Part 1: The Dimensional Gate
A heavy silence returned to the devastated island. Takuto had reverted to his normal form, but his body was a map of exhaustion and wounds. He looked toward the shoreline at the splintered remains of their boat and let out a long, weary sigh.
Takuto: "So... how exactly are we getting back? The boat we came in was completely destroyed during the fight."
Ayano, standing beside him, gave a soft, reassuring smile. Her purple eyes—the Amethyst Gates—shimmered as she peered through the fabric of space.
Ayano: "Don't worry, Takuto-kun. Did you forget I have the power to open portals?"
With a graceful wave of her hand, the air cracked like a sheet of glass, revealing a brilliant purple portal. On the other side, lush bamboo forests and rolling mountains were visible. One by one, the group stepped through the gateway, leaving the ruined island behind forever.
The moment they crossed the threshold, they found themselves in the mountains on the outskirts of the city. After a short walk through the bamboo groves, the secret headquarters of Crimson Aegis came into view.
The base was a magnificent complex of traditional Japanese architecture, resembling the estate of an ancient master swordsman. Despite the peaceful environment of stone paths and wooden corridors, the air vibrated with the intense flow of Stella Flow energy. It was clear that this was no ordinary home—it was a fortress for the powerful.
A group was already waiting at the entrance. Leading them was a woman in her late thirties with a commanding presence: Shizune Rinoka, the leader of Crimson Aegis. Her eyes were calm yet sharp as steel. Standing beside her was Mika Lizumi, dressed in a pristine maid uniform, her green hair and eyes radiating a quiet composure. Her gaze lingered on Takuto for a moment.
Shizune: "Welcome back, everyone. I know the battle was difficult," Shizune greeted them with a solemn tone.
At that moment, members of the organization rushed toward Takuto's group, carrying medical kits and emergency supplies. To Takuto's surprise, as they reached him, they all bowed in perfect unison.
Members: "Takuto-sama... we are overjoyed at your safe return!"
As Kaori, Kaito, and Mei—being core members—were whisked away for medical treatment, Takuto looked at the people addressing him as "Sama." He realized then that his life as an ordinary teenager was over; he was now the master and the hope of this massive organization.
Part 2: The Victory Banquet
As night fell, lanterns illuminated the Crimson Aegis headquarters. The scent of savory food wafted along the stone paths, and the tension of battle was replaced by a sense of joy. A grand victory banquet was held in the central wooden hall.
Takuto was placed right in the center of the festivities. To his left, Ayano was busily trying to feed him grilled meat. To his right, Shina sat close, using a hint of her electrical power to keep his drink perfectly chilled.
Watching this from across the room, Kaori's face turned a deep shade of crimson (or perhaps violet). She gripped her chopsticks so hard they threatened to snap. Being a classic Tsundere, her mind was screaming, "I want to sit there too!" but outwardly, she just pouted.
Kaori: "Hmph! What is wrong with them? Takuto is injured! If they swarm him like that, he won't be able to breathe!"
Unable to hold back any longer, she stomped over and forced her way between Ayano and Shina, piling food onto Takuto's plate with aggressive care.
Kaori: "Here! Eat all of this, Takuto! Your recovery is the most important thing right now!"
As the three girls competed for Takuto's attention, Hana and Aoi sat a bit further away. Hana, munching on a chicken drumstick, nudged Aoi with her elbow.
Hana: "By the way, Aoi... you're acting pretty calm. But didn't you already beat everyone to the punch and confess to Onii-chan?"
Aoi nearly choked on her tea. The memory of the heat of battle—where her emotions had boiled over and she'd confessed her love and impulsively kissed him on the cheek—flashed through her mind like a high-definition video.
Aoi: (Her face turning tomato-red as she hid behind her hands) "Hana-nee-chan! That... that was just because of the situation! Argh... please don't bring it up, it's so embarrassing!"
Hana laughed heartily at Aoi's flustered reaction. However, her eyes soon grew distant and serious. She looked up at the moon, thinking back to Ryu's appearance after the fight.
Hana's Thought: (Ryu, what are you planning? I know you helped me, but there's always a reason with you...)
Part 3: Moonlight Confessions
As the night deepened, the banquet gradually quieted down. Exhausted from the ordeal, Ayano and Shina had fallen asleep right at the table, leaning against each other. Hana, Aoi, and Kaori helped them up to escort them to the sleeping quarters.
Takuto couldn't find sleep. He walked out alone onto a high wooden veranda overlooking the base. The moon hung full in the sky, casting a silver veil over the surrounding mountains.
"Still awake, Takuto-sama?"
A soft, melodic voice made Takuto turn. It was Mika Lizumi. In her maid uniform, standing under the moonlight, she looked as ethereal as a forest spirit.
Takuto: "Ah... Lizumi-san. Yes, I just couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd sit out here for a bit."
They stood together for a moment, though Takuto found it slightly difficult to start a conversation. He had only recently met her, and her aura was incredibly difficult to read.
Mika: "The battle must have been exhausting. But your friends... they are truly vibrant, aren't they?"
Takuto: (Smiling faintly) "Yeah... especially Ayano and Kaori. At home, they're always at each other's throats. If one says 'yes,' the other says 'no.' And now Shina's joined the mix. Honestly, with the three of them together, I don't even know what to do with myself anymore..."
At his weary sigh, Mika covered her mouth with her hand and let out a gentle, refined laugh.
Mika: "It is only because they all treasure you so much. It sounds like a very happy family."
Takuto nodded, but his mind drifted back to Hana's behavior. She hadn't just grown stronger; she seemed to be carrying a secret. He remained unaware that she had made a secret pact with Ryu just to keep him safe.
