Hakan advanced slowly, the space around him eerily quiet. The Ancient Star stone gradually materialized in mid-air, emitting a blue light as if listening to his soul.
As Now:
"No… No! You are not worthy!"
Hakan:
"And that… is precisely why you will never possess it."
The stone vibrated, glowing intensely – as if responding to a heart ready to endure all. It… chose Hakan.
As Now shrieked, lunging forward like a wild beast. But the instant his hand touched the stone – Thwip! – Hakan withdrew a syringe and plunged it directly into As Now's neck.
Hakan:
"A small token of my sincerity. This will cause your body to backfire if it absorbs energy from the stone. The result? Both you and the stone will explode."
As Now:
"NO!! My ideal… cannot die yet!!"
His body began to swell and contort, as if something within was tearing it apart. But instead of exploding… he absorbed the energy completely. His limbs elongated, skin ripped, revealing blackened muscles. A monster more than three stories tall emerged, covered in gaping wounds, as if replaying every suffering he had ever endured.
As Now:
"...I… am the chosen one..."
Space shattered – everything was pushed outward. Amidst the chaos, the monster's eyes caught sight of… Lucy's corpse. Dried blood, a body no longer breathing.
As Now:
"No… it can't be… LUCY! NOOOOOOOOO!"
A scream tore through the sky. All reason fractured. From here… there was only instinct, hatred, and slaughter. The monster charged. Each step crushed everything. It opened its mouth, accumulating an enormous mass of energy.
Jinna:
"EDIE! Don't!!!"
But Edie had already lunged. Despite his broken limbs and the dried blood around his eyes, he forced himself, creating a Nifow field around his hand, striking directly into the surging energy beam about to be unleashed. Two sources of power collided – BOOMMMM!!! Edie was thrown far back, his limbs broken, blood gushing in streams, but he had managed to block the attack.
Just as the monster prepared to accumulate energy again — "BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!" – A volley of magic cannons and energy bullets rained down from a distance, halting it. TIB had arrived.
Through a thin veil of smoke, a figure descended lightly. They were late because they had been busy eliminating Sill forces.
Duun:
"Everyone, evacuate immediately. This place… is about to become a true battlefield."
As everyone retreated, Hakan approached Duun, his eyes fixed on the monster – fearless, unwavering.
Hakan:
"Let's kill it together."
Duun:
"Very well."
Simultaneously – at the Plaza:
Paraver had just finished killing the students. Blood dripped from his hands.
Soan:
"Even if I die… I'll take others with me..."
He activated a Ghighu magic sphere, drawing them both in. But Paraver managed to escape, his body stretched and unsteady. Only a puddle of blood remained… Soan was gone.
Ogon approached from a distance, arms crossed.
Ogon:
"You're worse than when we fought last time."
Paraver:
"You… aren't you suffering a backlash?!"
Ogon chuckled, standing firm.
Ogon:
"It's over. The act is done."
Paraver immediately withdrew his shield, opening a teleportation gate to flee.
Ogon:
"My acting really is top-notch."
The monster that was once As Now stood in the center of the cube – nearly three stories tall, its skin cracked like dry lava, each gaping wound still spewing black smoke, as if the pain from his very soul was bleeding out. He raised his head to the sky, howling. The scream held no language. Only hatred.
Duun stood at the forefront. No staff needed. No loud incantation. With just a flick of his hand, a white mist spread out like a demonic fog, engulfing the ground.
Duun:
"Begin."
Behind him:
Feina activated a smoke barrier that slowly closed in on the monster – serving both as defense and restricting its movement space. Lori drew with blood in the air – creating a holographic reaction matrix, locking As Now's every subtle movement with frequency pressure. Efill spun, unleashing a barrage of compressed wind blades like invisible knives – slicing through the monster's outer flesh, exposing its weak points. Hakan charged from the left flank, without magic, without weapons – only his bare hands, thick as steel. With every step he took, the ground sunk in patches. Hakan launched himself into the air, spinning 360 degrees, delivering a powerful punch into the monster's stomach. The sound was like a bomb exploding – the monster's stomach caved in, spewing black smoke from its mouth.
As Now roared, sweeping a hand – shattering the smoke – sending Lori flying far back, blood gushing like a fountain. Feina immediately cast a healing spell. Efill launched a blocking attack, forcing him back to face Duun.
Duun raised his hand into the air – the atmosphere suddenly thickened as if suffocating. From amidst the smoke, something like… a giant, humanoid shadow hand appeared. The smoke hand squeezed As Now's head tightly, tendrils of smoke burrowing into his wounds. The monster roared – blood burst from its eyes in streaks – it began to weaken, retreating step by step.
Hakan:
"Now… it's my turn."
