Complete Reunion

On planet Kiro, Seko and his companions—Atama, Satoshi, Kiyomi, and their newest member, Lyvona—begin investigating Black Dragon and the mystery surrounding 'The Glitch.' With Lyvona's help, Seko deciphers the text on the walls, while Satoshi assists Atama in attempting to contact Black Dragon using a unique cuboidal replica of the original Cube they encountered. As Atama works on the replica, Seko explains the functions and conditions of the mysterious Cube.

Lyvona is frowning as she deciphers the inscriptions

"This text... It speaks of an entity beyond time, a force that disrupts reality itself… The 'Glitch.'"

Seko crosses his arms, deep in thought. His poker-face not revealing any emotions aside from a bit of concern.

"That aligns with what we suspected. But how is Black Dragon connected? Is it the source of the Glitch… or just another victim?"

Kiyomi is leaning against a pillar, her expression returned to the dark and pain-lusted eyes when she encountered The figure back in the dungeon.

"Either way, something doesn't add up. If this 'Glitch' can alter reality, why does Black Dragon seem unaffected?"

Atama begins adjusting the replica Cube. His hands floating around the cube with curiosity.

"Maybe it is affected, just in a way we don't understand yet." (glances at Satoshi) "How's the calibration going?"

Satoshi grits his teeth as he fine-tunes the device.

"This thing is nothing like the original. But if we can mimic the frequency of the real Cube, we might be able to trigger a response."

Seko steps forward, voice firm and composed.

"Before you activate it, let me remind you— the original Cube had strict conditions. It responded only under very specific circumstances."

Lyvona Lets Seko talk while her eyes remain fixed on the text on the wall.

Seko pauses, eyes darkening as he speaks with his firm and low pitched voice.

"Intent. Desire. A moment of absolute need. It wasn't just an object… it chose when to react. If this replica works, we need to be prepared for whatever comes next."

Kiyomi (arms folded, skeptical)

"Great. So we're gambling with an unpredictable force while trying to make contact with something we barely understand."

Atama smirks and then he replies his eyes closing with a small grin.

 "Isn't that what we always do?"

Satoshi prays to the Goddess of Justice again, wishing for luck before replying

 "Pretty much. Now let's see if this works." (presses a sequence on the Cube, its surface humming to life with a low, pulsing glow)

A sudden shift in the air sends a shiver down their spines as the ruins tremble ever so slightly. The inscriptions on the walls seem to flicker, as if reacting to the energy from the Cube. For a brief moment, a deep, distorted voice echoes through the space—unintelligible yet eerily familiar.

???: "...FRACTURED… CONNECTION… WHO… CALLS…?"

Seko Speaks with a neutral tone.

"Definitely not Black Dragon." 

The team braces themselves. Whatever they just awakened, there was no turning back now.

Seko and his companions exchanged tense glances. But before anyone could respond—

CRACK!

A sudden distortion tore through the space before them. The very air rippled, bending reality itself. From within the anomaly, two figures emerged—Ella Lavender and Violet Evergreen.

Kiyomi stood frozen for a moment before blinking rapidly.

"No way…"

Satoshi let out a breathless chuckle.

"So this is what you meant when you said you'd come find us, huh?"

Ella steadied herself, brushing a hand through her hair before smirking.

"Took me long enough, right?"

Atama crossed his arms, grinning.

"And here I thought you were all talk. You actually escaped that palace."

Lyvona's gaze flickered between Ella and Violet, her expression unreadable.

"So these are the friends you were willing to risk everything for?"

Violet exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple in frustration.

"Of course she was. I should've known she meant you lot."

Seko's initial shock settled into something firmer, his arms crossing over his chest.

"Ella… we thought you were trapped. How did you—?"

Ella shot a sideways glance at Violet before smirking again.

"Let's just say… I had some help."

Kiyomi raised an eyebrow, arms folded.

"And you brought him? Didn't peg Violet Evergreen as the sentimental type."

Violet rolled his eyes.

"I'm not. But keeping her alive is apparently my full-time job now."

Satoshi grinned as he leaned against a stone pillar.

"Still, it's good to see you, Ella. We have a lot to catch up on."

Ella's smirk faltered slightly as she exhaled.

"Yeah… and even more to do. I didn't just come here for a reunion. I came because whatever the Glitch is—it's worse than we thought."

A heavy silence settled over the group as the Cube's hum grew louder, pulsing in response to her words.

Seko clenched his jaw, eyes darkening.

"Then let's not waste any time."

Violet took a dramatic step forward, his usual cold and unreadable aura completely shattered. His violet eyes shimmered as he gazed at Kiyomi and Lyvona with pure admiration, his voice suddenly filled with uncharacteristic devotion.

"Kiyomi… Lyvona… I have traveled across galaxies, witnessed stars collapse, and faced beings beyond comprehension—yet none of it compares to the radiance you both possess."

He placed a hand over his chest as if his heart could barely withstand the weight of his emotions. "Kiyomi, every movement you make in battle is like an elegant dance, a masterpiece woven through time itself. And Lyvona… your intellect is unmatched, your mind a labyrinth of brilliance that leaves me in awe."

Taking a deep breath, he stepped closer, lowering his voice into something almost reverent. "Should either of you command it, I would lay waste to empires, shatter the heavens, or—more importantly—fetch you the finest tea in existence. Please, allow me the privilege."

Seko, Satoshi, and Atama stood frozen, barely able to process what they were witnessing. Ella, arms crossed, stared at Violet in pure disbelief.

Seko pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply as he turned to Atama. "You are calling a battle beast with pure bloodlust... elegant?" He shot a look at Violet, who was still gazing dreamily at Kiyomi and Lyvona. "Atama, he is more delusional than us both combined."

Atama chuckled, tightening the straps on his suit. "I know, I know. But let's focus—our plan worked. The old man mistook this replica for the real one!" His tone shifted, serious now. "He'll be here any second. Get ready to fight and interrogate."

Seko's playful remark faded as his expression darkened. With a swift motion, he summoned his Composite Sword, its edge gleaming under the ruins' eerie glow.

Lyvona cracked her fists, eyes sharp with anticipation. Satoshi muttered a quiet prayer, his fingers brushing over his weapon. Kiyomi smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Finally," she whispered, her voice laced with a dangerous thrill. "It's been too long since I've felt anything."

Ella gripped her spear tightly, her gaze locked onto the entrance. Meanwhile, Violet stood completely unbothered, adjusting his gloves with absolute confidence, as if the coming battle was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

The air grew heavy. Footsteps echoed from the darkness.

The old man had arrived.