Sub-Chapter 9.1: The Anomaly
Night had already claimed Eventide Castle.
Most of the fortress slept beneath the heavy silence that followed midnight.
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Only the distant sound of waves crashing against the black cliffs of the Zorel Mountains echoed through the cold air.
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Deep within the castle, hidden behind corridors few soldiers ever entered, a faint emerald light flickered inside a vast chamber filled with strange instruments, ancient tomes, and floating crystal apparatuses.
This was the private laboratory of Alquine.
The ancient fairy rarely slept.
But tonight… she tried.
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Curled beneath a mountain of velvet blankets on an oversized chair far too large for her small figure, Alquine shifted restlessly.
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Her golden hair spilled across the cushions like scattered moonlight, while half-finished experiments continued glowing softly across the laboratory.
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For a being who had lived centuries, sleep was normally effortless.
Nature itself lulled her into rest.
Yet tonight, something was wrong.
*Her eyes slowly opened.*
The air felt… disturbed.
Not physically.
Spiritually.
A faint tremor pulsed through the natural energies of the world, a vibration so subtle that no ordinary being could possibly sense it.
But Alquine was not ordinary.
She was one of the oldest living beings within Mournvale.
And she was a fairy.
Fairies did not merely live alongside nature.
They felt it.
And right now...
Nature itself was uneasy.
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*Alquine slowly sat up, the blankets sliding from her shoulders.*
"This feeling…"
*Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.*
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The sensation was coming from the sea.
From the dark waters stretching beyond the cliffs below Eventide Castle.
Something vast moved there.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
A presence so overwhelming that even the surrounding natural energy recoiled from it.
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*Alquine frowned.*
"I do not like this…"
*She lifted one small hand, placing two fingers gently against her temple.*
Her mind expanded outward instantly, searching for a familiar presence within the castle.
It did not take long.
Because his presence was impossible to miss.
Cold.
Heavy.
And steady like an unmoving mountain.
The mind of Lucifell answered almost immediately.
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"Commander."
The telepathic link was unmistakable.
*Alquine's voice carried urgency.*
"I sense a massive anomaly near the sea."
Lucifell responded instantly through the connection.
"Yes."
A pause.
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"What is it?"
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For a moment, Lucifell did not answer.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm.
*Too calm.*
"Something that should not exist."
Silence filled the connection.
Then Lucifell spoke again.
"Send a message."
"To the ARCANA captains."
Inside the laboratory, Alquine's eyes widened slightly.
*The jeweled artifact floating above her worktable suddenly began glowing brighter as the telepathic relay activated.*
"Which captains, Commander?"
Lucifell answered without hesitation.
"All of them."
*His voice became colder.*
"Tell Kestrel, Artharuk, Zoandrel, Elrich, Donnie, Edward, Azazel, Hobor, Ramy, and AL."
"Prepare their squadrons."
"Deploy behind Eventide Castle."
"At the southern coast of the Zorel Mountains."
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Inside his chamber, Lucifell stood unmoving as the monstrous silhouette of Tiamatus slowly advanced through the dark sea below.
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Beside him, the wraith that had disguised itself as Kestrel watched with visible amusement.
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Lucifell continued.
"And one more instruction."
*Alquine waited.*
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"Tell Xien to observe from afar."
"And Kahn to keep his warships at distance."
"Do not approach that creature."
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At that exact moment...
The dragon roared again.
*The roar of Tiamatus shattered the night like a thunderclap from the heavens.*
*The ocean itself seemed to recoil as massive waves exploded against the cliffs.*
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*Even inside the laboratory, Alquine felt the tremor through the telepathic link.*
*Her expression hardened.*
"Understood."
"The captains will be summoned immediately."
The connection faded.
*Alquine slowly lowered her hand.*
For a brief moment, the ancient fairy remained silent.
*Then she sighed.*
"…Twelve captains."
*She glanced toward the glowing communication artifact hovering above her table.*
"Well then."
*Her eyes sharpened.*
"Let's wake up the entire army."
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One by one...
The telepathic signals began spreading across Mournvale.
Across forests.
Across mountains.
Across oceans.
Across shadows.
Twelve minds would soon receive the same message.
And by the time the sun rose...
War would already be waiting at the shores beneath Eventide Castle.
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Sub-Chapter 9.2: The Arrow That Moves Before War
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Night had settled deeply over the forests surrounding Lycan Forest.
The trees stood tall and silent, their ancient trunks forming a living maze of shadows beneath the pale glow of the moon. Wind whispered through the leaves like distant spirits watching the world below.
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Hidden within those woods was the camp of the Frost Fang Squadron.
Hunters.
Trackers.
Ghosts among trees.
The squadron of Kestrel.
Among soldiers of ARCANA, they carried a reputation that few dared to challenge.
They never fought wars.
They ended them before they began.
Because when a Frost Fang arrow was fired...
Someone important was already dead.
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Inside a modest wooden lodge near the center of the camp, steam drifted slowly from a half-open door.
Moments later, the door slid open.
Kestrel stepped out, her damp black hair falling loosely over her shoulders. A towel rested across the back of her neck while droplets of water traced faint lines down her skin.
Fresh from the bath.
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The quiet of the forest was calming.
Normally.
But tonight, something felt different.
The air was tense.
Heavy.
Even the nocturnal animals of the forest seemed unusually quiet.
Kestrel paused briefly, glancing toward the distant southern horizon.
Toward the direction of Eventide Castle.
A strange unease stirred in her chest.
