Chapter 4: Colorful Waves

Yaxoc and Yaxocara tumbled into a vibrant, kaleidoscopic dimension, its colors swirling in mesmerizing waves across the horizon.

"This is the third stage of the Realm of Spirit," Yaxocara observed, her voice tinged with awe. "Wow... this place feels so alive and colorful."

Yaxoc staggered to his feet, still disoriented from the portal. "Ugh... that trip was rough. And seriously? Rainbow overload."

Without missing a beat, Yaxocara smacked him on the back of the head. "Show some respect, you idiot."

"Okay, okay! I was joking!" Yaxoc protested, rubbing the sore spot as they began exploring the dazzling landscape.

"What could this place mean?" Yaxocara murmured, her gaze darting across the surreal environment.

As they wandered, their attention was drawn to a cloaked figure shaping clouds of shimmering rainbows in the distance.

"Hey, who's that?" Yaxoc asked, narrowing his eyes.

"They look like a teen," Yaxocara replied, squinting. "But what are they doing here? Let's find out."

The pair approached cautiously, and the figure turned to face them. Beneath the hood, their expression was obscured, but their aura radiated calm control.

"What's with all the rainbow clouds?" Yaxocara asked, curious.

For a moment, the figure remained silent. Then, in a calm tone, they replied, "I created this dimension, and these clouds are the final touch to complete it."

Yaxoc and Yaxocara exchanged startled glances before Yaxoc stepped forward. "Wait—you made this place? That's huge. But… does every dimension have a deeper meaning?"

The figure nodded. "Indeed. The dimensions you've traversed each serve a purpose. The first represents the subconscious during dreams, where balance must be maintained between positivity and negativity. Too much negativity leads to nightmares.

"The second dimension reflects nostalgia, the longing for the past. It traps those who are blinded by their memories, unable to move forward.

"And this, the third dimension, represents events shaped by anxiety. The glowing object you touched was a manifestation of that anxiety, which is why you encountered an enemy version of yourselves. It mirrored what could have been if Yaxoc hadn't embraced his role as a savior."

Yaxoc frowned. "So Marcus, too?"

"Yes," the figure replied. "He's tied to the same path. Your choices will influence him, just as they shape your own future."

The explanation left Yaxoc and Yaxocara momentarily speechless, their eyes scanning the radiant surroundings.

"This place represents the innocence of childhood," the figure continued. "That's why it's so colorful and vibrant—a reflection of happiness and positivity."

Yaxoc raised an eyebrow. "Innocence of a child, huh? But what happens if someone destroys this positivity?"

The figure shook their head. "That's impossible. The innocence of a child is remarkably resilient. It can't be destroyed—only temporarily dimmed by external forces. But true innocence always finds a way to shine through."

"Could Lucius disrupt this?" Yaxocara asked.

The figure's demeanor darkened at the mention of Lucius. "Lucius... that meddler. He's already attempted to destroy the second dimension, and he barely escaped unscathed. It wouldn't surprise me if he set his sights on this realm next. His actions are reckless, but I'll ensure he doesn't succeed."

Yaxoc crossed his arms, thoughtful. "Sounds like we've got more to deal with than we thought."

Yaxocara nodded. "Let's stay alert. If Lucius shows up here, we'll be ready."

"Good luck exploring the dimension—you'll need it," said the mysterious figure, their voice fading as they disappeared into thin air.

Yaxoc blinked, his brow furrowed. "That was... weird."

"Agreed," Yaxocara replied. "Let's keep moving before something else happens."

As they ventured deeper into the colorful dimension, the surroundings seemed almost dreamlike. Vibrant, glowing spheres bounced around like playful spirits, while the branches of multicolored trees shimmered in hues that seemed impossible.

"This place feels like a lucid dream," Yaxoc muttered, his eyes darting from one surreal sight to another. "All these colors are messing with my head."

Their moment of wonder was abruptly interrupted when a spear whizzed past them, embedding itself in the ground.

"What the hell?" Yaxoc mumbled, spinning around to locate the source. His eyes narrowed as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.

