Hela's POV
Hela stood in the middle of her lavish room, her hands on her hips and a proud smile on her face. The walls were now a gallery of memories, each meticulously curated and placed.
"Phew… Okay, I covered this wall with our pictures together that we took on our date; that one on the left is full of pictures from our adventure in Disney Park," she murmured to herself, stepping back to admire her handiwork.
She pointed to another wall, speaking as if addressing an invisible audience. "As for the rest of the two walls, I've put up pictures from Christmas Day and all the random moments we shared. Seriously, it takes so much effort to manage such a big collection…"
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she grinned triumphantly, as if she had accomplished something monumental. It wasn't just any collection; it was her collection, a shrine of memories she had crafted with care.
Hela's loyal wolf companion, Fenris, lay sprawled on the floor in his small wolf form, munching lazily on a piece of cake. His ears twitched as he listened to her ramble.
"I even need to thank all my seniors," Hela continued, a slightly mischievous glint in her eye. "They gave me their own collections of Ritsuka from their worlds. Honestly, he's so cute in a pumpkin outfit! And I can't wait to see him in a maid costume someday."
Blood dripped from her nose at the thought, and Fenris, horrified, raised his head.
"Stop your weird imagination, hela. Er… What will you do if he someday comes to your room, though? How will you hide all this?" he asked, his voice laced with exasperation.
"Don't worry, Fenris. Artoria Avalon said she'd use her magic to hide everything once I'm done," Hela replied confidently, brushing off his concerns.
Fenris let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "You're going out of control, Hela. This is all Artoria Avalon's fault. She turned you into this… collector of Ritsuka pictures just like others . I don't get it. Why do all of Ritsuka's lovers secretly take his pictures and paste them on walls like this, then hide it?"
"It's not like that, Fenris!" Hela protested, pouting. "You don't understand our love."
Fenris rolled his eyes. "Love? You wasted the entire 31st December night staring at these pictures and organizing them! You could just hug the real Ritsuka, you know. This… obsession is weird."
"Wait! Don't tell me… Were you born with a hidden talent for stalking? Is this something I missed from watching those trashy American reality shows?"
Hela puffed her cheeks in annoyance, crossing her arms. "No! This is solely for RESEARCH PURPOSES, nothing else! You're misunderstanding us. I just want to preserve these memories forever! We didn't do anything using those photos," She spoke with such confidence that even Fenris had to question if she knew stalking and lying was frowned upon.
In an attempt to shift the topic, Hela added, "You know, you should be more like Fou. He's always so well-behaved and doesn't annoy me like you do. Maybe you should start acting like a proper wolf for a change. And let's face it—he's way cuter than you and very popular."
Fenris's ears perked up, and his eyes narrowed. "Stop trying to change the topic! And did you just compare me to that happy-go-lucky little Fou? He has the mentality of a dog and is always off in his own world!"
He stood up, puffing out his chest. "In fact, I'm very cute. You should create a social media account with my pictures and watch as I become more popular than Fou. Girls all over the world will adore me!"
Realizing he had gotten sidetracked, Fenris shook his head. "Wait! That's not why I'm here. I'm supposed to scold you! You're manipulating me into forgetting my purpose!"
"I'm innocent!" Hela declared, raising her hands in mock surrender.
Fenris sighed again, placing a paw on his head like a disappointed parent. "The next time I meet Ritsuka, I'm telling him of you, and all Ritsuka lovers are hoarding his pictures and hiding them from him!"
Before Hela could respond, a faint sound echoed through the hall.
"It's Karen!" Hela exclaimed, her playful demeanor replaced with concern.
Without another word, she and Fenris dashed out of the room, leaving behind the gallery of memories, now forgotten in the face of something far more urgent.
*************
(Ritsuka's POV)
The force pulling at me was relentless. Every attempt to teleport back home was met with failure, the invisible grip yanking me farther away with an intensity that felt like it would rip me apart. Fou clung tightly to my head, his tiny claws digging in as he growled in his peculiar language.
"Fou, Fou!" he protested.
"I know, Fou," I said, gritting my teeth. "But running isn't working. If I can't escape, I'll destroy whatever's pulling me."
"Fou!?" His tone screamed disbelief, but there was a reluctant acceptance in his growls.
Closing my eyes, I focused on the source of the force. I could feel it—a malevolent energy that radiated from somewhere beyond the portal. With a surge of determination, I let the pull guide me, teleporting straight to its origin.
