The Obsidian Gate sealed behind them with a low hum, leaving the scorched desert far behind.
Paulo Satoshi and Riku Masusa stood in awe as the world around them transformed.
They had entered the Skydome, a celestial sanctuary floating in the void between universes.
The sky shimmered with auroras of dragonfire and stardust.
Floating islands orbited a central citadel carved from obsidian and gold.
At the heart of it stood Antares, the Monarch of Dragons, his presence radiating heat and power.
His eyes, molten gold, studied the two warriors with quiet intensity.
"You made it," Antares said, his voice like thunder wrapped in silk, "But you're late."
Paulo stepped forward, his body still aching from the battle with Momo and Aliya.
"Where are the other Monarchs?" he asked.
Antares turned toward the horizon, where twelve thrones stood empty, "They have returned to their original universes. The balance was broken. Each must defend their realm until the convergence begins."
Riku limped beside Paulo, clutching his ribs. Antares raised his Dragon Scale Dagger, and with a flick, released a wave of healing fire.
It wrapped around them like a warm wind, sealing wounds, restoring energy, and reigniting their cosmic cores.
"You're whole again," Antares said, "But strength alone won't be enough."
Paulo looked up, determination burning in his eyes.
"Teach me something new. Something that can turn the tide."
Antares smiled, a rare, dangerous smile, "Then you must learn the Zone."
Antares then explained that the Zone was a forbidden technique, one that unlocked 100% of a warrior's latent power for five minutes. Speed, strength, defence, everything surged to unimaginable levels. But the cost was steep. The user had to maintain absolute focus. One moment of distraction, and the power would collapse, leaving them vulnerable.
"You must learn to fight without losing control," Antares said, "To master chaos without becoming it."
To evaluate Paulo's resolve, Antares summoned his 15th Commander, Kye Kagawa, wielder of Metal Magic.
Kye stepped forward, his armour forged from living steel, his eyes cold and calculating.
His weapon, a massive metal whip, coiled around his arm like a serpent.
"You want The Zone?" Kye said, "Then survive me."
***
They arrived at the Arena of Embers, a floating battlefield surrounded by lava waterfalls and dragon statues and cosmic energy.
The ground was made of obsidian tiles, each etched with runes of power.
Paulo and Kye stood across from each other, the air crackling with tension.
Riku watched from the sidelines, his daggers reformed, ready to intervene if needed.
Antares raised his hand, "Begin."
Kye struck first, his metal whip lashing out with lightning speed.
Paulo dodged, his cosmic katana slicing through the air.
The whip deflected the blade, sparking on impact.
Kye manipulated the arena itself, metal spikes erupted from the ground, forcing Paulo to leap and twist midair.
Paulo activated Copy, mimicking Kye's metal magic for a second.
He redirected a spike toward Kye, but the commander blocked it with a wall of steel.
"You're fast," Kye said. "But not focused."
He slammed his whip into the ground, sending a shockwave that shattered the tiles.
Paulo was thrown back, skidding across the obsidian.
Kye then bowed respectfully to Paulo, but his smirk betrayed confidence, "Let's see if the monarch bleeds," he muttered.
Paulo stood calm, his cosmic katana resting against his shoulder, the three-section staff floating beside him, orbiting like a moon.
His aura was dormant, flickering faintly with stardust.
He had not activated The Zone yet because he had not managed to learn it yet.
Antares had ordered this duel to push him, to force him to awaken the full extent of his power so the duel is about to finally get underway.