The aftermath of Kael's betrayal had left the Nexus in a fractured state, not just in its physical form, but in the very heart of Ryuusuke. His once firm trust in his comrades was now shattered, and the knowledge that someone so close had aligned with Mythraxis gnawed at him like a festering wound. The very fabric of the universe seemed to pulse with the weight of this treason.
Ryuusuke stood motionless amidst the ruins of the Celestial Order, his golden aura flickering like a dying flame in the aftermath of his battle with Kael. His body was tired, but his mind was far from rest. He could still hear Kael's taunting laughter, feel the sting of his betrayal. It wasn't just the battle that had taken everything from him—it was the realization that Kael had always been a traitor, hidden behind a mask of camaraderie.
Korin stood at a distance, silently watching Ryuusuke's every movement. He had known Ryuusuke for what felt like eternity, but today, he saw something darker in his friend. The immense power that flowed within Ryuusuke was undeniable, but the emotional toll was beginning to show. Korin knew that Ryuusuke was not just fighting an external war anymore; he was battling something far more dangerous—the war within himself.
Finally, Ryuusuke broke the silence, his voice soft but full of a rage that could topple mountains.
"Korin… he knew. He knew everything. Every plan, every secret, every move we made. And he still betrayed me. Us."
Korin nodded solemnly. "He's always been a loose end. And now he's gone over to Mythraxis. But there's one thing you need to realize, Ryuusuke—this is what happens when we're too trusting. We let people in, we give them power, and they betray us when it matters most. Kael was a tool to Mythraxis, just like everyone else."
Ryuusuke clenched his fists. "You think I didn't know that?" He turned towards Korin, his golden eyes glowing with an intensity that threatened to engulf everything around them. "I gave him everything. Power. Trust. Responsibility. And he turned it into a weapon against me. Against all of us." He exhaled sharply, his voice lower now, tinged with frustration. "I've made a mistake, Korin. I should've never let him get that close. I should've never trusted him with the Origin Stone of Unity."
Korin stepped forward, placing a hand on Ryuusuke's shoulder. "Ryuusuke, you can't blame yourself for what Kael did. None of us saw this coming. We all trusted him, too. You have to keep moving forward. We can't afford to fall into doubt now. Not when the universe itself is at stake."
Ryuusuke's gaze softened, but the hardness in his eyes didn't fade. "You're right. I can't fall apart. But this changes everything." He looked out over the desolate expanse of the Nexus, where the remnants of the Celestial Order lay in ruins. "Kael was the key. He knew everything. And now Mythraxis has him, which means the Eternal Shadow is closer than ever."
Korin's face tightened, his brow furrowed in thought. "The Eternal Shadow… It's not just a myth, is it? It's real. Kael was the final piece of the puzzle." He sighed deeply. "We need to track them down, Ryuusuke. We need to stop Mythraxis before this spiral into darkness consumes everything."
Ryuusuke nodded grimly, his mind already working through a thousand possibilities. "We will. But we need to act quickly. Mythraxis's influence is growing, and we don't know how many others have already joined him. If Kael was a part of his plan from the beginning, it's likely there are others we can't trust."
Suddenly, a flickering hologram appeared in front of them. It was a communication signal, distorted and barely coherent, but the face that emerged was unmistakable. It was Sarenna, Ryuusuke's most trusted advisor and one of the last remaining loyal members of his inner circle.
"Ryuusuke… Korin…" Her voice was strained, almost as if she were under immense pressure. "We've intercepted a transmission. Mythraxis and Kael are on the move. They've already begun activating the Origin Stones. You have to stop them. If they reach the final stone, it's over."
Ryuusuke's heart raced as he processed the information. "Which stone? Where?"
Sarenna's image flickered again, the connection growing unstable. "The Origin Stone of Eternity. They're heading for it right now. If they succeed in unlocking its power, it will mark the beginning of the Eternal Shadow's rise. The universe will collapse from within, and nothing will be able to stop it."
The transmission cut off abruptly, leaving only the cold silence of the Nexus. Ryuusuke didn't need any more explanation. The stakes were higher than ever.
He turned to Korin. "We move now. No more hesitation. No more second-guessing."
Korin nodded, his expression determined. "We'll need allies. The Origin Stone of Eternity is heavily guarded, and Mythraxis won't be alone."
Ryuusuke's gaze hardened. "Then we gather what we can. The time for alliances is now. We may not be able to trust everyone, but we need to prepare for the worst."
With that, Ryuusuke turned, his form beginning to shimmer with the immense power he commanded. "Let's go. We stop Mythraxis, no matter the cost."
Meanwhile, far beyond the reaches of Ryuusuke's command, Mythraxis stood in the heart of an ancient temple, its walls lined with forgotten relics of a long-dead civilization. In front of him, the final Origin Stone—the Stone of Eternity—glowed with a pulsing light, waiting to be unlocked.
"Ryuusuke…" Mythraxis whispered to himself, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "You think you can stop this? You think you can stop me? You're nothing more than a puppet in a game that's already been won."
With a swift motion, Mythraxis pressed his hand against the stone, the power within it surging in response. Dark tendrils of energy spiraled outward, setting the very air alight with an unnatural glow. The Eternal Shadow had begun to stir, and soon, all worlds would fall under its dominion.
"Let the end begin."