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Then...
A voice echoed inside her mind.
Clear.
Ancient.
Authoritative.
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"Kestrel."
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*Her eyes sharpened instantly.*
There was no mistaking that voice.
Alquine.
*Kestrel straightened slightly.*
"Yes?"
The telepathic voice continued.
"The Commander has issued an order."
The moment she heard that word...
Commander.
Her thoughts shifted immediately toward a single name.
Lucifell.
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And with that name...
A memory surfaced without warning.
A falling star.
That was what the night sky had looked like.
A streak of burning light tearing across the heavens above the forest.
Six-year-old Kestrel had seen it from the branches of her secret treehouse, a place she called her rebel house tree.
She had chased it without hesitation.
Through roots.
Through moss.
Through darkness.
Until she found the crater.
And inside it...
A child.
A boy no older than she was.
Unconscious.
Naked.
His silver-white hair scattered across the soil like ink spilled upon the earth.
Kestrel remembered slowly kneeling beside him.
Curious.
Confused.
Her hand reaching out to touch his face.
Then...
A firm grip stopped her.
Her father.
Rogsterr, leader of the Lycan clan.
*His hand held her wrist tightly.*
"No."
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Around them, the elders gathered.
Whispers filled the clearing.
A curse.
A miracle.
An omen.
But Lycan law was clear.
They could not raise a child who was not one of their kind.
So the boy was carried away.
To the nearest place that would take him.
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The Church of Light.
To the old priest.
Old Man Garry.
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But before they left...
Something else had happened.
Something none of them could ever forget.
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When Rogsterr touched the strange marking across the boy's chest...
Everyone present saw the same vision.
A man standing within absolute darkness.
His figure surrounded by a void darker than night.
And in his hand...
A sword.
A blade so black it seemed to erase light itself.
A weapon that could erase anything.
But the voice in that vision had whispered a terrible truth.
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The sword demanded a price.
The soul of its wielder.
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*Kestrel's eyes slowly returned to the present.*
*Her fingers had unconsciously tightened around the towel at her neck.*
The words from that vision still echoed in her memory.
Call its name.
God Killer.
Only a few people in the world knew that secret.
The Lycan elders.
Old Man Garry.
And her.
Most importantly...
Lucifell himself.
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Alquine's voice spoke again within her mind.
"The Commander orders immediate deployment."
"Prepare the Frost Fang Squadron."
"Move toward the southern coast beneath Eventide Castle."
Something serious was happening.
Something big enough for Lucifell to summon all twelve captains.
*Kestrel lowered her head slightly, her expression darkening.*
Because deep down...
She already feared the answer.
If Lucifell ever reached the point where he believed God Killer was necessary…
The war would already be lost.
Her voice finally answered calmly.
"Understood."
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Around the forest camp, shadows began to move.
Hunters awakening.
Bows lifted.
Arrows prepared.
The Frost Fang Squadron was about to begin its silent hunt.
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And somewhere far away...
A dragon older than kingdoms was approaching the shores of Mournvale.
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But Kestrel's thoughts were not on the dragon.
They were on a boy who had once fallen from the sky.
And the sword that could one day erase him from existence.
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Sub.Chapter 9.3: The Commander's Shadow
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Deep inside Eventide Castle, the corridors were unusually quiet.
Unlike the lively halls of the royal court, this wing of the castle was colder… darker… disciplined.
This was the domain of the Eclipse Guard.
The squad that existed for one reason alone:
To stand closest to Lucifell.
Not as soldiers.
Not as knights.
But as shadows.
They were the only unit allowed near him during war, S-Class missions, and the most dangerous diplomatic meetings across Mournvale Kingdom.
And there was another truth few dared to say aloud.
They were also the last line of defense…
If Lucifell ever lost control...
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Inside a dim laboratory chamber,
Alquine stood before a circular arcane table glowing faintly with pale blue symbols.
*Her eyes were closed.*
Mind expanding outward.
Searching.
Reaching for one mind in particular.
Azazel.
Captain of the Eclipse Guard.
The Commander's Shadow.
Telepathic signals required focus.
Absolute precision.
Especially when communicating across the enormous structure of Eventide Castle.
Alquine's voice began forming within the mental channel.
"Captain Az..."
Knock.
Her concentration snapped instantly.
*Her eyes opened.*
The telepathic spell shattered like glass.
The knock came again.
Slow.
Calm.
Whoever stood behind that door clearly had no intention of waiting politely.
*Alquine sighed faintly.*
*She flew toward the door and opened it.*
And immediately stopped.
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Because the entire Eclipse Guard stood outside.
At the front was Azazel.
Tall.
Silent.
*His long black hair moved slightly with the wind from the open balcony window behind him.*
His grey skin contrasted sharply against the pale pearl-white eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the dim corridor.
A swordsman whose calm presence carried terrifying authority.
He spoke first.
"We saw it."
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Behind him stood the rest of the guard.
*Alice leaned lazily against the wall, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.*
*The small devil-like horns above her head twitched slightly in irritation.*
Her scythe rested casually on her shoulder.
*She looked annoyed.*
Very annoyed.
Because maybe tonight had supposed to be something else entirely.
A rare appointment.
A moment alone with Lucifell.
A date.
And once again...
Disaster had ruined it.
*She sighed dramatically.*
"Unbelievable…"
"Does the world explode every time I try to go out with him?"
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Beside her stood a giant figure.
Massive.
Towering.
Runagard.
