Scy's POV
The moment the Royal Guards retreated, I knew it wasn't over.
If anything, it had just begun.
People like them didn't back down without a reason. They weren't defeated—they were assessing. Measuring. Reporting.
"…They'll come back," I muttered.
"…I know," Natalia replied softly.
We were already walking back toward the city, but the atmosphere had changed again. The streets were the same, the people were the same, but the feeling…
was different.
Heavier.
As if something unseen was slowly closing in.
"…What happens now?" Natalia asked.
I didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth was simple.
"…Now they decide how to deal with me."
Far from where we stood—
inside the heart of the kingdom—
a report was being delivered.
A large room, silent and cold, filled with individuals whose presence alone carried weight. Nobles, commanders, observers… people who controlled the flow of power within the kingdom.
"…So this is the one causing the disturbance," a man said as he read the report.
"…Yes," another replied. "The Royal Guards confirmed it themselves."
"…And they failed?"
"…No. They withdrew."
Silence filled the room.
"…Withdrawn?"
"…The target was beyond initial expectations."
A faint smile appeared on the man's face.
"…Interesting."
He placed the report down.
"…A child, was it?"
"…Yes."
"…And yet strong enough to force a retreat."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Send someone higher."
"…Understood."
Back in the city—
I stopped walking.
"…They've already decided," I said quietly.
Natalia looked at me.
"…How do you know?"
"…Because that's how this works."
Once something becomes a threat—
it gets eliminated.
Not ignored.
Not delayed.
But erased.
"…Then we should leave," she said.
I shook my head.
"No."
"…Why?"
"Because running won't change anything."
I turned to face her.
"They'll follow."
Silence.
"…Then what do we do?"
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"…We prepare."
We returned to the house, but this time, I didn't relax.
There was no point.
Instead, I sat down and focused.
Not on the outside.
But on myself.
"…There's still more."
I could feel it.
The power inside me—
wasn't complete.
What I had used so far…
was only a part of it.
"…I need to understand it."
I closed my eyes.
And let myself sink deeper.
Darkness.
Silence.
That familiar space again.
The void where everything began.
"…So you're back."
I opened my eyes.
And this time—
I wasn't alone.
A presence stood in front of me.
Shapeless.
Formless.
But undeniable.
"…You're the one," I said.
"…Part of you," it replied.
Its voice wasn't loud.
But it echoed.
"…What are you?"
"…The power you've been using."
"…Then why now?"
"…Because you're ready."
Silence.
I stared at it.
"…Ready for what?"
"…To choose."
The words hung in the air.
"…Choose what?"
"…What you will become."
The space around us shifted.
Scenes appeared.
Destruction.
Blood.
Power without limit.
A path of absolute dominance.
"…This is one path."
Then—
another.
Control.
Restraint.
Strength used with purpose.
"…And this is the other."
"…You already know," it continued.
"…If you let go…"
The first vision intensified.
"…nothing will be able to stop you."
Then—
"…But you will lose everything."
I stayed silent.
Then—
"…I already made my choice."
The visions disappeared.
"…I won't become like that."
"…Even if it limits you?"
"…Yes."
Silence.
Then—
"…Very well."
The presence slowly faded.
"…Then I'll follow your will."
I opened my eyes.
Back in the room.
"…Scy?"
Natalia was standing in front of me.
"…You were out for a while."
"…I'm fine."
I stood up.
And this time—
everything felt clearer.
Sharper.
Controlled.
"…Something changed," she said.
"…Yeah."
I looked at my hand.
A blade formed instantly.
But this time—
it was different.
More stable.
More refined.
"…I understand it now."
A knock echoed.
Three times.
Slow.
Heavy.
We both froze.
"…They're here," I said quietly.
Natalia's expression tightened.
"…Already…?"
I walked toward the door.
"…Stay behind me."
My hand rested on the handle.
"…This isn't going to be like before."
I opened the door.
And there—
stood a single man.
Wearing a dark uniform.
Calm.
Composed.
But his presence alone—
was heavier than all the Royal Guards combined.
"…So you're Scy."
His voice was steady.
Cold.
"…And you must be the one they sent."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"…Commander Arvion."
Silence.
The air tightened instantly.
"…I've been looking forward to this."