Blake stepped inside the basilica, carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers in his hands.
Hidden deep within the basilica rested Zander's coffin.
Blake quietly entered the private chamber where it was kept.
As he approached, he gently placed the flowers in front of the coffin before lowering his gaze to the name engraved on it.
Zander Grimaldi.
"...Zander Grimaldi," he murmured softly.
He sat down beside the coffin and let out a weary sigh.
"Just how much longer are you planning to sleep?"
Years had passed since Zander had fallen into his deep slumber.
Everyone missed him.
Blake slowly took out his flute.
Closing his eyes, he began to play a gentle, melancholic melody that echoed throughout the silent chamber.
.
.
Meanwhile...
Xylon quietly climbed out of the window of his room and landed gracefully on the ground.
He had barely taken a few steps when a familiar voice interrupted him.
"Ahem..."
Xylon stopped and looked over his shoulder.
Standing there were Xenon and the others.
"And where does His Majesty think he's going?" Xenon asked with a knowing smile.
The group slowly approached him.
Xylon remained silent.
"Aha!" Stephen exclaimed with a grin. "You're going to the bar again, aren't you?"
Xylon raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"
Stephen burst into laughter. "I knew it!"
Heberlin crossed his arms with a smirk. "Some bats told us they spotted you at the bar... singing."
Xylon let out an awkward cough. "So the rumors have already spread, huh?"
"We're coming with you this time," Zake declared confidently.
A mischievous grin appeared on Xylon's face.
Just then, Arden suddenly appeared beside them.
"Your Majesty," he said with a respectful bow. "The carriage is ready."
Xylon looked at his companions.
"Well..." he smiled. "Shall we?"
The others exchanged excited smiles before following him.
Together, they headed toward the waiting carriage, ready for another lively night in the city.
.
.
.....
"This is so boring..." Lucas groaned.
The four of them were lying beneath the shade of a large tree, enjoying the cool breeze.
"So..." Akuma said, staring up at the sky. "What do you guys think we should do?"
"I have no idea," Viel replied lazily. "I'm too tired to think."
Mist closed the book he had been reading. "Why don't we find out what your powers are?"
The other three immediately sat up.
"Our powers?" Akuma repeated.
Mist nodded. "Viel is a prince, so there's a high chance he possesses a special ability."
He pointed at Lucas. "Lucas is the son of a Count, so it's possible he has one as well."
Finally, he looked at Akuma. "And as for you... I have a feeling you have one too. They just haven't awakened yet."
He stared at them. "If we push your limits a little, your abilities might reveal themselves."
Viel grinned. "Hmm... that's actually a great idea."
Akuma's eyes sparkled with excitement. "So... when do we start?"
Mist smiled. "How about right now?"
Akuma and Viel exchanged excited smiles before quickly getting to their feet.
"Come on, Lucas," Viel called.
Lucas blinked in confusion. "...I'm the son of a Count?"
The others fell silent.
Viel scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Mist sighed before wrapping an arm around Lucas's shoulders. "Seriously, Lucas... Your memory is getting worse."
.
.
.....
Meanwhile...
Xylon and the others finished preparing their musical instruments.
Tonight, they were performing once again at Paradiso Bar.
Each of them wore a masquerade mask to conceal their identities. After all, people would surely become suspicious if they realized the members of the band never seemed to age.
They had even changed their band's name.
The legendary Moonlight Knights were now known as Bloodmoon Boyz.
Not long after, the performance began.
Heberlin counted them in before leading the song from behind the drums.
Blake, meanwhile, simply sat at one of the nearby tables, quietly watching.
As a Charmer, he couldn't perform alongside them.
The spotlight slowly settled on Xylon as he stepped up to the microphone.
Then...
He began to sing.
.
.
.....
In an old tower...
"Hihihihi..."
The eerie laughter echoed through the dark chamber.
"I can smell it... The gates of Hell are about to open once again. Hihihi..."
An old witch stirred the contents of a massive smoking cauldron with a long wooden staff.
The thick black smoke swirling above it slowly formed an image.
Viel's face appeared within the smoke.
"Your Highness... We've waited for your return for such a long time."
The witch let out another unsettling laugh.
Moments later, the image shifted.
This time...
Akuma's face appeared within the cauldron.
.
.
.....
Not far from Serolf Academy...
Xerxes stood silently before the academy's massive gates.
He reached out, attempting to enter.
The moment he touched the invisible barrier surrounding the academy, he was violently thrown backward.
"Tch... So there's a protective barrier..."
He clicked his tongue before turning away.
Just as he began to leave...
He suddenly stopped.
A strange scent drifted through the air.
Something...
—or someone—
had caught his attention.