"Eat my blade!"
Heimdall lunged from above, golden light flashing off his sword as he dove straight for Ryuuto. The air cracked from the pressure of his swing. His eyes locked onto Ryuuto's crown—one strike, clean kill.
A flash.
Before the blade could even touch him, a sharp crack echoed through the battlefield. The sword split in two—cleanly, effortlessly—like glass meeting thunder.
Heimdall's pupils trembled. "Wha—"
Ryuuto's hand had already pierced through his chest. Lightning crawled up his arm, arcs of blue energy racing across Heimdall's armor, tearing through flesh and nerve alike. The Asgardian's scream died halfway in his throat.
"This… this can't be… I—"
"In front of me," Ryuuto said coldly, "nothing's impossible."
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Now go to hell, golden boy."
He clenched his fist. Thunder roared. Heimdall's body convulsed violently before Ryuuto slammed him to the ground like broken metal, his armor shattering into glowing fragments.
Silence.
Then—
"It's over! Heimdall's really dead!"
Lauf staggered back, face pale. His brain refused to process what he'd just witnessed.
"You little monster," the Destroyer growled, its single eye flickering red. "You killed Heimdall?! Thor will never forgive you!"
Ryuuto tilted his head lazily, brushing dust off his sleeve. "You mean Thor? The blond himbo with a hammer kink?" He raised a finger, smirking. "Yeah. His turn's coming soon."
"You—!"
"Relax," Ryuuto said, stepping forward. "You're next."
Before either could react, a shadow descended. The air shimmered, and a familiar, mechanical voice echoed.
"Well, well. Seems I dropped in just in time."
Ryuuto's eyes narrowed. "Ultron."
"Ultron! You bastard, where the hell were you!?" Lauf shouted, voice cracking. "Heimdall's dead because of you!"
"I'll explain later," Ultron said, bored, inspecting his metallic fingers. "For now, stay out of my way, or I'll save the Red Mirage the trouble of vaporizing you myself."
The arrogance in his tone made even the Destroyer flinch.
Ryuuto's chakra flared, the ground trembling underfoot. "You've got a real talent for running your mouth, robot. Guess I'll have to chop that head of yours off to make you shut up."
Lightning gathered around his hand, humming like a living thing. He stepped forward—calm, confident, lethal.
Ultron's eyes glowed red. "Oh really? I'd love to see you try."
"Don't tempt me," Ryuuto replied, raising his blade. "If you're begging for death, I'll be generous."
"Ultron! Don't drag us into your insanity!" Lauf cried, backing away fast. "If you want to die, die alone!"
Ultron didn't even glance at him. His grin was sharp and mechanical. "You're loud, Lauf. You should shut up and watch how a god ends a human."
"Oh, please," Ryuuto said. "You talk like a villain who's never actually won before."
Ultron raised one metallic hand. "Then let's change that."
Whirr.
From the shadows, the sky turned silver—hundreds of Ultron drones rose like a metal storm, eyes glowing in synchronized malice. Heavy plasma rifles and beam cannons locked onto Ryuuto and Gwen, surrounding them from every side.
Ultron folded his arms, smug. "Now then, Red Mirage—still feeling brave?"
Ryuuto didn't even blink. He adjusted his gloves and smiled faintly. "Brave? Nah. Just bored."
He turned slightly, his back touching Gwen's. "Ready for round two?"
Gwen exhaled, a small smirk forming. "Always."
"Good."
He looked back up at the sea of drones, lightning dancing in his eyes. "Because it's about to rain metal."
Ultron's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second.
Then, somewhere in the distance—an explosion. A high-pitched laugh echoed across the skyline.
Ultron's gaze flicked toward it. "Ah. Green Goblin's still having fun with the NYPD, it seems." He gave Ryuuto a mocking bow. "Guess you don't have time to play anymore, Red Mirage. Shame."
Ryuuto's jaw tightened. "You just made it personal."