A cold silence filled the baseship's command room.
Hellfire leaned against the wall, steam still hissing from his fingertips after his monster's failure. Toxica sat cross-legged, picking at a dead vine, her smirk never leaving her face.
"Looks like it's your turn, Aquadrown," she sneered.
The towering water warrior cracked his knuckles, his shark-like grin stretching wider.
"Rei's been lucky so far," he rumbled. "But let's see how long she can hold her breath."
Dark Void's eyes gleamed from the shadows. "Don't toy with her, Aquadrown. I want her broken."
Aquadrown gave a sharp, sinister chuckle. "Broken? By the time I'm done... she'll be drowned."
He vanished into a surge of water, preparing his monster for the next attack.
The Next Day - Soluna
The once-bustling Solunar city stood in uneasy silence, its people still shaken from Magmageddon's destruction the day before.
But the calm didn't last long.
Without warning - water erupted from the ground. Geysers shot into the air, flooding the streets and toppling buildings as if the ocean itself had broken free.
Then - a roar.
From the surging water rose Tsunami Leviathan - a monstrous, serpentine water beast, its scaled body endlessly flowing like a liquid coil. It spiraled through the sky, forming a whirlpool above the city before slamming into the flooded streets, sending massive waves crashing into the remaining buildings.
The people screamed, scrambling to higher ground - but the water was rising fast.
Amid the chaos, The Black Lunar Warrior appeared.
Her Lunar Crescent Hatchets gleamed faintly, their glow fighting against the swirling water's reflection.
She didn't flinch at the destruction - her gaze was locked on the Leviathan.
The Solunar people, soaked and frightened, noticed her.
"Her again..." someone muttered.
"Is this her fault too?" another hissed.
"Maybe Dark Void's monster is here because of her."
The same accusations as always.
But this time, Jim wasn't there to defend her.
Rei didn't even blink at their words - she simply clenched her hatchets and stepped forward.
The Tsunami Leviathan lunged at Rei, its watery form shifting constantly, making it hard to land a hit.
She dodged a sweeping tail made of surging water, only to be caught by a sudden blast of liquid pressure.
The force sent her crashing through a half-submerged building.
The crowd gasped - some whispering that she was done for.
But then -
Rei emerged from the rubble, dripping wet but standing firm. Her Lunar Aura shimmered around her, creating a faint protective layer against the crushing water.
She closed her eyes briefly - focusing.
"I can't fight it like a normal monster... it's water."
Another wave surged towards her, and she swiftly formed a glowing crescent barrier, splitting the wave in two before it could hit her.
The Leviathan roared, rearing back for another attack.
Rei's mind raced.
"It has a core... just like the others... but if I keep attacking its body, it'll just reform. I need to target the core - but where is it?"
Suddenly, the monster coiled around her in a spiraling whirlpool, trapping her underwater.
The water crushed against her Lunar Aura, threatening to snuff it out.
Her breath was running out.
Her vision blurred as she struggled against the pressure.
For a split second - doubt crept in.
Would she lose here - alone?
Then suddenly, a flicker of light.
Through the swirling water, she saw it - a faint, glowing sphere deep within the Leviathan's swirling chest.
The core.
Rei gritted her teeth.
"No one's saving me. It's just me."
Her Lunar Aura flared - to form a protective lunar barrier around her.
She focused every ounce of power into sharpening the edges of the barrier - turning it into a glowing dark blade.
The Leviathan lunged - its jaws of water rushing toward her.
Rei didn't run rather She charged straight into the beast.
The crowd watched in horror as the Lunar Warrior disappeared inside the Leviathan.
Seconds passed.
Then -
A blinding Lunar Crescent Strike burst through the Leviathan's chest, piercing its core.
The monster's watery form trembled, losing shape as its core shattered into glowing shards.
The Leviathan collapsed into a harmless wave, washing over the broken city.
When the water settled - Rei stood alone.
Dripping wet. Hatchets still glowing. Breathing hard - but victorious.
The crowd was silent.
Not in awe - but in confusion.
One voice broke the quiet:
"She... won by herself?"
Another muttered, "She shouldn't be this strong... Dark Void must be helping her."
Rei didn't respond to that.
She just wiped her hatchets clean and began walking away.
Suddenly - a voice called out.
"If anyone says one more word against her - you'll deal with me."
It was the green haired boy, Jim, gripping his Solun Lance tightly.
The crowd stopped yet again.
Some of them whispered among each other(quite obviously teens).
"What to do? I want his autograph this time. So, isn't it better if we just stop hating her."
"What? No, I can't risk my life just for the Grey Warrior's autograph."