When I opened my eyes, Fou and I were standing before a towering structure. The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and decay, and the land below was a shattered wasteland, a monument to the destruction that had occurred here. At the top of the tower was a giant, glowing demonic eye, its gaze piercing and unrelenting.
"No time to think," I muttered, clenching my fist. I channeled every ounce of the Dark Phoenix's power into it, letting the energy burn brightly in my hand.
"Let's end this," I growled, launching myself into the air.
The force of my punch connected with the demonic eye, a shockwave rippling outward that shook the entire tower and even the earth beneath. The eye shattered in a blinding explosion, and for a moment, I allowed myself a breath of relief.
But it was short-lived.
Before my eyes, the fragments of the eye began to reform, not through healing but through a force I couldn't comprehend. Within seconds, it was whole again, its malevolent gaze staring at me once more.
"Damn it!" I cursed.
The pull resumed, dragging me toward another portal that had formed beneath me. Fou howled in protest, but I had already made my decision.
With a deep breath, I activated the cloning technique I had learned from Morgan. Half of my power surged into the clone, the connection between us tied to my very soul. The clone looked at me, its expression serious.
"You know what to do," I said.
The clone nodded silently. Without wasting a second, I teleported it to New York, leaving me and Fou to fell in the portal.
As the darkness swallowed me, I and fou braced myself for whatever lay ahead.
---
(Mephisto's Chambers)
Mephisto lounged on his throne, watching the scene unfold with wicked delight. His laugh echoed through the grand chamber, a sound that sent chills even through the infernal halls of his domain.
"This is good. Oh, this is so good," he cackled. "Fate truly smiles upon me today. So this is what it feels like to be the villain who protected by fate and the protagonist struggles and fails. Ritsuka… you've made your first big mistake."
He leaned forward, his sharp claws tapping against the armrest. "Sharing your power with that clone of yours? Foolish. Especially with the Dark Phoenix's abilities—it weakens you. Now, you've handed me the perfect opportunity to strike at your soul."
Standing nearby, his son Blackheart watched the theatrics with a mix of disdain and patience. "Father," he interrupted, "as you instructed, I've sent out two billion demonic creatures. We should thank the Jade Emperor for supplying us with such excellent raw materials, though I've enhanced them into something truly demonic."
Mephisto didn't respond, his joy suddenly turning to fury as his sharp eyes spotted figures appearing in the tower.
"Damn it!" he snarled, his fiery aura flaring. "Why are Ritsuka's wives here?! She is here? Curse you, Void Shiki? All Cosmic entities fear her."
Blackheart raised an eyebrow. "You didn't expect them to come looking for him?"
Ignoring his son's question, Mephisto barked orders. "Blackheart, send the Zero Squad immediately. We need to accelerate the plan and buy us time untill I succeed my trap on Ritsuka. If they reach me before I'm ready, we'll lose everything!"
"What about the Void Shiki?" Blackheart asked, his tone cautious.
Mephisto's lips curled into a grimace. "She's on the first floor, thankfully. But that accursed woman is dangerous. She'll need to clear ten thousand floors to reach us, but we can't take any chances."
Before he could continue, his fiery gaze shifted once more, this time narrowing in anger.
"And why is that idiot Doom here?!" he roared. "Curse you, Key of Fate! Why throwing wrenches into my plans!"
Blackheart tilted his head. "Should I deal with Doom, then?"
Mephisto grinned darkly. "Yes. Use his mother's soul against him—it's always been his weakness. Make it hurt."
As Blackheart prepared to leave, Mephisto leaned back, his claws steepled as he began to analyze the situation.
"Ritsuka, your power is waning. Your allies are strong, but they'll only delay the inevitable. Soon, everything will fall into place. Soon…Second phase trap will start now hahahaha"
And with that, his laughter echoed once more, a sinister promise of the chaos to come.
——————
The Beginning of the End
The world seemed to hold its breath as the skies changed. The brilliant blues of the day and the dark tranquility of the night were replaced with an eerie, suffocating crimson. Blood-red rain fell from the heavens, splashing onto streets, rooftops, and fields, painting the world in a shade of dread.
It was New Year's Day—a time for hope and celebration. Yet, across the globe, the sounds of fireworks were replaced by screams.
