Leroy, with a bittersweet smile, held out his hand. A blade appeared, igniting in a burst of flame, its glow rippling as it emerged from another dimension. As he held it gently in both hands, the firelight reflected in his eyes as memories flickered within them.
"This sword is the last legacy my father left behind, and now it's all that's left of him."
As he murmured those words, everyone fell into silence, heavy with grief and sympathy. Everyone felt the weight of Leroy's story sink deep into their hearts. Aina could no longer hold back her tears, as they streamed down her cheeks, each drop carrying the sorrow and pain she felt.
Siana, too, wept quietly. Even though she had lived through those memories herself, recalling them now was like reopening an old wound that would never heal.
I sat there speechless, sadness etched across my face. Knowing everything Leroy had to endure and still managing to stand tall after it all filled me with a mix of awe and sorrow.
My respect for not just Leroy, but Miyaki and Skyler as well, grew. They all shared the same grief in their own ways, and their lives are much better now despite all the struggles they faced in the past.
Still, in the back of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder.
What happened to Skyler after he disappeared?
His eyes reflected an unspoken desire to tell us the truth, but the curse that chained his voice prevented him from doing so.
I believe that one day, once the curse is finally broken, he'll tell us everything.
Miyaki turned to Skyler with a soft, warm smile.
"Heh, I just remembered what I wanted to tell you when we met again."
She began with her tone light but full of meaning, pausing with her eyes gentle and sincere.
"It's great to have you back, Skyler."
A soft breeze drifted through the field, brushing against them gently. Skyler's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by her words. For the first time in a long while, he felt at home.
Before he could respond, Aina dashed toward him, face still wet with tears. She wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face into his chest.
Skyler froze, stunned by the sudden embrace. At that moment, the weight of his pain started to fade away, replaced by something that he had almost forgotten.
The feeling of comfort.
"Skyler…"
Aina's voice trembled softly as she whispered his name, her voice carrying comfort. The moment felt tender and warm as the story brought the two of them closer than ever before.
Everyone else watched with a quiet smile as a flustered Skyler awkwardly raised his arms, slowly returning Aina's embrace.
Leroy, sitting nearby, glanced up toward the sky. The soft morning glow of the sun was now blazing high above them.
He chuckled.
"I guess my story dragged on longer than I expected. My apologies, I didn't mean to take up so much of your training time, Aki."
Leroy spoke with a gentle smile as he turned to Miyaki. She let out a quiet sigh and shook her head, a faint smile tugged at her lips. The rest of us did the same, shaking our heads with soft smiles of our own.
After everything we'd just heard, none of us could bring ourselves to mind. Not even a little.
A maid approached Leroy with a gentle smile, her posture graceful and composed.
"Your Majesty, they are all waiting for you."
She leaned slightly toward him and spoke softly.
"I guess it's time."
Leroy smiled warmly as he spoke. He turned to us, giving a reassuring nod.
"You all go on ahead. I'll catch up later."
As Leroy was about to leave, he stopped mid-walk and turned to Skyler.
"Oh, right, Skyler. Why don't you take Aina around town for a bit? Also, the lockdown on your home has been lifted, you can now enter the place again."
Aina's eyes sparkled.
"Really?! That's great news! Let's go then, Skyler!"
She replied, with her voice brimming with excitement.
Skyler blinked, caught off guard by her sudden enthusiasm. After a brief pause, he let out a quiet sigh and gave a small nod.
"Well then, take care, you all."
Leroy turned away, lifting a hand in a casual wave before continuing down the path alongside the maid waiting to escort him to the castle.
As everyone was starting to split up and go about their day, Siana suddenly froze as though something had struck her.
"Shoot! I just remembered—I still haven't returned the book I borrowed from the library!"
Before anyone could react, she took off in a sprint, waving frantically over her shoulder until she vanished from sight.
"Hehe, I guess we'll get going too."
Aina let out a soft chuckle as she spoke.
Just as she and Skyler were about to leave, she turned back and waved at us with a bright, cheerful smile. Skyler glanced over his shoulder as well, giving a small, quiet nod before following after her.
Once again, Miyaki and I were the only ones left. The field is now quiet, the breeze soft against our faces.
