The group descended the stairway, each step echoing through the hollow corridors like a drumbeat of fate. Mael's grip was merciless, dragging the High Chancellor by his good leg. Every tug drew a strangled groan from the man, his breaths sharp with pain, his teeth clenched so tightly it seemed they might shatter.
"What utter disrespect is this, Morganna?" he spat, his voice trembling between rage and agony.
Morganna did not so much as glance back. Her posture was rigid, her chin lifted, her tone laced with icy command. "You deserve everything that is coming to you, Chancellor."
The Countess let out a quiet, amused laugh, her eyes glinting. "My Lady… you did not need to answer him. Why waste your words?"
"I show mercy to the weak," Morganna replied, her voice calm yet cutting. A faint smile touched her lips. "Unlike the Chancellor."
The Countess's laughter deepened, richer this time, for she understood the unspoken truth behind Morganna's words. The final mercy she spoke of was not forgiveness… it was death.
They reached the last step, the ground beneath them colder, heavier. Summoning what remained of his strength, the High Chancellor rasped through clenched teeth. "Morganna… whatever you are planning, I would advise you to surrender now."
Morganna turned her head slightly, her gaze like steel. Then she let out a laugh, genuine and sharp. "Surrender? To a frail man who hides behind a covenant to carry out his twisted bidding? You dare to use the word against me?"
"This is no jest!" he screamed, the sound cracking from strain. "You fools cannot stop the covenant!"
"The covenant this, the covenant that," Mira snapped, her voice ringing with venom. "Every word from your mouth makes me sick."
The Countess's eyes flicked toward Mira, and though her expression remained serene, her thoughts were edged with regret. Blunt words cost us advantage. Never hand the enemy your anger so easily, Mira.
The Chancellor forced a laugh, though the sound was thin and broken. "I am giving you a chance. Surrender now, and I give you my word… you will be spared."
"Stop wasting your breath," Morganna said, her tone flat, final, as if cutting through the last thread of his hope.
At last, they reached the castle doors. The Countess lifted her hand to push them open, but Morganna was already moving. She placed both palms against the door, and with a firm motion, forced them wide.
A flood of sunlight poured into the corridor, blinding for a moment, until the view sharpened.
The courtyard lay before them. At its center, Zephyr stood unmoving, his back turned, his eyes distant and unreadable. Two robed men lingered at his side, the shadows of personal guards. Around them, a ring of cloaked figures encircled the courtyard, silent and statuesque, like predators awaiting command.
They came prepared, Morganna thought, her gaze sweeping across the scene. Her stride did not falter. She walked forward with a quiet, unwavering confidence that seemed to push back against the wall of enemies before her.
Angelo recognized Zephyr but didn't say anything while Mira's eyes locked on Zephyr. Her face contorted, every line sharpened by fury. Her teeth clenched until her jaw trembled, her voice breaking into a hiss. "Zephyr." His name was not spoken, but cursed.
At her side, Nina caught the shift in her captain's expression, and worry flickered across her features. Captain…
Behind them, Takashi swallowed hard, his throat dry, his heart pounding against his ribs. A flicker of fear crossed his eyes as he whispered to himself, barely audible. This… this will not be easy.
The High Chancellor's eyes widened when he saw the circle of robed men awaiting them. Then his lips curled into a triumphant grin, and a broken laugh rattled from his chest. "See, Morganna? Do you see? What did I tell you? There is no hope for any of you here!"
Rosette's body trembled, her hands clutching her dress so tightly her knuckles whitened. Fear radiated from her, yet beside her, the Countess stood as calm as ever. She surveyed the courtyard with a measured gaze, her lips curving into the faintest smile. Yes, we are surrounded… but there is no need to panic. Not with Mira and her crew here. And the Queen… she does not show a single sign of weakness.
Morganna stepped forward, unyielding, her head held high as though she bore a crown of steel. At her silent command, the crew behind her halted in perfect unity.
