The spear of abyssal flame screamed through the air.
A weapon forged from the void itself—meant to erase Kanji's existence, not just kill him. The air around it cracked. The ground beneath it disintegrated. Reality trembled as if trying to get out of its way.
Kanji couldn't move.
Couldn't lift an arm.
Couldn't even breathe.
His vision dimmed.
This is it…
This is how I die.
But fate had a different plan.
---
The Shield of Thirteen Souls
Just before the spear reached him—
a glowing barrier erupted around Kanji.
Thirteen symbols spun in a blazing circle, forming a celestial shield that shone like a newborn sun. Energy rippled outward, stopping the Demon King's attack mid-flight.
The flame spear cracked—then shattered.
Kanji blinked weakly.
"W–what…?"
Then he saw them.
Silhouettes formed behind the light: thirteen figures wearing ancient celestial armor, each holding a weapon forged from stardust and cosmic fire.
Rin gasped from afar, voice trembling:
"The Thirteen Star Guardians…
the protectors of the First Starborn!"
Their leader stepped forward—an armored warrior with glowing gold hair and eyes like burning galaxies.
"Kanji," he said, voice calm but powerful.
"You are not allowed to die here.
Your story does not end in defeat."
---
The Demon King's Fury
High above, the Prime Monarch snarled.
"So… the ancients awaken."
His wings unfurled like a cosmic hurricane.
"Even thirteen relics cannot save the boy."
He raised his hand.
Black holes formed in his palm.
The world froze.
The Guardians didn't tremble.
They didn't step back.
They moved as one.
A burst of starlight stabbed toward the sky—meeting the Monarch's attack head-on.
The collision tore open a wound in the atmosphere.
Rivers evaporated.
Forests ignited.
The oceans churned in violent waves.
Kanji could only watch, helpless, as gods clashed above him.
---
The Voice Inside the Void
Pain pulsed through Kanji's skull.
Darkness wrapped around him.
Suddenly, he wasn't on the battlefield anymore.
He stood in a vast void—silent, infinite, filled with swirling stardust.
A presence stepped forward.
A tall figure cloaked in white and gold, eyes shimmering like his own.
Kanji's breath hitched.
"F–Father…?"
The figure smiled sadly.
"No.
I am not your father…
but I am the one who gave your father power."
Kanji's heart pounded.
"The First Starborn…"
The figure nodded.
"You stand at the edge of oblivion.
But listen closely, Kanji—
you have not lost."
Kanji trembled.
"But the Demon King—he's too strong. I can't even stand. My power—"
"Your power is sealed," the First Starborn interrupted gently.
"What you've used so far…
is less than 5% of your true potential."
Kanji's eyes widened.
His heartbeat exploded like thunder.
" Five… percent…?"
The Starborn placed a hand on Kanji's chest—over the glowing mark.
"Your body was never meant to awaken this quickly.
But the Monarch's ascension… leaves you no choice."
The mark on Kanji's chest erupted in blinding gold fire.
He screamed—
not in pain,
but in overwhelming energy.
The void shook.
Stars burst.
The First Starborn whispered:
"Rise, Kanji Hoshino.
And awaken the power your blood was destined to command."
---
Rebirth of the Starborn
Kanji gasped and slammed back into reality.
His eyes shot open—burning white-gold.
The ground beneath him cracked, fissures glowing with molten light. His hair floated upward, turning silver at the ends. His broken wounds healed instantly. The aura that erupted from him sent shockwaves across the battlefield.
Rin's eyes widened with tears.
"He's… glowing…"
Seiji whispered:
"No.
He's ascending."
The Guardians parted, forming a path.
Kanji rose slowly into the air, hovering effortlessly. His sword flew into his hand, reshaping into a radiant blade of molten starlight and shadow entwined—no longer trembling, no longer afraid.
The Demon King paused mid-attack.
"…This power…"
his voice rumbled.
"That aura… impossible—!"
Kanji looked up, eyes blazing like supernovas.
His voice echoed across mountains, oceans, and skies:
"I am Kanji Hoshino.
Descendant of demons.
Son of wizards.
Bearer of the Celestial Forge.
And the true Starborn…"
A crack of cosmic lightning tore the heavens behind him.
"…and I refuse to let my world fall."
The Monarch roared.
Kanji tightened his grip.
The final phase of the war had begun.
---