Silence blanketed the royal hall as its massive doors closed with a slow, solemn groan.
The metallic hinges scraped against the marble floor, leaving behind a deep echo that lingered like the breath of an ancient beast.
Even the ministers, frozen in their seats, dared not exhale.
The king's final words still rang in their minds — a heavy bell tolling the dawn of a new age…
An age no one could predict.
Lloyd walked beside Kain down the grand corridor, their footsteps harmonizing against the pristine white marble that gleamed under the warm glow of torches.
Every flicker of light stretched their shadows long and thin, merging and separating like two halves of the same fate — master and disciple, past and future.
The silence between them was suffocating.
Even their breathing felt loud.
Kain halted abruptly and turned toward Lloyd, his expression trembling between disbelief and unease.
His voice, low and burdened with emotion, broke the stillness:
> "I never imagined we'd meet again like this, Lloyd… You've changed. In just a week, you've become someone else entirely."
Lloyd lifted his head slowly, the torchlight glinting in his eyes. His tone was calm — too calm — yet beneath it stirred a storm of memories.
> "Change… sometimes isn't a choice, Master. It's the only price of survival."
Those words struck Kain like a silent blow.
He clenched his fists, voice rising without thought, trembling between anger and fear.
> "No… No! Change doesn't happen like that! Not in a week! No one becomes a hero overnight!"
Lloyd chuckled softly, the sound tinged with bitterness, lifting an eyebrow in faint mockery — not of Kain, but of fate itself.
> "Heh… Maybe I have my own methods. I was running from your little test — or so I thought. Turns out I was running from death itself.
From beasts that wield Cores! Can you believe that?"
Kain's eyes widened. For a moment, he looked as though speech itself had abandoned him.
His lips parted, trembling:
> "I—I didn't send you there… How did—?!"
Lloyd cut him off, his voice quiet but sharp as glass:
> "I almost died more times than I can count.
I saw things no one should see. At first, I just froze. Then I fought. Then I broke.
Now, every time I see a creature with a Core… I feel something inside me shatter all over again. It destroyed me, Master."
His hands trembled. The anger in his chest turned heavy, sinking into something colder.
Kain's face softened, regret and pain flashing through his eyes.
He stepped forward and placed a hand on Lloyd's shoulder, firm yet gentle.
> "I'm sorry, Lloyd… Truly. I should've protected you from something beyond your strength.
But despite it all, I'm proud of you. I'm glad you're still alive."
Lloyd blinked away a tear, forcing a faint smile.
> "Heh… Thanks. I didn't think I'd hear that again."
Kain laughed quietly, patting his shoulder.
> "Now tell me everything. Don't skip a single detail — I've missed your insane stories."
Lloyd looked down, his voice fading into thought.
"I'm… actually happy. Someone still cares. After everything I lost."
He began to speak — slowly at first, then faster, his words weaving images of chaos and pain.
He spoke of the forest, of the roar that nearly shattered him, of the Ki that erupted from within.
And then… the moment when his eyes turned crimson.
The world slowed.
Time bent.
Every heartbeat echoed like thunder in his veins.
But the price… was agony — searing pain that clawed through his vision and spread like frostfire through his body.
Kain's expression hardened.
> "Wait. What did you just say?" he snapped, voice slicing the air.
"Your eyes… turned red?"
Lloyd nodded, steady but uneasy.
> "Yes. I didn't understand it myself.
Everything slowed down — I could see, feel, react faster than ever.
But when it ended… my eyes burned like they were about to explode."
Kain took a slow step closer, voice heavy with dread.
> "Listen carefully, Lloyd. What you awakened isn't normal. It might be a gift… or a curse.
Don't overuse it. Don't even let anyone see it.
Because the moment you do — they'll want it."
Lloyd's lips curved into a small, confident smile.
> "Don't worry, Master. I couldn't control it even if I wanted to. It appeared on its own… and when I tried again, nothing happened."
Kain stared into the distance, muttering under his breath:
> "The Crimson Eye… I never thought he would be the one to awaken it."
> "Hm? Did you say something?"
But Kain didn't answer.
His gaze drifted to the moonlit window — the silver glow fading behind a shroud of black clouds.
Something unseen stirred in the dark.
"The eye that awakens… brings forth change."
The voice echoed in Kain's mind — a whisper from a time long buried.
