After completing his recovery at the temple, Nahid realized he had to go after Kagehana. As he gave one final lesson to his companions and students, he urged them to look after one another. His voice echoed through the stone walls of the temple, carrying a trace of sorrow.
"I have to leave," he said to them. "Take care of my students. Protect the peace here. I must go after Kagehana."
As Nahid stepped out through the heavy wooden doors of the temple, a sense of duty filled him. The sword of the Fire God rested silently on his back. But at that moment, the sky darkened and a low hum spread through the air. Nahid felt a strange energy that caught his attention.
A dark portal suddenly opened before him.
From within the swirling darkness, Nicat emerged. Dark power rippled around him, yet there was no intent to fight in his eyes. He slowly walked toward Nahid.
Seeing him, Nahid immediately became alert and reached for his sword.
"Nicat," he said, his voice filled with anger and confusion. "What are you doing here? Did you come to fight?"
Nicat smirked when he saw Nahid's hand move to his weapon. "Calm down, Nahid," he said in a low voice. "I didn't come here to fight you. If I had, I would have done it very differently."
Nahid frowned. "Then why are you here? Say what you have to say. I won't waste time."
Leaning slightly against the edge of the portal, Nicat stepped closer. "After the king's death, I learned something. Something that concerns you, Nihad… and even me. A group has formed. They're gathering to overthrow Nihad. Former assassins and knights loyal to the old king. And they have a cunning leader—Arden."
Nahid stiffened. "Why are you telling me this? This doesn't concern me. I walk my own path."
Nicat let out a quiet laugh. "Ah, Nahid… you still don't understand anything. As long as Nihad sits on that throne, your path will never know peace. Arden is dangerous, and Kagehana is nothing more than a pawn in his hands. This group won't just come for Nihad. They'll come for you too."
Nahid studied him more carefully. "Why tell me this? If they're such a threat, why don't you act against them? Or are you part of it?"
A dark smile spread across Nicat's face as he shook his head. "I have my own interests, Nahid. You don't need to understand them. Just know this—Arden's plans involve you as much as they do Nihad. If you don't act quickly… it will be too late for everything."
Before Nahid could respond, Nicat turned toward his portal. Just before stepping through, he glanced back one last time.
"Try to win this war, Nahid. Because if you don't… none of us will survive."
As he vanished into the portal, Nahid was left with countless questions. The fact that Nicat knew so much—and chose to share it—meant things were far more complicated than they seemed.
Gripping his sword, Nahid looked toward the distant horizon.
"If even Nicat knows this much…" he muttered to himself, "then this is bigger than I thought."
He understood he had to act quickly. Arden's group and Kagehana's movements were a growing threat. And now, to protect Nihad and stop this dark plan, he would once again have to wield the sword of flames.
---
As Nahid made his way toward the palace, Nicat had already stepped through another dark portal onto its stone floors. His sudden arrival put the guards on high alert, but he ignored them and walked straight toward the throne room.
Inside, he found his brother Nihad seated on the throne.
Nihad stood slightly as Nicat approached, his face a mix of seriousness and suspicion. "Nicat," he said sharply, "why are you here? Have you come to kill me?"
Nicat chuckled mockingly. "Don't be so paranoid, Nihad. I didn't come to kill you. The real threat lies elsewhere. I've learned about Arden and Kagehana's plans. They've formed a group to overthrow you. And they're using Kagehana's desire for honor as a weapon."
Nihad didn't want to believe him. He stepped forward, frowning. "Why are you telling me this? Why would someone like you care if my throne stands or falls?"
Nicat remained calm. "I have my own interests, Nihad. You'll understand them too late. For now, just listen—and take this threat seriously."
But Nihad's anger flared. "Leave the palace! Or you'll leave it as a corpse!"
Nicat laughed coldly. "You'll regret those words, Nihad."
With that, he opened another portal and disappeared.
---
After leaving the palace, Nicat found himself deep in thought. Caught between Arden's plans and Nahid's reaction, he wandered into a dark forest. As he walked, he came across a cave and decided to rest.
But just as he stepped inside, an old woman's voice echoed through the cave.
"Child, what are you doing here?"
Nicat frowned at the unexpected presence. "This place is dangerous," he said. "Why are you here?"
The old woman stepped closer, her face filled with wisdom. "Do not be afraid, child. My power still remains. I will not let harm come to you."
Nicat scoffed. "What's your deal, old woman? What are you trying to do?"
She lifted her head slightly. "I am a seer," she said. "Your name is Nicat… isn't it?"
Nicat stiffened for a moment. The fact that she knew his name meant she was no ordinary woman. Still, he quickly hid his surprise.
"If you know who I am," he said coldly, "then you must know how powerful I am. Can you see my future?"
The old woman slowly raised her hand and touched his forehead with her thumb.
In that instant, a flash of light filled his vision.
Nicat saw himself engulfed in flames… burning… writhing in agony.
When the vision ended, he stumbled back, shaken. For a brief moment, his composure broke.
"What does this mean?" he shouted, anger and fear filling his voice.
The seer spoke calmly. "You cannot escape your fate, child."
Enraged, Nicat drew his dark blade and pointed it at her. "If that is my fate, then yours ends here!"
But just as he swung, the woman vanished into thin air.
Nicat stood frozen for a moment, his sword hanging in the air. A deep unease began to grow within him. What he had seen—and what she had said—echoed in his mind.
Yet instead of calming him, it only fueled his anger.
As he left the cave and walked deeper into the dark forest, he made a silent vow:
"If this is my fate… then I will destroy everything if I have to… just to change it."