The End of Edd War

Lightning Roar faded.

The last arc of electricity flashed high in the sky, then vanished.

The thunderstorm tornado that had raged all night slowly broke apart. Its remaining columns of wind collapsed as though their frames had been pulled away, dissolving into scattered currents.

A vast gap tore through the rolling thunderclouds.

The first sunlight of morning poured through the broken sky.

Shafts of light pierced the lingering steam and fell upon the violently churning sea.

The waves still surged, but they no longer roared. The gale had passed, leaving only the sea's heavy, slow breathing.

That golden figure sank into the depths.

A few belated ripples spread across the surface, only to be swallowed by the returning water.

Shiki.

The Golden Lion.

The man who had once stood above the sky, looked down upon the sea, and dreamed of ruling the world with his Flying Fleet—

His story ended here.

He had not fallen to time or old age, but in his final battle against the heavens.

High above, the Thunder God form slowly unraveled, its hundred-meter body of lightning fading inch by inch.

As the radiance receded, Rock reappeared.

Faint lightning patterns still marked his bare torso. Now and then, an arc ran across his skin with a soft sizzle.

The morning light picked out every line of muscle.

His breathing was a little heavy, but steady.

He hovered in the air, looking down at the sea, already deep blue again.

Nothing could be seen there now but water slowly rushing back and waves that had yet to settle.

Rock said nothing. No triumphant laughter, no declaration after the battle.

He seemed merely to be seeing off an opponent.

A man who had stood alongside his era, yet had also tried to tear it apart, was sinking into