The room seemed ordinary at first glance: a worn-out sofa, a tattered rug, a round table of dark wood. But the gathering inside twisted the air into something tense, almost ritualistic — four shadows seated like decisive pieces on a board.
Ray, Azazel, Ryane, and a man with a skull mask — his face hidden behind carved bone — measured one another in silence. Then Ray spoke, bluntly:
— We brought the four moon crystals you asked for. And you? Do you have the four sacred beasts and the two legendary dragons?
The masked man smiled behind the skull.
— I have the four beasts — he replied. — And one dragon. The other was captured and sealed inside someone in the Kingdom of Hestia.
Azazel frowned.
— Then we can't hand you all the crystals. We had a different deal.
The masked man raised his hands, unconcerned.
— Relax. As compensation for the missing dragon, I have information about Thomas Reveler — he said, his voice bending like one who holds a trump card. — The scientist who stole part of your soul, Ray, left his largest laboratory inside a bunker in the Forest of Chaos, in the Ninja Kingdom.
Ray's eyes glimmered with interest.
— Continue. — His arrogance rang sharp.
The man pushed five ancient scrolls to the center of the table. The leather was cracked, but the seals remained.
— It cost dearly to capture these beasts. Make good use of them.
Ray gathered the scrolls carefully. Ryane, silent, pulled a leather pouch from her pocket and tossed it onto the table. The masked man opened it, counting the crystals: there were five.
— Consider the fifth a gift — Ray said with a wicked smile — for giving me such a valuable lead. Just out of curiosity, what do you plan to do with them?
— I collect the rare — the masked man answered simply. — That's all.
Ray and Azazel rose to their feet. Ray tugged Ryane by the essence cords — the black threads binding her — and she followed without resistance. The masked man remained behind, watching.
— The time has come — Azazel murmured. — I must go.
Ray sighed, as if swallowing down affection.
— Go in peace, brother. When I become king, you will be at my side. — His promise carried an odd sadness, almost human.
Azazel stepped forward and embraced him firmly.
— This isn't farewell. Just a "see you soon."
When the embrace ended, Azazel moved into the street, made a gesture — and his body faded to transparency, teleporting into the crowd until he vanished completely.
Ray's eyes lingered on a shop window displaying wooden dragon replicas. Childlike fascination lit his expression. He smiled, proof that power hadn't stripped him of small desires.
— First, I need to shop. — he said, pulling Ryane into the store.
---
Across the city, in a street of decaying houses, Azazel fell to his knees, coughing blood. The homes around him were nothing but rows of rotting boards and cracked stone, windows nailed shut with moss-covered planks, crooked porches sagging toward the street — a neighborhood forgotten by time.
Azazel bent forward, watching the black marks on his arms fade for a moment. Then he lifted his face, his expression twisted.
— I'm back. — he murmured, laughing as madness embraced him. — Finally back in my body.
His laughter echoed through the empty alleys.
---
In a modest café, Kevin, Luis, Luna, and Ruby shared a table. The smell of hot coffee and fresh bread clashed with the blood and smoke of earlier scenes.
— So that's what happened? — Luis said calmly, stirring his coffee. — I'm just glad you're alive. And as for Ruby… I don't think killing her is fair. She hasn't attacked anyone so far; she's behaved.
— I agree — Kevin said, stuffing cheese bread into his mouth. — She's got potential. She could become strong.
Luna slammed her cup down, irritated.
— Enough. We'll take this straight to the king. State of emergency. — Her anger was controlled, efficient.
Ruby spoke softly, trembling, eyes wet.
— I don't want to die.
Luis looked at her firmly, yet tenderly.
— No one will kill you while I'm alive. I'll protect you. — His words carried weight. Kevin nodded with his mouth full; Luna folded her arms.
She eyed Luis, curious.
— When we leave here, we head straight to the capital. But tell me, Luis… why did you come?
Luis set down his cup, his gaze piercing through the café as if reading a map.
— I was asked to gather information — he replied. — I don't like when pieces move without me seeing the entire board.
