Ren tightened his grip around his sword.
The two remained in the middle of the street while Babylon continued moving around them, completely unaware of the battle that had just taken place nearby.
Merchants continued closing their shops while citizens crossed the streets carrying baskets, ignoring the two injured Egyptians standing among them.
Saijew finally looked toward Ren before glancing down at the glove secured around his hand.
He turned his wrist slightly while inspecting the strange markings across its surface.
"…This wasn't supposed to happen," Saijew said.
Ren looked toward him while still breathing heavily from the battle.
"Where are we?" He asked.
Saijew looked toward the massive stone buildings farther down the street before recognizing several landmarks he had seen during previous missions.
"Babylon," he answered.
Ren followed him while keeping one hand against his side, his injuries becoming more noticeable now that the battle had finally stopped.
Saijew glanced toward him before looking ahead again.
"The glove was supposed to take us to the checkpoint," he explained.
"Instead, it dropped us somewhere inside Babylon."
Ren looked back toward the direction they had come from.
"So we're still in the right city," Ren said.
"Just nowhere near the checkpoint."
Saijew nodded once while continuing forward without slowing his pace.
"Exactly," he replied.
Ren remained quiet for several moments.
Despite being injured and exhausted, the General clearly knew where he was going.
Saijew crossed beneath a stone archway before moving toward another street, using distant towers and the position of the canal to determine their direction.
Ren eventually noticed that Saijew had stopped looking around.
The General already knew the route.
He simply needed time to reach it.
Ren's attention eventually shifted toward his own hand.
A faint trace of white-blue light still remained around his fingers, almost invisible beneath the Babylonian night.
He stared at it for several seconds before remembering what had happened. Saijew noticed. The General slowed his pace before speaking without turning around.
"Tell me what happened."
Ren looked toward him. "What do you mean?"
Saijew stopped walking. He turned around and looked directly at Ren. "The light," he said, keeping his eyes on Ren's sword. "The aura around your body." His gaze shifted toward Ren's eyes. "And what happened to your blade."
Ren remained silent. Saijew waited. The General had already fought enough battles to recognize when someone was avoiding an answer.
Ren eventually looked down at his sword. "I don't completely understand it," he admitted, running his thumb along the weapon's damaged handle. "But I think I know what happened."
Saijew raised an eyebrow.
Ren slowly lifted his eyes toward him. "I had an Awakening," he said.
Saijew's expression barely changed, but the tension around his eyes became noticeably stronger. "You think?" he asked, folding his arms across his chest.
Ren frowned slightly. "I've never experienced one before."
Saijew stepped closer, studying him carefully. "Then you should have been more careful."
Ren looked away for a moment. "I was going to die."
Saijew's expression hardened. "That does not make forcing an Awakening intelligent." Ren looked back toward him, but Saijew continued before the younger warrior could respond. "You pushed your body into something you didn't understand because you were afraid of losing control of the situation." His voice remained controlled, although the irritation beneath it was becoming increasingly obvious. "That could have killed you before the Awakening even happened."
Ren lowered his sword slightly, thinking about what Saijew had said.
Saijew stared at him for another moment before looking toward the road ahead. "An Awakening is not something you chase," he said, beginning to walk again. "It happens when your body and contract reach a point where something deeper answers."
Ren followed behind him. "And if I had waited?"
Saijew looked over his shoulder. "You might have died," he answered without hesitation. "But forcing it could have done the same."
Ren remained silent. Saijew continued walking through the crowded streets while the sound of Babylonian carts echoed between the buildings.
"You had courage," Saijew said after several moments. "Most soldiers would have refused to step back into that fight after being ordered to stay behind."
Ren looked toward him. "You're praising me after scolding me?"
Saijew glanced back with the faintest hint of amusement. "Both can be true."
Ren almost smiled.
Saijew returned his attention toward the road. "You had the guts to fight when most soldiers would have run," he continued. "But courage without judgment gets soldiers killed."
