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Location: The Himalayas | December 31 | Time: 12:05 AM
A sudden burst of Vitra energy crackled through the air as the Fifth Star appeared behind the mysterious man in red. With a fierce glare, he channeled his energy, forging a brilliant electric sword from pure magic. In one swift motion, he slashed toward the enemy.
But the man… merely smiled.
A long, sinister grin stretched across his face as he lifted a single finger—stopping the sword in its tracks.
"W-What?!" The Fifth Star gasped in disbelief.
Before he could react, Ryulune's voice thundered through the battlefield.
"Get away from him!"
Without hesitation, the Fifth Star jumped back, using his Vitra to retreat to his original position. The red-cloaked man chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery.
"What a pity. You're so weak… how did someone like you become the Fifth Star?"
Rage burned in the Fifth Star's eyes. Gritting his teeth, he prepared for a second attack. But just as he was about to strike, Ryulune held up a hand.
"Stop! If you go all out, you could harm the child. The Moonborn is our first priority!"
The Fifth Star clenched his fists but relented.
Ryulune’s voice echoed in their minds, his telepathic command reaching every warrior.
"Stars Two, Five, and Three—create a distraction! Stars Four and Six—form an unbreakable shield around the child! I will cover this place in mist. Once that happens, everyone will create multiple clones and head for the bottom of the mountain!"
The Third Star hesitated. "But he's alone! We can take him down!"
"Do you really think so?" Ryulune shot back. "If he found this location, it means he already knew we were here. Which means… he didn’t come alone. Reinforcements are on the way. If we fight him now, we put the child in danger. Follow the plan!"
The Six Stars nodded, preparing to execute the strategy—
But the man in red merely laughed. "You're all so slow."
Suddenly, a tower of red light erupted into the sky. The entire mountain was sealed.
The man smirked. "Now, what will you do?"
Before they could react, the air shifted. A sea of figures in red robes emerged from the shadows. Over 50,000 warriors surrounded them.
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"Too bad." The man grinned as the Six Stars tensed, their minds racing.
Ryulune clenched his fists, deep in thought. We can defeat them, but the child is the problem. If he gets hurt…
His thoughts were interrupted as he swiftly sent a telepathic message.
"How long would it take to wipe them all out using your full power?"
The Second Star responded, "All five of us… about two minutes."
"Then do it. I’ll protect the child."
Without hesitation, the Five Stars unleashed their full power, launching an all-out attack.
The battle erupted. Blood painted the snow as swords clashed, spells tore through the air, and bodies fell like leaves in a storm.
Meanwhile, the red-cloaked man stood back, watching with an amused expression.
"What foolish creatures you are… If I were in your position, I would have tried to escape."
His voice dripped with mockery as he pulled out a strange, ancient-looking orb. The object was covered in mysterious runes, pulsing with dark energy.
"What do you think this is?" he asked, his eyes locked onto Ryulune.
Ryulune narrowed his gaze. Something was wrong. The man wasn’t just watching—he was doing something to the child.
And then, the words left the man’s lips like a curse:
"This… is the Mánagarmr Fourth Core."
Ryulune’s eyes widened in horror. "Impossible! That’s a myth! It doesn’t exist!"
The Five Stars froze in place, their expressions shifting from fury to pure shock.
The red-cloaked man laughed. "Oh, it feels good to see the mighty Six Stars tremble. Now… hand over the child."
Ryulune smirked. "Fuck you."
In an instant, a magical field surrounded the Moonborn. The protective energy lifted the infant toward the sky.
"No! I won’t let this happen!" The man roared. He gathered all his energy and struck the shield with full force—
But the shield didn’t even crack. Instead, it absorbed his attack, growing stronger.
The Moonborn ascended faster.
Ryulune commanded, "Hold him off for one minute! After that, the child will be safe!"
The Six Stars attacked at once. Weapons clashed, spells erupted, and the battlefield turned into chaos.
But the man in red simply gave an order. "Stop them."
His army surged forward. And as they clashed, the man raised the Mánagarmr Core, gathering energy from his subordinates.
"I will finish this in one move."
Ryulune rushed forward, katana drawn. But before he could reach the enemy—
A new figure appeared. A man in a red robe, with blue hair and piercing green eyes, blocked Ryulune’s blade with ease.
"This is your last chance. Kronos, do it now."
Kronos hesitated for only a second before he leapt into the air, his body consumed by black and red aura.
Ryulune snarled. "Not so fast!" He lunged—
But the blue-haired man kicked him aside, slamming Ryulune into the ground.
"W-What… is this strength?!" Ryulune gasped.
Meanwhile, Kronos completed his attack. The Fourth Core of Mánagarmr activated—
And the shield shattered.
But at a cost. Kronos's arms burst apart, blood spraying into the sky. His screams of agony echoed through the mountains. Some of his blood fell onto the child.
And in that moment…
The Moonborn opened his eyes.
His face scrunched up—
And he let out his first cry.
The air rippled. A shockwave erupted. The clouds split apart. The red seal on the mountain shattered.
The Mánagarmr Core cracked.
The ground trembled. The warriors fell to their knees, unable to stand.
The world itself seemed to shake beneath the power of the Moonborn.
And then…
The child cried even louder.
And no one… could stop it.