Chapter 18 – A Day Off… Or So I Thought

We finally return, the weight of what we discovered still heavy in our minds. For now, we make a silent pact:

this place—this secret—stays between us until we all agree otherwise.

The air is tense. No one dares speak too loudly, as if words themselves might shatter the fragile balance we’ve built.

Then, out of nowhere, Sphaera moves.
She pulls open a cabinet, the creak of the wood echoing strangely in the quiet room. Her hand slips inside and, with deliberate care, she takes something out.

“…Luna.” Her voice is soft, almost trembling. “Your father would’ve wanted you to have this.”

Everyone turns.
In her hands… not a weapon, not a relic of ancient power.

But a document. And beside it, an old… iPod?

“Again? An iPod?!” I can’t help blurting it out.

The document, however, is no joke. Luna’s hands shake as she unfolds it, her eyes scanning the lines.
“It’s… a signed approval,” she whispers, her tone breaking. “A list of plans… the kingdom was going to sell off resources. But then… then Father was preventing it all along…”

Her words sink into us like knives.

Me? My head is already swimming from everything that’s been happening—the secrets, the battles, the betrayals, the impossible discoveries.

My brain reaches its limit.

“That’s it!!!” I suddenly shout.

Everyone jumps.

Kline nearly drops his bag of alchemy junk. “Bro, you alright!?”

“Nope. Not alright. Not even close.” I throw up my hands dramatically. “I’m done! I’m so tired! Too much happening, too many secrets, too many crazy revelations! My brain’s fried, my soul’s fried, my patience is fried!”

The others stare at me like I’ve lost it. Which, honestly, I probably have.

I turn on my heel and start walking off.
“Goodbye. Don’t follow me. If you need me, I’ll be somewhere far, far away, questioning my life choices.”

But of course, Luna doesn’t let me.

“Hey—where do you think you’re going?!” She grabs my shoulder and spins me around. Her eyes burn with a mix of anger and… something softer beneath it.

“Ai! I’m not having this!” I protest, yanking my arm free. “Let me rest, will ya?!”

“You have just rested!” she snaps back.

“For the whole day in that damn lab! You call that rest?!” I shoot back, voice cracking between anger and exhaustion.

The room falls silent again. Everyone is watching—half worried, half entertained—as sparks fly between us.

I glare. She glares back.
Neither of us backs down.

Kline leans over to Elysia, whispering, “Uh… are they gonna kill each other or…?”

Elysia only sighs, shaking her head.

And me? My heart’s pounding, not just from anger… but from how close Luna is, how fiercely she’s looking at me.

Damn it. Why does every argument with her feel like I’m about to lose something important?

Sphaera tilts her head, her eyes glowing faintly.
“I can detect it… your heart is palpitating, Randy.”

My body stiffens. That’s because you’re way too close to me!!!

“U-uh… I just… need to rest…” I mutter, scratching the back of my head.

Sphaera steps closer, her voice calm and almost mechanical.
“I could suggest and help you with your rest. I have several methods to help you relax—”

Before she can finish, Luna jumps between us like a guard dog.
“It’s okay, Sphaera!! He’s just an idiot!!! Don’t waste your processing power on him!”

“Oi—!” I protest, but Luna’s glare burns holes through me.

She clears her throat, trying to sound casual but her cheeks are slightly pink.
“Anyway… ehem… tonight you’ll sleep in my room.”

“…Huh?” My brain stalls. Did she just—

“W-wait a second,” Elysia blurts out, bouncing forward. “I’ve got a really bad feeling about this! Is it okay if I hang around too, Luna?”

“Agreed,” Luna says firmly, crossing her arms. “Sphaera, you need a proper orientation too. We’ll have a long talk.”

“Noted,” Sphaera replies without hesitation.

And just like that, the girls march off, leaving me and Kline behind in the dust.

