The courtroom drowned in stunned silence. Everyone inside was still reeling from Arya's words, faces crumbling between shock and unanswered questions. After dropping the bombshell, Arya calmly rose from his seat. The throne he had created sank back into the ground without a sound.
He stretched out his hand. A blue-and-white, golf-ball-sized orb floated up from beside Chaya and drifted toward him. As it landed in his palm, it faded into black aura.
"My business here is over," he said calmly. "Yodha, let's move."
Chaya, who had been watching in shock, snapped back to her senses. She stood abruptly from her throne. The ground beneath her feet cracked as a white aura flared around her body. She commanded her men to seize Arya's group.
Before they could move, Arya turned back and looked over his shoulder. His blood-red eyes locked on them. In a blur, black aura chains erupted from their own shadows, forcing them to their knees and wrapping tight around their limbs.
Chaya's mind reeled. How does Arya know about that orb? Did someone betray me?
As if sensing the conflict inside her head, Arya met her gaze.
"Don't think too much. None of your men betrayed you. I'm not the type to take someone's help. I told you—even you regaining your power was part of my plan. Yes, I'm the one who sent this orb to you.
And don't let your anger take over your head, Chaya. We both know you still haven't fully regained your power. Work on it. I'm giving you one month."
Arya's words hit her like a slap. Pride and humiliation warred inside her. But she knew he was right. She hadn't regained her full strength yet. She decided she would crush him once she did—and remained silent as Arya left with Yodha and the others.
Leo and Kavya were still reeling from what Arya revealed. So many questions swirled in their heads. Setting them aside for now, Leo decided to confront Yodha directly.
Once they reached Paradise, Leo dragged Yodha into a nearby alley. Kavya followed behind. Arya noticed what was happening but stayed where he was.
Leo pinned Yodha to the wall, glaring with red eyes.
"You told me he would help us out of this mess. So what the actual shit was that back there, Yodha? Answer me."
Yodha lifted his hands in mock surrender.
"Oh… oh… calm down, dude… calm down. Yes, what I said is true. Arya is going to take care of Chaya—so that will help humans, right? Trust me, he's not going to harm humans…"
Leo loosened his grip just a little. He wanted to believe his friend, but doubt still flickered. Yodha continued, sensing the mixed feelings.
"Leo, I'm going to tell you the truth—about Arya's parents, the Asuras, and why he's doing this now. So I only ask you to listen."
Yodha explained the whole story: Arya's birth, his parents' deaths, the Asuras' fall. After hearing the truth, Leo slumped in defeat. Tears fell from his eyes. His mind reeled with his father's sins. He never expected his father could be so cruel. He fell to his knees. Yodha and Kavya stood silently, unsure how to comfort him.
Standing at a distance and watching the scene, Arya finally approached Leo. His face was a calm, cold mask as always.
"If only crying made things right, this world would have drowned in water by now," he said in a deep tone.
"Despite accepting you as a friend back then, I never liked you, Leo. It's not about how you act or how goofy you get in serious situations. I don't like you because you believe people too easily. You make quick decisions without thinking twice—and that's what makes me hate you.
I'll give you another chance—not for you, but for Selvi. Prove your worth."
Without waiting for a response, Arya disappeared into black smoke, leaving Leo with Yodha and Kavya.
After hearing the full plan from Yodha and Arya's confirmation, Leo stood up with a determined look. He wanted to use this second chance to the fullest and earn his place by Arya's side again. Because he knew—with Arya on their side, humans would definitely win this war.
Leo wiped his eyes and looked at Yodha, who was already watching him. Yodha recognized that look more than anyone. It was the sign that the three beasts of Paradise were about to team up again.
The next day
Arya walked toward the outskirts of Paradise. Yodha and Leo walked beside him. Every beast that came their way scattered with tails between their legs—that's how intimidating their presence was.
As the three reached the old arena, Zai, Kavya, and Luice—the second general and earth element user—arrived shortly after.
Following them, the Shadowsworn appeared.
Never having seen so many powerful warriors in one place, Zai beamed with excitement.
"Tell me quickly—are we going to take down some powerful enemies with this team? I'm super excited!"
Luice approached from behind, adjusting his glasses with a carefree smile. He placed a hand on Zai's shoulder.
"Don't get too excited, little captain. You'll see why we're gathered here." He chuckled.
Arya turned to face them fully. His presence commanded instant attention. Everyone came to attention as they looked at him.
He began shortly:
"If any one of you thought we can win this war just because I'm participating—erase that thought from your minds right now," he said, eyes sweeping over Leo, Kavya, Luice, and Zai.
"Because even I have weaknesses. In fact, everyone at my level has weaknesses—including Chaya."
He eyed everyone with calm, cold intensity. "That weakness is not in power, but in the weapons called the Outhkeepers."
Arya's eyes scanned the group for any doubts. Everyone remained silent and determined—they all knew the power of Outhkeeper weapons.
Breaking the silence, Zai raised his hand.
"Sir, I know how powerful Outhkeeper weapons are. The four Guardians have four of them, while you have two and Chaya has one. So the question is—how many Outhkeepers exist, and what types of weapons are they?"
To answer, Yuta took a step forward and looked at Arya for permission. Arya nodded. Yuta explained:
"The Outhkeepers—or sacred weapons—were created during the evolutionary period by the legendary blacksmith Arseus. No one knows the full number. Some say nine, others say eleven. But no one knows exactly how many were made."
He took a breath and continued, looking at Zai:
"But we have confirmed information on only seven. The first four are the elemental weapons you humans wield:
Sword of Will for fire
Muir the spear for water
Storm the round blade for wind
Destroyer the sludge hammer for earth
"And boss Arya has two.
One is Yami—the dark katana. The most powerful in this list. Legends say it's a cursed blade that can kill even gods.
The second is Silver—a double-edged sword. As the name suggests, it's beautiful… but dangerous. With Silver, we can use any power—not just elements, but any power."
Yuta paused, then added with a grim tone:
"And Chaya? No one has seen her Outhkeeper… and those who have seen it are dead long ago."
With that Yuta stepped back.
Arya nodded to him, then turned to the group.
"If all your little doubts are cleared… let's get to the business we gathered for.
Let's begin the one vs five battle."