Paulo Satoshi trudged back to the Cosmic base after a long walk from the hypno lab. Dust clung to his clothes.
His legs ached from the trek. Riku Masusa walked beside him.
Momo Yokoyama kept pace. Rajin Mori trailed close.
They stepped onto the premises.
Tension hung in the air. Maki Satō spotted Momo right away.
Her eyes narrowed. She tensed up, fists clenched. Ready for a fight.
Riku waved it off. He spoke calm. "Stand down, Maki. Momo's no threat now. She's with us. Part of the group."
Maki eased back. She eyed Momo still.
But she nodded.
Paulo tilted his head. A sharp pain throbbed there. It pulsed with each step.
He rubbed his temple.
"So, what have I missed?" Paulo asked. His voice held confusion. He had stayed away from the base too long.
Haruka Yurei strode into the room.
Her boots echoed on the floor. "What you missed? Paulo, You missed a lot, you missed too much."
"Hi, Haruka. Long time." Paulo shifted on his feet.
Her annoyed glare made him nervous.
"Where were you? Yuki worried sick." Haruka scoffed. Arms crossed tight.
"I was in a high-tech lab. Researched my past. Just a few days." Sweat beaded on Paulo's neck.
It trickled down slow.
He had no real reason to sweat like that.
Paulo stood over five million times stronger than her.
Yet his old identity had surfaced.
He could not risk losing those he cared for.
"A few days?" Haruka's voice rose to a shout. "Paulo, It's been a full month since the semi-final match. of the Bloodmoon Queen tournament."
"A few months?" Paulo's eyes went wide. Shock hit him hard. "Momo said it was just days."
Momo bowed her head. "Sorry. I didn't know. It knocked me out with you, Paulo. I woke up a few days before you did."
Paulo paced now. Worry flooded his face. "What about the match? The finals? Did the Ghostface group win by default?"
Amy Mori stepped forward. She scoffed too. "Calm down, Paulo. No, they didn't win. But they demand a rematch. Soon as you show up."
"A rematch?" Riku's tone held surprise. "What kind of fight? Still two on two?"
Amy shook her head. Worry creased her brow. "No. It's four on four now. Paulo and Oliver Sly have to join in."
"You sound worried about it," Rajin said.
His voice matched her tone.
"Well, I am, Rajin." Amy glanced at Paulo. "No one who will be in the fight will be able to match Oliver's true strength. Only Paulo and Riku come slightly close but even they could be beat by them even in a 2 on 1."
Tetsuya walked in.
His steps steady. "The other three supreme generals from the Ghostface group join too. Riku can handle Kane. He adapts to that time magic."
Paulo nodded slow. His tone turned depressed. "I'll take Oliver. Riku gets Kane. We need two more for the four on four."
Momo's face fell.
Sadness filled her eyes. "I can't enter the custom match, Paulo. I'm a monarch from a different group. But after this, I'll join yours for good."
Paulo nodded firm. "Yuki, Riku and Rajin will fill the spots."
After Paulo explained who will be participating in the match, the others started preparing for it while being unaware that 2 monarchs is about to land.