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CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE CATACLYSM STRIKE
(Armies marching toward Colfroles Kingdom — the capital of the Luminaria Realm.)
The war drums thundered.
Armored footsteps pounded the ground in perfect rhythm as banners bearing the crest of the Arkon Realm fluttered in the wind. The once-peaceful valleys of Luminaria now trembled beneath the weight of war.
At the border connecting After Kingdom in Xanders Realm stood two figures—Luna Nightshade and Catherine Stark, the King Mother.
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Luna looked toward the horizon, where faint lights flickered like fireflies of doom.
"Can you really do this, King Mother?" she asked, uncertainty in her voice.
Catherine turned, her eyes calm yet fierce.
"Even you doubt me, Luna? My son trusts me. That's why he said one strike, not two."
Luna blinked. "What do you mean by that?"
Catherine smiled faintly. "You'll find out soon enough."
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Below them, a figure hovered mid-air—Beams, a realm spy cloaked in white mist.
"The soldiers have reached the border," he announced. "I'll enter their mist and stop them from advancing."
Catherine nodded, her tone commanding. "Go. Watch closely, everyone."
The mists thickened. Beams vanished.
"Who is that in the sky?!" a Realm War soldier shouted from below. "Enemy attack! Ready positions!"
Luna exhaled softly. "Looks like Beams has stopped them."
Catherine lifted her hand, energy swirling around her fingertips like a living flame.
"This attack was created by me," she said quietly. "First, you add Spiritual Energy… then Realm Energy. Because both oppose each other, you must add immense Magic to stabilize it. Only then can it cause a true explosion."
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Elsewhere—in the Aethoria Realm.
An enormous Plane Stream Screen projected the scene for the Castle to see.
"Deploy magic barriers—tenfold!" shouted Hero Abass, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Hero Dano smirked. "You look scared, Abass."
"Scared? Whatever that thing is… I doubt we'll survive it," Abass muttered.
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Catherine's energy condensed into a massive sphere—growing larger and larger until it rivaled the size of an average moon.
Her voice echoed across battlefield
"Forbidden Element—Ultimate Catastrophe: Voidflare Impact!"
The world went white.
A blinding explosion consumed everything.
The earth split. Mountains turned to dust.
And when the light faded… the entire Arkon army—eight hundred thousand troops—was gone. Not even ashes remained.
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"Impossible…" Ezra whispered as the light of the Plane Stream flickered.
Kyle clenched his fists. "She wiped out eight hundred thousand troops… with a single strike."
Catherine lowered her hand gracefully, her gaze distant.
"I created that attack," she said softly, "when I was pregnant with Paul."
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—Meanwhile, in the Elyndor Realm (Devgolest Kingdom)
Inside the grand war chamber, tension thickened like fog.
Elara Moonwhisper smirked confidently. "Now that we've attacked Luminaria Realm, the rest will be easy."
Duke Austin nodded. "All we do now is wait for good news."
The doors burst open. Crifal rushed in, gasping for breath.
"I have a report, sir!"
Sage Hinata looked up from her table. "What is it? Don't tell me Luminaria has already fallen."
Crifal's voice trembled. "No, ma'am… bad news. The entire eight hundred thousand troops were wiped out."
"What?!" Liam Ryder slammed his fist against the table. "Impossible! The Arkon army is the second strongest after Luminaria's! There's no way they were defeated so easily!"
Maxwell Matsumoto crossed his arms. "Unless… Luminaria has someone powerful enough to erase an entire army."
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The chamber fell silent.
Elara's confident smile faded. "If they have someone like that… we must declare a ceasefire immediately."
Duke Austin sighed. "Hate to admit it, but I agree with Elara Moonwhisper—Leader of Calanthor Realm."
"Damn it…" Sage Hinata hissed. "After all the strategies we planned!"
"Crifal," Maxwell ordered, "gather all troops and regroup at After Kingdom in Xanders Realm."
Aurora Wynter, leaning against a marble pillar, spoke softly. "How long will this ceasefire last?"
Liam Ryder replied, "As long as I can pray for the victims of this disaster."
Aurora smiled faintly. "Then, until we meet again, my comrades."
As she left the chamber, Duke Austin muttered, "That Aurora Wynter… always unpredictable."
