The night felt heavier than it should have.
Askiro avoided Arin's gaze as they spoke. Whatever he was about to say, she gently turned him away.
"Not tonight," she whispered.
She lay down, closing her eyes — but sleep did not come peacefully.
She stood in an unfamiliar field beneath a sky stained gray.
Warriors gathered in silence, weapons drawn, breaths sharp with anticipation. The air trembled as something approached.
Then it stepped forward.
A humanoid figure cloaked in darkness.
When its foot touched the ground, the earth beneath it blackened… then shifted to blue… then began to glow.
The soil cracked open.
From the fracture rose a blade — stunning and terrible. Its edge shimmered in black and gold, while its hilt burned crimson and deep blue.
The monster spoke.
But no sound reached her.
Its hand closed around the sword.
Black flames erupted along the blade.
In an instant, it leapt forward — vanishing mid-air.
Then—
Blood rained from the sky.
Askiro turned.
Bodies.
Cut cleanly in half.
Burning.
Falling one by one.
The scent of iron filled the air.
She jolted awake.
Her breath came in sharp, panicked gasps.
Arin was already there.
"Askiro— what happened?"
She grabbed him, trembling violently.
"We need to help them," she cried. "We have to help them!"
Her desperation sent a chill through him.
Moments later, Arin gathered the others.
Dephore frowned. "Why did you call us in the middle of the night?"
Arin stepped aside. "She'll explain."
Askiro described everything — the warriors, the blade, the black flames, the blood.
Neblaheim scoffed lightly. "It was just a dream."
Hugurou crossed his arms. "You woke all of us for that?"
Before Arin could respond, Leiofa's expression hardened.
"There's something near the forest," he said quietly. "A strong presence."
Arin narrowed his eyes. "I don't sense anyone."
And then—
Screams tore through the night.
Everyone froze.
Another scream.
They ran.
When they arrived, the scene was already painted red.
Human bodies lay scattered across the clearing. A tall person in golden white clothes stood while holding a human by his throat Some, he severed his head with his bare hands, as the ones who were desperately fighting against an unseen terror started to run.
Askiro's heart stopped.
"I-It's him," she whispered. "The same monster from my dream."
Hanase steadied her. "Stay calm."
Arin didn't wait. He launched forward.
The monster tilted its head — and sidestepped effortlessly.
"Oh?" it murmured. "More prey have walked to me."
Neblaheim surged ahead, striking to push it back.
The creature barely moved.
It stepped forward and pressed its hand against the earth.
The ground darkened.
Blue light spread.
The same blade from Askiro's dream tore upward from the soil.
Black flames ignited along its edge.
The monster clenched its fist—
And punched the air.
The sky shattered like glass.
A dimensional rift cracked open above them.
From within descended a second blade — radiant white, lined in gold, gleaming with divine brilliance.
The monster lifted both weapons.
"I am Hiofekus," it declared, its voice carrying across the battlefield. "Second of the Abyss Rulers. Hiofekus of the Fallen Light."
Its gaze fell upon them.
"Well then…"
The flames roared higher.
"Are you prepared to die?"