[Scene: Garden – Hale Mansion]
Dawn, Tracey, and Gray sat in silence. They were in the garden area
"She has a point," Dawn said at last. "If Imperial's truly innocent, why did he run? We saw the image. He was clearly there."
"I'm not saying he did it," Tracey added. "But if he didn't... then why leave without even a word to us?"
"Yeah," Dawn nodded. "And don't forget... my book. It's still with him. Remember the day when he fought with Gray, I asked to see his notebook, and he refused—got angry, even. Maybe he had plans we weren't part of. Maybe he just didn't need us anymore."
Gray stared ahead, expression unreadable. "I don't care that he left," he said. "I just want to see what he does next and the ending."
"So what now?" Tracey asked. "He's gone. I still want to track the strongest magic beasts... and I want answers."
"I want to know what's written in that book," Dawn said quietly. "But now... I don't even know what to do."
As they are taking.
A grand carriage arrived outside the mansion.
A boy around their age stepped out, dressed richly, eyes sharp.
He looked at the group. "Who are you? What are you doing in my mansion?"
He turned to the guards. "Throw them out."
"We're Ari's friends," Tracey answered.
The boy laughed. "Oh? You're my sister's friends? Then you're guests. Today's a special day at the Hale Mansion. A grand celebration... and I insist you join."
The group exchanged confused glances.
"Ari's brother?" Dawn whispered. "Is he not aware of what happened?"
The front doors opened, and Ari walked straight toward him.
She raised her hand to strike—but he caught it.
"Are you insane?!" she screamed. "You're celebrating our parents' death?!"
Shock froze the group.
"Yes, my dear sister," he said coldly. "And you're invited."
Ari's blade flashed out of its sheath. Her magic pressure spiked—dense, suffocating.
He drew his own sword.
"You think still you're stronger than me, Ari?"
"Enough!" Dawn stepped in. "Ari, please calm down!"
Tracey looked to the boy. "Whatever you think this is—this isn't the right way to act."
Ari glared at her brother, and then slowly sheathed her blade.
"We're leaving," she said.
ON The way, dawn – ari's you didn't told us about that you have a brother?
Ari replied – he is not that worth of telling.
On the road, the group encountered Ezren, who brought them to the CA HQ.
Ari turned to him. "Tell me everything. What happened in the Empire after that day?"
Ezren sighed. "After the incident... Lord Gayle silenced everyone who knew. He threatened anyone who spoke of it also he take all the people who know about that incident with their families as prisoners. Only a handful of us know the truth and are safe."
Ari stared at him. "Then how do you know?"
"I'm the younger brother of the guard who carried you to the Central Empire that night," he said.
Ari's breath hitched. "Where is he now?"
Ezren looked away. "Assassinated. Right after he completed his mission."
Guilt gripped Ari's chest like iron.
"Don't blame yourself," Ezren said. "He did what a loyal servant must. He'd be proud of who you've become—strong, alive, and still fighting."
Ari swallowed. "What happened to Aden after that incident? He wasn't home when it happened... and where is Uncle Gayle now?"
Ezren hesitated. "Your brother... is now the leader of the Blade Hex."
"What?!" Ari gasped.
"He's the Blade of wind," Ezren confirmed.
He looked down, then added one final truth.
Ezren: "According to what my trusted sources have found out—after Lord Zech and Mrs. Kira arrived at the empire, when Lady Erika dropped them off—I personally arranged their security. But once news of their return began spreading, Lord Gayle suddenly disappeared. And from what I've gathered… he's planning something."
Ari: "Planning? What do you mean?"
Ezren: "It's hard to explain, but... he's not the true mastermind behind that incident. There's someone else—someone who orchestrated everything and used Lord Gayle as a pawn. That person… is the real mastermind."
Ari paused, her mind swirling with thoughts. Ever since she discovered her parents were alive but imprisoned, countless questions had filled her heart. But the one she needed answered most was—Why?
If there was someone else behind Uncle Gayle, then what did that person gain by causing all this?
Tracey: "Maybe that person is responsible for the entire incident. Maybe they framed Imperial… He's a perfect scapegoat—strong, dangerous-looking, and already feared after revealing his true powers."
Dawn: "Exactly. And if we find this person, we might also learn where Imperial is now. He could be in danger."
Ari: "Do you have any idea where I can find Uncle Gayle… or that person?"
Ezren: "I don't know their exact whereabouts. But... I heard there's a celebration tonight at the Hale Mansion. If that person isn't there, I'm certain Lord Gayle will be. This is exactly the kind of move he tried to pull a few years ago."
Dawn: "Still, we can't just walk in and confront him. Our top priority should be uncovering the mastermind, not alerting them."
Ezren: "It won't be easy. Members of BladeHex are likely to be there too. If they discover your intentions, they won't hesitate to fight. And they're strong—on par with Vice Generals."
Ari: "We don't need to go in… or fight them."
Tracey & Dawn (together): "Then how do we get any information? How do we learn about their plans?"
Ari turned her gaze toward Gray.
Ari: "We have one of the greatest shadow assassins on our side. Getting information out of someone… is child's play for him. Isn't it, Gray?"
Ezren (smirking): "That's a brilliant idea."
Tracey: "Yeah! He's perfect for this."
Without a word, Gray stood up and began walking toward the door.
Dawn: "Where are you going?"
Gray (with a slight grin): "To start my mission, of course."
Everyone smiled. Ari had full trust in Gray—he was the strongest among them in stealth and infiltration. A master of the shadows by both skill and profession.
Gray left the room, silent as a whisper.
Then Ari turned to Ezren again.
Ari: "Ezren, can you tell me who the current BladeHex members are? My brother was their leader… but what about the remaining five?"