A massive crimson energy sphere floated in the air, unstable energy constantly bursting out from it, enveloping the world in an apocalyptic glow.
Metal spheres rose from the ground, each deploying an enormous energy field to channel and contain the destructive energy of the sphere.
On one side, the Forest Alliance glowed with radiant light, wrapped in magical brilliance. They first retreated, then suddenly ascended, charging towards the location of the Skywing Fortress.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Earth Alliance, Vigg Solson, observed the current situation. Though still unsure of what exactly had happened, he saw the passage regulators of the Mekai species guiding the energy on the ground and the Forest Alliance charging towards Avont Heim, already cloaked by the Thunder Domain.
Raising his arm, Vigg Solson roared, "Activate the Gnome warships! We don't know what exactly happened, but the answer is certainly at the War God's temple. The Forest Alliance bastards have already made their move, so let's follow them! Even if we can't catch up, shoot them down!"
"Yes!!!"
"The Void Zero technique must've drained those bastards' magic power. Charge! Victory belongs to our great mechanical technology!"
With a roar, the Gnome warships began to vibrate as the Sky King, which had briefly landed to avoid the Heavenly Strike, prepared to ascend again.
"Domain, expand."
"The miracle of green life."
A five-colored domain enveloped the ground, and with Hiroshi's words, green energy began to sprout from the earth. Trees grew out of steel, branches and leaves unfurled, creating a green forest amidst the despairing black wasteland.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amidst the massive sound, Gnome warships were dismembered and fell to the ground.
"Who is it?!"
A roar echoed from within the wreckage of a warship. A Dwarf clad in an exoskeleton glowing with magic emerged, his eyes filled with pain as he looked at the remnants of a once-great warship.
Lifting his head, Vigg Solson peered through the five-colored domain, spotting Hiroshi hovering in the air through the green foliage.
Placing his hand by his ear, Vigg Solson sent specific signals through the air using magic energy.
"Gather at my signal position. Giants move forward to probe the enemy. Fantastical beings, recover your magic power quickly."
"Yes!"
Boom!
A huge crash came from the west of the forest. Three giants, each over a hundred meters tall, wearing massive enchanted armor, and wielding colossal enchanted hammers and battle axes, charged at Hiroshi.
With bodies lowered, the giants landed with a thud. The ground shattered, creating three irregular massive craters. Dust filled the air, and the newly grown forest instantly vanished halfway.
With a thunderous whoosh, the three giants loomed over Hiroshi, their colossal weapons raised high.
Seeing the tiny figure beneath them, the three giants swung their weapons down at Hiroshi from three different directions.
The deafening wind from the descending weapons was so powerful that even the space around them seemed to solidify.
Golden light faintly shone on Hiroshi's forehead, and his black-and-white eyes transformed into golden dragon eyes for the first time.
Dragon wings spread from his back, and the frozen space shattered instantly.
Facing the three incoming weapons, Hiroshi let out a low roar and activated his wings.
Tearing through the unstable space created by the giants' power, Hiroshi appeared above them.
Clenching his fist, Hiroshi punched the middle giant's head.
The giant, who had swung his weapons with all his might, suddenly felt a sharp pain on his head. His helmet shattered, and his vision went blank. Like a speeding rocket, he crashed headfirst into the dark earth with deafening sonic booms.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground shook violently, like a dragon turning in its sleep. The three enormous craters turned the landscape upside down, waves of earth rolling like a stormy sea.
In the three massive craters, the giants lay unconscious, their legs spread out.
Clap.
With his hands together, Hiroshi looked down at the craters below and let out a low shout.
The earth shook again, flowing like rivers converging. Dark soil filled the three craters, and as Hiroshi lifted his hands, the ground solidified, sealing the giants entirely.
Slightly panting, Hiroshi looked down at the advancing Gnome troops.
The neatly arranged formations were made up of Dwarves in magical exoskeletons, some vigilant, some furious, all gazing up at Hiroshi.
Vigg Solson stood at the forefront, glancing at the three buried giants before taking a deep breath. He said, "You must be one of the masterminds behind all of this, right? State your name, powerful unknown being. I assume your goal is also the Star Cup. Whose divine servant are you?"
"Human, Hiroshi!"
His eyes returned to their usual black and white as Hiroshi gazed down at the leader of the Gnomes and asked, "What is your name?"
After confirming Hiroshi wasn't bluffing, Vigg Solson replied in a low voice, "Vigg Solson."
"I never imagined a mere human, akin to an insect, could produce someone like you. Since you are human, there is no reason for your kind to participate in this fight for the One True God."
Brandishing his war hammer, Vigg Solson pointed at Hiroshi and demanded, "Tell me, why are you participating in this war?"
"Does it matter?"
With his breathing steadier, Hiroshi twisted his neck and asked in confusion.
"Of course!"
"I can't just beat you up without knowing why! That'd make me feel terrible!"
Seeing the straightforward manner of Vigg Solson, Hiroshi couldn't help but say, "You're quite the strange guy."
"Haha, my people often say that. So, will you tell me?"
"Alright."
Hiroshi clasped his hands behind his back, looking down at the dark earth below.
"The reason we are fighting is simple."
"Because of your gods' trivial wishes, too many lives have been sacrificed in this world."
"Look at this world on the verge of collapse. Is there still a place here for fragile lives to survive?"
"So, we came."
Staring down at the Gnome troops, Hiroshi shouted, "We came to fulfill our friend's wish, to save this hopeless world!"
"I see."
"Looks like our war has made your lives miserable. Sorry about that."
"But for our great Creator, the God of Forging, Okan Oakenin, we must claim the Star Cup!"
"Now, are you ready?!"
"So you already noticed, huh? I'm ready."
"That's great. I'm ready too."
"Bring it on!"
"Bring it on!"