A large, dimly lit chamber loomed in silence, the air thick with an ominous aura. The room is backlit by massive glass windows overlooking a floor of clouds outside. casting elongated shadows of window frames across the cold, stone floor. At the center of the room was a massive round table, intricately carved with ancient symbols and surrounded by twelve towering chairs. An ominous hum fills the room, followed by haunting trumpets.
One by one, dark figures appeared, each one cloaked in shadows, their forms barely discernible. No faces were visible, only the faint glow of their eyes reflecting the window light. As they took their seats, an unsettling hum of power seemed to vibrate through the room. These were no ordinary individuals—these were the 12 Tribulations, the most powerful beings in the World Government's hierarchy.
The last figure to arrive spoke first, their voice low and commanding.
"The Alien King... has become a threat." The words hung in the air, punctuated by the oppressive silence that followed. Another figure shifted, their eyes narrowing beneath their hood.
"It started with Admiral Moon… then he went on to defeat demon Lord Achlys… and now… Demon Lord Ikati was defeated. Unthinkable, considering their power. Yet... this Yuma remains standing." Their tone dripped with disbelief and something close to irritation.
"His influence grows with each battle," said another, their voice calm but edged with caution.
"More are beginning to see him as a symbol of resistance. The others will rally to him soon." There was a murmur of agreement that passed around the table. The shadows flickered, almost alive, as each member absorbed the gravity of the situation. Yet, one figure sat back in their chair, their voice cold and unaffected.
"He is still but a child playing at war," they stated dismissively.
"The Alien King is not invincible. We have yet to unleash our full Military strength." A sudden silence followed the remark, broken only by a faint crackle of the torches. The mood in the room darkened, the unspoken power of the 12 Tribulations palpable in the air.
"Perhaps," a voice, smooth and calculated, spoke from the far end of the table. As if the strongest among the twelve.
"But he is not alone. His allies are formidable. Together, they pose a threat to our plans." A new figure leaned forward, barely more than a shadow, their presence exuding authority.
"His rise must be contained. We cannot afford to let the masses believe they have hope." The tension in the chamber intensified as another voice cut through the gloom.
"We will intervene soon enough. But not before we test him. The next moves will decide whether he is a true threat… or merely another rebel to be crushed." As they spoke, the torches flickered as if responding to the surge of energy in the room. The 12 Tribulations knew well the importance of patience, but this moment called for strategic action.
"Let him gather his strength," the first figure declared.
"And when the time is right, we shall descend upon him." A chilling silence settled over the room. No further words were spoken. The decision had been made.
The night sky stretched overhead, dotted with stars that flickered gently in the aftermath of the battle. Yuma sat on the deck of the military boat, staring into the infinite sea, his thoughts distant. The cool air blowing through his long pink hair.
A soft rustle of footsteps broke the quiet. Yuma looked up, his heart skipping a beat as Kinsha approached. Her orange hair gleamed in the firelight, her eyes holding a mixture of relief and something deeper—something he hadn't seen in her for months.
"Kinsha..." Yuma breathed, his voice soft with disbelief. She paused for a moment, her gaze locked with his. Then, without hesitation, she crossed the remaining distance and knelt beside him. Her arms wrapped around him in a firm, familiar hug. Yuma felt his heart swell, the weight of everything he'd been holding onto finally starting to lift.
"Yuma…" Kinsha's voice was barely above a whisper, but the emotion in it was unmistakable. He closed his eyes, the sensation of her presence soothing something deep within him. For the first time in what felt like forever, Yuma let himself relax into the embrace.
"I thought I lost you," Yuma said quietly, his voice cracking with vulnerability.
"It's been so long. Two years and two and a half months… I didn't know if you were okay. If Ikati—" Kinsha pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his eyes. Her hand rested on his shoulder, her expression soft but resolute.
"He was evil, but, I don't think he'd kill a kid… I AM only 16-... wait… 17 now, actually" she said, her voice steady but laced with emotion.
"Either way… I'm sorry for everything… for being gone. I didn't have a choice."
"I know… Moon took you away and you weren't able to defend yourself" Yuma murmured, his throat tightening. He looked away for a moment, struggling to find the words.
"But I missed you. More than you can imagine. You're the closest thing I've ever had to… to family." The word hung in the air, raw and unspoken until now. Kinsha's eyes glistened.
"Ever since Nezxa died… I had no one else to lean on… so when you started fighting for me…" she said, her voice soft but unwavering.
"You were like the father I never had." The two of them sat there in silence for a moment, the cool breeze the only sound between them. Kinsha's hand fell from his face, but the bond between them felt stronger than ever, woven tightly by shared struggles and lost time.
"I'll never lose you again," Yuma finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You won't," Kinsha promised, her eyes never leaving him.
"We've been through too much… and it's gonna get harder…" Yuma nodded, his heart lighter but still heavy with the weight of everything that lay ahead. But for this moment—this fleeting, precious moment—he let himself find comfort in the family he had found in Kinsha.