[Phoenix Guild Headquarters — Silent Night]
The moon hung high in the sky, pouring a silver veil over the gardens of the Phoenix Guild.The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the soft scent of night-blooming flowers.The world seemed at peace — too peaceful.
The door to Inavy's room creaked open.He stepped out, dressed in light clothes, hair messy, eyes tired.
Inavy (murmuring):— I can't sleep… The world's energy feels… disconnected. Like something huge is about to happen.
His footsteps echoed softly along the stone hallway — until a calm, deep voice broke the silence:
Ray:— Inavy.
The young man turned — and there stood Ray Stormbreak, leaning casually against a column, arms crossed, his white cloak glowing under the moonlight.Even standing still, his presence was impossible to ignore.
Inavy (light smile):— Ray? Still awake?
Ray (slightly smiling):— Old soldiers don't sleep well. Besides, I wanted to talk to you.
They walked together to the inner garden, where an ancient tree swayed gently in the wind.They sat on a stone bench beneath its silver shadow.For a while, only the sound of leaves.
Ray (looking at the sky):— Since the festival, I've been watching you.Not just the warrior you're becoming… but the man.
Inavy (half-smile):— Is that supposed to be a compliment?
Ray (chuckling softly):— It is. But it's also a warning.The brighter the light shines… the harder the darkness tries to snuff it out.
Inavy's laughter faded. He looked down, thoughtful.
Inavy:— I know. I've felt it.It's like the whole world is… holding its breath.
Ray studied him silently for a moment before speaking again — his voice lower, almost fatherly, yet carrying the weight of a commander.
Ray:— That's why you need to be ready.Not just as a fighter… but as a leader.
Inavy (surprised):— A leader?
Ray turned to face him. His eyes were firm — but filled with pride.
Ray:— A new generation is rising.You, Darius, Rose, Kelvin, Diana… they all look to you, even if they don't realize it.You are the balance between them. The center.The pillar that keeps ruin from prevailing.
Inavy (hesitant):— I… I don't know if I'm all that, Ray.Sometimes I still feel… lost. Like I'm just trying to catch up to you.
Ray stood and placed a hand on his son's shoulder — firm, yet full of warmth.
Ray:— Inavy… you don't need to be me.The world doesn't need another Ray Stormbreak.It needs you.
Inavy's gaze wavered. The words hit deep.
Ray (continuing, voice resolute):— You are a Stormbreak.And you are my son.That alone makes you stronger than any god or monster.
The wind picked up, scattering leaves, and for an instant, the moonlight seemed to flare brighter.In Inavy's eyes, a new flame ignited — not that of an heir, but of someone ready to forge his own path.
Inavy (softly, yet firm):— I won't fail, Father.Not myself… not the world.
Ray smiled — tired, but full of hope.
Ray:— Then prove it.When dawn comes… I want to see the hero you were born to be rise with the sun.
He turned and walked back toward the building.Inavy remained there, alone under the moonlight — heart heavy, yet steady.
The camera rose slowly, revealing the full moon surrounded by silent, drifting clouds.A serene beauty… deceivingly calm.
[Guild of a Thousand Lights — Central Tower]
The night was thick and heavy.Inside the tower, the main hall lay in eerie silence.Lamps flickered, shadows danced across marble floors and sacred blue-glowing stained glass.
At the center, Kelvin Nox knelt within a circle of glowing seals, sweating and gasping for air.
Kelvin (whispering):— They're… coming…whispers… eyes in the dark…
From the shadows, Lorien watched with crossed arms, his sharp gaze unwavering.The tension was palpable.
Lorien (to himself):— This energy… something's wrong.
Suddenly, every light in the hall went out.Darkness swallowed the room whole.A cold wind howled through the cracks.
Then a voice echoed — deep, distant, terrifyingly alive.
Unknown Voice:— Receptacle… at last, I've found you.
A figure emerged from the shadows.Gray skin. Red eyes cutting through the dark. A cloak that moved like living smoke.
Kael.
His presence made the air itself vibrate — as if the hall bowed to him.
Kael (low, venomous):— Tyrus sent me to collect what's his.But it seems the receptacle is still… fragile.
Kelvin staggered to his feet, his eyes glowing blue.
Kelvin (growling):— Stay away from me.
Kael (smirking):— Or what? You'll seal me with that broken will of yours?You don't even understand what sleeps inside you, boy.
A golden flash tore through the darkness.Lorien lunged forward, his blade of light cutting the air.
Lorien:— You won't touch him.As long as I draw breath, Kelvin stands under my light.
Kael stopped — the smirk still lingering.
Kael:— Light… always burns brightest… before it fades.
He stepped back, melting into the shadows.The air grew thick with lingering corruption.
Kelvin collapsed to his knees, trembling.Lorien knelt beside him, steadying him.
Lorien (gazing into the dark):— So… it's begun.
The lights flickered back on — weak, trembling.But something had changed.
Suddenly, everything darkened again.A massive vortex of shadows opened over the courtyard.
From it descended Kael — monstrous, wrapped in twisting black mist. His oppressive aura split the ground beneath his feet.
Kael (monstrous voice):— Kelvin Nox…By order of Tyrus, you're coming with me.
Kelvin (shaken, yet firm):— Get out. I'm not going anywhere with you.
Kael stepped forward, shadows writhing like claws around him — but then—
A blinding burst of golden light exploded between them.Lorien appeared, eyes blazing — the Seraph's Gaze flaring with divine fury.
Lorien (calmly, one hand on his radiant blade):— Easy there, discount demon cosplay.
Kael (snarling):— You don't understand, Lorien Valtier.He carries the Ruin. He belongs to us.
Lorien (smirking):— He belongs to my guild.And more importantly… to our world, you idiot.
Lorien moved like a divine storm — every strike precise, graceful, devastating.Kael was fast — but Lorien was untouchable.
Lorien (dodging mid-fight):— You rely on shadows…But I can read your soul. Every move you make… pathetically predictable.
Kael roared, unleashing a blast of shadow that cracked the ground.
Lorien raised his hand — BOOM — a radiant explosion engulfed the garden.
Lorien (voice echoing with divine power):— Radiant Judgment!
Kael lay scorched on the ground, body trembling under the force.Lorien walked toward him slowly, golden light still flowing around his body.
Lorien (kneeling beside him, voice low and sharp):— Tell your boss, Tyrus…If he comes for one of mine again —The next time he touches Kelvin, I'll kill him without hesitation.
Kael vanished into mist — defeated, humiliated.
Kelvin, still shaking, stared in awe.
Kelvin (whispering):— …Holy shit…
Lorien turned to him, smiling and winking.
Lorien:— Welcome to the Guild of a Thousand Lights, kid.
His eyes glowed once more — the Seraph's Gaze active.He saw beyond the present — distorted threads of fate twisting in the dark.A sinister figure shifting the world's balance from afar.
Lorien (to himself, coldly):— That one was weak…Tyrus must be testing us.