The Sky Above The Outer World Burned In Hues Of Gold And Crimson As The Sun Dipped Beneath The Horizon. Ren And Taro Sat On A Cloud, Its Soft, Misty Edges Curling Around Them. The City Below Glimmered Like A Sea Of Molten Metal, Its Bustling Energy Muted By The Quiet Tranquility Above.

Ren Took A Slow Drag From His Cigarette, The Ember Glowing Faintly As The Wind Carried Away The Thin Trail Of Smoke. His Posture Was Relaxed, One Leg Dangling Off The Edge Of The Cloud. Taro, In Contrast, Standing, His Crimson Eyes Fixed On The Horizon, Watching As The First Stars Emerged.

For A While, Neither Spoke. The Silence Was Comfortable, The Kind Shared By Friends Who Didn't Need Words To Fill The Space.

"Ren," Taro Finally Said, His Voice Soft But Curious. "Do You Ever Think About What's Beyond This?"

Ren Smirked, "You Mean Beyond The Clouds, The Cities, And All The Chaos? Nah, That's Too Much Thinking For Me." He Paused, Then Added, "I'm More Interested In The Now. Like, For Example, How Good Fireworks Look From Up Here."

Taro Chuckled Lightly, Leaning Back On His Hands. "Yeah, You're Right. Sometimes, It's Just Better To Enjoy The Moment."

Before Either Could Say More, A Sudden Sonic Boom Shattered The Peace. Ren's Head Snapped Up Just As A Blinding Streak Of Light Shot Toward Them, Cutting Through The Cloud Like A Cannon Fired From Below.

Ren Vanishing In A Blink Of Blue Light Just As The Cloud Burst Apart.

Taro Wasn't So Lucky. The Impact Sent Him Flying, Tumbling Through The Air Before He Managed To Stabilize Himself On A Nearby Cloud.

Ryuji Stood On Cloud, His Frame Illuminated By The Fading Sunlight. The Blindfold Over His Eyes Glimmered, And The Hum Of His Cybernetic Enhancements Filled The Air.

Ren Reappeared A Few Yards Away, Hands In His Pockets. He Looked At Taro, Then At Ryuji, And Smirked. "Yo, Nice Entrance. Ever Heard Of A Knocking?"

Ryuji Tilted His Head, A Faint Smile Touching His Lips. "Didn't Think I Needed One. Not When You're Always In The Way."

Ren Rolled His Eyes. "Sure, Sure. Anyway, You Two Have Fun. I'll Go Make Sure Bai Hasn't Bought Half The City Again."

With A Snap Of His Fingers, Ren Disappeared Once More, Leaving Taro And Ryuji Alone.

Taro Pulled Himself Up, Stretching His Shoulders. "You Could've Just Sent A Message, You Know."

"Where's The Fun In That?" Ryuji Said, Pulling A Staff From His Back. It Was Sleek And Glowing, Pulsating With Faint Blue Energy. He Twirled It Once Before Leveling It At Taro. "Come On. Let's See If You've Gotten Any Better."

Taro Sighed, A Small Smile On His Lips. "Alright." He Summoned His Weapon, A Long Sword Wreathed In Flames That Flickered With Every Movement.

Taro Moved First, Charging Toward Ryuji With A Burst Of Fiery Energy. His Sword Left Trails Of Orange Light In The Air As He Slashed, Each Strike Swift And Precise.

Ryuji Spun His Staff, Deflecting The Blows With Ease. Sparks Flew As Their Weapons Clashed, The Sound Echoing Through The Sky. With A Quick Step, Ryuji Thrust His Staff Forward, A Shockwave Of Energy Rippling Outward.

Taro Was Pushed Back. He Quickly Regained His Balance, Summoning A Barrage Of Fireballs With A Swipe Of His Sword. The Flaming Orbs Hurtled Toward Ryuji Like Meteors, Lighting Up The Sky.

Ryuji Twirled His Staff Again, Creating A Barrier Of Energy That Absorbed The Impact. The Explosion Sent Ripples Through The Clouds, But Ryuji Emerged Unscathed.

"Is That All You've Got?" He Taunted, His Voice Calm Yet Challenging.

Taro Smirked. "Not Even Close."

He Vanished In A Flash Of Red Light, Reappearing Behind Ryuji. His Sword Came Down In A Blazing Arc, But Ryuji Turned Just In Time, Blocking With His Staff. The Force Of The Impact Sent Both Sliding Backward.

Ryuji Pressed A Button On His Staff, Extending Its Length. He Swung It In A Wide Arc, The Weapon Leaving A Trail Of Blue Energy That Cut Through The Air. Taro Dodged, Barely Avoiding The Strike As He Countered With A Burst Of Flames That Engulfed The Area Around Ryuji.