Kline waves his hand lazily. “Hey, I’m awake, you know. I’m pretty sure Sphaera still needs more information.”

Bro. Get a clue.

The three girls stop and turn in unison, eyes glowing with murderous intent.

“Girls. Only. Got it?” Elysia says, cracking her knuckles.

Kline gulps. “Ai… don’t worry about a thing! I-I’m… uh… pretty good at reading the atmosphere!”

No, you’re not, idiot!!

But before I can even sigh, Luna raises her hand, sparks already dancing between her fingers.

“Wait, wait, wait—calm down, Luna!” I raise both hands. “It’s not worth it—”

“Begone, evil!!!” she yells.

A bolt of lightning explodes in the corridor.

“GYAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!”

Smoke fills the air. My hair is standing on end, Kline looks like fried chicken, and the palace floor is charred black.

…We must look like walking charcoal sticks.

“Uh…” I cough out a puff of smoke. “I need to head back to the airship. Also, Kline…”

He groans, twitching. “…What?”

“Looks like we’ve got our next trip.”

He blinks. “…What about your classes?”

“Skipping, bro.” I grin through the soot. “Too much chaos already.”

“Fair…” he sighs. “What about the two—Elowen and Seraphina?”

“Yeah. We need to talk to them.”

――――

By the time we reach the airship, the repairs and maintenance are complete. Anduril stands proudly, polishing the side of the hull.

Seraphina is training with her blade, sweat glistening on her brow.
Elowen sits cross-legged, sharpening her massive hammer like it’s nothing.

They both turn as we approach, still smoking slightly from Luna’s lightning.

“…Hey,” Elowen squints. “You two look like you got struck by lightning.”

Seraphina frowns. “I heard an explosion just now. What happened?”

“…Long story,” I say quickly.

“Just another crazy day,” Kline mutters, still twitching.

“I see…” Elowen chuckles, shaking her head.

“Well then, where to?” Seraphina asks, sliding her sword back into its sheath.

I take a breath, straightening my back.
“The Sky Island. That’s our next destination.”

Her lips curl into a smirk. “Got it. Then I’ll prepare.”

“Son,” Anduril steps forward, patting the airship’s railing. “This ship is good to go. But I must return to Albius. Gindol needs my help more than I do out there.”

“Dad,” Elowen calls out, her eyes softening, “Want to join us?”

He smiles, weary but kind. “Adventuring isn’t good for my heart anymore. You youngsters carry on. I’ll support you in my own way.”

――――

Night falls. We pack our gear, load supplies, and prepare for departure. The stars glimmer above us like guiding lights.

Just as we’re about to take off, a voice calls out.

“Oi! Where to this time?”

It’s Fu Xi, hands behind his back, that ever-knowing smirk on his face.

“The Sky Island!” I answer, excitement bubbling in my chest.

“Leaving so early?”

“Yeah! I’m just… curious about the place!”

He narrows his eyes, then leans in closer. “Then a word of advice: there’s a myth. A giant golem is said to guard the island. Don’t take it lightly.”

A shiver runs down my spine. A giant golem…?

“Got it.” I nod.

“Thanks, Anduril!”

“Farewell, Lord Fu Xi! Rule well!”

“Farewell!”

And with that, the engines roar to life.

I grip the controls. “Alright, testing full speed!”

“Huh?” Seraphina tilts her head.

I slam the throttle. The ship blasts forward, nearly breaking the sound barrier.

“Uwaaaaahhhh!!! Slow down, will you?!” Seraphina screams, gripping the wall.

Elowen, on the other hand, laughs with joy. “Amazing!!”

Kline is somehow still meditating.

Within half an hour we reach the city of Albius, where we finally drop off Anduril.
The airship descends, touching down gently on the city’s edge.

Anduril steps off, his old coat swaying in the night breeze.
“Good luck, everyone. This is where I leave you.”

“See you!!” we all shout back in unison.