Zephyr turned slowly to face them. His voice carried across the courtyard with an eerie calm, as if the weight of steel and silence were woven into every word. "Queen of Balmount. It is… a pleasant meeting you."
The High Chancellor's eyes lit with sudden desperation. "Zephyr! Is that you, Zephyr? Free me from this torture! Release me at once!" His voice cracked, half plea, half demand.
Morganna's sigh was quiet but edged, her composure unbroken. "So… you must be Zephyr?"
"Yes," he replied without hesitation, his tone steady, almost hollow. "I am the Zephyr."
The Chancellor writhed in Mael's iron grip, his panic flaring. Mael's voice was curt. "Stop moving, old fool." He tightened his hold, drawing another pained grunt.
But the Chancellor shrieked louder, spittle at the corners of his mouth. "Zephyr, what is wrong with you? Why do you waste time with these people instead of listening to me?"
Mira's anger surged like a storm breaking its dam. She took a step forward, her entire body trembling with restrained fury. Nina's hand shot out, grabbing her arm, her eyes wide with worry. "Captain… is everything alright?"
For a heartbeat, Mira's rage burned unchecked. Then her gaze fell on Nina's face, on the fear she tried so hard to mask. The fire inside her stilled, cooled into something sharper. Not now. Not like this. Not in front of Nina.
"You don't have to worry," Mira said softly, her voice low but firm, laced with conviction. "We only need to win this."
Nina's lips quivered into a small smile, a measure of fear easing from her eyes.
Captain… you really are holding yourself together, Astrid thought, a flicker of admiration in her chest.
Zephyr exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. His eyes shifted to the Chancellor, flat as stone. "High Chancellor, I see no reason why I should heed your pleas."
Morganna's mind was already racing. Her eyes darted over the circle of enemies, counting, measuring. If this boy could use his speed, perhaps we could carve a way out… but no. Not with Zephyr here. I do not yet know the extent of his power. And with those guards flanking him, the risk is too great.
The Chancellor's voice rose again, cracking with desperation. "Listen to my pleas? You insolent fool… Zephyr, we had a deal!"
And then it happened.
Takashi felt it first. Not the ground shifting beneath them, but the air itself tightening, charged with a lethal intent. It was subtle, but his instincts screamed.
In a flash, he reacted. He shoved Mael's arm aside and drove his foot into the Chancellor's chest, sending the man sprawling away from their group.
Mael's head whipped toward him, fury blazing. "Takashi…"
But it was already too late.
In mid-air, the High Chancellor ignited. A searing burst of flame swallowed him whole, his body writhing as his screams tore through the courtyard. The sound was so piercing that even Morganna froze where she stood, her breath caught in her chest.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!" His cries split the air as he crashed to the ground, flames clawing across his flesh, heat radiating outward in suffocating waves. The smell of burning filled the air, sharp and acrid. "Zephyr, have mercy on me!"
Zephyr's voice was like a blade of ice. "High Chancellor. May your soul suffer in eternal anguish."
The screams broke off with sickening suddenness, leaving only the crackle of fire and the crisping sound of flesh turning to ash. When at last the flames dwindled, nothing remained but a charred husk, unrecognizable, twisted into silence.
No one moved. The entire courtyard stood transfixed, a stunned stillness pressing down on them. Even the boldest among them now wondered, with a cold tremor of dread, just how strong is Zephyr?
"Now that the pest has been cut away," Zephyr said, his tone as calm as if he had merely brushed aside an insect. "Silent are we?"
All eyes locked on him. Morganna's composure did not waver, though her voice rang with accusation. "Why did you kill him?"
Zephyr tilted his head, unbothered. "Were you planning to end him yourself?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation, her gaze unwavering. "But seeing you strike him down so easily only proves you could end everyone here with the smallest effort."
Zephyr's lips curved faintly, though his tone remained even. "I would say yes. But that, undeniably, would be a lie."
"Why do you say so?" Morganna asked.
"Because there is one among you who would counter me." His eyes shifted with deliberate precision, settling on Takashi.
