The Tower of Ascension pierced the heavens—sleek, radiant, a cathedral of chrome and circuitry. Unlike Prometheon's militarized brutality, this monument whispered elegance and unspoken power. The air shimmered with sterile humidity and the quiet hum of anti-grav lifts. It wasn't just a building; it was a declaration of supremacy.
Luna led the group through the high-gloss corridors, her heels clicking with poise. Behind her trailed Kaito, Rin, Lio, Yuisaka, and Suzuka, each dressed in a sense of formality but carrying silent caution like a loaded weapon.
"Remember," Luna said, voice low. "Vance is an old ally. But he doesn't do anything for free. His currency is leverage, not loyalty."
The elevator doors parted to reveal a breathtaking panoramic chamber—floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the cityscape of Neo Tokyo in twilight hues. At the room's center stood Vance Tensho, CEO of Ascension. Clad in a crimson and obsidian suit, he radiated charm laced with a quiet, intimidating intellect. His blood-red hair caught the setting sun, and his yellow eyes were calculating.
"Luna," he said with a slight bow, "still luminous in every way. And these are the young legends you've pinned your hopes on?"
"Don't butter me up, Vance," Luna said coolly, "We're here because time is running out."
Vance gestured them to a large circular table of polished obsidian. "Then let's speak like the leaders we pretend not to be."
They sat. Tension coiled around them like smoke.
"Prometheon is no longer interested in chess games," Luna began. "They're bulldozing pieces off the board. We intercepted intelligence—something called the Black Sun Protocol. We believe it's their war-ending move."
Vance's gaze sharpened. "I've heard fragments. My sources say it's an AI-augmented weapon system… or something worse."
"I'm offering Ascension a 20% stake in Tenmangu," Luna said, calm but firm. "And a full alliance—tech sharing, resources, access. But we need your support now. Not when it's too late."
Vance laced his fingers. "That's a tempting price. But your enemies become my enemies. You understand that?"
Kaito leaned forward. "Prometheon already is your enemy. They killed my father. They're trying to finish what they started. But I won't let them."
Vance studied him for a long moment. "You've got his eyes... Haro would've been proud."
Rin subtly shifted beside Kaito, sensing the direction of the conversation.
"Vance," Luna pressed. "We know you've had eyes inside Prometheon. Give us what you know."
"I do have a mole. Codename: Whisper. He's embedded in their logistics network. Hasn't been able to transmit data safely—until now." He leaned forward. "But nothing's free. When the smoke clears, I want Tenmangu's backing—no questions. My vision for the new world needs unflinching allies."
Luna hesitated... then nodded. "Done."
Vance was about to reply when the tower shuddered.
Everyone turned.
A second later, the windows detonated inward.
Glass, fire, and pressure slammed into the room. A massive hovercraft hovered outside, flooding the chamber with wind and smoke. Black-armored Prometheon soldiers descended through the breach like insects.
"AMBUSH DETECTED," AICE's voice rang in Kaito's ear. "INITIATING COMBAT PROTOCOLS."
Kaito dove behind an overturned table as plasma bolts lit up the room. Luna's gold-tech shield flared to life as she rolled across the floor, flipping a sidearm from her coat.
"Protect the CEO!" she shouted. "Lio, barriers! Rin, take left flank!"
Vance flipped open a compartment in the table, pulling a compact plasma pistol. "So this is how you say hello these days?"
Yuisaka launched a smoke grenade and dove into cover. "They're enhanced. IV units!"
Rin was already mid-combat, blades slicing through enemy ranks in a dance of blood and light. Her body moved like a phantom—each movement deliberate, every strike fatal.
Suzuka spun through the air, landing a brutal crescent kick to an enforcer's head. "You dare crash my mother's negotiation? Shame on you!"
Kaito activated his EXO core, neon circuits spreading across his suit like veins. "AICE— full sync."
"Confirmed. Synch rate: 93%. You're clear."
He burst forward, tackling a soldier into the wall. Sparks and screams echoed across the conference room.
Then the floor shook again.
A mechanized hover tank burst through the tower's side. Its armored hull opened like a flower, unleashing a new wave of mechanized infantry.
"Seriously!?" Kaito grunted. "They brought a tank?"
Luna looked to Vance. "You said the data was downstairs?"
"Panic vault—two floors down," he shouted over the chaos. "But the stairwell is already compromised!"
Kaito smashed a soldier away, his eyes locking with Rin's.
"We make a path. We don't leave without that intel."
Suddenly, the battlefield hushed. A lone figure descended through the breach—clad in sleek, obsidian armor etched with crimson lines. Twin energy blades hummed at his sides.
The room seemed to bend around him.
"Kaito Myojin," the figure said, his voice digitally warped. "The ghost's spawn. The experiment that lived."
Kaito stood tall. "You know who I am. Who knew I would be so popular?"
"Your bloodline ends here."
The assassin lunged. Kaito met him mid-air.
Steel screamed.
And the real battle began.