I thought I was dead. Felt like it. Silent, cold, and numb. But it turns out I was having a dream. The reason I know this because in front of me was a tall horse with very huge muscles and farting rainbows. He held a clipboard in his muscular hands and leaned towards me.

"Do you have a moment to talk about your car's extended warranty?"

I blinked at his question. I had no idea what he was talking about.

I tried to speak but before I could, the world blurred in Grey and everything around me was covered in smoke. I front of me, a path cleared and I could see a statue of the hero of my tribe. Serberus Yashida. At the foot of the statue was a book. The arcanomicon. The book he stored and wrote details of his powers and skills. The book I read and received his powers in return. As I approached, a figure in shadows materializes in front of me as if blocking the path to the book. He was the same height as me. He had no face. Just a black figure but somehow, I don't know how, I knew he was me. Or, at least, something that's connected to me. He stared at me. Then shook his head slowly in disapproval.

"Not... Ready... Too... Weak"

His voice was the same as mine but more deeper. Mature.

"Things will... Start to turn... For the worse... Soon"

"What?" I took a step forward. "What do you mean? What are you talking about?!"

"Brace Yourself... "

Those words echoed as a chilling breeze erupted in front of me. Blowing away the field of smoke. Then, pairs of glowing eyes watched me from the darkness. I spin, realizing that I've been surrounded by them. Then I looked up, a large pair of eyes stared down at me from a blank mask. Ulcus, I thought. It was the Titan but something else sent a shiver down my spine. Way above in the sky, an even larger pair of eyes, larger than Ulcus, watched down at me.

Then, a flash of light. Lightning. And for a split second, I watched in horror as I saw the face of the being larger than the titan of chaos. It had Dragon like features and it was angry at me for some reason. As if it resented me. Then my ears rang as the being's gaze intensified.

I covered my ears and the world around me began to shift again. I saw a familiar forest where a cave was in view. Then it shift again, this time I was somewhere cold. A snowy village with frozen lake and and igloo houses. Then I was in a miniature town, buildings and houses as tall as my waist. Again it shifts, the city before me was tall. Flying vehicles hovered the air and clear glass tubes extended in almost every parts of the city.

Everything was happening so fast. As if I'm being rapidly teleport Ed in different areas. I was now in another village with hunts and a large arena. I was in tree city. I was in a modern City. I was in a traditional village.

Then it shifts again. I was now on the peak of a large mountain, watching the view of destruction happening below. People, from different tribes, tribes I know and tribes I've never seen before, all battling each other in a brutal war. Behind me was another person. A woman, floating midair, fingers oozing with an aura of power as she looked at the sky as if challenging the heavens. I looked over at her features. She had long, auburn hair. Light brown skin. Delicate yet fierce facial features and her eyes was leaking blood.

Red blood.

"Wait... Red blood?" I asked myself. I went over to her and she started chanting something in a language I don't know. As I got closer, I found myself trying to reach out to her. Holding my hand out but before I could even touch her, her hand snapped at me and clutched my wrist. It burns but not that painful.

The my eyes wide when she was now staring at me with deep purple eyes, panic and concern was showing in them.

"Kill me or kill yourself. There's no other way" She stated, voice Quick yet resolute.

"W-what?!"

"Please, Yuu. You have to make a choice. Or the Oldest One will destroy us all"

"I don't... I don't know what you're talking about!"

"You are the only one who can do it. This is your destiny"

As she filled my mind with confusing thoughts, the world shift again and everything went black. Then I something laughed. It was an dearie sort of laugh, one that sounds like the chest pieces are falling into place. Then it spoke, it's voice vibrating my entire body and organs.

"I see you, Human... I will make you watch the world, your friends, and the people you love burn to ashes"

---

"Is he still alive?" An elderly Pululu spoke and poked Yuu's head with his cane. Yuu groaned in response but his eyes remained closed.

The elderly Pululu kept poking him before Salena, who was explaining the recent events to Miyo, Lonky and Popo, shouted at him to stop with an angered look as she approaches him.

"Stop that you old goat!" Salena shouted and swipes his cane away from him. The elderly Pululu trips and almost fell if it weren't for his three loyal men who helped him balance, which were also elderlies.

