The sky was painted a deep indigo, with faint stars beginning to shimmer like tiny diamonds. A calm breeze whispered through the streets, ruffling the leaves of nearby trees and carrying with it the faint scent of the ocean. Liski strolled casually, her hands tucked into the pockets of her black-and-pink jacket, her vivid pink hair bouncing slightly with each step.
"Man, I hope I don't bump into some idiot with darkness magic tonight," she muttered, rolling her eyes at the thought. Despite her words, she was well aware that danger was often just around the corner. Somewhere out there, Yurgion, one of Ogamak's relentless lackeys, was undoubtedly scheming.
As she rounded a corner, the soft sound of boots crunching on gravel caught her attention.
"Smart, huh?" a deep, menacing voice said from the shadows. Yurgion stepped into the dim light, his dark, piercing eyes locked on Liski. "How did you figure out it was me?"
Liski smirked and stopped in her tracks, tilting her head mockingly. "Oh, who knows? Maybe it's because you're not exactly stealthy. I mean, come on, Yurgion. You'd think after all this time, you'd have picked up a trick or two."
Yurgion's expression twisted in irritation as he lunged forward with surprising speed. "Let's see if you can react to this!" he roared, his fist glowing with dark energy as it aimed straight for Liski's chest.
With a graceful sidestep, Liski evaded the strike effortlessly, leaving Yurgion off balance. "Wrong spot, buddy," she teased before delivering a swift punch to his gut. The impact sent Yurgion crashing through the walls of a nearby building, the structure crumbling around him.
Yurgion groaned, struggling to his feet amidst the rubble, only to see Liski already in front of him. "You're too slow," she said with a grin, delivering a powerful kick that sent him flying like a soccer ball.
Not letting up, Liski teleported mid-air, appearing behind him just as he was regaining his composure. With a front kick to his stomach, she sent him hurtling toward the ground. He crashed into the pavement with a deafening boom, creating a small crater as dust and debris filled the air.
"Damn you…" Yurgion growled, his body trembling as he pushed himself up.
"What's the matter?" Liski said, folding her arms and smirking. "Can't hit a girl?"
"You little bi—" Yurgion's insult was cut short as Liski slammed him into the ground again with a powerful telekinetic push.
"Ah, ah, ah," she scolded, wagging her finger. "You don't get to swear unless I do." She crouched slightly, her tone turning mockingly curious. "Now, tell me, Yurgion—whose bright idea was it to send you after me? Did they really think this was gonna work?"
Yurgion spat, glaring up at her with seething rage. "You're related to Xavy... That's why I'm here. Ogamak wants you captured—"
"Oh, great," Liski interrupted, throwing her hands up in mock exasperation. "The classic 'kidnap someone to bait the hero' tactic. So original. Hate to break it to you, pal, but that's not gonna work. Think of something less idiotic next time."
Snarling, Yurgion's body erupted with a dark, ominous aura. His eyes glowed crimson as the shadows around him seemed to come alive. "Then I'll capture you another way, you filthy brat!" he bellowed.
"Darkness Magic: Dark Crows!"
A swarm of black, spectral crows materialized around him, each one crackling with destructive energy. They launched toward Liski at lightning speed, their shrieks filling the air.
Liski raised her hand, a calm expression on her face. In an instant, orbs of light energy appeared around her. "Not so fast," she said, firing fifty blasts of concentrated light. The projectiles collided with the crows, obliterating them in an explosion of energy.
Yurgion cursed as he dodged the remaining blasts, his frustration mounting. "I've had enough of you!" he roared, his aura flaring violently. "Demonic Essence!"
A crimson aura enveloped him, merging with his dark energy. His transformation completed as black, jagged markings spread across his skin. "Embrace yourself, pinky," he sneered. "I'm not here to play anymore."
Before Liski could retort, Yurgion lunged at her with newfound speed and strength. His fist connected with her face, sending her flying into the sky. He teleported behind her mid-air, spinning rapidly before hurling her toward the ocean with such force that small tsunamis rippled across the surface.
