It was evening.
After a long day at school, the students finally walked out of the campus later than usual. Mara and Vashuki slung their bags over their shoulders and stepped through the school gate with relaxed smiles on their faces.
The atmosphere was unusually peaceful.
"Hey, Mara," Vashuki said with a tired smile. "We worked really hard today."
"Yeah," Mara replied with a nod.
Vashuki stretched his arms. "We learned a lot today. And starting tomorrow, we'll be traveling across different regions of our country for practical training."
Mara looked at him curiously.
Running a hand through his hair, Vashuki grinned confidently.
"So make sure your bags are packed... because it's finally time for us to awaken our powers."
Silence suddenly fell between them. Neither of them spoke for a moment as they continued walking down the quiet street.
After a brief pause, Vashuki broke the silence.
"I wonder where Ajina is right now..."
Mara let out a chuckle.
"Probably hiding somewhere in fear," he said with a grin. "After all, the Soul of Fear is coming for him."
The two exchanged a high-five and burst into laughter.
A moment later, Vashuki's smile faded slightly.
"Don't get too overconfident," he said calmly. "Overconfidence can be your greatest enemy. Remember... Ajina is the man who ordered the Kazime Clan to be exiled from the country... and forced them to their knees."
The school grounds were filled with students, all gathered for the day's departure. A cool breeze swept across the field, carrying with it a strange sense of anticipation, as if the wind itself was eager to witness what was about to unfold.
One by one, the teachers stepped onto the field, and the chatter among the students gradually faded.
Alpha walked over to Mara and looked him in the eyes.
"Be ready."
Mara gave a firm nod.
"I am."
His voice was calm, yet the determination burning within him was impossible to miss.
As they walked forward, the crowd suddenly parted.
In the center stood Ajina, bound tightly with thick ropes.
Several soldiers surrounded him, striking him over and over again.
Yet Ajina remained silent.
He neither resisted nor begged for mercy.
So... this is how it ends, he thought.
When these people lived as slaves, I was the one who freed them from the Kazime Clan. I sought help from countless nations... and drove the Kazime forces out of this land.
...And this is my reward.
An elderly woman slowly stepped toward him.
Tears filled her eyes as she stared at the fallen king.
"We never expected this from you..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why did you betray us?"
At that moment, Ajina's eyes met Mara's.
He looked at him... and a faint smile appeared on his face.
It was a smile that seemed to carry countless unspoken words.
Strangely... it didn't look like the smile of a man consumed by regret.
Instead, it was the smile of someone who still stood proudly beside the choices he had made.
Ajina slowly closed his eyes.
At that moment, both Mara and Vashuki felt an unfamiliar presence behind them.
They turned around.
Standing there was Torisa.
He looked at Ajina before shifting his gaze toward the two boys.
"This... is the price of taking an innocent girl's life."
His voice was cold, leaving no room for sympathy.
So this is what you've become... Torisa thought.
The pride and arrogance that once filled your eyes are gone. All I see now is the shadow of a broken man.
May Namiya's soul finally find peace.
Namiya...
She was the only person who knew the truth about Ajina.
Torisa slowly raised his eyes toward the sky.
These children know nothing...
They have no idea that this man was involved in the trafficking of human flesh.
Some truths are far too horrifying for them to learn... not yet.
Ajina slowly lifted his head and looked at Torisa.
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"The world never forgave me for a single mistake..." he said quietly.
"Do you know what I did?"
"At the age of eighteen... I went to the Red Moon without permission."
His voice grew heavier.
"No one ever asked me why I did it... They only judged me."
Suddenly...
A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
The veins across his arms and neck began to bulge, turning a deep sapphire blue.
The air itself grew heavier.
Startled, the crowd instinctively stepped back.
Bound by ropes, Ajina slowly rose to his feet.
Fear spread through the entire area.
Mara and Vashuki stood frozen, their eyes locked onto him.
Ajina's gaze swept across everyone before he spoke in a cold, thunderous voice.
"When I was the King of this nation... everyone bowed their heads before me."
He lowered his head for a brief moment.
"And now..."
CRACK!
His Blue Diamond Arm began to transform.
Crystal-blue fragments spread across his hand before taking the form of a magnificent sword, its blade shimmering with an overwhelming aura.