The Superior Rebirth: A Hero's Awakening

Return of the Covenant

Ash covered the earth—falling from the sky like snowfall, only heavier, grayer, and full of sorrow.

Xavier lay still in the rubble, dazed, his mind echoing with one name.

Was that... Misaki? he wondered, eyes scanning the smoke. No—it couldn't be. How would they even know where I am?

But there was no time to dwell. A groan pierced through the silence, carried by the wind like a warning. Not far off, a figure moved—pushing aside a massive slab of debris with raw grit.

Reginald.

Blood streaked his face, and his clothes were torn, but his stance was firm. Coughing out ash, he muttered irritably, "What the hell was that sneak attack? Everything today's been trying to piss me off."

Then, spotting Xavier, his expression twisted into a crooked grin.

"Ohh... I get it now," Reginald said, wiping blood from his lip. "You had that attack up your sleeve in case I backed you into a corner. Is that it?"

His tone wasn't angry—it was impressed.

"Didn't expect it. Can't say when you prepped it—but damn, you're one hell of a genius, Xavier."

Xavier groaned, forcing his body upright. Excalibur shimmered in his shaky grip, its edge scraped and dirty. Using it as a crutch, he stood, wobbling but alive.

"I don't know what delusion you're caught up in," Xavier said, breathing hard. "But one thing's certain. I'm not losing to you. Not today."

Reginald paused, confused. Xavier hadn't triggered the blast? He let out a short, incredulous laugh, running a hand through his singed hair.

"You didn't do it... Hah! Then what did hit me?"

But the truth didn't matter to him. Only one thing did: Xavier, bloodied and battered, still stood. Still defiant. Still ready to fight.

"That's what makes you interesting," Reginald muttered. "You don't know when to stay down."

Before either could act, voices rose in the distance. Reginald's men arrived, drawn by the earlier explosion.

"Boss! You okay?!"

Reginald rolled his shoulders. His wounds had started to mend, ever so slightly. "I'm fine," he replied with a grin. "Just need to finish off that brat over there, then it's back to my brand new mansion."

Hearing that, his henchmen advanced with bloodthirsty excitement. Their weapons glinted. They saw Xavier as prey. Easy reward.

Xavier's heart pounded. He was outnumbered, drained, but his fire didn't falter. If I let Reginald walk away now, he thought, he'll come back stronger. He'll take Teslaine again. I can't let that happen.

One of the thugs lunged.

Xavier turned, but his body was too slow. The enemy's blade soared toward him—merciless, final.

CLANG.

The sword halted—stopped by a bare hand.

A familiar hand.

Xavier's eyes widened. "Jupiter...?"

His best friend stood before him, calm and composed. Not a flicker of doubt. His eyes—once playful and warm—now glowed a cold, pale purple.

"You'll have to kill me first before you ever touch my brother," Jupiter said, voice low and unwavering.

Blood trickled from his hand as it gripped the blade tighter.