He could only hear the repeated call of "Malie, Malie," coming from a voice that felt strangely familiar. Without hesitation, he snapped his eyes open and found himself gazing up at a ceiling he recognized, ablaze with intense flames.
Panic coursed through him as he attempted to rise and flee, yet his legs refused to cooperate. Glancing down at his blood-soaked, naked body, he was stunned by the sight of his diminutive penis, leaving him in a state of disbelief.
Taro's mind was flooded with questions as he stared at the ceiling above him. "Is this place meant to resemble home?" he wondered. Perplexed, he pondered, "Why am I unclothed and drenched in blood? Why does my penis seem so small and devoid of hair? Why do my limbs appear shorter than before? Why can't I manage to roll over or even speak? Why can't I see Mykon Conho?" These inquiries, among others, raced through his thoughts.
The room's walls vibrated with pulsating power, and outside, the cacophony of screams and terror echoed through the air. Taro's eyes widened as he witnessed the destructive waves of power surging forth, relentlessly sapping the life from the Nixx warriors.
It was an unrelenting onslaught, and it was crystal clear that the Iron Flux had arrived to deliver them from the brink of doom. The victorious cries of the Iron Flux warriors pierced the atmosphere like a bloodthirsty battle hymn, heralding a ruthless triumph.
Taro's expression shifted to one of curiosity and suspicion as he caught a sound emanating from the door behind him. It was as though someone on the other side was fervently working to forge a path, determined to find an easy passage through. His eyes narrowed as he tried to discern the intentions behind this clandestine endeavor.
At that very moment, the voice that had previously called for Taro's wife resounded once more, now distinct and easily recognizable. To Taro's amazement, Layd Sho burst into the room, which was nearly reduced to ashes, brandishing a blade in his grip. His face bore a poignant expression as he hurried toward Taro, simultaneously lifting the lifeless body lying nearby.
Taro's face registered sheer shock and disbelief as he realized that the lifeless body in Lady Sho's arms was none other than his beloved wife, Malie. However, his astonishment deepened when he observed that she appeared larger than ever.
Desperation welled up within him, and he attempted to scream and embrace her, yet his vocalizations came out as strange, infant-like noises. A profound sense of confusion enveloped his expression as he silently pondered, "What's with the funny sound?"
Taro's surprise was palpable as he saw the tear-filled face of Layd Sho. Despite the circumstances, Layd Sho managed to muster a faint smile while his gaze shifted to the infant on the floor. With determination, he swiftly wielded his blade to sever the placenta connecting Malie and the vulnerable, wailing infant.
With the infant securely cradled in his arms, Layd Sho made a hasty exit from the room, his expression marked by urgency and concern. His sole aim was to shield the child from the perilous flames that threatened to engulf them. Yet, despite his best efforts, a fiery piece of wood descended upon the baby's thigh, causing a look of anguish and distress to flicker across Layd Sho's face.
Taro's face contorted in a mixture of pain and shock as he let out a piercing scream. Confusion swirled in his mind as he pondered, "I used to be immune to minor fire burns, why am I feeling this pain now?"
His body grew increasingly feeble, and he fought desperately to stay conscious as Layd Sho navigated through the encroaching flames, albeit with no success. As his vision blurred and darkness crept in, the last words he heard were "call the healers," and he slipped into unconsciousness.
The next morning, Taro found himself surrounded by a multitude of babies, all crammed onto the same tiny bed. His curiosity led him to glance to the other side and, to his amazement, there was a mirror. He stared into it, utterly perplexed to see the reflection of a baby's face gazing back at him.
This moment of mutual baby-staring seemed to stretch on for an eternity as Taro grappled with the absurdity of his situation. Finally, he blurted out, "Yesterday, I was dead, and today I'm a baby? Seriously?"
Taro's face twisted in frustration, his brow furrowing deeply. In a futile attempt to summon some kind of power, he clenched his fist halfway, only to find nothing at his command.
A profound sense of emptiness and powerlessness washed over him, and he couldn't help but wonder, "Am I really starting all over again?"
In a sudden burst of activity, Layd Sho rushed into the room, accompanied by a Healer and Mykon Tarr. A mixture of emotions played across Mykon Tarr's face as he commented, "It's truly a heartbreaking miracle that he survived the carnage, now left without both parents." Sadness was evident in his expression. He couldn't help but ask, "And you actually plan to raise him?"
Layd Sho's face bore a solemn and determined expression as he spoke, "I made a solemn vow to his mother, much like a sister to me, and his father, who was like a father to me. I promised to train him just as his father trained me. I'll ensure his safety until his father returns with the Ultrax."
Mykon Tarr's face wore an encouraging expression as he chimed in, "That's excellent news. Since you're his guardian now, you're ought to give him a name. Have you settled on a name?"
Layd Sho's face lit up with uncontainable enthusiasm, and he couldn't help but beam with excitement. With fervor in his voice, he declared, "Absolutely! His name shall resound as Pentaro, the son of the illustrious Mykon Taro! He'll grow to be even mightier, stronger, and fiercer than his Father!" The air practically crackled with the anticipation of a formidable legacy.
Layd Sho's voice brimmed with contagious enthusiasm as he continued, "I firmly believe that even grander adventures await him as he matures!" The prospect of exhilarating journeys and heroic exploits hung in the air, igniting the excitement around Pentaro's future.