Daria – Azinex Company
"Sir, this just came in from one of the Ariancams. We managed to retrieve it through another Ariancam connected to a different world.
The moment it transmitted the footage, the link was cut off. From what we've gathered, the three sisters were chasing someone, but we couldn't get a clear view of who the person was."
The man, dressed in gold, sat calmly on his chair and studied the footage playing through the Orb Receiver.
"The Emzard," he said, a wide smile spreading across his face.
Emzard Hideout
"Master, you shouldn't be getting up now. You're still not fully recovered."
Z looked at him with sorrowful eyes. She had short black hair that framed her face neatly, and she wore a fitted top that revealed her slim figure, paired with a short mini skirt that swayed lightly as she moved. Despite her youthful appearance, the worry in her expression was unmistakable.
"It's fine," he replied calmly. "A still hasn't returned from the Ice Continent, and it seems E is struggling.
The sisters have grown stronger… and they've grown up as well. It looks like I'll have to step in myself."
He stood tall, his body covered entirely in black, as though darkness itself had fused to his skin.
There was no separation between clothing and flesh, it was as if the black form was part of him.
His hair, however, was a deep dark blue, glowing faintly with an eerie presence that made the air around him feel heavy.
Then, without warning, he vanished.
E's Dimension
A manic grin spread across E's face as he thought to himself:
I'm bringing a real monster into this playground.
Suddenly, a brilliant light burst open within the dimension, flooding everything with blinding radiance.
"Is this… his master? So much energy… it's unreal."
Serenya and Serelia spoke in perfect synchronization, their voices blending as one.
"Serenya, Serelia… and Seranya. It has been a long time, How many years has it been?"
The mysterious man's voice echoed through the dimension.
At that same moment, E was forced to the ground, released by the sisters.
The sisters had not released him by choice,an overwhelming pressure from the man had made it impossible for them to hold on.
"Who are you?" they demanded.
"Another time." D replied
Before they could react, Serenya and Serelia vanished from the dimension, pulled back into the real world.
There, Seranya was already waiting for them.
"I heard the voice too… it sounded like him. But that's impossible. He died a long time ago… or at least, that's what we were told."
The three sisters spoke silently through telepathy, unease spreading between them.
Daria – Azinex Company
"So… who are the Emzard? I've never heard of them before. It sounds like some kind of secret organization."
The question came from a young woman named Rebecca Hayes. She had long chestnut-brown hair that fell over her shoulders, sharp emerald-green eyes, and smooth fair skin .
Her features were elegant yet striking and a poised expression that made her look both intelligent and fearless. Everything about her carried confidence and grace.
The man in gold slowly rose from his seat and walked toward the towering window, gazing out over the city below.
"The disappearances of humans and demi-humans… the spread of Soulrot… all of it was orchestrated by a member of the Emzard."
His voice carried amusement, as though he were savoring every word. "Their true goal is to destroy Daria for a mistake buried deep in the past. You see… it is a rather fascinating story. Tragic, cruel, and beautifully ironic."
He turned slightly, a smile curling across his face.
"Their leader is known only as D… and he is one of the survivors of Diochrome ingestion."
"That's impossible!" Rebecca shouted, her composure breaking. "Anyone who consumes Diochrome dies within days. Three days at most! But to survive this long… who exactly is this man?"
The golden figure clasped his hands behind his back.
"Every human and demi-human is born with two surge vessels within them , Dio and Eno. But those are not the only vessels that exist. There are rarer forms… darker forms. One such example is the Curse Vessel."
He began pacing slowly, speaking as though lecturing an eager audience.
"It is an energy derived from Dio itself, but tainted by corruption. Long ago, when the first humans still walked a young Earth, another being arrived… the first demon to ever set foot upon this world.
Its name was Raji, a creature of unknown origin. The power it wielded was known as Curse Energy. Though it could use Dio and Eno, curses were the power it favored above all else."
His smile widened.
"And D… possesses all three primary surge vessels. Dio, Eno, and Curse. A being that should not exist."
His tone darkened slightly.
"Unfortunately, the Diochrome he consumed is slowly killing him. With each passing day, he grows weaker. And before his time ends, he wishes to destroy Daria for what was done to him… and to his mother."
Rebecca folded her arms, her eyes narrowing.
"So this is revenge against the royal family… not just Daria itself."
"Yes," the man in gold replied. "Exactly. Not only the royal family…"
He turned fully toward her, laughter bursting from him as his voice echoed through the chamber.
"But the Artemis Family as well!"
"Whatever you do… do not cross them, and do not dig too deeply into who they are."
He let out a loud laugh, the sound echoing through the chamber.
"D alone possesses the three surge vessels, but that is not what makes the Emzard truly terrifying.
