DXD: The Awakening Of Phenex

The light filtering through the curtains was soft, softened by lilac fabrics that danced at the slightest touch of the breeze. The sound of waves crashing below the cliff lulled the room with a languid rhythm.

Riser lounged on the bed, bare from the waist up, his hair still slightly tousled. The newspaper lay open in his hands, its pages vibrating faintly with the magical force contained in his body.

"Big News Morgans… always where he needs to be."

The headline blared in bold letters:

'Celestial Explosion Disintegrates Sky Island – Mystery Shrouds the New World'

Below, a shaky illustration depicted a column of light tearing through the heavens. Ashes floated in the corner of the image, like black feathers falling from a dead angel.

Riser turned the page calmly.

'Two days… and the world's still trying to make sense of it.'

The yellowed paper carried a faint scent of fresh ink mixed with floral perfume—a detail from the room, not the newspaper.

A new headline caught his attention:

'Ace Captured – Whitebeard's Commander to Be Executed?'

An image of Ace's bloodied face stood out in detail. Half-open eyes, an expression of pain. Beside it, another story:

'Blackbeard Named Shichibukai – Alliance or Betrayal?'

"So… one way or another, everything's following the same path."

Riser crossed his legs, resting his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand.

"Even with the Straw Hats' deaths, the balance tries to hold."

He flipped to the last page.

Rumors, speculations, wanted posters. Nothing that truly mattered.

The soft sound of the door opening was almost timid. Gentle footsteps crossed the scented tatami.

Hancock entered with a tray in her hands. A faint smile on her lips, her eyes gleaming with a warmth that wasn't just physical.

"Good morning, Riser-sama…"

She wore only a short robe, clinging to her body. The skin exposed at her neck and legs still bore faint red marks from the night before.

"I brought coffee with fruit… and toast with orchid honey."

She set the tray on the table beside the bed. The rich, earthy aroma of coffee filled the space.

"You didn't need to trouble yourself with this."

"I wanted to do something… after everything."

She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing slightly. Her left hand slid along her thigh, adjusting the robe's fabric.

"What we did these past two days… it was more than physical."

"It was necessary."

She smiled. She sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers brushing the sheets gently.

"You seem distant today."

"I'm observing how the world adapts to destruction."

He raised the newspaper again, showing the image of the sky explosion.

"Even without knowing who caused it, the world responds. Ace captured. Teach named. The Marines silent. But the script moves forward."

Hancock glanced at the image, then at his eyes.

"Do you think it's fate? That no matter what changes… it all ends up happening?"

"It's not fate. It's structure. When one piece falls, another takes its place. But the foundation stays the same."

She slid closer, her shoulder brushing against his.

"Then you'll change the foundation?"

"No…"

He set the newspaper down on the table with a firm touch.

"I'll create a new one."

She leaned back against the headboard, the sheet slipping down her legs.

"Are you leaving Amazon Lily now?"

"Merlin informed me the base is complete. It's time to see what she built with the resources I gave her."

"Will you come back?"

"Of course."

His golden eyes met hers for a second. The expression wasn't romantic or indulgent. It was a cold, unshakable promise.

"This place still has purpose. So do you."

She leaned in, her lips lightly brushing his collarbone.

"You always speak like everything carries weight… a plan."

"Everything does."

He picked up the coffee cup and drank slowly. The flavor was strong, slightly sweet. The steam rose, dissipating in the humid air.

'Two days of peace. Enough.'

The Sharingan spun briefly in his eyes before fading. A silent reminder that even here, wrapped in silk and perfume, he carried power enough to shatter kingdoms.

Hancock stood, pulling the robe over her shoulder.

"Do you need anything before you leave?"

"No."

He rose from the bed, his aura enveloping his body like a mantle.

"But tell Robin and Alvida to keep order. I don't want any fool trying to follow me without permission."

"Yes, Riser-sama…"

She bowed her head slightly, holding back the satisfied smile threatening to spread across her face.

A golden spiral formed around him.

FWOOSH.

The air was torn with a flash of energy.

And Riser was gone.