Ren lowered his gaze.
Saijew looked ahead again. "You survived because something answered you," he said, tightening his injured hand into a fist. "Do not mistake that for proof that your decision was correct."
Ren remained quiet while the words settled into his mind. Saijew did not continue the lesson. He had said enough.
The two continued through Babylon while the distant lights of the royal district gradually became visible beyond the rooftops.
Neither noticed the faint red glow beginning to appear somewhere behind them.
•••
Several streets away from the collapsed bridge, Alexzander stood beside Cyclone. Cyclone remained near the broken bridge with one hand pressed against his injured arm.
Alexzander looked toward the sky. He lifted one hand. Nothing happened. His expression tightened slightly, and he lowered it. "Still not back."
Cyclone looked toward him. "Your axe?"
Alexzander nodded. "It crossed through the portal," he answered, staring toward the distant Babylonian skyline. "I expected it to return immediately."
Cyclone gave a small laugh. "Maybe it got lost."
Alexzander looked at him. Cyclone shrugged. "It happens."
Alexzander shook his head before looking back toward the broken bridge. "So," he said, finally turning toward Cyclone. "What happened after you left?"
Cyclone stretched his injured arm slightly, testing the wound that had already begun closing. "I found the Eastern group," he explained, looking toward the direction where they had disappeared. "They were protecting the scholars and trying to reach the checkpoint."
Alexzander listened quietly.
"They weren't particularly strong," Cyclone continued, remembering the battle. "But they worked well together." He paused before looking toward Alexzander. "The one with the vines kept everyone together, while the girl with the reflective ability slowed down the destruction long enough for them to escape." He stopped to think for a moment. "The others were similar. They relied on each other more than their individual strength."
Alexzander looked toward the broken bridge. "And Ren?"
Cyclone's expression became more serious. "He stayed behind."
Alexzander looked toward him. "Why?"
"He ordered the others to continue," Cyclone answered, remembering Ren standing alone against him. "He knew they couldn't all fight me and protect the others at the same time."
Alexzander nodded slowly. "That was wise."
Cyclone smiled slightly. "Then he became considerably less intelligent."
Alexzander looked at him. "He fought you alone?"
"He did," Cyclone answered, flexing his fingers. "He was faster than I expected."
Alexzander glanced toward Cyclone's wounds. "Fast enough to hurt you."
Cyclone looked down at his arm. "Fast enough to make me work," he corrected, smiling.
Alexzander laughed quietly. "That's more comparable to you." Cyclone looked toward him. "What happened on your side?"
Alexzander's expression changed. "I found the Western group."
Cyclone immediately became more attentive. "Same situation?"
"Not exactly," Alexzander said, looking toward the distant city. "They were escorting the scholars when we arrived."
Cyclone nodded. "I assume you tested them."
"I did." Alexzander's voice became quieter. "They were stronger than expected."
Cyclone raised an eyebrow. "Especially the woman with the spear?"
Alexzander nodded. "She kept controlling the battlefield instead of trying to overpower me," he continued, remembering Valentina's water attacks. "She used the environment, redirected my movements, and forced me into positions where my strength became difficult to use."
Cyclone smiled. "That sounds annoying."
"It was," Alexzander admitted. "Then the boy changed."
Cyclone's smile disappeared. "Magnolia?"
Alexzander nodded. "After you left," he said, remembering the moment Celina stepped into the axe's path. "The boy froze when I attacked." Cyclone waited. "Then one of the others stepped in front of him." Alexzander's expression became more serious. "Celina."
Cyclone immediately understood who he meant. "The woman took the axe?"
"Yes," Alexzander answered. "She intercepted the attack directly." He looked toward the damaged battlefield. "She should have died."
Cyclone's eyes narrowed slightly. "But she didn't."
"She was barely alive," Alexzander replied. "The healer kept her from dying." Cyclone remained silent. Alexzander continued. "Then Magnolia changed."
Cyclone's expression shifted. "The Awakening?"