As the ship rises again, I glance back one last time. His figure grows smaller until it’s swallowed by the lights of the city.

Ahead of us, the massive silhouette of the Sky Island looms—an impossible fortress adrift in the heavens. Bathed in moonlight, shrouded in silver mist, its cliffs rise like the teeth of a god. Ancient towers break the clouds, glowing faintly with forgotten sigils.

It feels alive. Watching. Waiting.

“Another adventure…” I whisper, tightening my grip on the controls.
“No conspiracies. No politics. Just exploration.”

At least, that’s what I want to believe.

But deep down, I already know—
nothing is ever that simple.

――――

We push the ship forward. Yet strangely, the island… doesn’t get closer.

“It’s weird,” I mutter. “Feels like we’re flying straight, but… the distance isn’t closing.”

“Almost like it’s testing us,” Kline says, eyes narrowing. “Wondering if we’re worthy of landing.”

A chill crawls up my spine. The island itself exists? Or is it rejecting us…?

“Do you know the story behind this place?” Kline finally asks, voice calm but heavy.

I glance at him. “I’m listening.”

“Yeah, me too,” Seraphina leans in, curiosity flashing in her eyes.

“Where’d you even hear it?” Elowen asks, skeptical but clearly intrigued.

Kline smirks. “From my master. She… claimed she came from this very island.”

“Eh?! Are you serious?!” Seraphina’s voice cracks, her hand tightening on her sword.

Elowen’s gaze sharpens. “With the kind of ancient magic you use… I can almost believe it.”

“Pim pim pom…” Kline chuckles. “You really do know your stuff.”

“My father once told me about it,” Elowen mutters. “Something about original magic—the root of all sorcery.”

“Exactly.” Kline nods.

The atmosphere thickens. Even the hum of the engines feels quieter.

“The Sky Island,” Kline begins, “was once a great city of Alchemists. My master told me she lived there all her life. But it wasn’t always in the sky. Long ago, it floated upon the ocean waves…”

“…Until disaster struck,” he continues. “The Lord of the Ocean, jealous of their knowledge and power—power said to rival even the gods—plotted their downfall.”

My chest tightens. Atlantis…? This is basically Atlantis, isn’t it?!

“I’ve heard whispers of this myth,” Elowen says softly.

Kline nods. “The island was ruled by a wise king—Lord Arcanthus.”

Elowen’s eyes widen. “Arcanthus… I’ve heard that name before, but… where…?”

I slow the airship deliberately—our sensors are screaming warnings as we inch closer. Like invisible walls of pressure.

“They called him The Lord of the Elixir,” Kline continues, his tone reverent. “A man who could create miracles. And his queen… was no ordinary woman. She was a Songweaver—a Lyristrix whose voice could heal the dying… or annihilate armies.”

“Songweaver?!” Seraphina gasps. “That’s godlike!”

“What’s a Songweaver?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“An ancient magician,” Seraphina explains quickly, eyes burning with awe. “They could bend the laws of life itself through song. Creation and destruction, both in one breath.”

I swallow. “So basically… OP incarnate.”

Kline smirks faintly. “Pretty much.”

For a moment, silence fills the deck. Then he lowers his voice.

“But peace never lasts. Lord Arcanthus had a right hand—Xorvath. A genius alchemist who discovered something forbidden.”

We all lean closer.

“…The Gate. A door to another world.”

The air freezes.

“…What?” Seraphina whispers.

“A… gate?” Elowen echoes, tightening her grip on her hammer.

I blink. “…Wait, what the hell do you mean by another world—”

Kline doesn’t answer right away.

And in that very moment—

――――

Earth.

A dimly lit room. Griffith sits alone, staring at an old photograph—my parents. His fingers trace the faces as if burned into his soul.

“If Randy knew the truth…” he mutters, eyes cold. “He would never believe it.”

A rune in his hand glows faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat.

He exhales, long and heavy.
“The cogs of destiny… are finally turning.”

