The monster roared. "The Grey Warrior won't save you this time!"
A gust of wind ripped through the city.
A flash of silver darted through the smoke.
"Wanna bet?"
Jim landed gracefully on a broken statue in the middle of the town square, his Solar Saber in one hand and his Lunar Crescent Hatchet in the other.
His Grey Warrior armor gleamed despite the haze of destruction.
The monster's glowing eyes locked onto him. "Who are you... you..little brat?"
Jim gave a half-smile. "Who knows?"
Without wasting another second, the monster lunged at Jim, swinging a massive claw.
Jim effortlessly flipped over its arm, his movements smooth and stylish as ever.
"Solar Slash!"
The Solar Saber erupted in golden light as Jim slashed through the monster's claw, leaving a sizzling burn across its arm. The beast roared in pain.
The corrupted troops charged at him from behind - but Jim was ready.
"Lunar Crescent Barrage!"
Jim spun, hurling the Lunar Crescent Hatchet through the air. The weapon cut through the soldiers' weapons, disarming them in a single move. It returned to his hand like a boomerang.
The monster, now furious, charged again - its body glowing with dark energy.
Jim's eyes narrowed.
"Let's finish this."
He crossed his weapons, the Solar Saber and Lunar Hatchet glowing fiercely as they combined into a single weapon - the Solun Lance.
The air around him rippled.
"Solun Finish!"
Jim launched forward, a streak of light cutting through the air as he drove the Solun Lance straight into the monster's core.
The beast let out a final, deafening roar before exploding into a cloud of dark energy.
The city fell silent.
The crowd of Solar and Lunar people - stunned - slowly realized what had happened.
And then...
"The Grey Warrior did it again!"
"So fast?"
"Unbelievable!"
Cheers erupted.
People swarmed towards Jim, clapping, shouting his name, asking for autographs like a new routine.
Jim, still holding his glowing Solun Lance, sighed. "Not again..."
He awkwardly tried to slip away from the crowd, muttering under his breath. "I'm not a celebrity - I'm a warrior..."
But the crowd only pressed in closer.
Then - through the sea of people - Jim spotted something.
A familiar figure limping into the city square.
Tim.
"You've gotta be kidding me," Jim muttered.
Tim, despite the pain still gnawing at his body, flashed a thumbs-up.
"Saw the whole thing," Tim said weakly. "You're pretty cool... Grimmy."
Jim clenched his jaw. "We're not doing this again."
Tim laughed - then promptly collapsed to the ground.
Jim, shaking his head, hoisted Tim over his shoulder. "I told you to stay put."
Tim, still grinning, replied, "Couldn't let my friend have all the fun."
Jim let out an exasperated sigh but for a moment, a small smile tugged at his lips.
Even though they were worlds apart... maybe having a friend wasn't so bad.
_ _ _
The next day, the sky over another Solunar city darkened.
Smoke twisted into the air as another monstrous figure - this one larger than the last two - lumbered through the streets.
It had jagged obsidian armor, glowing cracks running along its body like molten lava, and six eyes burning with a sinister purple light.
The people of the city screamed, running for cover. Solar and Lunar soldiers struggled to hold their ground, but the monster swatted them aside like insects.
"You weaklings can't stop me!" the creature growled, its voice rumbling like an earthquake.
As the city descended into chaos, a flash of silver shot through the sky - and a familiar voice rang out.
"Guess I'm making this a daily routine."
Jim landed dramatically, his Grey Warrior armor shining even through the thick smoke.
His Solar Saber gleamed in one hand, while the Lunar Crescent Hatchet spun stylishly in the other.
The monster's six eyes blinked, locking onto him. "You , you are that Grey Warrior everyone was talking about?!"
Jim smirked. "What can I say? You guys sure love picking on the weak - but not on my watch."
The beast roared and swung a massive, clawed hand at Jim - but the Grey Warrior somersaulted into the air, landing behind it in one fluid motion.
"Solar Radiant Beam!"
A beam of golden energy shot from Jim's saber, slicing into the monster's back. It howled, staggering forward.
Suddenly, though, the creature's purple cracks flared brighter - and a wave of dark energy blasted out, forcing Jim to leap back.