Hakan roared, his entire body emitting a shockwave of killing intent – his hand tendons bulging, he launched forward like a living bullet. Simultaneously, Duun performed a hand seal in mid-air – the smoke formed a highly compressed current, enveloping Hakan's fist.
Hakan:
"LET ME PIERCE THROUGH THIS FALSITY!!!"
BOOMMMMM—!!!
The monster was punched through the chest. Smoke exploded from its back, like a vengeful soul forced from its body. The colossal body convulsed. Skin peeled off. Muscles atrophied. As Now collapsed onto the stone floor, gasping for breath, nothing left but bone and blood. No one attacked further. No one spoke.
He crawled towards… where Lucy lay. Gently, he embraced his daughter's corpse, trembling. He did not speak. He did not cry. He did not scream. He only held her, and stood up.
As Now, covered in blood, holding Lucy in his arms, walked straight into the forest behind the ruins. Each step left a trail of blood. But he did not stop. He did not retreat.
Hakan suddenly appeared in front of him – as if the shadows had been torn apart. Without a word of warning. He charged, gripping As Now's throat tightly, forcing him back against a rotting tree trunk.
Hakan:
"Are you trying to find… Doctor Ailon?"
As Now:
"He… he's gone, hasn't he?"
Hakan:
"He's gone. And you… are still chasing the shadow of someone who abandoned you."
As Now:
"Tell me, Hakan… am I right?"
Hakan:
"In this world… every mistake, whether for an ideal or out of pain… must be paid for."
Silence. One second. No one could breathe.
"CRACK!!" – The sharp sound of a neck breaking in Hakan's hand echoed. As Now slumped down, still holding Lucy in his arms.
From the shadows of the forest, Duun approached. Unhurried. Expressionless. Just one look was enough.
Hakan turned, raising his hands.
Hakan:
"I am ready. I don't intend to run."
Duun:
"I will write in the report… that it wasn't you. But a faulty clone left behind by Ailon."
Hakan:
"I have been preparing for this day… for a long time. But why… haven't you arrested me yet?"
Duun:
"Not yet. When you fulfill your wish – I will come. Every sin must be paid for… I'm just giving you… more time."
Hakan:
"Thank you, Duun."
The wind whistled softly through the dry branches. Two men – one old, one cold – stood amidst the dead, the ghosts of the past.
TIB — Headquarters
The battle was over. But its consequences were still etched in every gaze. Duun stood by the glass window, the cold white light illuminating his perpetually unchanging face. Behind him, Efill entered. Somber. The smell of disinfectant had not yet faded from his clothes.
Duun:
"You completed it before you left, didn't you, Efill?"
Efill:
"I killed Wuler. It will be recorded as a mana leak accident causing an explosion… and you will become the director."
Duun:
"No. It should be you. You deserve it more."
Efill:
"That's absurd."
Duun:
"You have nearly 30 years of experience. I only have just over ten. You understand the organization, I'm only familiar with the field. I will propose – not for me, but for you."
Efill:
"So be it… Now let's rebuild TIB together. The storms are still long, but with you, I believe we can stand firm."
Duun:
"Agreed."
A few days later, Hospital, early morning.
A small room with white-painted walls, faint sunlight filtering through a thinly dusted windowpane. The gentle scent of antiseptic hung in the air. Edie vaguely opened his eyes. Everything was a little blurry. His left hand was heavy with bandages, and the faint scratching of a pencil could be heard somewhere in the room.
Sitting by the window was Hakan, holding a pencil and sketching aimlessly on an old piece of paper.
Hakan:
"Awake already? I told you there was no need to leave the house, but you still insisted on going… Well, that's what you call bravery. You're a hero now, Edie."
Edie:
"A hero, what…?"
Hakan:
"Alright, since you're awake, take the opportunity to talk to your father. I'll step out."
Hakan stood up, folded the drawing, then opened the door and walked out. A tall man, impeccably dressed in a black suit, entered, taking his place. A sword was lightly hung at his hip, not for battle but out of habit. That was Roock – Edie's father.
Roock:
"Awake already. Feeling alright?"
Edie:
"Always fine. Since the day I left."
Roock:
"...About that… are you angry with me?"
Edie:
"Not at the moment. Because I wasn't any more in the right than you were. And… as family, no matter what, we can never truly sever ties."
Roock:
"True. Now the choice is yours. Do you want to return and help the family, or live your own way… I won't force you."
Edie:
"Then… why did you come here? I thought I'd never see you again."
Roock:
"I always kept an eye on you. Just like any other father – not good at saying caring words, so I just acted. This time is no different… it's just… you're famous now."
Edie:
"Famous?"
Edie:
"Why am I famous?"
Roock:
"You'll know once you go outside."
