Everybody was now outside the DELIAN Headquarters, a monumental structure looming before them like a titan from a bygone era.
They stepped out of their cars, a mixture of awe and trepidation washing over them as they took in the sight.
It wasn't just a building; it was a whole fortress, an architectural marvel that seemed to pulse with energy.
The very air surrounding it was thick with a palpable aura that felt almost suffocating to any ordinary person standing before it.
The headquarters was a marvel of ancient design, with towering walls intricately etched with symbols that told stories of battles won and lost.
Grand spires reached toward the sky, and the entrance was a massive archway that beckoned them inside.
As if inviting them to step into a realm of power and history.
This was the place where the strongest individuals on the entire earth were gathered, a sanctuary for those who wielded unimaginable power.
Here, the legendary Five Heavenly Weapons, the Atsuras, were safeguarded—a treasure coveted by many and understood by few.
A mix of excitement and anxiety rippled through the group.
The reality of their situation began to sink in; they were on the precipice of something monumental, and the weight of expectations pressed heavily on their shoulders.
"Dear students,"
Matthieu began, his voice steady yet imbued with a sense of gravity
"This is the headquarters of Delian.
All the students from other major countries are already inside, prepared for what lies ahead."
He paused, allowing the gravity of his words to settle in.
His keen gaze swept over the group, noting the fatigue etched into their expressions, a clear reminder of the long journey they had undertaken.
"You must be tired. First, get your belongings settled in your rooms and take a moment to rest.
In exactly three hours, all students are to gather in the main hall, where you will be informed about your tasks during your stay here."
As he spoke, Ryuu's heart raced, anticipation and anxiety coiling within him like a taut spring.
He couldn't shake the feeling that they were about to embark on a journey that would change everything.
With a slight bow, Matthieu continued.
"Now, I will take my leave. If there's anything you need, you can call the association service.
For urgent matters, feel free to inform me directly."
As he raised his head, his gaze locked onto Sophie, and a flicker of intensity crossed his features.
"Also, My lady, I would like to discuss your behavior with your brother. Please inform him of it."
Sophie felt her heart drop, a rush of anxiety flooding her senses.
Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she averted her gaze, shame creeping into her voice.
"I—I will inform him about it…"
Shigeru, sensing the tension in the air, stepped forward with a warm smile, his demeanor calm and reassuring.
"Now, now, Sir Matthieu, please don't be too harsh on her highness.
We understand that she was just nervous about meeting us and couldn't express herself properly.
Please forgive her on our behalf."
His voice was soothing, like a balm against the rising tension, and Ryuu admired Shigeru's ability to navigate the situation with such grace.
Matthieu's stern expression softened slightly as he sighed, looking at Shigeru with a mix of respect and exasperation.
"Ha~okay, I will let this slip just this once because you're asking me to, Sir Morishita.
But, My lady, if I witness this kind of behavior again, I'll have to speak directly with His Highness."
"Yes! I will remember it! Thank you for forgiving me…"
Sophie stammered, relief washing over her like a gentle tide, her gratitude evident in her expressive eyes as she bowed her head.
Shigeru chuckled softly, lightening the mood.
"Your Highness, please don't embarrass me by bowing before me. I'm not someone you should be bowing to."
His playful tone and kind smile made Sophie's admiration for him deepen, her heart fluttering at his humility.
"Now, let's head into the building. I will show you to your rooms,"
Matthieu said, gesturing toward the impressive main gate of the headquarters.
As they stepped forward, the anticipation of what awaited them buzzed in the air like static electricity.
"Wow! It's such a huge building! No surprise it's the oldest and main building of Delian!"
Ryuu gasped, taking in the grandeur of the fortress as they approached the entrance.
But as he stepped inside the headquarters, a chill ran down his spine.
His heart sank; he could feel the immense aura radiating from the powerful individuals surrounding him.
It was overwhelming, a tangible pressure that weighed heavily on his mind and spirit, making his palms clammy.