The monster laughed. "I'm not like the others - I've been enhanced by Rei herself!"
Jim's eyes narrowed at the mention of Rei. "So she's boosting you guys now? Great."
He tightened his grip on his weapons. "Guess I better go all out."
With a swift motion, Jim crossed his Solar Saber and Lunar Crescent Hatchet. A radiant silver glow enveloped him, and the two weapons fused into the Solun Lance.
The crowd gasped.
A solar boy shouted. "Grey Warrior, teach that monster it's place."
A lunar boy cheered. "Yeah, use your lance to dance with it. I like your style."
A solar girl hesitantly said. "Please, save us again."
A lunar girl calmly said. "Be sure to give me your autograph this time."
"It's the Solun Lance again!" another one from the crowd shouted.
Jim spun the weapon expertly, its glow intensifying. "Let's wrap this up."
The monster roared, charging at him with dark energy swirling around its fists.
Jim didn't flinch.
"Solun Pierce!"
He dashed forward and drove the Solun Lance straight into the monster's chest.
A massive explosion of light erupted, sending shockwaves across the city.
The monster cried out in pain. "Ah! How dare you hurt me?"
With rage, pain and humiliation, it hit Jim hard in his chest.
Jim: "Awww.." (he was sent flying to the sky with high speed)
A lunar woman from the crowd shrieked. "No... this can't happen. He...he... can't..."
A solar man screamed in frustration. " Are we meant to help him too?"
The crowd was nervous as well as scared.
But then—
Jim suddenly from mid-air danced spinning his Solun Lance as he landed stylishly saying. "You hit pretty hard for a monster. You are indeed better than the previous monsters I faced."
"Guess I have to stop playing with you."
The tension broke in the crowds as they cheered back. "The Grey Warrior is back!"
The monster roared. "Don't get so overconfident, kid. You don't know whom you are taking to know."
Jim smirked. "I know I am talking to a slave of someone who is the slave+ substitute of Dark Void. So, you better don't act high and mighty like the main villain."
The monster growled and charged towards him in rage and frustration. "So, that's your dying words? I will make sure you die the most painful death and remember my face for eternity..."
It charged at him with a large beam of energy channeled from it's arms, six eyes amplifying it further and from it's cracks. It was growing larger and larger and it was turning darker and darker.
A lunar man shouted in despair. "You shouldn't have provoked it further. Now it will destroy the entire place."
The entire crowd was silent, every eyes fixed on the scene.
But Jim was unbothered.
The monster was soon turning into a dark energy gigantic large beam which was heading at high speed like a disaster towards Jim.
The crowd itself was getting sucked into it.
They had there own reactions.
"No, Stop it..."
"I don't wanna die like this..."
"We are all doomed..."
But then as it reached near him, Jim immediately raised his Solun Lance, leapt up and cut through that entire disaster hard channeling all his power.
"Solun Finish"
The entire disaster caused a massive explosion as the Solun Finish cracked it, making the entire crowd soar and the monster inside the disaster shatter like glass, letting out one last agonized scream before crumbling into ash.
Silence.
The crowd who were unintentionally soaring, used there Solar/ Lunar powers respectively to make a safe landing.
Jim was standing strong unfazed as he thought about what happened.
Just when he was provoking the monster, he was already channeling Solar and Lunar energy through his Lance bit by bit.
So by the time, the monster charged, he had already channeled a large amount of energy and was way more powerful than his previous Solun Finish because he knew this time, he couldn't bother to use it casually like the other times as it was not guaranteed to kill, plus, if he didn't finish it faster, Soluna would have faced heavier damages.
For the exact reason he tested the monster with a weaker attack checking it's power first.
As Jim was done reminiscing about his thought process, the Soluna crowd were already gathering near him as once again - the cheers began.
"The Grey Warrior saved us!"
"He did it again!"
Jim groaned under his breath as the crowd rushed toward him. "It's not that big of a deal...I am just doing my duty."
Just as the people swarmed him, though -
"You just love stealing the spotlight, huh?"
Jim's head snapped around.
Tim, who was dragging himself somehow, leaned against a wall with a grin.
