CHAPTER 56: GOLDEN LIGHT OF AETHERPOLIS

A week had passed since Ren first mastered Core Spiraling. By now, his body and core had fully adapted to the technique, his movements sharper and his energy flow was smoother with every attempt.

Sora and Seth were also improving steadily, their Core Releases lasting longer than their usual limits. Even Miko, who had poured all his time into upgrading his gadgets and refining his hand to hand combat, was showing noticeable progress, enough to earn himself the squad’s running nickname "Batman."

Minato and Kaela, however, were still struggling. They had unlocked their Core Releases, yes, but using them remained too dangerous. The backlash from improper control was severe, so Aeri had strictly forbidden them from activating it until they received the proper training to handle it.

Still, neither of them seemed discouraged. If anything, the entire squad burned with determination. Weeks of training together had transformed them into a far more cohesive unit than when they first began. Their timing, coordination, and trust in each other had sharpened to a fine edge. What they feared might be the biggest challenge, which is integrating Minato into the squad, turned out to be one of their greatest advantages. He synced into their rhythm seamlessly, strengthening the squad as a whole.

But just as they were starting to feel confident about their progress, a sudden call cut through the ward.

All members of ZEAL in Ward 1 were summoned to the central plaza immediately. The same happened in Ward 11 and across every allied ward. Something big was happening, something that could very well spark the war they all knew was coming.

"Yo, what’s going on?" Miko asked a member of Squad 5 they stumbled upon as they hurried toward the plaza.

"I don’t know the details." The man answered, his face grim. "But the Shikkoku are broadcasting live across the entire city."

"Come quick!" Zig’s voice barked from ahead, signaling them to take their places near the center of the plaza.

When they arrived, the sight that greeted them was chilling. Thousands had gathered, ZEAL members, wardens, and civilians, staring upward in tense silence. On the side of a tall building, a massive LED screen flickered to life.

Within moments, panic rippled through the crowd. Citizens whispered in frantic voices, fear tightening its grip on the air, while ZEAL stood frozen, eyes fixed on the screen.

The broadcast was about to begin.

Suddenly, the massive screen in the plaza changed. A five minute countdown ticked away, every second making the air heavier. When it finally hit zero, the screen flickered into static before clearing.

A man appeared. His face was hidden behind a mask, and he wore the dark red jacket that everyone in the city feared, the mark of the Fangs.

"Hello, city of Aetherpolis." The man spoke, his voice calm yet chilling. "As you can see from this jacket, you already know who I am and who I represent. We are the Shikkoku. And I am one of the Twelve Fangs."

The moment he finished, the crowd burst into whispers. Civilians gasped and trembled. Fear spread like wildfire across the plaza, their voices rising in panic.

Ren’s heart pounded as he clenched his fists, teeth grinding together.

The Fangs! The Shikkoku! They’re finally making their move!

His blood boiled, anger threatening to burst out of him, until he felt something. A warm hand holding his own.

Ren looked to his side and saw Sora gripping his hand tightly. She was shaking, fear clear in her eyes. But even with that fear, she looked straight at him.

That alone was enough. Her fear and her will to still stand with him. It calmed his burning rage, grounding him in that moment.

"We’ll face this together." Sora whispered. "You, me, our squad, and all of ZEAL."

Ren turned his gaze to the rest of Squad 4. One by one, they met each other’s eyes, then nodded. No words were needed. The resolve was already there.

The war was coming. And they would face it together.

"Well, to start off, this city has clung to its rotten peace long enough. Now it needs to learn how to bleed." The masked man’s voice was filled with mockery, followed by a twisted laugh. "From here on, we’ll tear this city apart, burn away its hope, and make everyone kneel before the Shikkoku. Tomorrow, war begins, across the city, and soon, across the world! And one last thing before I go. ZEAL, good luck trying your best to fail."

The broadcast ended, but his words still echoed like poison.

Instantly, panic spread all throughout the ward. The people of Aetherpolis shouted, begged, cried, voices overlapping in chaos. Citizens swarmed the ZEAL members stationed in the ward, their trembling voices filled with desperation.

"Please do something!"

"Are we going to be safe?"

"What about our families?!"

