The Unknown

After recounting the old lore to Yuuske , Satoshi headed straight to the Council Bureau.

“How have you been, Mr. Gojou?” asked Ken Kirishima.

“I’m well. Have you seen him around yet?” Satoshi replied.

“Yes, Master just went inside and is about to go live,” Ken said.

“Oh hell, I’m late!” Satoshi exclaimed in a panic.

“You better hurry, or you know what will happen,” Ken warned with a smirk.

Without another word, Satoshi sprinted toward the press room. As he flung open the door, Izumi Suguru stood before him, draped in a long black coat, his thick black hair flowing as he fixed the room with a piercing gaze. His silver eyes, cold and mesmerizing, scanned the audience. Everyone took their seats as the press broadcast began to reach audiences across multiple worlds.

Suguru spoke, his voice calm yet commanding:

"Allow me to introduce myself. Many of you already know who I am. My name is Izumi Suguru, one of Earth’s vanguard representatives. My duty, like that of the other vanguards, is simple: to enforce order and eliminate threats. In a world overrun with weaklings, cowards, and those foolish enough to misuse their powers, we exist to ensure the balance doesn’t tip. Since the gates opened and the worlds merged, nearly 40 percent of humanity has become hybrids, gifted through cross-breeding with other species. Some use their powers for good; others, for chaos. It makes no difference to me. If you threaten the balance, I’ll destroy you. Mercy is irrelevant .But don’t mistake me for some noble figure here to preach about such complicated fables .I’m not here to talk about something everyone will  eventually hear on the news. The reason I’m here is th....."

A reporter stood up, challenging Suguru. “Mr. Izumi, in the last press conference, David James, the Leader Of Black Tigers Association, said almost the exact same thing and failed to present any solutions for the rising crime rates. What are you and the other vanguards trying to communicate to the public and what were the heroes doing when the crimes were being committed?Do you guys even realise how many people could have died in the recent incident at Goshi Tower?”

Suguru answered “I am well aware of that but it is not my concern today. Today, I’m here to announce that I’m forming my own association. If anyone watching has the talent, you are welcome to join.”

“What? Your own association?” Satoshi thought in shock. “I’ve been telling you to do this for years, and you didn’t even tell me, you bastard!”

A second reporter jumped in. “It’s about time Mr.Izumi someone is that why you refused to join other association that tried to approached you in the past?

"You can say that ."

A third reporter presented a question "Mr.  Izumi, what will be your Association's main objective?”

Suguru’s expression darkened, and his voice took on a chilling tone. “My only goal is to destroy the Nova Foundation.”

The room fell into silence. The first reporter, regaining their composure, asked, “The Nova Foundation? But that’s the academy that teaches children to reach their full potential. You yourself spent your childhood there.”

Suguru’s eyes narrowed. “The truth will come out soon enough. And—”

*Boom.*

A distant explosion cut him off. Chaos erupted as civilians panicked, traffic ground to a halt, and people scattered in every direction. Suguru and Satoshi rushed to the window, their eyes widening in disbelief as they saw a nearby building reduced to rubble. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Suddenly, a colossal hologram appeared, visible across every world. It depicted a man with long black hair tied in a ponytail and a mask covering his mouth, leaving only his cold red eyes visible.

"Greetings, humans, ghouls, magicians, robots, hybrids. I know you're all wondering who I am, what I am. But my identity is irrelevant. What matters is what I've done. It’s mesmerizing, isn’t it? The ability to traverse these gates and explore worlds beyond your imagination. It defies all comprehension.

But have you ever considered what lies beyond the final gate? No, of course not. It’s been sealed, guarded by magic so ancient and powerful, you were told it was unbreakable. Yet here we are. I’ve undone the third of the ten seals that bar entry to Celestra. Anyone strong enough, with magic potent enough to withstand gravity ten times that of Earth, can now step through.

That’s all I have for you, for now. The rest? Well, I leave that to you... heroes."

His mocking voice echoed ominously before the hologram vanished.

“Do you think he’s lying?” Satoshi asked, his voice tight with unease.

Suguru’s face was grim. “Most likely not , but who is he?”

*"*beats me " siad Satoshi.

Dark energy began to seep from the gate of Celestra, swiftly consuming the sky. Thick, black clouds gathered overhead, casting a shadow that blotted out all light, plunging the world into darkness. The air grew heavy with an unnatural stillness, as if the very atmosphere was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. A suffocating tension spread, and an eerie silence settled over the land, amplifying the sense of impending doom. The sky itself seemed to tremble under the weight of the malevolent force, as if nature was bracing for the chaos that lay ahead.

“What do we do now?” *asked Satoshi.

*Ring\, ring.*

“Hello?”

“I assume you’ve seen what just happened?” the president of the vanguards asked.

“Yes, I saw everything,” Suguru replied.

“Then gather a search party and investigate the cursed sealed gate immediately. You don’t need to enter it—just reinforce the seal or sever the connection.”

“And the masked man?” *asked Suguru.

“David's and Kisaki's teams are already tracking him. Focus on the gate. And don’t do anything reckless,” the president warned.

“Understood.”

*Click*

“Let’s go, Sato,” Suguru said.

“Where to?” Satoshi asked curiously .

Suguru pointed toward the distant gate of Celestra.

"Orders from the above , hun ." said Satoshi with a grin.

Satoshi and Suguru quickly assembled a team of elite magicians and flew towards the gate. Upon arrival, they found three layers of the seal already broken. The magicians worked tirelessly, casting spell after spell, but nothing could repair the barrier, nor could they create a new seal.

“Sir, none of our magic is working on the barrier,” Foxen reported, frustration in his voice.

“I thought as much." said Suguru

"It is what it is .Now great job, everyone. Head back and inform the higher-ups that nothing can fix the seal. Foxen, take charge here,” Satoshi instructed.

“Are you leaving, sir?” Foxen asked, concerned.

Satoshi smirked. “Yes, we’re going on a little trip.”

Foxen’s eyes widened in alarm. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to enter Celestra! Please reconsider—it's madness! That realm is now overrun by dark forces.”

“Don’t worry,” Satoshi reassured him. “Besides, I have him with me.”

"Still , it is dangerous and the president will never allow it ." * Foxen said .

"That means you didn't saw us going there , am I clear here?" Asked Satoshi .

"But that's ju........."

"Hurry up Sato , we don't have all day ." Suguru said with frustration.

"Coming right up " said Satoshi "Just cover for us last time Foxi ." 

*winked*

Satoshi and Suguru entered the gate of Celectra .The moment they set there foots in the Celestral Realm, they were hit by unimaginable pain. The barrier’s gravitational force felt as though it was pulling their souls from their bodies. Enduring the agony, they managed to pass through the gate.

As they landed on a nearby mountain, their eyes fell upon the ruins of the once-great palace of Dios, now a distant silhouette in a world steeped in darkness.

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