Chapter One: The M78 Calamity

The universe is vast and boundless. When gazed upon from Earth, it is a canvas adorned with countless stars. Yet the true nature of the cosmos is darkness and mystery; aside from the nebulae scattered throughout, all that fills its expanse is shadow and void. Light travels at 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum—an incredible speed, and yet, to traverse the universe would still require an eternity.

Deep within the M78 Nebula, three million light-years from Earth, nearly sixty million planets circle its core. Yet among these myriad worlds, only one holds the true center. There lies the home of the Ultramen—the Star of Ultra, also known as the Land of Light.

The Land of Light boasts mountains and plains, but no seas; those wishing to swim must venture to Anima or Kifaron. Upon the heights, the fabled Aurora, known as the Spring of Life, shimmers with healing power. Across the plains stand some three hundred towns, untouched by the change of seasons—a fact that fills its inhabitants with envy for Earth’s fourfold cycle. Since the Great Ultra Evolution 260,000 years ago, the average resident of the Land of Light stands forty meters tall and weighs forty thousand tons.

It was after this event that the inhabitants of the Land of Light began to journey among the stars. They brought peace to the native peoples of distant worlds, defending them from harm and spreading the renown of their homeland. Thus, they became known across the galaxies by many titles: Guardian, Ultraman, Superman… Yet they themselves preferred one name above all.

They called themselves “Light.”

“All warriors still able to fight, follow me—strike down the enemy!” Achura’s voice rang out as he raised his Shield of Light and charged into battle, the blade of light on his wrist gleaming with lethal brilliance. As Captain of the Defense Force, he was a Guardian-type Ultraman, lacking the special beam abilities of his kin and instead relying on a unique all-purpose shield and blade.

Beneath the crystalline towers, countless Ultramen raced through the chaos as waves of monsters surged against them. In the sky, Ultramen soared and battled their foes midair, beams of energy crisscrossing the heavens. The once-peaceful Land of Light had been plunged into war.

A Red Clan Ultraman groaned in agony, his color timer flashing furiously red—a sign his energy was nearly spent. Here, in the homeland of the Ultramen, so close to the Plasma Spark Tower, such a thing was unthinkable.

Moments later, the radiance faded from the Red Clan’s eyes, and life slipped away.

“So much for that…”

With a flick of his hand, the Red Clan Ultraman tumbled from the tower like a bird with broken wings. Glancing down upon the battle raging amidst the crystal city, he smiled in silence. Turning skyward, he watched as winged monsters clashed with Ultramen above, energy beams lancing in every direction. One such beam streaked straight toward him.

He did not move. Not even his hand trembled as the powerful beam struck his black-and-crimson form, leaving not so much as a mark.

A hiss of breath.

The monsters surged forward in relentless waves, the fighting growing ever more savage. In the sky, countless Ultramen were struck down by monster beams and fell, only to be set upon mercilessly by the beasts below.

“So this… is my homeland?”

He gazed around with disdain, black and crimson energy swirling in his palm, radiating a formidable power.

“No… is this your homeland?”

He shook his head, the certainty growing in his voice. “No, you were the first light born in the universe. Light has no homeland. And as for me, I am the darkness that follows. Darkness too has no homeland.”

“But this is the home of your followers, those who pursue your ideals and strive for so-called peace. Therefore, I shall drag their homeland into the flames of war!”

He raised a single finger skyward, and above the radiant Land of Light, a swarm of meteoric fireballs began their descent, breaking through the bonds of light, brimming with destructive energy.

“Let there be destruction!”

Endless darkness poured from his body, and under his command the swarm of meteors spun and gathered, their energy compressed to form a compact ring.

“Zagi? Galaxy.”

The storm of meteors, wreathed in darkness, rained down like artillery upon a fortress, blanketing the city in a barrage of fire. Ultramen, monsters, and crystalline towers alike were reduced to ashes in the onslaught.

High above the Land of Light, a blazing red figure plummeted earthward, trailed by a dozen crimson streaks, and behind them, dozens more faint lights descended, a meteor shower racing toward their home.

The leading figure landed first; his silver horns shone boldly atop his head, silver whiskers bristled by his mouth, and standing there, he was as immovable as a mountain. Normally calm and resolute, now his eyes blazed with fury at the devastated Land of Light.

His name was Cain, a figure who had risen with the Land of Light itself. This was not merely his birthplace—it was his home. Every Ultraman fighting or fallen was as kin to him.

Soon, the other beams of light landed—elite Ultra warriors all: Seven, Zoffy, Seizer, Jack, Ace, Goliath, Zagi, Doru, Galareis, Freya, and the original Ultraman, all members of the interstellar police force. Dozens more hovered in the air behind them, each revealing their true forms, eyes burning with anger at the ruin of their homeland and the loss of their comrades.

“Uncle! They are simply—” Seven, armored at the chest, could not contain his fury. “Unforgivable!”

But Cain merely raised a hand, restraining Seven’s rage and holding back the others eager to join the fray.

His gaze swept the battlefield, finally settling on a black-and-crimson figure standing atop a towering structure.

“Noah?” Cain was perplexed, for this figure looked uncannily like him. He had only rarely heard tales of Noah from alien races—a legendary Ultraman, the prophesied savior who had guarded the universe since time immemorial. Cain idolized Noah; indeed, all the inhabitants of the Land of Light revered him, living by his creed and devoting their lives to the defense of peace.

But the black-and-crimson figure turned. Coarse lines of shadow and blood-red covered his form; at his chest, a Y-shaped energy core glowed. He was so very like Noah—yet tragically, he was a Giant of Darkness.

“Heh… It seems I have been forgotten for far too long.”

He cast a long look their way, then leapt and vanished, his voice echoing in Cain’s mind.

“Remember—the one who destroyed the Land of Light is called Zagi. Dark Zagi.”