Nightfall Kingdom looked calm from the outside.
But inside… nothing was calm anymore.
The eight of them had just returned from the mountain mission—tired, injured, and silent. No one joked this time. No one laughed.
Because this time… something felt different.
Something bigger.
The Urgent Meeting
Within minutes of their return, Mr. Stone called for an emergency meeting.
All eight stood in front of him—
Daniel, Mary, David, Noah, Zoya, Lily, Felix, and Lucy.
Emma stood slightly apart, arms crossed, observing everything.
Mr. Stone's face was serious.
"What you encountered… was not normal."
Silence filled the room.
He continued,
"High-ranking ghosts appearing together, coordinated attacks, same patterns across different villages… This is not random."
David stepped forward slightly.
"Sir… the ghost said something."
Everyone turned toward him.
Mr. Stone nodded.
"Tell us."
David's expression hardened.
"It said… 'This is just the beginning.' And… it mentioned a Master."
A chill ran through the room.
Mary looked at Daniel instinctively.
Mr. Stone began pacing.
"Same timing… different locations… similar patterns… controlled behavior…"
He stopped.
"This means one thing."
Noah spoke slowly,
"…Someone is controlling them."
Emma nodded slightly.
"A high-level entity… or something even worse."
The Question That Changed Everything
Then Mr. Stone looked directly at Daniel.
"Why you?"
The question hit harder than any attack.
"Why did they specifically target you, Daniel?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
David added quietly,
"The ghost said… 'Daniel Williams.' Like it already knew him."
Felix frowned.
"That means this isn't just about missions anymore…"
"…It's personal," Lucy completed.
The room fell silent again.
No answers.
Only questions.
After the Meeting – A Quiet Moment
Later that night—
The base was quiet.
Daniel stood alone near the balcony, staring into the dark sky.
Mary walked up beside him.
For a moment… neither of them spoke.
Then—
"Daniel…"
He didn't turn.
"What if…" Mary hesitated, "…what if something happens to you?"
He looked at her now.
Her eyes weren't scared.
They were… honest.
"If you die…" she said softly, "…I don't know what I'll do."
Daniel's expression softened.
He took a step closer.
"I'm not going to die."
Mary shook her head slightly.
"You almost did."
Silence.
The memory of that moment still fresh.
Daniel looked away.
"I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."
Mary stepped closer again.
"Then don't let it happen."
He looked back at her.
"I'll fight. I'll get stronger. I'll find this 'Master'…"
His voice became firm.
"Before it destroys everything."
Mary smiled faintly.
"I'll be there with you."
Daniel smiled back.
"Always."
The Next Day – Special Training Begins
The next morning—
All eight gathered at the training ground again.
Mr. Stone stood in front of them.
"This is no longer normal training."
Everyone straightened.
"You are now facing an unknown enemy… possibly the strongest one yet."
He looked at each of them.
"So from today—special training begins."
Training Focus
Mr. Stone pointed toward Daniel.
"You."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Your Thorns power… is unstable."
He continued,
"You will learn to make it a part of your body. Not a weapon. Not a tool."
"A part of you."
Daniel nodded.
Then Mr. Stone turned to David.
"And you."
David raised an eyebrow.
"Your mind-reading ability… you will extend its range."
"Distance will not matter anymore."
David smirked slightly.
"Sounds fun."
Team Coordination
Mr. Stone's voice became sharper.
"And all of you—your coordination is weak."
Zoya frowned. "We fight together—"
"You react late," he interrupted.
He continued,
"In battle, a single glance… a small signal… should be enough."
"Your team must move as one."
Emma stepped forward.
"I'll handle their combat coordination."
No one argued.
Because they knew—
She was strong.
Very strong.
Daniel's Breakthrough
Hours passed.
Training intensified.
Pain.
Sweat.
Exhaustion.
But Daniel didn't stop.
Again and again—
He tried to control the Thorns.
At one point—
Something changed.
The Thorns didn't just respond…
They flowed.
Like they were alive.
Like they were part of him.
And then—
Suddenly—
A voice.
"…Daniel…"
His body froze.
"…I've finally found you…"
Daniel's eyes widened.
"…Daniel Williams…"
The voice was dark.
Cold.
"…Just like I killed your sister…"
"…I will kill you too."
"NO—!"
Daniel collapsed to the ground.
Everyone rushed toward him.
"Daniel!" Mary shouted.
Mr. Stone knelt beside him.
"What happened?"
Daniel was breathing heavily.
"…The voice…"
Everyone froze.
"What voice?" Noah asked.
Daniel looked up—
"It was him."
"…The Master."
Fear Begins to Grow
The air turned heavy again.
Even Mr. Stone looked unsettled.
"A voice… inside your mind?"
Daniel nodded.
David clenched his fists.
"That means… he can reach us here too?"
No one answered.
Because the answer was obvious.
Yes.
The Second Voice
Training resumed later.
But Daniel's focus was broken.
Fear had entered his mind.
Still—
He tried again.
He activated the Thorns once more.
And then—
The voice returned.
But this time…
It was different.
Calmer.
Stranger.
"…Daniel…"
"…I know everything…"
"…I know who the Master is…"
Daniel froze.
"…Talk to me…"
"…and I'll tell you everything."
His heart started racing.
"What… are you?"
No answer.
Only silence.
A Dangerous Decision
Daniel immediately went to Mr. Stone.
He explained everything.
Every word.
Mr. Stone listened carefully.
Then said—
"This is dangerous."
Daniel looked at him.
"But it might be our only lead."
Silence.
Then Mr. Stone spoke again.
"…Meditate."
Everyone looked confused.
"Clear your mind."
"Try to connect with it."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
"You want me to talk to that thing?"
Mr. Stone nodded slowly.
"If it knows the Master…"
"…we need that information."
Ending
That night—
Daniel sat alone.
Eyes closed.
Breathing steady.
Trying to reach…
That voice.
Darkness surrounded him.
Silence filled his mind.
And then—
"…Daniel…"
The voice returned.
Closer this time.
Clearer.
Stronger.
"…Are you ready to listen?"
Daniel opened his eyes slowly.
"…Who are you?"
The voice replied—
"…Your only chance."