While the other four monarchs continued their discussion with Furukawa inside the throne room of the Bloodmoon kingdom's main castle.
Paulo Satoshi, accompanied by Riku Masusa and Rajin Mori, was making his way across the rugged terrain of the Terra universe, heading toward the Bloodmoon Kingdom.
Their journey was mostly quiet until an unusual figure, a hybrid of soul energy and creature-like form, emerged from the shadows and approached them.
Before the entity could make a move, Rajin reacted with lightning speed, eliminating it so swiftly that not even a single atom shifted in the air.
Eventually, the trio arrived at the capital city of the Bloodmoon Kingdom. They checked into a modest hotel nestled near the royal district, seeking rest before the events to come.
As they settled into their room, the atmosphere relaxed. Riku, his curiosity piqued, turned to Paulo.
"Tell me more about this Bloodmoon Queen Tournament," he asked, eyes gleaming with interest.
Paulo leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, his tone calm but firm, "It is a prestigious event held right here in the capital. The winner earns the right to marry Princess Akagi, and, by extension, gains influence over the kingdom."
Riku's eyes lit up with determination. "Then this is our opportunity to make a move."
Paulo chuckled softly. "Not for me Riku. I am one of the 12 supposed monarchs that will be overseeing the tournament so I will not be allowed to compete."
Riku nodded in understanding, "That makes sense."
Paulo's expression grew more serious, "There is a twist this time. The battles will not be one-on-one. It is a two-on-two format."
Riku's mind began racing with ideas, "If I create a clone infused with elemental energy, I could place the mask on it and give Amy a physical form to fight alongside me."
Paulo shook his head with a smirk, "You are teaming up with Rajin. That is why I brought him."
Riku paused, then nodded with a grin, "That's actually a better plan."
With their roles settled and the tournament looming, the trio turned in for the night, resting and preparing for the challenges that awaited them the next day.
***
Riku and Rajin proceeded to the registration area at the tournament venue, formally registering as a pair for the event.
Meanwhile, Paulo was wandering around the Bloodmoon Kingdom's capital when he just so happened to encounter someone whose aura and presence felt oddly familiar.
The individual was Rika Satoshi, and upon spotting Paulo Satoshi, she dashed over and embraced him.
"Hello, Daddy," Rika greeted him with a cheerful expression.
"Hey, What do you mean by Daddy?" Paulo responded, questioning her remark with sweat.
"I guess you've forgotten me, I think your memories as a monarch are starting to return," Rika replied while making a pouty face.
At that moment, Paulo recalled Rika's identity; she was Ash's child, which meant Rika was his daughter as well, since Ash's essence and presence were within Paulo.
"I suppose I do remember you, Riky," Paulo said, grinning.
Riky was a term of endearment Ash used for Rika when he was alive.
"Do you even realize just how old you really are, dad?" Rika inquired, tightening her embrace.
"I believe I'm 16," Paulo answered, looking puzzled.
"Nope! You are actually two million five hundred seventy thousand and fifty years old, Paulo," Rika said, smirking.
"Oh, so who is the mother that brought you into the world?" Paulo asked Rika, still bewildered.
"Lucy Lightheart. She could not adopt your last name since Ash and Lucy were not wed, but she had hoped to marry him and now you," Rika responded with confidence.
"Now, let's head to the monarch room," Rika said as she pulled Paulo along.
***
In the throne room of the capital, Furukawa and four other rulers were seated and unwinding while they awaited the tournament's start.
"Where's Rika?" Lucy asked, her worry about her daughter evident.
"She's probably wandering around the city, relax; she's okay," Rayan replied, dismissively.
"Apologies for my tardiness."
Everyone turned to see Paulo Satoshi at the entrance with Rika.
"Who are you, stranger?" Antares asked, narrowing his gaze at Paulo.
Paulo advanced slightly and said, "We're all monarchs here, calm down Destruction King."
"Mind your tone, mortal," Lucy growled in response.
"I'm Rika's father," Paulo said, raising his hands in a placating manner.
"Not a chance, I know Rika's true parentage, and it isn't you, outsider," Izuki said with a scoff.
"I am Paulo Satoshi, the monarch of Radiation. I am… the vessel; Rika discovered me and brought me here," Paulo declared with a serious expression.
Lucy then became infatuated and leaped toward Paulo, exclaiming, "I finally found you!"
"Well, I'm here to enjoy the tournament like you all, so let's make it fun," Paulo said with a smirk as he slipped from her grasp.
Lucy nodded and released Paulo.
At that very moment, the Kingdoms very own tournament announcer began to announce the guests.
"Welcome to the Bloodmoon Queen Tournament! Today's event will reveal the future of our kingdom," the announcer proclaimed as people made their way to their seats.
"We have seven distinguished guests observing today, and the first one we'll introduce is Natsuko Furukawa, the king of the Bloodmoon kingdom," the announcer shouted, igniting enthusiasm among the crowd.
Furukawa entered the viewing area, and everyone watched as he took a seat on the furthest throne he could see.
"The second of our seven guests is Natsuko Akagi, the royal family's second child and their only princess," the announcer announced, further increasing excitement.
"Those were just two of the seven special guests, but we have five more who are even more remarkable," the announcer stated, building anticipation among the audience.
Akagi then entered the viewing area, and all eyes were on her as she chose the second throne she saw, which was beside her father.
"The first of the five special guests is Antares, the Destruction King and Monarch of Dragons from the Draco Universe," the announcer shouted as the crowd cheered, with Antares sitting on the far-left throne upon his entry.
"The second of the five special guests is Lucy Lightheart, the Queen of the Sky and Monarch of Life from the Aquila Universe," the announcer exclaimed as the excitement escalated, and Lucy took the first throne she noticed, which was next to Akagi.
"The Third of the five distinguished guests is the ruler from the Metallum Universe, Izuki Remioka, known as the King of Iron and the Monarch of Steel," the announcer proclaimed as the crowd erupted again while Izuki took a seat in the first throne he noticed upon entry, which was beside Antares.
"The Fourth of the five distinguished guests is the ruler from the Nātūra Universe, Rayan Andre, called the King of Earth and the Monarch of Nature," the announcer declared, and the crowd cheered again as Rayan occupied the first throne he encountered as he entered, which was next to Lucy.
"The last of the five distinguished guests is the ruler from this universe, the Terra Universe, Paulo Satoshi, recognized as the Cosmic King's Vessel and the Monarch of Radiation," the announcer announced, as the audience gasped in surprise at the young monarch's looks while Paulo took a seat in the central throne among the other six.
The announcer then declared, "LET THE GAMES BEGIN."