――――

Skybreaker – Back in the Sky

“The Lord of Elixir forbade it,” Kline resumes, his voice cutting the silence. “He warned Xorvath that no one must ever open the Gate again. But…”

He shakes his head. “…temptation breeds defiance. And soon, everything collapsed.”

“Interesting…” Elowen mutters, but her expression darkens.

“At the time, my master was just a little girl. She remembered the entire kingdom gathering around crystal screens, watching Lord Arcanthus himself speak.”

“What did he say?” I ask.

Kline’s voice drops lower. Almost like he’s repeating the words from memory.

“He declared: This nation must abandon the land below. Our power has grown too dangerous. From this day forth… we shall rise into the heavens, where no dragon, no god, no ocean can reach us.”

The words echo in my mind.

Seraphina whispers, “…He sacrificed everything to protect the world.”

“Not everyone agreed,” Kline says gravely. “Many rejected the decree. Civil war broke out. Other nations tried to seize the chance to plunder the alchemists’ secrets. But…”

He glances at the island outside.

“…in the end, the Sky Island ascended. Cut off from the world forever.”

――――

The ship shakes violently.
The mist around the island churns.

Something is watching us.

And for the first time in a long while—
I feel like the real adventure is about to begin.

The hum of my drones cuts through the sky, their scanners flashing as they sweep the area. I narrow my eyes at the sudden disturbance—something massive is flying above us, wings of steel reflecting the sun like polished blades.

A colossal figure descends, its body a fusion of stone and machine, glowing veins of azure energy pulsing across its armor. It hovers with terrifying grace, like a sentinel from another world.

My chest tightens.
“…It’s the golem that Lord Fu Xi warned us about…” I mutter under my breath.

Kline shakes his head, adjusting his goggles, his voice calm but laced with unease.
“No. That’s not the one he mentioned.”

“Then what the hell is it!?” I snap, my hand instinctively moving toward my weapon.

Kline’s eyes follow the construct as it circles above us like a predator sizing up prey.
“That… is a Sky Golem. Guardians of the heavens. They shouldn’t even exist in this era… and yet…” His voice trails, and for the first time, he looks genuinely unsettled.
“They’re signaling us.”

The air suddenly vibrates with a low, resonant chant. The golem’s core glows brighter as a voice, ancient and commanding, spills from its form:
“Eleppu, ramānka lū tēmukka…”

The words pierce me like lightning. A language long forgotten… yet somehow, I know it.

Kline tilts his head, baffled.
“…This is beyond me. Even I don’t understand it.” He clenches his fist. “The language of my master… and yet I am deaf to it.”

My lips part before I can think. The syllables rise from my throat as if they’ve been carved into my soul.
“Šamāyātu-nakkipu annû, ul nukaribbu nīšakkānu… erēb bītika nīriš.”

The Sky Golem halts midair, its gaze locking on me. The glowing veins flicker, then stabilize.

Kline’s eyes widen, disbelief flooding his expression.
“You… you can speak my master’s tongue!?”

I scratch my head awkwardly. “Uh… sort of?”

Elowen smirks, leaning on her hammer, eyes glimmering with amusement.
“You never stop surprising us, do you?”

Seraphina’s serpent tail coils tighter, her lips curling into a sly smile.
“You looked so cool just now~.”

“Not the time for flirting!” I snap, heat creeping into my cheeks.

A silence falls as the golem’s voice rumbles once more:
“Ana kāri alik… erēbšu šuršudu nīriš šūdû.”

My response is instant, as though something else is guiding me:
“Ludlulka… ana kāri tūdu idâ.”

The Sky Golem freezes, then bows its massive head, mechanical wings folding inward with a thunderous clank.

Kline leans forward, his voice a whisper.
“What… what does that mean?”

I take a breath, staring up at the towering construct.
“…It means ‘thank you.’”

