The Lost Kingdom | Nova Terra Chronicles

The airship of the NTG section and Abstra's old rust-bucket cut across the evening sky like blades of silver, their engines humming quietly as stars began to pierce the dusk.

Inside one of the airships, the main observation deck was silent--and pretty dark except for the low whirring of floating lanterns that cast pale glows over the faces of Valentine, LuLu, Faust, Gem, Toku, Glonk, Ceri, Kuro, and Davie.

But all eyes were fixed on the three standing in the center.

Blaidd, now veiled in an icy aura so sharp the floor beneath him had begun to frost.

Hoshina, her radiant energy turned to the starry night sky as wisps circled her like satellites.

And Rikushi--smiling but quiet, his presence heavier than ever, his silhouette glowing faintly with crimson threads of darkened flame.

No one spoke for a long moment.

Then, Glonk whispered, "You guys... gods now, or something?"

Rikushi laughed. "Kinda. Guess we over-leveled a bit on that expedition."

Blaidd crossed his arms. "Still getting used to it."

"Still trying to believe it," Gem muttered, raising an eyebrow. "One day we're holding the line back in Nova Terra, next day we're talking about ascension!"

Faust nodded slowly. "All of this... and we haven't even started the Games."

Silence again. The weight of what was coming hung thick in the air.

Suddenly, Rikushi stepped forward, gazing out the glass wall ahead. Nova Concordia Nexus could be seen faintly in the distance. He clenched his fist.

"The last time we entered the Arena Games... we were challengers and strangers, if not rivals."

"This time... we walk in not to compete--but to reclaim our crowns."

"This time... we fight as gods, not as temporary-angels."

Everyone slowly turned to one another--smirks, grins, nods. The kind of energy you felt right before a storm.

And behind them, was the will to proceed with their journey, an everlasting fire that sparked its way alive for the sake of uncovering the truths of Nova Terra.

The fire of the Arena Games had been reignited.

And this time, not just the world was watching, but also the universe, as it seemed a new level of threats arose.