----- From the Side of Arthur Pendragon, Kingdom of Artand -----
----- 20 Minutes Before the Explosion -----
Arthur stood atop the crumbling walls of Artand, his golden cape whipping in the relentless storm.
Below, chaos reigned. The massacre unleashed by the red beast unfolded like a nightmare made real—swords, spears, fire, water, and countless other weapons and elements rained down upon the civilians and knights. Death spread indiscriminately, littering the ground with bodies.
Yet even in the carnage, a glimmer of hope remained: pockets of survivors huddled together, shields raised in defiance, desperately protecting the fleeing masses.
Arthur’s Thoughts:
I’ve set Soleil’s sanctuary at the kingdom’s entrance, but it won’t be enough.
If this slaughter continues, there won’t be anyone left to save. No time to hesitate now.
Gritting his teeth, Arthur extended his right arm and reached into the dimensional pocket at his side—a space woven into the very fabric of existence, where he kept his most vital tools.
His hand emerged clutching **parchments of power**, or so called **Portable star techniques**, metallic scrolls etched with alien symbols that glimmered faintly, their energy humming with restrained might
He steadied himself, his breathing sharp and deliberate.
The weight of the scrolls in his hand wasn’t just physical—it was a promise.
With a powerful leap, Arthur launched himself from the walls, soaring high above the battlefield.
From this vantage, he could see the extent of the devastation: civilians caught in the chaos, knights overwhelmed, and the red beast’s influence spreading like a plague.
His sharp gaze darted across the kingdom, his pupils moving frantically as he pinpointed the most desperate locations. Where death loomed, Arthur saw opportunity to intervene.
He closed his eyes briefly, centering his energy.
I will save them.. I MUST SAVE THEM !!
His golden aura flared, surrounding his hands and arms, glowing brighter as he infused the scrolls with raw power.
With a shout, he hurled the parchments one by one, each streaking across the battlefield like comets of radiant light.
Arthur:
"SUN POWER: SHIELDS!"
Wherever the scrolls landed, they erupted into shimmering yellow domes of light, creating protective barriers around the civilians and knights.
Spears of ice shattered harmlessly against the barriers, torrents of fire were extinguished upon contact, and blades dissolved into sparks.
The shimmering domes stood like bastions of hope amidst the chaos, giving the people within a moment to breathe—a moment to survive.
As Arthur descended, ready to savor the brief solace of his rescue mission, a sudden presence shifted the very air behind him.
A terrifying red-and-black figure materialized, its crimson eyes burning with fury and confusion.
Without hesitation, the figure drew back its arm, moving with unnatural speed, and delivered a devastating blow to the back of Arthur's head.
Arthur barely registered the impact before his neck snapped violently.
CRACK
His body spiraled downward like a fallen comet, consciousness slipping away as the world turned black.
When Arthur stirred, pain greeted him like an old foe.
He lay crushed against the ground, the weight of the blow anchoring him like chains.
His ears rang with an endless, high-pitched whine, his head throbbed mercilessly, and warm blood trickled from the nape of his neck down to his chin.
His vision swam, but he forced his head to turn. Slowly, through blurred sight, he made out a red-and-black figure standing over him—a looming specter of malice.
Then, one by one, more shadows joined the first: one, two, three, and finally four figures in total.
???#1: In a voice sharp and livid
“Why is a Pendragon interfering in the operation?! WHAT IS THIS BULLSHIT?!”
???#2: With a cruel, sing-song tone
“Another pitiful soul trying to defy the gods’ mercy.. Ooooh~ What a poor, foolish creature.”
???#3: Snarling with feral excitement
“Let’s kill him!!! I can sense it—an almost infinite potential in this one. The alliance will understand our decision—”
???#4: Calm but commanding, with an edge of disdain
“Silence, prophets 「Delta」, control yourself. This is a resource of the alliance.. but I must admit, why is he here?”
Arthur’s head throbbed in response to their voices, the resonance of their words echoing like an invasive bell.
But through the fog of pain and confusion, his rage simmered.
Blood dripped freely down his face, yet his fiery yellow eyes began to burn brighter, locking onto the four figures. Slowly, he forced his body to respond, his gaze rising with unyielding defiance.
