Hikari (thinking): Ughh… I'll definitely make her pay when I get out of this nightmare.
But… what even is this place? I've never seen anything like it. Still, something about it feels… familiar
Unknown Voice: Bruh, are you seriously still confused? Are you dumb or something??
Hikari: What do you mean??
Unknown: I mean what you're thinking. This is the Shadow Winder Realm. Don't tell me you've never heard of it?
Hikari (shocked, almost trembling): Whaaaat?! N-no way this place of all places?! Why
Before he could finish, the mysterious girl tossed her game controller right into his face.
Unknown: Shut up! I hate noise, okay?!
Hikari (muffled): O-kay, o-kay… fine!
A few silent minutes passed, filled only with the clicking of her console.
Hikari: But… how is this realm still active if its host is dead?
Unknown: …Dead? Who?
Hikari: I mean… Iza
Before he could even say the name, the girl covered his mouth sharply.
Unknown (low, threatening tone): Don't say my Lord's name with that mouth. Got it?
Hikari (nodding quickly): O-okay, okay.
After a pause, he tried again.
Hikari: But I know about your Lord… and I even know she was
Unknown (interrupting, almost laughing): You really think I'd believe that?
Hikari: What?
Unknown: You know no one can lay a finger on my Lord. Even the Legends wouldn't dare.
Hikari: I know, but… someone stronger than anything I've ever known appeared. And he
Unknown (snapping): Enough!
Hikari: Fine, fine, just listen
Unknown (gritting teeth): Ugh, okay then.
She raised her hand, and glowing marks appeared in the air.
Unknown: Zebtion Mentora.
Before Hikari could react, his entire body stiffened. His eyes rolled back as he fell unconscious in an instant.
---
At the White Side
Xixi: Hmm… Silvanna?
Silvanna: Yeah, what's wrong?
Xixi: I've been wondering… who are they?
Silvanna: Huh?
Xixi: I mean the four people who opened the Tower's gate. I can tell they're special, but… they don't feel any different.
Silvanna: Honestly, even I'm not sure. But I know someone who does.
Xixi: Who?
Silvanna: Wait right here.
---
Almost an hour later…
Vivi: Ughhh… how long is this going to take?
Xixi: No idea. Even I'm getting frustrated.
Silvanna (finally arriving): Ho ho~ sorry for the wait! But I found her.
Xixi: Really? Who is it?
Silvanna: Come out.
Ixia: Ohh~ hi, darlings 🤭🤭
Xixi & Vivi (in shock): W-what!? You actually brought her here?!
Silvanna: Well? What do you think? The one and only Ixia right in front of you.
Xixi (flustered): R-really!?
Ixia (tilting head): Hmm? Did I come at a bad time?
Xixi (panicking): N-no! I mean, you came at the best, no the perfect time!
Silvanna (confused): …Huh?? 😕😕
Ixia (giggling): Hehehe 🤭🤭🤗🤗
Silvanna (facepalming): Ugh, just… forget that ever happened, okay Ixie?
Ixia (still laughing): Okay, okay~ but it was funny!
Silvanna: Anyway, joke aside tell us about those four who opened the Tower.
Ixia: Ohh~ you mean Ophera, Pipolo, Kaigi, and Haori, right?
Silvanna: Yep, those four exactly.
Ixia: Hmm, alright. I'll tell you but don't compare them by power, okay? They're each… unique.
Silvanna: Got it, got it. Just tell us, Ixie.
Ixia: Okay, here goes…
---
Ixia: A long, long time ago after the War of Sectorism ended very few survived.
But among those survivors, the ones who managed to stay in good shape were them.
Silvanna: But… they seemed so ordinary.
Ixia: I know, right? But it's not their fault. They weren't fighters they were supporters. So their strength is different.
Silvanna: Okay, that makes sense. But then why are they the only ones who can open the Tower?
Ixia: Because the Lord herself granted that role to them, and to me.
Silvanna (surprised): You too!?
Ixia (smiling proudly): Yep~ they're a bit older not by looks, but by age. No matter how much time passes, they never age, and their powers require support. That's why I was chosen as their partner, their "honor link." 🤫
Silvanna: Ohh… now it all makes sense.
---
(The camera pans to the distance, the Tower's glow flickering once again as Flux and Mike step forward ready for what's coming next.)