Chapter 30: The Council of Segrito, Ninefold Dominion

Far beyond the reach of the nine nations, on an isolated and forbidden

island, stood a dark and foreboding district — a city of shadows, entirely

powered by all forms of dark energy. The air crackled with ominous energy, and

the skyline was dominated by a towering fortress-like structure with a

colossal, gleaming logo of Segrito etched

into its facade. This was The Raven Citadel, the heart of Segrito's

operations and home to its most feared governing body — the Council

of Ninefold Dominion.

Within the dimly lit council chamber, the

atmosphere was thick with tension. Massive obsidian pillars lined the room,

casting long shadows across a circular table where nine imposing figures sat.

Each of them represented a facet of Segrito's sinister empire — and together,

they controlled the world's most dangerous organization.

Kaelis

Dorne, The Strategist of Shadows and head of Military Operations, broke

the silence first. His voice was cold and sharp. "Professor, I believe you're

well aware of this so-called 'Z Organisation.' Their leader — this self-styled 'Lord

Z' — dares to use your name while dragging it through the mud. He has

humiliated both you and Segrito with his reckless ambitions." His eyes glinted

with rage beneath his hood.

Before the Professor could respond, Voryn

Malek, The Architect of Havoc, slammed a gauntleted

fist onto the table. "Enough games! That pathetic upstart's army has been crushed — defeated by a team of assassin

children. His forces have been captured, and now Lord Z flees like a wounded

animal! Shall we send a strike team to finish him off? It would be a mercy."

A sinister chuckle echoed through the chamber.

"Mercy?" said Selara Nox, The

Mistress of Whispers. Her voice was silky and dangerous. "Let him run.

Desperation makes men reckless. It makes them… useful.

I can keep tabs on him — perhaps his mistakes will lead us to something even

more valuable."

At the head of the table, Professor

Z, The Apex Sovereign and

leader of Segrito, finally raised a hand for silence. The room fell still

immediately. His presence alone was enough to command obedience. He leaned

forward slowly, his eyes like burning coals behind his mask.

"Enough," he said, his voice low and measured.

"Lord Z's arrogance is of no consequence to us — not yet. Let him scurry like

the rat he is. For now, our priority remains the awakening

of the Abyss." A wave of unease rippled through the room at the

mention of the Abyss, the source of Segrito's most dangerous power.

Professor Z turned his gaze to Selara.

"Maintain your surveillance on Lord Z. If he stumbles upon something of value,

I want to know immediately. If he becomes a threat… eliminate him."

Selara smiled darkly and bowed her head. "As

you command."

"Kaelis. Draven," the Professor continued, his

voice sharpening as he addressed the council's most brutal warriors. "I want

you both overseeing our strikes and raids personally. The

nations grow too comfortable — it's time to remind them why they fear the

dark."

Draven

Kryne, The Revenant Enforcer, grinned — a savage,

bloodthirsty expression. "Finally," he growled. "I was starting to think we'd

gone soft."

Ivara

Lys, The Shaper of Illusions, tapped her fingers

thoughtfully on the table. "Perhaps a psychological strike is also in order.

Fear is the most potent weapon, after all."

"Do as you must," the Professor said. "But

remember — nothing must interfere with the Abyss. Nothing."

The meeting ended with an air of finality. As

the members of the Ninefold Dominion rose from their seats and departed to

fulfill their orders, the dark energy pulsing through the Obsidian Citadel

seemed to grow even stronger — as if the Abyss itself was stirring in

anticipation.

Far

away, Lord Z ran.

But the true storm was just beginning.

The sun dipped low over Neo-Kyoto's skyline,

casting long streaks of neon light across the Elysium Veil Resort's private

Holo-Arena. The massive hard-light stadium hummed to life, the shifting

Neo-Terrain Grid flickering into position beneath their feet. It was time for

Neon Blitz — the most popular and intense sport in Neo-Kyoto — and the team was

ready.