Kevin pushed back his chair, serious.
— Then let's leave before I forget why I'm even here.
The group stood in silence and left the café together.
---
Forest near the Kingdom of Hestia
The distant calls of birds broke against Ray's low laughter. He walked ahead, dragging Ryane by the essence chains. The Kingdom of Hestia's walls already loomed in the distance.
— Ryane, my dear… — he said cruelly. — Where I'm going, you cannot follow. I'll release you here. But first… the party must begin.
— What are you planning? — Ryane asked, her voice trembling, exhaustion heavy in her eyes.
Ray opened three scrolls before her, pressing his palm to them.
— Summoning.
White smoke filled the forest. When it cleared, three colossi towered over them.
Anira, the Beast of Fury: a wolf's body clad in black scales, eyes glowing like burning coals.
Kaito, the Devourer of Shadows: a massive panther with dark fur, a grotesque human face, and star-like eyes.
Thorvath, the Guardian of Memory: a bear's body, antlers of a stag, mirrored eyes reflecting the soul.
All three bowed their heads before Ray.
He spread his arms, pride gleaming.
— Behold, Ryane! The three sacred beasts… under my command!
— You'll unleash them upon the world?! — she cried, horrified.
Ray laughed.
— Go, destroy the Kingdom of Hestia. Leave nothing behind.
The chains binding Ryane vanished. The yellow tint drained from her eyes. She breathed deep, free.
— Do what you want with your life, my love. — Ray turned his back to her. — We'll meet again when I'm king of everything you know.
The beasts charged through the forest, toppling trees like twigs. Ryane watched Ray vanish toward the Ninja Kingdom. Tears spilling, she ran after the beasts.
---
Royal Palace
The chamber was the same where Luis had last given his report: shelves heavy with scrolls, a solid oak table, the royal crest carved into the wall.
Luna sat before the scribe.
— …That's what happened. — she concluded. — I ask that the king personally decide the matter of the girl Ruby.
The scribe recorded every word, then nodded.
— Your petition will reach the king. You may leave.
Luna stepped into the corridor. Passing the inner garden, she saw Kevin, Luis, and Ruby speaking with an old sage. She drew closer, catching fragments of the conversation.
— We'll need a small squad — the old man said. — Someone has to eliminate Ray.
Luis raised his hand eagerly, wrapping an arm around Ruby's shoulders.
— My cousin, this girl, and me. We leave today. We'll finish Ray and bring Julian back alive!
Luna interrupted:
— And what about the other one… Sebastian? Ever since Azazel left him, no one knows where he is.
All eyes turned toward her. The old man stroked his white beard.
— All we know is that Sebastian regained control of his body. But his whereabouts remain unknown.
Before anyone could answer, a thunderous boom shook the palace walls. The ground trembled.
A guard sprinted down the hall, pale.
— Sir! We're under attack!
— By whom? — asked the old sage.
— Three sacred beasts. We've already lost contact with part of the guard. But someone is facing them alone… and already defeated one.
Silence fell. Luis stepped forward.
— Who is it?
The soldier drew a deep breath.
— The 3rd Sentinel of Light of our kingdom… Ryane Dinark.
Kevin froze. Tears streamed before he realized. Luna's heart raced. Ruby looked bewildered. Luis lifted his face toward the sky.
— It's good to have you back, sister.
Suddenly, a strong voice echoed behind them:
— But the 3rd Sentinel cannot hold out alone.
A man in attire identical to Kevin's strode into the corridor. His hood concealed his face, but one detail was undeniable: where Kevin bore subtle blue accents, this man's shone bright crimson. Sword in hand, he passed them without hesitation.
— I'll take care of this. You, led by the legendary 1st Sentinel, will go after Ray.
Silence gripped the hall as he vanished toward the battlefield.
Luis breathed deep, turning to the others.
— We'll count on him. You heard it: Kevin, Ruby, and I will head to the Ninja Kingdom. Luna, help defend here.
Luna simply nodded, resolute, as the three disappeared down the same corridor as the 2nd Sentinel, guided by the old sage.