Meanwhile, Nate had returned to his small form—lying on the ground like a lifeless stone doll.
Archer and his two brothers moved quickly, avoiding the worst-case scenario. They retrieved Nate before any foreign hands could touch him—because they knew: one second could change fate.
A few steps away from them, a sound like thunder tore through the sky.
Boom.
A massive explosion shook the place where Arion and the Abyss monster were fighting. A wave of heat swallowed the air, metals were lifted and melted by the blaze that rose like hell itself opening in the middle of the city.
All eyes were fixed on the fire burning the sky…
…until from within it emerged Arion.
Or more precisely: Arion still possessed by Gavrilo.
He stepped out of the flames, not a single wound on his body. Dust and fire seemed to retreat from his aura, as if they knew better than to touch something greater than themselves.
But his gaze was empty. Full of power. Cold.
That was not Arion. It was Gavrilo moving his body.
Without saying a single word, he ran toward the security officers. In the blink of an eye, they were struck down one by one like straw dolls. Their protective helmets flew off, their bodies rolled, collapsing among the sharp metal.
The only guard still standing was an old man trembling, clutching a metal rod.
He knew his death was only a breath away.
But—just as Gavrilo's fist was about to strike—
"Enough…!"
The fist stopped. Right in front of the guard's face.
Arion fought back.
From within his trapped consciousness, Arion clenched his teeth. He tried to take control. His head trembled, his body refused to move. A clash of wills erupted inside him.
"Stop it, Gavrilo! This is my body!"
But Gavrilo did not want to let go. He didn't believe Arion could face this world alone. He still wanted to be the protector.
That conflict exploded within seconds that felt like forever...
Until finally—
The light faded.
Arion's body weakened, and Gavrilo was released. He returned to his small statue form, falling to the ground in a soft, aching shimmer.
Arion, exhausted, picked up the statue. His gaze was empty… but behind his eyes, there was a clear emotional wound.
Arion walked back to Archer's side.
But mockery awaited his return.
An old woman—the aunt of the children Eizo had saved—looked at him with hatred. She knew who Arion really was.
"You! Cowardly prince! Traitor to your own blood! You let us die for your throne!"
The insult was sharp, full of venom. Arion could only lower his head. He couldn't deny it… because in his heart, that doubt still lingered.
But before the woman could continue her curses, Aiden growled softly.
The sound of his growl was enough to still the wind.
"Enough."
The voice was like that of a wild beast. Aiden's eyes glowed, and the pressure of his aura rendered the woman frozen in place.
But there was another effect.
Eizo was frightened. His body trembled, and the hands of his siblings clung tightly to his cold frame.
As fear completely overtook Eizo—
Nate—still in Archer's hands—moved.
In an instant, he returned to his original form, leaping in front of Eizo and spreading his wings of light, shielding the boy from Aiden's frightening presence.
Everyone fell silent.
Nate's eyes were fixed solely on Eizo, and as their eyes met—a faint glow appeared on Eizo's right hand.
The same symbol as Arion's.
At that very moment, everyone realized…
Nate had chosen.
Eizo was his partner.