Arthur: Voice rasping but resolute “Who... are you?!”
Summoning his dwindling strength, Arthur slammed the ground with his fist, unleashing a yellow-and-orange shockwave that roared outward like a wildfire.
The sheer force pushed the four figures back slightly, their red robes fluttering in the gale, but their balance and confidence remained unshaken.
???#4: Still composed, her voice tinged with authority
“You will return to your kingdom, King Arthur. This place is not yours to save.”
Before Arthur could reply, the anguished scream of a woman tore through the air, reverberating across the kingdom like a cry of despair.
His shields still held strong, protecting pockets of survivors, but the massacre continued unabated—swords materialized from thin air, spears impaled the fleeing, and fire rained mercilessly on the defenseless. The kingdom’s suffering seemed endless, and Arthur’s fists clenched against the unrelenting tide of pain.
???#4: Speaking firmly, as if reciting an order
“The Emperor has decreed that this kingdom must be destroyed.
None of this concerns you, Pendragon. Lower your shields, and walk away—”
Arthur: Interrupting with a snarl, his strength returning as his fury reignited
“No. Not until you tell me who the hell you are!”
As Arthur’s vision cleared, the figures came into sharp focus.
Their robes, a sickening red, were soaked with blood, and their faces—if they could even be called that—were grotesque and malformed, torn as if by some dark force.
They reeked of lead and blood, the stench making Arthur’s nose wrinkle in disgust.
???#4: Her tone darkening, as if growing impatient
“You ask the wrong questions, Arthur. It doesn’t matter who we are. What matters is the will of the Emperor—and you, King of Kamelott, are a loose thread in his tapestry.”
The red-eyed figure that had attacked Arthur growled low, its twisted body radiating an unholy aura.
Arthur could feel their combined energy pressing down on him like a vice, but he refused to falter.
Arthur: Voice rising, his fiery aura sparking to life once more
“Loose thread or not, I’ll see this through. I’ll protect these people.. even if I have to burn you all to ash!”
Prophet Delta 3: "LET ME KILL HIM, 「Omega」"
???#4 (Prophet Omega) : "SHUT UP !!"
Prophet Omega : Telepathically to an unseen force
"You must intervene—take control of your 'king'!"
Arthur: His voice cutting through the air, defiant despite his condition
"I heard you."
Omega’s eyes widened in astonishment, her authority suddenly challenged.
Arthur, bruised and battered, stood unwavering in his defiance, even as the odds mounted against him.
Prophet Omega: Snarling "Are you going to disobey your emperor, KID?!"
Arthur: His fists clenched, his voice trembling with restrained fury
"If the emperor collaborates with murderers like the Red Cult.."
He paused, his breath hitching mid-sentence, his defiance suddenly faltering.
Wha.. What’s happening to me?!
Arthur's breaths came shallow and uneven before stopping altogether.
Sweat poured down his face as his vision blurred.
His thoughts fragmented, slipping away like sand through his fingers.
Why?
Arthur.. Pendragon..
I’m.. Arthur?
The great.. Arthur..
I.. must obey..
The golden light in his eyes began to flicker and dim, overtaken by an unnatural pallor.
His body buckled as if under an invisible weight, and he dropped to his knees, his consciousness teetering on the edge of oblivion.
Any trace of independent thought seemed to vanish, leaving him a shell caught in the grip of engram magic.
I must.. Geirford..
I must.. save.. obey..
Geirford (Flashback): His dying words echo in Arthur’s mind
"Please... Save them..."
Nobuo (Flashback): "You don’t exist!! Your lives… your kingdom… does not belong to you!
You are prisoners of the Pendragon Alliance!"
The flash of memory struck like a lightning bolt, piercing through the fog.
Arthur’s body trembled violently, his muscles taut as raw energy crackled around him.
The air grew heavy, the ground beneath him fracturing as golden light burst sporadically from his fading aura.
Prophet Omega: Taking a cautious step back, his voice filled with disbelief
"What... WHAT?! He’s resisting the power of the engram?! THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!"
Arthur: Lifting his head with agonizing effort, his entire body quaking as he fought against the invasive control
"I... must... save... Artand!!"
