Duke walked ahead.
Touka followed a step behind, her head lowered. Her movements were slow, uneven against the cold ground.
Something felt off.
Duke's pace gradually slowed.
How did she survive… if the entire squad was wiped out?
A chill crept up his spine. His fingers tightened unconsciously.
That feeling again.
A pressure in the air—subtle, yet suffocating.
Duke frowned.
What is this…?
His gaze sharpened slightly.
Is this her Kendra energy?
Without turning, he focused.
I can sense Kendra from her…
But it's not strong. Not like mine… or anyone I've seen before.
It was faint.
Buried deep.
But… wrong.
Like it didn't fully belong to her.
Duke kept walking, but the silence grew heavier with every step.
Oppressive.
Unnatural.
If I stay quiet any longer… something bad will happen.
He exhaled slowly.
I need to break this silence…
Duke stopped.
Then turned.
"Touka… where were you—"
He didn't finish.
Touka moved.
Too fast.
Before he could react—
She stepped in and hugged him.
"—!"
Duke froze.
Completely.
His eyes widened, his body going rigid.
Her arms wrapped tightly around him.
Clinging.
Then—
She broke down.
"Duke…" she sobbed. "I was scared… I was all alone…"
Her voice trembled—uneven, desperate.
"I didn't know where anyone was… I thought I was going to die…"
Duke didn't move.
His hands hovered mid-air, uncertain.
To push her away?
Or hold her?
His thoughts spiraled.
Something's wrong…
That pressure—
It was here now.
Closer.
Stronger.
But mixed with something else.
Fear…
—or something imitating fear.
Touka's grip tightened.
"I just kept running…" she whispered. "I don't even know how I survived…"
Duke's expression hardened.
"R–Regan… left me to die…" Touka sobbed, her voice trembling and broken.
Duke felt it.
That eerie, creeping presence around her… suddenly faded.
The suffocating pressure disappeared.
For a moment—
Everything felt normal again.
Slowly, he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I'm… glad you survived," Duke said softly.
"When I heard your entire squad was wiped out… I thought you were gone too."
His voice lowered.
"I got scared."
Touka's grip loosened slightly, as if she had just realized how tightly she was holding him.
Duke glanced down.
Tears streamed down her face—genuine, trembling, fragile.
His eyes narrowed, just a little.
I don't want to trust her…
A brief silence passed.
…But for now, I will.
Duke stepped back slightly.
"Let's go," he said calmly. "Samaira and everyone else… they're waiting for you."
Touka wiped her tears and nodded faintly.
"…Yeah."
Hollowveil Village
Near the center — inside the military tents.
Kairoz sat on the edge of his bed, shoulders tense, posture slightly hunched.
"…He did something to me," he muttered, gripping his head. "My head is spinning…"
His breathing grew uneven.
"That bastard…" he clenched his teeth. "I told him I don't want it… tch."
A sharp pulse ran through his body.
"The power… it's calling me…"
His fingers trembled.
"Every drop of blood in my body is telling me to use it…"
He shut his eyes tightly.
"But I know what he's trying to do…"
His voice dropped, filled with anger.
"He wants me to use this power… and lose myself… just like that guy."
Suddenly—
The pain intensified.
"AAHH—! AAHHH!!"
Kairoz clutched his head, his entire body shaking violently.
The pressure built—
Then—
He froze.
Slowly…
His eyes lifted toward the mirror.
Silence.
His reflection stared back.
But something was wrong.
His left eye—
Glowing.
A deep, unnatural red.
His vision shifted.
Distorted.
Sharper… but unfamiliar.
Kairoz's breath hitched.
"…What the hell…"
For a moment—
He didn't recognize himself.
His hand tightened into a fist.
"Don't lose it…" he whispered, his voice strained.
He took a slow, controlled breath.
"Calm… down… Kairoz."
The door creaked open.
Derius stepped inside.
"My entire body's… crumbling," he muttered tiredly. "I just want to sleep…"
He paused.
"You— Kairoz…?"
For a split second—
Kairoz's eyes glowed red.
Then—
They returned to normal.
