As Yoshi, Lyra, Joseph, and their remaining comrades materialized in Fujimori's Wisteria Forest Kingdom, their presence was quickly noticed. Yoshito and Xiao Xiao, accompanied by a few council members, came out to welcome them. However, Yoshi's worried expression caught Yoshito's attention, and without delay, they headed to the castle.
Inside the castle, Yoshi reported their adventures and Ryujin's ominous plot to the assembled council. His revelations sent a ripple of whispers and murmurs through the high council. Tension filled the room until one council member rose to voice his concerns.
"If Ryujin truly intends to destroy us and now possesses all the relics and treasures, we must remain vigilant. There’s no telling what he might do next," he stated gravely before taking his seat.
A female council member immediately followed, her voice laced with worry. "If Ryujin plans to eliminate the monarchs and reshape the world in his image, we must inform the king and queen. Pardon my directness, but this situation is far beyond what the princes can handle alone. And Joseph… he isn’t capable of facing this challenge either."
Her words stirred a storm of murmurs, doubts, and debates among the council. Some argued against troubling the monarchs, who were still in the Supreme Council of the Four Lands. Others expressed faith in the princes and the royal witch to protect the kingdom, while a few placed their hopes in Joseph, believing him to be the prophesied hero destined to aid the royal family in defeating Ryujin. Meanwhile, others outright dismissed the idea of relying on him.
The gathering spiraled into chaos as fear of failure gripped the council, shaking their confidence in the kingdom’s defenders. Yoshito, Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph observed silently, each contemplating how best to resolve the matter.
Amid the turmoil, Xiao Xiao rose to address the council, her calm yet commanding voice cutting through the noise. The room quieted as all eyes turned to her.
“We must not let fear cloud our judgment,” Xiao Xiao began, her tone steady and resolute. “Our kingdom has thrived through challenges before, fortified by our resources and the strength of our people. Have we forgotten our past victories? Those triumphs were born not from despair but from unity and determination.”
Her words stirred something in the room. Some council members began to nod, recalling the kingdom’s resilience. For others, skepticism lingered, requiring more than words to convince them. Still, Xiao Xiao’s speech planted a seed of hope, reigniting belief in some, while others remained undecided, their hearts swayed by self-interest or doubt.
The atmosphere began to shift, though uncertainty still lingered in the air. The defenders of the kingdom silently resolved to prove their worth, knowing that actions would speak louder than words.
After everything was said and done, Yoshito rose to address the gathering. He laid out detailed strategies for the council to follow, emphasizing the importance of using their current resources and standing united in the face of Ryujin’s threat. Reaching out to inform the king and queen was deemed impossible for the time being, so the council resolved to work with what they had.
When Yoshito finished, Yoshi stepped forward to speak, instilling further confidence in their plans and rallying their collective spirit. Lyra followed with final words of determination, solidifying the group’s resolve. With the tasks at hand clearly outlined, the meeting concluded, and everyone departed, preparing for the impending storm.
Joseph, feeling the weight of the situation, decided to take a walk to clear his mind. His thoughts immediately turned to Yukio, someone he had been longing to see. While on his way, he crossed paths with Xiao Xiao.
They exchanged brief pleasantries before Xiao Xiao invited him to check on her progress with the Xentrocurnia Prime Tech Orb. Joseph smiled but informed her that he would visit after seeing Yukio.
“Oh! Okay!” Xiao Xiao responded, her tone carrying an air of secrecy that Joseph immediately noticed.
“You don’t sound like yourself, Xiao Xiao,” he said curiously. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“Oh, me? No! No! No!” Xiao Xiao waved her hands dismissively, though her unease was apparent. Joseph gave her a knowing look, prompting her to take a deep breath.
“It’s best you find out the surprise yourself,” she admitted with a sly smile.
“Surprise?” Joseph echoed, his curiosity piqued.
“Yep!” Xiao Xiao confirmed with a light tap on his shoulder before walking away, leaving him intrigued.
When Joseph arrived at Yukio’s apartment, he was taken aback by what he saw. Yukio was playing with a young girl, no older than a year, their laughter filling the room.
