The night had settled quietly over the palace.
Yet beneath that calm…
Something was shifting.
---
In the highest chamber of the Darel residence, the Supreme Lady stood alone, her gaze fixed upon the distant horizon beyond the vast windows.
The sky was clear.
Too clear.
No disturbance.
No visible threat.
And yet—
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"The Codex has begun to respond…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"…this is no longer a matter for fragments and clues."
She turned slowly.
Decision already made.
"It's time to bring them all back."
---
Far away—
A faint golden sigil appeared in the air.
Then another.
And another.
Each one carried the same command.
Return to Darel. Immediately.
---
Lin felt it first.
He stood silently in the courtyard, the night wind brushing past him.
Then—
The sigil formed before his eyes.
Glowing.
Commanding.
He didn't react instantly.
He simply looked at it.
Quiet.
Unreadable.
Then…
"…so it begins."
---
Elsewhere—
Lucifer caught the same signal mid-step.
He exhaled sharply.
"Well…"
A faint smirk formed.
"…that didn't take long."
---
Luna saw it next.
Her expression didn't change much.
But her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…she finally made her move."
---
Emilie and Sylvarielle stood together when the sigil appeared between them.
Emilie looked at it.
Then at Sylvarielle.
"…this means things just got worse, right?"
Sylvarielle didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
A pause.
"…much worse."
---
By dawn—
They had all gathered.
---
The grand hall of Darel stood silent as the five figures entered one after another.
Lin.
Lucifer.
Luna.
Emilie.
Sylvarielle.
Each carried their own thoughts.
Their own weight.
---
At the far end of the hall—
The Supreme Lady waited.
Seated.
Calm.
Yet her presence filled the entire chamber.
---
"You came quickly."
Her voice echoed softly.
Lucifer shrugged slightly.
"You didn't sound like someone we should keep waiting."
Luna crossed her arms.
"…you rarely call all of us together."
Her tone sharpened.
"So speak."
---
The Supreme Lady's gaze moved across each of them.
Then stopped—
On Lin.
---
For a brief moment…
Silence deepened.
---
"You've recovered faster than expected."
Lin didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"I don't like staying down."
A faint pause.
Then, almost casually—
"Too many things waiting."
---
A small smile touched the Supreme Lady's lips.
"…still the same."
Lin glanced at her slightly.
"…and you're still watching from above."
Their eyes met.
Not as ruler and subordinate.
But as something older.
Something unspoken.
---
Lucifer noticed.
And smirked.
"…you two always talk like that?"
Luna shot him a look.
"Jealous?"
Lucifer scoffed.
"Of him?"
He looked at Lin.
Then smirked again.
"Maybe a little."
---
Luna's lips curved slightly.
"Then try catching up."
Lucifer stepped closer.
Lowering his voice just enough.
"…or maybe you should stop holding back."
Luna's expression didn't change.
But her eyes softened.
Just a little.
"…you wouldn't survive it."
A pause.
Lucifer leaned closer.
"…try me."
---
For a brief second—
The tension between them shifted.
Not battle.
Not rivalry.
Something warmer.
Something quieter.
---
Emilie blinked.
"…are they always like this?"
Sylvarielle sighed softly.
"Yes."
---
At the center—
The Supreme Lady stood.
And the atmosphere changed instantly.
---
"This isn't a reunion."
Her voice cut through everything.
Clean.
Sharp.
---
"The situation has escalated."
She stepped forward.
"The Fifth Book has begun reacting beyond control."
Emilie's expression tightened.
"…we saw it."
Sylvarielle nodded.
"And the Keeper has already broken its role."
---
The Supreme Lady continued.
"That alone is enough to confirm one thing."
Her gaze sharpened.
"…this is no longer an isolated disturbance."
---
Lin spoke quietly.
"Someone is pulling the threads."
---
The Supreme Lady nodded.
"Yes."
A pause.
"And that someone…"
Her voice lowered slightly.
"…is not someone you can face unprepared."
---
Lucifer's smirk faded.
"So we're regrouping?"
---
"No."
The Supreme Lady's answer was immediate.
---
"We're returning."
---
Silence.
---
"To Darel."
Her voice carried authority.
"From this point forward…"
"…no one moves alone."
---
Luna frowned slightly.
"That serious?"
---
The Supreme Lady met her gaze.
"…more than you think."
---
Then she turned—
Once again—
Toward Lin.
---
"And you…"
A brief pause.
"…stay where I can see you."
---
Lucifer raised an eyebrow.
"Now that sounds personal."
---
Lin didn't react.
But for a brief second—
A faint smile appeared.
"…I never planned to leave."
---
The Supreme Lady held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then turned away.
---
"Prepare yourselves."
---
"From here on…"
---
"Every step you take…"
---
"…will decide the fate of more than just your lives."
---
Silence filled the hall.
Heavy.
Real.
---
But no one stepped back.
---
Because this time—
They all understood.
---
This wasn't just a mission anymore.
---
It was the beginning…
Of something far greater.