Chapter 68: Final Destination
After what felt like hours of running, Hanuro, Hiko, and Piko finally arrived at their destination the Darkening Realm.
The air was heavy. The ground blackened like charred bones. A faint purple fog crawled around them, and the smell of dry blood lingered everywhere.
Hiko covered his nose.
"Ughhh... this smell... what even happened here? Did someone nuke the entire world or what!?"
Hanuro, completely calm, replied, "You'll have to get used to it. This is the one place 98% of all living beings can't even find."
Piko gagged. "Ughh... I don't care how rare it is how the heck do you know this place??"
Hanuro's eyes sharpened.
"Because... this is where it ended."
Hiko blinked. "Ended?"
Hanuro looked toward the horizon, where the purple sky flickered like torn fabric.
"This... is the final resting place of the Invertal Warfare."
Hiko (thinking): Invertal Warfare...? That's impossible. Even I couldn't find records of when it started… and she's talking about where it ended?
He took a hesitant breath.
"S-so… why exactly are we here?"
A mysterious voice echoed from the shadows smooth, mocking, and chillingly confident.
"Huh? What do you mean, why you're here?"
Hiko stiffened. "W-who said that!?"
Piko, puffing his chest: "Come out! Whoever you are, I'll show you what happens when someone scares me!"
The voice laughed, dripping with amusement.
"Ho~ ho~ You? Stand a chance? You're like a rat… with the brain of a tree."
Piko, proud: "And since when did trees have brains!?"
Voice: "Exactly. That's my point."
Piko froze. "...Wait, what?"
He looked at Hiko, confused.
"Bro, what did he mean by that?"
Hiko (thinking): Bro didn't even get his own insult... how dumb can you be 😶.
The voice spoke again, tone turning serious.
"Never mind that. Hanuro. Hiko. Walk straight ahead for ten minutes. Don't look back."
Both nodded.
"Got it."
---
After ten minutes of walking through absolute black, a faint shimmer began appearing ahead.
Something huge stood before them a gate but it was so dark, it almost blended with the void itself.
Hiko, squinting: "Is that… a gate? Should I open it?"
Hanuro: "Yes. Do it."
(Krrrrrrrrr…)
The gate creaked open with a sound so deep it felt alive.
Hiko: "Hmm... Oi! There's light ahead come on!"
The trio moved forward. The light grew brighter… warmer… almost blinding.
And then another gate, this one magnificent. Twin golden-wooden handles, glowing faintly like celestial fire.
Hiko: "Again?"
Hanuro: "Yeah. Open it."
He did.
And what lay beyond_
---
A world unlike any other.
The sky wasn't blue it shimmered with light purple and cosmic silver, like the entire realm existed between reality and a dream.
The ground was made of dark violet dust, glowing faintly as if whispering forgotten stories.
Hiko gasped. "Whoaaaa… where are we? This… this looks like Beerus' planet from Dragon Ball! Are we here to train or something!?" 🤩🤩
Piko, smirking: "Then what? Are we Goku and Vegeta now?"
Hanuro chuckled. "Yeah, sure. You two are Goku and Vegeta.....but from Meesho." 😂
Piko: "Ughh... mood ruiner."
Hanuro: "Hehe, alright, come on. I know where we're going."
Hiko: "Lead the way."
---
After some time, they reached a massive castle rising from the glowing ground.
Hanuro stepped forward and knocked on the gate three heavy booms echoed.
The guards at the entrance blinked in surprise.
"Ah, Miss Hanuro? Are these… the two?"
Hanuro: "Yep. Open the gate."
The guard bowed slightly and opened it, leading them through grand corridors lit by purple torches.
Piko (whispering): "Where are we even going?"
Hiko: "No clue. Just… follow them."
Finally, they reached a giant door engraved with ancient symbols of light and darkness.
The guard spoke respectfully, "You may enter. He's been waiting a long time."
Hanuro: "Understood."
She opened the door.
---
A shockwave of power flooded the room.
Even Hiko and Piko froze their hearts pounded as the pressure in the air shifted.
There, sitting upon a throne made of dark crystal and gold, was a man whose very presence defied reason.
He had long golden hair reaching his belly, eyes with a glowing circular sigil, and robes woven with cosmic energy.
He slowly stood, voice calm yet carrying divine weight.
"Ohh… so you've finally come."
Hiko (thinking): That voice… it's the same one from before…
The man smiled faintly, his aura radiating ancient supremacy.
"Welcome… to my kingdom the Land After Invertal."
He spread his arms wide.
"I am its ruler… Daichi Kuro."
---
Author's Note:
Alright, readers this one's big. 👀
And just to clarify yep, "Kuro" is his real name; "Daichi" is the second, kinda like Uzumaki Naruto.
Next chapter? It's going to blow your mind.
Stay tuned. 🔥🔥