"Hey? Don't be like that. It's commitment."
"Sorry! I'm out."
Jim glanced at Rei- the water still dripping from her armor - and saw something different this time.
Not just a powerful warrior.
Not just a cold fighter.
But someone protecting the Solunar people - even if they didn't want her to.
He understood now - Rei wasn't trying to be their hero. She was fighting because it was her responsibility.
His voice softened.
"I get it now, big sis..."
"You're not saving them for their thanks... You're saving them because it's the right thing to do."
Rei paused for a moment, then glanced at him - a small flicker of surprise in her usually cold eyes.
She didn't say anything.
But for the first time -
Jim saw the faintest hint of a smile.
Back at Dark Void's base...
Aquadrown's furious roar echoed through the warship as he smashed his fist into a nearby console.
"She DESTROYED my Leviathan?!"
Toxica smirked. "Guess your water wasn't deep enough."
Hellfire chuckled darkly.
Dark Void, however, remained silent - his glowing eyes narrowing.
"It seems Rei is stronger than I expected..."
After a few moments...
The atmosphere crackled with tension. Aquadrown leaned against the wall, still fuming over his Leviathan's defeat. Hellfire's smirk had grown wider, watching his rival seethe.
But the loudest voice belonged to Toxica.
"Guess it's my turn again." She twirled a poisonous vine between her fingers, her venomous smile widening. "If brute strength doesn't break Rei... maybe her mind will."
She summoned a small, glowing seed from the palm of her hand - pulsing with dark energy.
"Time to bloom."
The seed burst into black petals, and in an instant - Parasite Bloom was born.
A City in Soluna - The Next Day
There was a peaceful city bustling with life, its people still shaken but trying to rebuild from the last attack. Among them was a young couple - Zala and Larry.
A Solar woman and a Lunar man.
Zala's hands rested gently on her stomach - heavily pregnant.
They were expecting Solar and Lunar twins - a boy and a girl - a living representation of the fragile unity between their people.
"It won't be long now," Larry said softly, brushing Zala's hair aside.
She smiled. "Our twins... they'll be proof that Solar and Lunar bloodlines can build a future together."
But before they could savor the moment -
The ground quaked.
From the center of the city, a massive flower burst through the stone streets - black petals unfurling like a twisted nightmare.
The Parasite Bloom loomed, releasing a thick, shimmering cloud of glowing purple spores into the air.
Almost instantly - people's eyes glazed over.
The spores slithered into their minds, twisting their thoughts.
Friends turned on each other. Families screamed.
Zala clutched her stomach, her knees buckling.
"Larry - the spores -"
Larry grimaced, trying to stay focused - but his vision blurred. His Lunar powers flickered as his mind fought for control.
Before either of them collapsed -
A crescent-shaped slash cut through the spores - pushing the cloud back for a brief moment.
The Lunar Warrior had arrived yet again.
Her Lunar Crescent Hatchets glowed, slicing through the air as she formed a protective aura around the couple.
Her cold eyes locked onto the Parasite Bloom.
The battle erupted.
Rei danced through the air - slashing at the monster's vines as they lashed out. Each cut severed a writhing tendril, but more grew in its place - twisting and multiplying with every strike.
The spores grew thicker - clouding her vision, slipping into her lungs.
Her head pounded.
She heard whispers - illusions forming in her mind.
"You're a traitor."
"The Solunar people will never trust you."
"This battle is meaningless."
Her grip on her hatchets weakened for a split second.
From a distance - Heatsun, Moonsalt, Henry, and Marie rushed to the scene.
"Rei!" Moonsalt called out.
But Heatsun held out a hand, stopping her. "No. Let her fight."
"But she's alone!" Marie protested.
Heatsun's expression was hard. "If she loses now - she'll never stand a chance against Dark Void."
Rei staggered.
The Parasite Bloom's spores twisted her mind, its vines closing in - ready to strike her down.
The crowd - despite the chaos - still muttered against her.
"She's losing..."
"Why does she even fight for us?"
"She's the reason Dark Void keeps attacking."
But amidst the voices - one small cry broke through:
"Please... save us..."
It was Zala - trembling, holding her stomach.
Rei's vision sharpened.
The Solunar people might hate her - but this Solar woman and Lunar man were innocent.
Their unborn children - Solar and Lunar twins - were the symbol of unity passed through generations of Soluna's history.
They were the future.
Rei gritted her teeth.
"Get out of my head."
Her Lunar Aura exploded as a pulse of cleansing darkness- burning away the spores in the air.
The crowd gasped as the clouds dissolved - their minds clearing.
The Parasite Bloom roared in fury - vines whipping toward Rei in a frenzy.