*The half giant-orc leaned his enormous axe against the wall, his dark green skin reflecting faint torchlight.*
His yellow eyes remained calm, thoughtful.
He rarely spoke unnecessarily.
But his presence alone was enough to shake battlefields.
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Perched casually on the railing behind them was a much smaller figure.
A young man with bright golden eyes and red draconic wings folded neatly behind him.
Marvelerick.
A massive sword rested across his back.
Lucifell's archangel blade.
The weapon the Commander himself had entrusted to him.
*Marvelerick looked excited.*
Almost thrilled.
"A giant dragon outside the castle?"
*His grin widened.*
"This is the coolest night ever."
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Standing quietly near the back was another warrior.
Steady.
Compact.
Powerful.
*His yellow-black tiger-striped fur shimmered slightly in the torchlight.*
Tigris le Lohk.
A monk of terrifying discipline whose fists could strike harder than steel.
Unlike the others, his eyes were calm.
Observing.
Measuring the situation carefully.
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*Alquine crossed her arms.*
"You interrupted a telepathic transmission."
*Azazel stepped slightly aside and gestured toward the large window at the end of the corridor.*
"We already know the message."
"Look."
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*They all turned.*
Outside the enormous window of Eventide Castle...
The ocean was boiling.
Storm clouds swirled violently above the sea.
And rising slowly from the dark waters…
Was something massive.
Something ancient.
Something that dwarfed even the tallest towers of the castle.
A colossal serpent body coiled through the waves.
And above it...
Five monstrous dragon heads emerged from the storm.
Each one roaring toward the sky.
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*Marvelerick's jaw dropped.*
"Whoa…"
*Runagard folded his arms.*
"That… is not small."
*Alice groaned.*
"Of course it's not small."
"Nothing is ever small when Lucifell is involved."
*Tigris spoke calmly.*
"The creature's energy is… ancient."
Azazel's expression did not change.
*But his voice grew quieter.*
"Ancient… and intentional."
*Alquine's eyes narrowed slightly.*
Her mind began calculating immediately.
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Unknown dragons appeared alone.
And rarely moved without purpose.
But this one was heading directly toward Eventide Castle.
Which meant only one thing.
It was coming for Lucifell.
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Azazel finally spoke again.
"Commander orders full Eclipse Guard deployment."
*Alice straightened slightly.*
Her irritation instantly replaced by excitement.
"So we're fighting it?"
*Marvelerick grinned like a child about to enter a festival.*
"Yes!"
*Runagard lifted his axe slowly.*
"If it threatens the Commander…"
"…we end it."
*Tigris simply closed his eyes briefly.*
A silent prayer before battle.
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And outside the castle walls...
The five heads of Tiamatus roared once more toward the heavens.
The war that Lucifell had predicted…
Was arriving sooner than anyone expected.
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Sub.Chapter 9.4: The Unbreakable Wall
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The corridors of Eventide Castle slowly fell silent again after the Eclipse Guard departed.
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Only the faint glow of arcane symbols remained within the laboratory.
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At the center of the chamber stood Alquine,
*her fingers hovering above the glowing magic circle carved into the stone table.*
The previous telepathic channel had been interrupted.
But the Commander's order still had to reach the remaining captains.
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*She exhaled slowly.*
*Then closed her eyes again.*
Her mind expanded outward like ripples spreading across a dark ocean.
This time, she reached for the closest command unit.
The frontline defenders of Mournvale Kingdom.
The Iron Vanguard.
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Far from the castle walls…
At the entrance of the ancient Zorel Mountains, a small fortified outpost stood where forest met stone.
This was the territory of the Centaur Clan.
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The warriors who served as the living fortress of Lucifell's armies.
Twenty massive figures stood in formation beneath the moonlight.
Three hundred and fifty centimeters tall.
Towering.
Armored.
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Each warrior carried a massive tower shield and a single-handed sword forged for battlefield endurance rather than elegance.
They were not aggressive soldiers.
They were something far more terrifying.
An immovable wall.
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At their center stood their captain.
Artharuk.
His armor reflected faint silver light from the moon.
His shield was planted firmly into the ground beside him.
He had not moved for several minutes.
Because he felt it.
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Something dark stirring beyond the horizon.
Behind the distant towers of Eventide.
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The air itself felt wrong.
Heavy.
Poisoned.
The kind of presence that only appeared when something ancient awakened.
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Behind him stood the core members of the Iron Vanguard.
Three warriors who had survived battles that most soldiers could not even imagine.
First...
Zeyas.
Vice Captain.
A long scar cut across his left eye.
The mark of a duel against a Minotaur warlord that had nearly taken his life.
*His stance was rigid.*
Disciplined.
His sword rested quietly against his shield.
He was the type of warrior who never rushed into battle.
He waited.
Watched.
Then ended the fight with a single precise strike.
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Beside him stood Thamuga.
His missing ear was a brutal reminder of a past battle against a rampaging Wyvern.
Unlike Zeyas, Thamuga carried a heavier presence.
Controlled aggression.
His shield bore visible dents from previous wars.
But the way he gripped his sword made it clear...
He was ready to charge the moment the order arrived.
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And the youngest among them.
Dyodorf.
Future successor of the Iron Vanguard.
His armor was newer.
Less scarred.
*But his eyes carried fierce determination.*
He represented something rare within the brutal world of war.
Hope.
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Artharuk suddenly lifted his head slightly.
A voice echoed directly within his mind.
Clear.
Precise.
"Captain Artharuk."
The voice of Alquine.
