Elara's CPI scanner was flickering uncontrollably.
Kaito: 25,000…300,000... 750,000…
The numbers didn't stop and her heart began to race.
"This sudden rise in essence… This isn't good. If this continues, his body won't be able to handle it."
The ground beneath their feet cracked with each step they took.
Their essence was a variety of colors like dozens of cosmic gases flowing amongst each other with tiny sparkles like miniature stars. It seemed as if the air itself couldn't contain the energy they were releasing.
Myzen stood frozen in place, his eyes wide as they could ever be. He wasn't sure who or what he was facing anymore.
This power… this shouldn't be possible." He thought to himself in a panic.
The numbers on his scanner slowed down until finally stopping on a number.
Kaito: 900,000... 980,000... 1,000,000 CPI
It was a number rarely seen among even the most powerful star travelers across the known universe.
But just before they could reach Myzen… their body jerked.
The multi-colored cosmic essence that had surrounded them flickered, then vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
His legs gave out beneath him, and with a sickening thud, he collapsed face-first onto the ground. His body lay motionless, steam rising from his skin.
For a moment, everything was completely still as if time itself stopped.
The referee announced the results through the drone flying overhead, his voice trembling as he declared the outcome.
"The match... is concluded. The victor... is Myzen!"
But Myzen remained frozen, his hands trembling at his sides. He couldn't move, he couldn't process what had just happened. Kaito's overwhelming power, even for that brief moment, had shaken him to his core.
Elara leapt from her viewpoint and made her way to Kaito's fallen body. As she knelt beside him, she glanced over at Myzen, her sharp eyes locking onto his for just a moment.
She lifted Kaito, his body limp and heavy in her arms and turned away without a word, taking him back to the ship.
The medical bay of the Starlight was quiet except for monitors beeping. Kaito was placed into a healing pod by Elysia, who worked quickly to stabilize his condition. His body was covered in severe wounds—bruises, cuts, and deep burns from overexerting his power. He floated inside the pod, surrounded by the regenerative light green gel that would help his body recover.
Elara stood there, staring through the glass at him floating. As she looked at him, memories flooded her mind. The image of Kaito lying in that pod blurred with the images of her two brothers—two other boys who had dreams of being a star traveler… two other boys she couldn't protect.
A single tear slid down her cheek. Then another… and another.
"I'm so sorry, Kaito... I—"
Her voice caught in her throat.
Suddenly, the door to the medical bay slid open, and Talon entered. She was silent as she stared at Kaito floating inside the pod. Her usual tough exterior faltered as she saw Elara's tear-streaked face.
"Talon... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for dragging you into this. For dragging him into this. I–I" She covered her mouth, trying her best to stop the sobs from coming.
Talon remained quiet, unsure of how to respond. She wasn't one for emotions, but seeing Elara like this… her best friend… hit her harder than she expected. Her eyes quickly welled up with tears.
"Elara... I—"
Before she could finish, her voice cracked, and she quickly turned to leave the room. She was trying to stay strong, but the weight of everything—the losses, the close calls—it was too much. She paused at the door, glancing back at Kaito one last time.
"I'm sorry too..."
Once she was gone, Elara bawled up her fist. She pressed it gently against the glass of the pod.
"I'll win this. For you. For the crew."
Far away, in a hidden chamber, the five heads of the Accord were gathered for a private meeting. Most of the heads wore smug expressions, clearly celebrating what they believed to be Kaito's defeat.
Aleron smirked as well, believing it all was over. But across from him, Seraphine remained silent, her eyes fixed on the hologram of Elara retrieving Kaito from the battlefield.
"It's not over yet."
The other heads exchanged confused glances, but Aleron narrowed his eyes.
"What are you suggesting my lady?"
Seraphine tilted her head slightly, a sly smile beginning to form.
"Elara… You all seem to underestimate her. If she gets her hand on that fragment, it will take a lot of lives to take it back."
She looked over to Aleron.
"I hope Myzen doesn't disappoint… Aleron." She said as if it wasn't a warning to Myzen only.
She turned her attention back to the other members before speaking.
"We witnessed something today. Kaito... he displayed that power."
The leaders exchanged looks. They knew exactly what she meant—the power that had made humans feared across not only the galaxy, but the entire universe, the power that set them apart from so many other races.
"We'll use that power to our advantage." She said calmly.
"You can't be serious." The projection of King Taelros said.
Seraphine leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with dark intent.
"I'm always serious."
The next day came and Elara stood on the battlefield, ready for her final match. Across from her, Myzen walked forward.
The two locked eyes, their goals clear.
They said nothing as they approached each other, the weight of the upcoming battle hanging heavily in the air. Everyone knew—this was more than just a fight for the championship.
A battle to determine the fate of the universe was about to begin.