As the rain poured heavily over the rooftops of Oasis Edge, two shadows dropped from the eaves and landed silently on the slick cobblestone below. They moved with the precision of predators, their dark, tactical ninja attire blending seamlessly into the storm‑soaked night. Each wore a fitted black tunic reinforced with padded layers for swift, unhindered movement, the fabric clinging to their frames beneath the weight of the rain. Their hoods were pulled low, masking their faces in deep shadow, while red accents along their arm guards and thigh straps flickered faintly whenever lightning cracked across the sky. Slim tactical pants hugged their legs, secured with utility pouches and crimson bindings, and their boots absorbed every impact, allowing them to move without a sound. A katana was strapped diagonally across each of their backs, hilts jutting over their shoulders, and one of them held a dagger in a reverse grip, its blade catching a brief glint of lantern light. Their masks concealed everything but their eyes—cold, sharp, and calculating.
Shin noticed them the moment their feet touched the ground. Even through the curtain of rain, even beneath the hoods and masks, something in their presence tugged at a distant memory. The stance... the rhythm of their breathing... and then the eyes.
Those eyes.
Shin's breath caught.
Alodia.
She stepped forward, lowering her hood just enough for the moonlight to catch her gaze. Her voice was soft, urgent, almost swallowed by the storm.
"Shin... Darnel is coming."
Before he could respond, another shadow dropped from the rooftop with a heavy thud, landing behind her. The figure straightened slowly, rain sliding down the edges of his cloak. His presence carried weight—years of battles, sleepless nights, and burdens he never spoke of.
Darnel.
He looked worn out in a way that went deeper than fatigue. The sharpness in his eyes was still there, but now it was buried beneath exhaustion and the quiet heaviness of someone who had carried too much for too long. Faint scars traced along his jaw and temple, and the lines on his face told stories of storms survived and wounds never fully healed. Even the way he breathed—steady but heavy—spoke of a man who had endured more than most could bear.
"I came to check on an old friend," Darnel said, his voice low and rough, worn by time and hardship. He stepped closer and placed a firm, weathered hand on Shin's shoulder. "It's been a long time."
Shin didn't lift his head. His eyes stayed fixed on the ground, the weight of the night pressing on him from all sides.
Darnel didn't push. He simply nodded once, then walked past him toward the inn.
Inside, the hallway was dim and quiet, lit only by a single lantern flickering against the wooden walls. Darnel approached Han's room and slowly pushed the door open.
Han lay unconscious on the bed, his breathing shallow but steady. Eva sat beside him, her hand wrapped around his, her eyes red and exhausted. Sam had fallen asleep in a chair nearby, her small frame curled up from sheer fatigue.
Eva looked up the moment Darnel entered.
"Are you... an old friend of Han?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Darnel nodded. "Yes. I am. And you must be Eva, I presume."
Eva nodded weakly.
"I'm here to see my friend's condition," Darnel said as he stepped closer to the bedside. His expression softened, grief flickering in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Han. I wasn't there in your time of trouble. But I promise you... we will get to the bottom of this. And we will find who did this to you."
Eva's face paled. She stared at Han, her fingers tightening around his hand.
"Ms. Eva," Darnel said gently, "if I may... you need to rest. You've been through too much already. Getting sick now won't help any of you."
Eva shook her head immediately. "I need to be by his side. I need to be here when he wakes up. I want to hear his voice... his laughter... I want to see his smile again."
Darnel exhaled slowly, understanding her pain all too well.
"I understand," he said. "But you must also understand this—your strength will matter when he opens his eyes. Let Alodia watch over Han for now. It has been a long night. Rest, so you can greet him tomorrow... when he wakes."
Eva nodded weakly and finally lay down behind Han, curling close to him as sleep claimed her almost instantly.
Darnel closed the door slowly and stepped back into the hallway.
"Alodia," he said quietly, "kindly look after Han tonight."
She nodded.