"Didn't I tell you to rest? Why do you always end up showing like it's some comedy skit." Jim snapped, clearly annoyed.
Tim shrugged. "You did - but someone's gotta keep an eye on their little brother. Plus, I am feeling better than before."
Jim was surprised hearing that. "What? When did you started seeing me as a brother?"
Tim chuckled. "Can't help it, I feel closer like that. I guess I really needed a brother."
Jim sighed. "Great... atleast you won't be calling me Grimmy. But still it feels weird."
But despite his usual grumbling, a small, hidden smile crept onto his face.
As the crowd continued cheering, Jim and Tim sat side by side - the Grey Warrior and the recovering Solar Warrior - knowing the battles were far from over.
The air around him rippled.
"Solun Finish!"
Jim launched forward, a streak of light cutting through the air as he drove the Solun Lance straight into the monster's core.
The beast let out a final, deafening roar before exploding into a cloud of dark energy.
The city fell silent.
The crowd of Solar and Lunar people - stunned - slowly realized what had happened.
And then...
"The Grey Warrior did it again!"
"So fast?"
"Unbelievable!"
Cheers erupted.
People swarmed towards Jim, clapping, shouting his name, asking for autographs like a new routine.
Jim, still holding his glowing Solun Lance, sighed. "Not again..."
He awkwardly tried to slip away from the crowd, muttering under his breath. "I'm not a celebrity - I'm a warrior..."
But the crowd only pressed in closer.
Then - through the sea of people - Jim spotted something.
A familiar figure limping into the city square.
Tim.
"You've gotta be kidding me," Jim muttered.
Tim, despite the pain still gnawing at his body, flashed a thumbs-up.
"Saw the whole thing," Tim said weakly. "You're pretty cool... Grimmy."
Jim clenched his jaw. "We're not doing this again."
Tim laughed - then promptly collapsed to the ground.
Jim, shaking his head, hoisted Tim over his shoulder. "I told you to stay put."
Tim, still grinning, replied, "Couldn't let my friend have all the fun."
Jim let out an exasperated sigh but for a moment, a small smile tugged at his lips.
Even though they were worlds apart... maybe having a friend wasn't so bad.
_ _ _
The next day, the sky over another Solunar city darkened.
Smoke twisted into the air as another monstrous figure - this one larger than the last two - lumbered through the streets.
It had jagged obsidian armor, glowing cracks running along its body like molten lava, and six eyes burning with a sinister purple light.
The people of the city screamed, running for cover. Solar and Lunar soldiers struggled to hold their ground, but the monster swatted them aside like insects.
"You weaklings can't stop me!" the creature growled, its voice rumbling like an earthquake.
As the city descended into chaos, a flash of silver shot through the sky - and a familiar voice rang out.
"Guess I'm making this a daily routine."
Jim landed dramatically, his Grey Warrior armor shining even through the thick smoke.
His Solar Saber gleamed in one hand, while the Lunar Crescent Hatchet spun stylishly in the other.
The monster's six eyes blinked, locking onto him. "You , you are that Grey Warrior everyone was talking about?!"
Jim smirked. "What can I say? You guys sure love picking on the weak - but not on my watch."
The beast roared and swung a massive, clawed hand at Jim - but the Grey Warrior somersaulted into the air, landing behind it in one fluid motion.
"Solar Radiant Beam!"
A beam of golden energy shot from Jim's saber, slicing into the monster's back. It howled, staggering forward.
Suddenly, though, the creature's purple cracks flared brighter - and a wave of dark energy blasted out, forcing Jim to leap back.
The monster laughed. "I'm not like the others - I've been enhanced by Rei herself!"
Jim's eyes narrowed at the mention of Rei. "So she's boosting you guys now? Great."
He tightened his grip on his weapons. "Guess I better go all out."
With a swift motion, Jim crossed his Solar Saber and Lunar Crescent Hatchet. A radiant silver glow enveloped him, and the two weapons fused into the Solun Lance.
The crowd gasped.
A solar boy shouted. "Grey Warrior, teach that monster it's place."
A lunar boy cheered. "Yeah, use your lance to dance with it. I like your style."
A solar girl hesitantly said. "Please, save us again."
