The skies over Earth were forever stained in crimson, the once-thriving cities now nothing more than smoking ruins. Raizo and Tenzir stood among the wreckage, having barely pushed back another wave of monstrous abominations.

  But their victory felt hollow.

  Because deep down, Raizo knew—the real war hadn’t even begun yet.

  And far beyond the reach of mortal eyes, Ryuketsu was about to make his most dangerous move.

  In the Ethereal Void, Zenmu sat alone on his golden throne, surrounded by an endless expanse of flowing cosmic energy.

  Zenmu—the most powerful being in existence. A sage beyond the laws of the universe. A force so overwhelming that even Ryuketsu himself stood no chance in a direct battle.

  But Ryuketsu was not here to fight.

  He was here to win Zenmu’s loyalty.

  A dark portal split open in the void, and Ryuketsu stepped through.

  Zenmu didn’t react. His golden eyes remained shut, his presence unmoved.

  "I told you to leave." His voice echoed, resonating across all dimensions.

  Ryuketsu chuckled, "And yet, here I am."

  Zenmu finally opened his eyes, his gaze like piercing suns, burning with absolute authority.

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  "I am done entertaining your foolishness. You cannot corrupt me, demon."

  Ryuketsu smirked. "Is that so?"

  With a flick of his wrist, Ryuketsu raised his hand—and the void trembled.

  In an instant, an ancient black scroll materialized before Zenmu. Its surface was inscribed with forbidden symbols—symbols older than the universe itself.

  For the first time, Zenmu’s expression changed.

  His golden eyes narrowed. "That… should not exist."

  Ryuketsu grinned. "Yet, here it is."

  Zenmu’s hand twitched, his overwhelming power stirring. He could erase the scroll instantly—with a mere thought, it would vanish from existence.

  And yet, he didn’t.

  Because he knew.

  Even his power had limits.

  Zenmu’s voice darkened. "You have no idea what you are dealing with, Ryuketsu."

  Ryuketsu stepped closer.

  "I know exactly what I’m dealing with."

  The symbols on the scroll shifted, revealing their true nature—an ancient contract, a law above all things, above even Zenmu himself.

  A law that could not be broken.

  Zenmu’s breath slowed. Even he could feel the power behind it.

  Ryuketsu’s grin widened. "You always thought you were above everything, didn’t you? But now, here’s the truth."

  The void around them began to distort.

  "You were never the highest force, Zenmu."

  For the first time in eternity, Zenmu hesitated.

  Ryuketsu raised his hand over the scroll.

  "This contract is proof of a higher order. A force even greater than you. A force that I’ve already accepted."

  Zenmu’s fists clenched. "You have no idea what you're inviting into this reality."

  Ryuketsu's smirk grew darker. "Oh, I do. And so should you."

  Then, slowly, he extended his other hand.

  "Join me, Zenmu. Stand with me. And together, we will be ready for what’s coming."

  For what felt like an eternity, Zenmu said nothing.

  He simply stared at Ryuketsu, the weight of infinite wisdom behind his golden eyes.

  And then—he closed them.

  A chilling silence filled the void.

  When Zenmu finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper.

  "I accept."

  The universe shook.

  Reality itself shattered.

  And in that moment—Zenmu, the most powerful being in existence, had fallen.