Hazel stood before the Monster's throne, her expression calm despite the overwhelming pressure filling the dark hall.
The crimson glow from the torches danced across the black walls of the castle.
"I've returned," Hazel said coldly. "Now give my power back."
The Monster leaned back in his throne.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You're one of my most trusted followers," he said. "But you broke my trust. Why should I return your full power?"
Hazel narrowed her eyes.
"You were the one who pushed me into breaking that trust."
The Monster laughed softly.
"Who could have known that the person you killed would become someone you cared about?"
Hazel's expression darkened.
"I've forgotten the past. Give me my power."
For a few moments, silence filled the hall.
Then the Monster slowly raised his hand.
"Your full power? No."
A crimson light gathered at his fingertip.
"But I'll give you enough power to survive in this world."
He pointed toward Hazel.
A beam of red energy shot forward.
Hazel's body trembled violently.
The floor beneath her feet cracked.
For a second, she felt as if every bone in her body was breaking apart.
Then the pain vanished.
The hall became silent once again.
Hazel slowly opened her eyes.
A faint green glow flashed inside them before disappearing.
The Monster smiled.
"There. Enough to keep you alive."
Hazel straightened her posture.
She showed no gratitude.
No fear.
No respect.
Only indifference.
The Monster seemed amused by her attitude.
"By the way," he said, resting his chin on one hand, "what brought you back here?"
His crimson eyes locked onto hers.
"Before leaving, you swore you would never return."
Hazel turned away.
"That's none of your business."
The Monster laughed.
The sound echoed throughout the throne room.
"Still stubborn after all these years."
The scene faded.
Several days earlier...
---
The underground laboratory was as busy as ever.
Machines hummed.
Monitors flickered.
Researchers moved from one room to another.
Grace stood near a large glass chamber, looking around curiously.
Footsteps approached.
Emily appeared beside her.
"I want you to meet someone."
Grace turned toward her.
Emily pointed at a young man standing nearby.
"This is my brother, Kael."
Grace gave a small nod.
"Hi."
Kael remained silent.
His arms were crossed.
His expression looked completely uninterested.
Emily continued.
"He'll be training you."
Grace blinked.
Then she looked at Kael from head to toe.
A few seconds passed.
"He'll train me?" she asked.
Emily nodded.
"Yes."
Grace looked at Kael again.
Then she spoke honestly.
"He looks like he needs training himself."
The entire room became silent.
Several researchers immediately looked away.
One man nearly dropped the clipboard in his hands.
Emily slowly covered her face.
Kael's eyebrow twitched.
A dangerous aura surrounded him.
His sharp eyes locked onto Grace.
For the first time since they met, he finally spoke.
"Say that again."
Grace crossed her arms.
"I said you look like you need training."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Emily sighed deeply.
"This is going to be a disaster...
The dangerous atmosphere lingered for a few more seconds before Kael finally looked away.
"Hmm," he said calmly. "You're going to be difficult to train."
Emily smirked.
"That's because you're scared of women."
Grace burst out laughing.
"Oh, so that's the reason?"
Kael's eye twitched.
"I respect women. I don't fear them."
"Sure," Grace replied.
Emily tried to hide her smile.
Grace shrugged.
"Then I'll train by myself. If he can't control his anger, how is he supposed to train me?"
Kael stared at her.
For a moment, Emily thought he might actually attack her.
Instead, he took a deep breath.
"Training starts tomorrow."
Emily immediately nodded.
"Good."
Then she turned toward Grace.
"But before that, you should see the city."
Kael instantly frowned.
"What?"
Emily crossed her arms.
"She's our guest."
Kael looked as if he had been given the world's most annoying mission.
"Fine."
Emily pointed at Grace.
"Take care of her."
Kael sighed.
"Hmm."
Emily then looked at Grace seriously.
"And cover your face."
Grace blinked.
"Why?"
"You look too much like her."
The smile slowly disappeared from Grace's face.
She understood who Emily meant.
Her mother.
Emily lowered her voice.
"Not everyone in this clan remembers her kindly."
Grace nodded.
"I understand."
Without another word, Emily walked back toward the laboratory.
Kael turned around.
"Come on."
Grace followed him through the long stone corridor.
The massive laboratory doors slowly closed behind them.
---
At the same time...
Far away from Kryzehon.
A cold wind swept across the mountains surrounding an ancient castle.
Nick, Eyrx, and Darven stood outside the castle lobby.
The morning sky was gray.
Clouds covered the sun.
Eyrx looked different than before.
The sadness in his eyes remained, but now it was hidden beneath a calm expression.
Darven stretched his arms.
"So?"
Nick folded his arms.
"Today your training begins."
Eyrx looked at him.
"What kind of training?"
Nick smiled.
The smile alone made Darven take a step backward.
"The kind that makes you regret waking up this morning."
Darven immediately pointed at Eyrx.
"He should do it alone."
Nick ignored him.
"Both of you are coming."
Darven's face froze.
"What?"
Nick nodded toward the mountains.
"In three days, you'll be begging me to stop."
The wind grew stronger.
Eyrx stared at the endless mountain range ahead.
For the first time since reading Grace's letter, a small spark appeared in his eyes.
Not hope.
Not happiness.
Determination.
If becoming stronger was the only way to reach Grace...
Then he would endure whatever came next.