The aftermath of the clash left the battlefield tense and uneasy. Gok, Rat, and Monkey slowly awakened, their bodies battered but alive. They groggily assessed their surroundings, the tension thick in the air. The Northern Queen, standing amidst them, began explaining the truth behind the Blossom Rift and the larger threats looming beyond.
Northern Queen (calmly):
"The dimensions we've encountered are just fragments of a greater reality. There are entities out there, far beyond what we—"
Before she could finish, a deafening crack echoed across the sky. The air itself seemed to split, the Earth's atmosphere fracturing like shattered glass. Everyone looked up in horror as a small, glowing object began to descend from the sky, leaving a streak of darkness in its wake.
Dave Igneel (shouting):
"RUN! GET OUT OF HERE!"
The object hit the ground with a blinding flash. From the epicenter of the impact emerged a figure—an Unknown Thing. Its form was alien, almost incomprehensible. It had no mouth, no ears, only a smooth, featureless face with a glowing headband that pulsed with energy. Its presence was suffocating, radiating an aura that seemed to distort reality itself.
The Devouring
Before anyone could act, the Unknown Thing turned toward the Northern Queen. Without moving or speaking, it unleashed an invisible force.
Northern Queen (screaming):
"NO! STAY BACK!"
But it was too late. The entity absorbed her, pulling her essence into its being. Her armor and staff crumbled into dust as her energy was consumed entirely. The group stood frozen in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
The Entics Speak
Suddenly, a voice resonated in their minds—not spoken aloud but telepathically, a deep, menacing tone that echoed like a chorus of voices.
Unknown Thing (telepathic):
"We are Entics. My slave, Vanik, seems to have failed his mission to conquer this planet."
The group exchanged alarmed glances. Vanik had been a name of terror in the past—a conqueror who sought to dominate humanity.
Unknown Thing (continuing):
"It matters not. This world will fall regardless. I am the harbinger, the first of many."
While other stood paralyzed, Wu-Ji felt a sudden clarity. He recognized the alien language through his enhanced state, understanding its meaning.
Wu-Ji (muttering):
"Entics... they're not just invaders. They're creators... destroyers. They sent Vanik as a test."
The entity's gaze—or what passed for it—shifted toward Wu-Ji.
Unknown Thing:
"You are more perceptive than I expected. But even your Zodiac power is nothing compared to the infinite will of the Entics."
Without warning, the entity unleashed a pulse of energy that rippled across the land. Buildings crumbled, the ground fractured, and the sky darkened. The group scrambled to defend themselves.
Dave (activating his energy):
"This thing isn't just powerful—it's an executioner!"
Gok (grabbing his Infinity Blade):
"We don't run. Not from this."
Rat (readying her daggers):
"Damn straight. Let's see what it's got."
The team regrouped, their energies flaring as they prepared for battle.
The Unknown Thing raised its hand—or what resembled one—and the air around it began to distort. Its headband glowed brighter, and with a single motion, it summoned a massive storm of energy. The attack was overwhelming, forcing the group to scatter.
Wu-Ji (shouting):
"Stay together! Don't let it divide us!"
But the entity was too fast. It teleported between them, targeting each member individually with precision strikes. Even Dave, with his unmatched combat skills, struggled to land a hit.
Dave (gritting his teeth):
"This... thing... doesn't have a weakness!"
As the battle raged, Wu-Ji and Gok locked eyes.
Wu-Ji:
"We have to find a way to stop it before it destroys everything."
Gok (nodding):
"Then let's make this count."
With newfound determination, the group rallied together. Gok's Infinity Blade glowed with an intense red light, while Wu-Ji activated his most powerful Zodiac technique.
Wu-Ji:
"This ends now!"
The clash with the Entics began in earnest, a battle that would determine the fate of Earth.