The silence is broken by the roar of engines. Our ship, which had been struggling against the turbulent winds, suddenly stabilizes. The Sky Golem rises higher, now flanking us like an honor guard. More constructs emerge from the clouds, their eyes glowing, forming an escort as we approach the floating island.

The sight steals my breath away.
The island looms closer and closer—an impossible mass of land, waterfalls cascading into nothingness, lush green forests swaying above the clouds, and ancient ruins glittering with golden light.

Elowen whistles. “Well… that’s not something you see every day.”

Seraphina presses against the glass, eyes wide with wonder. “It’s beautiful… like a hidden paradise.”

But my heart pounds differently. Something about that ancient voice, those words, the fact that I understood them—

This isn’t just paradise.
It’s a door…
and the Sky Golems are the keys.

The sky golems glide with us through the clouds, their colossal stone wings cutting through the mist like ancient guardians. When they finally descend, the earth trembles under their weight.

We land on what looks like a forgotten cradle of civilization.

“Woooow…” Seraphina breathes out, her serpent tail coiling in awe, eyes glowing faintly as she takes in the horizon.

“This is… beautiful…” Elowen whispers, her calloused blacksmith hands trembling slightly. Even her rough dwarven voice softens against the sight.

Kline adjusts his glasses, his tone calm yet heavy. “So… this is Master’s old home…”

I step forward, crunching over the shattered marble streets. The ruins stretch before us—pillars broken in half, domes collapsed but still whispering of a grandeur lost to time. My fingers brush across a fragment of stone. It’s rough, but the carved symbols strike me. Cuneiform, yet twisted, like someone forced a language into silence.

A chill crawls down my spine. “Is it them…? Or maybe… Uncle’s story was true after all…” I mutter, staring at the rubble as if it might answer me.

Before we can question further, one of the sky golems shifts, its massive body eclipsing the light. It raises its hand—slow, deliberate—pointing toward the distance.

That’s when we hear it.

A voice. A hymn. A song, drifting through the still air. A man’s voice, deep and mournful, echoing like it comes from another age.

Seraphina straightens, spear in hand, her scales shivering. “What was that…?”

Elowen’s ears twitch, her hammer gripped tighter. “That melody… it sounds… so sad.”

“As if it’s calling someone…” Kline murmurs, eyes narrowing as he pushes his cloak aside.

The sky golem doesn’t move further—it only points, as if urging us forward.

We exchange looks. No one speaks, but all of us know. Our feet move on their own, guided by the sorrowful hymn.

Through broken archways, past shattered bridges, we enter what once was a city. Still waters reflect the ruins, glassy and untouched, like the place has been frozen in grief.

“What is this place…?” Seraphina’s voice drops to a whisper.

“It looks abandoned…” Elowen adds, though her gaze doesn’t leave the waters.

“Not just abandoned…” I say, staring at the cracked towers. “It looks like it was destroyed. Like… a disaster tore it apart.”

Kline remains unnervingly calm. “No. Not a natural disaster. Master told me once… when she was still a little girl, there was an earthquake… an explosion. As if…”

“A battle,” Seraphina finishes, her grip on the spear tightening.

“Exactly,” Kline nods.

We all fall silent, staring at the city that feels both alive and dead.

And then we notice them.

Floating through the air are orbs of light. Dozens of them, drifting slowly like lost fireflies. They circle the ruins, glowing softly, yet each pulse feels heavy with sorrow.

Elowen’s voice cracks. “They look… like souls.”

The hymn grows louder, clearer, as if the city itself is breathing through song.

A serene beauty fills the place, yet an unbearable sadness seeps into our bones. Every step forward feels like trespassing into the memory of a tragedy that refuses to fade.

I clench my fist, unable to shake the weight pressing against my chest. “…This place… it’s crying.”

Palace – Luna’s Chambers

Moonlight spills through the tall arched windows, painting silver streaks across Luna’s chamber. The atmosphere is heavy; the air itself feels like it carries secrets.

