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Chapter 53 - BLACK HEART

Within one of the battle buses the soldiers, slaves, and maids peer through the windows, witnessing Adam and his team lifting a large energy mass high into the sky. Amidst the cheering, Xai rouses from the noise and joins the jubilation, glancing out the window to witness Adam's triumph. In the sky, Adam and his eleven shooting stars, propels the energy mass nearly to the edge of space. As they ascend, Megan starts to lose magical energy, becoming the first to descend back down. One by one, the others follow suit, except for Kiren. Adam reassures Kiren that he can proceed without him. In response, Kiren acknowledges Adam's heroic willingness to sacrifice himself for others' sake, to which Adam reminds Kiren of his inability to die. With a smile, the light magic around Kiren fades and he descends back down. Adam propels the massive energy mass towards space, closing his eyes and engaging in a silent conversation with himself. He reflects that this sensation might be the essence of protecting others. Upon reopening his eyes, he gazes downward, observing Terra's vast flat landscape(Earth) and pondering whether he truly embodies the role of a hero for Terra. The energy mass, with Henry inside, emits an ominous dark glow. Meanwhile, Kiren awakens beside a shallow river and finds Megan nearby. As he rises, he notices the rest of the group scattered along the riverbank, gradually regaining their composure. Their attention is drawn to a radiant dark light shining high above in the sky, accompanied by a faint glimmer akin to a small light ball(Adam). Mai remarks that with Megan's abilities, they've all became shooting stars, but Adam is different—an extraordinary star of his own, a Special Star—illustrated by his presence within the dark glowing light as if he's a star floating among the sky. 

They all then witness the unexpected contraction of the dark energy mass in the sky, causing confusion among them. Rex says that they all anticipated Henry to explode. Mai responds with uncertainty, admitting she is unsure about the unfolding events. Mikey suggests that Henry did consume the rider's system of entertainment, the ancient face machine. Megan recalls the appearance of the face machine from her time aboard the rider's ship, mentioning a sense of familiarity even before joining the riders. Kiren, puzzled, suggests Megan might have encountered it in one of her dreams, but Megan dismisses the notion, insisting it feels more like déjà vu. Kiren asserts that regardless of the circumstances, Adam will always emerge victorious. They all then see Adam's magic aura becoming bigger. Everyone erupts in cheers for Adam. Meanwhile, Stella and Agustin depart from the group and heads into another direction. Megan, observing from a distance along the river, notices a small magic door opening, through which Volk falls into the rushing waters, carried away by the current, she simply ignores him and goes back to watching the sky. In space, Adam observes as Henry's body absorbs the dark energy entirely. Henry's glowing dark eyes open while his heart pulsates with a dark hue. Witnessing Adam enveloped by an expansive white magical aura, Henry expresses confidence that this newfound power will enable him to win both wars single-handedly. The two clash in space, their immense magical auras colliding multiple times, creating spectacular displays of magical fireworks visible to everyone on Terra(earth). 

Adam and Henry unleash a resounding roar, triggering a final clash that fractures reality, transporting them both back into the magic realm. Their intense battle continues within this magic realm, causing ripples that tremble the nearby colossal floating city. A towering figure donning a mage's hat emerges on the city's edge, wielding a staff, a smile forming on his face. However, before he can take action, another individual intervenes, halting the mage named Merdin, asserting that it's his turn to intervene. Merdin takes a look at the man as he's in a suit, adorned with a clown mask and a top hat, in which he calls him, Joker. Joker explains that his champion has finally awakened. Astonished and coming to an understanding, Merdin acknowledges that he's surprised to see one of Joker's machine surviving this long in the mortal realm. Joker laughs and, without hesitation, leaps into space of magic, heading directly towards the ongoing battle between Adam and Henry. Joker drifts through the magic space but encounters resistance from the colliding auras of Adam and Henry, pushing him back. Laughing heartily, he acknowledges this as the long-awaited champion he anticipated, elucidating that every millennium, a mortal is endowed with boundless magic, rivaling that of the Gods. He elaborates that the face machine was one of his creations, devised eons ago to identify these champions among mortals, expressing astonishment at finding another champion despite the fall of the city of Gods.