*The centaur captain did not look surprised.*
He simply responded calmly.
"Yes."
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Inside the laboratory far away, Alquine spoke through the telepathic link.
"The Commander has issued full mobilization."
"Hostile entity approaching Eventide Castle."
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Artharuk remained silent for a moment.
Then he asked only one question.
"Dragon?"
Alquine replied.
"Five headed-type."
Even across the telepathic connection…
The weight of that information could be felt.
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*Behind Artharuk, Zeyas narrowed his eye.*
*Thamuga tightened his grip on his shield.*
*Dyodorf straightened instinctively.*
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But their captain remained completely calm.
*Because they had already sensed it.*
The corrupted energy drifting from the direction of Eventide Castle.
Like poison spreading through the wind.
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Artharuk finally pulled his massive tower shield from the ground.
*The metal echoed softly as he lifted it onto his arm.*
"We are ready."
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Behind him, the Iron Vanguard moved instantly.
Twenty tower shields lifted at the same moment.
Perfect synchronization.
*Zeyas stepped forward beside his captain.*
"The line holds."
*Thamuga cracked his neck slightly.*
"Finally."
*Dyodorf's voice followed quietly.*
"For the Commander."
Artharuk spoke one final time into the telepathic channel.
"Inform Lucifell."
"The wall is moving."
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Then the Iron Vanguard began marching.
Heavy armored hooves striking the earth in perfect rhythm.
Slow.
Unstoppable.
Because when the Unbreakable Wall entered a battlefield…
Nothing behind them would fall.
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Sub.Chapter 9.5: The Executioners
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Inside the laboratory of Eventide Castle, the arcane circle beneath Alquine continued glowing softly.
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Three captains had already been alerted.
Three battlefronts were already mobilizing.
There were another squadrons that needed to know.
nine left.
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Now...
A squad far less… disciplined.
*Alquine closed her eyes once more.*
Her mind expanded across the continent again, searching for the next signal.
This time, the presence she reached felt very different.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Heavy.
She found them quickly.
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Far away from the castle…
Deep within a rocky canyon valley near the southern war roads of Mournvale Kingdom, massive figures were gathered around an enormous fire pit.
The ground itself looked cracked beneath their feet.
Because every single one of them was a giant.
Eight meters tall.
Armored.
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Each holding a massive glaive spear designed to cleave through armies rather than individuals.
This was the squad known as Blood Oath.
The Executioners.
Twenty warriors from the Giants Clan.
Elite close-combat killers who were deployed only when war required something brutal.
Something unstoppable.
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At the center of the group sat their captain.
Zoandrel.
Also known across battlefields as:
"The Continent."
Because when Zoandrel moved…
Everything moved with him.
At the moment, however, the terrifying giant looked anything but dangerous.
*He was sitting on a broken boulder, struggling to open a food container that was clearly too small for his enormous hands.*
"Why do they make these things so tiny?"
*He squinted at the lid like it had personally insulted him.*
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*Around the fire, several other giants were laughing.*
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*Zoandrel scratched his head awkwardly.*
"I swear this thing is cursed."
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Suddenly...
A voice appeared inside his mind.
"Captain Zoandrel."
*The giant blinked.*
Then looked around.
"huh?"
"Who said that?"
*One of the other giants pointed at him.*
"You're talking to yourself again."
*Zoandrel frowned.*
"No I'm not!"
Then the voice spoke again.
Clear.
Focused.
"This is Alquine."
*Zoandrel straightened immediately.*
The clumsy energy vanished.
His posture changed.
And in an instant…
The harmless giant disappeared.
What remained was a battlefield executioner.
"Go ahead."
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Nearby, three other giants stopped their activities.
The core members of the Blood Oath.
First...
Bob Knox.
Vice Captain.
He lifted a massive barrel and casually drank from it.
*Alcohol dripping down his beard.*
*His eyes slowly sharpened.*
Because alcohol wasn't a weakness for Bob.
It was the ignition switch.
The more he drank…
The more dangerous he became.
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Beside him leaned another giant spinning his glaive lazily.
Gabord Toram.
The provoker.
*He grinned constantly.*
Because he loved one thing above everything else.
Making enemies angry enough to fight stupidly.
"Someone starting a war?" he asked.
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Then there was Warkom Habok.
The adrenaline addict.
He stood dangerously close to the edge of a cliff, staring down at the canyon below.
*His grin was wide.*
Almost excited.
"Please tell me it's something dangerous," he muttered.
"I'm getting bored."
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Zoandrel finally spoke into the telepathic channel.
"What's the situation?"
Alquine's voice echoed calmly.
"Hostile entity approaching Eventide Castle."
"Five headed dragons."
For a moment..
Complete silence filled the canyon.
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*Then Gabord started laughing.*
"Five heads?"
"Oh that's perfect."
*Bob Knox lifted his barrel again.*
"Good."
"I was running out of reasons to drink."
*Warkom stepped away from the cliff edge slowly.*
His eyes were glowing with excitement now.
"That sounds… fun."
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*Zoandrel stood up.*
And when the giant captain rose to his full height…
The atmosphere changed instantly.
His casual energy disappeared completely.
The battlefield executioner had returned.
"Commander's order?" he asked.
Alquine replied without hesitation.
"Full mobilization authorized by Lucifell."
*Zoandrel nodded once.*
That was all he needed.
*He lifted his massive glaive spear and planted it into the ground.*
The impact alone shook the canyon floor.
"Blood Oath!!!."
Every giant turned toward him.
