The Geneva Council chamber trembled with the weight of clashing auras.
Golden sand swirled violently, rising like a desert storm, while crimson flames crackled with explosive fury. Rehan and Zahir stood face-to-face, their killing intent pressing down on every soul in the room. Even seasoned presidents and hardened generals broke into cold sweat, their throats tight as if an invisible hand was choking them.
One wrong move—and the entire chamber would be reduced to rubble.
Zahir roared:
"Enough talk, Rehan Khan! You claim you can protect the Scarlet Bloodline? Prove it with your life!"
His sand coiled into massive spears, hissing as they hovered above him like executioner's blades.
Rehan snarled, aura flaring brighter, his voice sharp enough to cut steel.
"You'll touch her over my dead body!"
Blue flames erupted from his hands, forming two blazing chains that wrapped around his arms like serpents ready to strike. The two powers lunged forward—sand and fire colliding with a thunderous crack.
The marble floor shattered. The banners of nations swayed violently. A shockwave surged outward, forcing diplomats and guards to cover their faces.
And then—
A single voice cut through everything.
"Enough."
The sound was calm, almost gentle… but the entire battlefield froze. The aura storm collapsed as if smothered under a divine will. Sand fell to the ground like harmless dust, and Rehan's crimson chains flickered, extinguished in silence.
Everyone turned.
From the far end of the council, the air itself parted. A figure stepped forward—tall, slender, his long silver hair flowing like moonlight. His robes were white with golden trim, every stitch carrying an air of ancient dignity. His eyes—deep, golden, ageless—looked upon the chamber as though he had seen a thousand lifetimes pass.
The Aura Wielder Leader.
The legends called him "The Eternal Guardian."
Age: 150 years.
Title: strongest Wielder of the World.
Real name:shion Arashi
The council chamber fell into hushed reverence. Even the world's presidents—who a moment ago were screaming for Ishita's death—bowed their heads instinctively.
Zahir dropped to one knee immediately, sweat streaming down his temple. Rehan also dropped to one knee immediately, sweat streaming down his temple.
"My apologies, world leaders… for entering uninvited. But this battle…" His voice deepened, echoing with authority. "…this battle proves nothing."
The silence was absolute.
He stepped closer, gaze sweeping over Rehan, then Zahir, before finally resting on Ishita.
"The Scarlet Bloodline is not a curse to be judged by fear. It is a key. And only by witnessing the bearer's path can we decide her fate."
He turned, facing the world leaders.
"I will not allow her execution. Instead… we give her a chance. A chance to stand against the Ghost Demon itself. If she succeeds, the world will have its answer. If she fails, I shall take full responsibility."
Gasps rippled across the chamber. The presidents exchanged frantic whispers. Was he protecting her? Or was this a death sentence masked as a trial?
The U.S. President slammed the desk.
"You speak as if you decide for us all!"
The Leader's golden eyes pierced him with a single glance. Harrison Cole's words died in his throat instantly, as though crushed by invisible weight.
Russia's Volkov muttered under his breath, "Monstrous…"
The Leader continued.
"Zahir Al-Fahim. Apologize."
The Egyptian wielder clenched his fists, his pride burning—but in front of his master, he bowed his head.
"…Forgive me, Scarlet bearer. And you as well, Rehan Khan. I let my arrogance speak too loudly."
The shock in the chamber deepened. To see a wielder—proud, untouchable—bow his head before Ishita was something even world leaders had never imagined.
One by one, the other wielders followed suit. Akira inclined his head with quiet grace. Hyejin of Korea lowered her gaze. Klaus of Germany pressed his hand to his chest. Even Sophia, the radiant Light Wielder of the UK, gave a soft nod.
For Ishita—who only weeks ago was an ordinary girl—this was overwhelming. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she stood tall.
The Leader turned to the presidents.
"This is the will of the Aura Council. Do you disagree?"
A heavy silence followed. No leader dared to stand against him.
Finally, France's Moreau broke it.
"…Very well. If she fights… then so be it."
The chamber reluctantly agreed. The verdict was passed. Ishita Joshi, Scarlet Bloodline, would not be executed. She would be tested against the Ghost Demon itself.
---
Humanity's New Order
The Leader raised his voice again.
"Until the Ghost Demon is destroyed, all nations will adapt to war-time measures. Schools and offices will function online. Trade shall continue digitally, but physical borders must remain under heavy watch. Every city vulnerable to attack will be evacuated, and military garrisons will protect families of aura wielders directly."
India's Prime Minister, who had flown in urgently, rose to speak. His voice was steady, protective.
"As for Ishita Sharma's family—my nation will safeguard them. Five hundred soldiers shall be stationed in Borivali immediately. No harm will touch them."
Murmurs of agreement spread across the chamber. Leaders nodded, strategies were whispered, and the machinery of global war began to shift.