"Is it true she killed her entire family?" Maxwell asked quietly.
Sage Hinata nodded grimly. "Yes. She's guided by Atta, a fallen Cosmic Spirit."
"Atta…? The spirit that can alter reality itself?" Crifal stammered.
Duke Austin's eyes hardened. "Better to have her on our side… than against us."
Elara lowered her gaze. "She's just searching for something."
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—Back in Aethoria Realm
"Enemy troops are retreating to the After Kingdom!" Ehis reported, staring into her vision orb.
Valot grinned. "Now would be the perfect time to strike."
Paul Stark, the young King, shook his head. "No. They retreat not from strategy—but fear. My mother's power broke their spirit."
Kyle approached him. "Then what should we do now, my lord?"
Valot's eyes gleamed. "I have an idea."
Paul smiled faintly. "Individual training?"
Valot nodded. "Exactly."
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Kyle frowned. "But aren't we already training under Ezra?"
Paul turned to him. "Those aren't real trainings. Recall everyone—Shota Aethonix, Luna Nightshade return to your realm , and the rest."
Ten minutes later, everyone gathered in the palace courtyard.
Paul's voice carried across the space.
"Welcome back, everyone. As you've seen, we lack the strength of the Realm Leaders. From today, you will each undergo individual training—except Maya Reyes."
Ezra stepped forward. "You must prove you are worthy to stand beside the King. Every trick, every skill, every essence of power—learn it from your master."
Valot added firmly, "This training will push you past your limits… even if it means dying to be reborn stronger."
Ezra nodded. "Your masters have already been chosen. Listen carefully."
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"First—Sai Fujimoto," Valot called.
"Me?" Sai blinked. "Who's my master?"
"Max Vista," Valot replied, "a humanoid demon and master of the Illusion Element. He lives in Emberfall City, Arkon Realm—where humans and demons coexist."
Ezra spoke next. "You will be teleported in thirty minutes. The maids have prepared all you need."
Sai grinned. "Illusion, huh? I'm in my element. Good luck, everyone."
Ashley crossed her arms. "How can you be so calm, Sai?"
Sai smirked. "I'm not calm. I just know I'm not dying yet."
"Teleportation begins in thirty minutes," Ezra announced.
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"Next—Ashley Stark," Valot said. "Your teacher is Selena Gravion, an elf from Aethonix. You'll learn Holy and Dark Magic from her in the Westholler Kingdom."
Ashley nodded. "Got it. Take care, everyone."
(Her body shimmered and vanished in light.)
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"Next—Maria Badway."
Valot's tone grew somber. "You'll face your past—the Servants of the Goddess Celtic. Your training will be both spiritual and personal."
Ezra added, "Your location is Losphoary City of Calanthor Realm, home to the Holy Church of Celtic."
Maria bowed slightly. "Thank you for this chance."
(She teleported away.)
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"Next—Riley Stark," Valot continued. "Your master will be Sage Havilah, a retired sage in Spibroion City, Luminaria Realm."
Ezra said, "You'll focus solely on Spiritual Energy."
Riley smiled faintly. "Guess I'll be needing luck."
(He vanished into blue light.)
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"Next—Kyle Stark, the King's right hand," Valot declared.
"Your master will be Maloff, the Swedish Dragon. You'll train on Earth Realm, mastering the balance between Realm and Spiritual Energy."
Kyle clasped Paul's shoulder. "Take care of yourself, my King."
Paul smiled. "I will."
(Kyle disappeared in a flash.)
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"Lastly," Valot said, "the King himself—Paul Stark. Your teacher will be none other than your mother, Catherine Stark."
Ezra nodded. "Your destination: Blexshire City, Aethoria Realm."
Catherine smiled softly. "You can count on me."
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Valot turned to the final figure. "As for you, Rahm Wynter—the King will unlock your memories. Then you will choose your teacher… or your opponent."
Ezra's expression softened. "Good luck, all of you. Train hard, survive, and return stronger."
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One by one, the chosen heroes vanished into pillars of light—each sent across the realms to begin their trials.
Only Paul remained, gazing up at the vast skies of Aethoria. The wind brushed through his black hair as he whispered:
"Mother… I'll be ready."
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✨ To Be Continued — "Individual Training Arc Begins." ✨