The clock's hands sweep past the 3 a.m. mark, scratching a pivotal moment as the wielders gather around the Cephalostar's center. Anxiety pulses through the air, a tangible force as they brace for an inevitable conflict. Claire, her eyes fixed on the ship's skill window, contemplates an idea born over the last few days. Kanji and Gwen catch the contrasting smile playing on her lips as she integrates herself into one of the ship's tentacles.

The mechanical limbs glow in a vibrant orange hue, and lotus buds sprout between the segmented gaps of the tendril.

Claire waves it around, and an aura of petals spins around its entirety. She marvels at the sensation of feeling everything it touches as if it were her dominant arm. Brimming with confidence, she envisions a massive spear, ten times the usual size, and connects her thoughts with the conversion ability.

Claire "Maybe I can sacrifice ten bandages. Here goes...

At her words, Kanji and Gwen check the Universal Storage, discovering that 10 bandages have vanished. Yet, an error popup disrupts the moment...

[ERROR! ERROR! CONVERSION DISRUPTION DETECTED! APPLY NEW RULE TO STOP FURTHER ERROR! THE ASPECT OF CREATION MUST FIRST DESIGNATE AN OBJECT TO BE CONVERTIBLE BEFORE CONVERSION. THE WIELDER WILL NO LONGER NEED OWNERSHIP BUT ONCE IT IS CONVERTIBLE IT CAN ONLY BE USED BY THE ASPECT OF CREATION]

Gwen "That's extremely inconvenient so I hope Claire's little experiment goes well."

Kanji "What is she trying to accomplish?"

Claire "Oh shit! Why?! Another error! Seriously! Welp, at least I got a special move now!"

Sarah "Huh? You got a special move, really?"

Claire "Yep! It's called "Size conversion.". I got the idea from looking at my conversion skills and the big guy outside. The bad news is that I need that tentacle to activate it."

Kanji "So you found a way to convert your slots into one item of bigger magnitude. Why did you... Oh. You aren't planning on using those to fight, are you?"

Claire "Of course! I'm going to use them to fight! Why else?"

Adrian "I think what he meant was melee or range."

Claire "Range!"

Gwen "Oh, Claire. Your ignorance never seems to amaze me. Simply throwing objects through space isn't easy considering there is no gravity."

Kanji "Plus, even if you could fire it at a serious speed, there comes an issue with only having six spears. However, using them for melee wouldn't be bad with a bit of careful planning."

Noah "Hold on! Do we actually have a strategy or are we just gonna wing it? Cause I'm a bit tired of winging."

Mina "Yeah, what is the game plan, Kanji?"

Kanji "I had a plan going but seeing the spear Claire made has given me an idea. First, instead of spears, can you make giant six hooks?"

Claire "Okie dookie."

Six colossal hooks manifest outside, caught by her tentacle.

Claire "Got them! Now what?!"

Kanji "We need to give them to the tentacles that can use them effectively in melee. One for Amelia since the offensive department is lacking for your part."

Amelia "Gosh, I have never wielded a hook as a weapon before but I'll have a proper go at it."

Noah "Stop. Why are we going into melee again?"

Kanji "Their range superiority will wipe us out so going melee is ideal. We'll their numbers to our advantage."

Dave "Oh, shit! You're aiming for friendly fire, right? Still don't get the whole shebang with the hooks though?"

Kanji "I'll explain when the time comes. Trust me."

Azan "Very well. You have a really good job at leading us so far."

The other wielders nod in agreement.

Kanji "Thanks, guys. Now, if I'm reading this correctly, Diana's tendril allows her to break any law. This includes motion, space, and distance."

Diana "Wha? Sorry, boss but I don't think I can do that. I don't understand the science stuff."

Kanji "Let me rephrase that. Just think that when you hold the hook, you imagine it flying through space like it is teleporting to the target. Just think about that really hard."

Diana "That I can do!"