He stepped out of the small, narrow hospital room. His legs were still a little wobbly, his steps slow as if he might fall with a gentle touch. But before he could ask anything further, he suddenly froze. In front of Edie were dozens of people waiting. They were the ones who had been in the greenhouse — the ones he had risked his life to save from Ghosi, from the Sill commanders, from the monster in the form of despair. They stood in two rows, automatically parting to either side when they saw him. No one spoke at first. Then one person clapped. A second clap echoed. And then… the entire line of people applauded. They cheered. Called his name. Smiled. Many even cried.
Edie walked slowly through the rows of people. His hands didn't raise. His eyes didn't look at anyone. He just walked silently — and tears flowed without him knowing. He no longer heard the applause. He heard nothing at all. He only felt his heart heavy, then incredibly light. A feeling he had never experienced in his life: recognition. Being called "useful".
When he looked up… Sunlight pierced through a gap in the clouds, shining directly onto the path he was walking. Perhaps there was still good in this world… or perhaps it was just the backdrop for an approaching storm.
One Year Later – Late Summer
The old room where the two men lived together had not changed. Still the wooden table by the window, still the rarely touched bookshelf, still the old teapot Hakan had brought with him from his days as a fugitive. Hakan sat down, pouring more tea. Edie looked at him, squinting slightly.
Edie:
"What if we hadn't met?"
Hakan:
"You should have faith. When we believe in something, the universe gives it to us. That's the law of attraction."
Edie:
"Where did you learn all those random theories? So, after meeting and talking… what will you do? Kick me out to bring your daughter back?"
Hakan was silent. The air slowed, as if all sound had been drained. He picked up his teacup, took a sip. Gently set it down.
Hakan:
"I will… surrender myself. Don't be sad, Edie. That's the law of karma. I can change the present, but not the past."
No one said anything further. Hakan stood up and walked into the next room. The door closed very softly, without a sound. Edie looked out the window as the sunset descended very slowly.
That night, both lay in bed. Neither slept. Neither spoke. But both could hear each other's steady, heavy breathing. The ceiling gradually darkened. Not because the lights were off, but because their hearts were silent.
The Morning of the New School Year
The schoolyard was bustling with laughter and chatter, bewildered new students, and old faces who had begun to grow accustomed to the scars of time. Edie walked slowly through the crowd, beside him Jinna, her arms cradling a thin stack of documents.
Jinna:
"You look strange today. Is something wrong?"
Edie:
"No, nothing. Maybe just… a little tired."
Jinna:
"If something's wrong, you have to tell me."
He tried to keep his voice steady, his steps even, his gaze level. But the harder he tried to act normal, the more obvious his awkwardness became.
During the new student welcoming ceremony, Edie sat in the front row. His arms were crossed, a constant smile on his face. He smiled at some old acquaintances who recognized him. He smiled at a child waving from behind him. He even smiled at the boring speech from the administration. But… his eyes weren't there. His mind was no longer at the ceremony. Until… he saw her.
A girl with long blonde hair reaching her back, distinctive green eyes… And a cross-shaped scar on her right wrist. "Furina"
He stood up, gently maneuvering through the rows of chairs, moving closer.
Edie:
"Excuse me, are you a new student?"
Girl:
"Hmm, that's right. My name is… Furina. You're Edie, right?"
Edie:
"Yeah. I guess… I'm a bit famous now, huh?"
Furina smiled, shaking her head.
Furina:
"No way. I just know you as the guy who kept smiling at the ceremony."
They exchanged a few more words about classes, dorms, cafeteria food… Simple, pleasant, as if they had been friends from somewhere far away.
The bell rang. The first class began.
Edie:
"I have to go back to class. See you later."
Furina:
"Okay. See you again… Edie."
After class, Edie found Furina in the garden behind the library.
Edie:
"I want to talk… about Hakan."
Furina tilted her head, her green eyes stilling. When Edie told her everything – every piece of the truth, every part of the darkness Hakan had walked through – Furina just bowed her head, clenched her fists, then said softly:
Furina:
"He's so foolish…"
Late afternoon, Edie brought her to meet Hakan. The two talked for a long time. Edie couldn't hear clearly, only saw Hakan sitting still, his hands resting on his thighs. Furina stood up to leave, her eyes red, but said nothing.
The next morning
Hakan:
"Go hunt me some wild chickens. Today we're cooking a special dish."
Edie returned at noon. But the scene before his eyes sent a chill through his blood. In front of the wooden house were about a dozen people wearing the black uniforms of TIB. In the middle stood Hakan – handcuffed, standing silently.
Duun approached, his gaze calm but very unfamiliar.
Duun:
"Hello. You live with this person, don't you?"
Edie:
"Yes… is something wrong?"
Duun:
"Then please come with us. We are TIB – an agency that investigates and handles threats to the nation. And this man… is a former Sill member with the nickname 'Death God'."
—End of Chapter—