Observing Henry, Joker remarks that he's in the early stages of harnessing his champion magic but predicts his eventual rise as a worthy champion. However, upon examining Adam, Joker finds himself puzzled, unable to categorize him as one of the magical undead or a gifted mortal. He takes a closer look at Adam, but suddenly engaging in a telepathic conversation, Merdin, provides cryptic insight of Adam, that he is ----------. Joker is surprised by what he hears, but quickly chastises Merdin for the unauthorized telepathy. Merdin then says that Joker might of taken too long to fully understand who Adam really is, so it was best for him to tell Joker right away. Joker ignores Merdin and redirects his attention to the ongoing battle, noting the escalated intrigue it now holds. Henry unleashes an onslaught of hundreds of thousands of black magic rats toward Adam, who promptly summons his magical baseball and quickly hits them to strikes each rat with precision. Henry conjures a swirling black tornado filled with magical rats and directs it toward Adam, using his arm, Adam's gaze intensifies as he mentally declares that this battle has persisted for too long, saying that he has unfinish business he needs to handle ASAP. Hallucinations emerge, morphing Henry's face into that of Sam and then Lia. Adam, consumed by rage, swings his bat downward, shattering the rat tornado. Witnessing Adam's formidable power despite Henry's increased magic strength surprises him. Recalling Adam's memories of Sam and Lia, Henry grasps the depth of Adam's power is rage. In response, Henry too succumbs to his own rage, from his thoughts of his injured father and dead mother, this amplifies his magic even further.

Adam asserts that Henry's rage will never exceed his own. Memories flood Adam's mind, scenes flashing before his eyes—a recollection of Sam's betrayal, Lia and Sam's joyful family time at the cabin, Conor's arrow piercing his head, the overwhelming encounter with Leona, and all of Adam's emotion selves in which Barbra had to save. Finally, fiery rage erupts from his eyes. Amidst clashing with Henry, the mask-wearing girl's voice echoes in Adam's mind, invoking "Home run." Adam, fueled by this, gains the upper hand in their clash. Henry, shaken by Adam's ferocious power, witnesses Adam's bat shatter through his magical aura, striking him across the chest, splitting it open and unleashing a torrent of black blood. Henry staggers back, his chest emitting a surge of magic that causes his heart to burst, oozing black blood, his eyes drenched in the dark liquid. Joker, observing from afar, witnesses the explosion of Henry's body in a pool of black blood, reacting with dismay to what Adam has done to his Champion. He dives into the pool of black blood, shedding tears, only to witness Henry's soul releasing the souls of all the Riders. As hundreds of souls emerge from the black pool, Joker, holds Henry's soul, listens intently, revealing that Henry isn't truly dead, that he has a plan, and that he is truly his Champion. Amid laughter, he releases Henry's soul, which enters a magical portal. Joker then leaps toward Adam, who blocks Joker's kick with his bat, the strain evident in his trembling arm. Adam questions Joker's identity, prompting Joker to unveil his face, declaring himself as Adam's greatest enemy. Suddenly, a portal opens behind Adam, and a luminous tail emerges, pulling him away. Joker announces his impending pursuit of his champion and someone named --------, leaving Adam shocked as he hears this name, his body can only react but his mind is confused. Plunging into his realm, Adam is then thrust into another magic portal, back to reality, descending from the sky to the river below, creating a small crater upon impact.

Kiren and the others gather around Adam, who slowly rises to his feet. After a brief silence, Kiren wonders if the war has finally concluded. Adam responds thoughtfully, suggesting that this one has ended but there might be more wars looming ahead of them. Their conversation is interrupted by Stella's distant scream. Rushing toward the source, they find Jean struggling to control his body, causing Agustin and Stella to retreat. Jean urgently warns everyone to keep away from him, screaming in agony as a dark glow emanates from his chest scar. Using his special vision, Adam peers at Jean's chest, discovering that Henry's soul has inhabited Jean's body. Summoning his white scaled bat, Adam urges everyone to move away. Approaching Jean, he notices one of Jean's eyes turning black, and Jean's voice transforms into Henry's voice, stating that he's back, shocking everyone. In a sudden move, Jean, now embodying Henry's presence, attacks Adam with a powerful punch, his arm morphing into a massive monkey-like limb. Reacting quickly, Adam strikes back with his bat, causing Jean's arm to explode upon contact. Mai intervenes, cautioning Adam against killing Jean. Examining Jean's heart with his unique sight, Adam observes a whirl of brown, blue, white, and red hues orbiting around his darkened heart, realizing that Jean is battling Henry within himself. Mikey, confused, inquires about their whereabouts, prompting Adam to gesture towards his chest, indicating the heart. 