Liski crashed into the water, the impact sending waves crashing against the nearby cliffs. Yurgion floated above, his hands glowing with dark magic. "I'll kill you," he snarled.
"Darkness Magic: Spears of Terror!"
A million dark spears materialized in the sky, each one glowing ominously as they aimed for Liski. With a wave of his hand, Yurgion sent them hurtling toward her at light speed.
Liski emerged from the water, her hair plastered to her face but her expression unfazed. "A million spears, huh?" she said, snapping her fingers.
The spears froze mid-air, their trajectory suddenly shifting as if gravity itself had been altered. Yurgion's eyes widened in disbelief. "Gravity control…?" he muttered.
Before he could react, Liski teleported to the spears, kicking and deflecting them effortlessly. Yurgion dodged the ones sent his way, his frustration boiling over.
"Damn it," he growled. "I need to outsmart her."
Liski smirked, sensing his desperation. "Scale of the Dragon," she said softly, her voice carrying an air of finality.
"What is she doing!?" Yurgion thought, panic flashing across his face.
"Recoil, Twin Meteors," Liski continued, moving her fingers rapidly. With a sudden burst of energy, she slashed the air.
"World Cutting Slash!"
An interdimensional rift opened, and the slash tore through Yurgion's arms with surgical precision. He screamed in agony, his knees buckling from the pain.
"GAAH!" Yurgion groaned, clutching his wounded arms. But before he could recover, Liski appeared before him, holding a swirling pink-black orb in her palm.
"Welcome to the sealing dimension!" she declared, hurling the orb at him.
The black hole engulfed Yurgion, its pull irresistible. His screams echoed as his form was consumed, leaving only silence behind.
Liski caught the now-dormant black hole, inspecting it with a satisfied smile. She tucked it into her pocket like a souvenir.
"Hah, what a foolish little idiot," she said, shaking her head. "But hey, at least he gave me a bit of fun."
As the ocean calmed and the night returned to its peaceful state, Liski disappeared in a flash of light, leaving the battlefield behind.
Somewhere, far away, Ogamak's schemes continued to unravel—but for now, Liski's victory was a small, shining beacon against the darkness.
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High atop the rooftop of a towering building, the city lights below twinkled like stars mirrored on the earth. The cool night air carried the faint hum of distant traffic and the occasional howl of the wind. Ogamak stood at the edge of the roof, his crimson cape fluttering behind him as he observed the aftermath of Liski's battle in the distance. Beside him sat Lucius, cross-legged and contemplative, his black hair reflecting the moonlight.
"So, that's another memory fragment?" Lucius broke the silence, his voice calm yet curious. "How did you figure out about this?"
Ogamak turned slightly, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. "Oh, that's easy," he replied, his voice dripping with calculated smugness. "I've been watching these fragments closely while remaining hidden. Xavy isn't as invincible as he pretends to be... but he isn't alone. That's why I sent Yurgion after Liski. She's a vital piece to this puzzle."
Lucius let out a low hum, his gaze shifting to the remnants of the battlefield in the distance. "And from what I see, Yurgion was sealed by that miniature black hole of hers," he said, his tone laced with mild amusement. "We might need a plan if we're ever going to free him from that dimension."
Ogamak raised a hand to silence him. "That would be a foolish move, Lucius," he said firmly. "Risking ourselves for him isn't an option. Yurgion knew the risks, and frankly, his failure only serves to remind us of the stakes."
Lucius arched an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "So what now? You're discarding the plan to capture Yaxocara and the others?"
Ogamak turned fully to face him, his sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of the city. "You're right," he admitted with a slight nod. "Chasing them head-on is a waste of resources. What we need now are allies. With the right reinforcements, we can change the entire game."
Lucius leaned back, resting his weight on his arms as he watched the stars. "And how do you plan to pull that off, Ogamak?" he asked, skepticism evident in his tone. "Building an army isn't as simple as snapping your fingers. Especially when your reputation among the world's leaders is... let's say, less than stellar."