But this time - she didn't dodge.
She charged straight through the attack.
Vines slashed across her armor, but she didn't stop. Her Lunar Crescent Hatchets glowed even darker- radiating with sheer determination.
With a final, devastating strike -
Rei sliced through the monster's core.
The Parasite Bloom shriveled and withered - its vines collapsing into a lifeless heap.
There was Silence.
Rei, bloodied and breathless, stood victorious.
The crowd - the same people who had mocked her for days - stared in disbelief.
Something seemed to have shifted in there expressions.
Zala and Larry approached Rei.
Zala, holding her stomach, whispered:
"Thank you... for protecting us... and our children."
Rei didn't respond. She simply turned away - her face as cold as ever.
But Jim - watching from the crowd - smiled.
Back at Dark Void's base...
Toxica's sharp nails cracked against the wall.
"How did she resist the spores...?" she hissed.
Aquadrown chuckled darkly. "Guess your flower didn't bloom right."
Hellfire's eyes burned with anticipation.
Dark Void, his expression calm but cold, smiled faintly.
"Her mind is strong... but it can still be broken."
He turned to Hellfire.
"Prepare your next monster. This time... we target her heart."
"It won't be long now," Larry said softly, brushing Zala's hair aside.
She smiled. "Our twins... they'll be proof that Solar and Lunar bloodlines can build a future together."
But before they could savor the moment -
The ground quaked.
From the center of the city, a massive flower burst through the stone streets - black petals unfurling like a twisted nightmare.
The Parasite Bloom loomed, releasing a thick, shimmering cloud of glowing purple spores into the air.
Almost instantly - people's eyes glazed over.
The spores slithered into their minds, twisting their thoughts.
Friends turned on each other. Families screamed.
Zala clutched her stomach, her knees buckling.
"Larry - the spores -"
Larry grimaced, trying to stay focused - but his vision blurred. His Lunar powers flickered as his mind fought for control.
Before either of them collapsed -
A crescent-shaped slash cut through the spores - pushing the cloud back for a brief moment.
The Lunar Warrior had arrived yet again.
Her Lunar Crescent Hatchets glowed, slicing through the air as she formed a protective aura around the couple.
Her cold eyes locked onto the Parasite Bloom.
The battle erupted.
Rei danced through the air - slashing at the monster's vines as they lashed out. Each cut severed a writhing tendril, but more grew in its place - twisting and multiplying with every strike.
The spores grew thicker - clouding her vision, slipping into her lungs.
Her head pounded.
She heard whispers - illusions forming in her mind.
"You're a traitor."
"The Solunar people will never trust you."
"This battle is meaningless."
Her grip on her hatchets weakened for a split second.
From a distance - Heatsun, Moonsalt, Henry, and Marie rushed to the scene.
"Rei!" Moonsalt called out.
But Heatsun held out a hand, stopping her. "No. Let her fight."
"But she's alone!" Marie protested.
Heatsun's expression was hard. "If she loses now - she'll never stand a chance against Dark Void."
Rei staggered.
The Parasite Bloom's spores twisted her mind, its vines closing in - ready to strike her down.
The crowd - despite the chaos - still muttered against her.
"She's losing..."
"Why does she even fight for us?"
"She's the reason Dark Void keeps attacking."
But amidst the voices - one small cry broke through:
"Please... save us..."
It was Zala - trembling, holding her stomach.
Rei's vision sharpened.
The Solunar people might hate her - but this Solar woman and Lunar man were innocent.
Their unborn children - Solar and Lunar twins - were the symbol of unity passed through generations of Soluna's history.
They were the future.
Rei gritted her teeth.
"Get out of my head."
Her Lunar Aura exploded as a pulse of cleansing darkness- burning away the spores in the air.
The crowd gasped as the clouds dissolved - their minds clearing.
The Parasite Bloom roared in fury - vines whipping toward Rei in a frenzy.
But this time - she didn't dodge.
She charged straight through the attack.
Vines slashed across her armor, but she didn't stop. Her Lunar Crescent Hatchets glowed even darker- radiating with sheer determination.
With a final, devastating strike -
Rei sliced through the monster's core.
The Parasite Bloom shriveled and withered - its vines collapsing into a lifeless heap.
There was Silence.
Rei, bloodied and breathless, stood victorious.
The crowd - the same people who had mocked her for days - stared in disbelief.
Something seemed to have shifted in there expressions.
Zala and Larry approached Rei.
Zala, holding her stomach, whispered:
"Thank you... for protecting us... and our children."
Rei didn't respond. She simply turned away - her face as cold as ever.
But Jim - watching from the crowd - smiled.