---
Morning bathed the royal capital in gold.
The arena stood gleaming, filled with nobles, knights, and the king himself seated upon his throne.
Lloyd stepped forward, silver sword gleaming, eyes calm yet burning with silent resolve.
> "Alright… who's my opponent this time?"
The gate creaked open.
A towering knight emerged, his armor black as midnight, his great axe humming with faint lightning.
> "I am Haru no Sato, Knight of the Third Circle of the Thunder Core."
Lloyd blinked, startled.
> "Third… circle? What is he talking about?"
[Note: The Core is a source of inner power. Its mastery evolves through circles — twelve in total. Each circle unlocks deeper control and new abilities.]
Haru smiled, his tone confident yet friendly:
> "Hey, boy. You're young and reckless, I can tell. Consider this battle… a lesson."
Lloyd straightened, eyes gleaming with determination.
> "Sir Haru… Let's make it a good one."
"Heh. That's the spirit."
Kain's voice boomed across the arena:
> "If both are ready… begin!"
The air thickened.
The crowd fell silent.
Then—
Clang!
Lloyd moved first — a flash of silver cutting through the air.
His sword clashed against Haru's axe in a storm of sparks.
The king leaned forward, eyes narrowing.
Even he couldn't hide his intrigue.
But Haru's defense was perfect — a wall of lightning and steel.
Lloyd retreated, panting.
> "His armor's like stone… and he's fast. Too fast."
He darted forward again, slashing in a flurry of precise strikes.
Each one met by a counter, measured and calm.
Haru moved like a warrior who had seen a hundred wars.
Suddenly — a swift kick to the ribs.
> "Gah—!" Lloyd coughed, stumbling back.
Haru's voice thundered:
> "You haven't seen anything yet!"
His axe swung down, a blur of motion.
Lloyd barely dodged, channeling his Ki, every nerve in his body igniting.
He moved — faster than sight — and struck.
CLANG!
Another block.
> "Damn it… his defense is flawless!"
The king's gaze sharpened.
> "Why hasn't he used his Core yet?" he muttered.
"Maybe he's mocking his opponent," replied a general.
> "No…" the king whispered. "Kain wouldn't train someone like that."
Down below, Haru raised his axe again.
> "If you don't get serious, boy, I'll crush you!"
Lloyd exhaled slowly, eyes burning with quiet fury.
He smiled — a calm, fearless smile that made even Haru hesitate.
> "I won't fall."
The two charged again — steel against lightning, each blow shaking the ground.
A kick to the stomach sent Lloyd flying, yet he gritted his teeth.
> "Tch… no choice. I'll gamble it all on this!"
He hurled his sword — a perfect throw.
Haru dodged easily — but when he turned—
Lloyd was already in front of him.
A flash of silver — a strike straight to the helm.
Haru laughed mid-blow.
> "Not bad, kid. But gambling… gets you killed."
He grabbed Lloyd, slammed him down, a storm of controlled strikes following before tossing him aside like a doll.
Dust rose.
Silence fell.
Lloyd didn't move.
Then — his hand twitched.
He pushed himself up, blood dripping from his lip, voice hoarse but defiant:
> "No… I won't fall… not yet."
Haru froze, then smiled faintly.
> "You still stand… after that?"
Lloyd laughed through the pain.
> "I told you… I don't give up. Even if I fall a thousand times… I'll rise a thousand and one."
The crowd murmured — awe replacing doubt.
Kain's lips curved upward in quiet pride.
> "That's my student… the boy who never bows to fate."
Lloyd steadied his stance, gathering his final strength, and charged again.
The ground trembled beneath him — his Ki blazing.
But Haru… had already moved.
A whisper of lightning flashed — and struck.
Lloyd's body froze mid-step, then fell.
Silence.
Haru approached, his voice soft.
> "You exceeded my expectations, Lloyd. I didn't use my Core until now… and you still made me."
He turned to the judges.
> "The match is over."
But before leaving, he looked down once more — eyes thoughtful.
> "One day… this boy will surpass me."
Kain closed his eyes, pride flickering across his face.
> "I know he will."
But deep within Lloyd's unconscious body… something stirred.
Something ancient.
Something that watched.
And the Crimson Eye —
awoke once more.
---
🔥 End of Chapter 12 🔥