December 3, 2008, 20:00
Katsushika District, Tokyo Metropolitan Tōbu Chiiki Hospital.
Tit… tit… tit…
The cardiac monitor beeped steadily, each beat carrying the unspoken hopes of the friends gathered around him. Jōgan still lay weak and unconscious. His body bore no wounds or scratches from the previous battle, as if everything had simply as if the battle had simply evaporated from his skin.
Tap… tap… tap…
The sound of panicked running footsteps echoed from behind the hospital room door, growing clearer as they approached.
SREKKK!
"B-brother…!" The ICU door swung open roughly. Riko and Rika rushed in first, their voices trembling as they immediately ran to Jōgan's bedside.
Hugo followed behind them, his steps relaxed, his face calm, yet there was a hint of seriousness and concern he was trying to conceal.
"Uncle…" Kaito and Zulo greeted each other almost at the same time, their faces filled with guilt and helplessness.
Grebh.
Zulo clenched his fists and lowered his head. "U-Uncle… I-I'm sorry." His voice was soft, heavy with restrained emotion.
"Hikss… I-I didn't help at all." Kaito added while holding back tears, disappointed in himself for not being able to help Jōgan during the battle.
Pukk.
"He… is he still unconscious?" Hugo asked softly. "Zulo, Kaito. Stop. You have already done more than enough." Hugo smiled faintly, his tone calm. He patted both Zulo and Kaito on the shoulders at the same time, his voice carrying a hint of pride.
"U-Uncle Hugo… will those creatures continue to attack? And how many of them are there?" Sanna asked, slowly raising her face. Sanna sat at the edge of Jōgan's bed, not moving even slightly since earlier.
"They are hunters," Hugo answered calmly.
"And hunters will not release their prey, except through death."
The ICU room suddenly felt suffocating. No one spoke.
"Urqell have three tiers, marked by their horns." Hugo walked slowly, then handed a drink to Sanna. "One-horned Urqell, two-horned Urqell…" Hugo paused for a moment.
"And three-horned Urqell."
The air inside the ICU room grew heavier.
Everyone fell silent, lowering their faces as they realized the layers of threat now standing before them.
***
On the other side, in the hospital's public restroom.
From one of the stalls, the faint sound of a conversation could be heard. Inside, the strange girl who had been seen earlier stood quietly, staring at a transparent blue holographic display projected from the ring on her finger.
"M… I understand," she said softly, her voice filled with obedience, her gaze focused on the holographic screen. On the other side of the display appeared the silhouette of an old man, seen only from behind.
"Have you… spoken with Hugo yet?" the silhouette asked. His voice was hoarse, heavy, and firm.
"Not yet. He is currently with Jōgan. I have not conveyed anything to him yet," the girl replied honestly, showing deep respect.
"Haa… Hugo really hasn't changed at all. His nature is far too relaxed," the silhouette responded in an annoyed tone, clearly sounding as if he knew Hugo very well.
"Uncle Putra… aren't you the same?" the girl interjected, lowering her face slightly.
"W-what?! That's DIFFERENT!! Now go meet Hugo. Tell him to contact me immediately!" the silhouette snapped, sounding offended and full of urgency through the hologram.
"Ah… alright, alright. You are different, very different," the girl replied while touching her ear, as if trying to soften the sound. The holographic connection then faded. She stood up, opened the stall door, and stepped out of the restroom.
***
Back in Jōgan's ICU room.
Srekk.
The ICU door opened slowly. The girl stood at the doorway, her gaze immediately directed toward Hugo.
Hugo gave a brief nod, then promptly stepped out to approach her. Now they stood facing each other in the hospital corridor, the busy atmosphere of the hallway accompanying their conversation.
"I am merely here to deliver a message." The girl said, then fell silent for a moment. "…Arkhōn[1]." She continued, looking respectfully and lowering her head. "Uncle Hugo… you are requested to contact Uncle Putra immediately." She concluded, her tone respectful as she kept her gaze lowered.
"M… why is it that the older he gets, the more talkative he becomes?" Hugo muttered with a faint smile. Hugo patted the girl on the shoulder, his expression remaining calm. "Diana… come, let us talk outside." he said softly, his manner relaxed yet warm. Hugo guided Diana as they walked out of the hospital building.
***
On the other side, back at the school building.
Six tall, massive figures stood in the school courtyard, now dim under the falling night as the evening wind blew against their cloaks.
The building appeared clean and intact. Not a single trace of damage could be seen. As if the battle of life and death, nor the explosion of Horizon Echo - Lv19, had ever happened.
"Gerrhhh…"
A low groan echoed eerily across the dark schoolyard. Among the six one-horned Urqell, the Alpha stood at the center, his posture calm and absolute.