"How dare you!" Said the green elderly Pululus.

"You should kneel and apologize right now! " demanded the Blue elderly Pululu.

"Else he would have your head!"  Says the orange elderly one before the old man with the cane, spoke.

"And you dare insult me by calling me an old goat? You should show your respect!"

Salena pointed the cane furiously at the King. "I'd respect you if you hadn't poke my friend as if he was a piece of trash!"

"Why would I ever touch a peasant?" The King retorted in disgust.

"Peasant?! You think my best friend is a peasant?!" Salena looked offended the held the stick as if it were a spear.
"You want your stupid stick? Here, let me shove it up your-"

"Ugh... Where am I" Yuu spoke, voice dry as he stared at the distant ceiling while laying flat on the ground.

All of them turned to him in shock.

"You're awake!" Lonky and Popo shouted at the same time in relief as the knelt beside him.

Salena couldn't help but smile as she forces herself not to cry. She tossed the cane back to the Pulukh where he fumbled to catch it and ready to sprint towards Yuu, however Miyo ran past her and knelt next to him where she hugged him tight before she could.

"Ack! Miyo?" Yuu asked in surprise, not expecting a hug. His body was screaming in pain but he was more focused on Miyo as his face grew hot.

"Salena said you fraught the Iron Beast because of what he did to me. Then you were bleeding a lot. Your entire right arm was broken and bleeding, we didn't have Pala's healing potion so I had to apply first aid and... And..." Hot tears fell from her eyes as she explained to him. The she stopped. Her eyes meeting him before hugging him once more. Face burying in his chest." I was so worried... You... You scared me... Scared all of us, we thought you would... Darn it, Yuu! You promised you would act like this anymore!" She squeeze the out layer of his clothing with both hands as she let's out silent sobs.

Yuu felt guilty and, though with great effort, placed a gentle hand over her head and softly caresses Miyo to comfort her.

"I'm sorry... When Iron Beast tossed you... I... I just couldn't stand there doing nothing... Not again... " He explained then looked over to Popo who nodded at his statement. He knew what Yuu meant, as he was there two when their friends met their demise from Ulcus.

Lonky and Popo then remained quiet to give them both comfort.

But Salena, on the other hand, just stood at the distance. Watching Miyo hug him so tightly as if she didn't plan on letting him go anymore. She wondered about the obvious intimacy between them and found herself clutching her own chest. Feeling as if her insides are being swallowed.

After a few minutes, Miyo seemed reluctant to let go of Yuu but she did it anyway but still knelt next to him.

"Sorry for attacking you like that, I was just really worried about you... And angry... And also sad..." Miyo looked away, blush creeping on her cheeks. Then, Yuu quickly jolt up and hugged Miyo this time. The feline's eyes widened as her face became more red. But, as quickly as he did it, Yuu slowly let go and carefully lowered himself back to the floor, pain etched across his eyes and voice.

"Ow. Ow. Ow! Bad idea! Bad idea!" Yuu granted and let out a pained breath. His body was still in the process of healing and hadn't realized how painful it would be to move.
"Wow... I'm so helpless right now"

"We know. And it's really tempting..." Lonky chimed in, holding a black marker.

"Don't you dare..." Yuu warned and fortunately, Lonky complied because he wouldnt be able to stop Lonky if he went through with it.

Miyo, who was frozen in place from the unexpected show of affection, blinked a few times and quickly stands up, looking anywhere but Yuu and the others, face still red but she was smiling, happily.

"Erm... At least your aware of your surroundings now. That's progress" Says the feline, changing the topic.

"Where are we anyways?" Yuu asked.

"Elimination chamber, probably" Miyo speculated then pointed towards a large hole on the center of the floor where multiple fan blades spin dangerously.
"We fell from one of the latches above and almost parish if it weren't for Lonky"

"That's right" Says the giraffe. "It was all thanks to me, Prince Lonky! After I managed to catch these four really old guys-"

"Who are you calling old?!" the Pululus with the cane his men shouted but Lonky ignored them.

"-Miyo and Popo grabbed onto me as well and I heroically pulled all of us to safety"

"You were begging us to let go and parish instead when you were pulling us up" Popo countered and Lonky glared at him.