Derius froze.
"Your eyes…" he said, shocked. "I—I just saw them… they were glowing red!"
Kairoz frowned slightly and looked toward the mirror.
His reflection stared back.
Normal.
"…What are you saying?" Kairoz replied calmly.
Derius blinked, confused, then rubbed his head.
"Yeah… yeah, maybe I'm just tired. My head is spinning…"
He let out a breath and walked toward his bed.
"Goodnight…"
Kairoz didn't respond.
He just watched him.
Silently.
Coldly.
I can't tell anyone… about my eyes… or the contract.
A moment passed.
Derius had already fallen asleep.
Kairoz slowly lay back on his bed.
His eyes remained open for a few seconds longer—
Then finally—
He drifted into sleep.
Meanwhile…
Touka and Duke reached the camp.
Dim lanterns flickered across the rows of tents, and the cold night air pressed in around them.
Duke slowed and glanced at her.
"We're here… safe and sound."
Touka met his eyes briefly.
"Thanks… again," she said quietly.
Duke nodded.
"No worries. Get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Sure."
Touka turned and walked toward her tent.
Duke watched her go, his gaze sharpening slightly.
Her eyes… fascinating. Unusually unique…
A faint unease lingered in his chest.
"…Let's head back," he muttered.
Touka walked through the silent camp.
Step by step, her expression changed.
The softness faded.
Something colder took its place.
He's gotten stronger… far too strong.
Her eyes narrowed.
His Kendra energy… it feels different. Royal… but how?
A brief pause.
What's his relation with the King?
Her gaze darkened.
…He might be the key to Velmora.
Her jaw tightened.
I need to corner him. Fast.
I need answers… as soon as possible.
She reached her tent and stepped inside.
A cold wave brushed against her.
"So cold…" she muttered. "Must be because of that cold bath…"
The tent was dim and still.
Touka lay down slowly, a faint shiver running through her body.
"Why is it this cold…"
Her eyes shifted—
And stopped.
Samaira.
Sleeping peacefully.
Her breathing was calm, steady. Her hair spread softly across the pillow.
Touka watched her for a moment.
…She's warm.
After a brief pause, Touka lay down beside her, keeping a small distance.
Close enough to feel the warmth.
Not touching.
The cold eased.
Better…
Her body relaxed slightly.
So warm…
Her eyes grew heavy.
It almost feels like… peace.
For a brief moment, her expression softened
Then stilled again.
The night grew quiet.
And slowly—
Touka drifted into sleep.
The night faded.
By the time the light settled, it was already afternoon.
A soft warmth filled the tent.
Samaira stirred.
Her eyes slowly opened.
She blinked, adjusting—
Then paused.
Touka.
Sleeping beside her.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Samaira smiled gently.
I'm glad she's okay.
The tent flap opened.
A soldier stepped inside.
"We're heading back to the fortress," he said firmly. "Get ready."
Samaira nodded.
"Y-yeah… sure…"
She winced slightly.
"Ah… my hands… burnt…"
She exhaled and turned.
"Hey, Touka… wake up already."
She nudged her lightly.
No response.
Touka didn't move.
Samaira frowned.
"Huh… she's not waking up?"
She leaned closer—
Near her ear—
"WAKE UP, TOUKA! We're heading back!"
Touka's eyes snapped open instantly.
I will kill her—
The thought flashed through her mind.
Sharp.
Cold.
Dangerous.
—but she forced it down, biting her teeth.
Her expression softened immediately.
"I'm glad you're alright," Samiara said, pulling her into a quick hug.
Touka blinked, surprised.
"Y-yeah…"
Samira pulled back.
"Now let's go said samiara
Afternoon.
Everyone had gathered.
The camp felt heavier than before.
Lysaa stood near the front—
Crying.
Her shoulders trembled as she looked toward the lifeless body of their captain.
Derius stood just behind her, silent, his head slightly lowered.
The sadness in his eyes said enough.
Not far away—
Regan knelt beside the body of Captain Samual.
Tears streamed down his face.
Touka stood behind him.
Quiet.
Still.