For A Moment, It Seemed Like Ryuji Was Consumed By The Fire. But As The Flames Cleared, He Emerged, Unharmed And Smirking. "You're Gonna Have To Try Harder Than That."

The Fight Moved Higher Into The Sky, Their Movements A Blur Of Light And Energy. Clouds Burst Apart As They Clashed, Their Weapons Leaving Trails Of Fire And Lightning Across The Horizon.

Taro Managed To Land A Hit, His Sword Grazing Ryuji's Side. Blood Stained His Jacket, But Ryuji Didn't Flinch. Instead, He Countered With A Swift Strike That Caught Taro Off Guard, Sending Him Crashing Into Another Cloud.

Both Fighters Were Bleeding Now, Their Breaths Labored. But Neither Showed Any Sign Of Backing Down.

Far Below, Bai Wandered Through The Neon-Lit Streets, A Large Bag Packed Swinging From His Shoulder. The Bustling Market Was Alive With The Sounds Of Vendors Shouting Their Wares, Children Laughing, And The Occasional Whirr Of Hover Bikes Zipping Past.

He Paused At A Stall Selling Intricately Designed Time Crystals, Inspecting Them With A Critical Eye. "Perfect For Decorations," He Murmured, Tossing A Few Into His Bag.

"Buying Up The Whole City Again?" Ren's Voice Came From Behind Him.

Bai Turned Slightly. "We Need This. You Wouldn't Understand."

Ren Shrugged, His Usual Smirk In Place.

With A Snap Of Finger

The Two Vanished In A Flash Of Blue Light, Leaving The Market Buzzing With Its Usual Energy.

Back To The Fight

Ryuji And Taro Were Still Going At It, Their Weapons Clashing In A Dazzling Display Of Light And Sound. Both Were Exhausted, But Their Determination Kept Them Moving.

Taro Launched A Final Attack, His Sword Flaring With One Last Burst Of Energy. At The Same Time, Ryuji Overloaded His Staff, The Weapon Glowing Brightly As It Absorbed The Power.

With A Deafening Crack, Ryuji's Staff Shattered, The Force Of The Explosion Sending Both Fighters Reeling.

Taro Landed On One Knee, His Sword Dropping To The Ground. "Looks Like It's A Draw."

Ryuji Smirked, Sitting Down Cross-Legged. "Not Bad. You're Still Annoying, Though."

With A Chuckle, He Tossed A Small Box Toward Taro. "Here. For Naksu. Her Birthday's Coming Up."

Taro Caught The Box, Raising An Eyebrow. "You're Full Of Surprises."

Ryuji Stood, Dusting Himself Off. "Don't Tell Her It's From Me."

Taro Watched As Ryuji Walked Away, Shaking His Head With A Smile. "Yeah, Sure."

Ren And Bai Teleported Back To Cloud While Ryuji Has Already Left

Now The Three Of Them—Ren, Taro, And Bai—Stood On The Edge Of The Cloud, The Energy Of Their Previous Activities Lingering In The Air. Taro Tossed The Small Gift Box To Ren Without Warning.

"Here. You Keep It," Taro Said Casually.

Ren Snatched It Midair, Giving Taro A Sideways Glance. "You're So Thoughtful."

Ren Made The Box And The Massive Bag Bai Had Been Carrying Vanish With A Snap Of His Fingers. "All Safely Stored Away."

Bai Stretched, "Good. That Bag Was A Nightmare. Do You Know How Hard It Is To Walk Straight With That Thing?"

Ren Smirked. "Then Show Some Self Control. "

Taro Chuckled As He Stepped Closer To The Edge. "Alright, Enough Chatter. Let's Head Back. "

The Three Of Them Jumped Off The Cloud In Unison, Free-Falling Toward The Inner World Below. The Winds Rushed Past, Pulling At Their Clothes And Hair As They Descended.

The Transition Between The Two Worlds Was Seamless. The Familiar Inverted Landscape Of The Inner World Unfolded Before Them. Inner World Just Copy Of Outer World But With No Tech. The Perpetual Daylight Bathed Everything In A Warm, Golden Glow. Mountains Curved Upward Along The Horizon, And The Core's Light Shimmered Across Vast Oceans And Forests. Inner World Is Below Earth And It Is Inverted

Ren Landed Gracefully On The Cobblestone Path Of A Small Village, Hands Still Stuffed In His Pockets. Taro Landed Beside Him With A Thud, His Boots Scraping Against The Ground. Bai, As Usual, Fumbled His Landing, Nearly Toppling Over Before Catching Himself.

"Smooth As Always, Bai," Taro Teased.

