Rhogar recalls his legendary duel with Grandfather Imperial during a royal wedding, where fire, sound, and lightning clashed in a battle of equals.
Their final blows are stopped by Cyrus and Lyra, reminding them of the world outside their fight.
Back in the present, Imperial emerges from the Dark Space, victorious yet worn, reuniting with Elara and Reyn.
But peace is short-lived—as Renji and Vera arrive, declaring it's time for Imperial to return with them.
Imperial: "What about those royal soldiers?"
Vera glanced at them casually.
"Oh, them? Ignore them."
Renji: "Didn't expect to find you so easily."
Imperial: "You've got it backward. I should be thanking you. I've been wasting time looking for your group."
Renji placed a hand on Vera's shoulder.
"We're teleporting now."
Imperial stepped toward them, and Elara quickly jogged forward, placing a hand on Vera.
"Imperial, hold on to me," she said.
Imperial grabbed Reyn's shoulder.
Flash.
They vanished.
________________________________________
Scene Shift: The Headquarters of Unique
They reappeared in a stone-walled structure—tall, ancient, and ominous. Renji led the way as Imperial and the others followed.
Elara: "Is going with strangers really safe?"
Reyn: "With Imperial by our side? We're probably the safest people on the planet."
They entered a grand room. At the center of a long table sat a man—his presence calm but commanding. On either side of him were four seated members.
Renji and Vera bowed.
"As you ordered, my lord. We brought Imperial."
The man nodded.
"Well done. Please, take your seats."
He turned to Imperial.
"There's a seat for you as well."
A single chair was placed directly opposite the man. Imperial sat down silently.
"My name is Asher. I'm the leader of this organization—the Unique. It's an honor to meet you."
Imperial didn't respond.
A few members frowned, clearly annoyed at his silence.
Asher continued, calm and focused:
"Let's get straight to the point. We saw what you did during the Solaria Empire battle. Your strength is beyond anything we've seen.
The Unique were formed to one day rule the world under one banner—mine. But with your power...
I want you to join me, Imperial. Together, we can shape the future."
Imperial's eyes quietly scanned the room. He observed each person at the table.
Then, he removed his mask and slid it into a temporary dark magic pocket floating in the air.
Imperial spoke:
"I have two conditions.
If you can meet them… I'll join."
One man—sitting at Asher's right—stood up, voice raised.
"How dare you make demands before the Lord of Unique?! You think you're someone we must negotiate with?"
Elara stepped forward.
"Watch your tone, worm."
The man—Soren—snarled and moved to attack her.
"Soren, stop!" Asher's voice boomed across the room.
At the same moment, Imperial tapped the table with one finger.
A wave of darkness spread through the room—thick, suffocating, terrifying. Everyone at the table froze, paralyzed by an overwhelming force.
Soren couldn't move.
Renji: "What... is this magic?!"
Vera: "His aura… it's too much."
Imperial lifted his finger. The pressure vanished instantly.
Asher: "Apologies for my subordinates. That was... out of line."
Imperial: "As long as my conditions are met, it doesn't matter."
Asher: "Very well. Let's hear them."
Imperial: "First—I want a teleportation ring. I've seen everyone here wears one. I assume you have spares or at least know how to get them."
Asher: "Caleb."
A man stood and brought a small black box to Imperial, who opened it to reveal a black ring etched with three magical stickers—the same kind Jack could create.
"Do all come with only three?" Imperial asked.
Caleb: "Yes. Three stickers. Use them wisely."
Imperial wore the ring and nodded.
"I will."
He slipped the box into his dark magic pocket.
Asher: "Now… your second request?"
Imperial: "I want you to come with me to the Curse Shrine. And open the Gate of the Shrine for me."
The room went silent.
All members stood, shocked.
"You've got some nerve!" one growled.
"Whether or not you join us, that place is off-limits! The Curse Shrine is—"
Imperial interrupted:
"I'll offer you my protection during the journey, Asher. I'll ensure your return, unharmed."
Asher raised a hand.
"Sit down, all of you."
Everyone obeyed, reluctantly.
He turned to Imperial.
"Then I also have a requirement. Bring jack the teleporter to us."
Imperial: "After we return from the shrine… I'll deliver Jack, to you."
Asher smiled faintly.
"Deal."
Soren: "My lord, if you're going… allow us to escort you!"
Asher looked at Imperial for his opinion.
Imperial: "I'll protect you. The rest… are on their own."
Asher: "When do we leave?"
Imperial: "Now is best."
________________________________________
Scene Shift: The Next Day – Hale Mansion
Inside the Hale estate, everyone was preparing to leave.
Aden: "You can stay here longer if you want."
Ari: "We'd love to… but we have something important to find."
Dawn: "Let's go, Ari."
Outside, Gray and Tracey were waiting.
Ari stepped out. Aden and BladeHex members followed to see her off.
Gray was holding a folded newspaper.
Dawn: "What's that? Something interesting?"
Gray handed it to her.
Dawn read aloud:
"Red Mark Imperial defeats General Rhogar... and is now seen with the Unique."
Her expression tightened.
Dawn: "The Unique? That group planning to rule the world?"
Aden nodded.
"Yes. A dangerous force. Each member wields a magic so rare, it only appears once in a generation."
Gray: "And now Imperial is with them.
Could this have been his true plan all along?"
Ari looked ahead.
"Let's move. We don't have time to waste."
The team walked forward—heading toward their next destination.
Tracey glanced sideways.
"Where are we going exactly? Do you have any idea where the next pillar might be?"
Ari nodded slightly.
"I've noticed a pattern. Except for the pillar we found in the Central Empire, all the others have been either in the northern or southern regions. So we'll begin our search in the north. I'm sure we'll find one there."
Understanding her logic, Tracey prepared to summon a travel beast—but Ari stopped him with a raised hand.
"This time, we'll go by cart."
A covered cart rolled in from the distance, bearing the emblem of the Hale family.
Ari smiled softly.
"This is my personal cart. My father gave it to me so I could travel freely."
The driver stepped down, bowing slightly.
"Greetings, Lady Ari."
Ari nodded back.
"Good to see you again."
They all climbed aboard, and the cart began rolling toward the northern mountains.
"The northern region is filled with high mountain ranges," Ari said. "We'll need to stop for cold-weather clothes and items along the way."
________________________________________
Meanwhile…
Elsewhere in the empire, Imperial stood with Elara, Reyn, and the unique's.
Isla stepped forward.
"I can teleport us to the nearest town close to the Curse Shrine."
With a surge of magic, they vanished and reappeared at Rome Town in the southern region.