The only other time he had felt this was during his encounter with Shinju, an experience that had marked him deeply.
He sensed the piercing gazes of the assembled people, each of them a force in their own right, and an involuntary shiver traveled up his spine.
It was an intimidating atmosphere, sending his pulse racing in response to the unspoken challenge that hung in the air.
"It's all right, I'm by your side!"
A voice broke through his apprehension, and Ryoko grasped his hand, standing beside him with a reassuring smile that radiated warmth.
Her presence felt like a shield against the formidable energy surrounding them.
And Ryuu felt a wave of relief wash over him, his anxiety beginning to dissipate.
The comforting touch of her hand eased his racing heart, grounding him in the moment.
As they walked deeper into the building, he found solace in her unwavering support, and a flicker of hope ignited within him.
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.
.
After some time, everyone had settled into their rooms, placing their belongings in neat arrangements, trying to make the unfamiliar space feel more like home.
Ryuu sat on the edge of his bed, staring at Seichii with a mixture of disgust and annoyance.
"STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT! IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT WE AGAIN END UP IN THE SAME ROOM, MAN!"
Seichii yelled, his irritation bubbling over as he glared back at Ryuu.
Ryuu sighed heavily, the weight of the day pressing down on him as he fell back onto the soft bed, the plushness enveloping him like a comforting embrace.
"Hey, Seichii…" he said, his voice heavy with contemplation and an undercurrent of concern.
Seichii shifted his gaze, curiosity piqued and annoyance forgotten.
"What?"
"Did something happen?"
Ryuu asked, his tone laced with genuine concern that cut through the tension in the room.
"What do you mean by that?"
Seichii replied, his brow furrowing in confusion as he searched Ryuu's expression for clarity.
"Did you also see him?"
Ryuu pressed, leaning forward as a sense of urgency filled the air between them.
"Saw… saw who?"
Seichii's bewilderment deepened, and he stared back at Ryuu, his heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation.
"The black figure, covered in darkness…"
Ryuu's voice trailed off, and he watched as Seichii's expression shifted from confusion to shock, realization dawning upon him.
Seichii froze, memories flooding back like a tidal wave.
"D-did you also!?"
Ryuu nodded solemnly, closing his eyes as he relived the moment.
"Yes."
Seichii's eyes widened, and he sat up straighter, the tension in the room thickening like fog.
"Do you remember when I was fighting Rajin and suddenly stopped?
That was when I saw that unknown black figure deep inside the forest, under the shadow of the big tree.
Looking at me with that devious smile on his face. I had never seen such a sinister smile in my life.
Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine. What was that thing?"
Seichii listened intently, his own heart racing as he felt the weight of Ryuu's fear pressing down on him.
"Me too…" Seichii continued, his voice barely above a whisper, his face drawn with concern.
"I had never encountered a smile like that before. It was during the elite students' selection.
Everything felt off. The president said only one elite student would be chosen, and it was me.
I looked at all of you, and you were acting strangely, congratulating me. It felt wrong, and that's when the air began to crackle around me.
Suddenly, I found myself in a white void, enveloped by nothing but brightness."
Ryuu's breath caught in his throat, disbelief and dread mingling within him.
"A white void…?"
Seichii nodded, his expression grave and distant.
"I tried to move, but I couldn't. That's when I saw it… the black figure shrouded in darkness.
His smile was so malevolent, his aura so terrifying that I thought my soul would escape my body.
I asked him who he was, where I was, and what he had done to all of you.
He told me it was his magical power—he could make someone imagine whatever he wanted.
That white void was something created by his magic!"
Stunned, Ryuu blinked, grappling with the implications of Seichii's words.
"Is magic like this even real?"
He questioned, disbelief creeping into his voice as his mind raced with possibilities.
Seichii sighed, a mix of fear and frustration etched into his features.
"That's what I asked the figure, but what he said left me in utter shock.
He claimed there are many things about this world that humans and I are unaware of, but soon we would.know because it was what fate had decided!"