"I don't know," Alexzander admitted. "But something happened." He looked toward his hands. "The boy became faster." He looked at his axe for a few seconds, then spoke again. "He attacked me repeatedly. He wasn't fighting like he had before." Alexzander said, remembering the golden blur crossing the battlefield. "Then the spear fighter attacked me."
"The one with green eyes?" Cyclone said.
Alexzander nodded. "She kept trying to control the battlefield." He looked toward the damaged road. "Then Magnolia attacked again." Cyclone waited. "He pushed himself too far." Alexzander's expression became thoughtful. "He collapsed."
Cyclone nodded slowly. "And they escaped."
"Yes," Alexzander answered. "Then I found you fighting Ren and the Crimson Dragon."
Cyclone nodded. "And then you joined."
Alexzander nodded while finally looking toward the broken bridge. He raised his hand again. His expression remained calm. Nothing happened.
Cyclone watched him. "Still waiting?"
Alexzander nodded. "It always returns." He lowered his hand. "It will come."
Cyclone smiled. "Eventually."
Alexzander looked toward the road where the portal had disappeared. "The recruits are improving." Cyclone nodded. "But they lack authority," Alexzander said. "They have strength. They have contracts." His hand slowly tightened. "But none of them understand what those things actually mean."
Cyclone remained silent.
Alexzander looked toward him. "They are not ready for Greece," he said. "Especially not the army."
Cyclone smiled faintly. "We weren't exactly trying our hardest."
Alexzander nodded. "That is the point," he answered, looking toward the broken bridge. "They still believe surviving against us means they can challenge Greece."
Cyclone laughed quietly. "They have a lot to learn."
Alexzander finally looked toward the sky. A familiar sound suddenly echoed through the street. His expression changed. The axe appeared above the rooftops. It flew through Babylon with tremendous speed before suddenly changing direction toward Alexzander.
Cyclone stepped aside. The weapon dropped directly into Alexzander's waiting hand. He caught it effortlessly. The crimson markings across the axe glowed for several seconds before fading again.
Alexzander looked down at the weapon, then toward Cyclone. "They're not ready," he said, tightening his grip around the axe. "But perhaps they will be."
•••
Saijew and Ren eventually reached the outer streets of Babylon's royal district while following the familiar canal toward the mission checkpoint.
The General walked with his usual confidence despite the injuries covering his body, while Ren continued watching the streets for any sign that their enemies had followed them.
Neither noticed the Babylonian guards approaching until several armored soldiers blocked their path.
The guards immediately raised their weapons.
"State your purpose."
One demanded while stepping forward.
Saijew raised his hands slightly.
"We are Egyptian soldiers," he answered.
"We were separated from our group."
The guards exchanged glances.
One of them studied Ren before recognizing the insignia.
"You're the Egyptian recruits."
Ren nodded.
"Our group arrived earlier."
The guard lowered his weapon.
"They were brought to the Babylon hospital."
Saijew immediately became more attentive.
"Why?"
"The Western group brought an injured woman and an unconscious boy," The guard explained.
"The Eastern group arrived shortly afterward."
Ren's expression changed.
"Are they alive?"
The guard nodded.
"They are being treated."
Saijew immediately turned toward the hospital district.
"Lead us there."
The guards quickly began walking.
Ren followed while feeling a weight finally leave his chest.
The others were alive.
That was enough for now.
•••
The Babylon hospital was quieter than the streets outside. Rows of injured civilians rested behind wooden doors while healers moved between rooms carrying bowls, bandages, and medicine.
The Egyptian recruits had been given separate quarters near the center of the building. In the first room, Squad One remained gathered around Magnolia. Valentina stood beside his bed with her arms crossed while Emma sat nearby watching his breathing. Matthew leaned against the wall, and Amelia continued checking the medical supplies near the empty cot where the strange woman had been resting. Kibo sat on a wooden chair near the doorway, occasionally looking toward the hall. None of them had heard anything from Ren.