"Then You and Salena appeared and were falling as well. But we didn't noticed because you both didn't make a sound because you were Unconscious" Miyo continued. "When we realized it, you were already near the blades and we would be too late to do anything. Until Salena mid air woke up and used her powers to save you both"

"I see..." Yuu mumbled then lowered his head siedeays to look at Salena who was at the back of the group. She was clutching her left arm but not of injury, like she was feeling awkward.
"Thank you, Salena...  For saving me and for stopping me when you could, back in the Arena..."

"Hey, what are friends for?" She replied awkwardly with a forced smile, a stark contrast in her always cheerful personality.

"Is something wrong?" Yuu asked, noticing her strange behavior all of a sudden.

"No, no. I'm alright! I was just so worried about you" She replied, smiling sincere but Yuu could feel that she wasn't telling him the full truth and noticed Salena's eyes flicker at Miyo then back to him.

"I see... Still. Thank you" Salena nodded at his words, still looking awkward but she was now standing next the group instead of the back.
"So... Who are these old farts?" Yuu pointed at the Pululus a few feet away from them.

"Oh, we didn't really got to ask them. The old man with the cane keeps saying he's a king or something" Only explain into close to Yuu's face with a whisper, "If you ask, I think their coockoo" Lonky gestured by twirling his finger at the side of his head.

"Hey! We can hear you!" One of the Pululus shouted before the king spoke.

"Wait, now that I look closely at them, I think I know who these disrespectful youngsters are" The King stated as he approaches the group with his mean behind him. He then pointed his cane at Miyo before speaking. "You. With that facade of yours of always acting cool and nonchalant, you must be Miyo"

"What facade?" Miyo retorted, looking offended.

The the king pointed at Lonky. "And you, tall one. That conniving expression, you must be Lonky"

"Conniving?! How dare you! I'm a prince!"

"And those short legs! Hair shaped like a poop. You're Popo!" At this description, Lonky's initial anger vanished as he laughed at Popo.

"Who are you calling short legged?!" Popo countered and then Yuu spoke.

"Really? He said your hair looks like poop and that's what your concerned about?"

"HAHAHA! Poop head... Nice one" Lonky comments, wiping a tear before Salena picks Popo off the ground and snuggles him.

"Aww, poor PO-bro. I don't think your hair looks like poop" She assures him.

"Thank you, sis... You don't think I'm short too, right?" Popo asked with hopeful eyes but Salena kept her eyes closed and pause in her snuggle, only hugging Popo without moving like a statue.

"... Your hair doesn't look like poop" Salena repeats, completely avoiding answering Popo's hopeful question.

"And you... The one hidden in bandages. You're name is Yuu"

"Who are you?" Yuu questioned the old Pululus as he struggles to stand up.

Salena and Miyo acted quickly and assisted him on both sides but this confused and shocked both girls. They stared at one another, as if silently saying "I got this, you can let go of him" but the two girls didn't let go of Yuu. After a few moments of silent staring, they looked away from each other but still didn't let him go even when he is now standing with gathered balance.

"Since you did saved us from becoming diced meat I guess we owe you, worthless peasants, an introduction" Said the Pululus with a cane before the Blue elderly Pululu spoke up.

"Consider it an honor! I present to you the descendant of the first Pululus King, rightful seater of the throne and King of the Old City, King Sol!"

"What? So he's really a king?" Lonky asked in disbelief.
"But why the heck would the King be down here?!"

Then King Sol began to flow rivers of tears from his eyes.

"Why are you crying?" Lonky aks again, feeling uncomfortable.

"That day... That day the man appeared everything suddenly changed for the worse!" King Sol kept continued to cry as his men tried to comfort here.

"Get a hold of yourself- Ack! " Yuu shouts but then flinches as a sharp pain was felt in his chest if he tried to raise his voice.

"Yuu, calm down" Miyo whispered, clutching his right arm gently.

"Bestie, you're still still injured. You need to rest" Salena pleaded, clutching his other arm too but Yuu was resolute.

"I'm fine... " He replied to them then looked back at the Pululu.
"If you want us to help you, tell us what happened"

The king nodded slowly then proceeds to explain.