The light in Arthur’s eyes reignited—faint at first but growing stronger with each strained breath.
The oppressive grip of the engram began to falter, unable to snuff out the fiery will burning within him.
Prophet Delta 1: Growling, baring their teeth like a feral beast
"He’s getting on my nerves! LET’S KILL HIM!!!"
Prophet Delta 2: Defiant, stepping forward
"This one is too dangerous to leave alive!"
Prophet Delta 3: Laughing maniacally
"Enough talk! LET’S KNOCK THIS LITTLE SHYSTER OUT!!!"
Prophet Omega: “NO!!!”
The three Delta prophets, clad in their bloodstained robes, lunged at Arthur with animalistic ferocity, their twisted forms moving unnaturally fast.
Their combined auras created a tidal wave of dark energy, surging toward Arthur like an unstoppable force.
Yet Arthur remained on his knees, trembling and seemingly helpless, even as the ground cracked beneath him from the weight of his latent power.
As the three prophets lunged, their hooked hands mere inches from Arthur’s face, the air trembled with the sound of a blade slicing through flesh.
SLASH
All at once, the prophets’ arms were severed cleanly from their bodies. Blood sprayed through the air as they recoiled, wailing in pain.
Arthur, still trembling on his knees, blinked in stunned disbelief, his vision sharpening as he turned to see the figure behind him.
A man clad in a long, flowing black poncho stood tall, a vibrant red katana gleaming in his hand.
The golden logo embroidered on his chest caught the faint light of Arthur’s shielded aura.
??? : Smirking, his voice casual yet sharp as a blade
“Looks like William’s little protégé needed a hand”
Arthur struggled to focus, his voice weak but filled with desperate curiosity.
Arthur: “Who... are...?”
Thomas: Swinging the katana in one smooth motion, flinging the prophets’ blood onto the sand with practiced ease.
“My name is Thomas.”
His amused grin widened as he tilted his head toward the boy.
“So, how about we rescue Artand together, great Arthur?”
Prophet Omega’s red-stained eyes widened in disbelief, her usually commanding voice now a shaky whisper.
Prophet Omega: “How... How is he not bound by destined death?! This isn’t possible!”
Thomas : Chiming in, his tone playful but sharp
“Destined death?! AH, so that's why Ao's taking longer than usual!”
The prophets grunted as their severed arms began to regenerate, grotesque veins and muscle strands twisting back into shape.
Yet Omega, visibly shaken, stared hard at Thomas, then at the weapon in his hand.
Recognition sparked in his crimson gaze.
Prophet Omega: Her voice trembling with realization
“The katana... Satsui?! How is it in your hands?!”
Thomas: Feigning ignorance, twirling the blade lazily as if it were a toy
“Huh? You know about this katana?”
Prophet Omega: Now snarling, her voice rising in both fury and dread
“Impossible... IMPOSSIBLE! That blade is cursed—it devours those who wield it! You shouldn’t even be alive!”
Thomas: Chuckling softly, his eyes glinting with mischief
“Cursed? Nah, I wouldn’t call it that. Sure, Satsui killed plenty of its previous owners, but I like to think of it as... selective. You know, picky about who gets to wield it.”
His smirk widened into a grin that dripped with menace.
“But calling him cursed? That’s just plain disrespectful”
Delta 1 snarled, his crimson aura flaring violently, and his patience came to its limits.
He shot forward at blinding speed, his body blurring as he closed the distance.
But before he could reach Thomas—
SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH
The sound of a blade cutting through the air rang out faster than the human ear could register.
Prophet Delta 1 froze mid-charge, his body trembling. Slowly, he glanced down—then realized.
His entire form had been reduced to thousands of pieces.
His body collapsed like shattered glass, flesh and blood raining onto the ground in a grotesque display.
Prophet Delta 2 & 3: Screaming in unison, their voices twisted with grief and rage
“BROTHER!!”
Prophet Omega: Her voice a mix of rage and panic
“No doubt about it now. That’s definitely Satsui!”
Prophet Delta 2: Ignoring Omega, his voice shaking with rage
“We’ll avenge him! WE’LL KILL HIM!!!”
Prophet Omega: Shouting with desperation
“You fools!!! You don’t understand!”