Silence returned.

Hancock stood alone in the room. The bed still warm. The newspaper open, its letters gleaming in the sunlight filtering through the curtains.

She picked up a piece of toast from the tray and bit into it slowly, her eyes fixed on the day's headline.

"'The Light That Tore the Sky'…"

She closed the newspaper gently.

"They still don't know… that the true light… walks among them."

---

Moby Dick

The sky hung heavy over the sea. Thick black clouds, as if the heavens themselves were in mourning. Whitebeard's ship cut through the waves with restrained fury, the Moby Dick advancing like a wounded giant.

The newspaper was clutched in Edward Newgate's calloused hand.

The crumpled page trembled slightly under the strength of his fingers, but the old pirate's eyes didn't blink.

"Portgas D. Ace to be publicly executed by the Marines at Headquarters."

The words still echoed.

The image of his son, chained, bruised, humiliated.

The veins in Whitebeard's arm pulsed like living ropes.

The newspaper flew into the air, torn in two with a single motion.

"SONS!"

His voice was thunder.

The crew surged from the lower deck like a living wave, rushing and assembling before the central mast. The sound of boots against wood, weapons being raised, hearts racing.

Marco landed on the upper deck, his fiery wings still vibrating with an aura of rage. His blond hair disheveled, his blue eyes narrowed.

"Old man… it's serious. The Marines want war."

Whitebeard rose from his makeshift throne. His naginata was driven into the deck with a dull thud.

"They want war?"

He spat to the side.

"Then war is what they'll get."

The silence lasted half a second.

Then it exploded.

Shouts echoed from every corner of the ship. Laughter, cheers, weapons raised.

"THEY'RE GONNA EXECUTE OUR BROTHER?!"

"THINK THEY CAN MESS WITH OUR FAMILY?!"

"WE'LL TEAR DOWN ENIES LOBBY IF WE HAVE TO!"

The men stirred, their feet pounding the deck, barrels kicked, voices blending like the thunder of a storm.

From above, the crew looked like an army.

Marco descended beside the old man. His eyes didn't blink, but his jaw was clenched.

"They won't stop at Ace. If the Marines think they can divide us… they'll try to take others."

"Then we'll show them… what happens to those who threaten my sons."

Whitebeard spun his naginata and rested it on his shoulder. The wind tossed his white hair back. His cloak billowed like the flag of an ancient nation.

"Ace…"

His eyes narrowed.

"Even if I have to burn the world…"

Rage vibrated in the air around his body.

"…I'll pull you out of there with my own hands."

"OLD MAAAAAN!"

"TAKE US WITH YOU, OLD MAN!"

"WE'LL MAKE THIS SEA QUAAAAKE!"

The entire crew erupted in euphoria. Bullets were fired into the sky. Cannons swiveled symbolically. Men embraced, laughed, cried.

Marco crossed his arms, the fiery feathers glowing on his back.

"We'll need everything. Everyone. This won't be like before."

Whitebeard smirked, a slow grin heavy with rage and pride.

"Let them bring their fleet. Let them call their admirals. I'll crush that Headquarters with my bare hands."

"YOU HEARD THE FATHER!"

"IT'S GONNA BE WAR, DAMMIT!"

"IF ACE IS LOCKED UP… IT'S THE MARINES WHO'LL BLEED!"

Crew members climbed the masts, brandishing swords and spears. The Devil Fruits they possessed glimmered with latent energy. Fishmen, humans, cyborgs—all united under the same banner.

The Whitebeard symbol flew high. The white skull with the stylized mustache. The shield of a family that refused to accept loss.

Marco looked out at the sea ahead. His eyes sharp, calculating the distance.

"Ace… hold on tight. We're coming."

Whitebeard raised his naginata high. An invisible fissure rippled through the air, like a mirror breaking in silence.

The sea ahead churned violently.

"Let the whole world hear."

His voice was low but charged with force.

"The seas will quake."

He struck the naginata against the deck.

The wood vibrated. The waves exploded around them.

"War…"

He smiled, his gaze now filled with contained fury.

"It's what they'll get."

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