Humans fear many things.
Darkness, insects, animals, the depths of the ocean…
Death, hunger, disease.
But in this age, what people feared most could be summarized in a single word: Monsters.
The ballroom was on the academy grounds, built about 2 kilometers away from the academy itself. Although the academy was in the middle of the city, it covered a very large area. The ballroom was a dome-shaped structure and was only used on special occasions. Today was one of them. The academy students had gathered in the ballroom, waiting to take off their team robes. Each team had different robes, but even with so much difference, there was a harmony. The students, the future hunters, were chatting inside, and some couples were dancing. Then, someone in a black robe with silver patterns appeared on the balcony.
"Dear students, the ball has officially begun. You may take off your team robes. Have fun." The official's voice echoed.
Suits emerged from under the boys' robes, and ornate dresses from under the girls' robes. Among all the students, Dean Guilliman attracted attention not with the suit he wore, but with his face and charisma. He was someone who got along well with everyone, quickly loved and accepted by his team. He had already left his teammates and there was an irregularity in his steps. It was as if he was rushing somewhere. Toilet, I need to go to the toilet, he thought to himself, passing through the crowd.
As he hurried, he bumped into a short, black-haired boy. "Sorry, I don't feel very well," he said to the boy. "It's okay, get well soon," the boy replied.
Dean quickened his steps even more. When he reached the toilet door, he grabbed the doorknob and leaned against the door. He forced himself inside one last time and collapsed over the sink, starting to retch. After retching for about 15 minutes, he vomited into the sink. His face was pale. About 15 minutes later, he stood up and looked in the mirror. He saw himself in the reflection, looking perfectly healthy and grinning. But Dean wasn't grinning right now. He didn't feel that well either. The reflection in the mirror started laughing. It kept laughing. Suddenly, the reflection stopped and returned to normal. Dean turned around, he was about to leave the toilet when he heard a voice behind him, a dark voice, a disturbing voice.
"What's the rush? Your face is pale. It would be good for you to stay here a little longer."
Following his words, Dean turned around slowly and fearfully. And what he saw was like a repetition of a nightmare he had recently seen. Dean's eyes widened like saucers, his already white face turned as white as a corpse, his jaw began to chatter, and beads of sweat formed all over his face. The person in front of him was the man he had seen with Eren in that area full of columns. This time, he had tied his long black hair back, and that black liquid under his skin was moving, circulating under the man's skin. Dean finally managed to compose himself a little and stammered in fear, "W-who are you? What are you doing here!"
The man slowly advanced towards Dean. The grin on his charismatic face showed that he was not innocent at all. "That's right, I didn't properly introduce myself at our first meeting. My name is Sigrum Zorak. Believe it or not, I also studied at this academy, and in the same team as you, the Lanterns." He said, the grin still on his face.
Dean was surprised. He took a step towards the man. "So that makes you a hunter?" he said. "No, I'm not very popular since I try to bring new ideas to this old city. Anyway, the subject is not me, it's you. Yes, I saw great potential in you, but I didn't expect this much. On top of that, you are noble. The Guilliman clan has the most powerful physical enhancement celestial gift. And you, Dean, have magnificent elements on top of that: the Light element, which is magnificent, wind, and spirit. This is a perfect combination."
Dean could no longer tolerate the absurd words of the man in front of him. "What do you mean? What do you want from me!" he shouted.
The man opened his arms wide as if he wanted to hug Dean. "I don't want anything from you. The mark I put on you was to keep you. Now I will complete the gift I want to give you." Sigrum hugged Dean, but this was not normal. It was as if Sigrum was liquefying. After a while, everything became even more evident. Sigrum was melting, and his liquefying body was entering Dean. Although he tried to resist, there was nothing he could do.
Dean held onto the sink for a few more seconds. His fingers were trembling. The burning in his throat was slowly fading. I'm being absurd… Because of the mark. I'm hallucinating again because of that stupid mark. He took a deep breath. He looked in the mirror again. This time his reflection was normal.
Dean clenched his teeth. "Okay," he whispered. "Get a grip."
The Light element stirred slightly inside him… but it didn't rise. Normally, it would react instinctively in such moments. Now, it was as if a hand was pressing down on it. Dean didn't notice this. He straightened his jacket, washed his face, and left the toilet.
Just as he closed the door and stepped out, he found himself in a dark, damp corridor. Cold. Damp. Black crystals hanging from the walls emitted a dim red light.
Sigrum was sitting on a chair. In front of him, sitting on a stone throne, was Rudeus Volid. The father of Agnes Volid, the vampire baron killed on Moon's Eye Island.
Rudeus smiled. His teeth were overly straight. "So you finally tried," he said. "The body of one of the Lanterns… a risky choice."
Sigrum raised his head. "Yes, it would be risky if I went and did it myself, but the body I used to take over that brat is just one of the countless drone bodies I produced. Thanks to what I did, the stupid brat won't even know he's being controlled, but he'll do whatever I say." He raised his hand. A purple-black mark glowed on his chest. "Still, I can't completely control his consciousness. It might be difficult to lure him here."
