they asked for our help."
Eczys walked toward the head of the table.
"We have been warned."
His voice became firm.
"We are not dealing with a weak enemy."
A pause.
"We will respond with our own forces."
The chamber watched him carefully.
"If they have already succeeded..."
"If they have already transformed the Fighter into a weapon..."
His expression hardened.
"Then there is only one person we can send."
Silence.
Eczys spoke a single name.
"Ragnor."
The room looked around at one another.
Then, one by one, every councilor stood.
They bowed in agreement.
"Council dismissed."
The meeting ended.
Everyone began filing out of the chamber.
As Accix exited, his expression darkened.
No one noticed.
"Atrunt..."
His thoughts lingered.
"How could you have been so careless?"
The massive doors shut behind him.
—
Back at the Ancients' Fortress.
Atrunt ran through the corridors in a panic.
The sounds of battle echoed throughout the facility. Gunfire. Explosions. Screams.
Every corner he turned, he expected to find a Red Moon member waiting for him.
Or worse.
He didn't stop running until he finally reached Rumbler's chamber.
The door slid open.
Atrunt rushed inside.
Breathing heavily.
Sweating.
Agitated.
Then he froze.
His expression darkened.
Infuriated by the sight before him.
"You..."
His voice trembled with anger.
"You little piece of shit."
A beat.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Standing in front of him was Levi.
One hand wrapped around Ninax's throat.
Ready to snap her neck at any moment.
Levi smirked.
"Bringing damnation."
Suddenly Atrunt felt something sharp against his back.
A dagger.
Its tip pressed directly against his spine.
Kayo stood behind him, gripping the dagger firmly.
Atrunt froze.
But the fear of dying only fueled his rage.
Then Levi spoke.
"Save your words."
He glared at Levi.
"I don't care if you came here to convince me to preserve our alliance."
Then he stopped.
Confusion crossed his face.
A realization.
Levi.
Kayo.
Ninax.
None of them had been present at the banquet.
None of them knew the betrayal had already happened.
Atrunt quickly composed himself.
An opportunity.
He smiled.
"Listen to me."
"If you're planning to use him, you're going to need our help."
He gestured around the chamber.
"We have everything you need."
"The technology."
"The facilities."
"The resources."
His smile widened.
"Hell..."
"I can transform you too."
"I can give you all the power you want."
"Preserve your Stardust."
"Make you eternal."
A pause.
"All you have to do is work with us."
"As allies."
His eyes gleamed.
"You'll become a God."
"The God that stands above everything."
Silence filled the room.
Atrunt waited for Levi's answer.
Levi stared at him.
Unblinking.
Then—
"Are you deaf?"
Atrunt blinked.
"What?"
Levi's expression didn't change.
"I already told you."
His voice was cold.
"I came here to bring damnation."
A grin slowly spread across his face.
Not joyful.
Not excited.
Something far worse.
Something that made Atrunt's stomach twist.
"Eternal power?"
"A God?"
Levi suddenly burst into laughter.
Wild.
Unhinged.
Then just as suddenly—
He stopped.
The room became silent.
"I don't give a fuck about any of that."
His eyes locked onto Atrunt's.
"I am done screwing around."
A beat.
"Done planning."
"Done playing games."
"Done chasing Hope."
Atrunt felt his heart sink.
Levi continued.
"For a long time, I forgot why I wanted this."
"Why I wanted to become a Demon."
His voice lowered.
"Killing Hope became the center of my world."
A pause.
"Not anymore."
Something dangerous flickered behind his eyes.
"I..."
"I am a Demon."
"And I will tear through this galaxy however I please."
His crimson aura flickered around him.
Slowly.
Like flowing blood.
"And I will carve my name into existence."
"Because even after I die..."
His grin returned.
Dark.
Twisted.
Unforgettable.
"I will still be remembered as the worst one."
Atrunt felt genuine horror for the first time.
Not because Levi was strong.
Not because Levi was dangerous.
But because Levi meant every word.
Levi released Ninax.
She stumbled forward and immediately walked toward the main control terminal.
Atrunt's eyes widened.
"No."
He took a step forward.
"Ninax..."
His voice cracked.
"No, stop."
"What are you doing?"
"STOP!"
Ninax looked back at him.
Pain filled her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Then she pressed the button.
The restraints disengaged.
Machines powered down.
Alarms blared throughout the chamber.
And finally—
Rumbler was released.
Awakening him.
Marking the end of the Ancients' plan.
And the beginning of Levi's.