Twenty warriors standing like moving mountains.
*Zoandrel's voice was calm.*
Cold.
"We march."
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*Gabord cracked his fist.*
*Bob Knox finished the rest of the barrel in one long drink.*
*Warkom grinned like a man about to jump into a storm.*
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And slowly…
The giants began walking.
Each step echoing like distant thunder across the canyon.
Because when the Executioners entered a battlefield…
Something was about to die.
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Sub.Chapter 9.6: The Ocean Awakens
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Back inside the arcane chamber of Eventide Castle, the glowing magic circle beneath Alquine pulsed brighter than before.
Four captains had already received the call.
But the threat approaching the castle was not merely a creature of land.
It rose from the sea.
Which meant two specific captains needed to hear the message next.
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*Alquine inhaled slowly.*
Then she split the telepathic channel.
Two minds.
Two distant oceans.
One message.
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Beneath the Ocean
Far below the surface waters west of Mournvale Kingdom, moonlight filtered through the deep sea like broken silver.
Ancient ruins rested along the ocean floor.
Collapsed pillars.
Forgotten statues swallowed by coral.
Within that silent underwater world moved a squad of graceful but deadly warriors.
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The Arcana Navy Squad.
Twenty mermaids armed with long tridents, their silver armor reflecting faint currents drifting through the water.
-----------------------
At their center floated a woman whose presence felt older than the ocean itself.
Xien Xerovastii.
Captain of the ANS.
Her long black hair drifted through the water like dark silk.
Her eyes were calm.
Too calm.
The kind of calm that belonged to someone who had survived centuries.
-----------------------
Three younger warriors swam near her.
Her sister...
Xein Xerovastii.
Energetic.
Sharp.
The ocean currents subtly bent around her fingers whenever she moved.
-----------------------
Beside them swam Ahn Zeed, practicing slow whirlpool formations with a circular motion of his trident.
-----------------------
And racing ahead of them like a silver arrow through the water...
Kimo Yen, the fastest swimmer of the squad.
-----------------------
Suddenly...
A voice echoed directly inside Xien's mind.
"Captain Xien."
The ancient mermaid froze.
*Her eyes narrowed slightly.*
She recognized that voice instantly.
*And the memory of a certain terrifying elder flashed through her thoughts.*
"…Alquine."
*Her voice carried through the water like a low vibration.*
*Xein blinked beside her.*
"Sis?"
*Xien sighed softly.*
"Your… great-grandmother is calling."
*Xein's eyes widened.*
"Oh no."
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Inside the telepathic channel, Alquine's voice was firm.
"Listen carefully."
"Five-headed dragons entity emerging near Eventide Castle."
"Codename: Tiamatus."
*For the first time, Xien's calm expression shifted slightly.*
"It can't be…"
-----------------------
Even after thousands centuries…
That name carried weight.
Ancient.
Evil.
Even after thousands centuries.
-----------------------
*Xein immediately clenched her trident.*
"Do we intercept?"
Alquine responded sharply.
"No."
"Remain offshore."
"Commander Lucifell has ordered you to maintain distance."
*Xein frowned.*
"Why?"
*Xien answered quietly before Alquine could.*
"Because he dominate deep waters."
"If we get too close…"
"The ocean becomes their battlefield."
Alquine's voice confirmed it.
"Correct."
"But you will monitor sea movement."
"If additional threats emerge beneath the surface..."
"Eliminate them."
*Xien nodded slowly.*
"Understood."
*Then she added quietly...*
"And… tell Lucifell something for me.
A pause.
"He should try not to destroy the ocean this time."
*Xein laughed softly.*
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Above the Waves
Miles away across the dark ocean, a massive warship cut through the night waters.
four times the Eventide castle wide.
Armor-plated hull.
Multiple decks lined with glowing magic cannons.
This was the flagship of the Dread Cavalry.
-----------------------
A floating fortress sponsored directly by John Voyage, the king of Mournvale.
Standing at the command deck was the ship's captain.
Kahn Lamh Aquila.
Tall.
Calm.
An amphibian sea-born warrior whose eyes studied the ocean like a strategist reading a map.
-----------------------
Behind him stood his officers.
Vice Captain Ricky De Lards, already analyzing navigation charts.
Navigator Patty Selene, watching the ocean currents carefully.
Cannon Master Vonny Alleffy, checking magical firing runes along the cannons.
And Harpoon Master Gerrard Jonah, sharpening massive creature-hunting bolts.
-----------------------
Then...
Alquine's voice entered Kahn's mind.
"Captain Kahn."
The sea captain remained calm.
"Advisor Alquine."
"Report."
Her response came immediately.
"Five-headed dragons entity approaching Eventide Castle."
"Designation: Tiamatus."
*The entire bridge fell silent.*
Even the waves outside seemed to grow heavier.
*Kahn exhaled slowly.*
"Impossible …"
*Ricky immediately looked up.*
"That's… not good."
Kahn continued speaking through the telepathic channel.
"Orders?"
-----------------------
"Commander Lucifell has authorized mobilization."
"Maintain distance."
"Secure coastal approach routes."
"Prevent additional sea threats from approaching the castle."
-----------------------
*Kahn nodded slightly.*
"Understood."
But he added something else.
"As this fleet is under partial authority of John Voyage, I will inform the king immediately."
-----------------------
Alquine answered calmly.
"That would be wise."
The connection ended.
-----------------------
*Kahn turned toward his officers.*
"Today we will have a dine of the dragon meats, prepare battle positions."