Rudeus was listening carefully to Sigrum's words. "So, how will you lure the boy here?"
Sigrum looked at Rudeus and started to grin. "The boy is very arrogant and jealous even if I don't do anything to him. It will be enough to use this."
Rudeus clapped lightly. "Good. What about the other children?"
Sigrum's smile widened. "The corridor. The cage. The key."
"The lock is open."
Rudeus's eyes sparkled. "So—"
"Yes," Sigrum said calmly. "Your very dear friend is free."
Rudeus cut his arm. Dark, heavy blood began to flow. He extended his palm to Sigrum. "Let's speed up the fun with this. But don't get me wrong, we are enemies with werewolves, but yes, I had him captured in Safe Haven."
Sigrum put the glass in his hand under the wound, and the blood dripped into it. "Don't worry," he said. "The fun will begin soon."
Dean returned to the crowd. Everyone was laughing. The music was loud. Laughter filled the air. Rowan and Mira were arguing in a corner. Dean came up to them.
"Man, we thought you were lost," Rowan said.
Dean smiled. "I felt a little sick. It passed."
Mira frowned. "Your face is still pale."
Dean shrugged. "The ball, you know, I drank too much."
Then his eyes found Leila. Sigrum's main attention shifted there.
The music echoed in the dome of the hall. Lights filtered down from above, and crystal chandeliers cast fragmented shadows on the floor. The crowd of people had slowly joined the dance, and laughter and conversations were intertwined.
Leila was standing at the edge of the hall. She was holding the glass in her hand but not drinking. Her eyes involuntarily shifted to the door. He still hasn't come…
Just then, someone approached her. "The crowd is a bit suffocating, isn't it?" It was Dean.
Leila flinched slightly but smiled. "A little. But it's my 2nd year, I'm used to it."
Dean nodded. His normally warm gaze was more… fixed today. As if he was measuring something. "You're not dancing," he said. "I guess the friend you're waiting for still hasn't arrived."
Leila held the glass with both hands. "Yes, he hasn't come. I guess I've been stood up."
Dean took a step closer. Not much. But Leila noticed. The distance between them was no longer the comfortable distance for conversation. Just as Leila was about to react, Dean's hand touched her waist, as if completely unconsciously. It was light. Not possessive… but it was there.
Leila held her breath. She didn't say anything. She didn't know if it was from shyness or the weight of the atmosphere. She just felt her heart racing.
Dean didn't pull his hand away. Sigrum's voice whispered in Dean's mind. Calm. Don't rush. Time is on our side.
Dean didn't take his eyes off Leila. "I want to talk to you a little. We can move aside if you want," he said. "There are too many eyes here."
Leila hesitated. Then she nodded. "Okay."
They took a few steps together. They moved away from the people and came to a dimmer spot. The music could still be heard, but from further away.
Dean's voice lowered as he spoke. "I know there's something between you and Eren. He's a bit… difficult," he said. "Sometimes he doesn't even know what he feels."
Leila felt a slight pang inside. "It's strange that you describe him like that," she said. "But… I guess you're right."
Dean smiled. But this smile was not warm. It was controlled. "Some people," he said slowly, "are bad at these kinds of things. Because of something they experienced in the past, they burn everyone around them, including themselves."
Leila looked away. Dean's hand was still on her waist. This time it was a little more noticeable.
Just then— The hall doors opened. The music swelled. And Eren entered.
Leila's gaze immediately shifted there. Dean noticed this. He kept his hand on her waist, but his gaze hardened. Sigrum's satisfied face appeared in Dean's eyes.
Eren's eyes fixed on Leila… and then on Dean's hand. Time stopped for a moment. And nothing had exploded yet. But those nearby could feel it: Something was about to happen.
Kayra noticed the situation first. He lightly hit Raphael's arm. Just as Raphael was about to open his mouth, he saw the scene. Then a few more people from their teams noticed what was happening. Rowan had stopped Mira from going forward with one hand. Because he was aware that even though everyone here was a student, it was clear from the demeanor of these two that something was different among all the 1st-years. Shirou, Nicholas, Gus, almost everyone who knew Eren or Dean started looking here.
Eren, still wearing his team robe, started running towards Dean and Leila. "DEAAAAN!" he shouted. When he reached them, he immediately grabbed Dean's collar and threw Dean backward, drawing his sword at the same time. The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Everyone was looking at the dome of the ballroom. A black vortex had appeared in the dome. A hand with claws as sharp as talons emerged from the vortex. Just from the size of this hand, it was clear that the thing that would emerge from the vortex would be at least 5 meters tall. Then its head came out, a gigantic wolf head. Under its right eye, its fur was shaved, and red symbols were carved into its bone. When it fully emerged from the vortex, melted pieces of flesh were dripping from the broken parts of the armor that had been melted onto it.