---
The Unraveling
The battlefield remained locked in a delicate balance. The Clover Kingdom's forces, bolstered by their relentless willpower, held their ground—but barely. The appearance of Avi's puppet proxy had stabilized one critical front, but now ripples were spreading throughout the larger web.
> [System Status: Global Fate Web Density 73% — Stabilizing for now]
Inside his Akatsuki dimensional control chamber, Avi carefully analyzed the ever-shifting projections.
Dozens of strings connected to captains, nobles, and commoners alike danced across the holographic screens like glowing threads of fate. Yet, increasingly, rogue threads vibrated with a chaotic rhythm Avi hadn't anticipated.
Avi (thinking):
"I can't allow too many deviations. Every premature interference draws Lucius and the Monarch closer."
Even as he mused, another panel flashed red.
> [Threat Detected: Northern Border Collapse Imminent]
---
The Northern Collapse
Rill, Charlotte, and a squad of elite mages were struggling against an overwhelming flood of mid-tier devils in the northern region. Rill's painting magic was failing under sheer exhaustion, and Charlotte's Briar Queen Armor barely held back the waves.
Suddenly, multiple tier-three void devils unleashed spatial disintegration bursts, shattering defensive barriers.
Charlotte (panting):
"We can't… hold much longer."
Rill (gasping):
"We need—help…"
For a brief moment, one of the void beams nearly reached Charlotte's heart.
---
A Subtle Touch
From his hidden chamber, Avi flicked his hand.
> [Remote Spatial Anchor Engaged]
In an instant, the incoming disintegration ray bent unnaturally, missing Charlotte by mere centimeters.
Simultaneously, an unnatural wind whipped across the battlefield, driving the devils backward momentarily. Avi didn't fully neutralize them — he only bought precious seconds.
Charlotte (confused):
"What… saved me?"
Rill (whispering):
"That wasn't luck."
---
A Dangerous Dance
Elsewhere, Nacht observed everything with growing suspicion. Though fighting alongside his shadow familiars, his attention remained split.
Nacht (thinking):
"You're still guiding us, Avi… But you're walking dangerously close to the surface now. The more you interfere, the more you expose yourself."
He narrowed his eyes as his shadows whispered.
> Shadow Familiar:
"Master… something stirs beneath the battlefield."
---
The Monarch Escalates
Deep beneath the Spade capital, the Devil Monarch shifted in its slumber.
> [System Alert: Dimensional Pressure Spike Detected]
Without warning, another crack formed. This time, instead of just sending devils, the Monarch altered the very laws of space.
A gaping void vortex erupted near the western front. The very air twisted, and gravity distorted unnaturally.
---
Yami and Jack Face the Storm
Yami Sukehiro and Jack the Ripper immediately engaged the anomaly.
Yami (gritting his teeth):
"Tch… This feels different than before."
His katana flared with condensed dark magic as he launched a counter-blade into the distortion, but even his slashes couldn't stabilize the collapsing space.
Jack (laughing wildly):
"Finally… something fun to cut!"
He unleashed rapid spatial tears, trying to slice into the void itself. But it was growing stronger by the second.
---
The Proxy Deploys Again
From his chamber, Avi made a quick decision.
> [Origin Avatar Protocol Reengaged]
The same cloaked proxy puppet materialized on the battlefield once more — this time directly near Yami and Jack.
Yami (startled):
"…There you are again."
Without any dialogue, the proxy lifted its hand toward the vortex. Origin magic pulsed, condensing into a crystalline spiral that began reversing the distortion.
The vortex began to shrink.
Jack (grinning):
"Who the hell is that guy? I wanna fight him."
Yami (smirking):
"He's not an enemy. But he sure ain't on our side either."
---
Lucius Watches Carefully
Far above, floating calmly amidst the swirling dark clouds, Lucius observed with growing interest.
Lucius (thinking):
"More direct interference. Every projection you send gives me a stronger reading of your energy signature, Avi."
He activated another layer of his temporal analysis magic.
> [Temporal Echo Analysis: 62% Source Lock Achieved]
Lucius (smiling):
"Bit by bit… I will find you."
---
The Monarch's Intrusion
Suddenly, Lucius' focus was interrupted by an unexpected voice — that of the Monarch itself.
Devil Monarch (telepathically):
"Why do you probe my little puppet, mortal? Your curiosity borders on arrogance."
Lucius' smile didn't waver.
Lucius (replying mentally):
"I am merely observing. After all, I suspect your interests in Avi Caesar mirror my own."
Devil Monarch:
"Indeed. He weaves intricate threads, but sooner or later, even the master puppeteer must reveal his face."
The two powerful entities—Lucius and the Monarch—momentarily aligned in their common target.
---
Inside Akatsuki's Hidden Council Room
Later that night, in the dimensional Akatsuki headquarters, Asta, Yuno, Nacht, and a few trusted members gathered at Avi's invitation.
Asta (worried):
"Avi, these devils keep getting stronger. How long can we hold this off?"
Avi stood with hands behind his back, wearing his usual calm expression.
Avi (softly):
"As long as necessary."
Nacht (sharply):
"You're fighting something bigger than just Lucius and the devils, aren't you?"
For a moment, the room grew heavy. Avi didn't answer directly.
Avi:
"Let's focus on stabilizing the immediate fronts. The Monarch and Lucius are both escalating. Our advantage lies in patience."
Yuno's eyes narrowed.
Yuno:
"But they're starting to notice your hand more openly."
Avi:
"That is unavoidable. But revealing too much would compromise the grand design."
Avi's tone remained cryptic. Even those closest to him only saw glimpses of the full scope of his plan.
---
A Hidden Warning
As the meeting concluded, Nacht lingered behind.
Nacht (quietly):
"Be careful, Avi. You're playing with monsters who don't play fair."
Avi offered a faint, manipulative smile.
Avi (softly):
"I never expected fairness. I expected leverage."
---
The Monarch's New Play
Back in the underworld, the Devil Monarch pulled on deeper reserves of power.
> [Dimensional Barrier Weakening — Critical Levels]
Soon, it wouldn't need minor generals or probes.
Devil Monarch (to itself):
"Perhaps it's time I send one of my true lieutenants into your fragile realm, puppet master."
The battle was about to escalate beyond anyone's control.
---
A System Update
> **[System Update:
High-Risk Branches Detected:
Monarch Lieutenant Deployment Imminent
Lucius Trace Accuracy Approaching 80%
Recommendation: Execute Countermeasure Protocol Series Gamma]**
Avi exhaled slowly as he studied the interface.
Avi (whispering):
"The real game begins now."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…