*Vonny grinned slightly.*
"Finally."
*Gerrard lifted a harpoon bolt.*
"If that dragons comes closer…"
"We pin it to the ocean floor."
-----------------------
The massive warship slowly changed direction.
Magic cannons humming softly as power began flowing through the decks.
Tonight…
The sea itself had joined the war.
-----------------------
The command deck slowly returned to motion as officers rushed to their stations.
But Kahn Lamh Aquila did not move immediately.
-----------------------
*Instead, he walked toward the communication crystal mounted at the center of the warship's bridge.*
A direct line to the royal palace.
*He tapped the crystal once.*
The surface shimmered.
-----------------------
Then the lazy, irritated face of John Voyage appeared inside the projection.
The King of Mournvale Kingdom was sprawled across a massive throne that looked more like a couch than a royal seat.
Half-eaten food rested beside him.
A golden goblet dangled lazily in one hand.
"Ugh… Kahn?" the king grumbled.
"Do you know what time it is?"
*He squinted at the projection.*
"If this isn't about pirates, taxes, or someone trying to assassinate me again..."
"...I swear I will throw you into the ocean myself."
Kahn remained perfectly calm.
"My King."
"A five-headed dragons entity has appeared near Eventide Castle."
*The king blinked.*
*Then slowly sat upright.*
"…A what?"
Kahn continued.
"Codename: Tiamatus."
For a moment, the king stared at the crystal silently.
*Then he groaned loudly and leaned back into the throne again.*
"Oh come on…"
"First demons, then dark elf, and now five-headed sea nightmares?"
*He waved his goblet dramatically.*
"Why can't monsters attack someone else's kingdom for once?"
Kahn did not react.
*The king sighed again, rubbing his face.*
"…Fine."
"If Lucifell is already involved, then the situation must be serious."
*He pointed lazily at the projection.*
"Just don't sink my coastline."
"And if that thing damages my ports..."
He paused.
"…send Lucifell the repair bill."
The projection flickered and vanished.
-----------------------
Kahn stood silently for a moment.
*Then he turned back toward the ocean.*
Behind him, the floating fortress of the Dread Cavalry slowly prepared for war.
Because whether the king liked it or not…
The night was about to become very expensive.
-----------------------
Sub.Chapter 9.7: The Calm Before the Inferno
-----------------------
Inside the strategy chamber of Eventide Castle, the telepathic circle beneath Alquine continued to glow faintly.
One by one, the captains of ARCANA had received the message.
The kingdom was waking.
Armies were mobilizing.
War was quietly approaching.
-----------------------
*Alquine exhaled slowly.*
Six more captain remained.
She reached out with her mind again.
-----------------------
Far from the castle, deep within a volcanic plateau where the earth itself seemed permanently scorched, two very different squads were currently sharing the same training ground.
On one side of the field...
ten elite mages stood in formation.
Staffs planted into the ground.
Arcane circles flickering around them as they practiced controlled elemental casting.
This was Ashen Legion.
The squad known across the continent as "Scorched Earth."
-----------------------
Their captain sat calmly beneath the shadow of a black stone pillar.
Edward York.
A man around forty years old.
Long coat.
Sharp eyes.
The kind of presence that felt more like a professor than a battlefield commander.
-----------------------
Across from him sat another man leaning casually on a stone bench.
A cigarette resting lazily at the corner of his mouth.
Ramy Tedyssus.
Captain of the Stormbringers.
-----------------------
Between them rested a small wooden chessboard.
Pieces already halfway through a match.
-----------------------
Behind them,
the training field was loud.
*Twenty Faun Clan warriors sprinted across the plains riding unicorns.*
The fastest unit in ARCANA.
Stormbringers.
-----------------------
Meanwhile,
the ten mages of Ashen Legion practiced elemental casting with terrifying precision.
Fire.
Ice.
Earth.
Water.
Two completely different squads.
One battlefield.
One quiet chess match.
-----------------------
*Edward moved a piece.*
A bishop.
"Your knight is exposed," he said calmly.
*Ramy exhaled smoke.*
"Yeah?"
*He glanced at the board lazily.*
"Or maybe it's bait."
*Edward adjusted his coat.*
"Everything is bait when you're losing."
*Ramy smirked.*
"Wow."
"Cold."
-----------------------
Then suddenly...
Edward paused.
The air around him shifted slightly.
The flame inside a nearby brazier flickered.
Because a voice entered his mind.
"Captain Edward."
*The wizard closed his eyes slightly.*
"…Advisor Alquine."
Across the board, Ramy immediately noticed.
"Ah."
*He leaned forward.*
"Someone calling?"
Edward remained silent for a moment, listening.
Alquine's voice carried clearly through the telepathic channel.
"Five-Headed dragons entity approaching Eventide Castle."
"Designation: Tiamatus."
*Edward's fingers froze above the chessboard.*
*Ramy slowly removed the cigarette from his mouth.*
"…That bad?"
*Edward nodded slightly.*
Before he could respond,
*Ramy raised a hand.*
"Wait."
*He looked at Edward.*
"Tell her to add me to the call."
*Edward raised an eyebrow.*
"Why?"
*Ramy shrugged.*
"Because if the world is ending, I'd rather hear it directly."
Edward sighed.
Then spoke calmly into the telepathic channel.
"Advisor Alquine."
"Captain Ramy Tedyssus is requesting to join this transmission."
A brief pause followed.
Then Alquine's voice returned.
"…Very well."
The channel expanded.
