Records of Cosmic War

Tomorrow, Redhawk will announce to Isabella that an inheritance war is about to begin. She will be permitted to abstain from any missions until it is completed. I am sure Isabella will decline to participate and try to take missions as usual. But you should stop her. You must make her participate in the inheritance war. Do you understand, Judas?" Sai said with a cold, firm face.

"Okay, I agree with you for now. But remember this—if there is even a chance that her life will be endangered due to your actions, I won't hesitate to take yours. Understood?"

Both Sai and I stared at each other, unblinking.

"Alright," Sai finally replied. "But for now, we're all a team. So let's not fight amongst ourselves. Let's just do what needs to be done." Powell stepped in, breaking the tense silence.

The Next Day

"Where is Mrs. Isabella?" Redhawk asked as he stood at the front of the room.

"She will be coming soon, sir," someone answered.

"Can we know why we've been summoned here?" Claire asked, visibly worried.

"It's about your captain. That's all I can say for now. First, let her arrive."

A faint echo of hesitant footsteps filled the hall. Isabella slowly entered the room, her posture timid yet composed.

"I'm glad you finally showed up, Mrs. Isabella," Redhawk said.

He turned toward her. "I came to inform you of something you likely already know. The inheritance war in your family is about to begin in four months. So, from today onward, you are to prepare for it. You will not be given any more missions."

"I know about all of this," Isabella said, her voice laced with resistance. "But I don't want to participate. Inform my family—I will not be taking part."

"Is that it? Are you going to be weak forever?" I stepped forward, my voice sharp.

"I thought you had become brave, Isabella. But you're still acting like a child who always needs protection. You told me you'd join me and help me achieve my dream. Forget my dream—what about yours? You sought a world where kindness isn't seen as weakness. But you're not even trying to fight for it."

"But... how can I fight my siblings who are way stronger than me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You have us," I said, turning to Redhawk. "Can we help her?"

Redhawk nodded. "Yes, you can."

"That's it then, Isabella. Let's fight this inheritance war together."

Isabella closed her eyes, and a memory of Vanita flashed across her face. She opened them again, this time with resolve.

"Okay. Let's fight this war," she said.

Sai, standing silently in the corner, smiled faintly and lowered his head. "I knew he could do it. He made her agree. Good."

"Your family has provided a place for you to train," Redhawk said. "I've sent the location to you. There are dorms for all of you near the training facility. You will spend the next four months there."

The Following Day

We arrived at the Williams Training Hall, a large, fortified facility. The place had dorm rooms and a huge arena where we could train.

"So... how do we fight?" Claire asked.

"First, we need information about Isabella's siblings. Isabella, what are their powers?" I asked.

"You already know about Clady. He can produce flames. My elder sister Rose has telekinesis. It's very powerful, but she can only use it on non-living objects. Finally, there's my eldest sister Riana... I don't know her ability, but I've heard she's stronger than both Clady and Rose."

"Telekinesis? That's an incredible ability. How can we even counter something like that? And if we're helping Isabella, doesn't that mean her siblings can also bring their own soldiers? It seems... hopeless," Griffith said, his voice low with concern.

"Yeah, I also don't see any chance of winning," Claire added, equally worried.

"No problem. You have me," Powell said, stepping forward with confidence.

"Judas, demonstrate the weapon I gave you."

I took out the photon blade Powell had crafted for me.

"You know how to activate it, right?" he asked.

I nodded and powered it on. The blade lit up, glowing with a bright, pulsating energy. I swung it at a large pillar in front of me.

"I don't see any damage," Austin said, squinting.

"Look closely," Powell replied.

Suddenly, fire erupted from the cut I had made, surging out with violent intensity.

"What the—how?" Austin looked at Powell in disbelief.

"We can win," Powell said. "I can make weapons like these. I'm sure Isabella's siblings have also armed their soldiers with special gear—probably bought with the family's endless wealth. But I can craft better weapons, more creative ones. I just need Isabella to request the necessary equipment from her family. I bet they'll provide anything if it helps her to fight. It'll only take me a month."

"I'll train everyone in swordsmanship," I said.

"And I'll help with body conditioning and defensive techniques," Austin added.

"I'll teach you all how to fight more flexibly," Claire chimed in.

"I can't teach anything for now... but I'll learn everything from you all," Isabella said, smiling shyly.

Everyone turned to Sai, waiting.

"You're acting like kids just because a teenager is part of the group," Sai muttered, shaking his head. "Fine. I'll help with the training too."

"Everyone, thank you for supporting me. With your help, I think I can—"

"No, you can't," an unfamiliar voice cut her off.

Footsteps echoed into the hall, growing louder. A tall figure entered.

"No, you can't win, Bella."

"Riana!" Isabella gasped.

Her eldest sister had arrived.

And the storm had just begun.