The chapter opens with an empty void, swirling with colors of light and darkness, as the Master of Masters steps forward, arms wide open as if addressing an invisible audience.

"Alright, alright, listen up, folks!" he announces with a dramatic pose. "I know it's been a while, and I bet you're all wondering, 'Where the heck is this story going?'" He places a hand on his chest in mock sincerity. "For that, I, the ever-mysterious and ever-charming Master of Masters, humbly apologize on behalf of the author. Real life and procrastination are the greatest enemies of any tale, after all." He gives a knowing wink. "To make up for lost time," he continues, pacing thoughtfully, "I thought, why not share a truly legendary tale? A story about the Child of Destiny, the one who—"

"Silence, fool."

The booming voice cuts through the void like a blade, and suddenly, the empty space shifts. The Master of Masters finds himself standing in a grand, golden throne room, the sheer radiance of its treasures threatening to blind him.

Standing before him are three distinct figures, each radiating the unmistakable presence of a king.

Gilgamesh.

Not just one—but three.

On the golden throne sits Archer Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes in his most arrogant and magnificent form, his red eyes narrowed with disdain. To his left, Kid Gil, the childlike version of himself, stares at MoM with a curious yet unimpressed look. And to the right, Caster Gilgamesh, the more composed and wise variation, sighs in irritation.

The Master of Masters claps his hands together. "Well, well, well! If it isn't the King of Heroes… and the King of Heroes… and—wait, let me guess—the King of Heroes?" He chuckles. "Man, and here I thought I was bad with repeats, but this? This is next level!"

"Hmph. You reek of foolishness," Archer Gil sneers, resting his chin on his hand. "An insignificant jester who has somehow found himself in the presence of true royalty."

Kid Gil crosses his arms, frowning. "I don't see what's so special about you. You look like a shady merchant trying to scam his way into the court."

Caster Gil shakes his head. "To think a being such as you would carry the title of 'Master'... laughable."

The Master of Masters places a hand on his chest, gasping dramatically. "Ouch! Right in the heart! You guys sure know how to make a guy feel welcome."

"Spare us your theatrics," Archer Gil snaps. "State your business or begone from my sight."

MoM hums, tapping his chin. "Well, I was going to tell a really cool story about a legendary Child of Destiny, but then someone decided to rudely interrupt me." He gives an exaggerated sigh. "And here I thought kings were supposed to have better manners."

Archer Gil scoffs. "You presume much, mongrel. Only those worthy of my presence deserve my respect."

MoM smirks beneath his hood. "So, what I'm hearing is… you actually want me to prove I'm worthy? Man, you guys sure are complicated."

Kid Gil tilts his head. "You don't look strong. Are you really a warrior?"

Caster Gil's golden eyes gleam with curiosity. "Or are you simply another deceiver who thrives on trickery?"

MoM raises his hands in surrender. "Whoa, whoa, let's not get all hostile. I'm just a simple scholar! A guy with an eye for talent, a knack for planning ahead, and, y'know, a few little secrets."

Archer Gil narrows his eyes. "Secrets, you say?"

MoM grins beneath his hood. "Yup. And trust me—there's nothing kings love more than secrets."

Archer Gil leaned forward on his golden throne, red eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Go on, mongrel. We're listening."

Caster Gil crossed his arms, observing with a more scholarly interest. "You claim to hold knowledge of secrets? Then prove yourself. Speak."

Kid Gil, although younger in form, still carried the arrogance of his older selves. "This had better be worth my time."

The Master of Masters chuckled, waving a gloved finger. "Ohhh no, no, no, gentlemen! Secrets aren't just given away like cheap candy. No, no, no. They must be earned."

Archer Gil's expression darkened. "You test my patience, fool."

Caster Gil raised an eyebrow. "And what arbitrary nonsense do you intend to put forth as a 'test'?"

The Master of Masters hummed, pacing dramatically. "You see, only those with hearts of pure light can comprehend the true nature of my secrets. And, well…" He gave them a pointed look, shrugging. "You guys? Ehhhhh, not quite fitting the bill."

The air in the throne room grew tense.

"You dare mock us?" Archer Gil's voice carried an edge of danger, his grip tightening on his throne's armrest.

Kid Gil scowled. "That sounds like an excuse to avoid revealing anything."

Caster Gil, ever the more composed of the three, merely sighed. "Hmph. You intend to waste our time with wordplay."

The Master of Masters threw his hands up. "Whoa, whoa, no need to get all testy! I did say I'd let you prove yourselves, didn't I?" With a dramatic flick of his wrist, a bright shimmer of light appeared in his hand, forming into a uniquely shaped Keyblade. He spun it effortlessly before resting it on his shoulder. "Here's the deal! If any of you can hold this baby and make it yours, then I'll tell you a juicy secret."

Archer Gil scoffed, rising from his throne. "A mere trinket? Hardly a challenge." Without hesitation, he reached for the Keyblade. The moment his hand touched the hilt—

A powerful force repelled him.

Golden sparks erupted, sending the King of Heroes skidding back a few feet. His red eyes widened in brief surprise before narrowing dangerously.

Kid Gil frowned. "What just—?"