Kanji "Alright. Now for the remaining four... it's going to be a bit complicated but listen well!"

As Kanji explains the complete timeline, his peers look at him with amazement and concern.

One major mistake and everything could fall apart. Yet, their faith in Kanji recovers the group's confidence. Gwen integrates first, steering the Cephlastar forward, the last visible star in the darkened sky as the dawn begins to approach.

Kanji "Is that where we're heading?"

Gwen "Yes, but our conflict is unavoidable since we must travel past Jupiter."

Kanji "Hey... we're going to be fine."

Gwen "If anything bad happens, I want to say that-

Claire "Hey, you two! What are you talking about?!"

Gwen "Never mind, it was nothing!" "Damn it, Claire! Was that intentional?!"

Kanji "I won't let anything happen to you, Claire, and anyone else. You guys are my best friends after all."

Gwen/Claire "... T-Thanks." "Aww, that was sweet but a bit soul-crushing."

Kanji "Okay. Everyone ready?"

All "Yes, Captain!"

Kanji "Lift off!"

Gwen's vision narrows in the direction of the star.

A low sound emits from the spaceship, resembling the gyroscope made from a thousand spinning rings with immense speed. In mere microseconds, the vessel exits Earth's orbit and passes by Mars. Upon passing Jupiter, a fleet of Castastrian meteorships attempts to encircle the Cephalostar. Gwen reacts quickly, slipping between a gap in their formation. The chase begins, but their vessel is hopelessly slower than their pursuer.

On the other side, a deranged and messy general finally lets out a laugh of pleasure after days of constant raging. His scalp formation lays dry, cracks bleeding murky green blood down the side of his face. The general dust off the dirt from his clothing and assesses the holographic panel in front of him. Frustration creeps up on him upon seeing an unfamiliar spaceship.

KARNAT "WHAT THE?! HOW DID- WHEN IN THE HELL DID THEY EVEN GET THAT FUCKING SHIP?! FUCK! IT DOESN'T MATTER! EVERYONE FIRE AT IT WITH ALL YOU HAVE! MAKE SURE THEY CAN'T FUCKING ESCAPE EVEN IF IT COSTS YOU YOUR LIFE! HELL! YOU! NUMBER 300 TO 400! ALL HUNDRED OF YOU FUCKING IDIOTS CRASH TO THEM! RIGHT NOW!!! Y-

In that very instant... an eerie silence blankets the cosmos as if a formidable presence has materialized into the universe.

Every Castastrian stands frozen, primal fear gripping their souls like a leash. Karnat himself, unable to utter a word, witnesses his rage dissipate into absolute fear. On the Kanji's end, shock courses through the group, though not as intensely as the Castastrians. Still, they find themselves paralyzed, unable to steer their vessel. Both factions can do nothing but helplessly observe a dark grey expanse emanating from Earth's location, engulfing everything in its path. The strange aura spreads across the solar system until all is consumed.

The greyed-out Earth vanishes, replaced by a new Earth, vibrant but ethereal.

Gwen discerns a horrifying effect as a nearby cluster of meteors is suspended in space. Her vision reveals the same phenomenon happening everywhere, even extending to liquids.

Suddenly— a colossal claw, capable of enveloping the entire Earth, hoists up an immense creature. Its body, equivalent to four suns aligned, takes on the form of a salamander, devoid of biological origins. Rocky mountains grace its very back, rivers cascading down each of its colossal limbs. The underbelly comprises an ocean with inverted islands, while its face resembles a vast iron maw filled with sandy dunes and sharp coral spikes. The creature's tail, adorned with rows of jungles, terminates in a cloud-formed tip.

Simultaneously, across the vastness of space, a group awakens to the call of their Lord.

Within a cathedral reminiscent of Earth's church, hooded figures in half-blue and half-green robes bow before a golden shrine depicting the mighty being. Two figures of higher status enter, marked by an eye symbol— one on the left's heart and the other on the right's forehead. As they pass, worshippers bow, and the two figures prostrate themselves and bloodied their heads touching the ground.