"I was the king of Old City for as along as I've lived... The Pululus lived in peace and harmony during my rule. Everyone was welcome, even the Pululus that were born in Tree City and the other parts of the world. Then, one day, Akong and his four curates appeared. He dethroned me and gain control of the Old City and it's inhabitants"

"That doesn't make sense" Lonky interjected. "How can a priest, whom no one met, even dethrone a king?"

"It is because Akong has a power to control the minds of others to do his bidding" The King states as Yuu's eyes shot up.

"Mind control? So that's why Kuga attacked us in the first match" Yuu insuinated and the rest was taken aback.

"You're right! But how can a priest have such a power?" Miyo mumbled as the King Continued explaining.

"However, Akong is not powerful enough to control multiple people, let alone a city with thousands of Pululus. Atleast, that's what he said to me that day. So in order to gain control he placed a mind control hat on Princess Zola, my only daughter. This hat not only enabled him to control her, but he could also see through her eyes. Using Zola as his voice, and with most of the Royal Guards under his mind control, he convinced the Pululu Citizen to rally against me and made Akong as the new ruler. Those that chose to stay by my side are forced to enter the training camp and participate in this twisted game he conducted calledRunning Man Survival. If Akong promised you freedom if you manage to win in the end, then it's a lie. The gatekeepers, that you've defeated, were the guardians of Old City, now that they're gone, the only ones left to stand in Akong's way... Is me" The king says with seriousness but the Runningman doubted at his last sentence.

"Ahem... I guess you and your washed out friends could help me defeat Akong if you wish to"

As the King ended his speech the running men fell silent as thoughts swirled their mind.

"So that's what the Gatekeepers were saying about us making a mistake" Salena pointed out.

"I'm so stupid... I should have seen this coming" Yuu cursed himself.

"It's not your fault, we were all focused on winning this game that we all failed to see the falw in it" Miyo examined, hoping it would be enough to assure Yuu but it wasn't.

"Warning, the compressor is shutting down"

The lights around them flashes red and the ceiling, which was actually a compressor, lowered towards them.

"What's happening?" Lonky shouted in confusion.

The Popo saw someone familiar standing behind a lever in a floor high above them. It was Zola. "There! It's that monster of a girl, Zola!" Popo pointed at her with disdain but The king and his Men cried out for her in tears.

"Zola!" Shouted the King.

"Sorry, Papa. But it turns out you are more of a hindrance to Lord Akong as I thought. You will parish here along with them!" Zola stated, her voice resolute and strangely deep, sounding almost like a man.

"Whats... What's wrong with my daughter's voice?" Asked King Sol.

"Maybe it's puberty?" Suggested the Blue Pululu.

"I don't think that's the case" Said the orange Pululu.

"A cold, then?" Suggested the green Pululu.

"Or Akong is speaking through her" Yuu came to the conclusion but the ground shook as the compressor above gets closer to them.

"We have no time, we need to come up with a way to stop the compressor!" Miyo suggested.

"What do we do?!" Lonky shouted, panicking.

"If I weren't injured... I'd have already got to Zola and knock her out" Yuu explained before the King whacked his cane in Yuu's shin. If wasn't that strong but with Yuu's injury, he was now sensitive to pain.

"Ack! What the heck?!" He screamed at the King.

"I would have your head if you even lay a hand on her!"

"The what do you suggest?!" Yuu retorted.

Popo gazed up at the compressor, then at the spinng fan blades, then at Miyo, next to Zola and lastly on Lonky where the Giraffes noticed him staring.

"What?" Lonky asked.

Thsb, the Penguin topped of an idea as he smirked so smugly it was as if victory was already in his hands.

"Hehe... Liu isn't the only one who can come up with a brilliant strategy. I'll call it; Operation: Surprise Shot"

As Popo told them the plan, they immediately sprung into action without second thoughts.

After a few moments, Lonky was hanging at the center of the Fan Blade, his body stretched on all side.

"First, Miyo would use Lonky as a trampoline to boost herself to the bottom of the compressor and grapple herself to position"

Miyo nodded and ran towards Lonky, she jumped, executing an air spin and was launched upwards by Lonky's body, where Lonky screamed from both pain and exhaustion. She fired her grappling gun which stuck at the bootom of the lowering compressor and dangled there.