*Ramy blinked once.*
*Then grinned.*
"Oh hey, granny."
*Edward pinched the bridge of his nose.*
"Please do not address her like that."
*Alquine's voice sharpened immediately.*
"Captain Ramy."
"Cigarettes reduce lung capacity."
*Ramy leaned back in his chair.*
"Yeah well, demons reduce life expectancy."
"Fair trade."
*Edward quietly moved another chess piece.*
"Focus."
Alquine continued.
"Commander Lucifell has authorized mobilization."
"A five-headed dragons entity has surfaced near the Eventide castle."
"The situation may escalate."
*Edward nodded slowly.*
"Understood."
-----------------------
Behind him, the mages of Ashen Legion paused their training.
IanFanrenzo raised an earth barrier as practice.
Luna de Beine froze a distant rock formation instantly.
Meanwhile William Tennet watched Luna while pretending to focus on water magic.
-----------------------
*Ramy glanced behind him.*
The Stormbringers had stopped their sprint drills.
Unicorns snorting impatiently.
Bellamy Patho attempted to copy Ramy's relaxed posture.
It looked… significantly less cool.
Nearby, HaraldGonnaf was quietly speaking with one of the unicorns.
And FerrelXenec was somehow eating while stretching.
-----------------------
*Ramy looked back at the chessboard.*
Then at Edward.
"…So."
"A hydra type."
*Edward Nodded.*
"Yes."
*Ramy picked up his knight piece and moved it across the board.*
Check.
*Then he stood up.*
*Crushing the cigarette beneath his boot.*
"Well."
*He stretched his shoulders.*
"Guess the warm-up is over."
*Edward calmly stood as well.*
"Indeed."
-----------------------
The chessboard remained behind them.
Game unfinished.
Because across the kingdom…
Every captain of ARCANA was now moving.
And somewhere beyond the dark horizon...
Tiamatus continued its slow approach toward Eventide Castle.
-----------------------
Sub-Chapter 9.8: The Balcony of Decisions
-----------------------
The royal palace of Mournvale Kingdom stood quietly under the night sky
Moments earlier, the throne hall had been filled with political tension.
-----------------------
A meeting had just ended.
Inside that chamber had stood the most powerful figures of the kingdom:
The chaotic king John Voyage.
His observant queen Shenly Quirsa Voyage.
And the most feared religious authority of the continent...
Lucas Garendra III, the Great Pope.
Their discussion had not been pleasant.
Because whenever those three gathered in one room…
The kingdom itself held its breath.
Now the meeting had ended.
But the tension had not.
-----------------------
Outside the palace, a wide stone balcony overlooked the capital city.
Torches burned along the walls.
The night wind carried distant sounds of the harbor.
Four ARCANA captains stood there now.
Watching the horizon.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Waiting.
-----------------------
*The first stood with folded arms, quietly analyzing the sky itself.*
Donnie Ab Kelenzy.
Captain of the Oracle Division.
-----------------------
Above the palace towers, several griffins circled slowly.
His squad.
Twenty aerial observers capable of mapping entire battlefields from the sky.
-----------------------
Behind him stood the core members of his squad.
Viona Leracrux leaned against the balcony rail, pretending to observe the city while secretly thinking about Edward York.
Nearby, OnyxDanienzy excitedly fed a griffin perched on the balcony edge.
And JacobBlaize adjusted his coat dramatically while observing everyone like he was attending a royal performance.
-----------------------
Several steps away stood another group.
Much quieter.
Much more unsettling.
The Umbral Phantoms.
Their captain leaned against a pillar as if he had been there long before anyone else arrived.
Elirch Stood.
His eyes half-closed.
Watching everything.
But revealing nothing.
Behind him stood his vice captain StacyLeviny, silent as stone.
Next to her was ReinJeffry, whose empty expression made even soldiers uncomfortable.
And leaning casually near the wall was WallaceQuir, who looked more like a traveling merchant than an assassin.
That was exactly why he was dangerous.
-----------------------
Closer to the center of the balcony stood a group wearing white robes.
The healers of ARCANA.
The Hallowed Veil.
Their captain AL Henry Timothy quietly whispered a prayer while holding a silver pendant.
Beside him stood DeinRecoba, already calculating battlefield triage in his head.
Nearby, WinonaAndretti watched the city lights with gentle concern.
While MiataNovera simply stood silently, observing.
-----------------------
At the far end of the balcony stood a group very different from the others.
Shorter.
Stockier.
Covered in soot and metal dust.
The dwarven engineers.
*Their leader rested both hands on the balcony railing.*
Hobor Dalur.
The man who forged the legendary sword Light Bearer.
The weapon carried by Lucifell himself.
Behind him,
the elderly storyteller GarufJohod was already muttering about how this situation reminded him of "the third dragon war."
*Meanwhile Hilda poked fun at the elves nearby.*
"Hey point-ears," she said playfully.
"Try not to die too fast tonight."
-----------------------
Tension slowly grew across the balcony.
Because every single one of them knew something was coming.
And everyone had a different opinion about how to deal with it.
Donnie finally spoke.
"The ocean is restless."
Elirch replied calmly.
"The ocean is always restless."
*Donnie shook his head.*
"No."
"This is different."
-----------------------
Before anyone could continue the debate...
A voice suddenly entered Donnie's mind.
"Captain Donnie."
*He blinked once.*
"…Advisor Alquine."
Everyone nearby noticed the change in his expression.
"What is it?" Viona asked.
Donnie spoke slowly.