"Yurgion?!" Yaxoc exclaimed.

Yaxocara turned sharply, her hand instinctively moving to her weapon. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Yurgion smirked darkly, his sinister aura palpable. "Nice dimension you've got here. Makes me wonder... what happens if I destroy it?"

"You can't destroy this place," Yaxoc said with mock confidence, a sly grin forming on his face. "It's not that simple, and honestly, you trying would just be pathetic."

A vein visibly throbbed on Yurgion's forehead as his fists clenched. "Oh, you've got a big mouth, don't you? Who told you that?"

"Does it matter?" Yaxoc quipped, his tone dripping with arrogance. "You're not exactly a threat."

Yurgion growled, summoning a spear, his voice dripping with venom. "You'd better shut up before I make you—"

Before Yurgion could finish, a small figure darted forward and delivered a punch so powerful it sent him flying across the field.

Both Yaxoc and Yaxocara froze, their jaws dropping in unison.

"Did that... did that kid just punch him into orbit?" Yaxoc stammered.

"Looks like it," Yaxocara replied, squinting at the child. "Who is this kid?"

(Olnu appeared clad in a sleek white jacket, jeans, and a white visor. His blindfold obscured his eyes, but a strange energy radiated from him, giving him an air of mystery.)

Yurgion scrambled to his feet, his rage boiling over. "You little brat!" he roared, charging at Olnu with reckless abandon.

"YAXOC, SAVE THE KID!" Yaxocara yelled, shoving him forward.

"WAIT, WHAT—AAAAHH!" Yaxoc screamed as he stumbled toward the child, managing to scoop him up just as Yurgion's spear was about to strike. Yaxoc retaliated with a well-timed kick, sending Yurgion flying once more.

He turned to Yaxocara, fuming. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! A LITTLE WARNING WOULD'VE BEEN NICE!"

Yaxocara shrugged nonchalantly. "It was urgent. You'll live."

"Can you put me down now?" Olnu asked politely, his calm tone catching Yaxoc off guard.

"I don't think so, kid," Yaxoc replied. "It's dangerous out here."

"I'm not weak, you know!" Olnu huffed.

Before Yaxoc could respond, Olnu kicked him in the gut, causing him to collapse to his knees. The child darted off with surprising speed.

"OW! What the hell?!" Yaxoc groaned, clutching his stomach. "How can a kid be this strong?!"

Yaxocara burst into laughter, doubling over. "YOU JUST GOT TAKEN DOWN BY A CHILD!"

"OH, SHUT UP!" Yaxoc barked, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Yurgion staggered to his feet, his rage rekindled. Spotting Olnu, he charged after him.

"Not so fast!" Yaxocara shouted, drawing her sword and chanting, "Artificial Magic: Vine Ropes!"

Magical vines shot from the ground, wrapping tightly around Yurgion and holding him in place.

"Gotcha," Yaxocara said smugly, sheathing her sword.

Yaxoc stood up, dusting himself off. "What's with him chasing a kid?"

"Probably because he got his ass handed to him by a child," Yaxocara said with a smirk.

"That's... disturbingly familiar," Yaxoc muttered, shaking his head. "Anyway, let's get out of here and leave this idiot to stew."

"Good plan," Yaxocara agreed.

As the two walked away, Yurgion thrashed against the vines, his voice echoing with fury. "I'll kill you both! MARK MY WORDS!"

As the dust settled, Xavy and Atlan casually walked onto the scene, their confident smirks cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Well, well," Atlan began, glancing around with mock curiosity. "Looks like someone left a very special gift for us to deal with."

Xavy crossed his arms, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh yeah, totally. And what's this? Yurgion, up to no good again? Let me guess—trying to snatch some poor kid, right?"

Before Yurgion could respond, Xavy raised a hand to stop him. "Actually, don't bother. I already know. Not cool, man. Not cool."

Atlan snickered. "Yeah, seriously. You're making yourself look like a complete lunatic. Oh wait, you already do."

