Dark clouds gathered above Noctharis Isle as the golden ship reached the harbor. The sea grew unnaturally still. Even the waves seemed afraid to move.
Then Aurex Valdren stepped onto the dock.
The air became heavy.
Weak guards collapsed instantly, their knees slamming against the stone. Flags stopped fluttering. Torches bent away from him as if his presence alone distorted the world.
Golden light flowed around Aurex's armor while his crimson cape moved slowly despite the absence of wind.
Junyu walked forward and extended his hand.
"Welcome to Noctharis."
Aurex looked at the hand for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"I do not shake hands with dogs."
The harbor fell silent.
Junyu's smile disappeared.
"I am not a dog," he said, his voice low. "I am a king."
Aurex's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then prove it. Hit me if you can."
Junyu grinned.
"Gladly."
Red energy erupted around him. He shot forward like a crimson comet and attacked with a storm of punches.
One.
Two.
Ten.
Twenty.
Every strike passed through empty air.
Junyu's eyes widened.
"What—?"
Aurex appeared behind him.
Ikiro's expression changed instantly.
"He's not intangible," Ikiro said. "He's moving so fast that we can't even see him."
He pointed downward.
The stone dock was covered in fresh craters where Aurex's feet had touched for fractions of a second.
Aurex caught Junyu's wrist effortlessly.
"Too slow."
BOOM!
His punch launched Junyu across the harbor. Junyu crashed through the railing and disappeared into the black water below.
"JUNYU!"
Salim dove into the sea without hesitation. Cold waves exploded upward as he searched beneath the surface.
Deep underwater, Salim heard a voice.
The Eye of Mahakaal.
Let me take control. I'll show Aurex what true power looks like.
Salim clenched his teeth.
"No. Not here."
He dragged Junyu back to the surface.
Meanwhile, Aurex turned away as if nothing important had happened. Without another glance, he walked toward the fortress gates.
The crowd erupted into laughter.
"Dogs of the Black Meeting!"
"The king drowned!"
"Look at the newcomers!"
Junyu coughed water onto the dock and slowly opened his eyes. Humiliation burned hotter than the punch.
Salim helped him stand.
"What was the point of that?"
Junyu wiped blood from his lip.
"Respect is the most important thing a man has."
Salim sighed.
"You lost more respect after the handshake incident."
Junyu looked toward the castle.
"Then I'll take it back someday."
Ikiro smirked.
"Come on, Your Majesty. Let's go inside before they leave us outside like actual dogs."
Even Junyu laughed weakly.
THE CASTLE OF NOCTHARIS
The massive gates opened with a thunderous groan.
The Devil Horns stepped inside and stopped in awe.
Black marble stretched endlessly beneath their feet. Crystal chandeliers floated without chains. Rivers of blue fire flowed through channels in the walls, illuminating statues of ancient emperors. Above them, a ceiling painted like a night sky moved slowly with drifting stars.
Katsa whispered,
"This place doesn't look real."
They walked through the Hall of Thrones, where the Black Meeting was being held. Thousands of nobles, rulers, warriors, and assassins filled the chamber. Gold, silver, and crimson banners hung from the pillars.
Just as they reached their seats, a masked announcer rose onto the central stage.
"Honored guests! The Dogs of the Black Meeting have arrived!"
Laughter spread through the hall.
The announcer raised his arms dramatically.
"According to ancient tradition, the Dogs must entertain the Black Meeting with a ceremonial dance."
The crowd roared.
"Dance!"
"Dance, dogs!"
"Show us the newcomers!"
Ton stared at the audience.
"They're serious?"
Katsa lowered her eyes.
Michael's hands trembled.
Salim's third eye flickered with dark light.
Ikiro spoke quietly.
"If we refuse, every major faction here will consider it an insult."
Junyu looked around the arena.
Kings sat upon golden thrones.
Emperors watched from balconies.
Rulers who could erase nations drank wine while observing them like insects.
For the first time since arriving at Noctharis, Junyu understood how small they truly were.
A servant approached carrying seven black collars.
"Wear them."
Mil stepped forward instantly.
"Touch me with that thing and I swear I'll—"
Junyu stopped him with a hand.
"Don't."
Mil looked at him in disbelief.
Junyu's voice was barely audible.
"Not today."
One by one, the collars were locked around their necks.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The sound echoed through the arena.
Applause erupted.
Then the music began.
It was not noble music.
It was mocking.
A sharp whistle cut through the hall.
The Devil Horns stood frozen beneath the lights.
"Dance!" the crowd shouted again.
Junyu took the first step.
Not because he accepted the humiliation.
Because he refused to let his crew die for his pride.
The others followed.
Mil moved stiffly, every motion burning with rage.
Ton looked as if he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
Katsa's face remained calm, but tears gathered silently in her eyes.
Michael stared at the marble floor.
Salim's fists shook so violently that blood dripped from his palms.
Ikiro forced himself to continue, though the smile he always wore had vanished.
The crowd laughed louder with every step.
"Look at the king!"
"The dragon dog is angry!"
"Make them bark!"
Coins rained down from the balconies.
One struck Junyu's shoulder.
Another hit Michael.
Another hit Katsa.
None of them reacted.
Above them, Aurex Valdren watched in complete silence.
The chanting grew louder.
"Dogs! Dogs! Dogs!"
Each word carved itself into Junyu's memory.
His nails dug into his palms until blood ran between his fingers.
At last the music stopped.
The seven stood motionless beneath the blinding lights.
The announcer spread his arms proudly.
"Behold! The Dogs of the Black Meeting!"
Thunderous applause shook the hall.
Junyu slowly lifted his head.
His crimson eyes were no longer furious.
They were cold.
He looked at the laughing nobles, the drinking kings, the emperors seated above them, and the rulers who treated their humiliation as entertainment.
Something inside him changed.
Not today, he thought.
But one day.
One day I will make this entire arena kneel.
The collars remained around their necks as the Devil Horns walked away from the stage.
No one spoke.
Behind them, the laughter of the Black Meeting echoed through the darkness like a curse.