Takashi met his stare without blinking, his usual shy light gone, replaced by grim focus. Morganna glanced back at him, the wheels of her thoughts grinding fast. So… it is him.
"If that is the truth," Morganna said, her voice low and sharp, "then what is the point of this conversation you insist on having?"
"I am only engaging in this because it concerns the questions you wish to ask," Zephyr replied. "And I will answer."
The Countess's eyes flicked to Morganna, silent yet urging. Morganna drew in a steadying breath. "Then answer me this. Why is your covenant here, in my kingdom?"
Zephyr's reply was simple, almost casual. "What else? The great Balmount Kingdom is the gateway for a good summoning."
"And after your summoning?" Morganna pressed, suspicion coiled in her words. "What comes next?"
"I don't know."
What? Morganna's thoughts staggered, a rare ripple of disbelief shaking her calm.
Mira's fury, long held at bay, surged up once more. The memory of fire consuming her village, of screams and ash, cut through her like a blade. Innocent people, slaughtered by the same blind destruction.
"You don't know," Morganna repeated, her voice dripping venom, "yet you follow a covenant that worships a being who dares to call itself a God?"
"Mind what you say," Zephyr warned, his golden eyes flashing with an unearthly light. "The being knows what will come, and what must happen. You are only alive because reason allows it." His words slipped too far, more than he had intended. With a flick of his hand, his voice cut like a blade. "Attack."
Takashi's senses sharpened instantly. He felt the shift in the air before the strike came. "Lady Morganna!" he shouted. She turned toward him, her eyes widening.
The robed men at Zephyr's side cast their coverings aside. Angelo's breath caught in his throat. His gaze locked on one of them—and horror painted his face. "The Boss…" he whispered.
Before his eyes, the man's body twisted and grotesquely stretched. Veins pulsed and darkened, his muscles swelling until his form bulged against the limits of flesh. His jaw snapped open, revealing serrated teeth, eyes glowing with molten fire. His skin hardened into thick, brown armor-like plating.
Beside him, the other man convulsed violently, his frame splitting and reforming until the monstrous shape of a Minotaur towered where he once stood. With a guttural roar, both beasts surged forward, their heavy strides shaking the ground.
The other robed men stood still, silent shadows, awaiting orders.
Morganna's instincts ignited. Her heel struck the ground with force, and a wave of divine power surged through her. Luminous green vines erupted upward, weaving themselves into an intricate dome around her people. The vines shimmered with radiant light, a living barrier that repelled the seeping dark magic.
The monsters collided with it, claws and fists hammering against the glowing walls. Each blow sent ripples across the vines, their guttural roars reverberating like thunder. Zephyr stood motionless, watching, his expression unreadable.
Inside the vine dome, Rosette trembled, her breath quick and shallow. Mr. Kaito placed a steady hand on her shoulder, his voice calm. "Everything will be alright."
"My lady!" the Countess cried, her eyes darting between the straining vines and Morganna.
"I am thinking," Morganna replied, her tone clipped, her gaze never leaving the trembling wall of vines. The cracking grew louder, each fracture a warning that the shield would not last long.
"Lady Morganna," Mira said, her hand tight on her sword hilt, her face carved with steel. "This is the moment. We need to separate."
"That is exactly what I was considering," Morganna answered quickly. "You and I—"
"No, my lady," the Countess cut her off, stepping forward, her eyes blazing. "You are not staying here."
"Seraphina, this is not the time to argue," Morganna snapped, her patience thin.
"Yes, my lady, this is the time!" the Countess fired back, her voice sharp, her conviction unshaken. Around them, the vines groaned under the relentless pounding. Mael's grip tightened on his sword, Nina's blade shimmered in her hands, and Takashi's eyes never left the Vines.
"If I cannot remain here," Morganna demanded, "then what other plan do you have? Zephyr is the one blocking the transmission."
"My lady, we don't even know how to force him to bring it down," the Countess protested, her voice quick with urgency.