Ogamak's lips curved into a sly smile. "You're not wrong," he said, his voice steady and confident. "Some leaders in Urchion and Masoquest were less than enthusiastic about my presence. But this isn't about politics."
"Then what is it about?" Lucius asked, narrowing his eyes.
Ogamak stepped closer, his crimson aura flickering faintly as he spoke. "Hunters," he said, his tone carrying an air of finality. "The Hunters' League has already agreed to join me. They see the saviors as a threat to the natural order, and they're willing to ally with us to restore balance."
Lucius's expression didn't shift, though his fingers tapped rhythmically against the roof. "The Hunters' League, huh?" he muttered. "I'm guessing you've already made promises to them. So, what's their endgame?"
"They don't need promises," Ogamak said with a dismissive wave. "They only need direction. Among their ranks lies the strongest hunter I've heard of—a legend in their own right. With their strength added to ours, we won't just capture Liski or Yaxocara. We'll execute the strongest saviors one by one and take control of this world. Piece by piece, we'll dismantle their order and rise as its new leaders."
Lucius didn't seem impressed, his eyes focused on the horizon. "I hope you're not underestimating the saviors," he said bluntly. "They're not just strong individually—they're united. You can kill one, maybe two, but their allies won't let you wipe them out so easily. And even if you succeed, ruling the world isn't as glamorous as it sounds. Most of these so-called leaders will turn on you the moment they smell weakness."
Ogamak chuckled softly, the sound cold and calculated. "That's why we need hunters. Their loyalty lies in power, not politics. Unlike saviors, they don't waste their time on ideals or alliances. They live for the hunt, for the thrill of the kill. And with the strongest hunter leading them, they'll ensure no savior stands in our way."
Lucius tilted his head, his gaze unwavering. "Strongest or not, I hope you've thought this through," he said. "Because if this plan fails, you won't just lose the hunters. You'll lose everything."
Ogamak's eyes glinted with determination. "Failure isn't an option," he said. "The saviors think they're untouchable, but they've grown complacent. Xavy and his little group are powerful, yes, but they're scattered, divided. We'll exploit their weaknesses, and when the time comes, even Xavy won't be able to stop us."
Lucius sighed, looking up at the vast expanse of the night sky. "Well, whatever you say, Ogamak," he said quietly. "I just hope this whole savior nonsense ends soon. The world's chaos doesn't need more fuel—it needs resolution."
Ogamak turned his back to him, his cape billowing dramatically as he gazed down at the city below. "Chaos is the seed of change," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "And we are its harbingers."
As the wind picked up, the two figures remained silhouetted against the moonlight, plotting their next move against the saviors. Far below, the city remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing above.
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The House of Memories was an ethereal sanctuary, existing in a space untouched by time or conventional reality. The walls shimmered with fragments of past events, memories captured in suspended light, endlessly playing out like living paintings. It was here that Liski reappeared, her presence announced by the faint hum of magic as she materialized in the center of the room. Her clothes were still damp from her encounter with Yurgion, but her expression was sharp, brimming with urgency.
"Xavy! We've got horrible—" Liski began, her words tumbling out in a rush.
Xavy, seated on a throne-like chair made of crystallized memories, raised a hand to stop her. His demeanor was calm, his piercing gaze focused. "I get it, Liski," he interrupted smoothly. "They've figured out I'm not the only one."
Liski blinked, momentarily thrown off by his composed reaction. "And... you're not mad at me, right?" she asked hesitantly.
Xavy let out a low chuckle, leaning back in his seat. "Obviously not," he said. "It's their fault. You were just making a short visit. They were the ones foolish enough to engage you."
Liski exhaled in relief, her tension easing. "Well, that's good to hear. Anyway, I captured this Yurgion guy—he's got darkness manipulation. Can I keep him sealed?"
