Six Hours Later...
"Phewww... That was exhausting," Rio sighed, sprawled beside Nyxara. "But hey, it was worth it."
Nyxara smiled and gently touched his face. "You're safe and sound. Thanks to you, I broke through to TIER-9— safely. That little help... was enough." She pulled an obsidian-dark token from her voilet void and placed it in his hand.
"Take this," she said warmly. "As long as you have this token, you're a welcomed guest of KAZZARA — and this Eleven-Floored Castle — anytime."
Rio held her hand, looking at her curiously. "Why did you save me?"
Nyxara's expression turned calm and steady. "Because I know who you are. You killed Velatore. You carry the very thing that doomed this star. The one that nearly created KAZZARA... my birthplace."
Rio blinked, glancing toward her paintings and ancient artifacts lining the wall. "Then... I owe you. Big time. If it weren't for you, I'd be dead."
Nyxara sat beside him, her gaze drifting toward a painting of herself as a child. "And you've grown stronger too. Even without the suit, your strength rivals TIER-2. For a 17-year-old human... that's fair !."
(I almost forgot. After everything… I'm still alive. Somehow.)
She nudged him playfully. "But enough of that. Your planetary tournament's coming up soon."
Rio raised an eyebrow. "You're reading my mind again, aren't you? You really shouldn't do that unless it's necessary."
He shook his head and opened his suit's interface to scan the hardware.
[Dense Mysterious Voice]: "She'll be beneficial. Don't lose her. Don't question my words, or return to being the weak lad you once were."
(I can't go back to that… Never again…)
Suddenly, with a surge of courage rising from his very bloodline, Rio turned to Nyxara — and kissed her. Fully. Passionately.
Nyxara blinked in surprise, then smiled mid-kiss and returned it, wrapping her arms around him as if she'd expected this moment all along.
"Thanks to my TIER-9 breakthrough," she whispered breathlessly, "I can now send you to that wormhole back which leads to Earth or MARU."
She leaned closer, voice dropping playfully: "...Or you could invite me to Earth and let me live with you." A soft yandere glint shimmered in her eyes.
Laughing nervously, Rio hugged her tighter.
She then activated [Void Raid], warping them to the 9th Floor of the castle.
"I want to stay with you," Rio said, his voice quieter now, "but... I can't live here. And you can't come with me. You should lead this star .... Kazzara ."
He looked up toward the stars above the castle rooftop.
"One day, when I reach TIER-11, I'll come find you. On MARU. But... I'll have to hide my aura... Right !?"
Rio nodded while smiling towards her .
Floating above him, Nyxara crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I know you want to stay. But your mind's shouting even louder — 'Become stronger. Protect your home. Kill those monsters. And… at last… protect me.'"
[SUIT: Trajectory and Power Management — Complete.]
Rio clenched his fist, nodding. "Alright. I'll go. I'll see you again, soon. And Zanna?"
"She won't hurt you," Nyxara assured him. "Or your planet. Don't worry. Just go."
She summoned a space rift above the castle with a flick of her hand.
Without hesitation, Rio shot upward and vanished through the rift.
---
On MARU...
"Sir, the young master's vitality signature has connected to our radar," Marcus reported while bowing before Lython Ryunn.
Lython's eyes widened. "Finally! Where did that brat go?! Is he alright ? The tournament's near!"
Using rapid Tech-ups, Lython launched toward the radar's coordinate.
Rio descended just as his father arrived.
"Dad… I'm sorry," Rio bowed, sincere. "I should've told you before leaving."
Lython grabbed his shoulders. "You could've died, fool! Let's go home. Your mother's stress level is so bad, her Cyber Affinity dropped."
Rio winced. "Yikes."
Lython chuckled, patting his head.
They boarded a massive, limo-shaped semi-cyber vehicle and rode toward home — unaware of how much had truly changed in those days.