Elysia folds her arms, leaning against the table. “So… let’s finally talk about it.”

Sphaera sits quietly at first, her expression unreadable. Then she exhales, her voice calm but grave.
“The document… it’s not just about Professor Emerson’s troubles. The professor believed the kingdom itself would soon face a threat greater than anything before.”

Luna crosses her arms, frowning. “But we already dealt with Nerina… and captured Verica. Isn’t it over?”

Sphaera shakes her head firmly. “No. That was only the beginning.”

Elysia’s eyes narrow. “Then what is it?”

Sphaera rises, her shadow stretching across the chamber wall. “The professor told me personally—if the lab is ever compromised… we must destroy it. So the demons can never capture its secrets.”

The words hang like a blade in the air. Luna opens her mouth to reply—

—but the sudden roar of the Skybreaker shakes the entire palace.

Luna shoots up from her chair. “Randy!?”

Elysia grips her sword. “Where is he going!?”

A knock rattles the chamber door. Before they can react, the door opens.

“Forgive me for intruding,” a familiar voice says.

Fu Xi enters with composed dignity. Luna and Elysia tense, praying he doesn’t notice the presence of Sphaera.

But his eyes land on her immediately. His tone is calm, but sharp. “So… the rumors were true.”

“Rumors?” Luna echoes nervously.

Before Fu Xi can explain, Mina materializes silently from the shadows, bowing. “The place is secure, my lord.”

“Good. Double the precautions. Seal it properly,” Fu Xi orders.

Luna tries to cover her nerves. “Uncle… this is Sphaera.”

Sphaera inclines her head. “Greetings. I am Sphaera.”

Fu Xi studies her for a long, unreadable moment. Then he sighs. “At least you are safe here with Luna. That eases me… for now.”

Luna frowns. “Uncle… what’s going on?”

Fu Xi gestures toward Sphaera. “The demons are after her. Or more precisely… the knowledge your father hid away. Knowledge they desperately desire.”

Elysia stiffens. “Then this isn’t over.”

Fu Xi nods grimly. “No. In fact, it’s only going to get busier. For all of us.”

He turns as if to leave. “For now, rest. You’ll need it.”

“Wait!” Luna steps forward. “What about Randy!?”

Fu Xi pauses. “He’s… headed to the sky island.”

Luna’s face drains of color. “What!?” She instantly tries to cast a spell—only for her magic to fizzle.

“What…? My magic—”

Fu Xi answers grimly. “The rumors about that island were true. Its very presence interferes with magic. Once inside its range, spells become useless.”

The words hit Luna like a blade.

As silence lingers, Fu Xi glances at Mina. “Stay with Luna. Serve her as if she were my daughter.”

Luna flushes, startled. “Uncle…!”

Fu Xi chuckles softly. “I mean it. You’re like the daughter I never had.”

But his face turns serious again as he looks at them. “And Randy… he has a role in this larger fate. I saw it in the murals hidden in Kuzman’s chambers. The central figure… the Hunter.”

Elysia tilts her head. “The Hunter…?”

Sphaera finally speaks, her tone steady but heavy with meaning. “The boy you call Randy… he is what we call the Child of Prophecy.”

Luna and Elysia gasp, eyes wide.

Even Fu Xi looks shaken. “So Kuzman was right… He realized this. Fate truly played its hand.”

Luna whispers, staring at the floor. “…Randy…”

Sphaera continues. “And more than that—Randy is not a foreigner to this world. He belongs here. His body carries the same properties as this land’s inhabitants. The reason he struggles with magic is not weakness… it is because of his gift.”

Fu Xi’s eyes sharpen. “Don’t tell me…”

Sphaera raises her hand, projecting an old holographic recording of Professor Emerson and Luna’s mother, Esmerelda. Their voices echo through the chamber like phantoms of the past.