In every country, city, town, and village, people stared in disbelief at the sky. Many dropped to their knees in terror, their faces pale, hands trembling. The blood rain dripped down their faces, cold and thick, soaking the streets.
For decades, humanity had grappled with the fear of the unknown. Mutants had been their scapegoats, hated and hunted for their abilities. But now, something far worse had come.
From portals that tore open the fabric of reality, grotesque creatures spilled forth. These were not the mutants humanity feared—these were demons.
Mass panic spread like wildfire. Heart attacks claimed the lives of the frail and elderly as the shock of seeing monsters in real life overwhelmed them. Families barricaded themselves in their homes, praying that the horrors outside would pass them by.
In the heart of major cities—New York, London, Tokyo, Delhi, many more—chaos reigned. Cars crashed into each other as drivers fled in terror. Streets turned into battlefields as demons clawed and tore through anything in their path.
While the world reeled in panic, a surprising force rose to the occasion—the mutants. Those who had been shunned, persecuted, and hated for their powers stepped forward to protect the people who feared them.
In New York, Storm summoned fierce winds and bolts of lightning, blasting low-level demons back into the portals. Wolverine tore through creatures with feral precision, his claws dripping with their black blood. Across the globe, mutants used their abilities to fight back against the invaders.
Even ordinary soldiers joined the fray, discovering to their relief that conventional weapons could harm these initial waves of demons. Bullets tore through their grotesque bodies, and explosives reduced their ranks. It seemed, for a fleeting moment, that the tide might turn.
But What shocked them was Magicians appeared and creating barriers every place.
This was huge shock to them. Mages are real. Magic is real.
Yet, this victory was an illusion.
The demons attacking now were the weakest of their kind—a mere test, a prelude to something far worse. For every demon that fell, two more emerged from the swirling portals, their numbers seemingly endless. The people of Earth had no idea that this was only the beginning.
Above it all, in a realm unseen by mortal eyes, Mephisto watched the chaos unfold with a satisfied grin. His fingers drummed on his throne as he surveyed the destruction.
"This is merely a taste," he murmured to himself. "A feast of despair to whet the appetite of my true forces. Let the humans and their mutants have their small victories. It will make their inevitable defeat all the sweeter by hands of my workers."
Back on Earth, the rain continued to fall, and the sky remained an ominous red. Humanity had faced wars, natural disasters, and even the threat of extinction. But this? This was something new. Something beyond their comprehension.
The war had just begun. And Earth had no idea how much it was about to lose.
___________
(Morgan pov)
The massive, empty hall resonated with the demon's bellowing voice, but Morgan stood firm, her posture elegant and composed. The towering three-headed demon, ten meters tall, glared down at her, trying to intimidate the small figure in front of him.
"Ah, welcome! I have been wanting to meet a powerful opponent... er... are you really strong? You seem so small to me..."
The insult was enough to push Morgan's already thin patience over the edge. Her delicate face twisted into an annoyed scowl.
Morgan, who was already feeling quite frustrated that she was teleported leaving her daughter alone, felt even more angry when that overgrown demon suddenly talking down on her and insulted her like that.
"Who said that, you lowly demon?" Her voice carried the weight of absolute authority, laced with venomous irritation. "I am Morgan le Fay, the queen of Faeries! And you, a defective product, dare speak so flippantly to me? How utterly pitiful."
She was preparing her daughter karen and herself to give a beautiful gift to her husband today but everything is ruined now. This made her more angry.
Now She was worried about her daughter karen and her husband.
She didn't even have the time to tell them when she was pulled in by that giant portal and then found herself standing in this big empty hall.
The demon's heads tilted in disbelief. His doubt morphed into anger as Morgan's words struck deep, but to her, it wasn't even an insult-it was the truth.
"YOU PUNY FAIRY! HOW DARE YOU INSULT ME!"
Morgan's elegant frame didn't even flinch at his booming voice. Instead, she crossed her arms and raised an eyes.
Morgan's elegant frame didn't even flinch at his booming voice. Instead, she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Puny? Coming from you?" Her tone was ice-cold, every syllable dripping with disdain. "You look barely held together. Forced magical augmentation, I presume? How desperate. It's no wonder your strength is this pitiful."
Her analytical gaze roamed the demon's body, dissecting every inch of his poorly fused form.
Morgan clenched her fists. Her mind was elsewhere, not on the demon but on her family.
