"A-Adonis… is that you? What are you doing here?"
The voice of an old, completely disheveled man echoed in that world. "Why is this world not saved? Did it fail? Did we fail? Was it all for nothing?"
Those questions burned through Adonis' heart as he stared at the one who asked them.
—Rey Skylar.
The Rey Skylar from his original world.
"Everyone is dead. Lucielle sacrificed her life by teleporting me away at the last minute. I'm the only one left in this world of Dragons…" Rey said to him. "So what exactly is this?"
From confusion to rage to understanding… Rey's emotions constantly changed as Adonis explained everything to him in their desolate cave.
At that moment, it became evident to the two of them that their whole purpose had been lies.
Their world was truly gone.
Hope was lost.
But… revenge remained etched in their hearts.
"Even if it takes me a million years… I will exterminate every last Dragon that exists!"
Adonis swore this, and with the help of Rey—who eventually sacrificed himself in the end—Adonis was able to achieve his goals. He cut down the Dragon Emperor and absorbed all the energy of every single being on H'Trae to reach the pinnacle of power.
Then, the 'story' of his world ended, the System became obsolete and his shackles loosened.
He, too, reached Level 1000
Saving the world… obtaining the SSS Class as its savior… and reaching the pinnacle.
All he lacked were the other SSS-Tier Skills.
As such, he was destined to perish alongside his ruined world—completely unable to find out the true meaning of his world and even apologize to those he abandoned in the H'Trae he left.
… But then Ater showed up out of the blue.
"We need your help, Adonis." He said. "Will you be our Hero?"
Those words were enough to cause him to rise from his dilapidated throne and brandish his heroic blade.
He had avenged his ruined world, so he was no hero.
Not yet anyway.
"I will."
By saying those words and returning to H'Trae with Ater, he could finally fulfill what he had purposed in his heart from the very start.
—Saving the world!
As the monsters now gathered above and below him, ready to charge forward, Adonis readied himself for the battle ahead.
The power radiating from his blade seemed to fill the air with an overwhelming pressure, the very atmosphere crackling with energy. Every fiber of his being pulsed with the desire to protect this world, and nothing would stand in his way.
With a roar that echoed across the battlefield, Adonis dove into the fray, his sword blazing with golden light. The forces of darkness were no match for him, and they scattered in fear as he advanced.
At last, there was hope. At last, H'Trae had a champion who could stand against the darkness.
"TRANSCENDENT SEVERANCE!"
VWUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSHHHHHHHHH!!!
In a single slash, his golden energy broke apart all of his enemies and shattered the very space that held together the portal which endlessly spat out monstrosities.
Everything shattered before the Hero's might.
It all crumbled.
Adonis stood in the sky, his confident gaze returning to those below to confirm if they were fine.
Fortunately, they were.
"So many have lost their lives, but I sense millions of lives still exist in this world…" He sighed in relief. "If that is the case, we can rebuild."
This time, for sure, H'Trae would not perish under his watch.
"Oh? How interesting… I should have known it was you, precious Hero Adonis!" An ominous voice suddenly echoed as someone emerged high above even Adonis.
It was none other than Adrien.
"You… Ater told me all about you and your dastardly plan." Adonis clutched his blade tight as he glared at Adrien.
"And where is this Ater fellow?"
"He went to take care of other business." He responded. "You'll be facing me."
"Haha! I always wondered where you went and what became of you, but to think you got so strong… what's your secret? Some Magical Steroids?"
"I could say the same about you." Adonis said.
"Well… I guess you could say that." Adrien shrugged. "In any case, I came to make you an offer, though Rey already rejected it and—"
"No!"
Adonis brandished his blade and glared at his foe with clear refusal to negotiate.
In his view, Adrien was pure evil and there was no room for compromise. He had threatened the very existence of the world, and his plan was what was eating away at the very miniscule vitality left in H'Trae.
No, in the entire universe of this world.
He had to be stopped!
"You really think, because you got a power boost, you can stop me on your own?"
"...."
"Right now, Rey is trapped fighting numerous versions of my other selves. He's nowhere near this place, and there's no way he can help you all out. Rather than leave things to the monsters, I believe personally handling your extermination is more fitting… but, if you willingly cooperate, I'll be sure to spare—"
"I don't think you heard me." Adonis frowned deeper. "The answer is no."
"Oh well… I guess you're prepared to let yourself and everyone you care about die."
A smile formed on the Hero's face as soon as he heard this.
"I believe you have it all wrong, Adrien…"
"Hm? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I might not be as strong as you, but so what? I never said I would be facing you by myself, now did I?"
"What are you—?"
VWUUUUSH!
All of a sudden, bright lights rose from beneath Adonis and a few more individuals circled around Adrien on all sides.
The Fairy King, The Oracle, Lucielle, and Fae—all of them clenching their fists as they readied themselves for one final showdown against Adrien.
"Even if we don't win… we will perform our duties to the letter."
Adonis had already known from the start that he was no match for Adrien. However, he knew someone who was. But, until that person returned, he would fulfill his duty as the Hero and protect H'Trae.
And so, as he charged into battle—leading his allies into a fight that could very well cost them their lives—Adonis felt no regret.
Only an ember of thought flowed within him, acting as a beacon to the one he was waiting for.
'Rey… you better hurry back here!'