Nohara was walking through the city, unable to believe what had happened. Soon, she reached the place where the prison cells were located. In one of them sat Ray.
"I found you."
The teenager lifted his head and was surprised to see Nohara standing on the other side of the bars.
"You… what are you doing here?"
"I came to find out the truth why Derivan was exiled."
The sentence spoken by the red-haired girl made even Ray's usually stoic face show shock and disbelief.
"What? Derivan was exiled? Why?"
"I heard he tried to steal some kind of crystal, but I don't understand why you're locked up in this cell."
Ray sighed before answering.
"The truth is, it was me who intended to steal that crystal. Derivan wanted to do it too, but in reality, it wasn't his own desire."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone used a mind-control spell on him and forced him to do it."
"I see."
"The king wouldn't have exiled Derivan if he had been in his right mind. Someone forced him to do it," Ray stated.
"But how? Who could have forced my father?"
"Have you ever heard of the legendary eyes called Xenorit?"
"Aren't those demonic eyes?"
Ray nodded. "That's right. They're also known as divine eyes and possess powerful abilities when you look into them, you stop thinking rationally. As a result, the one who looks through those eyes is always right in the eyes of those who fall under Xenorit's power."
"What a terrifying ability," Nohara commented.
"There is only one person who possesses Xenorit, and he is currently in Kasegi. He's most likely the one who forced the king to exile Derivan."
Nohara wanted to say something, but she heard footsteps, so she decided to hide. A moment later, Borner arrived.
"Hi, Ray. I see you've gotten used to your new room."
"Why are you here, Borner? Or maybe I should call you by your real name Tomar."
"I'm honored that you still remember it. Listen, I came here with a proposal. How about betraying Gerard and joining me?"
"I…"
"I know Gerard promised to resurrect your parents, but he probably didn't tell you that he's the one responsible for their deaths."
Ray was deeply shocked by what he heard.
"That's impossible. You're lying!"
"How could I be? After all, I've known him longer than you have. Think about what I said. You could walk free instead of rotting in this stinking cell," Borner said before leaving.
Ray sat with his head lowered, trying to process what he had just heard.
"Ray, you "
"Go away. I want to be alone," he replied in a gloomy tone.
Nohara looked at Ray for a moment, then did as he asked and left the building.
"If my father is under someone's control, I need to go to someone else," she thought.
Ray continued to sit in the cell with his head lowered, recalling events from his childhood.
[Flashback]
Young Ray was playing in his room when, at one point, his parents entered.
"Mom, Dad, what's going on?"
The parents exchanged a glance and then turned to their son.
"Listen, son. Your father and I will have to leave you for a while."
"What? And what about me?"
"You'll stay here. Aunt Anna will take care of you."
"But I want to go with you!" young Ray protested. "Does this have something to do with what's happening in the world?"
The parents hugged their son.
"Don't worry. It won't take long. Before you know it, we'll be back," his mother said.
"Be strong, son. Show us that you're a real man," his father added.
"Alright."
A few days later…
A man came to Ray's house. After knocking, the boy quickly ran to the door, thinking it was his parents, but he was surprised to see a stranger.
"Who are you, sir?"
"My name is Gerard, and I was a friend of your father," he replied, surprising the young boy.
"Was? What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but your parents were killed in the war," Gerard announced, causing Ray to burst into tears.
"What? That's impossible I don't believe it!"
"Listen, boy. Not everything is lost yet. I can bring your parents back to life. But you'll have to do something for me," Gerard explained his plan to Ray. "So what's your answer will you come with me or not?"
Ray thought about Gerard's proposal for a moment, but in the end, he agreed. "Alright. I'll go with you."
[End of Flashback]