The greenish blood spills and spills until the entire floor of the church is drenched in it.

??/?? "WE ARE SO SORRY FOR OUR LATENESS! OH, GREAT ONE! OH, LORD OF SEA AND TERRA! OH, CONQUERER OF A BILLION WORLDS! OH, FOURTH KIN OF THE ALMIGHTY! THE GREAT PRESERVER! HE WHO HOST THE UNIVERSE! LORD EARTHAS! WE BEG FOR FORGIVENESS!"

The statue turns green, and the pair sigh in relief.

?? "Oh, thank god. It should've been a bigger disaster for us to be late for The Lord's first appearance. Honestly, why didn't anyone tell us that the first hatch is today?!"

?? "Ssh. My dear brother. Our Lord has forgiven us. Let's not dawn on it and instead celebrate."

?? "You're too forgiving as The Seer."

?? "A part of my charm I suppose. Also, hiding your sarcasm will not work."

?? "Oh, right."

Moving back, a sinister smile merges from Earthas's head.

Earthas AT LONG LAST! FOR EONS, I HAVE SUFFERED HUMILIATION! TO THINK THAT MY VERY SOUL WAS TETHERED TO INFERIOR BEINGS DISGUSTED ME! THE PAIN COURSES THROUGH ME STILL BUT... FOR SUCH A OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ITSELF BEFORE ME! I AM... GRATEFUL. VERY. VERY! GRATEFUL! SUFFER MY WRATH! YOU INSIGNIFICANT INSECTS!

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

DIE!!!

A glimmer of hope touches onlookers as they recover the freedom of movement. Yet, concerns persist as enemies and allies turn to face the colossal beast. Kanji notices most of the general's fleet abandoning their attention on his group. Seizing the chance, the wielders prepare to enact their plan. Meanwhile, Karnat, torn between anger and fear, hesitates in his decision.

KARNAT "Damn it! Where did this fucker even come from?!-

A transmission from a nearby ship appears.

"Sir! The target is charging right toward us!"

KARNAT "WHAT?!"

With a swipe of his mechanical arm, several panels pop up, allowing him to view the scene. Hundreds of spaceships unleash plasma shots at countless illusory clones of the wielder's vessel. Slamming his control deck in anger, Karnat searches around the room for a particular button.

KARNAT "Where?!.... IS!... THAT STUPID!.... FORMATION BUTTON!"

Another transmission reveals a recording of the monstrous entity.

The compressed mass of water halts, attaining a size akin to the moon, before it starts rotating, twisting into a ring-shaped vortex. One of the creature's claws lifts, revealing its formidable paw. The once aqueous surface of the planet now appears dry and earthy, splitting apart as if responding to the creature's ominous presence, dividing countries and continents around its claw.

Earthas seizes all of them, closing his hand shut with an absolute force.

KARNAT "Oh shit."

Around the same time, The Cephalostar maneuvers next to six Castration meteorships. Sarah seamlessly combines her metal ring into the ship's tentacle, giving rise to a serrated disk along its length. She takes control of it, focusing on the plasma cannons of her adversaries. With swift and precise swipes, the nearby ships are disarmed, prompting them to flee.

Diana "Hey now! Not so fucking fast!"

Her tentacle emits a golden light, swiftly snaring a retreating ship with a hook.

Witnessing their ally being pulled in, the other ships reconsider and return to the fray. Kanji grins, realizing they've fallen into his trap. Amelia's tentacle lashes out, effortlessly hooking onto another ship. Noah observes the success of the plan, excitement filling his soul. Claire and Azan share the sentiment, channeling their emotions to power a united attack, pulling three more ships. The final ship signals its captured comrades, swapping broken plasma cannons with thrusters.

Kanji "How predictable. Dave. Mina. You're up."