Esmerelda’s voice is steady, resolute. “The prophecy speaks of a Hunter who will end the war between two worlds. Gender unknown. But one thing is certain—they bear the ability of Anti-Magic.”

Professor Emerson interjects. “Anti-Magic… the ability to nullify all magic, whether friend or foe.”

Esmerelda nods. “Yes. It last appeared a thousand years ago… when the mad priestess foresaw a war that could end both worlds. The wielder then was Lilith, a Temple Knight. Alongside her was a man from another world—a pirate named Drake Stroud.”

Elysia gasps. “Drake Stroud!? The executioner from pirate legends? That can’t be real—he sank fleets with a single ship before Davy Jones himself cast him away!”

Sphaera’s tone is unflinching. “It is true. The two clashed at first, blades against each other’s throats… but in time, they fell in love. And together, they defeated Demon Lord Xorvath. Their Anti-Magic made them immune to his curses and sorcery.”

The projection fades.

Silence lingers. The chamber is heavy with the weight of destiny.

Fu Xi mutters under his breath. “…So Randy inherits Anti-Magic.”

Sphaera shakes her head. “Not inherited. He carries it anew. The prophecy doesn’t bind bloodlines… only fate.”

Luna lowers her gaze, her fists trembling. “Randy…” She looks out the window at the night sky, as if she could see him.

Elysia’s voice breaks the silence. “…When we were children, he saved me. I was kidnapped. That was the first time I saw him kill someone.”

Luna’s eyes widen. “He… killed…?”

“Yes,” Elysia whispers. “After that, his uncle took him away for five years. When he returned… he wasn’t the same. Cold. Distant. Only I could force words out of him. He became… someone different.”

Fu Xi strokes his beard thoughtfully. “His uncle… perhaps that man knows more than he lets on.”

The chamber falls silent again. Only the distant hum of the Skybreaker’s engines fills the void.

And in the silence, one truth echoes among them all—

Randy’s destiny is no longer his own.

Fu Xi’s eyes narrow, his tone shifting to something heavier, almost like a warning.
“Well then… I’m leaving.” He turns away, but suddenly stops. “And Luna…”

“Yes, Uncle?” Luna tilts her head, sensing something is off.

His gaze lingers for a moment, carrying a weight she doesn’t understand. “…Verica. She…”

Luna’s breath catches. “What happened?!”

—

Meanwhile, deep beneath the palace…

The prison cell is damp, cold, and suffocating. Chains rattle faintly against stone, and Verica sits in the corner, her hair disheveled, her lips moving in broken whispers. She mumbles to herself like a puppet whose strings have snapped—eyes wide, yet unfocused.

“…Luna… betrayal… Nerina… all lies…” Her voice cracks, slipping into incoherent rambling.

Then—

A chilling voice slithers through the darkness. Smooth. Mocking. Too close.
“How pathetic. So this is what’s left of you?”

Verica freezes. Her breathing hitches, her head twitching toward the sound. Shadows in the corner seem to thicken unnaturally.

A figure steps forth—or rather, emerges from the void itself. Its presence alone is suffocating, as if the cell is shrinking around her.

“How stupid of Nerina… but no matter. This… works in our favor. Shall we escape?”

Verica’s cracked lips tremble. Her eyes burn with desperation and madness all at once. “H-how? I’m chained… locked… broken… How?!”

The shadow chuckles, low and menacing, sending shivers through the cell.
“Nerina reached us before her death. And that weapon they used against her… It is dangerous. To us. To everything. We cannot allow it to remain.”

Verica’s body shakes. The fog in her mind clears for just a moment as the words sink in. “…Who… who are you…?”

The figure leans closer, face hidden in writhing black mist. A smile flashes—too wide, too sharp.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

The cell lights flicker. The chains around Verica rattle, unfastening one by one with a screech, though no hand touches them.

Her eyes widen in terror… and then delight.

“To be continued—”