The door opened. Saijew entered first. Ren followed directly behind him.
Valentina immediately stood. "General," she said, approaching them as relief washed across her face. Emma stood as well.
Ren looked around the room. Everyone from his squad was there. He finally allowed himself to breathe normally.
Kibo immediately walked toward him. "You're alive," he said, looking Ren over.
Ren gave him a tired look. "Apparently."
Valentina's eyes scanned Ren's torn uniform and the fresh cuts tracing his arms. "You look terrible."
Ren glanced toward her. "So do you."
Valentina managed a small, stressful smile. "Fair."
Matthew stepped forward next. His expression remained mostly emotionless, although his eyes showed obvious relief. "You disappeared. We thought the worst."
Ren nodded. "I stayed behind. I ordered them all to leave, and I had to hold the line."
The room became completely quiet. Matthew folded his arms.
"What happened out there?"
Ren looked toward Saijew. The General answered for him. "Two Greek soldiers attacked us."
The atmosphere in the room immediately changed. Valentina's expression sharpened. "Greek soldiers?"
Saijew nodded. "One was exceptionally quick on his feet. A skirmisher."
Amelia looked up from her tasks. "And the other?"
Saijew paused, his mind flashing back to the raw force of the encounter. "More all- around. A heavier combatant."
Ren looked toward his squad mates. "They were strong. Strong enough to completely separate us."
Emma looked at him, her chest tight with lingering guilt. "And you stayed behind anyway."
Ren nodded. "I had to. Because the mission mattered more than my well-being."
Saijew remained silent. He did not interrupt the young leader.
Valentina eventually nodded, exhaling a long breath. "That sounds exactly like you."
Ren gave her a tired look. "I'll take that as an insult."
"It was," Valentina answered. Ren almost smiled.
The room became quieter again. Then a healer entered, breaking the silence. "The injured woman is awake."
Saijew immediately turned toward the door. "Which room?"
The healer pointed down the hallway. "Room six."
Saijew nodded. "I'll speak with her."
Ren looked toward him. "You know who she is?"
"No," Saijew answered. "But she saved one of our recruits." He turned toward the hallway, his cape swirling slightly behind him. "I want to know why."
•••
Celina opened her eyes slowly. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar. The room smelled heavily of medicine and burned herbs, and her chest flared with sharp pain with every breath she took.
She immediately remembered the axe. She remembered Magnolia. She remembered the chaotic battlefield.
Panic tracing her thoughts, she pushed herself upright. The pain immediately became worse, tearing through her torso, but Celina ignored it. She reached toward the side of the bed and attempted to swing her legs over to stand.
A heavy hand immediately pressed against her shoulder, stopping her firmly. "Don't."
Saijew stood beside the bed. The General studied her carefully. "You're alive because the healer worked quickly."
Celina looked down toward the tight white bandages wrapped across her chest. "I noticed," she answered quietly.
Saijew raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn't be standing."
"I wasn't planning to stay," Celina replied.
Saijew remained like a statue beside the bed. "You protected the boy, huh?"
Celina looked toward him. "He was in danger."
"That doesn't answer my question," Saijew said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why him?"
Celina remained quiet. Saijew waited, offering no easy escape from the silence. She eventually looked away, staring out the small window toward the Babylonian sky. "He looked like someone who needed protecting."
The answer was vague. Saijew immediately recognized the deflection. "You're not a soldier."
Celina looked back toward him. "I never said I was."
"You aren't a scholar either."
Celina's expression remained perfectly calm. "I never said that either."
Saijew narrowed his eyes, stepping a fraction closer. "You were carrying information."
"Many people carry information."
"Not like you."
Celina smiled faintly. "You ask too many questions."
Saijew almost smiled back. "So I've been told." He stepped away from the bed. "I won't force an answer from you. But understand something." Saijew paused, looking back over his shoulder with an icy glare. "Whatever you're involved in, don't put these children in danger."
Celina's expression became slightly more serious. "I understand."