"Well then, shall we start the session?"
Miyaki turned to me with a confident grin, shifting her stance as she spoke. I met her eyes and nodded, a smile slowly rising on my lips as determination ignited in my chest, readying myself for whatever training awaited me next.
Meanwhile, on Skyler and Aina's side…
They walked in silence along the familiar dirt path leading back to their home. The wind drifted past them, carrying with it the faint scent of ash and dust, a lingering reminder of what once stood there.
Once they arrived, the sight before them was both haunting and nostalgic. The building stood half in ruin, black scorch marks covering the walls, and the doors were splintered and charred. Silence filled the air except for the soft crunch of their footsteps against the debris.
Aina paused, her gaze tracing the broken walls, and she placed a hand gently on a cracked pillar. Her eyes were soft but filled with emotion.
"It's been through a lot, huh. I'm grateful that we can even walk here again."
She murmured, a faint smile playing at her lips. Skyler stood beside her, his expression unreadable. He quietly reminisced about their time here as he looked around slowly.
Suddenly, Aina broke the silence.
"Skyler, are we still going to keep moving from place to place like before?"
She turned to him, her voice soft as she asked the question.
"Hm… we might have to move soon."
Skyler nodded, casting a calm but resolute glance at her.
"I see…"
She said, lowering her gaze to hide the faint flicker of sadness in her eyes.
"It's what we have to do, Aina."
Skyler's tone was firm, though a faint warmth lingered in his eyes as he looked at her, gentle yet unyielding.
They stepped inside the house, the air heavy with the scent of soot. Every footfall echoed softly against the scorched stone walls, a reminder of what had once been.
Skyler took the lead, moving cautiously through the ruined base. His eyes swept over the charred furniture, collapsed beams, and scattered fragments. Each step was deliberate, almost reverent, as though every corner held a memory he dared not disturb.
While Aina quietly walked deeper inside, she stepped into the room that was once her workshop. The door creaked open, revealing the charred remains of her old experiments, twisted bits of metal, half-melted tools, and shelves blackened by fire.
She crouched beside her old worktable, brushing off layers of ash.
Something caught her eye, a small corner of metal, glinting faintly beneath the rubble. She knelt and brushed away the debris to reveal an old chest, slightly singed but still locked tight and secure. Her eyes widened in recognition, a spark of excitement lighting up her expression.
"Wait, is this what I think it is?"
With a soft click, the chest opened. Inside were small trinkets, notes, and gifts. Relics from a time when she was younger. She sifted through them gently as her fingers brushed over a few old gadgets. Suddenly, she paused and found something that made her breath hitch.
At the base of the rubble lay an old orange plush, dusty but remarkably intact. Its color had faded with time. Her eyes softened, and a bittersweet smile tugged at her lips as she lifted it gently with both hands.
"Mom…"
She whispered, her voice trembling just slightly.
For a long moment, she pressed it to her chest, closing her eyes and recalling her memories of her mother. With a quiet resolve, she secured the small plush to the belt on her waist, turning it into a keychain, a token to carry with her wherever she went.
"There. Now you won't be alone. Hehe."
She whispered, her smile gentle but unwavering.
From the doorway, Skyler watched her in silence. A faint flicker of sympathy passed through his otherwise calm eyes, a quiet understanding that needed no words.
As time passed and the sky began to glow in shades of orange and gold, Miyaki and I were still deep in training. The air was warm and crisp, carrying a faint hum of energy from our sparring. Each strike, each movement was sharper than the last, my body responding almost instinctively now.
Miyaki noticed it too. A smirk played at her lips as her sharp eyes gleamed with both pride and approval.
"You've improved quite a lot, huh? Faster than anyone I've trained before."
She said teasingly.
"Your movement, your control, they're syncing perfectly. At this rate, your power level might even match mine."
Her words caught me off guard, and I smiled faintly while catching my breath.
"Thank you, sensei, but I need to become even stronger."
Before we could continue, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. A maid appeared, bowing slightly before speaking.
"Lady Miyaki, Sir Aki. His Majesty has requested your presence at an important meeting happening right now."
Miyaki's expression shifted immediately, her smirk turning into a knowing grin.
"So it's time."
