The Sagewell family’s hovering thrones descended in slow, deliberate arcs, settling just beyond the stadium’s outer gates. Gold light dimmed as the constructs dissolved beneath their feet, leaving polished stone where divinity had hovered moments before.

  The corridor ahead stretched long and pristine but something was wrong. The smell of ash was strong throughout the area but they paid it no mind.

  Sera: Well… that was entertaining. That Emma girl was delightful. Sharp mind and good instincts.

  Franklin: Indeed. She fights with conviction. But Nanazawa…

  His eyes narrowed slightly.

  Franklin: That boy bends consequence itself. In the wrong hands, that power could undo nations.

  Sera: And Hiruzen?

  She glanced sideways, watching Franklin carefully.

  Sera: There’s something… unfinished about him.

  Franklin: Yes. His control is impressive. But the danger isn’t his technique.

  A faint glow flickered beneath his sleeve.

  Franklin: It’s what sleeps inside him.

  They walked a few steps farther.

  Then—

  The temperature dropped.

  Frost crept along the walls in branching veins. Smoke rolled low across the floor, thick with the scent of ash and ozone.

  The corridor exploded outward in a violent bloom of ice and flame.

  Two figures emerged from the swirling mist.

  Mrs. Zinc stood tall, cigarette burning between her fingers, eyes sharp and unamused.

  Beside her, Reito.

  His expression was calm—but rigid. The kind of calm forged from restraint, not peace.

  Franklin: Reito… Trisha. Still alive, I see.

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  Mrs. Zinc: Cut the crap, Frank.

  She exhaled smoke slowly.

  Mrs. Zinc: You didn’t show up here for school spirit. What are you planning?

  Sera placed a gentle hand on Logan’s shoulder.

  Sera: Sweetheart, go on ahead. Let the adults talk.

  Logan hesitated, eyes flicking to a silhouette, standing at the far end of the corridor.

  Logan: …Yes, Mother.

  As Logan stepped forward, Aaron stepped out of the smoke and raised his hand.

  Aaron: Sorry.

  His voice was calm. Controlled.

  Aaron: But you’re not leaving.

  The hallway warped.

  The exit stretched farther away with every step the Sagewells took—space folding, unfolding, re-expanding endlessly.

  Sera: Why aren’t we getting any closer?

  Logan: He’s manipulating the spatial delta… continuously increasing the distance between us and the exit. We can walk forever and never arrive.

  Franklin stopped.

  Slowly turned.

  And the pleasant mask he's been wearing fell away.

  Franklin: …So. You’re serious.

  He looked at Reito.

  Franklin: Ask me that again.

  Reito stepped forward, eyes burning.

  Reito: I know you and Skyzen are plotting something involving the One.

  His voice trembled—not with fear, but fury.

  Reito: You’re going to tell me what it is. Right now.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Franklin laughed.

  Not amused.

  Unhinged.

  Golden light erupted along his arm, crawling like living scripture across his skin.

  Franklin: You really want to know?

  His eyes gleamed.

  Franklin: Fine.

  He spread his arms. With a massive smile across his face

  Franklin: We are going to reunite the Onefold with the Five Island Sanctuaries.

  Mrs. Zinc froze.

  Mrs. Zinc: …Are you out of your damn mind?

  Mrs. Zinc: The islands were separated to prevent annihilation. If you merge them—

  Franklin: I know exactly what will happen.

  His smile softened, almost reverent.

  Franklin: And I know exactly what must be sacrificed.

  Reito took another step forward.

  Reito: …You’re trying to revive the One.

  Franklin: Yes.

  Then a pause.

  Franklin: And no.

  He leaned in.

  Franklin: We will create a vessel.

  Reito and Mrs.Zinc pause with a skeptical look on their faces.

  Franklin: By capturing the Primordials and forcing reincarnation we will fuse their combined power to harness creation itself.

  Reito’s fists clenched.

  Reito: Don't you remember what we lost?

  His voice cracked.

  Reito: Our people. Our families. We watched them die.Does that all mean nothing to you anymore?

  Franklin hesitated.

  Just for a moment.

  Then—

  Franklin: It did. But now…

  His eyes shone with holy madness.

  Franklin: I have been chosen. Blessed by the angels.

  Mrs. Zinc’s cigarette dropped to the floor.

  Mrs. Zinc: …You let them touch you.

  Franklin: Yes… I have but that is a story for another time as for right now our conversation is over.

  He raised his arm. And it began to glow brighter as it started to make an echoing sound

  Franklin: Divine Ripple.

  Golden light detonated.

  The corridor shattered—walls erased, stone liquefied, reality buckling as divine force tore through space.

  Aaron was thrown backward.

  Reito and Mrs. Zinc stood firm, shields flaring at the last instant.

  Smoke cleared.

  Franklin remained standing.

  Franklin: You really are stubborn.

  Reito: So are you. Trish cover me.

  Mrs.Zinc: Yeah yeah let's just try and keep this away from the students

  Sera turned sharply.

  Sera: Logan. Leave. Now.

  Logan: But Mother—

  Franklin: GO.

  Logan vanished in a flash of light.

  Franklin and Sera turned back, power surging.

  Across from them—

  Reito and Mrs. Zinc assumed battle stances.

  Meanwhile in the West sector

  Skadi paced impatiently.

  Skadi: Where the hell are they? They were supposed to leave during intermission.

  A distant explosion thundered.

  Golden light flared across the sky.

  Skadi: …What was that?

  Then—Her body locked.

  Blood froze in her veins.

  She couldn’t breathe.

  Couldn’t move.

  A voice whispered behind her.

  Caitlyn: It seems your friends are a little… occupied.

  Her eyes glowed crimson.

  Caitlyn: But don’t worry.

  She smiled.

  Caitlyn: I’ll keep you company.

  End Chapter