“Okay,” Joseph muttered to himself, his wide eyes betraying his confusion.
“Oh, look! It’s Daddy!” Yukio called out with a bright smile as the child ran to Joseph, hugging his leg and excitedly calling him “Daddy.”
“Daddy?” Joseph repeated, his voice tinged with bewilderment.
Yukio chuckled before embracing Joseph and planting an affectionate kiss on his lips. She then sat him down and began to explain everything. Though surprised at first, Joseph’s shock quickly gave way to joy as Yukio shared the story of their child.
“So this was the surprise Xiao Xiao was talking about,” Joseph thought to himself, smiling.
Yukio’s expression softened. “Yes, Joseph. She’s ours. I’ve missed you so much. Every day, I thought about you, hoping for your return. I never gave up on us, on our love, knowing that one day, you’d come back home to us.”
“I’ve missed you too, Yukio,” Joseph confessed, pulling her into another heartfelt embrace and kiss.
He then turned his attention to their daughter, lifting her into his arms. He gazed into her eyes with wonder as Yukio watched them with a loving smile.
“So she’s my child,” Joseph said with awe. “She’s incredible. She’s amazing, just like her mother. Beautiful, powerful, and perfect in every way.” He smiled, playing with the child, his heart filled with joy.
That evening, after their daughter had fallen asleep, Joseph and Yukio went on a romantic date to one of the most breathtaking spots in Fujimori’s Wisteria Forest Kingdom. Beneath the glow of lanterns and surrounded by the kingdom’s natural beauty, Joseph knelt on one knee, presenting a stunning ring he had secretly purchased earlier.
“Yukio,” Joseph began, his voice steady and filled with emotion. “No one knows what the future holds, and fate cannot decide our destinies. But you… you are my joy, my happiness, and my everything. It would be the greatest honor to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Yukio’s eyes filled with tears of joy as she smiled. The serene glow of the forest seemed to mirror the love between them as she gave her answer.
When Yukio’s response to Joseph’s proposal was everything he hoped for, he embraced her with joy, sealing the moment with a deep, loving kiss. The rest of their evening unfolded in an atmosphere of serenity and romance, but as they discussed their future, Yukio noticed a shadow of concern clouding Joseph’s otherwise happy demeanor.
“Is something bothering you?” she asked gently, placing her hand on his.
Joseph hesitated, torn between confessing the truth about his infidelity during his journey and sparing her the pain it would cause. With a soft smile, he pushed the thought aside. “It’s nothing, really. Just… a lot on my mind.”
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Yukio accepted his answer, though a flicker of doubt remained in her eyes. She shifted the conversation to something lighter, regaling Joseph with stories of their daughter, Josephina. She shared how, despite her young age, Josephina had already shown incredible strength and combat skill, effortlessly defeating a towering monster under Yoshito’s guidance.
Joseph, filled with pride and affection, marveled at the name Yukio had chosen for their child. “Josephina is a beautiful name,” he said, “but I’d like to add another name to hers—Josephine. It’s a name I’ve always dreamed of giving a daughter of mine.”
Yukio smiled warmly. “Josephina or Josephine—it suits her perfectly either way.”
The next morning, Joseph informed Yoshi, Yoshito, Lyra, and Xiao Xiao about his plans to marry Yukio. Their faces lit up with excitement, and they immediately pledged their support.
“You’re not bothering us at all,” Yoshi said, placing a reassuring hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “The kingdom is prepared for Ryujin’s attack, but for now, focus on Yukio and Josephina. This is your moment. We’ll handle the wedding arrangements.”
Joseph was overwhelmed with gratitude. He embraced Yoshi, thanking him for his unwavering support.
Two days later, the wedding took place—a grand celebration filled with joy, laughter, and hope. The kingdom’s guards, drones, and androids stood vigilant, ensuring the day went uninterrupted. The festivities carried on without incident, marking a rare and precious moment of peace amidst the growing tension of Ryujin’s looming threat.
Meanwhile, in the Supreme Council of the Four Lands, King Yusuke Kazuhiro and Queen Naomi Kazuhiro attended a critical meeting alongside leaders from the other distinct lands. Supernatural beings and high-ranking monsters were also present to discuss the future of their realms and the trials Joseph was destined to face.
