The ground split beneath Nyx's feet.
For a moment, he thought it was just another tremor from the fight above. But then the cracks widened, spreading like broken glass, and he was swallowed whole.
He landed hard, rolling on his shoulder, choking as dust filled his throat. He scrambled up, his heart racing, eyes darting around.
The air was different here. He knew it before he even looked up.
The sky was torn open, jagged black streaks running through a sea of shifting red clouds. The ground pulsed faintly under his boots, like a heartbeat. The smell was sharp—like metal, blood, and something rotten.
Nyx's chest tightened.
The Void.
"Nyx."
The voice was calm, steady, almost mocking. Nyx spun around and saw Null. The man stepped out of a shadow that hadn't been there before, arms crossed, eyes glinting like he'd been waiting.
"You're slow." Null tilted his head. "It dragged you here and you didn't even notice?"
"Dragged me?" Nyx's throat was dry. He looked around again, panic crawling up his neck. "Why—why me?"
"Because," a third voice cut in, "you belong here."
Nyx froze.
The man who appeared out of the shifting mist looked half-dead. His hair was black, long, and tangled, his skin pale like wax. But his eyes—his eyes glowed faintly, threaded with black veins that pulsed with every beat of his heart. The Void poured off him like smoke.
He smiled, wide and broken.
"My name's Loreo," he rasped. His voice cracked like three voices speaking at once. "And you're the one it wants."
Nyx stepped back, his whole body trembling. "How… how do you know my name?"
Loreo tilted his head, grin widening. "Because the Void whispers. And you—you're its favorite."
Meanwhile, above, the real world shook.
Kim's blade crashed against Admira's spear, each strike sharp enough to shatter stone. Sparks burst like stars, lighting up the battlefield.
"You're hiding something," Admira growled, her crimson eyes burning. "I can feel it in every strike. You're stronger than this. So why—why are you pretending?"
Kim smiled that calm smile. His blue hair shimmered faintly in the firelight, his silver eyes reflecting nothing. "A teacher always holds back."
Admira's spear slammed into his blade, the shockwave rattling the trees. "Don't lie to me! I know who you are!"
Kim's smile faltered—just slightly.
Admira smirked, her lips curling with cruel satisfaction. "Itsunari."
The name hit like thunder.
Kim froze, his mask cracking. His eyes widened for a breath, and the smile twisted.
Silver bled into something darker. His grip tightened on his blade.
"I told myself no one would remember that name," Kim whispered, voice low, trembling. Then his tone sharpened, rising into a laugh that sent a chill through Admira's chest. "But you… you had to say it."
He moved before she could blink.
His blade cut the air with speed and precision she hadn't seen before. Admira raised her spear just in time—steel clashed, sparks flying. But the impact sent her sliding back, her arms shaking.
Kim didn't stop.
He pressed forward, every swing heavier, sharper, faster. His smile was gone now, replaced by something unrecognizable.
Admira's breath caught. This is him… this is the real Kim.
Or rather—Itsunari.
Back in the Void, Loreo moved.
Black fire erupted around his arms, forming jagged claws. He rushed forward, faster than Nyx could track.
"Move, kid!" Null barked.
Nyx couldn't. His legs were frozen. His chest burned, the whisper inside him louder than ever.
Let me help you.
"No," Nyx muttered, clutching his head.
He's going to kill you. You're weak. Let me in.
Loreo's claws slashed down. Null intercepted, shadows wrapping around his arm like blades, blocking the strike. The ground cracked, dust flying.
Loreo grinned through the clash. "Ahhh, so this is what the parasite can do. But what about him?"
His eyes locked on Nyx.
Nyx stumbled back, hands shaking. He couldn't breathe. His vision blurred. The Void's whisper turned into a scream.
You need me.
Let me out.
Above, Admira staggered back, sweat dripping down her temple. Kim's blade pressed against her throat, the edge biting into her skin.
She gritted her teeth, refusing to back down. "So it's true… You're Itsunari. The killer. The prodigy who burned his world."
Kim leaned in close, his silver eyes glowing sharp and cold. "And what of it?"
Admira's grip trembled on her spear. She'd seen killers before—but not like this. Not someone who could smile while looking so utterly broken.
Kim tilted his head, voice dropping to a whisper. "Tell me… how much do you know? Who told you my name?"
Admira bit her lip, refusing to answer.
Kim's blade pressed harder, drawing a thin line of blood. His voice was playful now, mocking, cruel. "Oh, don't go silent on me now. I asked you a question."
Admira's breath hitched.
Kim laughed softly, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter. Because I'll make you talk. Everyone talks, eventually."
For the first time, Admira's confidence cracked.
Below, Nyx screamed.
The Void surged through him, hot and violent, spilling into his veins. His body moved on its own, his hand glowing with dark fire.
The next moment, Loreo was sent flying, blood spraying from a deep slash across his chest.
Nyx fell to his knees, gasping. His eyes widened as he looked at his hands. He hadn't seen himself move.
The Void had moved for him.
And Loreo—bleeding, broken—just laughed harder.
"Yes! That's it! That's the truth! Welcome home, boy!"
Nyx's chest heaved. His heart screamed the one thing he didn't want to admit.
He wasn't in control anymore.
Above, Kim pressed harder, his blade biting deeper against Admira's throat.
"Answer me, Admira," Kim whispered. His smile had returned, but this one was worse. Hollow. Unstable. "Who told you my old name?"
Admira's spear shook in her hands. For the first time, she didn't have an answer.
Kim leaned closer, his silver eyes empty, his voice trembling with both rage and amusement.
"Because if you don't tell me…" His grin widened, cruel and sharp. "…I'll show you exactly why Itsunari was feared."
Admira's heart skipped a beat.
And for the first time, she wondered if she'd made a mistake saying that name.
To be continued…