Episode 13: "The Demon King Appears"

Tsuki Iroha
"Look over there! It's the escape pods!"

Inside the room, they found round pods lined up against the walls. Each pod was about three feet in diameter.

These were the escape pods.
Even without an explanation, it was quite obvious what they were just by looking at them.
Everything about the room clearly indicated this was the escape pod bay.

Sui Yakumo
"LET'S GO! Now all we gotta do is get in 'em and we're—"

Then.
The lights suddenly cut, as if the power had been turned off.

Tsuki Iroha
"Eep!"

Sui Yakumo
"What's going on?!"

The group all began to panic.
And Yo began feeling tense amid the darkness.

Suddenly...

An eerie voice crept out of the dark.

???
"My, my. If it isn't the Hero Kuronaka.
Nice of you to join me at last."

Yo Kuronaka
"What?!"

Yo gasped.
He could never forget that voice.

Yo Kuronaka
"Goddess, is that you?"

???
"Indeed. But goddess was merely a nom de guerre.
I, who have been carefully guiding you thus far..."

Cutting through the darkness...
Candles sitting in stands began to ignite.
The wicks lit up one after another.

And from the light they were casting...

Emerged a throne.
Before they could figure out what was going on, they were now staring dead ahead at the throne.
And sitting upon it was...

Zero
"...am also the Demon King, Zero. Who the mighty hero must slay."

Zero had his elbows firmly placed on the throne while resting his head on the back of his hands.
His metallic mask eerily reflected the light coming from the candles.
And his thin dreads emerged from the back of his mask all the way down to his waist.

As soon as the sight appeared before him...
Fear ran throughout Yo's body from head to toe.

Yo Kuronaka
"You!"

Kazuki Aoyama
"Of all the people in this world, of course it was him who ambushed us..."

Without even thinking about it, Kazuki stepped back.
That's just how dangerous this person was.

Zero
"I believe it's time for our last dance. Let it rain down blood upon us as we take our final bow."

The ground beneath the group's feet transformed and began resembling the starry cosmos.

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"Wh-What's going on?!"

Koishi Kohinata
"Wait... Are we in outer space?!"

It didn't just stop at the ground.
The ceiling, the walls, all faded away as it looked like they were transported into outer space.
The escape pods that were lining the walls just a second ago had vanished as well.

The group found themselves standing in the middle of outer space.

Ignoring their confusion, Zero extended out his arms. His braids fluttered with his movements, and he slowly began to stand up.
Before beginning to float into the air.
All anyone could do was look up at the sight before them.

Zero, floating in the air, with his arms spread out.
And just as he stopped moving...

Yo Kuronaka
"Here he comes!"

Yo yelled out.
But it was too late.

While still floating, Zero suddenly dashed toward the group.

Zero
"Wait, you thought I was serious? This is all just a big misunderstanding."

He softly landed before the group and began speaking nonchalantly.

Zero
"I was just toying with you. I didn't expect to surprise you all as much as I did."

He snapped his fingers, everything went pitch black.
Then, through the dark.

The sound of snapping fingers once more.

The room suddenly was filled with light again.
Gone were the starry cosmos.
As well as the throne and those eerie candles.

They had returned to the escape pod bay.

Yo Kuronaka
"Huh?"

Zero
"Congratulations, Yo! You beat the game."

Zero began clapping as he congratulated Yo.

Zero
"The Hero Training Game is now complete.
With your newly found strength, there's no doubt about it. You could definitely thrive in the outside world.
Which means we can begin an even more exciting game."

Kazuki Aoyama
"Does that mean you're willing to let us return to the surface?"

Kazuki shot a suspicious glance toward Zero as he asked.

Zero
"Hm? I get the impression we're not understanding one another. I was merely letting you do as you pleased."

Tsuki Iroha
"W-What do you mean?"

The one who answered Tsuki's question was Q.

Q
"It's simple. He knew everything we were planning from the start."

Koishi Kohinata
"Wait, does that mean he knew that we were going to destroy the satellite's master controls?"

Zero
"Well, I won't lie. Targeting Space Envoy 3 was a solid strategy."

Zero was perfectly calm as he spoke.

Zero
"It's true, if you were able to stop it, those on the surface wouldn't have to worry about being monitored or smited by the lasers. They'd be able to freely travel between cities.
Then all you'd have to do is spur insurrection at each location and create strongholds. Perhaps one day, in the distant future, you'd even succeed in usurping me."

His calm tone changed quickly as he began laughing.

Zero
"Ah, just picturing it is enough to get me excited!
Hahaha!"

He showed no restraint as a piercing laugh came from behind his disturbing mask.
As his laughter echoed around the room, Yo tensed up as he realized just how warped the man in front of him was.

Yo Kuronaka
"..."

The man before him was truly reveling in the situation.