Kalil:
— Once upon a time...
Eden, disinterested:
— More boring stories again...
But Kalil continued, unfazed:
— A world of peace, where life was good. Skyscrapers nearly touched the sky, clouds still drifted freely, and the streets overflowed with joy. Children could dream… of a bright future, or simply dream.
He took a deep breath and continued, his voice more somber:
— But one day, beings known as Calamities appeared. The sky was swallowed in endless darkness... and humanity never saw the light of day again. Some now believe that peaceful time was only a myth. The Calamities destroyed everything — everything mankind had built over decades — gone in a single instant. Humanity’s numbers dropped drastically. Survivors were either killed or stripped of their memories, turning into monsters called Remnants — ghoulish creatures endlessly hunting for souls to devour in hopes of reclaiming fragments of their past.
— But even they weren’t ranked among the true Calamities.
— And yet, in the midst of despair… hope was born. One day, a prophecy was found, carved in stone:
"One day, under the shadowed sky, six gestures, six breaths, six shadows, six souls... Kindness, Abandon, Joy, Madness, Fear, and Memory will rise against the threat, and with a single blow, bring back the light."
— They were just words... but they rekindled a flame in people’s hearts. Of course, not everyone believed, and it led to conflict — between those who saw a lie and those who clung to hope. Until one day… two men rose up against the Calamities. Gifted with strange powers, they fought them effortlessly, supported by the humans who believed in the prophecy. Those who didn’t believe... perished under the claws of the Calamities.
— These two men founded the Order of the Doctors. They taught survivors everything they knew about the Calamities… and then vanished forever.
He paused, his gaze growing sharper:
— Since then, my ancestors have always led the Order. With science and knowledge, they developed a device capable of detecting the unique energy of each Doctor. Over generations, they identified which energies matched each title… But never — not once — did they manage to gather all six Doctors. In every generation, one was always missing… the Doctor of Memory.
Eden, calmly:
— I see… I understand better now.
— Yes… but I have conditions before I accept anything.
He stared straight at Kalil, cold and resolute:
— First, no one touches Alya. Not now, not ever.
— Second, I don’t want your men interfering in my work. And obviously… I want a slice of Kamy’s cake.
Kalil smirked, amused. Eden continued:
— Lastly… I want a private meeting with your Doctor Sero.
Kalil, smiling:
— Perfect. I really do love negotiations.
Kamy, serious:
— Sir...
Kalil:
— Oh right, let me answer properly.
— Your first request? No problem.
— The second? Also fine… Though I can’t promise anything about Kamy’s cake...
— But the third one… That might be more complicated. We don’t know any Doctor named Sero.
Eden, furious:
— What do you mean you don’t know him?! He told me he was from the Order! He said he was sent to find me… He’s the one who gave me this wound on my chest!
He looked down at his torso, startled… There was no wound.
Kalil, intrigued:
— Tell me more about this person… you said Sero?
Eden, disheartened:
— That’s… all I know.
Kalil, disappointed:
— Ah, come on... It was just getting interesting.
— Well, no matter. We’ll get answers later. Rest up — your work begins soon.
Eden, defiant:
— And what if I refuse?
Kalil, with a chilling stare:
— Go ahead... refuse. I’m just waiting for the signal to send you — and Alya — straight to hell. You think this is a game? We’ve got better things to do than babysit an idiot like you.
Eden, shocked, lowered his head:
— …Alright. Got it. No need to say more.
As Kalil walked away, he threw a comment to Kamy, amused:
— See, Kamy? He accepted. Your torture methods weren’t necessary after all. Good. Now rest up… Memory.
Eden, protesting:
— My name’s not Memory. It’s Eden.
Kalil, with a grin:
— Sure… Memory.
And that… Elsa softly concluded her story,
is how Eden and I first met.
Back in the vehicle, Eden grabbed his belongings, got out with Alya, and the transport drove off. Alya, mounted on a horse Elsa had lent them, moved slowly ahead. Eden walked beside her, holding the reins, his gaze lost in the forest.
He muttered to himself:
— I better deliver those research results to that crazy old Kalil... or he’ll chew me out again.
He scratched his head in annoyance. Alya simply nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, inside the Council Hall of the Order…
Kalil stood alone in the center, under the heavy gazes of murmuring council members:
— He wasn’t supposed to make that decision on his own...
— Then what are we here for?
— And isn’t he traveling with a Calamity?
They all shouted at once:
— What?! Is he a man… or the devil?
Kalil, still smiling:
— It’s nice how much you all love to gossip… but this isn’t a school classroom. Stop whispering like children.
A council member, annoyed:
— And he dares to be insolent!
Another voice:
— Silence.
The room fell quiet.
The Elder spoke:
— Kalil. We’ve heard you’ve found… the Sixth Doctor. After centuries of waiting… congratulations.
— But there’s always a "but" with you, Kalil. This man hasn’t awakened his power… and he’s accompanied by a Calamity.
A member shouted:
— Yes, and he made all these decisions without our consent!
— What do you have to say for yourself?
Kalil, calm as ever:
— Just one word: Sixth Doctor.
Another rebutted:
— And what proof do we have the detector didn’t malfunction? It’s old — possibly faulty.
Kalil, under his breath:
— Just like some of you...
A member barked:
— And that woman? How do we know she won’t betray us?
As Kalil walked out, he said:
— His awakening depends on him. As for the woman — she’s hurt no one so far, and I trust her completely. And if you no longer believe in the legacy of our ancestors... then believe in me. I’ll take full responsibility. After centuries of waiting, we’re not about to spit in the face of fate.
The Elder, sighing:
— Very well. This time… we place our trust in you.
One member, Ashoura, added quietly:
— Kalil… you have my full support.
Outside, facing Kamy, Kalil asked:
— Any news from Eden?
Kamy:
— No, sir. You know he still refuses to come to the base.
Kalil, solemn:
— I fear… Eden may be in danger.
At that same moment…
Eden walked in the snow, leading the horse Alya rode upon.
Suddenly, a man dressed in white, bearing the emblem of the Order of Doctors, stepped into their path.
He asked coldly:
— Are you Eden?
Eden, cautious:
— Depends... who’s asking?
— My name is Arthur. I am the Second Doctor... and I’ve been sent to end your life — and that of the Calamity beside you.
His eyes turned black. With a chilling voice and a single hand gesture, he declared:
— Now…