"What else but to kill him?" Mira interjected, her voice cold as iron.
"Exactly!" the Countess snapped in agreement.
Morganna opened her mouth to speak, but Mira's voice cut through the air before she could. "And in killing him, we should not forget the slaves hidden in their lair."
The words hung heavy. The Countess turned toward Morganna, her eyes shining with both urgency and quiet calculation. Morganna felt the weight of the moment press down upon her. A decision had to be made, and it would not be an easy one.
"Mira," Morganna said, her tone steady though her heart pounded, "can you and your subordinates truly handle the Zephyr?"
"Yes," Mira replied without hesitation, her voice sharp with certainty, her resolve like tempered steel.
"It is not a matter of simply saying 'yes,'" Morganna countered, her gaze piercing. As if the world itself agreed with her, a deafening smash cracked through the wall of vines. Light flared, and the barrier shuddered under the weight of monstrous force, but Morganna's will summoned new growth to seal the breach instantly. The green light pulsed with her power, though each pulse drained her further. "We are at war, Mira. And whatever grudge you bear against this Zephyr, you will need a clear, focused mind if you wish to kill him."
Mira's eyes softened slightly, though her voice remained resolute. "Understood."
Morganna turned then, her gaze falling upon Rosette. "Rosette… You don't have to worry…you will be following me and the Countess"
"Captain, what about me and Takashi?" Astrid asked quickly, her voice trembling with urgency as she looked to Mira.
Mira's chest tightened. She remembered her own words, her own choices. "Lady Morganna," she said firmly, "these two will be going with you."
Morganna's brows knitted together, ready to object, but Mira raised a hand, her tone brooking no argument. "The both of them will be useful. There may be dangers ahead we cannot foresee."
"She is right, my lady," the Countess added, her voice calm yet commanding.
Morganna's eyes flicked to Seraphina in disbelief, but the Countess's expression was flawless, a mask of composure. "What she says is the truth," she continued evenly. "You cannot protect us all by yourself. We will need others at your side."
Another violent smash shook the dome, cracks webbing across the glowing vines. The sound of claws raked against the barrier, echoing like thunder. Morganna drew in a breath, steadying herself. "Very well."
She spread her hands, her palms glowing with soft, verdant light. The stone floor groaned, split, and then yielded to her magic. Vines tore through the rock, weaving downward, shaping themselves into a tunnel lit with shimmering green luminescence. The path opened before them like the throat of the earth itself.
"We leave through here," Morganna declared. She turned her gaze toward Mira. "Agreed?"
Mira's eyes shifted to Astrid. "You can move now."
Astrid's face lit with relief, and she smiled, bowing her head. "Thank you, Captain." She descended into the glowing passage.
Takashi hesitated at the edge, his gaze lingering on Mira. His voice trembled with concern. "Captain… will you be alright? I can stay behind."
Mira met his eyes, her expression softening into something rare, something genuine. A small, warm smile curved her lips. "Nina and Mael are here, are they not?"
"Oh, come on, why waste time with all this talking?" Mael muttered, tightening his grip on his weapon, though his gruffness barely concealed his own tension.
"Stay safe, Takashi," Nina said gently, her voice tender and filled with quiet worry.
Takashi's smile returned, though a shadow of sorrow lingered in it, as if he feared this might be their last farewell. He followed Astrid into the tunnel.
Morganna's eyes met the Countess's. No words were spoken, but understanding passed between them like a silent vow.
"Angelo, Kaito," the Countess commanded. With unwavering resolve, she stepped into the tunnel first, her subordinates following at her side.
Rosette lingered only a heartbeat, clutching the ring tightly against her chest as though it were her last protection, before she, too, disappeared into the green-lit descent.
Morganna turned to Mira one last time, a faint but genuine smile gracing her lips. "It has been a long time since I have spoken these words, but… may the Goddess's light guide you to victory."
Mira's expression softened, her forest-green eyes unwavering. "And to you," she replied, her voice steady, though her heart tightened.