"Grhhh… capture them and finish them!" the one-horned Alpha Urqell commanded.
Brukk… Brakk… Grakk…
"Grekkhhh - Gorhhhh…" The other five Urqell knelt at once, groaning in obedience. Then the five Urqell leaped into the air, cutting through the wind in three different directions.
Leaving the one-horned Alpha Urqell standing alone in the courtyard. Slowly, he turned and began to leave the school building behind.
Brukk… Bruk… Bruk…
The sound of the Alpha Urqell's footsteps gradually faded, disappearing into the darkness of the night.
Unbeknownst to them, behind the glass of one of the third-floor windows, a tall figure stood watching the Urqell depart with a calm expression.
The silhouette smiled faintly, his composure far too calm, as if everything had already been calculated. He raised his wrist, revealing a futuristic wristwatch.
Tuk… Tuk… Tuk…
Three light taps sounded against the glass surface of the watch. A blue light glowed, projecting a Holographic Display.
Tert ~ Flash!
A faint connection tone sounded. Hugo's face appeared on the hologram, looking relaxed and calm as always.
"Ah… how is it?" Hugo asked, casually picking his nose with his pinky finger. "Mm… it seems the time is getting closer, isn't it?" Hugo added calmly and confidently while wiping the tip of his finger.
"The Urqell, will come hunting again, Hugo… the one-horned Alpha Urqell," the silhouette interrupted from inside the classroom.
"I know. If they come… I'll be ready," Hugo replied, nodding slowly. A faint smile formed on his face before the holographic connection was cut off.
"Hahh… it seems… I should prepare myself as well." The silhouette took a long breath, then turned and walked toward the corridor.
Under the corridor lights, the figure was now clearly visible.
He was Hiji, the school's security guard. But his demeanor was completely different from before. He walked forward with long, firm strides.
***
Meanwhile, in the hospital garden.
Titt.
The blue light from the Holographic Display on Hugo's lighter dimmed, then faded out.
"This… is starting to return to my plan. It seems that boy is a little too eager to become an Elder," Hugo muttered softly, a faint smile appearing on his face, slightly mocking.
"Uncle Hugo…" Diana stepped forward hesitantly. Her voice was restrained, yet filled with curiosity.
"Please tell me… how did Jōgan first open his dimensional gate?"
Hugo's eyes drifted to the night sky, but through it. To something beyond Gaia's atmosphere. Someone that had been waiting.
"M… I only wanted to relax, so… mm…"
His words trailed off. He scratched the back of his neck that did not itch, smiling casually. Trying to hide the carelessness caused by his overly relaxed nature. "So… I loosened the watch. Hehe." A pause. No guilt. Just a man who'd gambled with a world and was still smiling.
Diana looked at him with exasperated respect, trying to remain respectful while ignoring the carelessness of the person she deeply respected and admired, standing before her. "Are the Arkhōn…" She paused for a moment, holding back her words. "…Forgive me, what I mean is… are all of your personalities the same?"
"A… perhaps it is simply a matter of age, or maybe only some of us. Ahahaha…" Hugo replied, laughing freely as he placed his hands on his hips.
Diana let out a faint sigh, then her gaze hardened. "Then… is there any indication that-!" She looked at Hugo sharply. "…the Elder knows Jōgan's identity?" Her question was almost a whisper.
"Not yet," Hugo answered calmly. He paused for a moment, looking up at the night sky. "If they did… then all of them would come, and Gaia's sky would turn red like blood, and this earth would become a battlefield." His tone changed, absolute seriousness radiating from his eyes.
Diana swallowed, her gaze filled with worry. "Then… before they find out, what should we do?" Her voice was soft, trembling slightly, as if something terrible had already formed in her mind.
Hugo glanced at Diana, his eyes firm. He turned and began to walk away. "I will prepare Jōgan, until he is ready." His steps carried no hesitation. "When he is ready, gather all our allies and armies!"
Hugo stopped for a moment and glanced back, a faint smile on his face. "We must be ready… for war." Hugo continued walking, whistling casually. A contrast to the chilling words that had just left his mouth, as if every step he took marked the passing time for Gaia Earth and for Jōgan.
[1] Arkhōn (ἄρχων) :A concept originating from Ancient Greek belief, particularly associated with Athens and later philosophical traditions such as Gnosticism. Athens :In the governmental system of ancient Athens, an Arkhōn was a high-ranking official who held authority just below the king. At one point, there were nine Archons, who served as administrators and regulators of the state system.Gnosticism :In mystical philosophy and religious belief, Arkhōn refers to a cosmic entity that governs the world. Archons are often described as guardians or rulers of the cosmos, existing between humanity and the higher divine power.