The forest path opened into a wide clearing, and Lyra suddenly raised her hand.
"Stop," she ordered. "We've reached it."
The group halted. Before them rose a massive, towering castle—its dark stone walls crawling upward like a monster frozen in time.
Daiki's eyes widened. "What a huge castle…"
Lyra didn't waste a breath. "You all understand your directions. Now go."
They broke into a run toward the entrance—
—but a chilling laugh echoed across the castle grounds.
Everyone froze.
The laugh grew louder, rumbling from above. Slowly, they lifted their heads toward the highest pillar of the castle.
A figure stood there, cloaked in shadows.
He stopped laughing… and grinned.
"Lyra," he called out. "
Lyra You're alive? How?"
Lyra's eyes narrowed. "
Before she could finish, the scene cut.
Scene – Elsiya
Elsiya hit the floor hard. "Ah—!"
Before she could breathe, a book smacked her face.
"Ow—double pain…" She groaned, rubbing her forehead. Dust clung to her clothes as she stood up and grabbed the fallen book. "I'm not losing these. They look too interesting."
She glanced around.
Her eyes widened.
She was inside a massive underground laboratory—rooms stretching endlessly, filled with machines, jars, and covered structures.
"What is this place…?" she whispered.
One huge object stood under a thick cloth. Curiosity tugged at her. She stepped closer and pulled the cloth away.
Her breath caught.
"Zero…? This is his body—?!"
A giant black robot towered over her, silent and menacing.
"If I climb on top of it," she muttered, "I can probably see the entrance. Then I can escape."
Her eyes sparkled as she noticed a window high above.
"Oh great—finally a way out! Let's climb."
She began scaling the robot carefully, gripping its cold metal plates.
Scene – Usami
Usami kept falling.
"Uff—! How deep is this hole?!"
He twisted midair, almost like a panicked bird.
Then—
SPLASH!
He crashed into water.
"Ah—cold!" He pushed himself up, wiping his face. "Where… am I?"
Then his eyes widened.
He stood in a breathtaking underground paradise.
Glowing stones reflected light across a beautiful river.
Tiny waterfalls streamed from small caves above.
Flowers glowed along the edges, and the air smelled sweet.
It looked like a hidden heaven.
Usami blinked slowly. "Did I die…? Is this heaven?"
A goofy smile spread across his face. "No way… I can actually live peacefully here. Maybe God gave me this whole place."
His stomach growled.
He looked around—
and spotted an apple tree growing beside the river.
"Perfect! I'm hungry anyway."
He ran to the tree, plucked an apple, and took a big bite—like a cute, starving kid.
But then—
HISSSSSSSSSSS——
A deep sound echoed behind him.
Usami froze mid-chew.
He slowly turned his head.
A massive white snake stared down at him, scales shining like pearls, golden eyes narrowed.
The apple dropped from his hand and mouth.
"Ahhh—!!!"The figure leapt from the pillar and landed directly in front of Lyra.
"You bastard," he hissed. "This time, I'll show you who's stronger!"
Lyra clenched her fists. "Try me."
He shot forward, chains coiling around his arms, bullets firing from embedded launchers. Lyra dodged, weaving gracefully between attacks, her void and snow powers responding instinctively. Snow swirled around her legs, forming razor-sharp shards that cut through the chains. Void tendrils shot from her hands, wrapping around the robot-like limbs of her opponent and slamming him against a pillar.
"Not bad," he grunted, recovering instantly. "But I've adapted!"
The fight escalated. Lyra leapt high, snow forming wings around her back as she struck downward. The man blocked with a metal gauntlet, sparks flying with every clash. Chains whipped toward her like snakes, only to be frozen midair by her icy shards. She launched herself forward in a flurry of punches and kicks, landing blows that made the air crackle.
He responded with his robotic strength, landing a heavy punch that sent Lyra crashing into a tree. The bark splintered, dust rising in clouds, but she rolled back to her feet, her expression unreadable.
Snow swirled, void tendrils twisted around him, and the castle trembled with each strike. The fight was merciless—two forces at the peak of their abilities—but the outcome remained uncertain. Was Lyra defeated? Or would she strike back? The suspense held tight as the night air filled with tension and the echo of battle.
Meanwhile, Daiki and Hiyori ran along the castle walls, weaving through corridors.
Hiyori's eyes widened as they approached a massive door. "There—it's the entrance!"
Two boys suddenly blocked their path. Hiyori froze. "No… we don't have time!"
"I've got this," Daiki said, stepping forward. "Go, Hiyori. Now."
"But they're two… and they look powerful!"
"I said go!" Daiki's voice was firm. "You rescue her now."
Hiyori swallowed, opening the door and finding a straight path beyond. She ran, her steps echoing. The door led to a castle pillar stairway spiraling downward. The floor opened beneath her in places, revealing endless prisons stacked like layers of darkness.
From the balcony above, prisoners whispered among themselves. "Look… a new guard. How is she? Brutal or kind-hearted?"
Hiyori approached cautiously. "How many floors does this place have?" she asked.
"Twenty-five," one replied, fear in his voice.
"That's why it's so deep," Hiyori murmured. "Now… tell me where the prison keys are."
Shock rippled through the prisoners. "We… we don't know!"
An old man stepped forward. "Second floor… one person there must know."
"Thank you," Hiyori said, rushing toward the second-floor cells.
Daiki faced the twins. "So… your twin brother, huh?"
"Yeah. Leo and Kai. Your opponent—fight us."
"I didn't ask your names," Daiki muttered, clenching his fists. "Just fight."
Mud and water surged around the twins as they attacked, creating traps. Daiki stumbled, caught in the mud's sticky grip. Frustration flared. A yellow glow suddenly burst from him, raw power crackling like electricity, shocking his enemies. Even the twins faltered under the surge, hurt but still fighting.
"Is that all you've got?" Daiki shouted, charging with renewed vigor. The twins exchanged glances, smirking. "Not bad… but you're loud!"
The fight raged on, a mix of brutal strikes and flashes of elemental power. Daiki's raw strength versus their precise techniques—chaotic, thrilling, and occasionally hilarious as the twins bantered mid-battle.
Finally, Elsiya climbed atop Zero's massive head. "Uf… he's slippery…" she muttered, exhausted. She opened a window and caught sight of Daiki. "Daiki! Over here!"
Daiki didn't notice. Determined, Elsiya steadied herself—but lost her footing. She slipped and fell onto Zero's massive frame, her head striking the edge of a table. Blood ran down her face, and she slipped into unconsciousness.
The room fell silent. The stakes were higher than ever.