[Faraday]
[Chapter 60!]
Veldona stands at the center of the command room, her eyes locked on the Universe Crystal.
The fragments are finally whole, glowing softly with an ethereal light that pulses with a life of its own.
Her team has been scattered across the Multiverse for days, and now they are finally back together.
But the feeling of accomplishment is overshadowed by the knowledge that something far worse than the Invaders looms on the horizon.
Veldona says,
"The crystal is intact, but we're still missing something."
Rei Aki-ma, who's just arrived from her mission in Japan, approaches her with a somber expression.
She leans against the console, arms crossed.
Rei Aki-ma says,
"We've bought ourselves some time, but it won't last. Something is brewing. I can feel it."
Veldona nods.
She senses it too—the unsettling tension in the air, like the quiet before a storm.
Lower God and Lower Heaven had struck their Non-Aggression Pact, but everyone knew it was only a temporary truce, a pause before the inevitable clash with whatever is coming next.
Suddenly, the command room's main screen flickers, and the image of one of Veldona's field agents appears.
They've been scouting the outer reaches for signs of the unknown threat.
Field Agent says,
"Commander Veldona, we've detected an anomaly at the edges of Lower Heaven's territory. It's nothing like we've seen before. It's… growing."
Veldona's heart skips a beat. She's not one to show fear, but the unease creeping up her spine is undeniable.
Veldona says,
"Send the data. I'll take a look."
The screen shifts, and strange readings flash across the console.
The anomaly's growth rate is staggering, spreading through dimensions faster than anything they've encountered.
Rei Aki-ma says,
"We're running out of time."
Veldona slams her fist down on the table, frustrated but determined.
Veldona says,
"We can't face this without knowing what we're up against. We need answers—now."
[Later…]
[Earth…]
Meanwhile, on Earth, the White House is abuzz with activity.
President Donald Trump is in his office, seated behind the Resolute Desk, going over the latest briefings from the Pentagon. His advisors are on edge.
They don't know exactly what's happening, but the disturbances in the cosmos are affecting Earth too.
A sudden knock on the door breaks the tension.
Advisor says,
"Mr. President, we have an urgent visitor."
Trump looks up, puzzled.
Trump says,
"Send them in."
The door opens, and Veldona enters, her presence instantly commanding the room. Trump raises an eyebrow, recognizing her immediately from past dealings with the Multiverse's defenders.
Trump says,
"Well, if it isn't Veldona. What brings you back to Earth?"
Veldona doesn't waste time with pleasantries.
Veldona says,
"Mr. President, we need to talk. Something bigger than the Invaders is coming, and I need your cooperation to mobilize Earth's defenses."
Trump leans back in his chair, considering her words.
Trump says,
"Bigger than the Invaders, huh? I thought we'd handled that problem already."
Veldona shakes her head.
Veldona says,
"It's not over. Not even close. What we faced before was just the beginning. We've secured the Universe Crystal, but it's not enough to stop what's coming. We need Earth's resources and your backing."
Trump taps his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
Trump says,
"Alright, I trust you. We'll get things moving. But what exactly are we dealing with?"
Veldona hesitates. She doesn't have a clear answer, and that's the part that frustrates her the most.
Veldona says,
"We don't know. But whatever it is, it's powerful enough to disrupt dimensions and tear through reality itself. We need to prepare for anything."
Trump nods, standing up.
Trump says,
"Consider it done. I'll have the Pentagon on high alert, and we'll coordinate with your forces. If this thing shows up, we'll be ready to fight."
Veldona gives him a curt nod of appreciation. The Earth's military might not be enough to stand against what's coming, but every bit of support counts.
[Later…..]
Back at the command center, the team gathers to discuss their next steps. Rei Aki-ma stands at Veldona's side, watching the anomaly's readings grow more alarming by the second.
Rei Aki-ma says,
"We can't wait any longer. We need to face this head-on."
Veldona crosses her arms, her mind racing through possible strategies. But the unknown nature of their enemy makes it difficult to plan.
Veldona says,
"We don't even know what this is. Charging in blindly could get us all killed."
As they argue over their next move, an alarm sounds throughout the command center. The anomaly has reached critical mass, and something is coming through.
Rei Aki-ma says,
"Whatever it is, it's here."
The main screen lights up with a swirling mass of energy, expanding rapidly as it breaches the dimensional barriers. Out of the chaos, a form begins to take shape, towering and monstrous, yet strangely familiar.
Veldona's eyes widen in recognition.
Veldona says,
"It's them…"
She doesn't finish the sentence.
Everyone in the room already knows what she's referring to. The ancient force, the one spoken of only in whispers, has finally arrived.
Rei Aki-ma turns to Veldona, her expression grim.
Rei Aki-ma says,
"We're out of time. We need to act now."
Veldona clenches her fists, her mind made up.
Veldona says,
"Prepare the fleet. We're going to war."
As the alarms continue to blare and the team scrambles to get into position, Veldona stands at the center of the chaos, her heart steeled for the battle ahead.
[Later….]
Rei Aki-ma, now fully engaged in the unfolding war, stands amidst the chaos, her sheer presence casting a shadow over the battlefield.
Her opponents tremble as they catch sight of her. She had anticipated resistance but not to this extent. Even though the war was not about power but precision, she had to be quick, decisive, and careful.
Rei says,
"You think you can stop me with this? Please..."
She flicks her wrist, and with a mere gesture, the frontline enemies vanish from existence, as though they were never there. The war had been ongoing for days, but now it had reached its climax.
Veldona's voice comes through the communicator,
"Rei, we need to move faster. The longer we wait, the greater the risk of them regrouping."
Rei responds,
"I'm not exactly dragging my feet here."
The forces of Lower Heaven try one last desperate charge, but their attempt is futile. Veldona had already struck a deal with Lower God and Lower Heaven for cooperation, but renegade forces still stirred trouble, challenging the pact they had agreed on.
Suddenly, an explosion rings out in the distance. Veldona, watching from her high command, grimaces. Even though they had struck a Non-Aggression Pact, old grudges still lingered. This was not going to end easily, even with the war being short.
Veldona says,
"Rei, finish it. We don't have time for this."
Rei, knowing the importance of a swift victory, charges up her power. With one final strike, she brings an end to the rebellion in a blinding flash of energy, dispersing the remaining opposition. The war was over—short, brutal, and efficient. But it was what they needed to restore balance.
Rei says,
"It's done."
Veldona nods in approval,
"Good. Now, we rebuild."
[End]