Akuma, Viel, and Xerxes suddenly fell onto a large, luxurious bed.
They quickly sat up, scanning their unfamiliar surroundings.
Viel's eyes landed on a large portrait hanging on the wall.
"Who is that?" he asked curiously.
"My master..." Xerxes whispered.
Akuma turned toward him. "You know him, Brother?"
"The man in that portrait is Kan," Xerxes replied. "Mist's father."
"How have you been?"
The three immediately turned toward the doorway.
"Mist!"
The two princes rushed over and embraced him.
"You're safe!" Akuma said.
"We're so glad you're alive!" Viel said.
Mist smiled warmly.
"The feeling is mutual, Your Highnesses," he said with a respectful bow. "I'm relieved to see both of you safe."
"Were you the one who brought us here?" Akuma asked.
Mist nodded. "Yes. It's much safer here than outside."
"Where are the others?" Xerxes asked.
Mist's expression darkened. "To tell you the truth... only Sagittarius and I managed to reunite."
Just then, Sagittarius entered the room carrying several trays of food.
"Damn it, Mist!" he complained. "Just because you've got shadow powers doesn't mean you can leave me alone in the kitchen carrying all this!"
Mist chuckled. "You're stronger than I am, Sagi."
Sagittarius grinned before approaching the princes and bowing respectfully. "It brings me great joy to know that both of Your Highnesses are safe."
"We're happy to see you alive as well, Sagi," Akuma replied.
The group gathered around the table and began discussing everything that had happened in Aznar.
"Do you have any idea where the others are?" Xerxes asked.
Mist nodded. "I believe I've figured out where the King... and the rest of the nobles are."
"Really?" Viel leaned forward eagerly. "Where are they?"
"In the Human World," Mist replied.
"The Human World?" Viel exclaimed. "But that's impossible! Every portal between the worlds has already been sealed."
Mist looked at them seriously. "Do you remember the blinding light that engulfed the palace?"
"The one that swallowed Father?" Akuma asked.
"That wasn't ordinary light. It was the Nuccalev," Mist explained.
"The... Nuccalev?" Viel repeated.
Mist folded his arms. "The Nuccalev is a monstrous creature cloaked in radiant light. It possesses a single eye at the center of its body. Anyone caught within its light is absorbed and transported to another world... or even another dimension," he paused. "And the Nuccalev serves as the Mirce Lorde's familiar."
Akuma clenched his fists. "The Mirce Lorde... The leader of the Querons..."
Mist continued the explanation. "The Nuccalev's power resembles Arden's ability. Arden's scythe can erase a person's existence from the memories of others. While the Nuccalev erases the memories of the people it transports."
Xerxes' eyes widened. "So... everyone who was taken lost their memories?"
Mist nodded. "Exactly. A bat informed me that it spotted the King somewhere in the Human World. If His Majesty is there... then it's very likely the others are as well."
Akuma let out a relieved sigh. "At least they're alive."
"But how did that bat cross the sealed portal?" Viel asked.
"The barrier only blocks races like humans, vampires, werewolves, witches, and the others," Mist explained. "It doesn't affect ordinary bats... or Animas."
"Then how are we supposed to reach them?" Akuma asked.
"I've already sent Arden," Mist said.
"Arden?" Viel said.
"He's an Anima," Mist replied. "A being created from Xylon's own imagination. He can pass through the gateway without any difficulty. And besides... He knows Xylon better than anyone."
Sagittarius suddenly spoke. "I think Lucas is in the Human World too."
"What makes you think that?" Viel asked.
"I saw him slip through the portal just before it completely closed," Sagi said. "He wasn't alone. Lady Lilith and Lord Yvess escaped with him."
Relief washed over Akuma's face. "Thank goodness... At least now we know Father and the others are safe."
Mist lowered his eyes. "But Lady Aria isn't."
Silence filled the room.
"What do you mean?" Xerxes asked.
"She's being held captive by the Mirce Lorde," Mist replied. "He's using the Duchess's power to locate every remaining supernatural being in our world."
Viel immediately stood. "Then we have to rescue Lady Aria."
.
.
.....
Ding dong.
Heberlin opened the front door.
Standing outside...
Covered in blood...
Was Zander.
"W-What happened to you?" Heberlin asked in shock.
"Can... I stay here for a while?" Zander asked quietly.
Without another word, Heberlin stepped aside.
A few minutes later, the two sat in the living room.
Heberlin handed him a clean set of clothes.
"What happened?" he asked. "Did you get caught in another gang fight?"
Zander lowered his head. "I don't know... When I woke up... They were all dead."
Heberlin froze. "Dead?"
Zander nodded weakly.
He then glanced around the house. "By the way... why is your house so dark?"
Heberlin immediately looked away.
The truth was...
Over the past few days, his skin had become painfully sensitive to sunlight.
Whenever sunlight touched him, it felt as though his body were burning alive.
"I just like dark places," he lied.
Zander nodded without questioning him further.
"You should get changed," Heberlin said quietly.
.
.
.....
The bar echoed with cheers as Blake played his guitar and sang on stage.
The crowd shouted his name over and over.
Blake smiled before glancing toward the corner of the room.
Zake sat quietly at a small table with his faithful dog lying beside him.
Ever since meeting the homeless young man, Blake had taken him in and given him a place to stay.
Zake gave him a cheerful thumbs-up.
Blake smiled and continued performing.
Then...
The cheering stopped.
Instantly.
The sudden silence sent a chill down his spine.
Still playing, he looked around.
Every person inside the bar had gone completely motionless.
Their blank eyes were fixed on him.
It was as if they had all fallen into a trance.
Blake looked toward Zake.
Even Zake appeared confused.
Then Blake noticed someone standing near the back exit.
A man wearing a black hood.
The stranger stared at him without moving.
Seconds later...
He turned around...
And silently walked out of the bar.
Blake's heartbeat quickened.
Why...
Were he and Zake the only ones acting normally?
A cold shiver ran down his spine.
He immediately lowered his guitar and hurried toward Zake.
"We're leaving," he said.
"Huh? Why?" Zake asked in confusion.
"Just come with me," Blake said.
Without waiting for an answer, the two rushed out of the bar.
.
.
.....
Xylon was walking home when an uneasy feeling crept over him.
Someone...
Was following him.
He slowly turned around.
Standing behind a utility pole...
Was the silhouette of a man.
"Who's there?"
The mysterious figure vanished instantly.
Fear gripped Xylon's heart.
Without looking back, he broke into a desperate run.
.
.
.....
Inside the mansion...
"Did you find Blake?" Lilith asked.
Yvess nodded. "I did. He accidentally awakened his power."
Lucas smiled faintly. "That makes our plan much easier. Our goal of restoring everyone's memories is finally within reach."
Lilith crossed her arms. "Then we need to find them... And bring them here."