With that, Morganna stepped into the glowing tunnel. The vines sealed over her like a closing wound, and at once the dome above them began to unravel, the luminous barrier crumbling back into the ground.
The moment the protection vanished, the monsters roared with renewed fury. They lunged forward, claws raised, their massive forms shaking the courtyard stones.
Steel hissed as Mira, Mael, and Nina drew their weapons, their muscles coiled for the storm of violence.
But then, a single voice cut through the chaos.
"Wait."
Zephyr's command rang sharp as a blade. His voice alone seemed to seize the air, halting the monsters mid-charge. Their roars died in their throats as though swallowed, their hulking bodies frozen in place. All eyes turned to him as he fixed his gaze on Mira.
"Where are the others?" he asked, his tone quiet, yet it carried the weight of something dangerous.
Mira's grip tightened on her sword. Her jaw locked, her voice a low growl. "That is not your concern."
For the briefest moment, something flickered in Zephyr's eyes—an emotion neither Mira nor the others could name. Regret? Malice? Pity? It vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his chilling calm.
"Not my concern?" he repeated softly. His hand rose, not toward her, but toward a distant quarter of the kingdom. His voice sharpened, cruel and deliberate. "I was only asking… just to show the Queen."
From the unseen domain.
An inferno ripped across from it as dozens of fireballs materialized, each burning sphere the size of a siege weapon. They tore downward in blazing arcs, their descent like falling suns. Trails of blistering heat scarred the air, and the roar of their passage shook the very walls of Balmount Kingdom.
Nina's breath caught in her throat. Mael's eyes went wide, his bravado broken by awe and horror. Both stared helplessly at the incoming storm.
Mira's heart froze, then shattered into raw desperation. A scream ripped from her chest, ragged and primal. "NOOOOO!"
She launched forward with impossible speed, her body a silver blur, her resolve blazing hotter than the fire raining down. She tore past the halted monsters, their immensity forgotten. Every step was agony, every heartbeat a prayer. But even at her speed, she knew it. They are too fast. Too many. I cannot cut him down in time.
And then the earth itself answered.
The ground cracked and erupted, and a colossal wall of pure cerulean ice surged upward. The Glacial Bulwark rose like a god's hand, soaring into the heavens. It intercepted the blazing suns in a cataclysmic clash. Fire and ice collided in an explosion of light and fury, the sky boiling with steam and shattered ice. The bulwark shuddered, splintered, but held.
Not all, though. A handful of fireballs broke through, crashing into Balmount's streets. The screams began immediately—raw, human cries of pain and terror—as fire devoured wood, stone, and flesh alike. Smoke rose in dark plumes, carrying with it the scent of charred ruin.
Mira did not falter. Her rage had already consumed her fear. She was upon Zephyr in a heartbeat, her blade arcing down in a silver strike meant to cleave him in two.
Zephyr moved with unnerving grace, sidestepping as though she were nothing more than a shadow. His own blade—a wicked, curved weapon dark as obsidian—flashed into his hand. With a single, effortless motion, he met her strike.
Steel clashed with steel, the sound a deafening scream of sparks.
Golden eyes met forest-green, unflinching, unyielding. In that silent instant, the world narrowed to the two of them—a challenge, a promise, and a death sentence hanging unspoken between them.
And then the world exploded into chaos.
Nina and Mael, ripped from their shock, roared in fury. They dove into battle, their swords flashing as they met the monstrous forms that had now broken free. Claws struck steel, the air filling with the sound of battle cries and snarls.
The robed men surged forward in a dark tide, splitting into two forces. Some threw themselves at Nina and Mael, seeking to overwhelm them. The rest rushed toward Mira, their blades and spells meant to cut her down as she fought the Zephyr himself.
Mira held the line, her sword a streak of silver light as she parried Zephyr's dark, fire-edged blade. Each strike sent shockwaves through the courtyard, the ground trembling beneath their fury.
The battle had begun.