"Hydra-class entity."
"Approaching Eventide Castle."
The balcony fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Donnie continued.
"Designation…"
"Tiamatus."
Several reactions happened at once.
Garuf stopped talking.
Hilda stopped joking.
Dein frowned.
Elirch's eyes opened slightly.
Donnie then added calmly:
"Advisor Alquine."
"There are other captains present here."
A brief pause followed.
Then Alquine's voice returned.
"…Explain."
*Donnie turned toward the others.*
"The situation is escalating."
"ARCANA is mobilizing."
Elirch smiled faintly.
"How interesting."
AL Henry Timothy whispered another prayer.
-----------------------
The night wind swept gently across the balcony.
For a moment, none of the captains spoke.
Only the distant sound of griffin wings and the murmur of the capital below filled the silence.
-----------------------
Then...
A quiet voice came from behind Viona Leracrux.
"So."
*Viona turned slightly.*
Standing beside one of the stone pillars was Stacy Leviny.
The vice captain of the Umbral Phantoms.
Cold.
Professional.
Dangerous.
And somehow…
currently looking like she wanted gossip.
Stacy leaned casually against the wall.
Her voice lowered slightly.
"That flame wizard."
*Viona blinked.*
"…Excuse me?"
*Stacy tilted her head.*
"You know."
"The one from the Ashen Legion."
*She smirked faintly.*
"Edward York."
*Viona's face instantly turned red.*
"...!"
*She looked around quickly to see if anyone else heard.*
"They might hear you!"
Stacy shrugged.
"No one is listening."
-----------------------
That was technically a lie.
But no one nearby looked interested enough to interrupt.
-----------------------
*Stacy crossed her arms.*
"So?"
Viona tried to regain composure.
"What about him?"
*Stacy's eyes narrowed slightly.*
"I was just curious."
"Does the Oracle Division analyze battlefields…"
*She leaned closer.*
"…or handsome wizards?"
*Viona covered her face.*
"Oh my god…"
"You are impossible."
*Stacy's smirk grew slightly.*
"Your griffin riders aren't subtle."
*Viona sighed.*
"Listen…"
"He's a wise man."
"A respected captain."
"And..."
She paused awkwardly.
Stacy finished the sentence for her.
"And attractive."
*Viona buried her face in her hands again.*
-----------------------
Across the balcony,
*Jacob Blaize looked over curiously.*
"Are we discussing romance during a potential war?"
-----------------------
"No," Viona said quickly.
"Yes," Stacy replied at the same time.
-----------------------
*Jacob smiled dramatically.*
"How refreshing."
-----------------------
Stacy then changed the topic.
"Well…"
"At least your crush doesn't smell like smoke."
*Viona blinked.*
"…What?"
*Stacy rolled her eyes.*
"Ramy Tedyssus."
"Every time the Stormbringers visit the palace…"
She flicked imaginary dust off her sleeve.
"My clothes smell like cigarettes for two days."
*Viona laughed.*
"That's true."
"Even the griffins avoid him sometimes."
*Stacy sighed.*
"I don't understand how someone rides a unicorn and still smells like a tavern."
*Viona smiled mischievously.*
"By the way..."
"Talking about secrets now?"
*Stacy glanced at her.*
"…What do you mean?"
*Viona leaned closer.*
*Her voice lowered.*
"There's something interesting I know."
*Stacy narrowed her eyes.*
"About what?"
*Viona smiled sweetly.*
"About you."
Stacy remained calm.
"Impossible."
"You don't know anything about me."
*Viona tilted her head.*
"Really?"
"Not even about a certain…"
She paused for dramatic effect.
"…Commander."
Stacy froze.
Just for half a second.
But Viona noticed.
"Aha?"
"There it is."
Stacy's expression returned to neutral instantly.
"You're imagining things."
*Viona grinned.*
"Sure."
"But if someone did like Lucifell…"
She counted on her fingers.
"They would already have three walls in front of them."
Stacy remained silent.
Viona continued teasing.
"First wall?"
"Kestrel."
"The loyal shadow, childhood story, she likes him of course."
"Second wall?"
"Alice."
"The terrifying maid, spicy, and the strongest in Arcana ."
"And the final wall?"
*Viona smiled slightly.*
"Leinca."
"his past lovers."
Stacy stared at her.
*Viona leaned closer.*
"So tell me."
"How exactly are you planning to get past those three?"
Stacy was quiet for a moment.
*Then she sighed.*
And looked at Viona calmly.
"Interesting theory."
*She leaned closer as well.*
Then whispered back.
"Don't you like him too?"
Viona froze.
Completely.
*Her face slowly turned red again.*
-----------------------
Across the balcony,
Onyx Danienzy suddenly looked confused.
"Why is Vice Captain Viona malfunctioning?"
*Jacob dramatically covered his mouth.*
"Oh no."
"The analysts have been emotionally compromised."
-----------------------
Elsewhere…
Inside a dark chamber within Eventide Castle, silence ruled.
A tall figure stood beside an open balcony.
The moonlight revealed black feathers slowly unfolding.
-----------------------
Wings.
Large.
Terrifying.
Beautiful.
The cursed wings of Lucifell.
-----------------------
The wraith has disappeared.
He looked toward the distant ocean.
Where the monstrous Tiamatus continued its slow approach.
Lucifell closed his eyes briefly.
Then stepped onto the balcony edge.
*His wings spread wider.*
And in the next second...
*He leapt into the night sky.*
Flying directly toward the monster