Kyoketsu no hikari [ English ]

It had been some time since Jinsu's abduction.

People no longer spoke of the tournament.

Nor the organizations.

Nor even the Yami.

There was only one name left on everyone's lips.

Yami no Enma.

At first, the world believed it to be nothing more than a small group.

Then, a village vanished.

Then a city.

Then an entire Imperial Guard battalion disappeared without a trace.

And after that...

Nations began closing their borders.

For the first time in centuries...

The world was afraid.

In an effort to restore hope and reassure its people, the Emperor issued a decree that had not been proclaimed in over fifty years.

The Festival of World Unity.

An event held only once every half-century.

A gathering where the Emperor, the kings of the great nations, the leaders of the organizations, the Imperial Guard, the high nobility, and representatives of the new generation would stand together beneath one roof.

Its purpose was simple.

To remind the world that its leaders were still standing.

And that the Empire remained in control of everything.

On the morning of the festival, the Imperial Capital overflowed with life.

Flags danced in the wind.

Music echoed through the streets.

Yet behind every smile...

Fear lingered.

"Did you hear?"

"Hear what?"

"They say the man with the crimson eyes was seen near the northern border."

"Stop talking! Someone might hear you!"

High above the city, dozens of flying vessels sailed through the clouds toward the Imperial Palace.

Inside one of them, Yuna sat in silence.

This was the first time she had left Gaya Headquarters since the incident involving Jinsu.

Standing beside the window, she gazed down at the sprawling capital below.

"...It's enormous."

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Thalen stood behind her.

"It is the center of the world."

She turned toward him.

"Why did you bring me with you?"

Silence hung between them for a moment before he finally answered.

"Because you're strong."

"There are people stronger than me."

"But none of them are you."

Yuna stared at him in confusion.

Thalen merely turned his gaze back toward the horizon.

Elsewhere, aboard another vessel, Levi rested his sword across his shoulder.

"The Festival of Unity, huh?"

Akuro glanced at him.

"Don't start any trouble."

Levi grinned.

"I won't make any promises."

Meanwhile, Kenji stood silently beside Takeshi.

Ever since his battle with Kaizen...

He had changed.

He trained until his body collapsed.

He fought until his hands split open.

He looked down at the capital beneath him and quietly muttered,

"If only I had been stronger..."

But he never finished the sentence.

Hours later...

The ceremony began.

The Imperial Throne Hall was larger than anyone had imagined.

Thousands filled its vast interior.

Kings.

Generals.

Ministers.

The Imperial Guard.

And at the very top of the hall sat the Emperor.

The man who ruled the world.

Standing beside his throne were the Twelve Imperial Guards.

The Empire's elite.

Each one possessed strength comparable to that of an organization's leader.

Below them sat the leaders of Gaya.

Tsukiro.

Thalen.

Kaya.

Akuro.

Valiana.

Takeshi.

And the leader of Raikō no Ikari.

The latter glanced at Thalen.

"I didn't expect you to come."

Thalen answered calmly,

"Neither did I."

The man chuckled.

"Let's hope no one ruins this festival."

Everyone understood who he meant.

Kaizen.

Yet no one said a word.

Then, the Emperor rose to his feet.

Silence swept across the hall.

"People of this world..."

His voice echoed throughout the chamber.

"For seven hundred years..."

"The Empire has stood as this world's shield."

"And for seven hundred years..."

"Humanity has never bowed before the darkness."

Thunderous applause erupted.

The Emperor raised his head and continued.

"And today..."

"Though a new threat has emerged..."

"I give you my word—"

He raised his hand.

"That this world shall remain unchanged."

Suddenly...

The music stopped.

...

Then the lights went out.

Silence.

The crowd looked around in confusion.

"What's happening?"

"Where are the guards?"

"Is this part of the ceremony?"

And then...

Everyone felt it.

Pressure.

A pressure unlike anything they had ever experienced.

One nobleman collapsed to his knees.

Then another.

Then dozens more.

"W-What is this?!"

"I can't breathe!"

Even members of the Imperial Guard...

Found their hands trembling.

Clap.

The entire hall froze.

Clap. Clap.

Every eye slowly turned toward the throne.

And then...

Their breaths stopped.

Because someone...

Was sitting upon the Emperor's throne.

A man.

Black hair.

Crimson eyes.

One leg crossed over the other as if he were sitting in his own home.

He smiled.

"Good evening."

Silence consumed the hall.

The Emperor's eyes widened.

"How did you get in here?"

Kaizen didn't answer.

Instead, he slowly looked around the chamber.

"So..."

"This is where humanity governs the world."

A faint laugh escaped his lips.

"It's smaller than I expected."

The Imperial Guard moved instantly.

Twelve individuals.

Twelve monsters.

But before they could reach him...

They stopped.

Because Kaizen...

Was only looking at one person.

Thalen.

"It has been a long time."

Thalen remained silent.

Meanwhile, Yuna felt a chill run down her spine.

That face...

It was Jinsu's.

But those eyes...

Those eyes did not belong to him.

The Emperor rose in fury.

"Get off my throne!"

Kaizen turned toward him.

"Your throne?"

He placed a hand on the armrest.

"I existed long before your Empire was born."

"And before Solar ever drew his first breath."

The entire hall froze.

Solar.

The founder of Gaya.

Even Tsukiro lifted his head in shock.

Kaizen smiled.

"Tell me..."

"What does it feel like to rule a world that is collapsing?"

"Imperial Guard!" the Emperor roared. "Kill him!"

In the next instant, two members of the guard vanished and appeared before Kaizen.

But...

Just before their weapons reached him...

They stopped.

Suspended in midair.

Unable to touch him.

...

Silence.

No one understood what had happened.

Even Thalen narrowed his eyes.

Kaizen hadn't moved.

"Weak."

The entire hall trembled.

Eight members of the Imperial Guard instinctively took a step back.

For the first time in their lives...

They felt fear.

Then Kaizen slowly rose from the throne.

"Relax."

"I didn't come here to kill anyone today."

His gaze shifted to the Emperor.

"I came only..."

He took a step forward.

"To remind you."

Another step.

"That you..."

One more.

"Are no longer the ones who rule this world."

For the first time...

Anger appeared on the Emperor's face.

"You dare threaten me before the entire world?!"

Kaizen smiled.

"No."

He spread his arms.

"I am merely announcing the truth."

His eyes swept across the crowd.

Kings.

Soldiers.

Leaders.

Then he spoke.

"Humans..."

"Remember this day well."

"Because what you are witnessing now..."

"Is the moment your era comes to an end."

At that moment...

The sky above the Imperial Palace began to crack.

The eyes of everyone present widened in horror.

Thousands of black gates...

Were opening across the heavens above the Imperial Capital.

Tsukiro abruptly rose to his feet.

"Impossible..."

But Thalen...

Had already realized the truth.

Kaizen...

Had not come alone.

A smile spread across Kaizen's face as he looked upon the world itself.

"Allow me to introduce..."

"Yami no Enma."

The first gate opened.

And from within it...

A black hand emerged.