Saijew nodded. "Good." He turned toward the door. "Your injuries need time."
Celina watched him leave. The moment the door clicked shut. Her hand slowly moved beneath the heavy blanket. A tiny, folded piece of paper remained hidden there, untouched by the healers. She felt the crisp edges once, then removed her hand.
Whatever information she had gathered for Isamu remained hers alone. She would not give it to Egypt. She would not give it to Babylon. And she certainly would not give it to the people who had attacked them.
•••
While Saijew was in the medical bay, Ren walked down the hall and entered the separate room where the Eastern group—Squad Two—had gathered.
The moment he stepped inside, several expressions changed instantly. Luna immediately approached him, her hands trembling slightly. Poison remained seated on a crate in the corner but watched him with a hawk-like intensity. Sofia looked him over from head to toe before shaking her head in disbelief.
"You really did stay behind," Sofia said, crossing her arms. "That was stupid."
Ren nodded. "I know."
Sous glanced toward Ren from across the room. "Then why do it?"
Ren looked down at the floor for a moment, the weight of the choice pressing on him again. "Because someone had to."
Abraham nodded slowly from the back. "That is exactly the kind of answer I expected from you."
Poison finally stood up. "Did Saijew save you?"
Ren looked toward him. "Yes."
Poison nodded, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Then we owe him another one."
Ren frowned. "Another what?"
"Another reason not to kill you."
Ren shook his head, exhausted. "You're annoying."
"Good," Poison replied with a cold smirk. "You're alive enough to complain."
The door opened again. Saijew entered, and Celina followed closely behind him, leaning slightly on the doorframe for support. The Eastern group immediately locked their eyes onto the injured stranger.
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's her?" he said.
Saijew nodded. "She needs to meet the others. All of them." He looked toward the Eastern group. "Come with me."
Poison glanced toward Celina, analyzing her posture and the way she held her wound. "You know her, Ren?"
Ren shook his head.
Saijew opened the door wide, pointing down the corridor. "The medical room holding Magnolia is where we're going. Let's move." Everyone followed.
•••
The Western Squad remained inside Magnolia's room, the tension thick, when the door opened yet again.
Valentina immediately turned, her hand instinctively drifting toward where her weapon usually rested. Emma stood closer to Magnolia's bed, shielding him. Matthew and Kibo looked sharply toward the doorway.
Amelia, who had been organizing supplies near Celina's former empty bed, froze when she saw the woman walking in right behind Saijew. Her expression changed immediately. "You're awake."
Celina nodded weakly. "Apparently."
Emma looked toward her. "You protected Magnolia."
Celina looked at her. "Yes."
Valentina stepped closer, her military posture commanding the room. "Why?"
Celina remained quiet for a moment, looking at the fierce protectiveness of the squad. "He was about to be hit."
"That doesn't explain why you stepped in front of an axe for him," Valentina replied.
Celina looked past her. "He froze."
Emma frowned, casting a glance down at her captain. "You noticed?"
Celina nodded. "I did."
Matthew stepped closer. "But you didn't even know him."
Celina looked toward him. "No."
Kibo frowned. "Then why protect him?"
Celina's expression remained perfectly calm. "Because someone had to."
Valentina did not look satisfied. "You could have died."
"I know."
"You still did it."
Celina simply nodded. "Yes."
Emma looked toward Saijew. "Who is she?"
Saijew looked at Celina. "She hasn't told me," the General finally answered.
Emma looked back toward Celina. "What's your name?"
Celina smiled faintly, unbothered by the interrogation. "I don't think that's important."
"That is definitely suspicious," Kibo grumbled, frowning.
Celina looked toward him. "Probably."
Kibo stared at her, caught off guard. "That wasn't supposed to make me more suspicious."
Celina gave him a small smile. "It usually does."
The door opened wider as the rest of the recruits arrived. Poison entered the room first behind Saijew. Ren followed directly behind him, with Sous, Sofia, Luna, and Abraham filing into the crowded medical room right after them, strictly following the General's command.