She thought of Karen, the daughter she'd been preparing to spend the day with. And Ritsuka-her husband, the man who'd brought both calm and happiness into her life. They were supposed to be together, not torn apart by these crude machinations.
'I sensed My husband here. But There's no sight of Ritsuka, and both karen and Ritsuka weren't there to keep my mood calm... I feel like I am going to go crazy now... I need to find my husband'
The frustration boiled over, and the room shifted as Morgan unleashed her power.
Dark curse magic erupted from her body, spiraling outward like a raging storm. In moments, the vast hall transformed into her domain- every surface, every corner, infused with her terrifying aura. The glowing black and purple of her curse circle pulsed with an overwhelming, suffocating energy.
The demon froze, its three faces displaying a mix of fear and confusion.
"This... What is this magic!?" it stammered, backing away. "Such an insane concentration of curses... This can't be real!"
Morgan didn't respond immediately. Her focus was razor-sharp, and the air around her crackled with her intent. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but icy.
"Thirty seconds." She smiled faintly, a cruel edge to her expression. "You have thirty seconds to live. After that, this hall will be filled with so much curse magic that even your ashes will disintegrate."
The demon's bravado shattered. It flapped its wings in desperation, shooting toward the exit like a cornered animal. But the moment it neared the massive doors, Morgan's magic responded. The circle pulsed brighter, and a concentrated wave of curse magic shot through the air.
'She's mocking me! She's purposely trying to torture me to death!! I must escape!! This women is a monster in fairy skin!'
The demon screamed as the curse wrapped around its hand. In an instant, the appendage exploded, blackened chunks raining down on the floor.
"Twenty seconds..."
The demon turned its heads frantically, searching for Morgan, only to feel a weight settle on its shoulder. One of its heads twisted to see her perched there, her emerald dark blue eyes glowing with sadistic amusement.
"Ah, I forgot to mention," Morgan said sweetly, gently patting one of its remaining heads, "this floor is my territory now. It follows my rules. Did you think you could escape?"
Before it could respond, Morgan's hand surged with curse magic, pouring directly into the demon's head.
BOOM!
The demon's upper body exploded in a violent burst, splattering black blood across the walls and floor. Morgan floated down gracefully as the remains of the demon began to collapse. She waved a hand, her magic coiling around the pieces like a snake, compressing the remains into a small bead. With a flick of her wrist, the bead vanished into nothingness.
Morgan stood in the now-silent hall, brushing nonexistent dust off her dress. She sighed, the annoyance in her chest only slightly alleviated by the destruction she'd wrought.
" To think I wasted my time on such a pitiful thing," she muttered. "These demons... so crude, so inelegant. I hope the next one can at least entertain me properly."
But her mind drifted again. She thought of Karen, of Ritsuka. Her frustration flared anew, and she clenched her fists tightly.
"Where are you, my husband ?" she whispered, her voice soft but filled with determination. "Wait for me. I' Il find you."
She turned toward the hall's exit, her aura flaring once more. If there were more demons in her way, they'd meet the same fate-or worse. For Morgan le Fay, Queen of Faeries, was on the warpath, and nothing would stop her.
The massive hall seemed to twist and shimmer as Morgan surveyed her surroundings. Her emerald dark blue eyes narrowed, her magic flowing through the air to analyze every corner of the space. She let out a frustrated sigh, resting a hand on her hip.
"It seems I and my husband was teleported to a demonic tower," Morgan muttered, her voice carrying an edge of annoyance. "I can sense my husband in this tower. Tch. How bothersome."
Deciding to waste no time, she focused her energy and used her bond with Ritsuka to try and summon him to her. Her magic rippled through the hall, reaching out like a net. But instead of pulling her husband, someone else appeared.
The shadows near the far wall twisted, and a figure stepped forward. BB emerged, her signature school uniform pristine as always, and a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
"Ah~ Senpai, I was just preparing the most special New Year's surprise for you!" she began, her voice saccharine as she struck a playful pose. "But it seems you've decided to ruin my dramatic entrance by—"
Her teasing monologue came to an abrupt halt as her crimson eyes met Morgan's piercing gaze. BB froze mid-step, the smile faltering for the first time. She glanced around, realizing she was no longer in her prepared setting.
"What…?" BB muttered before pointing dramatically at Morgan. "Wait, why are you here, tyrant queen?! And why am I—" She suddenly paused, looking down at herself, confusion spreading across her face. "...I'm in a demonic tower?"
