In the culmination of their arduous journey, the three tunnels intertwine, converging into a single passageway that leads to the heart of their mission—the main room housing Project5. Here, in this pivotal space, Kaeya's selfless valor meets its tragic end. As Sayuri and Raiden escape the ceaseless slaughter of the grotesque ghouls, utilizing their unparalleled speed to spare those wretched beings further torment, they finally arrive at their destination.
Breathing heavily, Sayuri struggles to maintain her balance as she materializes moments after Raiden, her body trembling from exhaustion. Collapsing to her knees upon entering the expansive room, her palms press against the cool floor, sweat cascading from her brow to dampen the ground beneath her. "You...you're unbelievably fast," she manages to utter between gasps, her voice blending with her labored breaths.
Chuckling in response, Raiden surveys their surroundings, the remnants of blue lightning dissipating from his form as he stretches his hands above him. "I know, right?" he gleefully remarks. "Looks like we made it! We're the first ones to..."
His words come to an abrupt halt as his gaze falls upon Kaeya's lifeless body, his eyes widening in a mixture of horror and profound anger. The realization strikes him with the weight of an unfulfilled duty, knowing all too well that they have arrived too late to extend a helping hand to their fallen comrade.
Amid the tense atmosphere, Project5 rises from the ground, his towering figure casting an imposing presence before the two weary scouts, "Oh..." With an air of marvel, he addresses them, his voice resonating with a blend of admiration and detached curiosity. "You managed to emerge alive from that tunnel? Impressive..."
"Project5..." With a tremulous voice, Sayuri rises to her feet, her mutterings barely audible as she summons her dagger, clutching it tightly in her right hand, poised to strike. However, her intent wavers as her eyes fall upon Kaeya's lifeless form. Gripping the sacred weapon, her silver orbs tremble with a mix of sorrow and disbelief. The tears well up, blurring her vision as she drops to her knees once again, overcome by the weight of grief.
"Master... Kaeya..." she chokes out, her voice strained with raw emotion. Memories of her teacher's unwavering support and the cherished moments they have shared flood her mind. "No... No... I can't accept it..." Her heart screams in agony, each tear tracing a path down her cheeks.
While Sayuri and Raiden remain ensnared by their anguish, Project5, relishing the opportunity to provoke them further, smirks and saunters toward Kaeya's lifeless body. Casting a shadow over the fallen figure, he taunts the grieving duo with a sneering tone, "So, you mourn this man, do you?" he jeers, standing directly in front of Kaeya's motionless form. "Don't fret... Your pain will be short-lived, for soon you shall join him!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Project5 unleashes a vicious kick upon Kaeya's body, sending it hurtling through the air. Sayuri's anguished scream escapes her lips, her hand instinctively flying to cover her mouth. Meanwhile, Raiden, fueled by a mix of fury and protectiveness, swiftly darts toward the airborne figure, gracefully catching it before it can suffer further harm.
Raiden's fury burns bright, his eyebrows furrowing in a display of anger as his gaze remains fixed on the towering figure before him. "You're fast, kiddo!" Project5, unfazed by the brewing storm, interjects with a smug tone, his hand infused with blood magic, poised to deliver a crushing blow to Raiden's head.
But before the punch can find its mark, Raiden vanishes from sight in the blink of an eye, along with Kaeya's lifeless body. Confusion washes over Project5 as his formidable strike crashes into the floor, his eyes scanning the empty space where his opponent once stood. In the next instant, Raiden materializes behind Project5, gently placing Kaeya's body on the ground. His gaze softens as he takes in the blued face of his fallen comrade.
"You can find peace now, senior," Raiden murmurs, tenderly closing Kaeya's eye as he slowly rises to his feet. A mix of sorrow and determination flickers in his dual-colored eyes. "what do you think you're doing, Tenji?" he questions, his voice filled with a potent blend of curiosity and accusation.
An oppressive silence envelops the scene, the three figures frozen in time, each caught in the intensity of their own emotions. Project5, breaking the stillness, responds with an irritated tone, "You should stop barking about this 'Tenji' nonsense," he retorts, his irritation palpable as his hand rests upon his chest. "I am Project5 and only Project5! Blessed by the life-giving power of Warhammer. Is that understood?"
Raiden brushes off Project5's words nonchalantly, his conviction unwavering. "No, you are truly Tenji," he insists, his voice carrying an air of certainty. "You are Tenji Enchantica, hailing from Sea Shell Island. As a member of the Enchantica lineage, you embody a strong sense of justice. And let's not forget, you are blessed with a loving wife and son."
