|| AWAKENING ||

As the Universal Tribes Tournament[UTT] drew near, anticipation and excitement filled the air, and people from all over the world began to make their final preparations.

The news of this momentous event spread far and wide, thanks to the diligent efforts of the representatives from Central Continental.

Mobile notifications relentlessly bombarded the screens of countless individuals, ensuring that no one missed out on this epoch-making spectacle! In addition, the airwaves were saturated with thrilling TV adverts, so epic in scope and scale that they left even the most jaded viewers gasping in awe.

Massive advertisement screens and wall banners, with their bold and colorful designs, were emblazoned on towering buildings throughout civilized cities, leaving onlookers stunned and speechless. Even in foreign countries, flyers and posters have been plastered on every available surface, proclaiming the coming of the tournament with such gusto that they can almost be heard from miles away! All of these efforts were designed to ensure the maximum impact of the historic tournament.

The sponsors, Netherworld also made their moves, sending out special invitations with the Moonwalker's crest symbol tagged on the letters' front side to unique warriors and fighters within and outside the superhuman world.

Having returned temporarily to the Outlands and assumed his rightful throne as the real leader of Netherworld, Dargsbon ordered Mako into supervising the events of the upcoming tournament while he himself, watched from the shadows.

As for the regent, she was tasked with attending to other matters of the Netherworld.

The coming of the tournament was nigh.

***

~Hong Kong, China~
Aurora finally returned from the United States after performing live in a concert in New York. She had traveled to Hong Kong to visit her brother, Bernard.

Her music career had taken off, and her fame had spread globally, earning her numerous fans and the opportunity to manage her own record label, the "Young Phoenix." However, with the Universal Tribes' Tournament quickly approaching, she had to put her music career on hold to participate in the upcoming competition.

However, Aurora's motivations were not limited to her music career or her participation in the Universal Tribes Tournament. She was also determined to uncover the truth about David's supposed death. She conducted her own investigation, venturing to the site of the Scale Shield organization's abandoned building in Hidden Hills to search for any clues about his whereabouts.

The more she combed through the wreckage, the more she began to suspect that David had survived the explosion. Despite her devastation, she felt a glimmer of hope and happiness at the thought that her boyfriend might still be alive and well.

But then, she was troubled by a nagging thought: despite David's survival, he had not kept his promise to come for her.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the bird-shaped whistle that David had given her months ago, long before the Scale Shield incident. As she studied the whistle, memories of the happy times she and David had shared flooded her mind, bringing a wistful smile to her face.

With a resolute determination, she vowed to find David by any means necessary, she longed to see his face again, to feel his comforting embrace, to hear him whisper words of encouragement. For Aurora, the thought of reuniting with David was the only thing that kept her going, the only thing that made her feel alive amidst all the uncertainties. Hence, she hoped the upcoming universal tribes' tournament would provide a lucky opportunity to reunite with him.

Aurora paid a visit to Bernard, who was overseeing a branch firm of the Deity family's media production and technology in Hong Kong. Upon seeing his sister, Bernard was startled by her unexpected arrival in China. He promptly wrapped up his ongoing business affairs before turning his full attention to her.

BERNARD: "Hmm! I thought I told you to wait in the US. What if something bad had happened to you on your way coming here?" Bernard questioned Aurora in a strict but worried tone.

AURORA: "Stop treating me like a little child, brother. I'm old enough to navigate my way around anywhere I wish to go. Humph!" she answered, a cute frown adorning her face.

BERNARD: "Heh! You have become quite rebellious recently, haven't you? I wonder what's behind that. Delusional maturity, or perhaps something you'd hope I don't find out about?" Bernard replied, his expression erupting a suspicious stare into Aurora's soul.

AURORA: ".... Eh,... Stop it! Don't call me delusional,"

BERNARD: "[Sighs.] Anyways, glad you arrived here safely, Sunshine. That keeps me at ease now." Bernard voiced in a satisfaction.

Following a lengthy discussion, the siblings concluded their conversation and began preparing to return to their homeland, Crestivenia.

Bernard promptly instructed one of his personal drivers to arrange for transportation to the nearest gateway station in the city, ensuring that he and Aurora could depart as soon as possible.

After a short wait, the chauffeur driver arrived with a sleek Porsche car for the siblings, assisting them in getting settled into the back seats before commencing the journey.

Aurora was mesmerized by the stunning views of Hong Kong outside the window, occasionally glimpsing at banners and advertisements for the upcoming UTT. Eventually, the driver arrived at their destination and brought the vehicle to a halt.

Bernard, feeling relaxed, motioned for the chauffeur to open the doors and assist them out, but before they could exit the car, they were suddenly confronted by an unexpected encounter.

Out of nowhere, scorching hues of azure flames blasted the chauffeur driver away, jolting Bernard and Aurora into a state of high alert as they swiftly exited the vehicle by themselves.