Nearly every member under his command never went through the years of brutal training normally required to awaken and master Dio.
Their vessels were opened by D himself."
He spread his arms slightly, amusement dancing across his face.
"Think of it as a shortcut… a forbidden path to power."
His laughter grew louder.
"But A… now that is someone I would love to get my hands on. He is unlike anything I have ever seen, the last of his species… and the last of his clan."
Rebecca Hayes stepped forward, curiosity burning in her emerald eyes.
"What exactly is he that makes you this excited?"
The man in gold threw his head back and laughed once more, almost unable to contain his delight.
"He… is an Ice Dragon."
FUlTON: THE CHURCH
The chamber was silent except for the low hum of warding sigils carved into the walls. Eighteen demi-humans sat shoulder to shoulder around a long obsidian table, their appearances varied, some horned, some scaled, some furred, others winged, yet all bound under one authority.
They were the Holy Church of Fulton.
At the head of the table sat King Alaric Voss, crowned in gold and black. He did not speak, nor did he need to. The throne behind him was ceremonial; the true power of Fulton rested within the council itself.
"Kaito, you have broken the most sacred rule of Fulton," Priest Valric shouted, the veins in his neck bulging with rage.
"You brought humans into this land, I demand an explanation.
For this, you should be punished!"
The chamber fell into tense silence.
"Priest Tharion… you say nothing?" Valric demanded, turning toward one of the elders.
But the other priests remained quiet, their expressions unreadable.
Kaito stepped forward and bowed his head.
"I am sorry for what I did, I take full responsibility for my actions, and I will gladly accept whatever punishment you decide."
"They are humans," Valric barked. "They do not belong here. Remove them from Fulton at once!"
"That, I cannot do," Kaito replied calmly. "Is there anything else you would prefer?, I made a promise one I most keep "
Valric's eyes darkened.
"Then kill them."
For a moment, the room froze.
Kaito only smiled, his eyes closed, and turned away as he walked out of the chamber.
Daria – Damon's Household
"It took you long enough. Aristo, where have you been? Lady Lisanna has been worried sick."
Cassandra stood waiting at the front gate, arms folded as she watched Aristo approach.
"Just had a little encounter with the sisters," Aristo replied casually as he walked past her.
Cassandra frowned and quickly followed behind him.
"What sisters?"
"The ones Mom is always talking about. The annoying sisters from when she was little." He shrugged. "Though… they looked different from how she described them. They were calmer, more calculating. And they said they'd come visit very soon after finishing an assignment."
He paused, suddenly remembering.
"Oh, and before I forget, they gave me this letter for Dad."
He pulled out the sealed letter and handed it to Cassandra.
Before she could say another word, the front doors opened.
Lady Lisanna stepped outside, and the moment she saw Aristo, she rushed toward him and wrapped him in a tight embrace, pressing his face firmly into her chest.
"I'm gonna die!" Aristo shouted, his muffled voice barely escaping.
Lisanna quickly loosened her grip.
"Sorry about that," she said warmly. "You took so long, I was worried something had happened."
Then she leaned in slightly and sniffed him.
"It seems you really did run into those three troublesome little girls."
She sighed deeply as old memories began flooding back into her mind.
"Cassandra, hand me the letter."
Cassandra had already started peeling the seal open.
"Come on, I just wanted to take a peek at it!"
"It isn't for you," Lisanna said firmly. "Besides, your room is still a mess… so off you go."
Cassandra groaned as Lisanna took the letter from her hands.
Emzard Hideout
"You're back, Master. We've done as you instructed. The barrier has been broken, and we've gathered many of the things you requested.
The soul alteration of the beasts has also been completed."
M and Z stood before him as they delivered their report.
"That's good," D replied calmly as he lay back on his bed.
"There are many eyes watching Aristo, and he is… different from what I expected. So many seals placed within him." His gaze sharpened. "Bring me his daughter, Cassandra. I would rather meet her first."
He turned slightly toward M.
"M, you will bring Cassandra."
Then his eyes shifted to Z.
"And Z… Damon must come with you. He needs to know that I am still here. The letter is one thing, but there is another matter."
His voice grew colder.
"The last time, you were manipulated into carrying out someone else's work.
The Graveweavers of Orienta, Vylonia, and Azura."
As he spoke, D reached out and placed his hand on Z's head.
The moment his fingers touched her, Z felt something surge violently through her body, like dark lightning racing through her veins.
"You no longer need to worry about being controlled," D said. "I have cursed you."
Z's eyes widened.
"Huh? A curse?"
"You need not fear it," D answered. "As long as that curse remains active, anyone who tries to manipulate your mind or control you in any way will suffer a mental collapse."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"They will feel as though their brain and every vital organ have been pierced by countless needles."