She said, her voice calm yet intrigued as she stretched lightly.
"Let's wrap up for today, Aki."
I nodded, wiping my sweat away before following her. The walk to the office was silent, except for the faint echo of our steps through the hall. My thoughts wandered restlessly.
What could be so urgent that all of us were called?
When we finally reached the grand double doors, the maid stepped ahead to open them. The moment I stepped inside, a wave of pressure hit me. The air was heavy, not hostile, but powerful.
Around the long table sat the three leaders, their mere presence demanding attention. Warson's expression remained as steady as ever, while beside him, Serphina exuded a calm aura that softened the room's intense atmosphere.
"Oh~? He came along, too, huh?"
The voice came from Serphina, who was leaning back in her chair, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, studying me as if I were a puzzle she was eager to solve.
From the other side, a cold voice followed.
"Really? This kid will be in on this?"
Zephier's voice was calm but sharp, his eyes unreadable behind the mask, as though silently measuring my worth.
I swallowed hard, straightening my posture under their scrutiny. The meeting hadn't even begun, and the room already felt like a battlefield.
Warson stood from his seat. He approached me, his heavy boots echoing across the polished floor. His tall frame and broad shoulders made him look intimidating at first glance, but a bright, genuine smile spread across his face.
"Haha! We meet again, huh?"
He spoke in his usual booming voice and grabbed my hand firmly. His grip was so strong that I could feel it pressing against my fingers. I forced an awkward smile, trying to match his energy while making sure my hand didn't get crushed.
Warson chuckled as we followed him to a seat beside him. Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, I noticed Siana seated across the table, next to Leroy's empty seat, waving gently at me. Her expression was soft, her smile warm and reassuring.
Once everyone was seated, the room fell into silence. The faint whisper of wind brushing against the tall windows was the only sound that filled the air as we waited for Leroy to arrive.
Soon, the double doors swung open.
Leroy stepped inside, finally making his appearance. He walked toward the head of the long table and settled into it with a straight, composed posture. Folding his hands together, he let his expression harden, his sharp gaze sweeping across each of us.
"Very well, everyone's here. Let us begin."
Leroy's voice was steady and commanding. As the meeting began, the tension in the room thickened, and everyone's attention locked on him.
"From the last attack, I remember those words of what The Dark Silencer said before he vanished, 'The EmoCrysta is awakening…', so that means he's still looking for something."
Leroy started, his tone calm but heavy. A low murmur rippled across the room as everyone exchanged wary glances. I could feel the unease creeping through the air, a quiet reminder that the peace we had now was only temporary.
"From those words alone, it's clear that his goal isn't finished. There's something more, something we still don't know. As we will point back to the EmoCrysta."
Leroy's voice grew low, as if he were recalling a memory that still haunted him. The words hung in the air like a curse, heavy and unsettling. His fists tightened slightly, brows furrowing as the tension deepened.
Serphina leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, with a skeptical look.
"Didn't they already steal the ring? Wasn't that what they were after?"
Leroy shook his head slowly, his voice steady but grim.
"That might be just part of it, but I believe he's after something far more important, and that something seems to be hidden within our lands."
A cold silence fell over the room. Worry and fear were reflected in everyone's eyes.
Leroy stood from his seat, placing both hands on the table.
"So we must find it first before he does."
The weight of his words hit all of us. Every leader in the room straightened, their expressions hardening with resolve.
"How do we know what is the thing that he is searching for?"
Zephier spoke with his arms crossed, his tone sharp and laced with doubt.
Leroy met his gaze calmly, he admitted.
"We don't, but whatever it is, it's close, somewhere around this area. Keep your eyes open for anything that feels unnatural or carries an immense power. Report it immediately."
The room grew heavy again as his words sank in. Everyone knew this mission wouldn't be easy. Searching for something undefined, something possibly beyond their understanding, was like chasing a shadow in the dark, but there was no other choice.
After a long pause, Leroy continued. He looked at each of us in turn as he laid out the search plan.
"Warson and Thalios, you'll take command of the Falcor. Lead the soldiers and scout within the main district of Lightwoods. Check the center of the town and the underground."
Warson nodded with a confident grin, while Thalios gave a silent nod of acknowledgment.