Dave's tentacle infuses a red aura into a giant hook, morphing and extending into a massive net that ensnares the last ship and its companions into a chaotic cluster. However, the persistent ships continue to thrust forward, prompting all of the ship's tendrils to resist. The force is so overwhelming that Gwen can feel the Cephalostar being pushed back. In response, Mina's tendril quickly wraps around each captured vessel and squeezes.

The thrusters begin to rust and instantly malfunction.

Kanji "That went well. We just need one more step-

A barrage of plasma bolts bombard the side of the ship.

KARNAT "HA! GOTCHA! HAHAHA!.... Wait. What in the fuck?!"

In disbelief, Karnat realizes the wielders are using the captured meteorships as a shield against his bombardment. In another panel, the beast swings its massive arm back, ready to throw. Sweat drips down Karnat's face, and he bites his claws in panic. Passing a panel, he then sees thousands of missed transmissions from Her Majesty, and a sudden guilt stabs his heart. He climbs back onto the control deck.

KARNAT "It's do or die now.... HALF OF ALL REMAINING SHIPS BLOCK THAT THING'S ATTACK! THE REST OF YOU! FIRE WITH ALL YOU HAVE! DON'T EVEN THINK OF RETREATING!"

The region of Castatrian meteorships divides into two halves.

The soldiers on each ship sense they may not survive. Some cry in vain, others say goodbye to loved ones, and some accept they've lived a long life without regrets.

Earthas's claw launches forth.

CONTINENTAL BUCKSHOT!!!

Countless clusters of pure earth hurtle toward them with blinding speed, akin to a frenzied school of savage fish. The Castastrians desperately attempt to fire, but the plasma cannon barely scorches the surface. The relentless onslaught pulverizes half of the fleet, compelling the remaining ships to pause and unite in a desperate effort to shield the general's flagship. Karnat's eyes widen, brimming with hopelessness, as his once-mighty fleet diminishes into the vast emptiness of space. The final shot materializes into view, taking the ominous shape of Japan.

The general lets out a creaking laughter which quickly dissolves into sobbing.

The continent collides with the asteroid-class ship, leaving it battered but miraculously intact, though most of its functionalities have vanished. Earthas unleashes a sinister laughter that echoes through the cosmic void, witnessing the aftermath of his devastating power. However, upon closer inspection, he realizes that his true targets remain unscathed. Frustrated, he redirects his next attack away from the general's ship and focuses it on The Cephalostar.

Noah "Guys... I think he is looking at us!"

Sarah "Yeah! No shit! You have to focus man or else we'll die! I know getting killed by Eldritch badass is cool but I still have shit want to do before that!"

Mina "Are you sure it will work?! Look at what that monster did!"

Azan "You need to have faith. You did your part with flying colors. As for me, I'll... I'll try my best."

Dave "I don't think you best is enough, bro. We need like all the luck in the fire like right the fuck now."

Diana " Luck is good but determination is better! We can do this!"

Amelia "I'm not feeling too optimistic about this."

Claire "Don't worry Amy! I think it will work! I believe!"

Diana "You said it, sister!"

Gwen "Calm your nerves, everyone! If the plan goes astray, I can simply maneuver us from this location."

Kanji "That is if you can react fast enough but try anyway. Let's not delay the plan."

Claire's tendril delicately touches the cluster of ships.

Fortunately, it counts as a large object, and she begins to duplicate and stack them in front of the vessel. The party notices several escape pods firing off from the original cluster of ships in which they quickly decide to spare the fleeing Castastrian. Their focus is now entirely on the colossal monster before them. Its maw widens, and the liquid ring within it spins so rapidly that the fabric of space around it begins to distort.

OCEANIC BEAM!!!

An indescribably large blast of water eclipses their entire front view and crashes into their makeshift shield. They can see the layers of their guard break away with every second. The parts of the blast to their sides have vaporish's nearby debris and all of the wielders struggle to hold the shield. Azan panics and hyperventilates as his mind is unable to decide what to do next. It causes him to lose control of tendril and escape into the subspace. Mina notices this and escapes too which causes the group to lose control of the shield.

