[The Desolate Plain – Event Horizon]
As the two figures landed, the air around them shimmered with a heavy, oceanic pressure that momentarily countered the violet dread of the Z+ Gate. Cynthia stepped forward, her fiery aura flickering in recognition as she looked at the man landing before her.
"Uncle Neweland," Cynthia said, her voice softening with a rare respect. "Or, perhaps I should address you properly—the Hydro Arcon."
Neweland stood tall, his usual calm demeanor replaced by the gravity of a primordial guardian. He looked at Cynthia with a mixture of pride and sorrow. "The daughter of my best friend... the Legacy of Hope. You've grown into a formidable flame, Cynthia."
While the elders exchanged greetings of legend, Alya didn't waste a second. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Techyon in a protective hug. I have to protect him from every girl here, she thought fiercely, her eyes darting suspiciously toward the beautiful Z-Elites. Especially that healer and the green-haired speedster!
Yoru let out a dry, knowing chuckle. "I know exactly what you're thinking, Alya. But you don't need to worry about most of us—everyone here is much older than him. However," she tilted her head toward the girl leaning against the rock, "you might actually need to protect him from Nefa."
Nefa blinked, a playful, dangerous spark in her emerald eyes. "Hey! What do you mean by that, Yoru? I'm just being friendly."
Techyon turned bright red, trying to gently untangle himself from Alya's grip. "Wait, what do you mean she has to protect me?"
Captain Carod ignored the bickering, his focus remaining on the mission. He stepped toward the Hydro Arcon, his metallic voice booming over the sound of the rift. "We're glad you're here, Neweland. But we're facing a Hyperversal threat. Where are the other Arcons? We can't hold this perimeter forever."
Cynthia (1000022244.jpg) watched Alya cling to Techyon, a strange, bitter ache twisting in her chest. Alya... she thought, her eyes dimming. She was supposed to marry my little brother. They were promised to each other. So why is she holding that boy's hand like that?
She gripped her own arm, her knuckles turning white. My heart is screaming at me that he's here... that he's my brother. But my brain knows better. He's dead. I saw the ruins. I felt the silence. To believe he's alive is just a cruel trick of my own mind.
Lapis noticed the suffocating tension and stepped in, his Honoured Eyes flashing. "Alya, you don't need to worry about the others," he said coolly. "Wait, let me fix this. Space Warping: Infinite horizon."
With a snap of his fingers, the space around Techyon folded. Techyon was standing right there, yet he was suddenly a galaxy away. "Alya, try to touch him," Lapis challenged.
Alya reached out, her hand blurring with speed, but her fingers never made contact. The harder she lunged forward, the more the distance seemed to stretch and expand. It was an unreachable horizon.
"Where are the other Arcons, Neweland?" Yoru asked, her voice sharp as the ground began to crack beneath them.
"They are coming," Neweland replied, his eyes fixed on the sky.
A group of elite warriors suddenly blurred into the perimeter, their power levels making the air hum. "We are here, Miss Yoru!" one shouted. The Z-Rank Adventurers from the surrounding sectors had finally arrived, forming a massive defensive circle around the gate.
"Looks like the Z-Rankers are finally in position," Yoru noted, checking her watch.
WHOOSH—BOOM!
A spear of pure, white-hot flame plummeted from the heavens, piercing the black rock of the plain. The shockwave knocked several Z-Rankers back, and as the fire cleared, a towering figure stood there. It was the Arcon of Flame.
"Neweland! I am here!" the Arcon roared, his voice like crackling timber. "When is this gate about to open?"
"Still thirty minutes left," Yoru replied, shielding her eyes from his radiance.
The Arcon of Flame turned, his burning gaze landing on Cynthia. He went silent for a long moment, sensing the sheer, overwhelming heat radiating from her—a heat that surpassed even his primordial fire.
"As the Arcon of Flame," he said, his voice dropping into a tone of deep reverence, "I acknowledge that your flames are stronger than mine."
To the shock of every adventurer present, the Great Arcon knelt down on one knee in front of her. "Daughter of Hope... I am truly glad to finally meet you."
[The Desolate Plain – 25 Minutes to Opening]
"Stand up," Cynthia commanded, her voice firm yet not unkind. "You are an Arcon, a pillar of this world, not a slave. Do not kneel to me."
Ruta, the Arcon of Flame, looked up. As he met her gaze, he saw a flicker of that same unyielding light that had once burned in her father's eyes. He stood up slowly, a faint smile appearing through his beard of embers. "You are just like him, Cynthia. The same fire, the same pride."
As the heavy tension of the Arcons settled, the circle of Z-Rank adventurers began to murmur. One of them, a girl with bright, energetic eyes, looked around and scoffed. "Why are there so many kids here? This is a Z+ disaster, not a field trip!" Her gaze shifted, landing on the boy with the magenta eyes. Her jaw hit the floor. "La... La... LAPIS?! The Gifted One is standing right in front of me?! Can I get an autograph?!"
Lapis let out a long, weary sigh, rubbing the back of his head. "These fan girls... they're everywhere, even at the end of the world." He reached out a hand. "Fine, fine. Give me your book before the monsters come out."
While Lapis signed autographs, Techyon turned to Alya with a worried expression. "Alya, how are you even going to enter? Yoru said the pressure inside will turn anyone below Z-Rank to dust. You're only A-Rank!"
Alya squeezed his hand, her expression resolute. "I know, Techyon. I'm not going in. I'll stay here with the support units and provide long-range backup. I will support you from the outside. Just... come back to me, okay?"
Neweland cleared his throat, looking at his fiery counterpart. "Ruta, you forgot to introduce yourself properly to the youngsters."
"Oh, right," the giant laughed, sparks flying from his skin. "I am Ruta, this era's Arcon of Flame. Ready to burn whatever crawls out of that hole."
The Z-Rankers followed suit, stepping forward to identify themselves:
Siyo Kiloji: A lean warrior with a scarred hand.
Saina kiojiro: The girl clutching her newly signed Lapis autograph.
Kokoi Ai: A stoic woman with twin daggers.
Lilia Shuito: "Nice to meet you, everyone!" she chirped, bowing politely.
Then, a fifth man stepped forward. He stood taller than the others, radiating a cold, oppressive mana that made the air feel heavy. He looked at the group with pure disdain.
"I am Goto," the leader spat, his eyes lingering on Techyon and Lapis for a second too long. "You insects don't need to know my full name. Just stay out of my way when the gate opens, or I'll crush you before the monsters do."