Her voice dropped, trembling with an almost reverent dread.
“If destined death doesn’t work on him.. and even the curse of Satsui refuses to take his life..
Then there’s only one explanation.. Death doesn’t want him!”
Thomas’s grin grew wider, a dangerous light dancing in his eyes. He stood steady, the still-blazing Satsui resting comfortably in his hand.
Arthur, still on his knees, trembling from exhaustion and pain, glanced up weakly at the man who had just saved his life.
Thomas didn’t look down at Arthur; his focus was locked on the prophets, his presence radiating effortless confidence.
Thomas: His voice steady, though laced with barely restrained anger
"Tell me, young Arthur... have you seen King Geirford?"
Arthur: Still trembling, his eyes downcast
"He.. is dead."
The weight of Arthur’s words seemed to hang in the air, heavier than the desert storm surrounding them.
As the realization sank in, the prophets, sensing their advantage dwindling, began to prepare their retreat.
Meanwhile, the frantic shouts of the villagers echoed from within the shielded domes.
Artand Villagers: Calling desperately to the others
“COME AND TAKE REFUGE IN THE DOMES, QUICK!!!”
Prophet Omega: Turning to her companions, her voice low but urgent
"Let’s get out of here... but don’t lose focus—"
Before she could finish, her words died in her throat.
Her gaze snapped to Thomas, whose playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by an expression of unrestrained fury and profound grief.
His piercing eyes locked onto the prophets with a force that made even Omega falter.
Thomas: His voice a growl, each word deliberate and heavy with menace
"Geirford.. You’re not going anywhere, Red Cult."
The name of their order rang like a curse in the prophets' minds, a promise etched in stone.
And then, before any of them could react, Thomas moved.
He was beside them in an instant, his form a blur of black and red, his katana glinting with murderous intent.
Thomas: Low, commanding, as if the blade itself responded to his words
"Satsui... E-"
Before Thomas could complete the technique, an overwhelming bluish glow erupted across the horizon, consuming everything in its wake.
The light spread with such blinding intensity that it seemed to rewrite reality itself, enveloping miles of desert and sky.
Everyone froze. Even the prophets, frozen in terror, were blinded as the brilliance seared their senses.
Arthur: Raising an arm to shield his eyes, shouting over the chaos
"WHAT IS THAT—"
His words were swallowed by a deafening roar as the explosion followed.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A devastating shockwave tore through the air, slamming into everything and everyone outside Arthur’s shield domes.
The force was cataclysmic, hurling sand, stone, and bodies into the air like leaves in a storm.
Arthur, struggling to stay upright, felt his balance fail.
The storm raged around him, the sheer force disorienting him until he could no longer tell up from down.
His vision swam, the light and sound overwhelming every sense.
As he began to falter completely, a voice cut through the chaos.
Thomas: Shouting, his voice resolute
"I GOT YOU!!!"
With precision born of experience, Thomas appeared at Arthur’s side, grabbing him just as the shockwave threatened to sweep him away.
Holding Arthur tightly, Thomas moved with blinding speed, his form slicing through the storm like a blade.
The two shot forward, Thomas guiding them into the safety of one of the domes.
Inside, the dome's shimmering shield muted the cacophony outside, though the ground still shook violently beneath them.
Arthur gasped for breath, his body trembling, his ears ringing from the blast.
Nearby, Teshi clung to the dome’s edge, panic in his voice as he tried to turned to Thomas.
Teshi: Desperate, his voice shaking
"WHAT’S HAPPENING, THOMAS?! WE CAN’T SEE ANYTHING!!!"
Thomas: Breathing heavily but steadying himself, his tone firm
"Calm down! It’s.. probably just another one of Ao’s tricks."
Despite his words, Thomas’s grip on Satsui tightened, his knuckles white as his mind raced.
Thomas's Thoughts:
A Nova this size.. this bright.. That’s no trick
Ao.. what the hell are you up against, kid?!
----- On the Pendragon Troop Side, Led by William Shakespeare and Siegfried Pendragon -----
----- Inside Arthur Pendragon's "Soleil" Shield, Artand Kingdom Bridge -----
The troop had barely taken refuge within the golden shield of Arthur’s Soleil when the world outside was swallowed by an all-consuming light.
