Humanity climbed the Crimson Spire, attempting to reach the Gateway.
Nephis went alone to fight the Crimson Terror. The aftermath of their fight shakes the tower.
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Caster was rushing to the pinnacle of the Spire, using his incredible speed and training to avoid being killed by the falling debris. He was already getting close when, suddenly, the light of his lantern fell on a motionless figure that stood in the center of a wide coral root, barring his way.
Dark armor was woven out of soft fabric, with lusterless black leather protecting vital spots. An austere blade held lightly, its tip turned to the ground. The wooden mask that resembled the face of a fearsome demon was new, but still, he had no problem recognizing who was in front of him.
Slowing down and stopping a few meters away from the hateful little vagrant, Caster gritted his teeth and spat:
"It's you."
Hidden behind the mask, Sunny smiled.
"No, no. You are mistaken. Actually, it's not me."
Then, tilting his head, he stared at the proud Legacy and said, his voice full of surprise:
"Oh! Hey, Caster. What a coincidence, to run into you here of all places. So unexpected! Ah, it must be fate."
Caster had a somber face.
''Mongrel, go away and let me do what I was ordered.''
Sunny shooks his head.
''Yes, yes, I will put myself aside.''
Caster was shocked but didn't think about it.
He stepped forward.
A kunai struck the coral ground a centimeter in front of his foot.
Caster froze.
Sunny's voice was cheerful.
"As you wish."
At the same moment, another figure emerged from the shadows behind Caster.
Harus.
The man rolled his shoulders lazily, iron chains dangling from his arms like serpents.
"We kill him," Harus said flatly.
Then he glanced upward, toward the top of the Spire.
"And then we go for that bitch."
Caster nodded coldly.
"Yes."
Behind the mask, Sunny felt his stomach drop.
'Holy shit… How am I supposed to stop both of them?!'
For a brief moment, he considered abandoning this position and rushing to Nephis. If she were still in good shape, maybe together they could—
A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
Sunny froze.
His shadow had sensed nothing.
Slowly, he turned his head.
A tall young man stood behind him, wrapped in an eerie cloak.
Golden hair.
Golden eyes.
Lysander.
The First Bright Lord looked at Sunny with a calm smile.
"My friend," he said gently, "leave them to me."
Sunny stared at him.
Then Lysander added quietly:
"Go rescue Changing Star."
For a brief second, Sunny hesitated.
Then he nodded.
''As you wish.''
Sunny decided to trust the First Bright Lord, and he rushed to Nephis.
Lysander stepped forward.
His white armor gleamed faintly under the crimson light, his eerie cloak giving a ghostly aura.
The greatsword of dark bone appeared in his hand.
He planted it on the coral path, blocking the way forward.
"You shall not pass."
Caster's face tightened.
He had faced him with Nephis and the others; he knew of his power.
But Harus only clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward.
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Lysander POV
Pitch black.
I can't see.
Is it Harus' Aspect?
Interesting.
I understand how he became feared. How are you meant to defend yourself when you can't see?
"Do you think," I said calmly, "that by taking my vision, I will be defenseless?"
A small laugh escaped my lips.
At the same moment, I began to absorb the light surrounding us.
The crimson glow of the artificial sun bent toward me, flowing into my body like a quiet tide.
Even without sight, the absence of light revealed shapes.
Obstacles.
Movements.
An iron chain lashed to my right side.
I stepped aside and slashed.
Steel rang against steel.
Then—
A blur appeared behind me.
Caster.
Fast.
Very fast.
But here, beneath the burning artificial sun, his Aspect was stronger.
Much stronger.
I moved before he could finish his strike.
My hand shot backward.
I grabbed his head and slammed him into the coral floor with brutal force.
The impact cracked the surface beneath us.
Caster groaned, blood spilling from his mouth as the concussion rattled his skull.
Harus attacked again.
Chains whistled through the darkness, trying to wrap around my arms and throat.
I avoided them narrowly.
Very narrowly.
I smiled.
"Your Aspect is truly powerful."
Harus spat.
"I don't care about your opinion."
His chains lashed forward again.
"Just die."
"Oh," I said lightly, "we will all die at some point."
Then I grabbed the chain flying toward me.
"But I don't think my end is today."
I pulled.
Harus was dragged toward me before he could react. With the chains wrapped around his arms, he couldn't resist my force.
My hand closed around his throat.
I squeezed.
Hard.
Then twisted.
A sickening crack echoed in the darkness.
Harus' body went limp.
[You have killed a dormant human.]
[Your soul core has grown stronger.]
[Do you want—]
I ignored the message of the Nightmare Spell.
Instead, I turned toward Caster.
The young Legacy was slowly pushing himself off the ground, his face pale and trembling.
I could hear the fear in his voice.
"By… killing me… do you think… the will of the Sovereigns …"
I laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"I don't care about the so-called Sovereigns."
I stepped toward him.
Caster screamed, and his vision went pitch black.
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Just one last chapter, and then, we have the POV of Lysander.