The Third Parallel Universe.
As the wormhole aperture sealed shut behind them, a golden planet emerged in their field of vision. This was Earth in the Third Parallel Universe, a world entirely swallowed by endless, rolling deserts, a vast, Saharan landscape that defined its unique, harsh topography. The verdant Black Tortoise starship emerged from the wormhole, touching down amidst a cluster of weathered, yellow-stone structures.
"Earth in the Third Parallel Universe is ruled by the local Overlord, the Whale Shark King, one of the Four Guardians under Hades's command," the starship's AI, Lisa, explained, pulling back the veil of mystery over the planet. "Unlike other worlds, this place remains mired in a slave society."
"A slave society?" Thales's eyes widened. "That's far too archaic!"
"Correct. The indigenous Whale Shark Tribe rules over another race known as the Golden Elephant Tribe, and the Whale Shark King is the undisputed master of the Whale Shark people."
The Black Tortoise settled softly onto the sand, and the cabin door slid open.
"What a unique landscape! It feels just like a vacation!" Thales marveled, observing everything with insatiable curiosity. He pulled a camera from his backpack and began snapping photos of every angle.
A slave society, this was a system he had only ever read about in history books. After all, Earth in the First Parallel Universe was a technological society.
"Would a race actually be willing to be enslaved by another?" Thales mused, his confusion quickly eclipsed by excitement. "Ah, whatever! First, I'll take a few commemorative photos!"
Kino, Devin, and Phoebe followed him off the ship, their eyes scanning their surroundings with similar wonder.
Inside the cockpit, Master Wyatt's thoughts were in a state of flux. Given his vast experience, he was far more composed than the others, yet his gaze drifted past the shifting sands, focusing on something far in the distance.
Simultaneously, within a dense, laboring crowd of people in the distance, armored Whale Shark warriors patrolled with whips, keeping the Golden Elephant slaves under strict control. Amidst the slaves, an elderly man in tattered robes raised his head, catching sight of the newly landed Black Tortoise.
For a single moment, the two elders locked eyes across the expanse of scorching sand.
"What are you looking at? Get back to work!" A Whale Shark warrior lashed his whip through the air, barking a vicious warning.
"Yes, yes, of course," the old man wheezed, offering a cough as he complied.
Galvas.
A powerhouse of the White Tiger Tribe, and the master of the Ultra Beast warrior Tyler in the Third Parallel Universe. He was also one of the only three beings in this world, prior to this moment, to possess a Nebula Body.
The Ultra Beast warriors have arrived, just as expected. Galvas was well aware of the constants within the cycle of reincarnation; as a wielder of the Nebula Body, he understood those laws better than anyone. He hoisted a stone block for the construction, his hunched figure dissolving back into the ranks of the slaves wandering the endless desert.
Suddenly, his movements stalled.
Another gaze had fallen upon him. It was not a peek, nor did it carry any malice or goodwill, it was merely an observation. The gaze came from the firmament, the power behind it immensely deep, even stronger than the previous observer.
It's a Nebula Body! Could it be Hades? Galvas was stunned for a moment before realizing the inconsistency. Hades should still be in the Netherworld Coffin. And it shouldn't be the Snow Emperor; she should be sealed away as well...
Everything in the cycle followed a predestined path; Galvas saw this clearly. But where had this variable, this sudden Nebula Body, emerged from?
Galvas raised his head, peering through the sand and clouds to lock eyes with that distant existence. High above the Earth of the Third Parallel Universe, Zoran's expression remained as still as an ancient well. He glanced at the teeming masses below before looking away.
For a man like Galvas, a wielder of a Nebula Body who had discarded his own power for a vow made one hundred thousand years ago, only to die at the hands of his own slaves, Zoran had nothing to say. Every powerhouse in this world clung to their own convictions. Once that conviction vanished, their Hetero-Energy would collapse, just as it had for Solita. And Galvas's conviction was Love, a grand, universal love.
Zoran respected the ideals of such a master, but if he were forced to evaluate them, he could only shake his head in weary resignation. It feels like he's been brainwashed by the Snow Emperor. After all, the Snow Emperor's own methods were highly questionable in their own right.
Below, the Whale Shark warriors had already spotted the Ultra Beast warriors. Mounting their Flash Riders, they charged forward in wave after wave. In this world, resorting to violence at the slightest provocation seemed commonplace; it was only the true masters who would calmly bother with reason.
Zoran quieted his breath and stilled his spirit. Moon Demon essence coiled around his palms. His gaze seemed to pierce through the world as he whispered into the high heavens: "Shendu."
Simultaneously, in another world.
Shendu stood proudly within his mansion. Having heard the call, a look of expectant, predatory joy crossed his face.
"It seems the activity is beginning, Brother?"
Across the divide of different worlds, the two demons conversed without impediment.
"Indeed. The time is right." As he finished, Zoran's entire body surged with energy, his Hetero-Energy coalescing into a vortex in the blink of an eye. He was acting as a guide, preparing to teleport Shendu to his location.
"I am ready." Shendu stood tall, an excited glimmer dancing in his eyes. He was already restless for the fray. The mere thought of the opponents from other worlds he might face made the excitement on his face even more pronounced.
"How truly anticipation-worthy. I wonder what that world will look like."
Shendu curled his lip, a beam of golden light illuminating his face. As it turned out, his brother's efficiency was, as always, lightning-fast. In less than two days, the portal was already manifesting before him. Shendu's demonic heart, which craved nothing but battle, was already stirring.
On the other side.
The Ultra Beast warriors had defeated the initial wave of Whale Shark warriors, who fled in terror to report the news to the Overlord of the planet. Standing atop a high dais amidst the shifting sands, the Whale Shark King, his body a deep, vibrant blue, received the message.
As one of the Four Guardians, his primary purpose in guarding this place was to obstruct the path of the Ultra Beast warriors. Now that they had landed, he had every reason to make his entrance.
With a cold snort, the Whale Shark King began to walk toward the Black Tortoise.
"Hmph! Those who face me are either forced to flee in panic or suffer total defeat!"
The three Ultra Beast warriors, still in their armed states, panted softly. Kino struck his signature victory pose, delivering a dashing declaration of triumph. He wiggled his finger, then clenched it into a fist. "A bunch of losers. How could they possibly be a match for Kino? Come on, let's go to the core region, straight into the Whale Shark King's den!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a blue figure slowly emerged from the rolling yellow sands.
Walking out of the endless desert, the Whale Shark King paced as if he were strolling through his own private garden. He came to a leisurely halt before them.
"It seems the guests I was waiting for have finally arrived."
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