It was blinding, searing through the cracks in the dome like a second sun, turning everything outside into an indistinct, burning white void.
Yumi: Clutching her head, her voice frantic
“DADDY! WHAT'S HAPPENING?!!”
Gin: His hands gripping his face as he staggers
“I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!!!”
Kin: Grimacing, steadying himself
“CALM DOWN! AS LONG AS WE STAY INSIDE Soleil's Barrier, WE’RE SAFE!!!”
The shield trembled violently as a shockwave hit, rippling like a barrier between two worlds.
The cries of the troops echoed beneath its golden glow, panic creeping in as the air itself seemed to vibrate from the force outside.
Yet in the midst of the chaos, William and Siegfried stood unmoving.
Their gazes burned with an inner light, their eyes piercing through the overwhelming brightness beyond.
William: His voice firm, calm in the storm
"Listen to your brother, kids. Me and Siegfried have work to do."
Gin: Still struggling to focus, eyes darting wildly
“WHAT?! WHERE ARE YOU GOING, DAD?!!”
Siegfried: Placing a steady hand on Gin’s shoulder
"Trust us. We’ll be back.."
Before another word could be spoken, the two warriors burst from the protective dome at impossible speed.
The force of their departure sent a sudden gust of wind spiraling inside the shield, causing the gathered troops to recoil as if caught in the wake of a storm.
BOOOOOM!!!
A second explosion tore through the sky, merging with the deafening sound of the first.
Outside the shield, the world was pure chaos—a cataclysm of roaring light and violent winds.
William: Telepathically to Siegfried as they soared through the blinding storm
"You don’t have to follow me, you know."
Siegfried: Telepathically back, his tone flat but unshaken
"I do when it’s to keep you from pulling your usual bullshit, you reckless idiot."
William: Laughing, his voice ringing even through the telepathic link
"HAHA! Then let’s put that muscle of yours to use, Sieg!"
Siegfried: Sighing, yet a smirk creeping onto his face
"Haaah... We’re getting too damn old for this, Ak."
⚝ That Ao… He dares to manifest a technique of mass destruction?!! ⚝
⚝ I underestimated him… My corporeal form, reduced to ashes in an instant! ⚝
⚝ If that DAMN Sun God hadn’t intervened… I WOULD HAVE ERASED HIM FROM EXISTENCE! ⚝
⚝ INSECT. HIDEOUS, ARROGANT, INSIGNIFICANT CREATURE. ⚝
⚝ I WILL FIND YOU… AO. ⚝
⚝ THIS IS NOT.. OVER.. YOU AND I ⚝
The last remnants of Ao’s Nova Max burn through the sky, blue flames dancing like celestial spirits as the very air trembles under its fading destruction.
And at its core, a mini-nova floats, a round ball of pure star-energy—suspended between ruin and radiance—and Ao struggles within a fragile, flickering shield, his body trembling from the sheer force of his own power.
Ao's Thoughts :
I should have... used less force!
But... I couldn't take risks with an impossible creature!
Ao grits his teeth, arm shaking as he extends his palm toward the collapsing core of his mini-nova, forcing its energy to dissipate.
Sparks snap and crackle against his skin like dying stars, the weight of his own technique pressing against him.
Almost there… just a little more—
SHATTER!
The sound of his shield breaking drowns out his thoughts.
A black and red blur streaks through the smoke—three figures moving faster than sound—
BAM!
Ao is TORN from the sky, his body crushed under the force of their ambush.
Three shadows spiral down with him, dragging him toward the molten battlefield below.
Omega Prophet: Her voice filled with hatred
“YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO MOTHER!!!”
Ao struggle, but the 3 figures, Prophet Omega and the 2 remaining Prophets Delta, hold him very tightly in their arms, necks and legs.
Ao is weakened, and can't break free of their submission.
They slam into the ground.
The force shatters the terrain, molten glass splintering beneath them.
Heat ripples through the air.
Shit—
Too fast!
I—!!
Then, the beating begins.
Fists. Feet. Elbows. Knees.
The prophets descend upon him like rabid hounds, landing brutal strikes against his body—his ribs crack, his lip splits, his vision flickers.
