The moment the figure stepped into the hall, everything changed.
It wasn't just the presence.
It was the reaction.
The Raizen warriors, known for their unyielding nature, instinctively straightened. Some stepped back slightly, others tightened their stance, their instincts warning them of something beyond ordinary strength.
Even the captain, who rarely showed hesitation, narrowed his eyes.
"…Hoshin," he muttered.
The figure walked forward with calm, measured steps, his long dark coat flowing lightly behind him. His posture was straight, controlled, and every movement carried a quiet confidence that didn't need to be announced.
His aura—
Was refined.
Sharp.
Precise.
Unlike the explosive power of Raizen, this was something else entirely.
Kael let out a low breath. "…Yeah, that's definitely one of theirs."
Nyx didn't respond.
Because he already knew.
Before the man even spoke.
Before he fully stepped into the light.
Nyx recognized him.
Not just the aura.
But the presence behind it.
Familiar.
Buried in memory.
"…You've grown," the envoy said calmly, his eyes locking onto Nyx.
The room froze.
Kael blinked. "…Wait—what?"
The Raizen leaders exchanged glances.
"…You know him?" the captain asked sharply.
Nyx didn't look away.
"…Yes."
The envoy stepped closer, stopping a few paces away. His expression remained calm, but there was something deeper beneath it. Something observant.
Something calculating.
"I wasn't sure at first," he continued. "But now… there's no doubt."
A pause.
Then—
"You're alive."
The words landed heavier than expected.
Kael's eyes widened. "…Alive?"
Nyx's voice remained steady.
"Clearly."
The envoy's lips curved slightly—not quite a smile.
"You were supposed to be gone."
A ripple passed through the room.
The Raizen captain stepped forward. "Explain."
But neither of them acknowledged him.
Because the tension between Nyx and the envoy had already taken over.
"…You didn't come just to confirm that," Nyx said.
The envoy nodded slightly. "No."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"I came to confirm if you're a threat."
Silence.
Absolute.
Kael slowly stepped back. "…Yeah… this just escalated."
Nyx didn't react outwardly.
But his presence shifted.
Subtly.
"Then you've seen enough," Nyx said.
The envoy studied him carefully.
"Have I?"
A faint ripple of energy passed between them.
Not an attack.
Not yet.
But a test.
The Raizen warriors felt it instantly.
That pressure.
That invisible clash.
"…They're measuring each other," Kael whispered.
The captain frowned. "This isn't good…"
The envoy took another step forward.
"Your presence was felt across the capital," he said. "Your actions… disrupted things."
Nyx's gaze didn't waver.
"That wasn't the intention."
The envoy raised an eyebrow slightly. "But it happened anyway."
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"You destroyed something," the envoy continued.
Nyx nodded.
"Yes."
"What was it?"
"A branch," Nyx replied. "Not the source."
The envoy's expression shifted slightly.
"…So the message was true."
Nyx tilted his head. "You doubted it?"
The envoy didn't answer directly.
"We verify everything."
Kael muttered, "Figures."
The envoy's gaze flicked briefly toward him.
"And you are?"
Kael smirked slightly. "Someone who's been dealing with your problem before you showed up."
The envoy didn't react.
Instead, he returned his focus to Nyx.
"…You've changed."
Nyx's voice was calm.
"Yes."
Another pause.
Then—
"Explain," the envoy said.
This time—
Nyx didn't answer immediately.
Because this wasn't just about the current situation.
This was about the past.
The one thing he hadn't touched yet.
Kael glanced between them. "…Okay, I'm definitely missing something here."
The Raizen leader stepped forward. "You'll explain everything. Both of you."
The envoy turned slightly toward him.
"You will be informed," he said calmly. "When necessary."
The tone wasn't aggressive.
But it wasn't respectful either.
The captain's aura flared slightly. "You're in Raizen territory."
The envoy met his gaze.
"And I walked in alone."
Silence.
That alone said enough.
Kael let out a quiet breath. "…Yeah, that's bold."
Nyx finally spoke.
"That's enough."
All eyes returned to him.
The envoy's expression didn't change.
"…Then speak."
Nyx's gaze hardened slightly.
"What do you want to know?"
The envoy didn't hesitate.
"Where have you been?"
The question lingered.
Not about power.
Not about the threat.
But about him.
Nyx exhaled slowly.
"…Away."
Kael blinked. "…That's it?"
Nyx ignored him.
The envoy watched him carefully.
"Not good enough."
Nyx's eyes sharpened slightly.
"It's all you need."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
The envoy nodded slightly.
"Fine."
But his gaze didn't soften.
"Then answer this instead."
The room grew still.
"…Are you with us," he said, "or against us?"
The question landed heavily.
Not just for Nyx.
But for everyone in the room.
Because the answer—
Would decide everything.
Kael looked at Nyx, his expression more serious than ever. "…Careful with this one."
The Raizen leaders remained silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
Nyx didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth—
Was complicated.
He looked at the envoy.
Then at the others.
Then back again.
"…I'm not with anyone," he said.
A ripple of tension spread.
The envoy's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And against?"
Nyx's voice remained calm.
"Only those who stand in my way."
The answer was the same.
But now—
It meant more.
The envoy studied him for a long moment.
Then—
"…So nothing has changed," he said.
Nyx didn't respond.
Because that wasn't entirely true.
But it wasn't entirely wrong either.
The envoy turned slightly, as if considering something.
Then—
"There will be a gathering," he said.
The room reacted instantly.
"A gathering?" the Raizen leader repeated.
"Yes."
The envoy looked back at Nyx.
"All clans."
Silence.
Heavy.
Because that—
Hadn't happened in a long time.
Kael let out a low whistle. "…Now that's serious."
The envoy continued.
"This threat concerns everyone."
Nyx's gaze sharpened slightly.
"And you think they'll agree?"
The envoy's answer was simple.
"They don't have a choice."
A pause.
Then—
"You'll be there," he added.
It wasn't a question.
Nyx met his gaze.
"…We'll see."
The envoy didn't argue.
Instead, he turned.
And began walking toward the exit.
"Prepare yourselves," he said without looking back. "What's coming… will not wait."
The doors opened.
And then—
He was gone.
Silence filled the hall once more.
But it wasn't the same silence as before.
This one—
Was heavier.
Kael ran a hand through his hair. "…Yeah… we're definitely in deep now."
The Raizen leader looked at Nyx.
"You knew him."
Nyx didn't deny it.
"Yes."
The captain narrowed his eyes. "From where?"
Nyx's gaze drifted slightly.
"…From before."
That was all he said.
But it was enough to raise more questions than answers.
Because now—
It was clear.
Nyx's past wasn't buried.
It was catching up.