"alright, next!" Popo referred to the King and his men.

"You're majesty, please stay here" Said the yellow Pululu.

"We will happily risk our life to bring you closer to saving the princess and claiming victory-" The other two Pululu explained but Lonky stopped them by shouting, exhaustion etched across his sweaty face.

"Stop talking and hurry up, will ya?!"

Without any other words, the three Pululus, one by one, jumped onto Lonky and was propelled upwards. Miyo reached and caught one of them by the hand while the rest did the same. They formed a chain before leaning back and fort until they were now swing forwards and back.

"Now! Fling them!" Popo shouted.

With a final back and forth motion, Miyo released them at the zenith of their momentum and launched the three Pululus on the floor where Zola was controlling the compressor.

But, one after the other, Zola easily dodged them, her hand still pulling on the lever, as the Pululus face planted on the wall. She sighed in obvious disappointment at the failed attempt, then she felt a tap on her back. When she turned, one of the Pululus jumpscare her by shouting and flaying his arms around but Zola wasn't faced. She raised her large ears back and punched the Pululus where he went flying back on the wall.

"Is that it?" Zola remarked and Popo panicked.

"What?! Why wasn't she scared or surprised?! Back in the training camp she was so easily startled!"

"Because Akong is controlling her body and seeing through her eyes..." Yuu replied, slowly planting his palms on his face. Feeling embarrassed on the penguins' behalf.

"Oh yeah... I forgot" Popo added.

"You're an idiot!" Lonky screamed, face filled with sweat.

"Don't worry PO-bro, I thought it was a brilliant plan!" Salena cheered, still supporting Yuu by having his arm across her shoulders.

"Let me do up there" King Sol said, pride and devotion spread around his face. "She's my daughter. If anyone can talk some sense in her... Then it's me"

A few seconds later, the King was flailing his arms around, screaming in panic as Miyo has him by the leg and swing back and forth.

"Don't let me go! I'll have your head if you let go!" Scrsmed the King.

"But... I need to let you go, so you can get to her!" Miyo shouted as she swung him.

"Alas... The incompetent King" Zola muttered with a smirk as if she was prepared for him.

Then Miyo launched the King towards Zola. She dodged him easily as the others but the King managed to land smoothly before the compressor lowered further and blocked the view of the Runningmen.

"Great... Our lives are basically resting on the hands of that king..." Yuu mumbled.
"We're gonna die..."

"If we're gonna die then... Yuu can I ask a request?" Salena whispered close to his ear as Yuu's eyes widen in anticipation.

"what...?"

"Can you..." She draws, facing leaning closer. "... Show me your fac-" Yuu shoved his palm on her face and pushed her back as she giggled.

"Not a chance"

"Worth a shot"

Meanwhile,  The king confronts Zola back on the control room.

"My daughter, please stop this madness! Let me help you break free from the controls of this evil priest!" The king pleased.

Zola let's go of the lever, the lights turn blue and the compressor stopped lowering.

"Zola in no more! Only a mindless slave for the High Priest Akong!" Zola replied.

"Hold your tongue, Akong! You are nothing more than just a rebellious, petty scoundrel!"

"YOU hold your tongue you impotent fool of a king!"

The King clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Daughter, if you are conscious in there, then forgive me for I will give Akong a beating of a lifetime!" He screamed and leaped onto Zola, banging her head in rage while attempting to remove the hat but her large ears protected them from his attempt.

"Let go, you paththic old man!" Zola-Akong demanded.

"Silence!" The king bellowed and proceeded with his attack. He managed to remove her ears from the hat and with greater effort, tried to take it off.

But when the King realized Zola was no longer fighting him off, he paused as looked down, seeing her teary eyed. Big blue eyes staring it him in recognition.

"Papa...?" She called him, her voice back to sounding feminine.

"Zola, my daughter, is that really you?" The King stops his attempt and hugs his child. However, Zola used this opportunity by punching the King off of her, causing him to fall back on the floor.

"Don't you get it, Old man? Your Daughter is mine!"