Ao barely raises his arms in defense before—BOOM!
A blinding blue **shockwave** explodes from his core, repelling his attackers in a violent eruption of energy.
Ao: Breathing heavily, wiping blood from his mouth
“You hit like kids!”
The prophets snarl, their fury renewed.
They lunge again, bodies twisting with unnatural speed—
CLASH!
Fists meet flesh. Kicks collide midair.
The ground beneath them trembles as their battle ignites the desert with relentless ferocity.
The blows are swift and brutal, accompanied by cries of fury from the prophets, frustrated by the defeat of their goddess, the red beast.
Ao manages to gain ground, despite apparent fatigue, landing decisive blows in the fight, but the prophets hold on
Prophet Omega: Falling back, raising his arm, chanting darkly
“Chi Shio"
SSSSHHHHHKKK!!!
A crimson lance of blood TEARS through the air, aiming straight for Ao’s skull.
He barely tilts his head, the blood spear missing by mere centimeters—but—!
It doesn’t stop.
It disperses, twisting like a snake, striking his body from multiple angles—PIERCING his right arm, TEARING through his left leg.
SHIT!!
As the jet continues to spin and tries to hit Ao, he tries to dodge as best he can, and heads for the omega prophet, but is knocked back by overpowering blows from the 2 delta prophets.
Ao then seems to be trapped by the offensive of the 3 prophets, but...
Tss... I'll have to take it to the next level against these fools
His fingers twitch.
Blue energy erupts from his core.
A storm brews within him, his power coiling like a beast awakening.
Enough.
The ground beneath him shatters as he SLAMS his hands together—BOOM!!!
A pillar of blue flames engulfs him, spiraling outward with unstoppable force.
Omega Prophet: “DIE, AOTAHI”
A second lance of blood shoots toward Ao’s skull.
This time—he doesn’t move.
WHOOSH
As the blood comes within centimeters of his head, he begins to raise his arm in the direction of the spray, as if to counter it.
But this is where an unexpected intervention occurs
William & Siegfried: “Tentai no Keni”
A sharp incantation rips through the chaos.
The jet of blood that was spiraling toward Ao—aimed to impale him—suddenly halts mid-air.
Then, like a thread cut from fate itself, it collapses into the mud, useless.
The battlefield stands still for a second.
Then, shock spreads like wildfire.
Ao: Eyes darting toward the two figures who just intervened
"Wha—WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE, YOU OLD PENDRAGONS?!!"
Siegfried: Sneering
"YOU SEE, WILLIAM?! WE SHOULD HAVE LET THE DAMN KID DIE!"
Ao: Spitting blood, grinning
"I DIDN’T NEED YOUR HELP IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!"
Why the hell are all the old farts coming to save me today?!!
William: Voice carrying authority that shakes the air
"Prophets of the Red Cult… your mission ends here. Get out!"
Prophet Omega: Eyes flaring with fury
"NOT UNTIL I KILL THIS FUCKING BLUE LIGHT!"
Prophet Delta 1 & 2: Shrieking in unison
"HE DESTROYED MOTHER’S PRECIOUS BODY! TEAR HIM APART!"
A deep, gravel-heavy voice interrupts their rage.
William: A single word, booming, final.
"Leave."
The command alone shatters the ground.
Before the prophets can react, William moves—a blur of pure muscle and unstoppable force.
He appears in front of them in an instant—
BOOM!!!
A single punch.
A crater forms beneath them as Prophet Delta 1 and 2 are sent flying backward, buried in the mud.
Unconscious.
Prophet Omega: Eyes wide in realization, trembling
"Tch… I can’t take him on. Not now."
She clenches his teeth, retreating, dragging the bodies of the fallen prophets with her.
Wow.. the muscular bald guy.. gives off such an aura?!
Ao stares at William’s broad back, watching the sheer power radiating from him.
He looks… so powerful..
Haha!!!
His lips curl into a wild, excited grin.
His entire being screams for a fight against this man.
But in his moment of awe, he doesn’t sense the next attack coming.
Siegfried : Appears behind Ao in an instant, fist cocked back, growling
“Tenkai no PUNCH”
A veteran’s killing blow.
