Chapter 46: The Threshold of Darkness
Ren finally limped through the Academy gates, his face pale and his clothes stained. Kimo was waiting, his arms crossed over his chest. "So, you finally decided to show up," Kimo said, his voice unreadable.
Ren forced a weak smile, ignoring the throbbing pain in his ribs. "Sorry, Sensei. Got held up with some... personal business."
"You're two hours late," Kimo noted, his eyes narrowing as they landed on the dried blood on Ren's chin. "Looks like you ran into some trouble. Had a fight?"
"No, just a trip and a fall," Ren lied smoothly. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
"Fine. Get in line," Kimo commanded. "I'm joining you four on this mission today. Since it's Ren's first, and it's a Rank 6 mission, I need to make sure you don't all die in the first ten minutes."
Lira scoffed, adjusting her gear. "You didn't have to mention it's a Rank 6, Kimo. We know the stakes."
Kimo just smiled, a sharp, predatory look in his eyes. "Line up. Ren, Mika, Adam, Lira—stay close."
As they stood together, Mika leaned in toward Ren. "Did you read the pages?" she whispered. Ren didn't say a word; he just subtly slipped the yellowed papers into her hand. Mika tucked them away instantly, her expression turning serious.
Kimo suddenly bit his own finger, drawing a bead of dark red blood. He knelt and drew a perfect, glowing circle around the five of them on the stone floor. "Teleport!"
The world twisted and collapsed. In a flash of blinding light, the Academy was gone.
The Abandoned Estate
When Ren's vision cleared, he gasped. They were standing in front of a massive, decaying mansion. But something was wrong—terribly wrong. When they left the Academy, it was bright morning. Here, the sky was a bruised purple-black, and a cold, unnatural moon hung overhead.
"Wait... how is it night already?" Ren asked, his hand instinctively going to his Golden Revolver. "Did we travel through time?"
"Don't panic," Kimo said, his voice echoing in the dead silence. "This is the effect of the Vane here. When Vane energy becomes too concentrated and 'corrupted,' it warps the environment. You can call it Dark Vane. It creates a pocket of eternal night."
Ren looked at the towering house. It felt alive, like it was breathing.
"Draw your weapons," Kimo ordered.
The sound of steel filled the air. Kimo pulled out his heavy revolver. Adam drew his twin daggers, the blades shimmering with a cold light. Lira reached for the black throwing knives strapped to her thighs, and Mika gripped her tactical pistol. Ren followed suit, his fingers tightening around the grip of his Golden Revolver.
"Ren, you're in the front," Kimo shouted, pointing toward the main entrance. "I'll watch the rear. Move out!"
They approached the massive outer gates. Kimo didn't wait for a key—he delivered a powerful kick that sent the rusted metal doors flying open with a deafening CRASH.
They stepped into what looked like a courtyard or a grand parking area, but the fog was so thick they could barely see their own feet. Ahead of them lay the main door to the mansion—a dark, wooden portal that seemed to lead straight into the stomach of a beast.