Chapter Fifteen: Tetsuya's Arrival

Within a certain realm of consciousness, a prolonged battle of wills was gradually drawing to a close. He gazed upon the immense power before him—radiant and fierce as the sun itself—with a longing that had grown insatiable. For this very moment, he had invested countless efforts, even putting the primary personality into slumber, believing he could effortlessly seize that Sevan power. Yet, the protective veil of the Alaya consciousness proved impenetrable.

The tug-of-war between forces lasted an unknown span; here, in this space of consciousness, time held no meaning. No one could say whether the struggle consumed a century or a mere quarter hour—it was impossible to determine.

Now, victory was within reach.

He had lured the primary personality into doubt, causing it to forsake the Gaia consciousness’s protection. And now, he was on the verge of breaking through the Alaya consciousness’s defenses. It was through the combined might of the Alaya consciousness here and that in the original Sevan world that Sevan’s power had been delivered into this realm. Perhaps this was mere speculation or an alternate interpretation—best not to dwell on such particulars.

Staring at the massive orb of energy, encircled by a thin white halo, he drew a deep breath, then surged forward with his consciousness.

If this power did not accept him, his actions would be tantamount to courting death.

Yet, the primary personality and the secondary personality were, after all, fragments of the same self. If Sevan’s power had once recognized the primary personality, it would naturally acknowledge the existence of the secondary one as well.

He had only to break through the white halo.

His consciousness faltered briefly. The Alaya consciousness was immensely powerful—a fusion of all human minds. Despite years of effort to weaken it and to lull the core Alaya consciousness into dormancy, the residual energy still plagued him deeply.

A tearing sensation surged.

As his consciousness probed deeper within the white halo, parts of his conscious form began to rupture, fragmenting into the most primal states of awareness. The agony was excruciating, searing through every nerve. His mind trembled violently, as if cold sweat might pour from his brow in heavy drops.

His complexion drained of all color, deathly pale without a hint of blood. The pain was beyond human endurance; he felt his very being shatter: first flesh tearing apart, then bones crushed, meridians severed.

First the arms, then the legs, the torso, and finally the head.

Yet, simultaneously, aided by the consciousness of the monstrous allies he had allied with, his fragmented mind began to heal even amid collapse—destruction and rebirth entwined.

“This power…”

“I will possess it, no matter what!!!”

At the peak of suffering, his consciousness finally pierced through the white halo, shattering into its most elemental form, spreading through the void.

As these shards of consciousness scattered, the potent energy surrounding them swiftly enveloped them once more, emanating a strange force that drew his awareness to coalesce and restore.

Gradually, all fragments converged into a singular whole, his consciousness regaining strength within this alien energy.

At last, bathed in radiant white light, his consciousness was reborn.

A dazzling, pure brilliance radiated from the orange-red luminous core, gradually shaping into a humanoid figure. He slowly lifted his head, observing all before him.

It was as if within a tunnel of light, the orange-red glow extending outward, forming the emblem of Sevan’s chest armor. Streams of the same light continued to flow, forging the outline of a giant.

Towering over fifty meters tall, though composed solely of this orange-red radiance, it appeared as a living, breathing entity.

Then, he merged into the light.

Soon after this fusion, he sensed a summons emanating from the very heart of this power.

He hesitated briefly, choosing not to respond but instead to immerse himself in the overwhelming force.

The long-lost power of Ultraman was unmistakable!

But swiftly, he noticed something amiss. Unheeded, this power was gradually dissipating, drifting away through the endless tunnel of light as if drawn by some unseen presence.

This could not continue.

Though this power originated from Sevan, it was no longer Sevan’s alone.

For the final contest had unfolded within this very force: the Alaya consciousness of the Sevan world, the Gaia consciousness, and even the Alaya energy wielded by the spider-monster race that controlled human society—three potent forces intertwined.

All these would become his, the foundation of his future might.

He could not allow this power to slip away in vain.

With renewed resolve, he lifted his gaze, channeling immense energy, and surged toward the tunnel’s end.

Perhaps the one yearning most urgently for this power was Sevan Ultraman himself.

As energy flooded into his being, strengthening him, his form began to elongate, muscles swelling with newfound strength and majestic presence.

At that moment, he sensed a colossal power rushing through his summons, pouring into his body.

Sevan thought little of it; after all, it was his own energy—no one would suspect treachery, least of all Sevan himself.

Yet, as he opened himself fully to receive this vast power, a sudden heaviness clouded his mind.

His body wavered; clutching his head, he felt an unbearable weight as starlight blurred before his eyes, disorienting him utterly.

Then, a dark spot within the glow of his eyes gradually vanished.

How long passed, he could not say. His suspended fingers trembled faintly, and his pupils slowly refocused.

Now, his body stood tall and powerful, radiating an indescribable aura of dominance.

He shook his head, his gaze hazy as he surveyed the cosmic expanse around him.

“Who am I?”

“I am Tetsuya.”

To be continued.