In that peaceful park, filled with families and children playing on swings, seesaws and other playground equipment, two distinct groups faced one another. On one side stood the members of Team Kaos and on the other, the elite division of the National Division from the Fauvism.
Luna and Yuna stared intently at David and Kuro, who stood just a few steps away.
Luna : " What is the meaning of this, David? How could you join an evil and corrupt organization like the Fauvism ?"
David smiled nonchalantly.
"Calm down, girl. Aren't you going to welcome me first?"
"Cut the sarcasm."
Kuro interrupted the exchange with a smirk, addressing David.
"What a disappointment. Your sister, the one you grew up with, didn't even bother welcoming you. Seems like she's scolding you instead."
David shrugged.
"At least she talked to me. Your sister didn't even acknowledge your presence. It's as if you don't exist."
Kuro turned his gaze to Yuna, who returned his look and then spoke.
"Do you have a reason for joining a criminal group like this, Kuro?"
Kuro: "I do. A very convincing one."
Just then, Jayden, Chris and Merrick stepped forward to stand beside Luna and Yuna, joining the tense conversation. Meanwhile, Salvador and Sony stayed close to Clara, who was unconscious, her restraints now undone.
Jayden : "Okay, what's going on here? Do you all know each other?"
David : "Yes, you could say that. Luna and I were raised together for a while. In fact, we even turned a place upside down together, burned it to ashes."
"What?!"
"As you heard. Isn't that right, Luna?"
Luna stared at him, a scowl of irritation clear on her face. Kuro added saying
"Same with me and Yuna. We raised in the same place too for a while and together we reduced a place to rubble."
Chris : " Wait… So all four of you are childhood friends or something?"
David : " Not exactly. But we all come from the same city where the twins were born."
David turned his gaze toward Merrick.
"And you too, Merrick. You, Sony, Clara and Salvador—didn't you all grow up in the same city as well?"
Merrick : " Sensitive information like that isn't easy to uncover. But I do believe I've seen you and your friend's faces somewhere before."
"We were much younger back then. That's probably why you don't remember us clearly."
"I see…"
Luna : "Merrick, you used to come pick up Yuna and me for tutoring. That's when you met them once or twice ."
"So that explains it."
Chris and Jayden exchanged bewildered glances. Whatever Luna, Yuna and Merrick were talking about was completely unknown to them—a shared past they had no part in.
Suddenly, Sam stepped forward, interrupting the reunion.
Sam : "Hate to ruin your fun, guys but we've got work to finish."
Kuro : "He's right."
Jayden : "And what might that be? Killing us and stealing our powers?"
"No. Not unless you refuse our offer."
"What offer?"
"To join us."
"You're dreaming."
Luna : "Have you lost your mind? We won't kill innocent people just to expand our influence like you!"
David : "You're wrong. It's the fighter Division who want power and domination. We, the National Division , seek only one thing: to reach the Heirs' homeland ( Kinai )"
Sam : " And to do that, we must fill the forty eight slots "
Merrick : " The what?"
"I'll explain."
Time moves forward and everything—living or plant—grows old and eventually dies. Even the wonder stones, passed down through generations by blood or selection, are not exempt from decay. Scientists have recently discovered that these stones are reaching the end of their lifespan. Soon, every stone-bearer in the world will die as the stones themselves expire.
But there is one solution. A golden cube, large and ancient, embedded with forty eight slots. Two such cubes exist—one for the fighter Division and one for the National Division . To prevent the extinction of all wonder stone-bearers, each slot must be filled with the power of a wonder stone.
Each cube must absorb the power of 192 wonder stones, divided across the four types. Once both cubes are full, the global catastrophe can be avoided.
That's the mission. The difference between the Fighter and National Divisions lies in their motives. The fighter Division seeks to dominate the world while the National Division desires only to reach ( Kinai ) the homeland of the wonder stone heirs.
Kinai is a mythical land located near the sky above a great ocean, surrounded by volcanoes beneath the sea. There, all four elements exist: lightning from the sky, fire from the volcanic heat, water from the ocean and air, which is ever-present.