Morgan folded her arms, her patience already wearing thin. "So it's you… troublesome, crazy woman. What are you doing skulking around my husband's shadow?"
BB puffed her cheeks indignantly. "Your husband? Last I checked, he's my beloved Senpai too! I'm part of his life, thank you very much."
Morgan raised an eyebrow but didn't dignify that with a response. Instead, she waved a hand dismissively, her eyes narrowing as her magic detected something unusual about BB.
"Wait a moment..." Morgan's tone shifted, taking on a sharper edge. "Are you… pregnant?"
BB froze, her hand instinctively going to her stomach. Her face turned crimson before she spluttered, "W-Wait! How can you tell that?!"
Morgan rolled her eyes. "It's painfully obvious. The life energy coming from your womb is radiating like a beacon. So, are you?"
BB hesitated for a moment before puffing out her chest with pride. "Well, yes! I was going to surprise Senpai today and tell him he's going to be a father!" Her voice softened as she glanced down, her hands resting gently on her stomach. "I'm two months along."
Morgan's expression shifted, her frustration softening for the briefest moment. She placed a hand on her own stomach, a faint, almost imperceptible smile crossing her lips.
"Two months? Hmph. I'm three months along."
BB's jaw dropped, her face a mix of shock and amusement. "Wha—Tyrant Queen, you too?!"
Morgan's smile turned sharp. "Of course. Do you think I'd allow someone like you to monopolize our husband's future?"
BB crossed her arms, still processing the revelation. "So… let me get this straight. Both of us are pregnant, and we were both planning to surprise him today?"
"Precisely," Morgan replied, her tone laced with irritation. "And now that plan is ruined because of this ridiculous situation."
The realization hit both women at once. Their plans, their surprises—everything had been derailed by the demonic interference. The air around them grew heavy as their mutual frustration reached a boiling point.
Even fate was on Mephisto side but he had worst bad luck in making enemies.
Without exchanging another word, the two women turned their attention to the hall. Demonic forces began to emerge from the shadows, sensing their power and converging on the hall.
Morgan's magic flared, her curse circles spreading rapidly across the floor. "They dared to interrupt me…" she muttered, her voice dangerously calm.
BB summoned her holographic interface, her mischievous smile returning as she activated her own abilities. "Oh, they're going to regret this. Let's see how these demons handle a pregnant AI goddess and a pissed-off fairy queen."
The hall erupted in chaos as the two unleashed their powers. Morgan's curses engulfed the demons, tearing through them with ruthless efficiency, while BB's digital constructs manifested as massive weapons ( injections ) that obliterated everything in their path.
Within moments, the hall was in ruins, the demons reduced to nothing more than ash. But as the dust settled, the walls began to shift. The destruction they'd wrought reversed itself, the stone and mortar knitting back together as if untouched.
BB stared at the walls, her digital interface scanning the phenomenon. "Huh? Is this conceptual magic? It's like the tower is healing itself."
Morgan frowned, her analytical gaze sharp. "No… this isn't conceptual magic. It's something far more insidious. This is fate magic."
"Fate magic?" BB tilted her head, clearly confused.
Morgan sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It means the tower itself is fated to be indestructible. No matter how much damage we do, it will always return to its original state. It's as if its existence itself is protected by destiny."
BB's face paled as she began to understand the implications. "Wait… so even if someone is killed, if they're fated to win, they'll come back to life? Is that what you're saying?"
"Precisely," Morgan replied, her voice grim. Her gaze drifted upward, toward the top of the tower. "And if this tower is bound by fate, then whoever is controlling it likely is as well. That includes anyone they've targeted…"
Both women fell silent, their thoughts turning to Ritsuka.
"We need to find him," BB said, her voice uncharacteristically serious.
Morgan nodded. "Agreed. For now, we ascend. Teleportation isn't reliable here, and I won't take risks with our children."
With newfound resolve, the two began their climb, their determination fueled by both their love for Ritsuka and their shared frustration at the chaos that had ruined their plans. Together, they were an unstoppable force—and woe to anyone who dared stand in their way.
----------
(Ritsuka pov)
The towering structure loomed over Ritsuka Fujimaru as he carefully stepped through its seemingly endless corridors. The cold, metallic walls gleamed with an unnerving light, and Ritsuka could feel their weight pressing against his very existence.