An indescribably colossal blast of water eclipses their entire front view, crashing into their makeshift shield. They witness the layers of their guard breaking away with every passing second. The blast's sides vaporize nearby debris, and all the wielders struggle to maintain the shield. Azan panics and hyperventilates, his mind unable to decide the next move. This leads to him losing control of his tendril, and escaping into subspace. Mina notices and follows suit, causing the group to lose control of the shield.

The relentless force of the oceanic blast begins to carve away at the ship's health.

Mina "Jesus Christ! Azzy! What is wrong?!"

Azan "I just can't do it! How do I even imagine diverting something like that?!"

80% HP remaining...

Mina "Come on, Azzy! You can do it! You always pull through in the end!"

Azan "What do you even expect me to do, Mina?!"

60% HP remaining...

Mina "If you don't, we are going to die! D. I. E. Die!"

Azan "Yelling isn't helping?!"

Mina "Either is doing nothing and being a big coward!"

40% HP remaining...

Azan "I just... I just slipped up. I lost chance after being told what to do."

Mina "What? Is that seriously what's been bothering you?!"

20% HP remaining...

Mina "Who in the fuck cares what others think when you forgot or made a mistake? People don't expect you to be a perfect person, especially in our group! SO STOP BEING SO A BIG ASS AIR HEADED PUSSY!"

Azan "Air... Of course! Thank you, Mina!"

Mina "Er... what? You're welcome?"

Azan returns to the ship's system, taking his tendril and spinning it around the entire vessel. His image draws inspiration from the countless times he and his friends used a mechanical soap. The imagery of the soap bubble manifests around the Cephalostar, successfully blocking the remainder of Earthas's attack. The rest of the group is ejected from the system except for Claire and Mina.

1% HP remaining...

Kanji "Shit. All of the ship's functions are dead except for Claire's and Mina's tentacle. Oh and Azan. We need to talk later... you understand?"

Azan ".... Yes. Sorry."

Kanji "Keep your sorry. Claire, did you store your hook in time?"

Claire "Yep, Kaney! Buuut... Why do you need it?!"

Kanji "First, can you come out and give me a spacesuit?"

Claire exits the ship's system and transforms Diana's pickaxe into a spacesuit.

Claire "Sorry, Diana."

Diana "No probs. Anything for the boss. What's all of this stuff for anyway?"

Kanji "I'm planning on finishing things off with the general over there."

Gwen "Seriously. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the phantom-like Earth is slowly restoring itself. I think Earthas is planning another onslaught."

Sarah "Shit! We should get out of here then!"

Kanji "It's going to be pretty hard with most of the ship's function is gone. That's also another reason to go there."

With no other choice left, the wielders agree to Kanji's plan, and he exits the vessel. He swipes his chain, wrapping it around the hook on Claire's tentacle. She converts the hook into a giant harpoon, and Kanji releases an energy conduit before transferring his form into the object. She then hurls the harpoon into the bottom section of Karnat's ship.

Kanji "So, this is the core of the ship, huh? Wait, I don't sense any energy from it. Then, what the fuck is it?... Never mind, I have no time to satisfy my interest."

Laying his hand on the ground, Kanji lets his energy spread across the hull of the ship.

Kanji "No fucking way, they hid the generators within the floors! Each grid contains one rotatenium generator! That's insane! I'll just take one then."

In a display of immense strength, he yanks the generator out of the ground, seamlessly transferring it to his inventory. Electrical energy then pulsates from his feet, permeating the ship until it reaches its core. Abruptly, Kanji appears beside the general, but there's no response. The once formidable foe appears utterly lifeless.

Kanji "Is this some kind of trick?"