"Tch. A weapon that rejects my grasp?" Archer Gil flexed his fingers, annoyed. "Impossible."

Caster Gil studied the Keyblade with narrowed eyes. "A blade that chooses its wielder…" His curiosity got the better of him. He stepped forward, calmly placing a hand on the weapon.

Nothing.

The moment he attempted to lift it, the Keyblade shimmered and vanished from his grip, reappearing effortlessly in the Master of Masters' hand.

The Moon Cancer grinned beneath his hood. "Oof, tough luck, guys. Seems like my little beauty here isn't too keen on golden arrogance."

Archer Gil's patience was wearing dangerously thin. "You mock me, mongrel."

Kid Gil furrowed his brows. "Why won't it let us wield it?"

Caster Gil crossed his arms. "Fascinating. It truly is a weapon of legend if it denies even kings."

The Master of Masters twirled the Keyblade before resting it against his shoulder. "Hey, don't take it personally! It's got its own taste. Some people like fine wine, others like… burgers. This thing? It likes people with 'The Right Stuff.'" He shrugged. "Not my rules."

Archer Gil exhaled sharply, his irritation evident. "Enough games. If you refuse to speak, then I shall extract your secrets through other means."

The throne room crackled with energy as golden portals of Gate of Babylon began to open behind him, weapons glistening in their arsenals. Kid Gil and Caster Gil also stepped forward, ready to see how far this enigmatic fool was willing to push his luck.

The Master of Masters, in response?

He laughed.

Not a nervous laugh. Not a worried one. A genuine, carefree, entertained laugh.

"Oh man, you guys are so predictable." He spun on his heel, giving a mock salute. "Welp! This has been fun, but I think I'll keep my secrets for another day. Toodles~!"

And with that, in a flash of light, the Moon Cancer vanished—leaving three very annoyed Kings of Uruk behind.

"That mongrel...He doesn't seem what he appears to be..." Archer Gil grumbled with narrowed eyes.

"What do you mean?" Kid Gil raised an eyebrow.

"That idiot...is no ordinary fool," Caster Gil stated. "He's hiding something that could either save a Singularity or destroy it."

Moments later...

Master of Masters strolled through the halls of Chaldea, hands behind his back, humming a familiar Kingdom Hearts tune to himself. After all, he had just survived a rather tense encounter with not one, not two, but three arrogant kings. Frankly, that was an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Still, as he wandered, something nagged at the back of his mind. Oh, right! He had an audience waiting for him!

Snapping his fingers, he dramatically turned toward seemingly nothing, adjusting his posture as if preparing for a grand speech. "Now then! As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, let me tell you all the tale of the Child of Destiny—"

Before he could even start, a voice cut through his monologue.

"Who are you talking to?"

Master of Masters blinked and turned to see Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash Kyrielight standing there, staring at him with pure confusion.

Mash tilted her head, adjusting her glasses. "Were you… talking to someone, Moon Cancer?"

Ritsuka crossed his arms. "Yeah, you've been doing that a lot. Is there, like, some invisible person we don't know about?"

Master of Masters immediately waved them off, chuckling. "Ohhhh, you know me! Just talking to my wonderful audience!"

Silence.

Ritsuka and Mash exchanged glances.

"…What audience?" Ritsuka finally asked, looking around.

Master of Masters wagged a finger. "Tsk, tsk! You wouldn't get it. It's a meta thing."

Mash sighed. "I don't even want to try understanding…"

Deciding not to explain further, the Lost Master changed the topic entirely. "Aaaanyway! Forget about that! I just met the King(s) of Heroes—big ol' Gilgamesh in three different flavors! Gotta say, that was quite an experience."

Ritsuka's interest piqued. "Oh? And? What did you think of them?"

Master of Masters clapped his hands together, his tone half-amused, half-annoyed. "Well! They are exactly what you'd expect! Arrogant? Check. Condescending? Ohhh, double-check. Think they're above everyone else? Triple-check!"

Mash covered her mouth, suppressing a chuckle. "That sounds about right."

Ritsuka sighed. "Yep. That's Gilgamesh for you."

Master of Masters nodded sagely. "But you know what? Gotta respect the consistency. No matter what version of him I met, they all had that same 'bow before me, mongrel' attitude. Honestly, I was half-expecting one of them to demand I shine their shoes or something."

Mash tilted her head. "Did you say or do anything that made them mad?"

Master of Masters grinned mischievously. "Ohhh, nothing much! I may have challenged their worthiness to wield my weapon and let's just say… they failed spectacularly."

Ritsuka and Mash groaned at the same time.

"You antagonized them, didn't you?" Ritsuka deadpanned.

"Who, me?" Master of Masters placed a hand on his chest, feigning innocence. "Would I ever do something like that?"

"Yes." Both Mash and Ritsuka answered flatly.

The Moon Cancer laughed. "Okay, okay, fine! Maybe just a little bit." He then waved a hand. "Buuuut I lived! Sooo that's all that matters, right?"

Mash sighed. "I feel like one day you're going to push the wrong person too far…"

Master of Masters simply shrugged. "Eh. Probably. But that's a problem for Future Me!"

And with that, he continued his stroll, once again humming as if nothing had happened.