"…Long time no see."
Kori's words lingered in the small shed like sparks of static. His gaze locked onto Kaosu's, neither blinking, both carrying memories that weighed heavier than words.
Kaosu parted his lips, ready to respond—when the door exploded open.
A squad of Golden Soldiers stormed in, armor gleaming as if the sun itself had been forged into steel. Their swords shimmered with radiant energy, their voices echoing:
"By decree of the King—capture the traitor Kaosu!"
Kaosu's body froze in terror. Supira pulled him back, Kaiyo gasped, but before anyone could react—Kaji stepped forward.
A golden blade lunged toward him. His eyes narrowed.
"Not today."
Sand erupted from the ground, swirling into his hands. With a swift motion, he drew the particles together, shaping them into a bow of pure shifting sand. Strings of golden dust stretched tight, humming with power.
He loosed his first arrow. It pierced a soldier's chest and shattered his armor into fragments of light. Another arrow followed, then another—each shot swift, precise, merciless. One by one, the soldiers collapsed into glowing heaps.
The shed filled with silence again.
Kaosu blinked, wide-eyed. "Kaji… how did you—? That was… too easy."
Supira gawked, still holding onto Kaosu. "Wait—you never told us you had a Nexus!"
Kaiyo's mouth hung open, still in shock, words failing him.
Kori smirked faintly, adjusting Kumo back onto his shoulder. "Hmph. You're too slow. I could've finished them before they drew their blades."
Supira's shock quickly twisted into anger. He stormed toward Kori, fists clenched. "I thought you were dead! You left us—do you even know what we've been through?!"
But his voice cracked, and instead of a punch, his arms wrapped around Kori in a tight, trembling hug.
Kori stiffened, surprised—but then let him. "…Sorry."
Kaiyo wiped his eyes, half-sobbing, half-teasing. "Heh… Supira hugging someone instead of yelling at them? Now that's a first."
Supira shot him a glare, but his own tears betrayed him.
Kaosu finally stepped forward. His silence broke with a grin as he extended his hand. "You're still you, huh?"
Kori grasped it firmly. "Always."
The moment of reunion was brief but grounding. Then Kaji cleared his throat. "Good. Now that we're all here—we need a plan."
Kaji introduced himself properly, explaining that Kaosu was still being hunted, and they'd need to disguise him before moving any further. Kori listened carefully, nodding. "Alright. I'm in."
They decided Kaji would search the village for a mask to hide Kaosu's identity. He slipped out, leaving the others inside.
But moments later, the Kingdom itself shook. A violent rumble spread through the radiant streets, knocking lanterns from walls and scattering villagers in panic.
Kori's eyes narrowed as his heartbeat quickened. "…That presence… I know it."
He turned, handing Kumo to Kaosu—who flinched, still clearly afraid of the small dragon. "W-why me?!" Kaosu yelped, holding Kumo at arm's length while the dragon happily licked his cheek.
Kori didn't answer. He was already gone.
In a flash of lightning, he reappeared beside Kaji in the streets. The crowd had stilled, every villager bowing low.
At the center of the road, walking with cold authority, was a man clad in silver armor. Each step rang like thunder against stone, his blade glimmering with lethal intent.
Kori's breath caught in his throat. "…Kudo."
Kaji grabbed his arm, whispering harshly. "Bow! Now!"
Confused but obeying, Kori lowered himself. Just as he did, one villager hesitated—failing to bow in time. Without hesitation, the silver-clad figure swung his blade. In a blink, the villager was torn apart into bloody pieces, his remains scattering across the radiant stones.
Kori's stomach twisted. Around him, every villager pressed their foreheads lower, trembling in terror.
A herald stepped forward, voice booming: "Behold—His Majesty's Head Guard, Kudo the Gray!"
Kori's fists shook as he slowly raised his head. His eyes met Kudo's, and for the first time, he saw no trace of the friend he once knew. Only fury. Only cruelty.
Kudo's gaze pierced straight into his soul. His grip tightened around his sword as he lifted it, the blade gleaming cold and merciless.
"Filthy peasant," Kudo spat, his voice laced with venom.
The blade descended