The council reached a pivotal decision: the prophecy must unfold, regardless of whether Joseph truly was the prophesied savior. His fate would be determined through trials in the remaining three distinct lands, as his trial in the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom neared its conclusion.
Unbeknownst to many in the gathering, Ryujin’s plot was already in motion. While some who were aware chose to remain silent, King Yusuke and Queen Naomi knew that this day was inevitable. They resolved to guide and protect their land, preparing for the trials and the challenges that lay ahead for Joseph.
***
Eons ago, after the Great War and the imprisonment of the Infinite Tier, the supernatural realm underwent a seismic shift. Amidst the chaos, the God Emperor Jinn, a once-revered deity, sought to seize ultimate power and proclaim himself ruler of all creation. His vision of dominance, however, was met with fierce opposition from the Monarchs, the highest authorities in the supernatural hierarchy.
Jinn, alongside his loyal subordinates and a legion of minions, waged a rebellion against those who defied his ambition. Despite their ferocity, they were defeated and cast out of the supernatural realm. As punishment, Jinn’s powers were severely diminished, and most of his subordinates succumbed to the harsh judgment of their exile. Only a handful survived the ordeal, their spirits broken and their existence marked by despair.
The Pact with the Dark God
Banished and humiliated, Jinn roamed the universe, consumed by a thirst for vengeance against those who had rejected him, especially the Monarchs. However, his weakened state rendered him incapable of fulfilling his desires. Desperate, he sought the aid of one of the Dark Gods, malevolent entities who had themselves been banished after the imprisonment of the Infinite Tier.
The Dark God granted Jinn unparalleled power, enabling him to pursue his revenge. But the gift came with a price: Jinn had to prepare the universe for the Dark God’s return. He was tasked with creating a following that would pave the way for the Mad God’s arrival—a being destined to remake the world in its chaotic image. The covenant also came with a dire consequence: should Jinn fail, his very essence would be consumed by the Dark God.
This pact, though it granted Jinn the power he craved, became his curse. The looming shadow of the Dark God’s demands drove him to madness, and he began to despise the very bargain that had given him purpose.
Jinn Becomes Ryujin
Determined to break free from the covenant, Jinn adopted a human guise and a new identity: Ryu-Jin. Concealing his divine aura, he became undetectable to powerful beings, including the Monarchs. In this disguise, he infiltrated the kingdom, sowing seeds of discord and chaos while building a covert network of disciples. His ultimate plan was to gather the Relics of Disorder, ancient treasures of immense power, and use them to ascend to a higher plane of existence, severing his bond with the Dark God.
However, Ryu-Jin’s ambitions took a darker turn when he learned of a prophecy foretelling a savior whose unmatched power would save the world. Believing this power could secure his ultimate freedom and enable him to resume his original plans, Ryu-Jin set his sights on claiming the savior’s strength.
Xiao Xiao’s Discovery
In the kingdom’s grand library, where scholars and mages sought wisdom from ancient tomes, Xiao Xiao stumbled upon an ancient text. Unlike anything previously known, this text predated all other records in the kingdom and contained secrets only the King and Queen were privy to. It revealed a stunning truth: Ryujin was none other than Jinn, the Draconic God Emperor cast out of paradise.
The text chronicled Jinn’s rebellion, his fall from grace, and his pact with the Dark God. Xiao Xiao realized that Ryu-Jin’s presence in the kingdom was no coincidence—he had been hiding in plain sight, waiting for the moment to unleash chaos and claim the Relic of Disorder.
Stunned by this revelation, Xiao Xiao urgently sought out Prince Yoshito, Prince Yoshi, and the royal witch Lyra. When she revealed what she had learned, they were shaken to their core. The truth that Ryujin, the shadow of disorder, had been within their midst all along was a sobering and terrifying realization.
As they pieced together the implications of Xiao Xiao’s discovery, the group understood the urgency of their mission. They would need to act swiftly to thwart Ryu-Jin’s plans and prepare for the inevitable confrontation with the ancient force that had once been the Draconic God Emperor.