A lunar girl calmly said. "Be sure to give me your autograph this time."
"It's the Solun Lance again!" another one from the crowd shouted.
Jim spun the weapon expertly, its glow intensifying. "Let's wrap this up."
The monster roared, charging at him with dark energy swirling around its fists.
Jim didn't flinch.
"Solun Pierce!"
He dashed forward and drove the Solun Lance straight into the monster's chest.
A massive explosion of light erupted, sending shockwaves across the city.
The monster cried out in pain. "Ah! How dare you hurt me?"
With rage, pain and humiliation, it hit Jim hard in his chest.
Jim: "Awww.." (he was sent flying to the sky with high speed)
A lunar woman from the crowd shrieked. "No... this can't happen. He...he... can't..."
A solar man screamed in frustration. " Are we meant to help him too?"
The crowd was nervous as well as scared.
But then—
Jim suddenly from mid-air danced spinning his Solun Lance as he landed stylishly saying. "You hit pretty hard for a monster. You are indeed better than the previous monsters I faced."
"Guess I have to stop playing with you."
The tension broke in the crowds as they cheered back. "The Grey Warrior is back!"
The monster roared. "Don't get so overconfident, kid. You don't know whom you are taking to know."
Jim smirked. "I know I am talking to a slave of someone who is the slave+ substitute of Dark Void. So, you better don't act high and mighty like the main villain."
The monster growled and charged towards him in rage and frustration. "So, that's your dying words? I will make sure you die the most painful death and remember my face for eternity..."
It charged at him with a large beam of energy channeled from it's arms, six eyes amplifying it further and from it's cracks. It was growing larger and larger and it was turning darker and darker.
A lunar man shouted in despair. "You shouldn't have provoked it further. Now it will destroy the entire place."
The entire crowd was silent, every eyes fixed on the scene.
But Jim was unbothered.
The monster was soon turning into a dark energy gigantic large beam which was heading at high speed like a disaster towards Jim.
The crowd itself was getting sucked into it.
They had there own reactions.
"No, Stop it..."
"I don't wanna die like this..."
"We are all doomed..."
But then as it reached near him, Jim immediately raised his Solun Lance, leapt up and cut through that entire disaster hard channeling all his power.
"Solun Finish"
The entire disaster caused a massive explosion as the Solun Finish cracked it, making the entire crowd soar and the monster inside the disaster shatter like glass, letting out one last agonized scream before crumbling into ash.
Silence.
The crowd who were unintentionally soaring, used there Solar/ Lunar powers respectively to make a safe landing.
Jim was standing strong unfazed as he thought about what happened.
Just when he was provoking the monster, he was already channeling Solar and Lunar energy through his Lance bit by bit.
So by the time, the monster charged, he had already channeled a large amount of energy and was way more powerful than his previous Solun Finish because he knew this time, he couldn't bother to use it casually like the other times as it was not guaranteed to kill, plus, if he didn't finish it faster, Soluna would have faced heavier damages.
For the exact reason he tested the monster with a weaker attack checking it's power first.
As Jim was done reminiscing about his thought process, the Soluna crowd were already gathering near him as once again - the cheers began.
"The Grey Warrior saved us!"
"He did it again!"
Jim groaned under his breath as the crowd rushed toward him. "It's not that big of a deal...I am just doing my duty."
Just as the people swarmed him, though -
"You just love stealing the spotlight, huh?"
Jim's head snapped around.
Tim, who was dragging himself somehow, leaned against a wall with a grin.
"Didn't I tell you to rest? Why do you always end up showing like it's some comedy skit." Jim snapped, clearly annoyed.
Tim shrugged. "You did - but someone's gotta keep an eye on their little brother. Plus, I am feeling better than before."
Jim was surprised hearing that. "What? When did you started seeing me as a brother?"
Tim chuckled. "Can't help it, I feel closer like that. I guess I really needed a brother."
Jim sighed. "Great... atleast you won't be calling me Grimmy. But still it feels weird."
But despite his usual grumbling, a small, hidden smile crept onto his face.
As the crowd continued cheering, Jim and Tim sat side by side - the Grey Warrior and the recovering Solar Warrior - knowing the battles were far from over.