Mika: "Takuto-sama... the road ahead will only get more difficult. But please, do not worry. We will always be by your side."
Her words were simple, yet they resonated deeply within Takuto. As their shadows stretched out across the deck under the moon, it felt like the quiet prelude to a massive shift in destiny.
Takuto: "Thanks for listening, Lizumi-san. I feel a bit better now. I think I'll go get some rest. Don't stay up too late yourself."
Mika: "Of course, Takuto-sama. Goodnight."
Takuto gave a final nod and walked down the corridor toward the sleeping quarters. Mika stood perfectly still, watching him leave. Once the silence of the night fully returned, she slowly reached into the collar of her uniform and pulled out a hidden pendant.
It wasn't a common piece of jewelry; it bore an ancient, cryptic crest. She gripped it tightly, looking up at the distant moon with a look of longing.
Mika: (Whispering in a voice filled with nostalgia) "Takuto-sama... you really don't remember me at all, do you?"
A flicker of pain and hope crossed her eyes. There was clearly a past between them—a story that Takuto himself had forgotten. After standing there for a long time, she faded back into the shadows of the building.
Part 4: The Hidden Echoes of History
Deep underground within a mountain, the S.T.A.R. organization's research outpost was buzzing with the sound of alarms. This location was the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Cosmos, the figure believed to have saved humanity 500 years ago.
Dr. Rin Asuka examined the reliefs on the walls with a flashlight, rapidly logging data into her tablet. They didn't recognize "Stella Flow" yet; to them, this was simply "Anomaly Energy."
Yui Hoshino traced the carvings with her fingers, her voice filled with awe.
Yui: "This is unbelievable, Kento! According to these reliefs, 500 years ago, monsters from another dimension invaded our world. When humanity was on the brink of extinction, a god named Lord Cosmos—with crimson hair and eyes—appeared to save them."
Kento Aris listened with a frown as Yui continued.
Yui: "After defeating the monsters, he chose a few pure-hearted humans and granted them a fraction of his power through their eyes. Look! The monitor shows the seven recorded eye types:
The Viridian Bloom: Healing and physical enhancement.
The Sapphire Illusion: Mental and mind control.
The Electro Flash: Extreme speed and lightning.
The Amethyst Gate: Dimensional travel.
The Crimson Hearth: Fire energy that grows with rage.
The Void Oculus (Demon Eye): Power capable of world destruction.
The Phoenix eye: The true, pure power of Lord Cosmos himself."
Yui: "It seems the massive energy explosion at Old Park a year ago... must have been caused by one of these Eye-Users."
Kento Aris stared at the relief of the Phoenix Gaze and whispered, "So... a human actually possesses that kind of power?"
Suddenly, an emergency alert blared from their comms. An agent reported breathlessly:
"Leader Kento! We've just received extraordinary data. A massive energy surge was detected on a remote island. Satellite images are coming through now!"
Kento and Dr. Rin rushed to the monitors. On the screen was the image of the ruined island where Takuto had fought. The island was shattered, the ground sunken by hundreds of meters, and the clouds had been literally blown away. In the center was a gargantuan crater in the shape of a fist, still glowing with residual red energy.
Rin: "This... this isn't a natural disaster. This was a direct strike by a person!" her voice trembled.
Kento was in total shock. To scientists, the idea of a human causing such destruction was impossible to reconcile.
Kento: "Prepare for immediate departure! We need to see that island for ourselves. Whoever this individual is... they could be the greatest threat the world has ever faced."
As they began their expedition to find the youth behind the secret, they left the ancient reliefs behind, heading toward the site of the modern miracle.
Part 5: The End of Quiet Days
The next morning, the shadows of battle seemed to have vanished, and the group returned to their "normal" school lives. At the school gates, Hana and Aoi walked ahead. Aoi, however, couldn't bring herself to look at Takuto, keeping her head down and walking as fast as she could, still dying of embarrassment over her confession and the kiss on the cheek.
Ayano suddenly blocked Takuto's path. She pouted and closed her eyes, leaning in.
Ayano: "Takuto-kun... Aoi already did it. I haven't gotten my kiss yet... so here!"
Her attempt at a romantic moment lasted exactly one second. Kaori appeared from behind and delivered a sharp "bonk" to the top of Ayano's head.
Ayano: "Ouch! Kaori, that hurts!"
Kaori: "What do you think you're doing?! School is starting, move it!"
True to her Tsundere nature, Kaori looked away with a blush, but she grabbed Ayano by the collar and dragged her into the building.
Takuto and Shina were left alone at the gate. Shina looked at him with a calm smile and stepped closer.
Shina: "You really worked hard in that fight... Thank you, Takuto."
Before he could react, Shina leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. As Takuto stood there, stunned and turning bright red, Shina stuck her tongue out playfully.
Takuto: "You—!"
Shina: "That's a reward for the winner! Haha!" She laughed and sprinted into the school.
Kaori: (From a distance) "Hey! Shina! Did you just... you sneak!"
The girls' shouting echoed through the school courtyard as they chased Shina. Takuto stood at the gate and let out a very long sigh.
Takuto: "I guess... I'm never getting my quiet life in the library corner back, am I?"
He watched his friends running and shouting, and a genuine smile finally crossed his face. He was no longer the lonely boy he once was. He now had people he would die for, and people who would do the same for him.
Takuto: "But... because I have people I treasure, I'm not lonely anymore. No matter what happens... I'll protect them until the end!"
With a determined stride, Takuto walked into the school, heading toward his future.
[END OF CHAPTER 40]
[END OF VOLUME 2 & ARC 4: RISE FROM THE DARK]