[Seoul - Global Command Center]
A female figure dressed in military fatigues, an assault rifle slung over her shoulder, stood guard outside a reinforced medical door. Inside, the 1st Commander was receiving urgent treatment following the devastating encounter with Xyne.
The figure, Astra, spoke softly to herself, her voice barely a whisper in the sterile hallway. "So, humans are this weak... But that girl, Jane... she was definitely holding back."
She sighed, a slow smirk spreading across her face as she stared at the wall. "Nova, I see you're still alive. Does your Celestial Eyes still see everything? You never cease to surprise me..."
The heavy door hissed open, and a doctor stepped out, wiping sweat from his brow. He turned to Astra and nodded. "Your boss is healing fast. He'll be fine soon. He said he wants to see you."
Astra gave a sharp nod and stepped inside, closing the door slowly behind her. The 1st Commander was struggling to sit up on the bed, his face pale. He let out a ragged sigh as Astra stood at his side.
"Astra," the 1st Commander began, his voice strained. "The girl we encountered—the one who called herself Xyne—is too strong. I'm certain we can't defeat her alone, even with our full force."
Astra nodded calmly. "Then what must be done?"
"Well, I can't say for now," the 1st Commander replied, leaning back. "We have to rely on that entity Base 105 is keeping."
"I also believe that must be done immediately," Astra spoke, her eyes narrowing.
The 1st Commander lay back on his pillows and closed his eyes. "You may leave. I need some time alone."
Astra nodded and left the room without a sound.
[Base 105 - The Laboratory]
Lyla, Axiel, and Caspian sat on the edge of one medical bed. Opposite them, Annie and Leo sat together on another, the air thick with the aftermath of the battle.
Lyla sighed, breaking the silence. "When Xyne arrived, she mentioned her sister... and then she mentioned someone else. Xyke."
Leo looked up, his expression shifting. "Well guys, looks like I won't be joining your conversation. Nova is taking control."
Everyone watched in silence as Leo's body began to shimmer. His features softened, and his hair lengthened into a long, slick, blue-glowing mane. Nova smiled at them, her presence instantly changing the temperature of the room.
"Hello," Nova said, waving casually at the group. "Well guys, Xyke is a special Harbinger. But just because he's special doesn't mean he can defeat the Top 3 Harbingers."
Lyla looked down, her brow furrowed. "Anyways, Xyne challenged Jane to a fight after realizing she killed her sister, Skye. She said she wanted to know how powerful Jane really is."
Nova lay back on the bed, looking completely relaxed. "Don't worry. If she ever comes here, I will kill her. She's a good rival, actually, but she knows she can't hurt me—even with her Dark or Red energy. And I'm pretty sure she knows she must not mess with anything that is precious to me."
Annie stared at her, her curiosity piqued. "And how is Jane special to you?"
"She's not," Nova said simply, "but she's my vessel's friend. That makes her special to me, so yes, she is."
She turned her gaze toward Jane, who was lying nearby, unconscious and pale. "Don't worry, she can't die. Her potential is insane."
Axiel looked at Nova, his voice low. "And what if she dies?"
Caspian quickly placed a hand on Axiel's shoulder. "Don't say something like that."
Nova smiled, a cool, confident expression. "Don't worry, Axiel. I know she's precious to you, too. If she dies, I will bring her back and make her even stronger."
Nova then shifted her focus, looking directly at Axiel. "So, how is that spiritual being doing inside you?"
"There's no need for you to worry," Axiel spoke, trying to sound tough. "We're hanging out."
Nova chuckled, then faced Caspian. Her expression softened slightly. "I'm so sorry I didn't reverse the destruction of your base... My powers were limited then."
Caspian smiled back, genuinely. "At least you saved me."
Annie suddenly looked as if she had remembered something important. "So, about what I wanted to tell you..."
Nova stared at her. "What's that?"
"It's about how these demons breathe on our planet," Annie said, a bright smile on her face as she leaned in. "I love it when there's an explanation for all of this."
Nova nodded. "Demons breathe in spiritual energy. Beasts and Angels do, too. They all breathe spiritual energy, except for spiritual beings. But when these demons or beasts arrive on your Earth, they stop breathing. They use the remaining corrupted spiritual energy—Demonic energy—inside them to preserve their bodies. They can live without it for thousands of years—at least the Harbingers can. But since time moves fast on your planet, they should be able to live without it for at least ten years or less."
"Wait, wait, wait, I don't get it..." Annie started to protest, but Nova cut her off.
"You can't get it, Annie. Our life is complicated. Whenever you think you finally understand us, something new just pops up."
Annie sighed and stood up, rolling her chair over to her tables filled with chemicals. "Well, everyone, you can start going now. It's night. You all need to sleep."
As the others left the room, Annie immediately called Nova back. Nova walked up to her, a knowing look in her eyes. "Are you curious about how spiritual beings breathe?"
Annie nodded eagerly. Nova walked in a slow circle around her. "You're a smart one, so I won't say much. Just a hint: what do you humans breathe in?"
"Air," Annie replied, looking confused.
"Then that means we spiritual beings are..." Nova paused, letting the silence hang.
Annie's eyes went wide. "You guys *are* formed through spiritual energy! That's why you don't have physical bodies, and why physical attacks don't work on you. And that's why the King didn't wipe out all the spiritual beings—because he needs them to breathe! And that's also why Dark or Red energy from demons can affect spiritual beings... it's like contaminating the air."
"Yeah," Nova said, "but it can't affect me. My energy is superior. Don't worry, Annie. If I fight a formidable enemy in the future, you might see up to 50 percent of my power... or if possible, the highest, 300 percent."
Nova chuckled and moved slowly toward the exit. "Make sure you sleep. I need to make Leo's body more durable."
As she walked out, Nova snapped her fingers. A faint shimmer of light surrounded Annie—a protection spell, just in case Jane woke up in the middle of the night and attacked her in a trance.
Nova walked down the hallway to Leo's room. She lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. *I'm sure the future will be so tense,* she thought. *The King, the Top 3 Harbingers... and I keep sensing the Curse Lord's energy in that dual-blade katana.*
"Enhancement Technique," Nova whispered softly. She paused, then continued as if talking to herself. "Finally. Leo can withstand 15 percent of my power."
Nova smiled, and the blue glow of her hair slowly faded as she closed her eyes.
[Base 130 - Japan]
"Sir, we have an emergency!" a soldier reported, saluting sharply.
The 3rd Commander, Haruto Kuroda, stood by the window. He was a man of insane strength and durability. During the initial invasion, after receiving spiritual energy into his bloodstream, he had single-handedly defeated three High-Rank demons—Specters. On Earth, Specters were considered the peak of danger.
Haruto took a slow drag from a cigarette. "State it."
"A demon is marching over here, accompanied by two High-Rank beasts," the soldier said, his voice trembling slightly.
Haruto smiled, removing the cigarette from his mouth. He blew a perfect smoke ring into the air. "Get the army ready. And contact any nearby bases for help... just in case."
"Yes, master!"
To be continued...