"Believe me, I have read the resumes of all the sacred soldiers," Raiden continues, the intensity in his gaze undiminished as he tilts his head to the right, placing his right index finger against his forehead. "I have committed them to memory. So, when I say you are Tenji, I mean it..."
"And when I say you're dead, I mean it!" Project5 bellows, his voice filled with a mixture of anger and frustration. He unleashes a colossal blood bolt, hurtling it towards Raiden, hoping to strike him and alleviate his mounting irritation. However, Raiden effortlessly evades the attack, his immense speed enabling him to sidestep with ease.
"Nonsense!" Project5 persists, the onslaught of blood bolts persistently aimed at Raiden. "I am Project5, devoted to serving Warhammer for the entirety of my existence! This is my reality! Not the nonsense you keep spouting!"
"You're calling your family nonsense?" Interrupting their clash, Sayuri emerges from the depths of Project5's shadow, her mana manifesting in multiple shadowy hands that restrain the colossal man. Even as he struggles to break free, his spirit seethes with irritation. "I don't have a family, lady!" he spats, bronze magic surging from every inch of his being. "All I know is that if it weren't for Warhammer, I wouldn't be here!"
Harnessing the immense power of his bronze magic, Project5 manages to tear free from Sayuri's grasp, leaving her stunned and reeling in pain as his bronze fist connects with her face. She is sent hurtling toward the entrance, her body consumed by a wave of agony.
"Sayuri!" Raiden's voice rings out with anguish, his irritation fueling his resolve. He sprints toward Project5, gripping his daggers tightly, intent on retaliating.
However, Project5's reaction speed proves formidable. Seizing Raiden by the head, he effortlessly lifts him from the ground, a sadistic grin spreading across his face. "You're rather slow without infusing your body with lightning," he taunts. With a deranged gleam in his eyes, Project5 flings Raiden aside, sending him crashing next to Sayuri. "You seem concerned for her, don't you? Well, go check on her yourself!"
As Sayuri and Raiden struggle to regain their footing, Project5 ominously closes the distance, his fists clenched as he looms over them. Emitting a weary sigh, he muses, "Ah...what a shame. I've acquired the maximum of elements now, and yet yours truly fascinates me the most."
His words send a chill down their spines, amplifying their sense of dread. "But it matters not," Project5 declares, standing before them, his presence suffocating. "Since I won't be able to wield your powers, I certainly won't allow you to utilize them either."
However, just as he was about to raise his fist, an unexpected voice echoes from the entrance, diverting Project5's attention. Sayuri, Raiden, and Project5 turn their gaze toward the tunnel, awaiting the arrival of the enigmatic newcomers. Soon enough, the sound of footsteps grows louder, accompanied by sporadic screams.
"I'll be the first to reach the finish line!" a voice screams, accompanied by the sound of a shoulder forcefully pressed against another.
"No!" retorts another voice, its tone equally determined. "I will be the one to claim victory!"
"It's me!" interjects the first boy once again, his long black coat billowing behind him as he effortlessly races forward.
"No, that's definitely going to be me!" insists the second boy, his blond hair cascading gracefully as he matches the other's pace.
The light from the room finally illuminates their faces, revealing the intense rivalry etched upon Nobu and Reina's spirits. Shoulder to shoulder, they charge into the room simultaneously, their synchronized screams filling the air, "See, I told you I'd be the first to reach the room!" Nobu chimes in triumphantly, his dark blue eyes fixated on Reina.
"Nah, that didn't happen," retorts Reina, his arms crossed defiantly as he confronts Nobu. Casting a glance toward Sayuri and Raiden, he kneels down beside the latter, his gaze curious. "Who are you?" he asks, peering closer at Raiden. "You have different colored eyes. Are you wearing contacts or did you undergo plastic surgery?"
"I... I was born like this..." Raiden responds, taken aback by the peculiar questioning from Nobu and Reina.
"Pipsqueak!" Nobu interjects, playfully patting Sayuri's head repeatedly. "I made it into this room before Reina, didn't I? Right?" He bombards her with questions, though Sayuri simply basks in the gentle pats, choosing not to provide a direct answer as she cutely closes her eyes.
Minutes passed, and Kira materializes in the room, gently enveloping Osamu with a root to keep them together. "You really didn't need to move so quickly," Osamu comments as he regains his footing. His gaze falls directly upon the towering Project5, causing himself to take a step back, his body slightly stooped as he furrows his brows. Sensing the tension in the air, Nobu lifts his head, finally acknowledging Project5's imposing presence. Confusion flickers in Project5's eyes as he spots Kira standing alongside them. "Kira..." he begins, irritation lacing his voice. "May I ask why you're not fighting against them?"