"Why does any of this matter to you two!?" Yurgion roared, his voice cracking with frustration.

Xavy chuckled, shaking his head. "Because we take this kind of nonsense very seriously. Can't have people thinking the guardianship council's gone soft, now can we? Also, you're making us look bad, and that's just plain rude."

Yurgion's glare sharpened, his fury bubbling over.

"Oh, don't give me that look," Xavy said nonchalantly. "I'm just speaking facts."

With a feral scream, Yurgion shattered the vine restraints and lunged toward Xavy, his fists flying in rapid succession. But Xavy easily intercepted each blow with precision, blocking and parrying with an almost bored expression.

"You're not even trying, are you?" Xavy taunted before delivering a devastating counterpunch to Yurgion's chest, sending him skidding across the ground.

Atlan stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Should we just put him out of his misery now?"

Xavy smirked. "Oh, absolutely. Let's make this a well-deserved 2v1 beatdown."

Without warning, Xavy teleported behind Yurgion, landing a sharp kick to his back that launched him skyward. Atlan appeared above Yurgion in a flash, gripping his leg before spinning and slamming him back into the ground with a thunderous crash.

Xavy seized the opportunity, firing a rapid barrage of energy blasts that bounced Yurgion off the ground like a ragdoll.

"Pathetic," Xavy muttered.

Atlan dashed forward, delivering a crushing punch to Yurgion's face and sending him careening skyward once again.

"Ready to show him the real deal?" Atlan asked, his grin widening.

"Absolutely. Let's give him the ultimate treatment," Xavy replied, his smirk matching Atlan's.

In perfect synchronization, the duo teleported above Yurgion, driving their feet into his midsection with such force that the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air. Yurgion plummeted to the ground, a crater forming on impact.

Xavy and Atlan landed gracefully in front of him, their voices ringing out in unison.

"Dual-Domain Expansion: Remembrance of the Smokey Cemetery!"

The world around them twisted and warped, darkening into a grim, fog-filled cemetery. The air grew heavy, the atmosphere oppressive, as glowing tombstones dotted the sinister landscape.

"Welcome to your doom," Xavy said, his voice cold. "This domain has its own set of rules—no powers, no abilities. Just you and the tombstones."

"And here's the kicker," Atlan added with a sinister grin. "Touch one of these glowing beauties, and you're done for. No second chances."

They both stared down at Yurgion, their expressions a mix of mockery and menace. "So, what's it gonna be? Run or die?"

Yurgion wandered aimlessly through the thick, suffocating fog that surrounded him, frustration etched across his face.

"What is this cursed fog?" he muttered, swiping the air in irritation. "I can't even use my spells... This is ridiculous."

As he trudged forward, his hand brushed against a cold tombstone. Instinctively, he froze, waiting for something ominous to happen. When nothing occurred, he let out a small sigh of relief.

"Okay... at least this tombstone isn't cursed. Small victories, I guess," he mumbled, continuing cautiously.

The silence of the domain gnawed at him, broken only by his own uneasy thoughts. "This whole 'domain' thing gives me the creeps. As soon as it breaks, I'm getting out of here. No way I'm sticking around longer than I have to."

Suddenly, the oppressive fog shattered like glass as Ogamak materialized, his presence heavy and commanding. His sharp gaze immediately locked onto Xavy and Atlan, standing smugly nearby.

"So, you've come back," Xavy said, his lips curling into a sly smirk. "What's the matter? Here to save your boyfriend?"

Ogamak's fists clenched, his voice a low growl. "Enjoy your moment, Fragment. When the war comes, I'll make sure you regret every word. Count your days."

Without waiting for a response, Ogamak grabbed Yurgion by the arm. With a flash of energy, they vanished from the domain.

Xavy scoffed, his smirk fading slightly. "Coward. Running away like that."

Atlan crossed his arms, glancing around at the now-empty space. "Whatever. No point sticking around here. Let's go."

The two fragments turned and disappeared into the mist, leaving the shattered remnants of the domain behind.