Darnel turned to Shin and the others. "Shin... the rest of you... let's head inside the pantry. We need to talk."
Inside the pantry, Darnel sat in the center while the others formed a circle around him. Myrtle stood at his side, silent but alert.
"I know everything is feeling heavy right now," Darnel began. "I understand it, Shin."
Shin lifted his eyes, guilt still weighing him down.
"As the leader, it's understandable that you feel responsible for what happened," Darnel continued. "But it's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself. And that applies to everyone here. Nobody could have prevented something like this. Even Myrtle was there, and she never got a chance to detect the enemy."
Myrtle's jaw tightened, but she said nothing.
"I myself could be blamed," Darnel said, voice lowering, "for not prioritizing this village sooner. But we can't let this tragedy stop us... or break us. This will serve as a reminder that we need to stop the corruption tainting every realm."
He paused, then continued with a heavier tone.
"I've checked Han. The mana channels in his body have been destroyed. This is the first time I've seen anything like this in all my years of existence. Honestly... I don't think Han will be able to recover."
The room froze.
Darnel held up a small engraved badge.
"I suggest you take Han to Maeve the blacksmith and give her this. Maeve can help Han by creating a Mythril‑Encased body that would make him whole again."
Before he could say another word—
SLAP!
Darnel recoiled, clutching his cheek in pain. Isolde stood behind him, eyes glowing red, a smirk on her lips.
"What was that for?!" Darnel snapped.
Isolde raised both arms high, flashing peace signs with both hands. "Eva slapped me when I said the same thing. It's not fair if only I get slapped."
Shin groaned. "Come on, guys... be serious."
Darnel coughed, regaining composure. "With regards to that... it would still be Han's decision if he wants it. But raising Han as my own kid... I know he's not going to just sit down and throw in the towel. He won't give up."
He leaned forward.
"Shin... this is one of the reasons I came here. I'm helping the Samurai win the war against the Ronin, but we're outnumbered ten to one. I need you to help us. Elen, Percy, and Vespera are waiting for you in Kazehana. If you accompany us... it could change the tide of the war."
"You mean the rest of the members are in Kazehana?" Chrome asked.
"Yes," Darnel replied. "They've been helping me these past few months to aid the Samurai."
Isolde's eyes gleamed. "I miss them a lot! But I can't help but wonder why they're only girls with you, you pervy old man!"
Darnel flushed bright red, a thin stream of blood trickling from his nose.
Shin asked, "Who are they?"
Isolde answered, "Those are the remaining members we need to find for you to regain all your memories."
Shin nodded slowly. "I'll help you. But I need to help Han first. Then I'll head to Kazehana."
Darnel nodded. "I understand. Of course—Han is our top priority."
He hesitated, then added, "One more thing. I trust you guys found Rurik?"
They nodded.
"He didn't want to join?" Darnel asked.
Isolde sighed. "You know him. He barely joins us since Shin dispersed the orbs amongst us ten."
Darnel's expression darkened, voice dropping lower.
"Then my worries are true. I can't find the evidence to prove it, but we believe that Rurik is working with a criminal organization. My Shadows have been observing him, but it's not enough to truly convict him of anything."
He paused, the weight of his words sinking in.
"All I know is he is doing something bad. And there's a high chance that this criminal organization is behind what happened to Han."
The room fell silent.
"Until we are certain," Darnel continued, "we must not act in haste. My Shadows will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter."
Darnel then asked, "And what happened to Shin's Orb of Lightning?"
Shin exhaled slowly. "He mentioned that it's on the top of a tower that he built."
Myrtle and Darnel both froze, their eyes widening.
Darnel leaned in. "You don't perhaps mean... the Tower of Babel?"
Shin answered, "Yes. That's exactly the name."
Darnel's entire expression snapped into an aggressive outburst. He shot to his feet, veins bulging on his forehead as he yelled loud enough to shake the pantry walls.
