"These names are familiar, aren't they?"
The gruff voice echoed from behind the man. He didn't have a chance to look before a hand surged through his chest.
Faller fell to the ground screaming, his arms wrapped around his torso as his body writhed further with the Renkai Energy. He coughed, crawled, tried to look at Shaphira, but his chin was pulled, forcing him to see him.
"Slady... how could you do this to your own daughter?"
"Who said Slady was here?"
"... Where is he?"
His hands trembled on the ground, a small electrical charge forming in his palm. The one in front of him laughed, grabbing his face and squeezing the sides of it.
"Dead."
Faller's eyes widened, and with a shrill sound from his mouth, he struck the man's face with lightning. The light made Faller close his eyes.
But...
"Impressive..."
The white light disappeared, and his face, distorted by the attack, was revealed. Faller tried to deepen the attack, but the six arms held him as if he were nothing. Then he moved closer, grabbed his wrist, made Faller witness his blow pierce his skin, but never cause pain, never truly have any effect against Satan, who regenerated with each passing second.
"I've never seen anyone capable of using magic in this castle. You truly are... a prodigy."
And with the wide smile disappearing as he finished the sentence, Faller saw Krythos's hand grab him by the neck, lifting him into the air. His lungs gasped for air, but his airway was blocked. The fingers of two arms closed, and his body hurled itself to the other side of the room.
He opened his eyes; he couldn't feel his chest. When he put his hand there, he felt the depth. He coughed up blood. Malevolent energy enveloped his heart.
He reached out to the kneeling girl.
"Shaphira..."
And then everything went dark.
***
Sitting in his armchair, the boy observed the kingdom with a distant gaze. His hands gripped the sword, which froze slowly under the touch of its sheath.
He trembled, cold air escaping his mouth. Suddenly, something covered his back. Turning around, the governess looked at him seriously.
A sigh escaped her lips. She sat beside him, her hands in her lap, her gaze following his. The boy turned his face slightly, not meeting her eyes, then looked away.
"Are you going to scold me for being stubborn?"
"No. As much as you deserve it..."
She took a deep breath, leaning back in the armchair beside her.
"You did this for your sister. A desperate, almost suicidal act... but still... done to protect someone. Perhaps that's what distinguishes boys from men..."
She rested her elbow on the cushion, staring intently into his eyes, drawing his gaze to her.
"A boy tries not to get hurt to save someone. You, even almost suffering fatal wounds, still found a way to protect Miss Carolina. Even at the cost of your life..."
"I thought you'd find me pathetic for that, Rita."
"I do think so. Almost dying to awaken the Mana in your body? Yes. But it wasn't just for power, there was a purpose..."
She stood up, pulling a hood over her head, turning her back.
"Not only your sister, but I'm also proud of you, Gyne. You're no longer a boy protected by the queen."
And so, looking towards the door, she walked to it and left.
Gyne relaxed against the armchair, closing her eyes. She imagined the maid, who cooked for her with a smile and cared for the beauty of the castle. She wasn't a woman who fought, she had strength, she was just a worker...
But, after hearing her words, her mind and heart relaxed.
Not for long.
For, hearing distant murmurs, which became indescribable cries and soon revealed themselves to be proclamations, Gyne ran to the window and saw not only the general, but Rito approaching the kingdom.
And their eyes met.
Tanks facing the kingdom. Aircraft carrying bombs in the air.
And then, the men in front of the castle loaded ammunition into the weapons on their shoulders.
She went to her sister, asleep. And knelt beside the bed.
"May Zyrionq protect her..."
Upon opening the door, not only the soldiers present, but an uncountable number stood before her.
"At your service!"
And then, the general, dressed in dark robes, knelt before him. His eyes fixed on the ground, his fists covered in ice and iron armor...
The cloak slipped across the floor, and thus he stared into his eyes. The boy felt not only seriousness, but a strange familiarity emanating from the man.
"Rito wants to speak with you. If you are not present before him within an hour, IceStorm will be taken."
"A-and you are...?"
His hand trembled as he extended it. He saw what he had done, but maintained the posture, as if doing it on purpose. The man stood up and took his hand with a firmness that made him feel like a pathetic child full of dreams standing before him.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Gyne..."
He placed his free hand on his chest and said loudly and clearly:
"I am Carlos Rezon."