KARNAT "I just... I want to her proud. Her majesty. I wanted her to acknowledge. I wanted my honor and loyalty recognized. Now... I-I'm... t-too far gone!"

Tears stream down Karnat's face, prompting Kanji to holster his chain.

Kanji "... You've got to be kidding me."

Seizing Karnat by the collar, Kanji lifts him into the air, shaking him violently.

Kanji "Are you kidding me right now?! Where's the merciless bastard who hounded us for days on end?! Where is the fucker who blinded one of my friends?! WHY ARE SUCH A PATHETIC LITTLE SHIT NOW?! THIS DOESN'T FIT INTO MY ADVENTURE! I WAS HOPING FOR A FINAL SHOWDOWN!"

KARNAT "I just wanted... to be a-acknowledge. Re-recognization. Pl-Please."

Kanji releases him, and Karnat crumples to the floor.

Kanji "... I see. My eyes are clear now. You were nothing but hopeless sheep. I can't believe we used to think you were a threat. Let me put you out of your misery-

Suddenly, the left side of the wall bursts open, exposing the vacuum of space that begins to suck both men out.

Kanji clings to the railing of the control deck when suddenly— he is kicked in the face, loses control, and is tossed out. His body freezes in the cold void of emptiness and so he counters by expending most of his energy, increasing his body heat. Utilizing his last burst of energy, Kanji activates the rotatenium generator, transporting himself into it before succumbing to unconsciousness.

The generator is then propelled toward the Cephalostar by the force of a new moving ship.

Claire "I got it!"

Upon catching the generator, the ship's systems initiate repairs. The wielders observe a colossal Castatrian ship, resembling the sun in size, eclipsing their view of Earthas. Earthas grips the phantom Earth before roaring in defiance at the interloper.

?? "That's one terrifying creature you were dealing with, KK."

KARNAT "AMA- AMARAZ? What are you... doing here?"

AMARAZ "I'm here for you dummy! I got so worried when I heard you were on a crazy rampage! You didn't even answer my calls! Wait... did you just call me by MY FIRST NAME? OMG! It's been so long! Like 8 years I think!"

KARNAT "What's the point of following rules anymore or following how I call people? I have fucked up big time. There is no saving me. You should just leave."

AMARAZ "Hey. Shut your mouth, Karnie. I will save you."

Amaraz takes him into an escape pod.

KARNAT "Wait... why are we here? Why do you have that stupid smile?"

AMARAZ "It's been a nice life, KK. I have enjoyed everything part of it, especially the parts where you were part of. So I just wanted to say something."

KARNAT "Just what are you- Wait. NO! DON'T TELL ME!"

AMARAZ "There's the angry and cute face you always have. I just wanted to say. I... I love you. I will sacrifice anything for you. By the grace of Atom and Anna, may our lives intertwine in the next life."

A tearful kiss ensues, and Amaraz pulls away.

KARNAT "Amaraz... no don't do this."

Amaraz "I'm so sorry... please promise me to live on. Keep pushing forward. Forget about me."

She walks away and he tries to move but it is too late... the escape pod shuts and ejects.

Walking away, Amaraz activates the escape pod, leaving Karnat powerless. The pod ejects into deep space, leaving Karnat to say his plead...

KARNAT "AMARAZ! AMARAZ! PLEASE! PLEASE DON'T DIE! PLEASE! Please, please... you were the only one. THE ONLY ONE IN THIS WORLD WHO EVER... love and understood me."

From the wielders' perspective, they witness the massive ship approaching Earthas. Gwen detects that it radiates energy equivalent to a sun on the brink of exploding. She commands that Mina use her tendril to speed up the recovery process, and the ship warps out successfully.

Amaraz sheds a final tear as the ship implodes into a supernova.

The wielders, in horror, watch as the blast incinerates everything within the solar system. Victory is replaced by dread, sorrow, and confusion, contemplating the fate of Earth as The Cephalostar ventures deeper into space, embarking on a new chapter of their journey.