2687

After defeating the two giant Yeagers in the cave, Rex emerged from the battleground, his breath heavy with exhaustion. The echoes of their demise still lingered in the air. As he stepped into the next chamber, a new elevator stood before him, sleek and ominous. Without hesitation, he entered, descending into a new area deep below.

The sight that greeted him was one of carnage—Yeager corpses strewn across the floor, recently slain. The stench of death was thick, and the eerie silence sent a chill through Rex. Moving cautiously, he approached another door and connected his cybernetics to the interface.

“Rona,” Rex spoke through the link, “I’ve beaten two powerful Yeagers. This place… it’s filled with their dead.”

Rona’s voice crackled through, oddly calm. “Amazing job, Rex. You’ve grown stronger than ever, possibly at the level of a Yeager rank or even higher. Remember, use this power for good, and only good. Understand me?”

Rex’s instincts flared. Rona never spoke like this. His suspicion solidified in a split second, and he unleashed his dark flames, incinerating the room. The illusion melted away, revealing a grand throne. Seated upon it was a figure, looking down at him with cold, calculating eyes.

“You’re finally here, Rex. It’s truly a pleasure to meet you,” the figure said with a smirk.

Rex’s eyes narrowed. “You’re the bastard who turned me into a Yeager.”

The figure stood, his presence suffocating. “That’s right. My name is Hades, the King of Yeagers.”

Rex clenched his fists, flames flickering around him. “Let’s do this.”

Hades nodded, stepping down from his throne. “Let our deaths be glorious, if we die.”

Rex awoke suddenly, the cold ground beneath him. Iris and Ash were at his side, their faces etched with concern.

“Rex, get up. We need to reach the Wilshire Grand Center,” Ash urged, pulling him to his feet. The trio spotted a soldier and swiftly commandeered a military vehicle, speeding through the war-torn streets.

Meanwhile, Nicholas found himself trapped within the collapsing building. Blood seeped from his many wounds, and the throbbing pain in his half-exposed skull was unbearable. His communicator buzzed, and with great effort, he answered it.

“Dad, are you okay? We heard about the attack on LA. When are you and Mom coming back?” Amber’s voice, full of worry, made Nicholas smile through the pain.

“I’ll be back home in the morning, sweetheart. Let me save these people first, then we can enjoy any meal you like,” he promised, ending the call with a heavy heart.

Outside, the situation was dire. Yeagers were slaughtering humans mercilessly. Nicholas, summoning the last of his strength, charged into the fray, his ice staff cutting through the enemy ranks. He left messages carved into the ice, guiding survivors out of the city. His communicator revealed a new threat—a Yeager rank at the Wilshire Grand Center.

As Rex, Iris, and Ash drove through the chaos, the devastation of the ongoing battle became evident. Explosions and serpent-like creatures wreaked havoc across the city.

“What’s happening out there?” Iris demanded, alarmed.

“A Yeager is inside the building, ma’am! He can summon snakes out of thin air, and no one’s been able to get close to him!” the soldier reported.

“Get us as close as possible!” Rex commanded, determination blazing in his eyes.

The ride was perilous. A giant snake tore through one of the tires, sending the vehicle careening into a building. Rex, recovering first, enveloped the wreckage in his dark flames, obliterating the surrounding Yeagers.

“Rex, get to the Wilshire Grand Center. We’ll hold them off,” Ash said firmly.

“What about you two?” Rex asked, worry creasing his brow.

“We’ll be fine. Go!” Iris insisted.

Rex sprinted towards the Wilshire Grand Center, moving at blinding speed. As he arrived, Nicholas was locked in a fierce battle, cutting down Yeagers with precision. Ace, with his signature grin, suddenly materialized and struck a lethal blow.

“Were you here all along?” Nicholas gasped, seeing an apparition of Adam pointing towards Rex, who was just arriving.

Rex’s heart sank as he took in the scene. Nicholas, battered and broken, was at death’s door.

“Tell my kids… I’m sorry for not keeping my promise,” Nicholas whispered. His upper body exploded in a shower of blood, leaving Rex in shock and grief. Tears wouldn’t bring Nicholas back—only vengeance would.

Rex charged at Ace, his blade swinging with fury. But Ace vanished, reappearing behind him with a mocking smile. “Come on, Rex. His life didn’t really matter; he was a weakling.”

Rex’s anger flared. He swung his sword with the pommel, sending Ace flying back. “You little brat,” Ace sneered, summoning a swarm of snakes to attack Rex.

“Dark Flame Style: Dark Flame Wheel!” Rex shouted, spinning to incinerate the snakes. But one managed to bite his leg, injecting venom.

Rex collapsed, coughing blood. “What? My poison should have made his body explode,” Ace mused.

Rex struggled to his feet. “I burned the poison out with my flames, but it’s also burning me from the inside,” he thought grimly.

Ace, intrigued, taunted, “Ready to give up?”

Rex didn’t respond, instead charging again. Ace’s snakes emerged from the walls, but Rex slid beneath them, slicing off Ace’s legs. As Ace regenerated, Rex realized, “His regeneration is slower than Killer’s. I can win this.”

Ace duplicated himself, the clone leaping out of a building while the real Ace continued the assault. Rex, overwhelmed, fell as more snakes bit him.

Ace smirked. “That was easy.”

“I’m still alive, idiot,” Rex retorted, standing despite his injuries.

Ace’s smile widened. “This is getting fun. I can’t wait to eat you.”

Both fighters clashed again, Rex growing weaker from the venom and burns, while Ace toyed with him. Suddenly, they both turned to see Daisy running up the stairs, Ace’s clone fleeing.

[Fifteen Minutes Earlier]

In a helicopter above the city, Daisy was with Amaya, who was unconscious, and Sally, barely holding on.

“Ma’am, we’re almost out of the city,” the soldier reported.

“Good. Once they’re safe, take me back,” Daisy ordered.

The helicopter suddenly shook as Ace attacked. Daisy, grabbing her spear, leapt out, stabbing Ace as they both plummeted to the ground.

“Amazing, you survived the fall,” Ace remarked, amused.

Daisy, unshaken, blocked his attacks, noticing something was off. “He’s not using his full power,” she realized, slashing at him. But when she did, she saw his body was made of snakes.

“This isn’t the real body,” Daisy thought, as the fake Ace smirked and ran off. Daisy chased him through the city, cutting down Yeagers in her way. Finally, she caught up, only to find herself face-to-face with the real Ace.

Ace slashed at her, and though Daisy severed his hand, her face was poisoned. As she collapsed, she looked over at Rex.

“Tell my kids I had a good life,” Daisy said softly, her vision fading.

In a field of flowers, Daisy found herself sitting in a chair, Nicholas beside her. “So, you’re dead too,” Daisy remarked.

“Yeah. Didn’t see the Yeager coming,” Nicholas replied, sitting down beside her.

“Why did you name the kids Ember and Leon?” Nicholas asked, curious.

Daisy smiled, looking up at the sky. “Leon felt like a lion, strong and smart. Ember… she laughed when she first breathed, like a spark.”

Nicholas smiled. “Good choices. I’m glad I married you.”

“Me too,” Daisy said.

Back in reality, blood splattered the walls as Daisy’s headless body crumpled to the ground. Rex stood, covered in blood, staring at her lifeless form in shock.

“D-Daisy?” Rex stammered, confusion and rage warring within him.

Ace, now fully merged with his clone, grinned. “Ready for round two?”