"These walls…" he muttered, brushing his hand against one of them. "Familiar. Pure adamantium… just like the alloy used by certain people to create the strongest weapons."
His gaze shifted downward to a piece of paper lying on the floor. The faint scent of blood reached his nostrils, and as he picked it up, the crimson letters scrawled across the page became clear:
> Oi, dear Summoned Hero, Priest of Gaia, and New Dark Phoenix. You have entered the Spire of Fate Tower—or as others call it, the Demonic Watchtower! Your destiny is going to change today. You must reach Floor 0 and meet me to leave!
– Your hateful gentleman villain, Mr. M.
"'My destiny is going to change?'" Ritsuka read aloud, his expression darkening. He crumpled the paper and let it fall to the floor. "Mr. M… Mephisto."
The name left a bitter taste in his mouth. His mind raced, connecting the dots.
"How can he change my fate? Does he have the power to bend destiny itself?"
Ritsuka glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers. His soul, a foreign entity in this world, existed outside its natural laws. The threads of this realm's destiny couldn't bind him—he was a singularity, and cosmic entities seemed to loathe him for it.
"The problem isn't just me being here," he muttered, clenching his fists. "It's that Mephisto planned this. He's been one step ahead this entire time."
A thought crossed his mind, bringing him a small measure of relief. "At least I created a clone. It'll handle things on the outside while I deal with Mephisto here."
Fou, who had been silently watching from Ritsuka's shoulder, nuzzled his cheek, a soft "Fou!" escaping its lips.
Ritsuka smiled faintly, placing a hand on the creature's head. "Thanks, Fou. Let's go."
The pair began ascending the endless staircases of the tower, the silence unnerving.
'No traps,' Ritsuka thought after traversing several corridors and hidden rooms. 'Not a single demon, not even a false alarm. Is this really Mephisto's doing?'
The eerie stillness of the place gnawed at his instincts. Something about it was wrong.
Then it came.
AAARRRRHHHH!
A bloodcurdling scream echoed from the lower floors, filled with terror and anguish.
Ritsuka froze, his eyes narrowing as the wails continued.
ARRGGHHH STOP! PLEASE! AARRGH!
He hesitated, the sound pulling at him. "Is someone else here?"
His detection ability flared to life, warning him of something moving. He turned sharply as a demon crawled into view. Its lower body was gone, leaving a trail of blood and viscera in its wake.
The demon's face was twisted in unbridled fear, and it clawed at the floor with all its might, desperate to flee.
"What the—" Ritsuka started, but before he could move, a massive bolt of lightning struck the demon.
BOOM!
The flash lit up the corridor, and when it faded, the demon was nothing more than ash.
A figure emerged from the shadows, his imposing frame cloaked in green and his mask gleaming ominously in the dim light.
"you," Ritsuka muttered, recognizing the ruler of Latveria immediately.
Doom stepped forward, his cold, analytical eyes studying Ritsuka in silence.
Doom raised a hand, and a glowing magic circle appeared in the air before him. The power radiating from it was palpable.
Ritsuka sighed, his lips curling into a faint, resigned smile. "You're not here for a chat, are you?" He stepped back, dark flames igniting around his hands. "Fine. Let's do this."
He turned to Fou. "Stay back."
The small creature leaped off his shoulder, finding a safe perch in the distance, its eyes fixed on the two combatants.
Doom's voice broke the silence, calm and commanding. "Victor von Doom, King of Latveria."
Ritsuka nodded, his stance firm. "Ritsuka Fujimaru, Priest of Gaia. The feeling's mutual."
A silent agreement passed between them.
The air in the Spire of Fate Tower was dense with raw power as Ritsuka Fujimaru squared off against Victor von Doom. The clash was unlike anything he had faced before—this wasn't a battle of malice or domination. It was a duel of respect and curiosity, one fought between two individuals who sought to test their limits and perhaps learn from the other.
Ritsuka's dark flames flickered in his hands as he stood his ground, his eyes steady on Doom's imposing figure. The faint hum of Doom's magical energy crackled around him, an aura of green lightning wreathing his armored form. Both combatants shared a mutual understanding—this wasn't about destruction. It was about proof.
Doom was the first to break the silence. "Priest of Gaia. Prophecy or not, I must determine if you are truly worthy of the titles you carry. Strength alone cannot justify your existence here."
