The air still burned where the world had cracked.Smoke rolled across the broken field like waves, and the scent of ash mixed with rain that never really fell. The sky was pale, empty—like it was holding its breath.
Kim stood there, silent, his knuckles split, his breath sharp. Behind him, the others—Tix, Leron, Bob, and Lily—stumbled through the wreckage.
"...We have to move," Tix muttered, voice shaking. "Before they come back."
Kim didn't answer. He kept staring at the spot where Nyx and Null had vanished—where the Void had eaten the light. His fingers twitched. His eyes flickered that familiar blue flame, faint but alive.
"Kim," Lily called, softly this time. "We… we can't stay here."
He finally turned, his coat torn, face splattered with dirt and blood. "Yeah," he said flatly. "Let's move."
They didn't know where to go, only that the land itself felt wrong now. Every sound echoed too long, like whispers chasing them. By nightfall, they reached a small town tucked under the mountains—half-hidden, half-forgotten.
Lanterns swayed in the wind, casting light that didn't quite reach the streets. And waiting under one of those lanterns was a woman.
She was tall, dark hair pulled back, eyes too calm to be normal. Her aura pressed down on them like silent gravity.
"You carry battle in your steps," she said, voice smooth. "And sorrow in your eyes."
Bob stepped back. "Who—who are you?"
She smiled faintly. "Kisar. I keep the souls of this town safe."
Kim met her gaze without flinching. "Then you saw what happened out there."
"I did," she replied, folding her arms. "And if you wish to survive what's coming next, you'll need more than fear and fury."
The ground trembled slightly—like even the earth agreed.
Tix sighed. "We don't have a choice, do we?"
"No," Kisar said. "But you do have a chance."
Meanwhile — In the Void.
Nyx gasped awake, his body soaked in cold sweat. Everything was dark—too dark. The air tasted like metal.He looked around, realizing Null stood a few feet away, eyes glowing faintly violet.
"Where are we?" Nyx whispered.
"The Void," came a calm voice.
From the shadows stepped Voidar—the man in the hat. His eyes glowed with quiet power, his smile barely there.
"You're both alive," he said. "Barely."
Nyx pushed himself up. "Why bring us here?"
Voidar tilted his head. "You think I did? The Void chose you. I'm just… its keeper."
Null crossed his arms. "So what now?"
"Now," Voidar said, snapping his fingers, "you train."
The ground shattered beneath them. Darkness folded into light—suddenly, Nyx and Null were standing in an endless arena of shifting black stone, stars swirling in the distance.
Voidar's voice echoed:"Show me your souls. Prove you deserve to awaken."
Nyx barely had time to think before Null lunged forward.
Their fists collided.
The impact sent shockwaves through the arena.
"Come on, Nyx," Null shouted, teeth gritted. "You wanted strength—show me!"
Nyx's eyes flickered. His body felt heavier, slower—but then something clicked.A familiar voice whispered through his mind—something deep, cold, and ancient.
The Void remembers you.
Nyx's pupils split for a moment, light flooding out. The ground beneath him cracked, glowing with strange symbols.
Voidar smirked. "Ah. He's touching it."
Meanwhile, Kisar's dojo glowed with faint candlelight. The air shimmered as she drew a circle on the floor.
"This," she said, "is the beginning of your Soul Contract."
The others watched as she pressed her palm to the ground. Fire erupted, swirling into a glowing shape that looked almost human.
"This one is bound to me," Kisar said. "But you each will find your own. A soul answers to those who know themselves."
Tix stepped forward first—failed instantly. Bob tried—collapsed.Then Leron stepped up, silent as always. He didn't force it. He just listened.
The flame trembled, then bent toward him.Kisar's eyes widened slightly. "...Fire answered you."
The flame wrapped around Leron's arm, marking him with faint runes.
Tix gasped. "He actually did it…"
Kisar smiled. "Not bad. But control it—or it will control you."
Back in the Void, Nyx dropped to his knees, gasping. His hands glowed with dark energy.
Voidar appeared beside him. "You felt it, didn't you?"
"What was that…?" Nyx whispered.
"Your Dead Soul awakening," Voidar said softly. "But that was just the surface. The true power comes when you stop fighting death—and let it fight for you."
Nyx looked up, eyes trembling. "Let death fight for me…?"
Voidar smiled faintly. "Yes. That is the first step of awakening."