The giant monster's head reappeared in the room where the Mayor usually conducted his experiments—a cold chamber steeped in the stench of blood and metal hanging in the air. The demon's jaws opened slowly, spilling a faint red glow, and then…
TAP… TAP… TAP…
Footsteps echoed from inside the creature's mouth. Emerging from the darkness, Kilian stepped out… still wearing his white cloak, now stained with blood on the sleeve. Behind him, three small children stumbled forward—Eizo's younger siblings. Their eyes were wide with fear, their hands gripping each other tightly.
"Watch them," Kilian ordered calmly, without looking back.
The guards quickly approached and forcefully dragged the three children away. They screamed Eizo's name, but only the echoes of their cries filled the room.
Kilian continued toward the red crystal standing at the center of the altar. The crystal's glow reflected in his eyes—burning with passion, hunger, and madness.
Moments later, the Mayor entered the room. His steps were quick, hurried. Seeing Kilian already there, he approached at once, but Kilian kept his back turned, staring at the crystal as if gazing upon a god he was about to awaken.
"I have an offer," Kilian said flatly, calmly… but with an undercurrent of menace.
Without hesitation, without even asking what it was, the Mayor replied:
"Whatever it is, I agree."
At last, Kilian turned. His face remained calm, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips—a smile of triumph… or perhaps mockery.
"You're so selfish… and so naïve," he said, then slowly raised his right hand, palm aimed at the Mayor's face. "At least listen to everything I have to say."
Before the Mayor could respond, Kilian pressed his palm to his face. And—
FSSSHHHK…!
A mass of thick black fluid gushed from Kilian's hand. The liquid forced its way into the Mayor's body through his mouth, nose, and ears. The Mayor convulsed, his body writhing. His eyes bulged wide. A muffled scream echoed through the silent chamber.
A few seconds later—THUD!
The Mayor's body hit the floor. Motionless. His breath was ragged, his face streaked with remnants of the black fluid still seeping from the holes in his face.
Kilian stood over him, staring down like one would at a corpse.
"Since you already agreed," he said coldly, "these are the terms."
He turned his gaze back to the crystal.
"There's no harm… in changing the plan a little."
The red crystal began to throb. Its light pulsed violently, like a heart beating faster and faster. Heat filled the room. The walls began to tremble. The floor cracked slowly.
Kilian's smile widened.
"Welcome… to the dawn of a new age."