For the first time in history, humanity wasn't preparing to fight each other.
They were preparing to fight extinction.
---
Li Wei's Comedy Touch
As the tension thinned, Li Wei stretched his arms, yawning. His calm voice carried across the hall:
"Aw, come on. I thought we were going to see a proper duel. Sand storms, crimson chains, fire everywhere. And now—just politics. What a letdown."
The chamber blinked at him in stunned silence. Then, awkwardly, a few chuckles broke out. Even Ishita laughed softly, though her nerves were still tight.
Rehan's glare darted to him.
"You… find this funny?"
Li Wei grinned lazily.
"Of course. If the fate of the world hangs on a crying aura wielder and a hot-headed bodyguard, then we're all doomed anyway."
Rehan's aura flared instantly.
"Say that again, Soul Wielder!"
Li Wei's grin widened.
"Oh, so you do know I'm stronger than you."
The chamber nearly cracked into chaos again, until the Leader cleared his throat. Both fell silent instantly, like scolded children.
---
Flashback – Li Wei and Ishita
Later, when the council disbanded and leaders returned to their convoys, Rehan finally cornered Li Wei.
"You. How did Ishita end up in your hands?"
Li Wei tilted his head innocently.
"Oh? Curious, are we?"
Rehan growled. "Answer."
The Soul Wielder chuckled, and his eyes softened, as if replaying a memory.
---
Two Days Earlier – Tokyo
Li Wei had arrived at the smoking ruins of the street Akira once fought on. The air stank of blood and steel.
He muttered, "Late… he already handled it."
Police sirens blared. Officers rushed toward him, guns raised.
"You! Stop! You're not Japanese. Identify yourself!"
Li Wei sighed, scratching the back of his neck.
"My name is Li Wei. I'm here on urgent business with your Prime Minister. Arrest me if you want, but I'll just walk through."
Before they could react, he vanished into thin air. Moments later, he appeared directly inside the Prime Minister's office.
There, he overheard the discussion—about Ishita, about Scarlet. His expression turned grave.
"If you kill her," he said, interrupting the room, "her aura backlash will wipe out fifty kilometers of life instantly. At worst… it could spawn curses worse than the Ghost Demon itself."
The President paled.
"Then what do you propose?"
Li Wei's eyes glinted.
"I'll train her. At least enough to keep the world from exploding the moment she sneezes."
And so, he had taken Ishita to China, training her for two days. Nothing fancy—just control, meditation, a few grounding techniques. She was far from battle-ready, but enough to not kill half a city by accident.
Then the summons came. Every wielder was ordered to Geneva. And so, Li Wei brought her along.
---
Training Dispute
Back in Geneva's aftermath, Rehan scowled.
"You had no right. Her training is my responsibility."
Li Wei smirked.
"Oh? And you've done such a great job so far, letting her nearly blow herself up? Maybe she prefers a real teacher."
Rehan's veins throbbed.
"Say that again, and I'll—"
"—burn me alive?" Li Wei chuckled. "Relax. I don't want her. If you're that desperate to play the protective older brother, fine. She's yours."
Ishita sweatdropped at the childish argument. "Um… I'm right here, you know."
Both men ignored her.
---
Return to Borivali
Later that night, Rehan teleported Ishita back to Borivali Station. The streets were eerily quiet, military trucks patrolling the roads. Together, they walked to her house.
Inside, her parents were waiting, confused and fearful.
Rehan bowed respectfully.
"Namaste. I am Rehan Kumar. Your daughter… is no longer ordinary. She is now an aura wielder."
At first, her parents' voices rose in anger and fear. "What have you done to her?!"
Rehan's tone hardened.
"She cannot remain here. Her power will draw demons endlessly. If she stays, your lives are at risk."
The ground shook as heavy boots echoed outside. The Indian Army arrived—rows of soldiers securing the house, officers stepping forward.
Her father looked at Ishita, torn apart inside. Her mother clung to her, sobbing.
"Mummy… Papa…" Ishita's tears spilled freely. She didn't want to let go. Neither did they.
But finally, with broken hearts, they agreed. The Army escorted them to a fortified safehouse basement, promising absolute protection.
Ishita cried until her throat burned. Rehan stood beside her, silent, his eyes shadowed.
---
Zahir Returns
As her parents were taken away, Zahir approached, arms crossed.
"Oh, oh… so even aura wielders cry."
Rehan glared.
"You again. What do you want?"
Zahir's smirk faded. His tone was serious.
"Work. A real fight. Paris is under siege. Two mid-rank demons. An army of two thousand lesser beasts. The city won't last without us. Ishita comes too. She needs to see what we're really fighting."
Rehan's eyes narrowed.
"…Paris, huh?"
Zahir nodded.
"Gather your strength. We leave now."
And with that, the next battle awaited.