The Western group watched the entire Eastern squad assemble inside the tight space. Valentina looked toward Poison, then toward the injured woman. "Do any of you know her?"
Poison looked at Celina for a moment before shaking his head. "Never seen her before."
Celina met his gaze with equal indifference. She knew none of them.
The room became tensely quiet until Saijew finally stepped forward, cutting through the silence. "Enough. We have more important problems." He looked down toward Magnolia. "He hasn't awakened."
Amelia shook her head. "Not yet."
Saijew nodded grimly, then turned his gaze toward both groups. "Now we talk."
The room became completely silent. Valentina looked toward Ren, Ren looked toward Poison, and Poison looked toward Saijew. The members of the Western group slowly realized a deeper problem was unfolding.
Valentina spoke first. "What happened to the Eastern route?"
"We were attacked," Ren answered.
Emma's eyes widened. "Attacked?"
Ren nodded. "A Greek soldier.
Kibo looked toward Poison, seeking confirmation. "You fought one too?"
Poison nodded. "He was extremely fast."
"He nearly destroyed the bridge," Luna added.
Sofia crossed her arms. "And Ren stayed behind."
The Western group fell into an uneasy silence. Then, Poison looked toward Valentina, turning the tables. "What happened to you?"
Valentina stared right back at him. "We were attacked too."
Poison raised an eyebrow. "A Greek also??"
Valentina nodded. "Yes."
The room became dead silent again. Sous looked toward her, processing the scale of it.
"Both routes."
Abraham nodded slowly. "They weren't attacking the scholars," he said, looking toward Saijew. "He was testing us."
Saijew did not answer immediately, letting the weight of the realization sink in. Celina quietly watched everyone from the side of the room, saying nothing. She already knew far more than she was willing to reveal to any of them.
Ren broke the silence, looking back toward Celina. "You protected Magnolia."
Celina started at him and stayed silent.
Ren looked toward Magnolia's still form. "What happened after that?"
"He changed," Valentina answered.
Ren looked toward her. "Changed how?"
"Gold," Valentina said, the vivid image of the battlefield flashing in her mind. "His entire body changed," Emma added.
Kibo leaned forward, his hands gesturing excitedly. "He almost destroyed that Greek soldier."
Ren stared at Magnolia, pieces of the puzzle clicking together. "An Awakening."
"Maybe," Saijew countered.
The single word made everyone quiet. Valentina looked toward Saijew. "What do you mean?"
Saijew looked toward Ren. "Ren had one too."
Everyone in the room immediately turned their attention to Ren. Valentina's eyes widened slightly. "You knew?" she asked.
Ren nodded. "I think so."
Poison's expression became analytical as he pieced the tactical data together. "So both routes had an Awakening."
"Not necessarily," Saijew answered, shaking his head as he looked toward Magnolia. "Magnolia's transformation may have been something else."
Amelia looked down at Magnolia, her brow furrowing. "What else could it be?"
Saijew didn't answer.
The room became quiet again. Celina looked toward Magnolia before lowering her eyes. There was something about the boy—something she had noticed even before the battle started. Something she still couldn't fully explain. She kept that thought entirely to herself.
Saijew looked around the room, gathering their focus one last time. "Both groups were attacked," he said. "Both groups encountered Greek soldiers. One recruit experienced a possible Awakening, another definitely triggered something, and an unknown woman nearly died protecting one of our children."
Celina remained a silent shadow in the corner. Saijew's expression hardened. "This mission is no longer a simple escort."
Everyone in the room understood. The Babylon mission had changed entirely, and none of them knew why yet.
•••
Outside the hospital, Babylon continued moving as though nothing had happened. Merchants closed their shops for the night. Guards changed positions along the city walls. Lanterns illuminated the dark, winding canals.
And somewhere far beyond the city, two Greek soldiers were already moving again. The Egyptians had arrived in Babylon, yet had a new mission…