A cold wind swept across the cliffs of Stonefang Highlands as dark clouds drifted slowly overhead. The mountain remained quiet, hidden from the rest of the world, while beneath its rocky surface lay an ancient sanctuary where countless crystal coffins rested in silence. Each crystal held a member of the Dimensional Clan, sealed for thousands of years, waiting for the day they would awaken once again.
Haruto stood quietly in the center of the chamber, his silver eyes wandering from one crystal to another. Every face sleeping inside felt familiar, yet distant, as though they belonged to another lifetime. He reached out and gently brushed his fingertips across the nearest crystal before letting out a quiet sigh.
"...It's been longer than I expected."
Raizen leaned casually against one of the stone pillars with his usual grin.
"A few thousand years tends to feel that way."
Haruto glanced at him.
"You haven't changed."
Raizen laughed. "Neither have you. You're still as serious as ever."
Hiroshi folded his arms and stepped beside Haruto.
"The world has changed while we slept. Kingdoms have risen and fallen. New generations were born, and the people who once feared our name have long since disappeared."
Haruto remained silent for a moment before asking,
"...How many of us have awakened?"
"Only a handful," Hiroshi replied calmly. "You, me, Raizen, Yurota... and Lady Chōko."
Haruto slowly turned toward him.
"So... Chōko awakened before me."
"She did," Raizen answered. "Right now she's hiding inside Reikosha Academy, pretending to be one of their teachers."
Haruto narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Is she still loyal to the clan?"
Yurota, who had been quietly watching from the entrance, finally spoke.
"No one can answer that except her."
Raizen shrugged with confidence.
"She'll return eventually. Everyone does."
Haruto didn't seem convinced.
"People change."
Raizen smirked.
"Not us."
The chamber fell silent once again.
Haruto continued walking between the rows of crystal coffins, studying each face carefully. Some looked peaceful. Others carried expressions frozen in anger, sorrow, or determination, as if they had been sealed in the middle of battle.
"...How many are still asleep?" he asked.
Hiroshi looked toward the endless rows of crystals.
"More than twenty."
Haruto's eyes widened slightly.
"So many..."
"They cannot all be awakened at once," Hiroshi continued. "Every seal requires an enormous amount of dimensional energy. If we force them open, their souls may never fully recover."
Haruto nodded.
"So we awaken them one at a time."
"Exactly."
Raizen pushed himself away from the pillar and walked toward the center of the chamber.
"The strongest should come first."
Yurota immediately disagreed.
"No."
Raizen frowned.
"No?"
"If we awaken only the strongest members first, every kingdom in the world will notice the disturbance. They'll begin searching for us before we're ready."
Haruto quietly listened as the two argued.
Hiroshi spoke before either of them could continue.
"Yurota is right. Strength isn't our priority."
Raizen crossed his arms.
"Then what is?"
"Balance."
The room became quiet again.
"We need strategists... scouts... researchers... warriors... Every member has a purpose. Awakening only our strongest fighters would leave us vulnerable in every other area."
Haruto gave a small nod.
"That sounds far more reasonable."
Raizen clicked his tongue.
"...Fine."
Haruto stopped in front of another crystal. Inside rested a young woman with long white hair, her hands folded peacefully over her chest.
"...Who awakens next?"
Hiroshi slowly approached the crystal before shaking his head.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because the next member is far more difficult to convince."
Raizen chuckled.
"That idiot hated taking orders."
Yurota let out a small sigh.
"He never listened to anyone."
Haruto looked back at them.
"So we'll have to persuade him."
Hiroshi nodded.
"Exactly."
Raizen's grin slowly returned.
"Looks like our next mission won't be a battle."
"It'll be a conversation."
Haruto looked once more at the countless sleeping members surrounding them. Even after thousands of years, the bond they once shared hadn't completely faded. They had fought together, traveled together, and nearly brought the world to its knees together. Now, one by one, those forgotten legends would open their eyes again.
Outside, the wind roared across the towering cliffs of Stonefang Highlands as dark clouds drifted over the mountains. Deep beneath the ancient sanctuary, the countless crystal coffins shimmered faintly, responding to Haruto's return. The Dimensional Clan was still far from complete, but for the first time in centuries, hope quietly spread among them. They would not rush their plans, nor would they reveal themselves before the time was right. Instead, they would patiently gather every sleeping member until the clan stood whole once more—and when that day finally arrived, the world would realize too late that history had already begun repeating itself.
AUTHOR: "Sorry guys in previous chapter the location of them is wrong it's actually Stonefang Highlands"