The air inside the Veinwalker Command Office was still yet heavy with reverence.
Morning light cut through the crystal panels, scattering gold and violet patterns across the polished floor. Each glimmer carried the faint hum of Shinrei, the life-force of the world itself.
At the center of that light stood Khael Corzedar, calm but uncertain. His long dark hair fell over his storm-carved eyes as he faced the man behind the obsidian desk, Master Isen, the Supreme Commander of the Veinwalker Corps, the Keiryuu himself.
Around Khael stood his comrades — Kaen Suro, Rael Eluron, Ceyla Nox, Juno Arkai, Kenji Gas, Saya Kurenai, Lira Valenne, and Shigeo Motome.
All had survived Tildaroot. All had unlocked their Eclipse Gates. But what came next was something none of them expected.
Khael's voice broke the silence first.
He clenched his fist slightly and looked up at his master.
"Master… is it true that I am… a Crimson Veinwalker?"
The words struck like thunder.
