CHAPTER 8: THE FLASHBACK
The night was calm — too calm — as they all walked through the large golden gates of Rhain's house.
Yamato stopped mid-step, jaw practically on the floor.
> "W-what in the Arcis' name… You live here?"
The mansion stood tall, glass walls glowing faintly under the moonlight. There was a fountain in front, and even the fountain looked rich.
Rhain scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
> "Yeah… my parents are, you know… kinda loaded."
Renjiro whistled.
> "Loaded? Bro, this house looks like it eats money for breakfast."
Akikoo giggled softly, brushing her hair back.
Tensho folded his arms, smirking.
> "So this is where Class A kids hide from danger."
Yamato shook his head.
> "No wonder your fire Arcis always burns clean — it's probably scented."
They all laughed a little, finally feeling the weight of battle lift off, even just for a moment.
Rhain led them inside, through hallways lined with glowing crystals and paintings that probably cost more than all their equipment combined.
They sat around a round table in a lounge that looked straight out of a royal palace.
Yamato sighed, lowering himself into a velvet chair.
> "Ahh… my old bones approve of this chair. Now then, kids, let's talk about what exactly happened back there."
Everyone grew quiet. The room dimmed as Rhain leaned forward.
> "It all started when the ground shook. I thought it was just another trap, but then… I saw those rocks floating midair. The Arcis pressure was unreal."
The memory replayed in his mind — the shaking ground, the freezing silence before Veylor appeared.
Renjiro took over.
> "Man, when I saw that tall guy step out from behind the talking Rex, I swear my heart did a backflip. Dude didn't even blink — just slapped that Rex aside like it owed him money!"
Akikoo frowned.
> "Yeah… that moment. I couldn't move. His presence—it was suffocating."
Tensho clenched his fists, recalling the power that filled the air.
> "He said his name was Veylor. The Guardian. He looked straight at me, like he could see something inside me. Then that voice spoke again."
Everyone turned to him.
> "The same voice from before," Tensho continued. "It told me to concentrate my power… and suddenly my legs turned black."
The group exchanged glances — that moment still felt unreal.
Yamato nodded slowly.
> "Veylor wasn't bluffing. That was pure Guardian energy. And if he's working for Evil… then things just got worse than I imagined."
The flashback stretched on — they described every attack, every second of fear and courage.
Yamato's gravity clashing against Veylor's stone waves.
Tensho's first real awakening.
Akikoo's desperate shadow plan.
Renjiro firing Arcis bullets just to distract the monster.
Rhain's flames flickering like hope refusing to die.
Each of them told their piece, voices overlapping, the memories vivid — like they were reliving the chaos in that room again.
Just as Rhain was describing the final explosion—
Door creak
> "Tensho, honey! You're back, cutie~!"
Everyone froze.
Rhain's mom stepped in, holding a tray of cookies.
> "What's with all the party in here, boys? Oh! And who's this beautiful girl? Tensho, is she your girlfriend?"
Akikoo's face went full red.
Renjiro leaned back, smirking.
> "If he won't claim her, I—"
> "MOM!" Rhain screamed.
"We're literally talking about fighting a Guardian! Can you not—"
She turned to Renjiro.
> "Oh, or maybe you're her boyfriend? You're quite the handsome one, aren't you?"
Renjiro: "Well, ma'am, I—"
> "MOM OUT!" Rhain shouted, dragging her by the arm.
The door slammed shut. Silence.
Then all at once, laughter exploded around the room.
Tensho was crying from laughing too hard.
Akikoo hid her face.
Yamato nearly fell off his chair.
> "I like your mother," Yamato chuckled. "She brings life to the battlefield."
Rhain just facepalmed.
> "I can't believe my trauma has a witness."
Eventually, the laughter faded. The room dimmed again, calm and warm.
Yamato looked at Tensho, serious now.
> "Tensho, my boy… tomorrow morning, I'll tell you everything you need to know about those black parts showing on your body. You have to learn to control them — if you want to save that kid."
Tensho looked down, hand tightening into a fist.
> "Yeah… I'm ready, old man."
Rhain stood up, stretching.
> "Alright, let's call it a night before Mom brings snacks and embarrassment again."
Everyone agreed. One by one, they stood, saying their goodnights.
Yamato decided to stay behind at Rhain's place — the guest room looked like paradise to a tired old hybrid.
> "Ahh, this room's warmer than the whole dungeon," he muttered, lying back with a grin.
Meanwhile, outside, Tensho stood by the balcony, looking at the stars. The reflection of his black marks faintly glowed in the glass.
He whispered,
> "That voice… who are you?"
The night wind blew, silent… almost like it was listening.