Chapter Seven:Night of Curses and Stars

Night blanketed the kingdom, and silence reigned—until Princess Rose's voice shattered the stillness.

"Everyone, come here!" she called out loudly, urgency in her tone.

The palace stirred. Servants and guards rushed toward her chamber, their faces tense and uneasy.

In a distant room, Yuto and Kenzo lay asleep.

Yuto's dreams were vivid—fantasies of him caressing and kissing a beautiful girl. "Oh, darling," he murmured, a goofy smile on his face, "your chest… it's so soft. Umm…"

Kenzo, in a deep slumber beside him, didn't stir.

Suddenly, Princess Rose's loud scream reached their room, jarring Yuto awake.

"That idiot Princess!" Yuto groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Why does she have to scream so loud?"

He turned to Kenzo, who was still sleeping deeply, oblivious to the commotion.

"Kenzooooo!" Yuto yelled, shaking him awake.

Kenzo's eyes fluttered open, his expression groggy. "What's your problem, Yuto?"

"Princess Rose called us," Yuto said, already getting up.

Grumbling, Kenzo followed him out. As they approached the princess's quarters, Ayame and Kiyomi appeared from another hallway, joining them.

"What's the matter?" Kenzo asked, his tone still irritated.

"Yeah, we were asleep," Yuto added.

"I want to visit the forest and see the stars," Princess Rose declared with a bright smile.

Kenzo's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? That's ridiculous. We can't go out at this hour!"

As he protested, a sharp pain shot through his right hand. His index finger began to glow faintly. He clutched it, wincing.

This curse… it's starting to hurt again, Kenzo thought, his expression darkening.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

"Hey, where are you going?" Princess Rose called after him, confused.

Ayame (thinking): Kenzo, you're hiding something from me.

"It's fine," Yuto said. "We'll go without him. Kenzo will join us later."

"But without Kenzo?" Ayame asked hesitantly.

"Don't worry," Kiyomi reassured her. "He'll be fine."

Reluctantly, the group set out toward the forest.

In Kenzo's Room

Kenzo slammed the door shut and leaned against it, his breathing ragged.

"AHHHHHHH!" he screamed, clutching his glowing hand.

He glanced at the mysterious ring on his finger, the source of his curse. He tried to suppress its power, but it was no use.

In the Forest

The night was serene, the stars twinkling above.

"This view is amazing," Kiyomi said, marveling at the sky.

Ayame nodded, but her expression was tense.

"Why are you so worried?" Yuto asked, glancing at her.

"I'm fine," she replied quickly, forcing a smile.

"I'm strong enough for all of us!" Princess Rose declared proudly, breaking the tension.

Just then, something unusual caught their attention.

"What's that?" Kiyomi asked, pointing to the sky.

Above them, a UFO hovered, its glowing lights casting an eerie hue on the forest floor.

"That's… a Xenon," Princess Rose said, her voice hushed.

"A what?" Yuto asked, startled.

"It's like our broomsticks, but far more advanced," Rose explained. "They use it for travel."

"Why would they come here?" Ayame asked, her unease growing.

"Because I'm here," Rose replied matter-of-factly.

The UFO descended, landing gracefully. A single figure emerged from the craft.

His appearance was unlike anything they had ever seen:

A futuristic helmet with a glowing single eye and visible cybernetic implants.

A black metallic exosuit with glowing red circuits and a reactor core on his chest.

Cybernetic arms with claw-like fingers.

A cape made of nanobots that disassembled into drones.

A plasma scythe that morphed into other weapons.

Yuto gasped. "Th-this is a ghost!"

"No," Kiyomi said firmly. "He's not one of us."

The figure stepped forward.

"I am Voidron, a Xenon from Novaera," he announced, his voice metallic and cold. "I'm here for the girl and the Infernal Signet owner."

Ayame narrowed her eyes. "Who is this Infernal Signet owner?"

Voidron smirked. "The one who bears the second greatest curse. Hand them over."

"We don't know what you're talking about," Ayame said, stepping in front of Rose, "but we won't let you touch her."

Voidron chuckled. "Do you really think a few children can stop me?"

"Kiyomi, protect her!" Ayame ordered.

Kiyomi quickly stepped in front of Rose, casting a barrier.

"Water Magic: Water Ball!" Ayame shouted, launching an attack at Voidron.

The water struck his advanced shield, which absorbed the impact effortlessly.

"What is that shield?" Kiyomi exclaimed.

"Stand back!" Yuto shouted as lightning sparked around his hands. His speed surged, and he dashed toward Voidron.

"Princess Ayame, Kiyomi, keep Rose safe. I'll handle this!"

Yuto launched a flurry of attacks, dodging Voidron's counterstrikes with incredible agility.

"Impressive," Voidron admitted. "Your skills and magic are remarkable."

"You don't know who you're dealing with!" Yuto shouted. "I'm Yuto, and I never give up!"

Voidron activated a mini-gun from his arm, firing at Yuto. But Yuto's speed made him impossible to hit. He closed the distance and landed a punch on Voidron's face.

"My hand… it's like hitting iron!" Yuto muttered, shaking off the pain.

Voidron retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Yuto flying.

Yuto (thinking): His strength is insane… But I can't give up. Kenzo is suffering from a curse, and I have no right to complain about my own challenges.

"Ether Zone: Lightning Magic!" Yuto roared, charging at Voidron again.

Ayame watched from a distance, casting healing magic to keep Yuto energized.

Yuto (thinking): Why am I not tired? Oh… Ayame is healing me.

Voidron noticed this as well.

Voidron (thinking): That girl… she's keeping him going.

Yuto realized Voidron's gaze had shifted toward Ayame.

"No, you don't!" Yuto shouted, creating a lightning circle around Voidron. He unleashed a powerful surge of energy, leaving Voidron severely injured.

Back in Kenzo's Room

Kenzo writhed in pain, his screams echoing through the castle.

"This curse… I can't handle it!" he shouted, collapsing to his knees.

Suddenly, a dark figure appeared before him.

"What's up, my new cursed hero?" the Super Demon Lord said, a sinister grin on his face.

To be continued…