"Curse you, Akong!" The king spits.

As Akong laugh in triumph, the speaker echoes across the facility.

"The Compressor is now Acending"

Confused at the announcement, Akong-Zola looked back at the control panel and saw the Green elderly Pululus pushing the lever upwards, the compressor slowly rising in the background.

"Stop it!" Zala shouts and attempted to push the Pululus off but the King jumped onto her back and retrained her.

"I won't let you!" Shoute the King.

"YOU'RE SO ANNOYING!" Zola screamed and kicked the King off her. She rushes towards the Pululus and, using her bag like ears, punches him off the controller.

She quickly pulled the lever down but realized too late when Popo's voice was heard.

"Tally Ho!" Popo screamed as Miyo swung him towards Zola. He readied his cards in his hands but realized he didn't need to because his trajectory was on point.

As he was approaching Zola, he realized he didn't plan on making a landing and panicked. Both screamed and as Popo collided with her, their lips touch and times almost slowed down as they maintained kissing for a a few seconds.

Miyo, The King and the green Pululus gasped, shocked beyond their belief.

Salena also gasped but her mouth was contorted into a large and wide smile as she clutches her cheeks in awe.

"Well... That surprised her..." Yuu comments with wide eyes as Lonky tried to crawl back up to them from behind.

As their lips part, their body's crashed onto each other, knocking Zola back and removing the hat entirely, Freeing her from Akong's influence.

Akong, who was controlling Zola from the Grand Area, repeatedly wips his mouth in disgust.

After a few moment, Miyo landed on the control panel and Lonky stretched his hands to climb the floor. As he arrives, him and Miyo watched as The King beats Popo with a stick.

"How dare you kiss my daughter, you poop head!" The king swung downwards, hitting Popo on the head.

"Hold on! Let me explain!" But he couldn't, the King kept hacking him. Luckily, the green Pululus rastrained the King.

"Your majesty, please calm down!"

"Let go of me at once!"

"Hey!" Popo shouted, standing up.
"You think I wanted to kiss your monster of a daughter after what she put me through in training camp?! It was nasty for me too!" Popo spits on the floor to exaggerate but Zola appeared behind him with fury in her eyes.

"Did you just call me Nasty?!" As Popo turned, Zola slapped him with his ears. The penguin flew and spin the air before meeting the wall. As Zola and the other Pululus rushes at him, Popo staggers and runs away, screaming.

"What's happening?" Lonky asked before Yuu's voice catches their attention.

"A little help?" He calls out as Miyo and Lonky looked down from the control panel to see Yuu still at the bottom with Salena assisting him.

"Hold on, Yuu" Miyo assures then turns to Lonky. "Pull him up, quick!"

Lonky nodded and extended his hands, he grabbed Yuu from the waist and slowly pulled him back up, leaving Salena at the bottom. When Yuu finally arrived on the upper floor, he winces in pain.

"Thanks, Lonky. Get Salena next" Yuu says.

"Aww thanks for thinking about me but I'm fine bestie" Salena, who was suddenly standing next to Lonky and Miyo, spoke. Her sudden appearance startled all three of them.

"How did you..." Miyo questioned in shock.

"Oh! It wasn't that hard, really" The Salena taps her feet on the floor and a large hole suddenly occurs from where she taps and leads back at the bootom where they previously were.
"Bunny Hole" She said with a smile before the hole vanishes.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that abilty" Yuu pointed out as Salena replied by smiling at him before Lonky shouted.

"Wait a minute! If you could still use your powers, couldn't you have just done that earlier and save all of us the trouble?!"

"Of course!" Salena replied. "But I wanted to give Popo a chance to shine so I refrained" She explained.

No words could describe how angry and frustrated Lonky looks, he looked like he wanted to strangle her but he knows that if he did, she would beat him up.

Then the compressor dropped from the ground and the impact shook the facility. The runningman all looked back before, one by one, Multiple Castillet dropped from the upper floors. They surrounded the runningman and immediately outnumbered them, with Yuu too injured to move, Miyo and Salena would have to be the one to fend off and defend them against the new threat. With a deep. Exhausted sigh, Yuu spoke as his words echoed through the sudden silence.

"Dang it..."