Xander’s Arrival

The village square was alive with celebration. Cheers filled the air as the blacksmith chief stood before the gathered crowd, raising his hands for silence.

"Nathan," the chief's booming voice carried over the crowd, "you have proven yourself. You have not only shown strength but the ability to forge something greater."

Nathan stood tall, gripping the Arc-Hammer with pride.

The villagers cheered, and Eclipse Zero stood nearby, watching with satisfaction.

Hugo crossed his arms, a faint smirk playing on his lips. Nathan had done it.

But then—

A slow clapping sound echoed across the village.

The cheers faltered.

A chilling energy filled the air.

The villagers' expressions changed—from joy to confusion, then to fear.

Then, a voice—smooth, laced with amusement.

"Well, well… looks like I arrived just in time."

Hugo's entire body tensed.

He knew that voice.

From the shadows of a nearby forge, a tall, darkly dressed figure stepped forward, his long coat billowing slightly in the wind.

In his right hand, he held a black, pulsating orb, flickering with eerie Voltra energy.

Xander.

The Solstice of the Dominion.

The moment the villagers saw him, a ripple of shock and panic spread through the crowd.

Eclipse Zero immediately moved into position.

Lena's hand flew to her Arc-Gun, its barrel glowing faintly with Arcana energy.Darius twirled Drill Fang, his Arc-Lance spinning in his grip, ready to strike.Stella unsheathed her Arc-Blade, the blue sheen of its edge gleaming in the light.

Ethan and Iris, however, held back, their expressions grim but focused.

Xander's black eyes gleamed, scanning the group with lazy amusement. "Ah, Hugo… still surrounding yourself with reckless fighters, I see."

Hugo's jaw tightened. "What do you want, Xander?"

Xander smirked. "Now, now. Let's not be rude. I came to deliver a gift."

Before anyone could react—

Xander moved.

In an instant, he was right in front of Hugo.

And before Hugo could even raise Cosmos in defense—

Xander grabbed it.

A stunned silence filled the village square.

Xander stood there, holding Cosmos, the legendary Sword of the Eclipse, as if it were just another blade.

Hugo's eyes widened. "You—"

Cosmos hummed in amusement.

"My, my," the sword's voice rippled through the air, smooth and unbothered."Stealing your best friend's sword? How very dramatic."

Xander grinned, spinning Cosmos in his grip with ease. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

The villagers gasped, their fear growing.

Then—Xander held up the orb.

The Voltra-infused artifact pulsed in his grip, dark lightning crackling along its surface.

He pressed it against Cosmos' core.

And then—

The world shattered.

A horrific, agonizing surge of energy exploded through the village.

Hugo screamed.

The moment the orb fused into Cosmos, Hugo's body convulsed violently, a deep, unbearable pain ripping through his body.

He dropped to his knees, his vision flickering, his mind drowning in an overwhelming force of Voltra energy.

The connection between him and Cosmos—it was being invaded.

Tainted.

Corrupted.

The world spun.

He couldn't breathe.

His entire being felt like it was being crushed from the inside out.

Lena reacted first.

Her Arc-Gun roared, blue streaks of Arcana firing toward Xander, but with a simple flick of his wrist, Xander twisted Cosmos, and the energy blasts were deflected midair.

Darius charged next.

"YOU BASTARD!"

His Drill Fang spun violently, the tip glowing with rotational Arcana energy, but before he could close the distance, Xander simply side-stepped, swinging Cosmos in a single, effortless arc.

Darius barely managed to block, the impact sending him flying backward into a nearby anvil.

Stella dashed forward, her Arc-Blade shimmering, a precise strike aimed at Xander's ribs—but before it could land, Xander caught her wrist mid-swing.

She gasped—

And Xander, still holding Cosmos in his other hand, leaned in close, smirking.

"You'll have to be much faster than that, little knight."

Then, he shoved her back, sending her skidding across the ground.

The village was in chaos.

Hugo, still clutching his chest, tried to move, but every attempt sent another wave of searing pain through his circuits.

Cosmos—his own sword—was now being used against his friends.

And worst of all—he couldn't stop it.

Xander spun the sword once more, then let out a mocking sigh.

"Well… this is disappointing."

His black eyes gleamed as he looked down at Hugo, who was still struggling to rise.

"To think," Xander continued, his voice full of amusement, "the great Hero of the Eclipse—reduced to this."

Hugo gritted his teeth.

He had to move.

He had to fight.

But the pain was too much.

And for the first time in a long while—

Hugo felt helpless.