Ritsuka nodded, his voice steady. "I understand, Doom. And I know you're not holding back—not entirely I mean . If words won't suffice, then I'll show you through action why I'm here."
Doom's hand moved, tracing intricate sigils in the air, and within moments, eight streams of green lightning crackled toward Ritsuka with relentless precision. Ritsuka instinctively raised a shimmering mana shield, the impact ringing through the room as arcs of lightning splintered and rebounded. Three bolts veered back toward Doom, who absorbed them effortlessly with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"You are perceptive, Fujimaru. Indeed, I do not seek your end—yet. But you will earn your place in this world, or you will leave it," Doom said, his voice echoing with regal authority.
Ritsuka smirked faintly, his confidence unshaken. "Then let's get to it."
With a quick motion, he conjured Gáe Bolg, the weapon of his beloved lover Scathach. The crimson spear shimmered with an almost predatory aura as Ritsuka drove it into the ground with explosive force. The floor beneath them groaned in protest before splitting apart, creating a jagged chasm that instantly obliterated the surrounding stairs. Debris flew wildly as Doom and Ritsuka plummeted into the floor below, Fou clinging tightly to Ritsuka's shoulder.
They landed with practiced ease, their clash continuing as if uninterrupted. Fou jumped back, Ritsuka's dark flames surged forward, spiraling into jagged tendrils that lashed at Doom, who countered with a shield of pure energy. Doom retaliated with a punch that displaced the very air around them, the shockwave clearing debris and dust in an instant.
"Impressive," Doom remarked as he observed Ritsuka weaving effortlessly through attacks, his agility unhindered by armor or hesitation. "But do not presume I am so easily matched."
Doom extended his hand, conjuring a powerful gale of energy that sent shards of debris hurling toward Ritsuka like missiles. Ritsuka reacted quickly, spinning Gáe Bolg in a wide arc, creating a barrier of ice that caught the fragments mid-air before sending them crashing to the ground.
"Doom," Ritsuka called, his voice calm but firm. "I don't know how you know about the prophecy, but I understand why you're doing this. I will try all my new attacks on you —not until you're satisfied."
Doom's green lightning flared brighter, casting his armored visage in an otherworldly glow. "You are confident, Fujimaru. Show me your resolve, and I shall determine whether your words are worth heeding."
Ritsuka responded by slamming Gáe Bolg into the floor again, unleashing a wave of icy spikes that surged across the ground, forcing Doom to leap aside. The frost crept up Doom's armor as he landed, but with a single flex of his hand, the ice shattered, scattering into harmless shards.
Their battle escalated, the clash of fire and lightning, ice and force, echoing through the tower. Each attack tested their limits, not in hatred, but in a shared desire for understanding. Neither sought victory; they sought truth.
As the floor beneath them began to regenerate from the chaos of their clash, neither Ritsuka nor Doom seemed to notice. They were consumed by the moment, two minds locked in a battle of strength and intellect.
For Ritsuka, this fight wasn't just about proving his worth to Doom—it was about solidifying his place in a world that viewed him as an anomaly. For Doom, it was an opportunity to learn, to understand the man who bore such lofty titles.
The battle was far from over, but one thing was clear—this was a test neither would forget.
Ritsuka stood firm, Gáe Bolg poised in his hands, its crimson sheen glinting faintly under the ambient light. With a single motion, he swung the spear horizontally.
In an instant, a massive surge of water coalesced into existence, forming a tsunami that surged toward Doom with unrelenting force.
Doom stood undeterred, observing the oncoming wave with calm precision. He raised a gauntleted hand, his voice tinged with faint amusement. "Impressive theatrics, prophecy hero. But you'll have to do better than that."
Doom's fist shot forward, crackling with elemental energy. As it connected with the tsunami, frost spread outward, freezing the wave in place. With a thunderous crack, the ice shattered, scattering harmless fragments across the battlefield.
The remnants of the water cascaded over Doom, but his Doom Armor, crafted with enchantments from Avalon, remained untouched.
"You'll need more than water tricks to land a blow," Doom taunted, his voice echoing with authority.
Ritsuka smirked, spinning his spear once before resting it on his shoulder. "Oh, I have more tricks Buddy ."
Doom stomped the ground, sending tremors through the floor that cracked the surface. Almost immediately, the floor began to regenerate, as if the very tower itself resisted their destructive might.