Regan turned—
His eyes widened in shock.
"Y-you're alive…?"
Touka didn't respond.
She simply looked at Samual's body.
Expression unreadable.
Cold.
A voice broke the silence.
"Let's head back to the fortress."
All eyes turned.
Fredrick stood at the front, his tone firm.
"This isn't the first time you've lost comrades," he continued. "And it won't be the last."
His gaze hardened.
"That's a soldier's life."
A brief silence followed.
"After we return… everything resumes. Same routine. No exceptions."
"…Yes, sir," everyone responded in unison.
Even Duke.
His expression serious.
Focused.
"Get back to your carts," Fredrick ordered. "We're moving out."
As the group began to disperse—
"Hey, Sir Fredrick."
Fredrick glanced over.
"Hmm? Duke."
Duke stepped closer.
"You look stronger than before," Fredrick said, observing him carefully.
Duke gave a small shrug.
"Not that much…"
Fredrick smirked slightly.
"I'm not talking about physical strength."
He raised a finger and pointed toward Duke's head.
"From here."
Duke paused—
Then nodded slowly.
"I need to be strong mentally… if I want to become truly strong."
"Exactly," Fredrick replied.
He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
A thin trail of smoke rose into the air.
After a brief pause, Duke spoke again.
"Have you seen Miss Violet?"
Fredrick exhaled slowly.
"Oh… she left early today."
"Went back to her place."
The wind passed quietly through the camp.
Carrying with it—
The weight of loss.
And the silence that followed.
The horses pulled the carts forward.
Slowly—
The camp faded behind them.
Hollowveil Village returned to silence once more.
Peaceful.
As if nothing had ever happened.
Only a few soldiers remained behind.
The rest continued their journey.
After one day…
Night fell again.
The convoy slowed.
Fredrick raised his hand.
"We're close to the fortress," he said, his voice firm. "But it's too dark to continue."
He glanced around at the group.
"We stop here for the night. Get some rest."
A pause.
"And keep guard—one by one."
"Yes, sir."
The camp quickly came to life.
Tents were set up.
Fires were lit.
Warm light flickered against the darkness.
Food was prepared.
Water passed around.
"Some of you go gather wood," a soldier called out.
"Yeah, sure," a few replied, heading out.
Everything seemed… peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Duke stood near the fire.
"…I'll go bring some wood," he said.
"Yeah, yeah, sure," Jack replied casually.
Duke raised a brow.
"Huh? You're not coming?"
Jack shook his head.
"No. I'm making food."
Samaira lifted her hands slightly, showing the burns.
Duke glanced at Lysaa.
She still looked down.
Silent.
Broken.
He clicked his tongue softly.
"…Tch. Guess I'll have to go alone."
"I'll come."
Duke turned.
Touka.
She stood there calmly.
Duke hesitated for a brief second.
"S-sure…"
Before leaving—
Duke leaned closer to Jack.
"Hey… I want to tell you something."
Jack blinked.
"Huh? Go ahead."
Duke leaned in and whispered into his ear—
"If I don't come back… or if I die—even by accident…"
His voice lowered further.
"Remember this."
"…She's the white-haired masked girl."
"The killer."
Jack froze.
"WHAT—?! HER?!" he shouted instinctively.
His eyes snapped toward Touka.
Touka looked back at him.
Directly.
Calm.
Duke immediately grabbed Jack's shoulder and pulled him closer.
"Idiot," he muttered under his breath. "Stop shouting. It's just an assumption."
Jack swallowed hard.
"…Should I come with you?"
Duke shook his head.
"No."
His gaze shifted slightly.
"It's time."
"We settle this… once and for all."
Jack stared at him for a moment—
Then nodded.
"…All the best."
Duke stood up straight.
"Let's go."
Touka looked at him, her expression unreadable.
"Sure."
Uninterested.
Calm.
The two of them began walking into the darkness.
Side by side.
Touka's grip tightened slightly.
This is it…
I'll settle everything today… once and for all.
Her teeth clenched faintly.
The firelight faded behind them.
And the forest ahead—
Waited in silence.