The morning after the Vault's awakening was too quiet.
No birds. No wind. Only the faint hum of residual mana still clinging to the air.
Kale stood at the cliff's edge overlooking the ruined valley — the place where the Vault's light had torn open the sky just hours ago.
Lyra sat nearby, her cloak draped around her shoulders, watching him silently.
Elric was repairing his staff with a handful of glowing runes. "The world feels different," he muttered. "Like something big just… shifted."
Kale nodded slowly. "It did."
He raised his right hand — the Vault mark faintly glowing beneath his skin. The power inside him felt heavier now, alive, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
Lyra finally spoke. "You haven't slept since the fight."
"Can't," Kale replied quietly. "Every time I close my eyes, I hear his voice."
"Elric's?" Lyra teased.
Kale gave her a weak glare. "Aurelion's."
That silenced her.
Then, a sudden crack of thunder broke the calm. The three of them turned toward the sky.
Clouds churned unnaturally — black, streaked with violet light.
Elric's face drained of color. "No… no, no, no. That's not weather."
From the clouds descended six figures, cloaked in silver and violet. Each one carried a weapon that pulsed with mana — swords, scythes, and spears etched with ancient runes.
"The Sanctum Blades," Lyra whispered. "The Coven's elite hunters."
They landed on the ridge opposite Kale, perfectly synchronized, their presence suffocating. The air shimmered around them as their collective aura pressed down like gravity itself.
The leader stepped forward — a tall woman with white hair braided down her back and cold, emerald eyes. Her armor was adorned with the symbol of the Crescent Moon — the mark of the High Coven.
"Kale of the Hidden Bloodline," she said, her voice calm and clear. "By decree of the Witches' Council, you are to be purged."
Lyra stepped in front of Kale instinctively. "You'll have to go through us."
The woman tilted her head. "A defector witch standing by a cursed wizard. How poetic. And how foolish."
She raised her hand. "Formation Delta."
Instantly, the other Blades moved — faster than human sight. Runes flared, forming a hexagonal barrier around the trio.
Elric slammed his staff into the ground, countering the first wave. "Barrier on barrier, huh? Let's see whose breaks first!"
The air erupted into chaos.
Lyra launched fire sigils that spiraled into serpents of flame. The Blades sliced through them effortlessly, their weapons absorbing the magic.
"They're using mana absorption steel!" she shouted. "My spells won't last!"
Kale stepped forward, the Vault mark glowing brighter. "Then I'll use something they can't absorb."
He clenched his fist — and the spectral blade reappeared, forged from pure will and mana light.
He charged forward, clashing directly with the leader.
Sparks exploded as their blades met. Her expression didn't waver, but her eyes flickered briefly with curiosity.
"So the Vault did choose you."
Kale gritted his teeth. "And I'll prove it was right."
Their blades clashed again and again, each strike shaking the ground. The other Blades closed in, but Lyra and Elric intercepted them, fighting desperately to hold the line.
Lyra's mana flared crimson. "Kale! Finish it quickly — we can't hold forever!"
"I'm trying!" he shouted, blocking another blow. The leader's speed was unreal — each movement clean, deadly, and graceful.
Finally, she struck hard, her sword slashing across Kale's arm. He staggered, pain flaring, but his eyes burned brighter.
"Good," she said softly. "Show me what kind of monster the world fears."
Kale roared — and the ground cracked beneath him.
For an instant, his mana surged beyond control, the blue light turning almost white. The spectral blade shattered, replaced by a storm of raw energy spiraling around him.
The leader's eyes widened slightly. "That power… it's beyond Aurelion's records."
Kale slammed his palm into the ground, unleashing a pulse that shattered the Blades' formation. The barrier collapsed in a flash of light.
Lyra covered her face. "Kale, stop! You'll overload your mana veins—!"
But it was too late. The light consumed the battlefield, hurling everyone backward.
When the dust settled, half the ridge was gone — vaporized.
Kale knelt at the center, breathing hard. His mark dimmed slowly, flickering. The leader of the Sanctum Blades stood across from him, her armor cracked, but her stance unbroken.
She lowered her sword slightly. "Interesting… you're still holding on to yourself."
Kale's voice was hoarse. "Leave… now."
The woman studied him for a moment, then smirked faintly. "You've passed my curiosity test, boy. But next time… we'll see if you can pass judgment."
She signaled her team, and the Blades vanished in a swirl of violet light.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Lyra ran to Kale, catching him before he fell. "You idiot! You could've died!"
He managed a faint smile. "Wouldn't be the first time today."
Elric sighed, wiping sweat from his brow. "The Coven knows exactly where we are now. That was their scout unit, Kale. The real war hasn't even started."
Kale looked up at the fading storm clouds, his blue eyes burning faintly.
"Then we'll be ready," he said quietly.
"They called me a curse. Let's see what a curse can really do."