However, Kira remains silent, his unwavering gaze meeting Project5's with a resolute glare. In contrast, Nobu redirects his attention to Sayuri, his hand gently cupping her wounded cheek as he lifts her head. His eyes, hidden beneath the shadows of his hair, zero in on her with a mixture of pain and pride. His voice, soft yet tinged with intensity, reaches her ears, "Pipsqueak... You did great. I am proud of you, and sorry I was late." A bittersweet smile graces his face, emanating both strength and vulnerability.
With deliberate calmness, Nobu straightens himself, his every step measured and purposeful as he begins to walk toward Project5. The atmosphere grows heavy, the weight of silence casting an ominous presence upon the scene. Project5's gaze follows Nobu's every movement, his face contorted into an annoyed smile as he finally speaks, his voice dripping with arrogance. "You truly hold yourself in high regard, don't you? Walking toward me with such audacity!"
Raising his hands as high as possible, Project5 aims to strike Nobu with his sheer physical power, his intention to overpower him through brute force. Yet, to his disbelief, it is Nobu who stuns him, vanishing into thin air and reappearing right behind Project5. The giant man, clearly taken aback, turns around, only to find Nobu still eluding him, steadily advancing toward Kaeya. Nobu's movements are calm yet graceful, his presence ethereal and enigmatic.
In a moment of profound tenderness, Nobu gently places his hand beneath the lifeless teacher's head, drawing it closer to his chest. His voice resonates with sincerity, filled with both grief and respect. "You did great as well, old man!" Nobu's eyes close momentarily as he presses Kaeya's head against his heart, honoring the fallen mentor. "You can entrust the rest to your students now, alright?" Tenderly placing Kaeya's body on the ground, Nobu stands tall once more, his back still turned to Project5. He turns his head slightly, a blaze of intense purple emanating from the side of his eye, an aura of raw power that warns of the storm brewing within.
"You..." Project5 sneers, infuriated by Nobu's blatant disregard for his authority. Without a moment's hesitation, he lunges toward the young warrior, his right hand crackling with thunderous energy as he closes in on Nobu, determined to crush him beneath his might. However, Nobu holds his ground, his stance unyielding as he raises his left palm to meet the descending Project5. His purple eyes embody pure wrath, a tempest of fury contained within his gaze. The clash between their opposing forces seems inevitable, the clash of ideologies and powers intertwining in the air.
Just as Project5 is about to collide with Nobu, the young warrior unleashes his void push technique, a manifestation of his extraordinary skills. With astounding precision, he stuns Project5, halting his charge and leaving him momentarily bewildered. The unseen force of the impact sends Project5 hurtling backward, his immense body obliterating a nearby pillar before crashing to the ground, a testament to the might of Nobu's abilities. Groaning in pain, Project5 struggles to rise to his feet, bearing witness to Reina's composed approach.
Now Reina stands unwavering beside Nobu, his katana summoned into his hand. The blade pulsates with arcane energy, a reflection of Reina's unwavering determination. His voice, cold and resolute, cuts through the air like a blade. "Project5, right?" he chimes in, his tone dripping with disdain and unwavering resolve. "You are the one responsible for Master Kaeya's suffering, aren't you?" As Nobu opens the eye on his sword, an ancient power surging forth, Reina's right eye undergoes the Perfect Vision transformation. It morphs into a piercing pink hue, infused with the essence of his powers, granting him unparalleled perception.
"That was truly despicable! We are fully committed to ending you now," Reina declares, his and Nobu's gazes becoming hauntingly intense, intertwining in a display of unwavering determination. The weight of their gaze inflicts a profound sense of dread upon Project5, an acknowledgment of the forces aligned against him. They assume their poised stances, bodies radiating with anticipation, preparing for the imminent clash. It is a convergence of conflicting destinies, a battle that will shape the course of their fates and the destiny of all involved.
"Are you trying to make me afraid?" Project5 retorts, his laughter tinged with madness as he rises to his feet. His body pulses with a potent blend of blood magic, thunder magic, and bronze magic, an amalgamation of dark and destructive forces. "I'm sorry, but I fail to comprehend how I'm expected to back down now!" His voice resonates with a maniacal determination, a madness that fuels his defiance.
"Come on, little ones! Let the show begin!"