After a grueling year and a few months, the Supreme Council meeting finally concluded. Leaders of the four distinct lands, along with their supernatural and monstrous representatives, reached agreements that would shape the future of their realms. Each individual returned to their respective domains, vanishing into shimmering portals or teleporting away in a display of immense power.
King Yusuke and Queen Naomi, the esteemed Monarchs of Fujimori's Wisteria Forest Kingdom, prepared to teleport back to their palace. However, their return was abruptly interrupted. Instead of arriving home, they materialized in a barren wasteland, a desolate expanse devoid of life.
Waiting for them in the wasteland was Ryujin, his aura now more ominous and overwhelming than ever. He stood with an air of triumph, wielding the culmination of his long-devised plan. Ryujin had successfully gathered and absorbed the powers of every relic and treasure across the realms, converting their energy into a singular, incomprehensibly powerful artifact. By merging this artifact with his very being, Ryujin had ascended to a hyper-outerversal level, a plane of existence far beyond what the Monarchs could comprehend.
This newfound power allowed Ryujin to disrupt the Monarchs’ teleportation, diverting them to this wasteland. With hatred burning in his soul and vengeance fueling his every move, Ryujin issued a challenge to the King and Queen—a duel to determine the ultimate ruler.
The atmosphere grew heavy as Ryujin revealed his true form, a monstrous and divine visage that radiated raw energy. His presence alone began to distort reality around them—time fragmented, space warped, and the very fabric of existence rippled with his immense power.
As the battle commenced, King Yusuke and Queen Naomi summoned their full strength, unleashing their combined might in a desperate bid to protect their kingdom and the balance of their world. Their attacks clashed with Ryujin's, creating explosions of energy that illuminated the wasteland and sent shockwaves reverberating across the regions of Fujimori and the Wisteria Forest Kingdom.
Despite their valiant efforts, the Monarchs were no match for Ryujin's overwhelming power. He mocked their decision to share their strength by creating the relics and treasures meant to sustain other regions, calling them weak and foolish. His words were punctuated by devastating blows that shattered their defenses and brought the once-mighty rulers to their knees.
In a climactic moment, Ryujin unleashed a burst of energy so powerful it tore through the skies and created a shockwave that was felt across the lands. The impact obliterated the wasteland's desolate terrain, leaving nothing but chaos in its wake.
The forms of King Yusuke and Queen Naomi began to fade, their essence consumed by the overwhelming force of Ryujin's attack. Their final moments were marked by a flash of light as their energy dissipated into the ether, leaving the lands of Fujimori in despair.
With his victory assured, Ryujin reverted to his human form. He stood amidst the ruins, a triumphant yet ominous figure, before vanishing into the ether.
With the monarchs of Fujimori vanished and their fate shrouded in mystery, the people remained oblivious to the tragedy that had befallen their rulers.
***
Meanwhile, in the kingdom, Yoshito, Yoshi, and Lyra sensed an unsettling disturbance as they discussed their plans with Xiao Xiao. Their unease was abruptly confirmed when the thunderous sound of an explosion shattered the air, reverberating against their forcefields and defenses.
The explosion reverberated across the kingdom, sending shockwaves of panic through its people.
Yoshito, Yoshi, Lyra, and Xiao Xiao froze, their conversation about future plans interrupted by the ominous sound of the blast. The group exchanged grim looks, their senses tingling with an overwhelming dread.
“What was that?” Yoshi’s voice was sharp, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his blade.
“It’s the outer defenses,” Xiao Xiao replied, her tone steady despite the tension in her eyes. “Something—or someone—is attacking.”
Before anyone could respond, a blinding surge of energy struck the forcefield surrounding the kingdom, causing it to flicker violently. Outside, the skies darkened as ominous figures emerged.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, Joseph and his family were drawn outside by the commotion. His wife, Yukio, held their daughter close as Joseph scanned the horizon. The sight of the simultaneous energy blasts colliding with the kingdom’s forcefield made his jaw tighten.
“Yukio,” he said firmly, “take her inside. Find shelter and stay there.”