Doom's aura intensified, a draconic presence suffusing the air. The atmosphere grew heavier, and the mana within the area became sluggish, responding poorly to Ritsuka's commands.
Ritsuka's eyes narrowed. "Slowing my magic? Clever. But if you wanted a close-range fight, all you had to do was ask."
He dashed forward, Gáe Bolg glinting ominously as it aimed directly for Doom.
Doom conjured a mana shield, the shimmering green barrier appearing just in time to block the spear's strike. The impact resounded like a thunderclap, and cracks began to spiderweb across Doom's shield.
Doom's voice was steady, despite the pressure. "Show me your resolve then, prophecy hero. Let us see if your words carry the weight of your blade."
Ritsuka grinned. "Gladly."
The two clashed in a storm of close-quarters combat. Doom's strength, amplified by his armor, met Ritsuka's speed and precision. Every strike of Gáe Bolg was matched by Doom's calculated counters, his movements deliberate and methodical.
Doom's analytical mind raced as he observed Ritsuka's techniques. "His abilities are vast, far beyond what a mere warrior should wield. I must adapt… and create something new."
Without hesitation, Doom unleashed a spatial shockwave, the attack warping the fabric of space-time itself. The shockwave bypassed conventional defenses, racing toward Ritsuka at impossible speeds.
Caught off guard, Ritsuka reacted by enveloping himself in dark phoenix flames, the searing energy cloaking his body in a defensive shroud.
Doom's eyes gleamed beneath his mask. "Exactly as I anticipated."
In a split second, Doom manipulated the space-time fabric, his punch slipping through the phoenix flames and connecting squarely with Ritsuka's torso.
BOOM!
The force of the blow sent Ritsuka hurtling backward. He twisted mid-air, stabbing Gáe Bolg into the wall to halt his momentum. With a sharp pivot, he hurled the spear, channeling dark flames through its length.
The spear spiraled toward Doom, leaving a blazing trail in its wake.
Doom raised a massive magic circle, pouring a vast amount of mana into its core. The resulting green light erupted, accompanied by another spatial shockwave amplified to four times its original strength.
The two attacks collided mid-air, producing a dazzling explosion of light and energy. The shockwave rattled the entire tower, the clash creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Fou, perched on a safe ledge, watched with wide eyes. "Fou! Fou fou!"
As the energy dissipated, the two combatants remained standing, their forms illuminated by the fading afterglow.
Ritsuka appeared behind Doom in an instant, Gáe Bolg poised to strike. Its tip hovered inches from Doom's heart.
Ritsuka's voice was calm but firm. "We could go further, but I think we've made our point. Don't you agree, Doom? I promise you, once this is over. We can continue our fight later."
Doom stood still, his posture unwavering. He slowly turned to face Ritsuka, his tone contemplative. "You are stronger than I anticipated. Yet, I sense you held back, just as I did. There is much to learn from you, priest of Gaia. But for today… this will suffice."
Ritsuka nodded, and with a thought, Gáe Bolg disappeared into nothingness.
Fou leaped onto Ritsuka's shoulder, nuzzling against him as if to celebrate the conclusion of the fight.
Doom straightened, his armor still gleaming. "It appears I have a long way to go. But mark my words—this is only the beginning."
Ritsuka smiled faintly. "I'll be looking forward to it."
As the tower's floor repaired itself once more, the two stood in mutual respect, their duel leaving no bitterness, only acknowledgment of the other's strength and resolve.
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To be continued.
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Note: Apologies for the delay, but I'd like to explain. About two weeks ago, I had lab exams, so I had to pause writing this story. A week after my exams ended, I should have resumed writing, but I lost interest. To get back on track, I explored other stories, and fortunately, that reignited my passion for writing.
This story also connects with two separate works:
1. Ghost Rider Journey [Remake]
2. Re:Zero: We Are Venom
Both are part of the same canon as this Marvel x Fate/Grand Order crossover. I recommend checking them out before Volume 3 starts in the future. You can find them on my account list.
Looking ahead, Optimus Prime, Subaru Natsuki, and Ritsuka Fujimaru will be the three main characters driving the narrative.
Lastly, I want to note that I have exams next month, so I won't be able to upload any chapters in the new year until my exams are over. However, I'll do my best to release as many chapters of the FGO x Marvel story as I can before December 31st. Thank you for your patience and support!