The sky was overcast, heavy with the promise of a storm. Thick clouds swallowed the sun, casting the land in a dull gray. In his narrow room, Lloyd awoke to the sound of a classical symphony drifting through the air, mingling with the warm scent of freshly baked bread. He washed his face, put on his new clothes, and descended the stairs for breakfast. The plate before him held warm bread, a few eggs, and fresh vegetables. After finishing his meal, he set out for the Kleinfor Forest.
The journey was long—the forest lay about ten kilometers from the capital. Mounting his horse, Lloyd pressed forward, eager for his meeting with Commander James. Kleinfor stretched vast and untamed: towering trees thick with foliage, a river flowing steadily through the greenery, and silence broken only by the whispers of leaves.
Arriving at the appointed hour, Lloyd wandered for a moment, admiring the beauty around him, until he spotted James leaning against a tree, an old, battered book in his hands.
"Good day, Commander," Lloyd greeted, smiling. "I hope you're well. I fear I've interrupted your reading."
James closed the book with deliberate care, returning Lloyd's smile.
"Ah, Lloyd. You look more rested. This book belonged to my father. Before he died, he told me never to open it until I turned thirty. Now, in my thirties, I'm finally trying to understand it."
Lloyd frowned in curiosity. "And what is so intriguing about it?"
James's eyes gleamed with intensity.
"It's a manuscript three centuries old. It speaks of a pivotal age in human history—the legacy of the Three Kings: Zygmund, Enzo, and Lumina. Legend says that whoever inherits their legacy will wield power beyond measure… enough to rule the world."
Lloyd leaned forward, his pulse quickening. "Fascinating. After all, who doesn't crave power?"
"Indeed," James replied. "But enough history. Let's speak of the Nerval powers. Do you know anything about them?"
Lloyd shook his head.
James continued, his tone solemn:
"Nerval powers are not granted to all. They awaken only when a soul is scarred by immense trauma—strong enough to shatter the seal of essence. They are divided into four types:
Enhancement: empowering the body or weapons.
Manipulation: shaping and commanding the elements—fire, ice, and more.
Erasure: extremely rare… capable of deleting names, memories, objects—even moments from history.
Omni: the most dangerous, a fusion of enhancement and manipulation.
There is also a darker path: stealing powers from others. Kill your target, take their heart, prepare the right potion, and the ability becomes yours. But beware—the more powers you carry, the heavier the burden. Your essence can collapse under the weight. Some techniques demand unbearable sacrifices.
Take mine, for example. My ability is Definition Nullification. I can strip things of their very nature. Fire—without heat, without light. Terrifying, isn't it? And my ultimate technique, Scion of Identity, erases a person's existence entirely. But to unleash it, I must sacrifice my body in full."
Lloyd's eyes widened. The sheer terror of such power made his skin crawl. To fight James must have been nothing short of despair.
"Yes, Commander," he murmured. "I understand. But how will I know what power lies within me?"
James placed a hand on Lloyd's arm. Energy surged like a torrent, filling his body. Suddenly, Lloyd shone with brilliant radiance. A beam of pure light burst from his hand.
James stepped back, startled—then intrigued.
"Light… how very interesting. Train it, Lloyd. Refine it. Remember, every ability has two thresholds: awakening and peak. Only through discipline and mastery can you reach them."
Lloyd nodded, determination burning in his eyes.
Together, they rode back toward Trost, weaving through narrow alleys.
And then, from the shadows, a figure appeared—a woman in a white hood embroidered with a crimson cross. A book rested in her hands.
"By the will of fate," she declared, her voice cold, "the leader of the Dark Crows stands before me."
James smirked. "Ah… it seems I've become quite the favorite among women."
The woman opened her book. Her voice rang with dark power:
"Cold Wave."
An immense surge of frost erupted, leveling buildings and hurling both James and Lloyd across the street. James rose, brushing off the debris.
"Lloyd," he commanded, "get out of here. As for you… you'll taste hell itself."
The woman laughed, hysterical and mocking. "Come then. Show me what you've got."
James's voice dropped, cold and absolute:
"Eternal Domain."
Darkness engulfed the city, swallowing a full kilometer in pitch-black void. His words echoed through the abyss:
"You cannot escape unless you kill me. Your end is here."
Thus began a fierce clash—Commander James against a mysterious woman with hidden intentions. A battle for the survival of Trost.