Scene: Sunrise. CA Headquarters.
The golden hue of the early sun spilled across the courtyard as Gray returned to the Central Alliance Headquarters. His coat fluttered gently in the morning breeze.
Everyone was already gathered—Ezren, Dawn, Tracey, and the rest of the team. Everyone… except Ari.
Gray looked around, his voice low but urgent.
Gray: "Where's Ari? Is she alright?"
Dawn shook her head, concern etched across her face.
Dawn: "She hasn't slept all night… and she hasn't eaten either. That's going to be a problem."
Gray's eyes narrowed, but he simply nodded and said,
Gray: "Get ready. We're moving out soon."
Everyone prepared without a word. Deep down, they already knew where Ari was.
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Scene Shift: Graveyard – The Grayvward
A gentle wind stirred as the scene opened on Ari. She knelt in front of two gravestones—those of her parents. In her hands, she crafted a circular floral garland, a token of love and memory. Once finished, she gently placed it over the headstones.
She bowed her head in silent prayer.
Moments later, the others arrived. Quietly. Respectfully.
Gray stepped forward and handed her a folded piece of paper.
Ari took it, unfolded it carefully, and read. Gray had written down everything he had overheard—the details, plans, and conversations between Uncle Gayle and the other BladeHex members.
Her hands tightened slightly around the paper.
Ari: "Ezren… is the BladeHex headquarters still in the same place as before?"
Ezren: "No. Not anymore. The original base is abandoned. They've moved it. It's in the Flower Region now."
Ari's eyes widened. Something clicked in her mind.
Ari: "We need to hurry."
She turned sharply.
Ari: "There's a canal… a hidden passage that connects to our family's ancient vault. If what Gray overheard is true—then the person behind this might be after something kept in that room."
They quickly mounted their travel beasts, Ari taking the lead with urgency in her voice.
Tracey: "What's in that room, Ari?"
Ari (without looking back): "I don't know exactly. But when I was a child, I once asked my grandfather about it. He told me it holds the treasures and legacies of our ancestors—what they left behind... or what once belonged to them."
Dawn: "If those people wanted something inside… why didn't they take it already?"
Gray: "Maybe they were waiting. For the right moment. Maybe... they needed your parents dead to gain access. It could be part of the plan."
Ezren nodded grimly. Several CA members followed behind them.
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Scene: Flower Region – Secret BladeHex Base
After several minutes, they arrived.
What stood before them looked more like a palace than a hideout. An enormous, ornate structure rose high with golden carvings and fortified walls—far too luxurious for something hidden. Clearly, immense money and power had gone into its construction.
Ari and Gray took the lead, the others flanking behind.
They approached a towering gate. A massive door blocked the entrance.
Ari turned to the others.
Ari: "Stay back."
She stepped forward and unsheathed her glowing blade.
Ari: "Eternal Blade."
With two swift, precise swings, she cleaved the door into halves. Ezren stepped forward, raising his hand.
Ezren: "Stone Magic: Stone Drill!"
A rumble followed as a swirling drill of stone smashed the remains of the gate, causing it to crash inward.
Inside the hallway beyond the door, three figures stood.
One stepped forward with a smirk.
Mich: "It's been a while… hasn't it, Ari?"
Beside him stood Sana and Rosa—all three members of BladeHex. Former academy mates… now enemies.
Mich: "So, Gray Welhawk ruined our plan. And Kaito isn't back yet... which means you defeated and kill him , didn't you?"
Everyone turned toward Gray in shock.
Ezren: "Vice Commander Gray… you fought one of the BladeHex last night and defeated him?!"
The others were stunned. They all knew Gray was powerful—but this was unexpected.
Gray (nonchalantly): "Why're you all looking at me like that? Defeating one of them isn't that big a deal."
Mich scoffed.
Mich: "Maybe. Kaito was the weakest among us. He was only around Eminence level. But don't get cocky. The rest of us are all Vice General level… and Aden? He's beyond that."
Ezren stepped forward.
Ezren: "Are the victims of the Hale incident imprisoned here?"
Mich pointed lazily to a hallway.
Mich: "Yeah, they're locked up down that corridor."
Rosa turned sharply.
Rosa: "You idiot! Why would you tell them that?!"
Mich: "It doesn't matter anymore. They've already found us. We'll kill them before they can do anything."
He laughed darkly.
Ezren gave the order.
Ezren: "Vice Commander Ryel, take your unit and rescue the prisoners. Go!"
Ryel and the CA members rushed toward the prison corridor.
As they moved, Rosa struck with a powerful ice slash, aiming at the fleeing rescue team. But Ezren reacted swiftly.
Ezren: "Stone Magic: Stone Pillar!"
A massive stone wall erupted between Rosa's blade and the team, blocking the attack and allowing them to escape.
Dawn stepped forward.
Dawn: "We'll handle these three. Ari, Gray—you two move ahead!"
Ari turned briefly to her friends.
Tracey gave a confident nod.
Tracey: "You can count on us."
Ari smiled, then followed Gray toward the heart of the palace.
Suddenly, Sana launched a bolt of lightning toward them—but Ashenfang appeared, summoned by Tracey. The beast roared, tanking the lightning with ease.
Tracey: "Buddy… let's do this. You've taken worse than this before."
Ashenfang roared back, thunder rolling in his throat.
Dawn faced Mich, who now drew his weapon—a brilliant blue blade infused with swirling water magic.
She pulled her iron rod from her back, her expression calm.
Ezren, meanwhile, squared off against Rosa.
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Deep Inside the Palace
A vast hall stretched out like a throne chamber. At a long table sat Gayle, Aden, and Sasha—watching it all unfold through a magical projection on the wall.
Sasha: "Ari's here… with her friends and CA members. Mich and the others are already engaging them."
Aden: "Uncle… when will she reach us?"
Gayle: "She's already inside. The preparations have begun. When they're done… we move."
He placed a hand on Aden's shoulder.
Gayle: "This is your moment. Once this is over, you'll have more power than anyone else. No one will be able to stop you—not even your sister."