Gamma and Venus walked out of the Seven Eclipse headquarters without looking back. The trace of their betrayal now lingered in the meeting room that had begun to grow cold.
Inside the room, Noctis still stood tall. His gaze never left the dark skies covering the land.
"Mercury," he said softly but sharply. "Take care of all of them in the capital."
Without saying much, Mercury stood. He gave a faint smile and vanished as swiftly as a shadow.
Back to Arya's group...
In the forest near the capital, Arya stood in front of Venus. The morning light had yet to penetrate the haze of poison beginning to blanket the sky.
"Venus," Arya asked sharply, "do you know the king's real plan?"
Venus sighed softly. "Why are you asking that? Didn't Reisa-chan already show everything when the experimental site was found?"
"Yes, but... I feel there's still something left untold," Arya replied. "She's hiding something."
Venus shook her head lightly. "I can't tell you."
"So there is something," Arya narrowed his eyes. "But why didn't your contract react? Isn't that considered betrayal?"
Venus smiled faintly. "The contract didn't react because the plan doesn't directly endanger you. He's cunning… But he knows how to control the game."
Arya stared at her intently. "What do you mean?"
Dina cut in with a tone full of anger. "What?! You're hiding something from us? You're a prisoner! Have some decency!"
Venus only responded with a teasing glance. "Ara~ a pretty young girl but with a sharp tongue."
"What did you say?!" Dina shouted, holding back her anger.
Gamma quickly intervened, "Don't fight, Kak Dina."
Without hesitation, Dina hugged Gamma tightly. "Of course, Gamma!"
Venus groaned, "Take those filthy hands off Reisa-chan!"
Instead, Dina hugged her even tighter. "Here! Take a good look! I've hugged her already! Haha!"
"N-no! Reisa-chan, release this thread from me! Please!" Venus begged.
Gamma realized. "Ah, right, I forgot."
"No, Gamma! She's a perverted woman!" Dina shouted in panic.
"It's okay, Kak Dina," Gamma said calmly, while releasing the thread binding.
Arya turned back to Venus. "What do you mean his plan doesn't endanger us?"
Venus looked away. "I can't tell you the details. But… if you think he's just a regular corrupt king, you'll die faster than you think."
She paused before continuing, "Why would the Seven Eclipse hunt you down separately? Wouldn't moving together be far more effective?"
Arya fell silent. "So we're… playing a role in his performance?"
"Who knows?" said Venus. "But one thing's for sure… he doesn't see you as enemies. Not yet."
"Not yet, huh?" Arya nodded slowly. "So we're just backup pawns. Until the time comes."
Dina clenched her fists. "That bastard king! Playing with us like we're toys!"
Gamma then reminded, "Kak… aren't we supposed to destroy the experimental site?"
"Right," Arya slapped his forehead. "We'll split up. Venus, can you handle one city alone?"
Venus sighed. "Why should I help you?"
"You don't have a choice," Arya said with a calm smile.
"Please help us, Kak Venus..." asked Gamma with an innocent gaze.
Venus trembled. "Ugh… that look! Fine! I'll help!"
Dina muttered, "Gamma… is kinda scary sometimes."
Arya then raised his hand. "Alright. Teleport!"
Back in the capital...
Arya appeared on the main street, but the sight he encountered left him frozen.
Bodies of citizens lay everywhere, writhing in pain. The sky above had darkened with thick clouds and a nauseating stench filled the air.
"What is this…?" Arya muttered. "My body feels weak… I can't breathe… is this poison?!"
At the corner of the street, a small child coughed blood, their body convulsing.
"H-Help…" a faint voice echoed around him.
Then Mercury appeared. He stood calmly in the middle of the street.
"Welcome back, Exone," he said flatly. "This is my doing. Try saving them, if you can."
"You bastard..." Arya growled, clenching his fists.
Mercury slowly turned around, his voice still calm. "What will you choose? Chase me, or save them first? They have maybe one, maybe two hours left. Depends how strong their lungs are."
Then he vanished into the mist.
Arya immediately activated a spell. "Lux Remedium!"
A bright light enveloped the street, neutralizing the poisonous cloud. But it wasn't enough. The capital was too large.
Arya continued jumping between points using Swap.
"Swap! Lux Remedium!"
Time kept ticking. An hour passed. He began to tire.
"Haaah… one more area…" his breathing grew heavy. "Swap! Lux Remedium!"
Finally, the poison disappeared. The citizens lying around began to regain consciousness.
"You… saved us…"
"What's your name, hero?"
"You might know our name. We are… Exone."
From a distance, Mercury watched with a faint smile.
"Just as I expected…"
Arya quickly activated another spell. "SEARCH! Where's Mercury?! Not detected? He already escaped!"
The citizens were now gathering. They marched toward the palace.
"Kill that bastard king!"
Arya was startled. "Wait! Not yet! It's not time!"
But panicked screams cut through.
"Monsters!"
"They're attacking!"
Arya reacted immediately.
"Swap! Ice Shot! Fire Shot!" he shouted. "All citizens, move away!"
After ensuring their safety, Arya moved toward the experiment site. The building was as big as two soccer fields.
"This is the place…"
He pushed open the iron doors. A foul smell struck his nose.
"Damn…"
From the shadows, Mercury appeared again. "Welcome, hero."
Arya drew his katana. "So you were waiting for me, bastard."
"Kill me quickly if you can," Mercury taunted, spreading his arms.
"What? You're surrendering?"
Mercury smiled. "Of course not."
He pressed something. Monsters were released. The air turned poisonous again.
"Sword Blazing!" Arya slashed all the monsters in one strike. "Lux Remedium!"
Then Bang!Arya shot Mercury's leg.
"You can do it all, huh? Impressive… just as he planned," Mercury muttered, pulling out a small object.
"His plan?" Arya shouted. "Answer me, you"
Srrt.
Blood gushed out.
Mercury had slit his own throat.
His body collapsed, and his final smile remained imprinted on the floor.
Arya screamed, "DAMN YOU, KING!!!"
Inside the palace...
Sekius laughed as he stared at a chessboard.
"Ha ha ha! Excellent, Exone the executor… And thank you very much, Mercury. I'll be joining you fallen ones very soon."