A heavy silence enveloped the room as Ryuu absorbed the weight of Seichii's revelation.
"It was the same thing the black figure said to me…"
Ryuu's voice trailed off, memories of their shared experience swirling in his mind, the echoes of the ominous words ringing in his ears.
"Seichii, there's something approaching that we don't know about.
Everything that has happened so far points to our connection to it.
I know there's more you haven't shared with me, but I understand how you feel because it's the same for me.
If we want to get to the bottom of this, we must walk this path together!
I know it's fraught with danger, but will you help me unravel these mysteries and find the trut-"
Clap!!!
With determination shining in his eyes, Ryuu extended his hand toward Seichii, his heart pounding with hope and resolve.
Before he could finish his sentence, Seichii grasped Ryuu's hand, a smile breaking through the tension that had filled the room.
"Of course, I'll help you! This is what I've always wanted!"
Ryuu felt a surge of warmth spread through him, the bond between them strengthening with each passing moment.
"Then let's do this! Together, we will uncover the secrets surrounding us, no matter how daunting they may be."
With their hands clasped tightly, sealing their promise, a newfound sense of purpose ignited within them.
Outside their room, the echoes of footsteps and muffled conversations filtered through the walls.
Reminding them that they were not alone in this fortress filled with warriors, each carrying their own stories and struggles.
As the clock ticked down to their gathering in the main hall, Ryuu and Seichii exchanged determined glances, ready to confront whatever challenges awaited them.
They shared a silent understanding; they were no longer just students in training, but allies bound by a shared fate and the looming darkness that threatened to envelop them all.
In that moment of camaraderie, a flicker of hope ignited within Ryuu.
They were standing at the edge of a precipice, but with Seichii by his side, he felt ready to face whatever awaited them.
"Let's get some rest before the meeting,"
Ryuu suggested, his voice filled with a newfound confidence.
"We'll need our strength."
Seichii nodded, a determined smile on his face.
As Ryuu lay back on his bed, the tension of the day began to ease, the soft fabric beneath him offering a comfort he hadn't realized he needed.
His mind swirled with thoughts of what was to come, but the presence of his friend and the bond they had forged reassured him.
With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, allowing the rhythm of his heartbeat to settle into a steady pace.
The fortress around him felt alive, a sentient entity that was both daunting and welcoming.
Deep down, he knew that the path ahead was uncertain, filled with trials that would test their strength and resolve.
But with allies like Seichii , Ryoko, Masumi and the spirit of adventure igniting within him, Ryuu felt ready to confront the unknown.
Together, they would navigate the challenges ahead, unravel the mysteries that lay in wait, and perhaps, in doing so, uncover the truths about themselves and the world they had yet to fully understand.
As darkness fell outside, the echoes of a new beginning resonated within the walls of DELIAN Headquarters.
Ryuu's heart thrummed with anticipation, his dreams of greatness intertwining with the reality of the journey ahead.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he embraced the moment, ready to face whatever fate had in store for him and his friends.....
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.
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A little way off, deep within the heart of the forest, an eerie stillness settled.
The air grew thick and heavy as dark tendrils of fog began to slither through the trees, wrapping around the trunks like sinister serpents.
An unnatural chill swept through the underbrush, sending shivers down the spines of any creatures that dared to linger.
Suddenly, the silence shattered.
Boom!!!
A tremendous explosion rocked the forest, the ground trembling beneath the violent force.
A fiery eruption of black fumes billowed into the sky, twisting and curling like malevolent spirits unleashed from their prison.
The once vibrant greens and browns of the forest were quickly consumed, swallowed by an all-encompassing darkness that spread like a disease.
Trees splintered and fell, their trunks blackened, as if the very essence of life had been snuffed out in an instant.
The air was filled with the acrid scent of charred wood and smoldering earth, overwhelming the senses.
Animals fled in terror, their desperate cries echoing in the distance as the haunting fog engulfed the landscape.
A few minutes later, th black fog disappeared, the whole forest was gone and nothing was left...