CHAPTER 37: BEFORE THE STORM
The night over Nexan Palace was unnaturally quiet.
The corridors that were usually filled with the sound of marching soldiers, clashing armor, and shouted orders were now empty. In their place lay a heavy sense of anticipation. Even the stones of the palace seemed to sense the coming calamity, holding their breath.
Kai sat on the edge of his bed in the room assigned to him.
His shirt was off, the bandage on his shoulder loosened. The pain left behind by opening his Domain was far beyond normal exhaustion. His muscles still trembled, yet his spirit felt strangely calm.
But his mind…
His mind refused to rest.
The Spirit Domain…
The place where even Swain's will was suppressed…
He clenched his fist, feeling his power—and at the same time, his fear.
"This power… if I ever lose control…" he murmured.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," Kai said.
The door opened, and Po stepped inside. There was no trace of his usual cheerfulness. His shoulders were slumped, his gaze serious.
"I figured you wouldn't be sleeping," Po said.
Kai replied without lifting his head. "Sleep won't come."
Po walked further in, stopping by the window. Below them, Nexan's night lights shimmered like a sea of stars.
"The entire city is awake," Po said quietly. "The soldiers don't know why, but… everyone can feel that something's wrong."
Kai stood up and joined him by the window. "Swain was right. We crossed the line of no return."
Po looked at him. "Do you regret it?"
Kai hesitated. Then he shook his head. "No. But the price will be heavy."
⸻
ICE KINGDOM – MORDE'S CHAMBER
Morde lay on his back on the bed.
The ceiling above him was carved from ice, covered in intricate patterns. But Morde wasn't looking at them. His eyes were open, staring into nothingness.
The bandages on his chest were still warm. His wounds were healing… but the images in his mind were not.
Flower's terrified expression.
The Black Blade.
And being… stopped.
Stop.
King Tsur's voice still echoed in his ears.
"I didn't want to stop," Morde whispered. "But I did."
He raised his hand and stared at his palm. Shadow energy trembled instinctively—then faded.
Whose weapon am I?
And am I truly… a weapon at all?
The door opened silently.
Flower stepped inside, her usual cold expression unchanged. "You're awake."
"Yes."
She didn't close the door. She left it open deliberately. "The King is watching you."
Morde let out a faint laugh. "I know."
Flower hesitated. "Did you realize you couldn't fully control your Domain?"
"I did."
"That power… it could consume you."
Morde sat up, fixing his gaze on her. "Is that what scares you?"
Flower didn't answer. She simply lowered her head.
"Not you," she said quietly. "The outcome."
⸻
ASHURA – THE ARMIES GATHER
In the capital of Ashura, night had turned into day.
Torches burned everywhere. Soldiers lined up across the sand-filled squares. Weapons were distributed. Banners were raised.
Arthur stood atop the city walls.
Below him, thousands of soldiers roared his name.
"ARTHUR!"
"ARTHUR!"
"ARTHUR!"
But Arthur's face showed no excitement. It was stern. Exhausted. And resolute.
Dragon approached him. "My king… reconnaissance units report no movement from the Ice Kingdom yet. They're holding position."
Arthur didn't take his eyes off the horizon. "They will move."
"And the World Government—"
"Let them come," Arthur said coldly. "I am not attacking. I am responding."
Dragon said nothing. But deep down, he knew this war could no longer be stopped.
⸻
HORTEX – THE HUNTER UNIT
Three figures stood in the center of the massive hangar.
Their armor was completely different from one another.
One was tall and slender, eyes closed—yet seeming to perceive everything.
Another was heavily built, clad in thick armor, a massive weapon resting on his shoulder.
The third was smiling.
Too relaxed.
Too calm.
The Commander stood before them. "The order is clear. The Ashura–Ice Kingdom conflict will be suppressed. If anyone resists… neutralize them."
The blind-eyed Hunter spoke. "Neutralize… to what extent?"
The Commander hesitated. "If necessary… permanently."
The smiling Hunter's grin widened. "Good. It's been a long time since I've seen a real battlefield."
⸻
NEXAN – SWAIN AND TEREX
Swain stood over the war map as the door opened.
Terex stepped inside. His armor was scarred, his expression hardened.
"I'm late," he said.
Swain nodded. "You arrived exactly on time."
Terex studied the map. "Ashura is mobilizing. The Ice Kingdom is silent. The World Government is stepping in."
"Yes," Swain replied. "And all of it… could collapse on us."
Terex narrowed his eyes. "Is Kai ready?"
Swain paused. Then he answered honestly. "In terms of power… yes. But this war won't be won by power alone."
At that moment, an alarm echoed from outside.
Long. Deep. Ominous.
Swain walked to the window. "It's beginning," he said.
"No," Terex corrected him.
"Not yet."
"But now," Swain replied,
"it will no longer stop."
⸻
The world was holding its breath.
Kings, weapons, gods, and monsters…
All converging on the same line.
And that line was now perfectly clear.
It was inevitable