"Yes," Xavy replied without hesitation, his tone decisive. "Keep him sealed. We won't free him unless it becomes absolutely necessary." His eyes narrowed slightly, his voice gaining a sharper edge. "Not to mention, those idiots have been giving me trouble with the Seven Gems."
Liski tilted her head, curiosity flickering across her face. "Wait, the Seven Gems? You broke them?"
Xavy nodded. "Yes. I shattered them intentionally. I did it so Yaxoc could find the pieces and reassemble them. When the gems are reunited, they'll unlock a power greater than anything we've seen."
Liski crossed her arms, a frown tugging at her lips. "And why would you do that? What's your deal with Yaxoc anyway?"
Xavy's expression softened, though his eyes retained their intensity. "I'm doing this because Yaxoc is the only one capable of defeating Ogamak. It's not just about power—it's about potential. Ogamak and Lucius won't stay the same; they'll grow stronger with each passing act. By the time the tenth act comes, they'll be nearly unstoppable. We need to prepare for that eventuality."
Liski paced the room, her boots clicking softly against the reflective floor. "So, you're saying we need to fuse all seven fragments together? That includes our own fragments, doesn't it?"
Xavy shook his head. "Not exactly. I'm not planning on sending our core fragments. The fragments we'll use are side memory fragments, the ones that function independently of us."
Liski paused mid-step, narrowing her eyes at him. "Side memory fragments? Like Hardtyle?" she asked skeptically.
Xavy smirked at the mention of the name. "Exactly."
Liski groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You mean that wannabe Mario knockoff? How do you expect him to stop someone like Ogamak or Lucius? He's reckless, impulsive, and honestly, kind of an idiot."
"Oh, I don't expect him to stop them," Xavy said, his tone dripping with amusement. "Hardtyle isn't strong enough to take them down. But he doesn't need to be. His role is simple: distraction. His recklessness is exactly what makes him perfect for the job. He throws attacks faster than both of us combined, and his unpredictability will keep Ogamak and Lucius on their toes. While they're busy dealing with him, we'll have time to execute our true strategy."
Liski sighed, rubbing her temples. "So, let me get this straight. Your plan is to send Hardtyle to annoy the hell out of Ogamak and Lucius while we prepare for... what exactly?"
"The ritual," Xavy said simply, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "If things escalate too far—and they will—we'll have no choice but to perform the Fusion Ritual. That's the only way we'll stand a chance against them by the tenth act."
Liski's eyes widened slightly. "But the Fusion Ritual requires us to merge our fragments. If we lose even one, we'll be weakened permanently."
"I know the risks," Xavy said, his gaze steady. "But it's a necessary gamble. If Ogamak and Lucius achieve their full potential, nothing will stop them from taking over not just this world, but every plane of existence. We can't let that happen."
For a moment, silence filled the room, the weight of Xavy's words sinking in. Liski stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, she nodded. "Alright. I'm with you. But we need to be careful. If even one fragment goes rogue, this whole plan could fall apart."
Xavy smiled faintly. "That's why we'll rely on the side memory fragments. They're expendable. Hardtyle is just the first piece of the puzzle. There are others, and they'll play their roles when the time comes."
Liski sighed again, running a hand through her hair. "This is a lot, Xavy. Between sealing Yurgion, dealing with Ogamak and Lucius, and now this whole ritual thing... it feels like we're constantly putting out fires."
"That's the nature of war," Xavy said, his tone solemn. "It's chaotic, unpredictable. But we have the advantage, Liski. Ogamak and Lucius are strong, but they're overconfident. They underestimate us. That's their weakness, and we'll exploit it."
Liski smirked, her confidence returning. "Alright, then. Let's make this work. But if Hardtyle screws this up, I'm blaming you."
Xavy chuckled softly. "Fair enough. But trust me—he'll do exactly what we need him to."
With that, the two fell into a contemplative silence, their minds already racing with the challenges ahead. Outside the House of Memories, the world continued to turn, oblivious to the battle brewing in the shadows. But within its shimmering walls, the stage was being set for a confrontation that would shape the fate of everything.