"Miyaki and Serphina, you two will lead the Embrial Owls. Your focus will be near the back perimeter, close to the outer wall. The enemy might be hiding something in the unmonitored zones."
Serphina leaned back in her chair with a teasing smirk, while Miyaki, seated beside her, met her gaze with a gentle smile, replying with a quiet nod.
Finally, Leroy turned his gaze toward Zephier.
"Zephier, you'll command the Raifclaw, and our new member, Aki, will be joining the team as well. The two of you will scout the far side of the woods outside Lightwoods."
Outside the walls?
My eyes widened slightly at the thought.
"There's an area outside the walls known as the hidden forest. It's an uncharted region connected to the outskirts of Lightwoods. There seems to be a weird energy coming from the place, so I need you to check it out."
"Hmph."
Zephier scoffed under his breath, crossing his arms as he turned his gaze away, clearly unimpressed, unable to defy orders despite his disdain towards Aki.
Suddenly, the sharp scrape of a chair cut through the room. Everyone turned toward the sound.
Siana had risen from her seat, her hand raised high, determination blazing in her eyes.
"Can I—no."
She stopped herself, clenching her fist tightly against her chest as she met Leroy's steady gaze.
"As the princess of Lightwoods, I want to help! Even though I'm not as strong as everyone else, I can't just sit back and do nothing!"
The room went silent for a heartbeat. Unexpectedly, Leroy smiled.
"Help, huh? Sure."
He nodded and said calmly.
"H-hah? W-wait—What?"
Siana blinked in surprise.
"You can join Aki's group. I can trust Aki to protect you. After all, he's already saved you more than once. Am I right? Aki."
Leroy smiled softly, resting his hands on the table as his eyes shifted toward me.
A few small smiles appeared from others around the room, and even Miyaki gave a quiet nod of approval. Feeling the weight of the responsibility given to me, I stood up, placing a hand firmly over my chest.
"Of course."
I said, my voice steady and full of resolve.
"It's settled then. We'll begin Phase One tomorrow morning. I wish you all the best on your mission."
Leroy gave a satisfied nod. The atmosphere in the room shifted, charged once more with determination, as the meeting finally drew to a close.
Meanwhile, on the other side…
Deep within a place where light dared not tread, footsteps echoed through the endless corridor, soft yet deliberate.
A young girl, dressed in a dark green cape and a suit, walked through the dimly lit hall. Her expression was cold and unreadable, as her heels clicked against the cracked marble floor.
Suddenly, a soft, teasing voice echoed from the shadows.
"You're finally back. My precious Miho."
From the darkness emerged a woman cloaked in black, her long obsidian hair flowing like liquid night. Her presence radiated dominance with every step she took, seeming to command the air itself.
Miho froze as her eyes lifted toward the woman. Before she could utter a word, the woman vanished. Her form dissolved into the darkness.
A whisper brushed against Miho's ear from behind.
"Why are you here now, after disappearing for days?"
Miho's expression didn't so much as flinch. In the next instant, the woman's hand darted forward, swift as a thief's, and slipped into Miho's pocket.
Before Miho could react, the woman had already pulled out the small ring, its faint gleam catching the dim light. The woman lifted it toward Miho's face, her eyes narrowing.
"Don't tell me… You were trying to escape?"
The woman's voice dropped lower, sharper as her eyes flashed an eerie green, glowing like poison beneath her lashes. Miho didn't flinch. Her tone was calm, detached.
"I'm only here to serve you, Lady Vrya."
For a moment, silence filled the hallway. Vrya's glare softened into a faint smile. She closed her eyes and let out a chuckle before turning to walk ahead.
"Hm~ That's my good girl."
Vrya's voice dropped lower. Miho followed without a word as they walked forward until the narrow passage opened into a vast, crumbling chamber. Broken stone pillars jutted out from the ground, and a pale shaft of moonlight pierced through a crack in the ceiling, illuminating a lone figure sitting atop a slab of stone.
The man held a cane in his hand, and his sharp eyes lifted toward them as they approached.
"I suppose it's time, Doctor."
Vrya said.
Dr. Crissar responded with a calm, chilling composure, his voice carrying an unsettling finality.
"Very well, let's begin the Final Phase."