The rising sun bathed the forest in amber light as the team stirred from their slumber. The air was cold, heavy with the scent of morning dew and looming tension.
Riah stepped toward Kazimir, wrapping her arms around him in a soft, grounding embrace.
Riah: "You'll need this."
Kazimir blinked, surprised, then gave a faint smile.
Kazimir: "Thanks. I did."
She looked up at him, her brows furrowing slightly.
Riah: "Today won't be easy. Those parasites we tracked… they're A-rank level. This won't be like before."
Kazimir: "We'll manage. You and I are A-rank ourselves… it's the others I'm worried about."
He paused, his expression darkening. "But something's off."
Riah: "Right? They're not attacking like they should. It's too quiet."
Kazimir: "Because they're not acting on instinct anymore. They're organized. Calculated. It's like… they're being directed. And only one thing does that."
He turned, voice low.
"A Dynasty."
Riah: "Then we need to report this. Now."
Kazimir: "You call the Vandors. Tell them what we saw."
He glanced at the group behind her.
"Tojo, Gendai… the rest of you shouldn't be here."
Tojo: (scowling) "The hell's that supposed to mean?"
Kazimir: "Riah, even you. I know how strong you are—but you should stay out of this. Let the Vandors handle it."
Raijin: "You must be trippin'. This mission's worth a fat paycheck."
Kazimir: (sharply) "That paycheck is death. You're walking into it."
Gendai: (softly) "Isn't it death for you, too?"
Kazimir: "That's not your concern. I'd rather all of you stay safe… from me."
Riah stepped forward, hurt flaring in her eyes.
Riah: "Safe from you? So you're looking down on me again?"
Kazimir said nothing, but she continued, voice trembling with passion.
Riah: "I may not know how to fully control my power yet, but I'm not weak, Kazimir. Just like you, I have something inside me I don't understand. But I'm still here. Still fighting."
Kazimir: "I know. But I'm not willing to risk it. These parasites… they've changed since yesterday. Something isn't right."
Gendai: "Then we all leave together. Or not at all."
Kazimir: "And who's going to make me?"
Riah: (stepping closer, eyes burning) "Me. I told you before, Kazimir—I'll do anything to keep you safe. Even if it means hurting you to do it. You think this is your burden alone, don't you? That because a Dynasty killed your mother, it's your war to finish."
Gendai: "Exactly. Stop pushing us away. We're here for you."
Before Kazimir could reply, a sharp screech pierced the air. Everyone clutched their ears as pain rang through their skulls like shards of glass.
Tojo: "What the hell is that?!"
Suddenly, like a phantom slipping from shadow, a figure appeared behind Gendai. Its claws gleamed—razor-sharp and deadly. A heartbeat from death.
Kazimir's sword flashed.
Steel collided with the Dynasty's attack, sparks flying. The force launched the beast back into the trees.
Kazimir didn't stop.
He threw his blade toward the creature with unnatural precision. It deflected the weapon—but only barely. Kazimir caught it mid-air, his form vanishing with a burst of speed as he chased it deeper into the woods.
Gendai: (gasping) "That thing—! It was so fast I didn't even see it…"
Riah: "NEVER MIND THAT—WE HAVE TO GET TO KAZIMIR!"
Tojo: "Riah! Wait—damn it!"
She bolted into the trees, wings of flame already starting to glow faintly behind her. The others scrambled to regroup.
Gendai: "We should follow her!"
Raijin: "How the hell did Kazimir react that fast…? I didn't even sense it."
Tojo: (grimly) "You still surprised? That guy's been hiding his real power since day one. But this… this is different. Even for him. No one's ever defeated a Dynasty. Even the Vandors avoid them."
He stopped mid-sentence, eyes wide.
Tojo: "Wait. Riah said the name Karah. And Kazimir… he's lightning. There was only one Lightning Vandor who ever encountered a Dynasty. And she died. That means…"
Xavier: "Kazimir's her son."
Raijin: "…and Jessie's his sister. She's a Vandor too."
Xavier: "That explains everything."
Raijin: "No wonder he's better than us."
Tojo: "Enough talking—let's move! We have to back them up. Now."