The bar was nearly empty.
Soft music played from an old radio while Roshi and Kimberly stared at the sword resting on the counter, laid over a dark cloth.
The silver blade reflected the warm yellow lights of Blood's Bar, and the eye embedded in its guard remained shut — pulsing faintly, as if asleep.
"Ever since that thing showed up, I've felt... different," said Kimberly, her gaze fixed on the sword's eye.
"When I fell from the building, after fighting Nyra, I heard a voice... deep... echoing in my head. Something like: 'Wield me…'"
Roshi folded his arms, narrowing his eyes.
"A voice, huh? That's not something you hear every day, kid."
He crouched down, examining the blade closely.
"This… I've seen something like it in old records. It might be Sanguirion."
Kimberly raised an eyebrow.
"Sanguirion?"
"A legendary sword," he explained.
"Forged centuries ago by a witch who mixed demonic essence with human blood. They say the weapon chooses its wielder — and feeds on the life force of its enemies… sometimes even on the soul of the one holding it."
Kim frowned.
"So, what, I've got a possessed sword now?"
Roshi let out a dry laugh.
"Let's just say you've got a weapon with a personality."
He patted her shoulder.
"Just don't let it control you, got it? These things always come with a price."
Kim smirked, looking at the sword's sleeping eye.
"If it wants to fight, it better keep up with me."
Japan – Headquarters of the Hunter Order "Hand of Ulysses"
A thin rain fell over the dark mountain roofs. Nyra crossed the main gate of the fortress, exhausted from the long journey. The air smelled of metal and incense.
As soon as she stepped inside, a familiar figure ran to her — Yumi, a young hunter with short hair and worried eyes.
"Nyra!" she cried, wrapping her arms around her.
"I... I'm so sorry."
Nyra blinked, confused.
"Sorry for what?"
Yumi stepped back, her eyes glistening.
Before she could answer, an elderly man with a stern expression and a black cloak appeared behind her.
"Hunter Nyra. I bring difficult news." His voice was firm, though weighed with grief.
"Sensei Eijiro... was found dead last night."
The world seemed to stop for a moment.
The sound of rain faded into silence.
Nyra said nothing — her eyes trembled, but no tears fell.
She simply answered in a quiet voice:
"Understood."
Hours later
The wind howled atop the mountain where Nyra stood before a stone altar.
The horizon stretched like an ocean of clouds, painted red by the setting sun.
Her back faced the temple, the Kaburami sheathed at her side. Her gaze was fixed on the empty distance.
Inside, her silence was a storm.
She closed her eyes, taking a slow breath.
"Sensei... I failed you." Her voice was cold, yet trembling.
"But I swear... I'll find whoever did this. And I'll make them pay."
The wind grew stronger, tugging at her silver coat.
For a brief moment, she thought of Kimberly — of her sister's teasing smile, her words about strength and redemption.
A flicker of warmth crossed her face... then vanished, replaced by hard resolve.
"This is something I have to do my way," she murmured, stepping into the shadows.
"And for that... I'll need more power."
Back at Blood's Bar, the sword Sanguirion rested upon the counter.
And then — the eye on its guard slowly opened, glowing faintly as a deep, sinister voice whispered from within the darkness:
"Kimberly... you have no idea what awaits you..."