Gunshots echoed. Blood splattered across the ground.
"CINDRAAAAAA!!!"
Kaien screamed. Before his eyes, Cindra collapsed, her eyes wide open in despair. Cold iron chains bound his arms to a steel post, leaving him helpless—forced to watch. The world seemed to crumble into nothing.
BANG!
The final gunshot rang out. The bullet pierced through Cindra's head. Her lifeless body fell limp. Kaien bit his lips until they bled, a strangled cry tearing out of his throat, hollow and agonizing.
…
Kaien jolted awake.
His breathing was ragged. Sweat drenched his back.
No battlefield. No blood. No chains. Instead, he found himself inside a wide, sterile room, the faint smell of antiseptic lingering in the air. His body was covered in bandages, his wounds carefully tended.
"Just… a dream?" Kaien whispered, trembling as he touched his chest. Yet in his mind, the gunshots and cries still echoed endlessly.
He jumped out of bed.
"Cindra…! Where is Cindra?!"
Kaien ran through the cold, endless corridors, panic written across his face. His frantic footsteps echoed against the walls.
A soft voice called from behind.
"You're awake, aren't you?"
Kaien spun around. A girl stood there.
She had long, jet-black hair tied back with a red ribbon, and her blue eyes gleamed with calm yet unyielding resolve. She wore a simple black uniform trimmed in white, her slender figure moving with grace. A short jacket draped casually over her shoulders, faint scars peeking out—a silent proof of battle.
"Where's Cindra?!" Kaien nearly shouted.
"Cindra? Do you mean the girl who was with you?" the girl tilted her head.
Kaien froze for a second, then flushed red.
"She's just my friend! But—where is she now?"
The girl smiled gently.
"She's in the emergency ward. Her wounds were severe, but don't worry… she's out of danger. She'll wake up soon."
Relief washed over Kaien as he slumped into a nearby chair, his body trembling as if released from chains.
"Thank you… Thank goodness…"
The girl continued.
"I heard you two were attacked by the government troops. You're lucky… Okamisuke arrived just in time."
"Okamisuke? Who's that?" Kaien frowned.
"He's one of the strongest people here," she replied with pride. "Oh, I almost forgot. My name is Kikuri, but you can call me Kiku."
Kaien nodded, though his mind was still restless.
"Thank you, Kiku. But… where exactly are we? And who are you people?"
Kikuri only smiled mysteriously.
"You'll have your answers soon. For now, rest."
She left quietly. Kaien returned to his room, where a television flickered in the corner. The news was earth-shattering: Aigris—dead. His organization wiped out. His crimes exposed. His death sentence sealed.
"So… it's over for him," Kaien murmured. His eyes slowly closed, exhaustion pulling him into sleep.
---
Two hours later.
"Hey, Kaien… wake up."
Kaien opened his eyes. A familiar face leaned over him—bandages wrapped around her body, but her smile was alive.
"Cindra…!" Tears welled in Kaien's eyes as he pulled her into a tight embrace. "You're okay… you're really okay…"
Flustered, Cindra blushed.
"Kaien, calm down… I'm fine."
The door creaked open. Kikuri poked her head inside.
"The meeting is about to begin. Both of you, come with me."
---
They followed her through sprawling corridors that felt like an endless labyrinth. Golden lamps illuminated cold stone floors carved with ancient symbols. They passed massive steel doors, spiraling stairways, and intricate hallways—until finally, an enormous chamber opened up before them.
A fortress.
The grand hall stretched skyward, its vaulted ceiling etched with strange emblems. Two massive rows of black stone pillars towered like ancient trees. Around them stood hundreds of warriors—men and women of every age—dressed in armor of many styles. Their eyes burned with fierce resolve, their presence overwhelming.
At the center sat a long table where the leaders resided. Among them—Okamisuke.
He had flowing silver hair, a perfectly tailored dark suit, and a sleek black katana strapped at his side. On his back hung an enormous mace. But what stunned Kaien most were the animal-like ears poking through his silver hair.
"Beast… ears?" Kaien gasped.
Before he could ask further, the entire chamber fell silent. Every warrior dropped to one knee.
From the great doors at the far end of the hall, a man emerged.
His hair blazed red like fire. A long cloak billowed behind him, stirred by an unseen wind. In his hand he wielded a massive sword radiating a suffocating aura.
Power poured from him, heavy and crushing, pressing down on everyone in the hall. Kaien and Cindra struggled to breathe, their hearts seized as though clutched by an invisible fist.
Kikuri bowed deeply.
"My lord… you have arrived."
Kaien swallowed hard, his mind racing with only one desperate thought:
"Who… is this man?"