BERNARD: "How annoying! It's the azure beta flames. Who have I infuriated to receive such warm treatment? Is it Shadow's doing?" Bernard spoke with his guard up.

He couldn't help but wonder if Shadow had orchestrated a ambush against him by dispatching a Beta-stage expert from the Bane family. He knew all too well the mutual disdain they had for each other. However, he found it odd that a assailant of such high caliber would openly confront him on Shadow's behalf.

The siblings assumed defensive stances, scanning their surroundings for any signs of their assailants.

But abruptly, Bernard's intuition kicked in as he sensed the presence of two individuals rapidly closing in on him and Aurora from behind, their figures clad in hooded cloaks.

The strangers unleashed two formidable balls of azure fire, their murderous intent palpable as they deliberately targeted Aurora as the scapegoat.

With his sister's safety being his top priority, Bernard quickly sprang into action, positioning himself between the attack and his sister. He clenched his fists, igniting them with the cyan sky flame, bracing himself to face the incoming onslaught head-on.

The two balls of fire collided with him with a thunderous boom, their immense force threatening to engulf him in a sea of flames.

Bernard grimaced as he struggled to hold back the two formidable infernos with his blazing arms. His body became drenched in sweat from the intense heat, and his outfit got torn from the unyielding assault.

Meanwhile, Aurora watched on with bated breath, her heart pounding with fear as the overpowering balls of fire threatened to engulf her beloved brother.

With a sense of urgency, she summoned a swirling shield of radiant fireflies, their luminous forms dancing in the air as they encircled Bernard, forming a protective barrier against the onslaught of attackers.

However, despite her efforts, Aurora's defense proved to be no match for the relentless assault of the engulfing azure fireballs. Within mere seconds, her shield of fireflies was battered and overwhelmed by the ferocity of the enemy's onslaught, its radiant glow dimming as it dispersed into the void, leaving Bernard vulnerable to the raging inferno that threatened to consume him.

The two strangers stood with folded arms and disdainful glances, their sneers cutting through like knives as the siblings struggled to withstand their fiery assaults. Though they refrained from further attacks, the contemptuous looks on their faces stoked a fierce anger within Bernard, igniting a primal surge of steamy energy that erupted from his body.

With each passing moment, Bernard's strength swelled to unprecedented levels, his muscles bulging with raw power. With a primal roar, he fiercely punched at the fiery assaults, effortlessly cleaving through the scorching infernos of azure, and causing them to dissipate entirely into nothingness.

His remarkable display of strength drew the attention of the two strangers, leaving them impressed. Though the fireball attack they had unleashed was a standard technique, they had never anticipated he'd be capable of countering their superior beta flames with such formidable prowess.

It was an rare feat, one that even most Crestivenians at the extreme stage would struggle to replicate, let alone surpass.

The two strangers exchanged satisfied glances, retrieving crested invitation letters from within their cloaks. They tossed the letters to Bernard and Aurora, urging the siblings to catch them. Their actions conveyed a sense of respect for Bernard's strength, and it was evident that they were no longer hostile toward him and his sister.

BERNARD: "[Effortlessly catches the letter with one hand.] Humph! What's this?" Bernard asked suspiciously after noticing the moon-shaped crest on the letter.

HENCHMAN 1: "We are elites from the Netherworld! We act on lord Dargsbon's behest to test unique fighters that may be joining the universal tribes' tournament," explained the first Netherworld's henchman.

BERNARD: "Heh! Netherworld, huh? So you punks are the rumored ones sponsoring this event?"

HENCHMAN 2: "You know it well, young Crestivenian. As expected of the Crestivenian genius who singlehandedly defeated Kozak Lateman, you sure did not disappoint," the second henchman responded with a creepy smirk.

BERNARD: "Tsk! That old punk was simply too weak! Not worth the hype," Bernard retorted.

HENCHMAN 1: "Hmm! We highly anticipate your presence at the tournament. Show us that you have what it takes to back up your arrogance, young Crestivenian."

Upon ending their conversations, the two henchmen, who were in fact members of the Moonwalker Squad, abruptly vanished from their positions in a dazzling display of azure flames.

Bernard stood beside Aurora, his expression unveiling a sneer as he gazed intently at the letter's content. After a moment of contemplation, he swiftly set the letter ablaze, reducing it to a heap of white ashes.

BERNARD: "[Reveals a cold smile.] Humph! Seems to me like I'd be assisting suicide. For what eventually becomes of the Netherworld, they should hate me not, but rather, hate their ignorance. Their encounter with me will be their own undoing.

[Turns to Aurora.] We must hurry, Sunshine! The tournament begins soon!"

Having said these words, Bernard and Aurora wasted no time and headed through the gleaming gateway before them. Their minds focused on the task ahead, and they began planning the necessary arrangements to ensure they were ready for the upcoming event.