Chapter 2: Welcome To Black Halos
Scene 1: Hidden Fortress – Balance Headquarters
Darkness coats the underground stronghold of Balance, the rebel organization feared by kingdoms and Commandments alike. Lit only by flickering rune torches, the stone corridors echo with steps.
Evander Hanagaki, battered, unconscious, and blood-soaked, lies on a ceremonial stone slab surrounded by the seven remaining members of the Black Halos.
A voice breaks the silence — gruff and thundering.
Raigo Kain:
"Tch. What a damn mess. He looks like hell chewed him up and spat him back."
Raigo's storm-gray eyes narrow as he places a hand over Evander's chest, feeling the chaotic pulse of Blood Dominion within him.
> "You think he's the one?"
That voice belongs to Kaelra, the astral seer, her blindfolded eyes glowing faintly.
> Raigo: "I don't give a damn about prophecies. But anyone who can take down a former Commandment alone… deserves a damn look."
From the shadows, Myra, the sound illusionist, mutters coldly:
> "Or a collar. This one reeks of danger. I can hear his past screaming."
Suddenly, the rune torches pulse blood-red. Evander's body twitches. His heartbeat echoes unnaturally loud in the chamber.
Kaelra (in awe):
"His soul… it sings like fire and grief."
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Scene 2: Inside Evander's Mind — The Red Chamber
Evander floats within his own subconscious, surrounded by endless mist and blood. His past memories — the fake death of his father, Thorne's betrayal, the cursed blades — swirl around him like ghosts.
A voice calls out from the mist — Thorne's, cold but pained.
> "You still don't understand, boy… you were never meant to be ordinary."
Suddenly, blood veins wrap around Evander's form — not to restrain, but to protect.
Evander clenches his fist.
> "If fate gave me this curse… I'll carve my own path with it."
A final heartbeat booms — THUMP! — and he awakens.
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Scene 3: Black Halos' Trial Grounds
Evander opens his eyes to find himself standing in a circular combat arena, still weak, surrounded by all seven Black Halos.
Raigo throws him a wooden training blade.
> Raigo: "You want in? Then stand. Fight. Show us that Red Fang bark isn't just bark."
Evander barely stands, knees trembling. Yet he lifts the blade.
> Evander: "I don't fight to impress. I fight to live."
One by one, the Black Halos test him:
Rokku, the Spirit Beast hybrid, charges first. His monstrous fist smashes into the ground — Evander dodges by instinct.
Derrin, with his rusting blade, attacks next. Sparks fly as Evander parries, coughing blood but not backing down.
Elira, with twin flames swirling in her palms, launches a wave of chi-force. Evander plants his foot and absorbs the blast with his bare chest.
Finally, Raigo steps in, cracking his knuckles.
> Raigo: "Let's see if the blood in your veins is steel… or just red water."
Their clash is brutal. Raigo's strikes are thunderous. Evander deflects, barely keeping up. Blood drips from his eyes, his blades calling to him.
But then — he pauses. He remembers something his father once told him:
> "Control is not about force. It's about restraint."
Evander lowers the blade — and bows.
Evander:
"I won't fight you anymore. I'm not your enemy."
Everyone freezes.
Raigo stares. Then grins.
> Raigo: "Heh… damn it. You really are like him."
> Kaelra: "The Red Fang rises, not from fury… but from mercy."
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Scene 4: Initiation
A sigil is burned into the air — Balance's crest.
> Raigo: "From this day forth, Red Fang… you're one of us. A Black Halo."
The others nod solemnly. Some still skeptical, some impressed. Thorne, watching from a nearby balcony, hides his relief behind his bone mask.
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Scene 5: Far Away – The Ten Commandments' Throne Hall
The shadows shift in the great obsidian chamber of the Ten Commandments.
A silhouette stands before the massive throne of the Zeroth Commandment.
> Lucien (1st Commandment): "He defeated the Bonebreaker. Survived Balance's judgment. And now wears their mark."
> Zeroth (Kaien Hanagaki):
"Good… The boy walks the edge of the blade. Let us see if he'll cut fate... or be cut by it."
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Chapter 2 END