Arc I: “Apocalypse”
Chapter III: “Armageddon”
Episode VI: “And Then There Was One”
“Is he alright?” Darc asked as he and Rayon returned to Rikito and Asuka.
“He’s breathing… but still unconscious.”
Asuka’s hands glowed faint green as she tried to heal his wounds.
“Hey, can you two help me lift him? I know somewhere safe where he can rest.”
The three carefully carried him as they flew to Fevee’s house, settling him in to recover.
[Two days later — Woodberry]
“Hey! You shouldn’t be standing yet!”
“I’m fine, Asuka.” Rikito’s tone was flat, his eyes sharp despite the faint scars across his body.
“If anything, I’ve spent too much time resting. I can’t be rusty when I fight the Tenth General.”
“You won’t fight anyone if you collapse from overexertion!”
“No,” Rayon interjected, “he might be alright.
According to what we’ve learned from the headmaster, Kaelithians are resilient — their aether meridians are incredibly malleable. They tend to experience more frequent Aether Surges than most races.”
“See? Rayon gets it,” Rikito said, already turning toward the door.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to train.”
Asuka crossed her arms.
“Hmph. Yeah, go ahead and train, you’ll need it. While you do that, Darc and I are going to go fight the Tenth General,” Rayon said.
Rikito froze. “…What did you just say?”
“You heard me. While you’ve been napping, we were searching for Apocalypse’s home base.
The UFA has been hunting for five years with no luck. But, thanks to the aether signatures of the last two Generals we traced the other day, we were able to pinpoint its approximate location.
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Darc found the island last night. We’re leaving to take him down.”
Rikito’s eyes narrowed.
“If you think you’ll beat the Tenth General before I do, you’re sorely mistaken. Your little bonding technique won’t cut it," He smirked.
“The only person who might stand a chance against him besides me… is Akira. And no one’s seen him for years.”
Rayon stepped forward.
“We can’t wait for Akira to appear. Based on the UFA’s research, Apocalypse hasn’t awakened yet.
This might be our only chance to wipe out his generals — maybe even Apocalypse himself — before that changes.”
“Good luck,” Rikito said mockingly as he brushed past them. “I’ll clean up your mess once you fail.”
[Later — Fevee’s house]
Asuka sat on the couch beside Fevee, staring blankly at the repaired wooden beams of the house.
“You still haven’t heard from him?” Fevee asked.
Asuka shook her head, “No… I’ve searched. But nothing.”
“I know. You’ve all been busy.”
Silence lingered between them.
“How’s your brother?” Fevee finally asked.
Asuka gave a soft smile. “Better. His wounds were deep, but he’s recovering quickly.”
“That’s good…”
“… so, I saw that you guys are almost done repairing the damage.”
“…You saw the repairs outside?” Fevee continued.
“The villagers worked hard. Soon, this place will be even better than it was before.”
She turned to Asuka, her gaze firm.
“Promise me something.”
“Uh… sure?”
“When you find him… make sure you bring him back here. I want him to see what he saved all those years ago. My brother would be proud.”
Asuka nodded. “I promise.”
[The next day]
Rikito slammed the door to Fevee’s house open.
“Those idiots… they really went to fight him. Asuka! We’re going after them.”
“Where?” Asuka turned around in shock as he stomped inside.
“To Apocalypse’s castle. If they left last night, they’ll be engaging the Tenth General by now.”
“Then we don’t have time to waste!”
“That’s what— whatever, let’s move.”
[Outside Apocalypse’s castle]
The setting sunlight bled over the dark-sanded island.
“There you are, Rikito.”
The voice was smooth, mocking.
Bowl, the Tenth General, lounged on the lowest step of the black-stone staircase, his massive frame casting a shadow over Darc and Rayon — both lying in crumpled heaps beside him.
His ancient black and silver robes glimmered in the overcast light, and his crimson eyes burned like molten metal.
“I was getting bored waiting for you. These two Earthlings thought they could entertain me, but they weren’t even worth the trouble.”
“You… what did you do to them?!” Rikito snarled as he and Asuka landed nearby.
Bowl waved dismissively. “Relax. They’re alive. Barely. Whether they deserve to be is another matter.”
His gaze slid lazily to Rikito.
“But enough about them. Tell me… where’s the vessel? I haven’t sensed his aether for years. Surely, he’s still alive? It would complicate things if he weren’t.”
Rikito’s aura flared.
“I don’t know where Akira is. And even if I did, I’d never tell you.”
“A shame.”
Bowl rose, towering over them like a living monolith.
“I was hoping you’d spare me the trouble of searching. Still…” His grin widened, “I have an offer.”
“What?” Asuka spat.
“Join me. Both of you.”
He extended his hand in goodwill.
“With the others dead, our ranks are… thin. But the two of you? You’d make fine generals. Together, we could achieve great things. And when our father returns, he’ll lead us to the Grand World our ancestors lost.”
Rikito’s brow furrowed.
“What is this Grand World you all keep mentioning?”
“Ah, so uneducated in your own heritage,” Bowl sighed.
“But I suppose that’s to be expected from runaways. We are Dystopians — the same race as your dear Akira, though he was born as a ‘Pure’ Utopian. Our father, Apocalypse, was one of the chosen few who wielded the Spirit of Utopia’s blessing, despite his Dystopian blood. But the rest of us… We were born with our own gift: the Demon Form, a power we command without the Spirit’s blessing. Long ago, our planet — Utopia —was ravaged by war between the so-called ‘Pure’ Sages and us, ‘corrupted’ Demons. The planet died, the Heart of Utopia vanished, and we were left to wander the Universe. Until our father found its new vessel: Akira.”
Rikito’s fists clenched.
“So, Akira carries the Heart of Utopia. And you need him to restore your world.”
“Correct. Our father’s power alone is not enough. To revive Utopia, we need the Heart — whole and unbroken.”
“…”
Bowl’s grin sharpened.
“So, what will it be? Die here by my hand? Or join me… and claim the power you’ve been denied?”
[Next Time on Lyte of Utopia]: “Dystopian Brawl”
[Yield Levels]:
Rikito: 10m
- Aether Resurgence: Surge: 100m
Asuka: 5m
Fevee: 50
Darc: 30m
Rayon: 50m
Bowl: ???
- Suppressed: 105m