Once the cubes are filled, a gate to Kinai will open, allowing the stone-bearers of the National Division to live in peace, away from a world that fears and demonizes them.
For generations, bearers have hidden their powers, labeled as demons, witches or cursed beings. While exaggerated, this reputation was not without cause—many stone-bearers were indeed evil. A minority, however, allied with humans to suppress their kind and decided to seal their powers and pass them on to new bearers.
But now with a homeland of their own, they could live freely, without fear or persecution. That is the National Division dream.
The Fighter Division has a different goal—using their strength to build an army and establish dominance. Respect through power.
Sam, David and Kuro explained all of this to the Ribwan twins and their allies.
Kuro : "Just think about it. Across all of history, there have only been 3072 Wonder stone-bearers. If both Divisions —ours and the fighter Division —sacrifice 384 bearers, we can fill the golden cubes and ensure the survival of the rest."
Merrick : "While I might agree that saving our kind is important, I will never agree to force someone to be among those 384."
Yuna : "He's right. No one has the right to kill another person for some grand purpose."
Kuro : "You're wrong. Sacrifice is part of what it means to have principles."
"What does that mean?"
"If we follow your logic, we'll go extinct. No one will willingly sacrifice themselves for a greater cause—not even to save hundreds like them."
Yuna fell silent. She had no response. But Luna stepped in.
Luna : "Maybe she's wrong. But so are you."
Kuro : "Oh? And how is that?"
"If you truly believe sacrifice is necessary, then start with yourself."
"Myself?"
"Yes. Volunteer to be one of the 384. Then maybe—maybe—I'll believe what you're saying."
Kuro was speechless. David stepped in to deflect.
David : "Maybe we're all wrong or right in our own way. But we'll give you time to think about our offer, Team Kaos."
Merrick : "Not that we have much of a choice. You already know where our headquarters is. If we refuse, you'll attack."
"You're sharp, Merrick. Just as they say. But you do have a choice. Stop being stubborn and think it over. For now, we'll take our leave."
And with that, the National Division elite turned and disappeared, leaving Team Kaos behind in utter confusion.
Was what they said true? Or was it a lie?
Sadly, it was no lie. Salvador, when she had fought Tatsuka, overheard her mention the "Forty eight Slots." Luna had heard the same from Dalia, who also believed in sacrifice, just like Kuro.
Everyone recounted the events to Tristan and William, who were stunned.
Tristan : "Are they telling the truth about these Slots? Or is it just a ruse?"
Merrick : "I'm not sure. But I don't think they're lying—not this time."
William : "That's insane. Who would invent something so ridiculous like a golden cube to save some and sacrifice others?"
"You don't understand, William. The wonder stone researchers have no emotions, no principles. All they care about is unraveling the heirs of the wonder stones."
Chris : "He's right. And they have no alternatives. Their only goal is to ensure our survival—no matter the cost."
Sony : "Even if it costs lives? Damn them and their science."
"You may be right, but we can't turn back now."
William : "What do you mean?"
"According to my info book, the scientific order known as ( The Archive ) is absolute. The golden cube they made must serve its purpose—or we all die."
Sony : "This is madness."
"Yes… But it's also reality."
Luna : "So what do we do now? We can't join them and we can't stay in our base—they know where it is. We can't even run. The Fighter Division surely watches every corner. And even if we find a new place, it'll take too long to secure it."
Silence fell. Not because the question was hard—because there might not be an answer.
Merrick : "I don't know, Luna. Honestly, I really don't. We're in a difficult situation this time."
Luna : "You're the smartest one on the team and you don't know what to do? That's terrifying."
"Maybe I'm just tired of being smart."
Jayden : "I don't know about you guys, but I think there's only one thing we can do. One thing we must do."
Chris : "You mean fight?"
"Yes."
"Well, that much is obvious."
"Then we'd better prepare. I doubt the next battle will be easy. We've seen with our own eyes—these people are far from weak or inexperienced. We need a solid plan."
The heroes are facing something far greater this time — the survival of their kind, the descendants of the wonder stones. And once the countdown begins, there is no turning back
The elite of the National Division had given them three days to decide.
What would happen after those three days?
Would Team Kaos survive… or fall?