Darkness.
Inside Renn's soul, there was no sky, no sound. Only an endless void woven together by thousands upon thousands of black strings.
They stretched in every direction, twisting around each other like roots of an ancient tree, binding the entire space into a massive cocoon.
At its center...
A faint golden light flickered. Almost extinguished. Lumindelle floated desperately through the endless maze of threads. Golden particles trailed behind her tiny body as she pushed aside strands thicker than tree trunks.
"Renn!"
Her voice echoed. No answer. She searched again and again. Every direction looked the same. Every strand pulsed with Veyr's corrupted Aether.
"...Where are you?"
Her breathing became heavier. Even for a spirit, the corruption hurt. Every thread she brushed against burned her body.
Then, she saw it. Far beyond the tangled prison. A tiny golden light.
"...Found you."
She rushed toward it. The closer she came, the more horrifying the sight became. Renn wasn't standing. He was suspended.
Countless black strings pierced through his soul, wrapping around his arms, legs, chest, even his neck.
His head hung low.
Motionless.
Golden cracks spread slowly across his soul, while black corruption crept over his body like ink swallowing paper.
Every second, the darkness advanced farther. Lumindelle's heart sank.
"...Renn..." She landed before him. "...Wake up."
Nothing...
She grabbed one of the black strings. The instant her fingers touched it—
"Ah!"
She was thrown backward as the thread burned straight through her palm. The strings weren't simply binding Renn. They were protecting Veyr's control.
She looked back at Renn. His breathing. His light were fading.
"No..."
She clenched her fists. "I won't lose you."
Lumindelle slowly floated toward Renn's chest. The place where every contractor's soul possessed its Core.
A tiny golden crystal pulsed beneath the corruption.
"...Maybe..." She gently placed both hands over it. "If I can't destroy the strings. Then I'll strengthen you instead."
Golden light slowly gathered around her.
Her own Aether. Every ounce she possessed. She poured it into Renn's Soul Core.
The crystal glowed brighter. The corruption immediately resisted. Darkness surged upward trying to consume both of them.
Lumindelle grit her teeth. "Come on wake up. They're waiting for you."
The corruption pushed harder. Golden light answered. The darkness slowly retreated.
Just a little.
Lumindelle smiled weakly. "It's working..."
Then she poured even more.
Meanwhile, the throne room shook beneath another violent explosion.
BOOOOOOM!!
Silver and golden Aether collided once again. Seris spun gracefully, her rapier carving a crescent of silver light through the air.
CLANG!!
Renn blocked effortlessly but Seris never stopped.
One thrust.
Another slash.
A spinning strike aimed at his shoulder. Each movement was cleaner than the last. Sharper. More refined. Every exchange forced Renn another step backward.
"...I see, you're adapting," Veyr muttered from his throne.
Seris grew stronger. Not because her Aether increased. But because her resolve sharpened her technique. Her blade no longer hesitated. It flowed naturally, beautifully and dangerously.
Renn intercepted another strike.
Then another.
The force behind Seris' attacks became heavier. Even Veyr noticed.
"...Interesting."
Seris disappeared.
"Veil Art: Phantom Step."
A silver blur flashed behind Renn.
SHHK!!
A shallow cut appeared across Renn's cheek. Blood slowly rolled down his face. Renn slightly smirked.
The entire throne room froze. Seris lowered her rapier slightly. Her breathing was uneven. Tears shimmered in her silver eyes.
"...Wake up, Renn..." Her voice trembled. "I know you can hear me."
Silence.
Then— Renn vanished.
BOOM!!
He reappeared directly before Seris. The golden dagger descended with terrifying force.
CLANG!!
Seris barely blocked. The impact hurled her backward across the throne room. Her boots carved deep trenches into the shattered floor before she finally stopped.
"...!"
She exhaled sharply. Even Taren widened his eyes.
"That attack. It got stronger."
Above them... Veyr slowly smiled.
"...Do you really believe you have a chance, Moonveil?" His hand lifted calmly. "...Prepare to die."
Then—
"..."
Nothing happened. Veyr frowned. His hand remained raised.
"...Kill her."
Silence.
His voice grew colder.
"What are you waiting for?"
"...Kill her."
Still nothing. Then... Renn slowly turned. Not toward Seris. Towards Veyr. The King's smile disappeared.
"...What?"
Without warning—
Renn vanished.
SHHHKK!!
A golden slash flashed across the throne. Veyr instinctively leaned backward. The dagger missed his throat by mere centimeters.
A thin line of blood appeared across his neck.
Silence.
Veyr slowly touched the wound. His fingers came back stained red. His pupils shrank.
"...You wretched..."
Renn stood quietly several meters away. He rolled his shoulders. Then cracked his neck.
Crack.
Crack.
"...Ugh." He sighed lazily. "What took you so long, Lumindelle?"
He stretched slightly. "I was starting to get bored in there."
A tiny golden spirit popped out beside him, panting heavily. Lumindelle crossed her tiny arms.
"...At least say thank you."
Renn looked sideways. A faint grin appeared. "...Thanks."
His golden eyes slowly settled on Veyr. The grin disappeared. Cold. Sharp.
"...Now..." He slowly raised Lumindelle. "...I'll return the favor." Golden mist drifted around him.
"...I'll kill this fucker."
"...Renn..." Taren whispered.
Lio slowly smiled in relief. "...He's back."
Kael laughed weakly despite the blood running down his face. "Took you long enough."
Lyra covered her mouth. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks. Garrick folded his arms.
"...Knew he'd break it."
Cedric leaned against the broken wall, clutching the stump of his missing arm. A tired smile appeared. "...Welcome back..."
Seris simply stared. Then smiled. "...You idiot."
Across the throne room. Veyr's expression twisted. His composure shattered. Purple-black Aether exploded violently.
The palace trembled.
The ceiling cracked.
The shadows screamed.
"YOU LOT DON'T KNOW YOUR PLACE!"
His voice thundered throughout the throne room. Thousands of tendrils erupted behind him like the wings of a monstrous god.
"I WILL REMIND YOU..."
"THE GAP BETWEEN OUR STRENGTH!"
His eyes burned with madness.
"THIS PALACE..."
"...WILL BE YOUR GRAVE!"
Renn slowly stepped forward. Golden mist drifted behind him. He glanced sideways.
Taren.
Lio.
Kael.
Cedric.
Garrick.
Lyra.
Finally...
Seris.
He smiled. Then he looked back at Veyr. His voice was calm confidently.
"...Funny."
He twirled Lumindelle once before resting it over his shoulder.
"It's seven against one." A grin slowly spread across his face.
"...Try to keep up, you fucker."