Inside Jean's realm, Jean and Henry engage in a fierce battle, with Henry dominating the fight. Overpowering Jean with his magic, Henry asserts their unity, emphasizing that if anything had happens to him, Jean was his backup, that they are truly one. Defiant, Jean asserts his ownership of his body, refusing to yield control to Henry. As Henry's magic crushes Jean, he struggles and accuses Henry of making him kill his best friend. Suddenly, a giant monkey riding a large dog appears and strikes Henry away from Jean. Recovering, Jean vows to make Henry suffer for his actions. Unperturbed, Henry warns that if he perishes, Jean will perish alongside him. Undeterred, Jean charges at Henry alongside his monkey and dog, saying that he doesn't care, just as long as Henry dies, that's all that matters. Unleashing their combined magical powers, they strike Henry, causing him to cough up blood. Despite his injuries, Henry remarks that they have so much more ahead of them, that they both can't die here yet. Henry unleashes an immense surge of magic, darkening the realm. He ensnares Jean and his monsters with an army of magical rats. Urging Jean to submit and leave everything to him, Henry attempts to silence Jean as he almost gives in, but a voice interrupts. A hippo-like monster strikes Henry, liberating Jean and his monsters. Kayla, riding on her seagull-like monster, descends upon Henry, launching an assault. Kayla yells out that Jean can't give up yet. Encouraged by Kayla's words, Jean gathers his resolve and joins the monkey in charging towards the fray.

Back to reality, in the midst of the chaotic confrontation, Jean attacks with his powerful monkey arms, forcing everyone to evade and defend against his assaults. Adam manages to pin Jean down, but Jean retaliates by unleashing an energy blast from his mouth. Adam intercepts and diminishes the blast through sheer strength, ultimately destroying it. Suddenly, wings sprout from Jean's back, sending Adam flying backward. Megan, witnessing the struggle, notices the exhaustion of everyone after their prolonged battles. She tries to use her magic but is unable to, she turns to Adam and asks what their plan should be. Meanwhile, Jean continues to unleash a relentless barrage of energy beams in every direction. Ezzy and Michael use their fire and lightning magic to repel Jean momentarily. Determined, Adam delivers a forceful strike, driving Jean into the ground. Mai voices her concern, urgently calling for an alternative solution to save Jean. This triggers a revelation in Adam's mind. Michael harnesses the last of his lightning magic to trap Jean within a cage of lightning. Adam then unleashes an immense surge of magical energy enveloping his body, his eyes transforming into serpentine. He explains that while he previously gave his blood to Jean and Agustin to control their monsters but this time, he intends to amplify it to a higher magical level. Transforming his white scaled bat into a large, razor-sharp snake tooth, Adam charges ahead, breaking through Michael's lightning cage. He plunges the tooth into Jean's chest, causing blood and poison to seep into Jean's body. 

In Jean's realm, the struggle between Jean, Kayla, and Henry shifts when Adam's blood-poison mixture enters the realm, stunning Henry momentarily. Henry expresses frustration at Adam's constant interference. Kayla takes charge, directing her hippo to charge at Henry, swallowing him. In a surprising turn, her seagull extends its beak to consume the hippo, followed by the dog eating the seagull, and eventually, the monkey devouring the dog. Finally, the monkey touches Jean's chest, entering his body. Bewildered, Jean asks what just transpired. Kayla responds, that Henry is sleeping and that Jean has strong friends who is willing to aid him. As she begins to depart, Jean pleads for her to stay. Kayla reassures him that she'll always be by his side before fading away into magic. Jean calls out to her as he too fades away in magic. Jean awakens in reality, observing his healing chest but noting the persistent scar. Concerned, Mai asks if he's alright, to which Jean nods in affirmation. Kiren inquires about what happen to Henry. Jean explains that Henry is now resting within him, thanks to Adam's intervention allowing him control over his body. Adam advises Jean to stay close, assuring him that if he loses control again, Adam will help him regain it. Grateful, Jean embraces Adam, expressing his thanks for saving him and that he can live on with his life with a chip off his shoulder. Smiles spread across the group as the war finally concludes. Later that evening, in Old Berry Town, Xai emerges through the broken gates and sees Adam leading the group on the streets. Overwhelmed, tears fill Xai's eyes, prompting Mai to embrace him. The group returns to town, witnessing heartfelt reunions like Stella and Nakao's embrace. The entire town celebrates their victory. The townspeople kneel and begin to pray as Adam walks through the streets. Observing their gestures of reverence, Adam feels an overwhelming sense of acknowledgment and love, a feeling he hasn't experienced in a while, Tears well up in his eyes as this heartfelt moment begins to heal his broken heart.