On one side stood Team

Kyrin: Kyrin Vyvron, Senjuro Kaine, Rin Asakura, and Blaze Cystin

Krynn — a squad known for their precision and aggressive tactics. Opposing them

was Team Zyren: Zyren Higer, Akira Valtoris, Akio Renjiro,

and Hiroshi Takeda — masters of speed and strategy.

Taro Nakamura stood

at the edge of the field, wearing his referee's badge proudly. "Alright,

people! Let's keep it clean — or at least try to,"

he called out, earning a few laughs.

Up in the

commentator's box, Kaito Draven adjusted his mic and grinned. "Ladies and

gentlemen, get ready! This is going to be a match for the ages! Let's see if

Team Kyrin's fire can outlast Team Zyren's storm!"

The countdown

began.

3… 2… 1…

The Vortex

Core exploded into the

air, a streaking sphere of condensed energy. Kyrin and Zyren both leaped toward

it with incredible speed, their Exo-Gear Suits pulsing with light as their Flux

Enhancers activated.

Kyrin reached the Core first, a powerful aerial kick that sent it screaming

toward Team Zyren's side of the grid.

"Core in play!"

Kaito shouted. "And Kyrin's wasting no time bringing the heat!"

Akira was ready. He

activated his Cloak Module, disappearing in a flash of

light, and reappeared just in time to intercept the Core with a well-timed Pulse

Dash, sending it bouncing off one of the energy ramps. Akio followed

up with a perfectly aimed Trickshot, using the shifting terrain to

launch the Core toward the goal.

"Akio with a

bounce! That's 12 points if it lands!" Kaito called.

But Senjuro was

already moving. The Guardian of Team Kyrin activated his Force

Gauntlets, deflecting the Core at the last second and sending it back

into play. Blaze caught it mid-air with a spinning kick, sending it straight to

Rin.

"Nice save by

Senjuro! And here comes Rin!"

Rin didn't

hesitate. Using the changing elevation of the Neo-Terrain Grid, he launched

herself into the air and fired the Core toward the goal with pinpoint accuracy.

Hiroshi, Team Zyren's Guardian, dove to block — but it was too

late.

Goal! 10 points for Team Kyrin!

The crowd — a mix

of their friends and curious resort guests — erupted in cheers.

But the game was

far from over.

Zyren's eyes

glinted with determination as the Core reset. He barked out orders to his team,

and when the Core launched again, Team Zyren moved with perfect

synchronization. Akira blurred across the field, creating illusions to confuse

Team Kyrin's defense, while Akio and Hiroshi pushed forward.

"Looks like Team

Zyren's changing tactics!" Kaito's voice rose with excitement. "What's this? A

triple formation?"

Zyren took control

of the Core and, with a lightning-fast series of passes between Akio and

Hiroshi, executed an Overload Shot — a devastating power strike that tore

through the obstacles in its path.

Senjuro braced

himself, but the impact was too strong. The Core slammed into the goal, and the

board lit up.

15 points for Team Zyren!

"Unbelievable!

What a shot!"

The match raged

on. Kyrin and Zyren clashed repeatedly, their rivalry turning every encounter

into a battle of speed and skill. Rin and Akira danced across the grid, their

agility and stealth creating moments of pure spectacle. Blaze's relentless

offense met Hiroshi's iron defense, while Senjuro and Akio fought for control

of the field's shifting terrain.

With seconds left

in the final round, the score stood at 25-25. The arena entered Overdrive

Mode, and the Neo-Terrain Grid erupted in chaos — platforms rose and

fell, energy walls flickered unpredictably, and the Core gained speed and

power.

The Vortex Core

shot into the air one last time. Both teams surged toward it. Kyrin and Zyren

collided mid-jump, each fighting for control. The Core broke free and fell

toward Rin — but Akira appeared out of nowhere, snatching it in mid-air.

He fired toward

the goal.

Senjuro dove.

The Core grazed

his fingertips — and slipped past.

Goal! Team Zyren wins, 30-25!

The crowd went

wild. The players collapsed on the field, panting and laughing.

"Now that was a match," Kaito announced, his

voice full of admiration.

Kyrin grinned at

Zyren as they shook hands. "You got lucky."

Zyren smirked. "Skill, my friend. Skill."