A blue pillar of Reishi light surged upward.
Just witnessing it was enough to feel the tremendous energy rolling and boiling within—so hot and intense it seemed it could burn one's eyes to cinders.
Undeniably, this was a mass of extraordinary thermal power.
Seiya watched silently, analyzing the situation.
"The air's boiling..."
It wasn't just heat—it was pressure, oppressive and all-consuming. Even Uryū, who had been darting about in the air, was forced to land roughly.
He staggered, barely catching his footing, then exhaled sharply, voice thick with frustration.
"What is this? This isn't anything like the one you showed before..."
Before Seiya could answer, a voice boomed from within the pillar.
"Not the same?" scoffed Quilge Opie.
"What a joke! This is the ultimate power, a gift from His Majesty!"
"You think a backwater trick could rival such divine might? Absurd!"
BOOM!
The pillar shattered violently. Waves of pressure burst forth in every direction, tearing at the surroundings.
It was overwhelming.
Clad in military boots, Quilge landed hard, crushing stone beneath his feet. Two translucent wings of light unfurled behind him, and Reishi spiraled wildly around his body.
The iris behind his lenses shifted into concentric rings—inhuman and cold.
"Biskiel…"
"Behold—the absolute power granted by His Majesty! This is Vollständig, the perfected form of our kind."
"As invaders, surely you cannot comprehend this magnitude."
Unstoppable. Terrifying. Divine.
This was the might of Yhwach. The very power that elevated the Sternritter to dominance.
His form radiated strength and arrogance.
"So, what now? After witnessing true power, do you still dare resist?"
His words dripped with mockery.
Uryū bristled.
"Relying on borrowed power and pretending it's yours? Pathetic. No wonder my grandfather turned his back on you people."
Quilge tilted his head, eyebrows twitching in mock curiosity.
"Grandfather…?"
"Ah, the name resurfaces. The traitor to our Empire—Sōken Ishida, yes?"
"Such memories… It's been decades. Time is a cruel thing. And yet, here stands his descendant—grown strong. He was a strange man, rigid and inflexible, but worthy of respect."
Spreading his arms, Quilge wore the face of calm diplomacy.
"So you're the heir of the Ishida line—the one who forsook our people. And you come now to the Wandenreich... for what?"
"Have you realized your ancestors' folly? Come to kneel, to return to our protection?"
Uryū's voice cut through his speech like a blade.
"I have nothing to say to people like you. Tell me where Yhwach is."
"Ah… to speak His Majesty's name so casually."
Quilge's voice darkened.
"You're like a wild monkey raised outside the family—same face, but no discipline."
"But perhaps His Majesty will take pleasure in correcting your deficiencies."
"Unfortunately for you, I despise people like you the most."
With a flick of his hand, five fingers splayed, Reishi surged.
"Before you meet His Majesty, let pain and blood teach you what it means to defy us."
Uryū's eyes widened.
Though he knew he couldn't win, the contempt—especially toward the dead—was too much.
He gritted his teeth, and his Holy Bow began to form, Reishi flaring brilliantly.
But—
Cracks split across the bow.
"...?!"
Snap.
With a faint sound, the Reishi collapsed into glittering fragments.
No matter how hard Uryū struggled, the weapon was gone.
"What is this—"
"Sankt Bogen!" Quilge declared proudly.
"A technique only possible in Vollständig. It pushes Reishi manipulation to the extreme—achieving absolute domination."
"Old-fashioned Quincies like you can't even grasp it. No need to understand—just submit. Like a slave."
Uryū's face paled. Sweat trickled from his brow.
'This… this is what Grandfather refused to accept?'
To counter it, he'd need to enter his final form—perhaps even use the Seele Schneider or the glove again.
But the cost...
Quilge's Vollständig seemed effortless. For Uryū, it might mean losing his powers entirely.
He was still weighing the cost when—
Seiya stepped forward.
"You—don't—"
"I don't like meddling in petty arguments," Seiya interrupted. "But getting floored before we even see Yhwach would be too pathetic."
Uryū froze.
No words—just bitter understanding.
Seiya patted his shoulder lightly.
"It's fine. You've done well."
He meant it—not as comfort, but observation. Because what Seiya had seen confirmed his theories.
"This is Vollständig," he said softly, stepping toward Quilge.
"A power far beyond the old final form. A true, risk-free evolution. Not only does it boost base stats, but it grants new abilities too."
Seiya narrowed his eyes.
The energy was equivalent to a Gotei 13 captain at minimum.
He now understood why the Gotei had suffered so greatly when the war began.
Vollständig offered power, versatility, and even the means to neutralize Bankai.
Stepping right up to Quilge, Seiya met his gaze.
Quilge's pupils, swirling with unnatural colors, locked onto him.
"Who are you…?"
He didn't recognize this man. But his instincts screamed: danger.
Uryū had addressed him with respect—yet wasn't a peer. And he bore no familiar family name.
"Me?" Seiya said, smiling, raising a thumb toward himself.
"I'm Seiya Arima. Just a regular Quincy who happens to know Uryū."
Silence.
Uryū cast a pointed glance his way.
They'd discussed this before—Seiya's name was infamous. Dropping it in the Wandenreich could incite a storm.
But Quilge's reaction…
"Never heard of you."
Just as Seiya had said.
He had severed all ties to his original identity. His name was now a blank—anyone who heard it only remembered what they wanted.
He had no past. No burden. No legend.
"Then, Mister Arima," Quilge said coolly, "are you declaring war in Uryū's place?"
"You're polite. I'm impressed," Seiya replied with a grin.
"Courtesy is the hallmark of a superior being. As the vanguard of Quincy evolution, we have no need to hate relics of the past."
Arrogant and proud—Quilge's every glance was dripping with contempt.
Uryū tensed behind him, but Seiya raised a hand.
"If this riles you up, you've still got a ways to go."
He smiled.
"Of course… I'm not exactly calm either."
He took a step forward.
"You say this power is Yhwach's gift? That it belongs only to him?"
Quilge smirked.
"Of course. You fools cannot comprehend His Majesty's might."
"Then let me ask—what if this power isn't his alone?"
A blinding pillar of light erupted from the sky.
It crashed to the earth—enveloping Seiya completely.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
The light crystallized, forming a shining shell—only to shatter moments later.
From within it, a familiar figure emerged.
Quilge's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What…?"
"Recognize it?" Seiya said, eyes narrowed.
"This is Vollständig. And it's not Yhwach's exclusive domain."
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Powerstones?
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