Leon opened his eyes. White stone ceiling. Cold air. The smell of medicinal herbs. His body felt heavy, his hands neatly bandaged.
"You're finally awake."
Leon turned. Beside his bed, a man with silver hair and an eyepatch sat calmly.
"Where is this?" Leon's voice was hoarse. "Brother Raiden... His Majesty Zephyr..."
"They're safe." The man sighed. "Raiden is in the next room. Zephyr is still unconscious, but he'll be fine. His wounds were severe, but he's strong."
Leon tried to sit up. His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself. "Who are you?"
The man smiled faintly. "Arthur. Arthur Eint. I'm the one who saved you from Shalara."
Leon remembered. The light that had been about to annihilate them. The teleportation circle appearing. The voice of the man before him telling them to be taken away.
"Why?" Leon stared at Arthur. "Why did you save us?"
Arthur didn't answer immediately. He stood, walking to the window. Outside, greenery stretched wide. Mountains rose in the distance.
"Have you ever heard the name Satan?"
Leon jolted. Within him, something stirred. Not a voice, but a presence. Alert. Ready.
"Be careful, boy," Satan whispered. "He knows."
Arthur turned. His gaze pierced through Leon—or more precisely, through into him.
"He's someone suitable to be our leader. The true leader of Varavium." Arthur walked closer. "We want to resurrect him. And you..." he stopped before the bed. "...are the key."
Leon fell silent. This was the first time someone other than himself and Zar Belphegor knew about Satan.
"You carry his soul. You are his vessel. And you..." Arthur smiled faintly. "...have used his power. In the palace ruins, against Bellarion."
Leon gripped his hands. Faint traces of symbols still marked his skin—dim, but not completely gone.
"We won't force you to do anything," Arthur continued. "But we need your help. And you need us."
Leon lifted his face. "Sylvaine was taken by the Angel Race. I have to save her."
"I know." Arthur nodded. "But you can't do it alone. The Angel Race is too strong. Too vast. And your power..." he looked at Leon. "...is still rough. Not yet perfected."
"So?"
"So you will be trained. You will gain allies. And to begin all that..." Arthur opened a map on the table. "...you must go to Nocturne's End."
---
The door opened. Leon stood at the threshold, his body still unsteady. On the neighboring bed, Raiden lay, his body wrapped in bandages. But his eyes were open. Seeing Leon, he smiled faintly.
"You're... still alive?"
Leon sat beside the bed. "Brother Raiden too."
Raiden chuckled softly, but a cough stopped him. "Seems... we're both stubborn."
Leon didn't answer. His gaze shifted to the bed across the room. Zephyr lay there, his face pale, his breathing soft but steady.
"Zephyr..." Raiden stared at his younger brother. "Father is gone. I won't let you be alone."
He turned to Leon. "I'm not going to Nocturne's End."
Leon blinked. "Brother Raiden?"
"I need to become stronger." Raiden clenched his fists.
"My power isn't enough now. Against Bellarion, against the Angel Race... I need more."
From the doorway, Arthur entered. "There is a place for you to grow strong. Raijin Island. Lightning storms never cease there. It's said that one who can master true lightning resides on that island."
Raiden's eyes sharpened. "Raijin Island?"
"Dangerous. Very dangerous. But if you survive..." Arthur looked at Raiden. "You will become true lightning."
Raiden smiled. That familiar smile—full of challenge. "I'll go there."
He turned to Leon. "You go to Nocturne's End. I go to Raijin Island. Then we'll meet again after we've become strong."
Leon nodded. "Then we'll take Sylvaine back."
Raiden laughed. "Agreed."
---
Back in the main room, Arthur opened the map on the table. Nocturne's End lay at the western edge, surrounded by skull symbols and warning signs.
"In this city, there's a prisoner you must free," Arthur said. "Her name is Xuánhú. Ancestor of the fox race. Nine tails. Her power is extraordinary."
Leon frowned. "Why is she imprisoned?"
"Because her power is too dangerous for those in power. She's held in the Bloodsport Bets Arena—a place where slaves and prisoners are forced to fight for the amusement of nobles."
"You want me to fight in the arena?"
Arthur nodded. "You'll be a participant. Rise to the top. Become the champion. That's how you can get close to Xuánhú and free her."
Leon stared at the map. "Who will go with me?"
From behind the door, another voice entered.
"I will."
Leon turned. A man stood at the threshold. Black hair with red streaks, two swords sheathed at his waist. His eyes were sharp, cold, as if appraising.
"Kazan Ryusei," he said. "I'll accompany you."
He didn't smile. Didn't extend his hand. Only stared at Leon for a long moment, as if searching for something.
"You're the one with that power?" he asked.
Leon nodded. "I'm Leon."
Kazan nodded slightly. "We'll see in the arena."
From behind Kazan, another voice entered. "Don't be too serious, Kazan. He just woke up."
A man with fiery red hair and sharp eyes stepped in, carrying warm tea. "Drink this. I made it myself."
Leon accepted the cup. "You are?"
"Nix. The last phoenix." He smiled faintly. "Don't be surprised if I suddenly burst into flames."
Arthur added, "Nix will take you to Nocturne's End. He'll also help you escape if things go wrong."
---
That night, Leon stood on the balcony. Stars shone brightly in the sky. Beside him, Raiden leaned against the railing, repairing his cracked hammer.
"Are you scared?" Raiden asked.
Leon was silent for a moment. "A little."
"Good." Raiden smiled faintly. "Fear keeps you alive."
He turned to Leon. "You'll fight in the arena. Against people you don't know. You might kill them."
Leon didn't answer.
"But remember," Raiden continued. "You're doing this for something greater. For Sylvaine. For those who can't fight."
Leon nodded. "I know."
Raiden patted his shoulder. "Don't die in the arena."
Leon smiled faintly. "Brother Raiden, don't die on that island either."
Raiden laughed. "How dare you."
---
Morning came. Raiden was already prepared. His hammer hung on his back, his body still bandaged in several places. But his eyes had regained their sharpness.
"Take care of yourself," he said.
"Brother too."
Raiden walked to the gate. Before leaving, he glanced back once more. "Leon."
"Hm?"
"I'm proud of you."
He left. Didn't wait for an answer.
Leon stood before the headquarters, watching Raiden's back grow smaller. Beside him, Kazan and Nix waited. Kazan with his swords, Nix with his faint smile.
"Shall we go?" Nix asked.
Leon nodded. "Let's go."
On his chest, the pendant still glowed faintly.
"Sylvaine," he whispered. "Wait for me."
Within him, Satan whispered.
"A new journey begins, boy. This time, you are not alone."
They stepped forward. Leaving Varavium headquarters. Heading toward Nocturne's End.
=== CHAPTER 17 END ===