A single strike meant to end him.
Ao’s instincts scream—his body moves before his mind does—ready to counter—
But—!
William: Appears between them, catching Siegfried’s fist with ease, gripping Ao’s shoulder
"That’s enough, Sieg!"
Siegfried: Snarling, his eyes burning with frustration
"That brat is Blue Light! We should finish him, now!!!"
Ao: Laughing "Haha, and you think you scare me?!"
William remains silent for a moment, then turns to Ao.
His gaze is heavy. Familiar. Something deeper lingers in it.
William : “Ao..”
This bald guy… he said his name was William?
Why is he looking at me like that…
Why does it feel like he knows me?
William: Steady, unshaken
"Have you thought about the question I asked you?"
Siegfried: Furious
"We don’t have time for this philosophy bullshit, William!!!"
William: "Yes, we do."
The air changes.
The weight of William’s gaze pulls at Ao, dragging him into something he isn’t sure he wants to face.
Ao: Scoffing, rolling his shoulders
"Tch… you want my answer, huh?
Fine."
He exhales sharply, eyes narrowing as he repeats William’s question:
Ao: "A lie filled with joy and goodness… or a truth without hope and mercy.
What a stupid question."
Siegfried: Stepping forward, voice a growl
"Answer it before I lose my patience!"
Ao: Chuckling darkly
"Oh, I know exactly what you’re really asking.
You’re talking about engram magic—the brainwashing trick you Pendragons love so much."
He glares at Siegfried, words sharp as daggers.
"You think you’re saving people by erasing who they are?"
Siegfried frowns, starting to get frustrated
William: Quiet, steady
"Believe me… we’ve saved many because of it."
Ao: "Yeah? And that ‘truth without hope and mercy’? That’s just how you see it—not me.
It’s war, fear, and the unknown that makes the truth so damn harsh.
If you fixed those problems instead of rewriting people’s minds—
The world wouldn’t be the nightmare you think it is!"
Siegfried grits his teeth, fury boiling over.
Siegfried: Exploding
"YOU IGNORANT BRAT!!!
YOU THINK THE PENDRAGON ALLIANCE DIDN’T TRY TO STOP THE WARS?!!
TWO THOUSAND YEARS OF BLOODSHED!!!
NO KINGDOMS! ONLY BATTLEFIELDS!
YOU HAVEN’T LIVED THROUGH ANY OF IT!!!
WITHOUT US—WITHOUT ENGRAM MAGIC—"
William: Interrupting, firm
"Sieg, calm down."
Ao: Soft laughter, voice edged with something bitter
"I won’t deny it—you ended the Age of Chaos.
But you lost yourselves in the process.
And now, you kill anyone who tries to wake you up."
His eyes narrow, flashing with something colder.
Memories of those lost because of the Pendragons flood his mind.
Ao: "As for the hopeless…
You’ve done nothing to stop the spread of dark energy.
Meanwhile, we—the Starbreaker Clan—
We have a plan to end this nightmare."
William: A flicker of curiosity
"A plan… to stop the dark energy infection?"
Ao: Smirking
"Run with me, old man, and I’ll explain."
Siegfried remains tense—his fists clenched—but he doesn’t attack.
William: "This is neither the place nor the time.. to continue this discussion."
Ao: Rolling his neck, cracking his knuckles
"Tch. Then what now?"
Ao is mentally preparing to have to fight the 2 Pendragons, when suddenly..
William: Turning to Siegfried
"Have you finished recalibrating the kids’ engram?"
Siegfried:
"Yeah. They should be sleeping in the shield by now."
Damn it…
They undid what I started with Gin, Yumi, and Kin…
William: Glancing back at Ao, his voice unreadable
"Well then… let’s go."
Siegfried: In disbelief
"You’re just letting Blue Light walk away?!"
William: Smirking faintly
"Let’s call it thanks… for protecting my children."
…
What?!
The two Pendragons turn and leave—just like that.
Ao stands there, watching them disappear into the dust.
Ao: Muttering, still processing
"Are you kidding me…?
I wanted to fight the old bald guy !!!"
…
Tch.
I’ll deal with them later.
Right now—
I have a mission to finish.