"That good‑for‑nothing stupid Alchemist went and done something idiotic again! I wish I should've just thrown him off the Primordial Plane when I had a chance!"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He straightened his cloak and cleared his throat.
"Excuse my manners, ladies," he said, regaining composure. Then he turned to Shin. "Shin... that tower you mentioned is far away. It's on the other side of the desert, beyond the Water Temple. It would take you months before you can reach it."
His tone grew firm.
"I suggest you go there when the war is finished. If you go now into that tower and plan to aid us after, I think we will all be massacred before you even arrive to help. But it is still up to you, Shin. You are the leader, after all."
Shin then nodded. "Once I've helped Han make a decision, I will go directly to Kazehana."
Darnel's expression softened. "Thank you."
He rose to his feet.
"For now, I'll be taking my leave. I'll place Myrtle and Alodia to your aid for the meantime."
He turned toward the door—
—but before he could take a single step, a figure dropped down in front of him, blocking his path with the grace of a falling petal.
A woman warrior stood there, clad in ornate samurai armor rooted firmly in tradition. Her long pink hair flowed like cherry blossoms in the wind, adorned with subtle highlights that echoed the petals around her. She wielded a glowing pink katana, its energy pulsing with elegance and danger.
Her armor was predominantly pink, detailed with cherry blossom motifs, gold trim, and decorative tassels. The plating was intricate yet graceful, with layered shoulder guards, a fitted chestplate, and a flared skirt of armored panels that allowed for movement. The design balanced ceremonial beauty with battlefield readiness, making her look like a guardian of spring—regal, lethal, and poetic.
She planted herself firmly in front of Darnel, refusing to move.
Then she spoke. "Darnel, take Myrtle with you. I'll stay with this group. I want to see the different parts of the world since the Shogun forbids me all the time."
Darnel was startled. "I thought I told you to stay put there, Sakura."
Sakura shouted like a stubborn child, "I don't want to come back to the Forbidden Palace! I'm coming with them, Oni‑chan!"
She then crossed her eyes, her mouth slightly open with her tongue sticking out, cheeks flushed, and shouted:
"UWU!"
The sight gave Darnel an excessive nosebleed, like a fountain overflowing.
Isolde shook her head with her eyes closed, whispering, "Still the same old pervy Darnel."
Darnel then stood up straight, wipe his nose and said, "Very well then. Shin, this is Sakura. I'll leave her to your care. She's the fiancée of the Shogun. Please take care of her, as she is very important."
Sakura bowed her head politely. "Thank you."
Darnel nodded back. "Me and Myrtle should be going now. As much as I would like to stay and greet Han when he wakes up... I cannot. Every second matters in Kazehana. I wish you all well my friends. See you in Kazehana"
Myrtle gave a salute to Shin and the others.
With that, Darnel and Myrtle vanished into the storm‑lit night.
Shin watched them disappear, then whispered:
"Thank you, Darnel... for waking me up."
He turned toward the group gathered in the lobby.
"I know that what happened tonight is unforgettable," Shin said, voice steady. "But we must not lose hope. We have to be stronger for Han... and support him."
Everyone listened, the weight of his words settling over them like a vow.
"I need everyone taking turns checking on Han," Shin continued. "I'll be the first one. Isolde, switch with me later, okay?"
Isolde nodded. "Got you."
Shin offered a small smile. "I also want to welcome Sakura to our group."
Sakura bowed again. "Thank you."
Shin looked around at all of them — Chrome, Isolde, Sakura, Alodia, Pixie, Ciara — each carrying their own wounds, their own fears, their own hopes.
"Everyone... get a good night's sleep first. Tomorrow, we'll see what we can do."
They all nodded, murmuring their agreement as they began to disperse.
But Shin remained where he stood.
He stared out the window at the dark, rain‑soaked world beyond — the storm clouds, the distant thunder, the shadows stretching across the land.
Inside his chest, something tightened.
I need to be much stronger than before.
I need to protect everyone.
With that silent promise burning in his heart, Shin turned and walked toward Han's room.