Fear had already taken root. Shikkoku wasn’t just any gang, they were the worst nightmare this city had ever known since Benio. And now, by declaring war in broad daylight, they had already won half the battle. They didn’t even need to fire a bullet. Fear itself was their weapon, and it was cutting deeper than any blade.

The Wardens and ZEAL members tried to calm the crowd, but it was useless. The voices of fear drowned out every order.

"This is bad." Miko muttered, his brows furrowed. "They’re too scared to even listen."

"Yeah. If this keeps up, we’ll lose peace and order even in Ward 1," Seth replied with a grim expression.

For a moment, it felt like hope was slipping away.

But then......

A dazzling golden light filled the sky above Ward 1. Blinding, yet gentle. Thousands of golden circles, glowing softly, spread out like bubbles across the sky. The chaotic voices fell silent, eyes turning upward in awe.

At the very center of it all was a single figure.

Ayato.

He floated gracefully in mid air, his black ZEAL jacket hung loosely over his shoulders like a cloak, his presence shining brighter than the light itself.

"People of Ward 1, I need you all to listen!" Ayato’s voice echoed across the skies, sharp and commanding.

The crowd that had been drowning in panic just moments ago slowly began to quiet down. Their trembling shouts and cries faded, replaced by silence and wide eyes, all fixed on the man floating above them. Bathed in golden light, his presence seemed to wash away the fear clinging to their hearts.

The Wardens and ZEAL members watching from below exchanged relieved smiles. If there was anyone who could calm an entire city with nothing but his presence, it was Ayato. Strength, charisma, and hope, he carried all of it effortlessly. In a single moment, he had turned despair into awe.

"I told you." Seth muttered, nudging Ren’s shoulder with a grin. "The Skybrand King."

Ren’s eyes stayed fixed on the sky, unable to look away. The golden circles shining above, the light that painted the ward like dawn breaking through endless night, it was more than power. It was a promise.

"Yeah, it’s beautiful." Ren whispered in awe, his chest tightening as if he was seeing hope itself.

Ayato’s voice echoed above them, clear and resolute. "I don’t think I need to explain what’s about to happen. All of Aetherpolis saw that broadcast. The Shikkoku have stopped hiding and they’ve declared war on the entire city. And if our deductions are right, most of the gangs in Aetherpolis, aside from our allies, have already joined them, or are under their control. That means, we are heavily outnumbered."

A ripple of gasps spread across the plaza. Whispers of fear stirred, but Ayato didn’t flinch. He stayed still, shining against the dark sky, his voice steady. He knew better than anyone that sugarcoating the truth would only break trust.

"But don’t fear." Ayato continued, his golden aura blazing brighter. "Our men, the ZEAL members, the Wardens, they aren’t weak. Yes, the Shikkoku are strong. Terrifyingly strong. But we are not backing down! ZEAL, and our allied wards, will fight for the peace this city has long deserved. And I...." his voice rose, firm and unshakable, "I will stand on the frontlines to shine hope upon the skies of Aetherpolis!

"And remember this, people of Ward 1, people of Aetherpolis, and you, Shikkoku. Even if I fall, the hope I’ve lit will never fade. I am Ayato Shigure, leader of ZEAL, and I will face you all with my power!"

For a moment, the plaza was silent. Not out of fear, but awe. Then, one by one, cheers erupted. Claps turned into roars, and cries of hope rose up to meet the golden sky.

What many didn’t realize was that this wasn’t just a speech to Ward 1. Through Miko’s quick thinking and Aeri’s order, it was broadcast across the entire city. Every ward, every screen, every ear that could hear had heard Ayato’s declaration.

Even Ward 13, the heart of the Shikkoku.

—-----------------

Back in Ward 13, the Fangs gathered in silence. Shadows wrapped around the grand hall, their figures standing like predators waiting for a command. At the center, on a throne draped in black and crimson, sat their leader.

A faint smile curved his lips, though his face was hidden in the darkness.

"So they countered, huh?" His voice was calm, almost amused. "Smart of them. They managed to calm the chaos we sparked." He leaned back on his throne, fingers tapping the armrest. "But that peace won’t last. Deep in their hearts, fear is already boiling."