Bai Shooting A Halfhearted Glare At Taro. "Not Everyone Has Supernatural Reflexes, You Know."

Their Banter Was Interrupted By A Sudden Burst Of Energy. Naksu Came Barreling Toward Them, A Blur Of Fiery Red Hair And Boundless Enthusiasm.

"TARO!" She Yelled, Her Voice Echoing Across The Village. "WHY ARE YOU HURT AGAIN?"

Before Taro Could Respond, She Launched Herself At Him, Her Tiny Fists Pummeling His Arm With A Flurry Of Playful Punches. Her Bird, Miko, Perched On Her Shoulder, Chirped Angrily, Adding To The Scolding.

Taro Raised His Hands In Surrender, Laughing. "Okay, Okay! Calm Down! I'm Fine!"

"YOU'RE NOT FINE!" Naksu Huffed, Crossing Her Arms. "LOOK AT YOU! YOU'RE BLEEDING!"

"It's Just A Scratch," Taro Said, Still Smiling. "Ryuji Got A Few Good Hits In, That's All."

Naksu's Eyes Narrowed, Her Face Turning Red With Frustration. "I'LL KILL THAT GUY WHEN I SEE HIM!"

Before She Could Continue Her Tirade, A Hand Came Down On Her Head, Making Her Yelp.

"Enough Of That, Naksu," A Sharp, Slightly Teasing Voice Cut Through The Scene.

Naksu Turned, Flinching As A Flick Landed On Her Forehead. Behind Her Stood Ayame, Her Crimson Hair Tied Into A Loose, Messy Braid. Her Amber Eyes Sparkled With Mischief Rather Than Kindness, and Her Hands Rested Casually On Her Hips.

"Ayame!" Naksu Whined, Her Voice Turning Softer But No Less Complaining.

"It's Teacher Ayame To You," Ayame Shot Back, Smirking. She Leaned In Slightly, Her Tone Turning Playfully Mocking. "How Many Times Do I Have To Drill This Into That Thick Head Of Yours? We Heal People, Not Threaten To Murder Them."

Naksu Puffed Out Her Cheeks, Crossing Her Arms Like A Sulking Child. "But Taro Got Hurt Again! Someone Has To Teach Ryuji A Lesson!"

"Sure. And That Someone Definitely Isn't You, Squirt," Kaya Retorted, Ruffling Naksu's Hair Roughly.

Miko, Still Perched On Naksu's Shoulder, Chirped Furiously In Protest.

Ayame Pointed At The Bird, Her Amber Eyes Narrowing Playfully. "And You! What's With The Chirping? You Wanna Fight, Featherball?"

Miko Immediately Hid Behind Naksu, Chirping Nervously. Naksu Followed Suit, Peeking Out From Behind Taro With Wide, Teary Eyes "She's Mean, Taro."

Taro Slightly Smiling, Clearly Enjoying The Scene. "Looks Like Ayame's Too Much For Both Of You."

Ayame Rolled Her Eyes, Turning To Taro. "Yeah, Yeah. Laugh It Up, Tough Guy. Now You'll Have To Sit Still. You're Perfect For Naksu To Practice Her Healing Magic."

"Practice?" Taro Narrowed His Eye's, Suddenly Less Amused.

Ayame Crossed Her Arms, Smirking Again. "What? You Got A Problem With Helping Your Little Sister Actually Learn Something Useful?"

Inside The House. As Naksu Grumbled And Began Healing Taro's Wounds, Ayame Supervised From Behind, Offering Occasional Snarky Comments Instead Of Encouragement.

"Flow The Magic With The Bloodstream, Not Against It." Ayame Said, Watching Closely.

"I'm Trying" Naksu Complained, Her Face Red With Frustration.

Ren, Taro, And Bai, Meanwhile, Were Seated Nearby At A Table, Sharing A Meal And Occasionally Glancing At The Chaos.

Bai Took A Bite Of His Bread, Looking Over At Ren. "The Clones I Left At Celestara Academy Should Hold For Now, But We Shouldn't Push Our Luck. They're Kinda... Dumb."

Taro Chuckled. "Clones Using Magic? That'll Be The Day."

Ren, Ever Unbothered, Leaned Back In His Chair. "We'll Be There On Time."

Ayame Glanced Over, Her Amber Eyes Flicking To Ren. "By The Way, Don't Forget To Teleport Me And The Rest Of The Stuff I Asked For Later. You Owe Me."

Ren Waved A Hand Lazily, Smirking. "Already Took Care Of It. Everything You Asked For Is Waiting At Your Place."

Ayame Looked Mildly Surprised Before Masking It With A Nonchalant Shrug. "Well, Guess You're Good For Something After All."