Colliding Worlds

Clashes echoed through the forest just outside the walls of Phirines’ capital city. Though normally it would’ve sparked worries from the civilians, instead they were largely indifferent to it.

Outside, the King of the Phirines, Drano Kousa, was battling against the Lord of All Eternal Tribes, Kratirus. But instead of a heated display of brutality, the two were laughing, “A mighty King you are, Drano,” Kratirus complimented as he barraged the Phirinian with swarms of piercing attacks.

“I could say the same thing about you Kratirus, you’re a rare royal that doesn’t immediately pass out after thirty minutes of fighting.” On the sidelines stood the three Generals of Phirines, and Kratirus’ most trusted soldiers.

Serioth had made a forcefield that blocked any shockwaves from getting out. But even though the device could make the strongest of earthquakes into nothing, the strength of the two monarchs still made gusts of wind come out of it.

“Should we, stop them?” Sharusha asked, causing the blue-haired General to sigh.

“Can we even stop them?” He replied, causing Sharusha to grin.

“Was that a challenge?” But before the werewolf could get any more ideas, the oldest of the four, Jion, smacked his head with a stack of papers.

“If I remember correctly, Drano has been stronger than you ever since we became Generals,” the fact made Sharusha scowl in embarrassment. But as Jion approached Serioth, instead of smacking him, he instead gave the papers, “I’ve told Kaus of the news, the three Princes seemed to be happy with it. Especially Iscodaya, I heard he was doing the thing where he tried to hide his happiness.”

Hearing this, Serioth chuckled, “Must be because of that girlfriend of his. From what I’ve heard he’s also going to start his last year of ‘high school’ soon, that's like… middle academy.”

“Then we make our appearance known to humans?” Jion asked, leading Serioth to nod. The General then uncharacteristically, grinned, “At least we’ll have four representatives.”

As the conversation went on in Eon, on Earth the snow-covered streets were busy. The new year had come, and the restaurants and shops were already ready for it. But nestled in an apartment complex, were a few souls, playing board games and watching the television, just celebrating the coming new year.

Iscodaya and Kaus had invited a few of their friends to come along with them, Yusuke, Rin, and Yuuma laughed with Senodaya, as Daranya was making food for everyone. Kaus had just finished changing clothes, only to see Iscodaya in the corner of the room, texting on his phone.

The servant smiled as he came closer to his master, “Waiting for your girlfriend?” He taunted, causing Iscodaya to get startled. But realizing that he was caught, the Prince rolled his eyes.

“Y-yeah? And?” He tried to defend himself, but while doing so, Senodaya noticed the two.

“I’m sure big sis Kei is coming soon big bro,” he tauntingly reassured. But this taunt didn’t come without any punishment, as Iscodaya quickly pounced on Senodaya and started pulling his nose and ear.

“WHEN DID YOU LEARN TO SPEAK LIKE THAT HUH!? IS IT YOUR SCHOOLMATES!?” The second Prince angrily interrogated. The people around him couldn’t stop laughing at the scene, but it was quickly shut down as Daranya approached and with a light whip of his plastic spatula, hit Iscodaya on the hand.

“Don’t be too physical to your little brother, and you mister, don’t tease your big brother too much,” he warned as he went back to cooking. Iscodaya was bashful at both Senodaya’s teasing, but also Daranya telling him off.

But when his friends finished laughing, Rin approached the embarrassed boy, “I’m sure Kei’s coming soon.”

Feeling a little guilty, Yuuma also reassured Iscodaya, “Yeah man, she might just be waiting on an order.”

“She typically spends time with Keiko before going to our New Year parties,” remarked Yusuke while patting Iscodaya’s back.

Feeling babied, Iscodaya began to get embarrassed. Seeing this, Kaus got out his phone and took a video of his Prince rolling on the floor. He then went to his messages with Kei and sent it.

But just as he did, a knock came over the door. Kaus went and opened it. The second the door opened, the audio of Iscodaya rolling on the floor was being blasted, as Kei, with her beautiful face, grinned slyly.

Iscodaya’s eyes widened at it, as he tried to get the phone. Chaos erupted in the apartment, as Iscodaya was being teased non-stop. But as everyone started to calm down, a comfortable energy came over the room, and the friend group was laughing and joking like normal.

Iscodaya sat on their carpet, just playing a board game with his friends. On his shoulder, leaned Kei’s head, just resting while Iscodaya planned. Against them were Rin and Yusuke, the small girl comfortably sitting between her boyfriend’s legs. Meanwhile, Kaus and Yuuma were just wallowing in their singleness.

Daranya and Senodaya simply watched, wishing their partners were there. Overall, the atmosphere was warm, but not warm enough as Rin was starting to put her hands on her pockets and asked Yusuke to embrace her tighter.

Seeing this, Iscodaya stood up to get some blankets, Kei went with him to help. But as they were getting the blankets in Iscodaya’s drawer, Kei noticed something. It was a picture, on his computer stand. Going to it, she saw that it was the first picture he ever took with his phone.

Taken by her when they had only known each other for a few days, “Hey,” Kei called, as Iscodaya turned to her. She turned around with a smile, showing the picture to him, “This is when you were shorter than me right?”

Iscodaya sighed with a smile as he went closer, “I was trying to find a frame for that,” he stated as he stared into the eyes of Kei. “I used to be too grumpy for no reason. But now, I have a reason,” he chuckled.

“Your beautiful girlfriend, right?” Kei suggested, causing Iscodaya to nod. The two giggled, but as their eyes looked into each other more, they both felt something, a tug. “H-hey,” Kei called out, bashfully, “D-do you have enough c-confidence now?”

Iscodaya’s heart almost stopped at Kei’s words, but as he prepared himself, he nodded, “Yeah, I am.” He grabbed Kei’s chin, and made her face him. The two stared at each other’s eyes, and slowly, Iscodaya leaned in. The two met lips, as the coldness that surrounded them felt more like a chill.

But outside their apartment, a few hundred meters away, a portal opened. “Ooh~ Earth is cold isn’t it?” A grim-looking Eternal remarked as he set foot on the snow-covered ground, “Well then, LET’S FEAST!!” Tinirius roared, as dozens more portals opened.

Their presence was felt immediately by the swordsman and the two Princes. Their eyes, once filled with joy, now had the look of panic. Quickly Senodaya and Kaus ran to their rooms, as Iscodaya and Kei were blissfully returned with a few blankets.

Sensing the hurry, Iscodaya was taken out of his state, and wondered what was happening, “Is there… a problem?” He asked, but as he saw Kaus exiting his room with his blade, he already knew what it was about.

“Iscodaya, they’re here,” Daranya stated in their own language. The four Earthlings couldn’t even question anything as Kaus, Daranya, and Senodaya left the apartment.

Iscodaya was half out before he turned to them, “DO NOT LEAVE THIS PLACE PLEASE!!” He pleaded as he shut the door. The friend group was puzzled at first; but then after a few minutes went by, the television that was playing music suddenly switched channels.

The broadcast was from a local news channel, and as the four saw what was in it, they were horrified. Monsters, almost thirty feet tall with spider-like limbs from their backs were invading the streets of their city. They almost couldn’t believe it.

The broadcaster asked for everyone to stay indoors, and as those words were uttered, Kei began to panic for the four that left the apartment. But before she could verbalize it, a flash of fire erupted the streets, followed by an ice slash. The monsters backed off in caution, as the camera turned to four individuals.

And instantly everyone’s eyes widened, as Kei finally opened her mouth, “Iscodaya?”