The Gap...

Kale floated at the center of a battlefield made of sky and shattered time.

All around him, the mountain winds howled. Not from nature—but from distortion.

Hundreds of versions of Smilingdeath stood on air like a swarm of ghosts, each identical. Each grinning. Each holding the same calm expression that no longer looked amused—just inevitable.

A time clone, creating more time clones?

It was ridiculous.

Kale stared, eyes narrowed. "...A clone creating clones?"

He scoffed.

"Absurd."

He took a breath.

Then smiled.

"But it doesn't matter."

Smilingdeath tilted his head.

"Oh? You look a little outnumbered, prince."

Kale's aura flickered once. The crown atop his head shimmered again—green-gold light flaring across the skyline.

"I've already killed one of you," Kale said. "What difference do a few hundred make?"

He raised his sword slightly.