I. The Road to the Tower
The wind sliced through the shattered buildings. Edenfall looked like a steel corpse still breathing.
Akihiko led the way, followed by Kaede and Sael. The lights of the central district twinkled in the distance: the Council Tower still stood, surrounded by security drones and military vehicles.
Kaede surveyed the scene with a frown.
"They've closed all the entrances. They want to prevent anyone from entering... or anything from leaving."
Sael checked his portable device.
"I'm detecting interference in communications. They're blocking the frequencies. Someone doesn't want us to know what's going on inside."
Akihiko stopped in front of a destroyed crossroads.
The reflection of the Tree's golden roots shimmered in the smoke. "If they're blocking the signals, it's because they're carrying out the attack right now," he murmured. "It's no longer time to talk. It's time to go in."
Kaede smiled slightly.
"I knew you'd say that."
Sael activated a holographic map.
"There's an entrance through the old subway tunnels. They lead directly to the lower level of the tower." "Then we'll go that way," Akihiko replied.
The three descended into the darkness, where echoes of the past resonated with every step.
II. The Conspiracy
In the main Council chamber, Varren watched the screens with satisfaction.
Edenfall was under his control. Around him, the other councilors—those who were still there—argued nervously.
"We can't keep hiding this!" one of them shouted. "The north is destroyed, thousands have died!"
Varren raised his hand calmly.
"Every sacrifice has a purpose. Order is not born from peace... but from chaos."
One of the members slammed his fist on the table.
"And who gave you the authority to decide that?"
Varren looked at him with terrifying coldness.
"The Tree of Eden," he replied. "And the power that flows through its roots."
The monitors showed Akihiko's silhouette approaching from the tunnels.
Varren smiled. "Just in time."
Beside him, the hooded figure—his personal enforcer—drew two short blades.
"Do you want me to take care of him?"
"No," Varren said softly. "I want her to come in. I want her to see who's in charge in Edenfall now."
III. Infiltration
The subway tunnels were damp and silent.
Kaede walked in front, her katana ready. Sael monitored the sensors and detectors, while Akihiko kept his gaze fixed ahead.
"How many will be with Varren?" Kaede asked.
"It doesn't matter how many," Akihiko replied . "What matters is that no one leaves that tower alive."
Sael looked up, surprised by the coldness in his tone.
The emptiness in Akihiko's voice was real.
They reached a metal gate that led to the Council's underground level.
Kaede placed her hand on the lock. — "Space Technique – Dimensional Cut."
The metal distorted and broke silently.
The three of them entered.
Inside, the corridors were illuminated by red emergency lights. The air smelled of ozone and gunpowder.
A group of guards appeared at the end of the corridor.
"Stop!" one of them shouted.
Akihiko didn't hesitate.
— "Void Technique – Silent Tide."
The corridor went dark.
An invisible wind swept across the floor. When the darkness dissipated, the guards' bodies fell without a sound.
Kaede looked at him.
"You're using the void without restraint." "There is no restraint when there is betrayal," he replied.
IV. The Confrontation
The doors to the Council Chamber burst open.
Akihiko, Kaede, and Sael strode in.
The council members jumped up in surprise; Varren, however, remained seated, smiling.
"So the hero of emptiness has returned," he said ironically.
"Don't call me that," Akihiko replied, stepping forward. "I know what you did."
Varren stood up slowly.
"What I did... was save Edenfall from its own chaos. The Wolves offered me stability. A new order."
"You handed them the city," Kaede said scornfully.
"I gave them an agreement," Varren corrected . "In exchange, we gained access to their technology. The Tree can expand unchecked, and we will manage it."
Akihiko stopped in front of him.
"You don't manage power, Varren. It consumes you."
Varren smiled.
"Says someone who almost devoured half the city."
A tense silence fell.
Sael activated the communicator and projected the encrypted transmission logs. "We have proof of your contacts with the Wolves. Of your orders during the attack."
Varren sighed.
"What a disappointment. I expected you to see beyond good and evil."
He snapped his fingers.
The hooded figure stepped forward. His metallic mask opened, revealing a familiar face: Renji .
Kaede took a step back.
— … It can't be.
Akihiko stared at him in disbelief.
"Renji... you?"
Renji lowered his head, his expression heavy with a silence that hurt more than words.
"Order... requires sacrifice," he murmured. "You lost your vision, Akihiko. I alone will restore it."
V. Fall of Light
The air was thick with tension.
Kaede raised her katana, Sael readied his weapon, and Akihiko clenched his fists, feeling the emptiness throb in his veins.
Varren raised his hand, satisfied.
"History repeats itself. The children of Eden always kill each other."
Akihiko stepped forward.
"This time, Varren, there will be no story to tell."
The ground trembled.
Golden roots sprouted through the marble, mingling with black shadows. The void responded to its fury.
Renji drew his fractal sword, his gaze fixed on his former disciple.
"Show me... if you are still worthy of the power you wield."
And the first blow resounded like thunder.
🕯️ End of Chapter 284
The secret is revealed: Renji is the hidden ally of the traitor Varren.
The master-disciple confrontation begins within the heart of Edenfall. The fate of the city—and of the Tree of Eden itself—hangs by a thread between the darkness of the void and the false brilliance of the new order.