In the ritual area, Riko Yokoyama stood close to Shinjiro Satoshi.
Their son, Paulo Satoshi, rested right in the middle of the main pad.
Paulo was marked their first child they had and inside their house, their youngest child, Momo Yokoyama, paced and waited.
She longed for the ritual to wrap up.
These pads held deep purpose.
The twelve monarchs each stepped onto one.
Paulo then drew in traces of their power.
This boost let him endure the murder intent in Shinjiro's power.
That intent acted like a sharp killing urge, raw and fierce from his wind control.
Antares Nightshade then showed up first.
He then claimed the Fire Pad and as Monarch of Dragons, he also ruled destruction like a blazing king.
Pearl Cruz took her spot next.
On the Water Pad, she reigned as Monarch of the Sea. Waves bowed to her as Queen of the Ocean.
Rayan Andre planted his feet firm.
The Nature Pad welcomed the Monarch of Nature. He held court as King of the Earth, green and alive.
Izuki Remioka strode onto the Steel Pad. Metal bent to the Monarch of Steel. He stood tall as King of Iron, unyielding and hard.
Ash Atlas arrived on the Cosmic Pad. Radiation then swirled around the Monarch of Radiation. Stars feared the power of the Cosmic King.
Shinjiro Satoshi held the Wind Pad. Gusts of air whipped around the Monarch of Wind. The Hypno Lab's top experiment had shaped him strong but the murder in him was also too strong.
Riko Yokoyama gripped the Death Pad, Shadows clung to the Monarch of Death. She served as the all-powerful Grim Reaper. She was cold and her actions were final when it came to a persons death.
Astella Glacier stepped light on the Ice Pad. Frost then cracked under the Monarch of Ice. Snow knelt to the Queen of the Snow.
Lucifer Morningstar claimed the Blood Pad. His crimson blood pulsed for the Monarch of Blood. Demons hailed the King of the Demons.
Vipera Suzuki slithered to the Poison Pad. Toxins dripped from the Monarch of Poison. She ruled as Queen of Venom, sly and deadly.
Natsuki Nakamura haunted the Ghost Pad. Spirits wailed for the Monarch of Ghost. He led as King of Poltergeists, unseen and wild.
Lucy Lightheart shone last on the Light Pad. Rays beamed from the Monarch of Light. She soared as Queen of the Sky and Paulo shared her youthful age with her.
The monarchs raised their hands high. Their powers surged from each palm.
They funnelled it straight to the ritual's heart, where Paulo lay.
Paulo sensed the flood hit him. His body shook hard. Tremors ripped through every limb.
Halfway in, Paulo blacked out cold. His hair caught the shift. Strands gleamed in rainbow hues.
Each colour matched a power he pulled from the monarchs, fire red, water blue, nature green, steel grey, cosmic purple, wind silver, death black, ice white, blood crimson, poison lime, ghost pale, light gold.
The ritual reached its end.
Paulo then toppled over limp from pain.
Momo burst from the house door.
Her eyes locked on Paulo sprawled out and blood also trickled from his damaged eyes.
His body looked torn and bruised.
"What have you done to him?" she screamed. Anger boiled in her voice.
Paulo blinked awake slow.
He forced his eyes open wide.
They seemed normal at first glance.
Yet the black irises had turned deep blue.
His white hair now flowed blue too.
The ritual hit its mark.
Paulo stood ready as the perfect vessel and now could become a monarch at any time.
He could now hold Shinjiro's full might without breaking.