The sun hung high in the sky, its rays casting a golden hue over the ancient city of Gular. The ruins, once vibrant and alive, now stood as a testament to a forgotten time, their crumbling walls embraced by creeping vines. Gular's history was rich, but today, it recently became famous among the pacifiers all over the world for something far more sinister—the rumored presence of a special-class beast, Rue.
The pillars of Uten Sarda had arrived under Eden's orders, following leads that suggested Rue had been sighted in these forsaken lands. The air was thick with tension as Ken, Mina, Cid, Rose, and Fel scoured the ancient city for clues. The weight of their mission pressed heavily on their shoulders, but there was something else in the air today—something that even the sun's warmth couldn't dispel.
Cid, always the sharp-eyed observer, was the first to find something. "Hey, over here!" he called, his voice echoing through the ruins. The others gathered around as Cid pointed toward an ancient temple, half-buried beneath centuries of rubble. Upon closer inspection, they discovered a hidden entrance—a passage leading deep into a labyrinth beneath the temple.
"We'll split up," Ken said, his voice calm but commanding. "Cid and I will handle the maze. The rest of you, search the temple."
Mina nodded, though her eyes lingered on Ken for a moment longer. There was something unsettling about this place, and it gnawed at the edges of her consciousness. She watched as Ken and Cid disappeared into the darkness of the maze, their figures swallowed by the ancient stone walls.
The maze was a labyrinth of twisting corridors and shadowy alcoves, its walls adorned with faded inscriptions of a language long lost to time. Even with a map, one could easily become disoriented in the winding passages, but Cid, using his wind prowess, created subtle currents that allowed him to track their progress.
As they ventured deeper, the air became cooler, the oppressive weight of the maze bearing down on them. Suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the stone walls—a low, rhythmic chant, like the distant voice of an old man. Ken and Cid exchanged a glance, their hands instinctively resting on the hilts of their weapons.
They followed the sound, winding through the maze until they came upon a large, dimly lit chamber. There, in the center, sat an old man—his frail body draped in monk-like robes, his eyes closed in meditation. His voice was the source of the chant, echoing through the chamber as if carried by the walls themselves.
Cid broke the silence. "Sir, who are you? What are you doing in a place like this?"
The old man slowly opened his eyes, revealing a calm, almost otherworldly gaze. "Ah, my little ones. You shouldn't be here. This place is dangerous. A great beast has been seen near these ruins. You must leave, for your own safety."
Ken's expression remained unreadable. "We're pacifiers, sir. From Gelair City. We're here to handle the beast."
The old man's eyes softened. "Pacifiers, you say? So, you are our guests. Welcome to Gular." He shifted slightly, adjusting his robes. "My name is Deaz, the emperor of Lixel Pacifier Association. And this is the capital of our country."
Cid furrowed his brow. "But why are you here, of all places?"
Deaz smiled faintly, his gaze distant. "Today is a special day for the people of Gular. It's the 76th anniversary of our association. A time for celebration, yes. But the rumors of Rue… they are not unfounded. I've been meditating here, casting a barrier to protect the city. The beast… it will come."
Ken's grip tightened around his weapon, but his face remained expressionless. "Then we'll stop it."
Mina, meanwhile, had felt a strange, unsettling presence while exploring the temple. It wasn't the aura of a monster—it was something different, something… different. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Fel and Rose had searched the perimeter but found nothing. Yet the air itself seemed to hum with anticipation.
As the sun set, the pillars regrouped with Deaz and made their way back to the main city, where the celebration was in full swing. The streets were lined with vibrant stalls, and music filled the air. Crowds of people, unaware of the danger looming over them, laughed and danced in the night, the flickering lights of the carnival masking the undercurrent of tension that only the pacifiers could sense.
Mina watched Ken carefully throughout the evening. There was a tension in his shoulders, a far-off look in his eyes. He was here, but his mind was elsewhere. Eventually, he slipped away from the festivities, unnoticed by most—but not by her.
Ken's footsteps echoed in the silent ruins as he returned to the temple. The night had grown cold, the stars above casting a pale glow over the landscape. As he reached the entrance, he stopped—someone was already there.
Ren.
The two brothers-in-arms stood across from each other, the weight of their shared past hanging heavy in the air. Ken's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Ren."
Ren, his expression cold, met his gaze. "You're here for Rue."
Ken didn't flinch. "And so are you. But you know more than you're letting on."
Ren crossed his arms, his voice low. "It's not the right time, Ken."
Ken took a step forward, his eyes flashing. "Not the right time? You've been gone for five years, Ren. Don't you think it's time for some answers?"
Ren's gaze hardened. "Look who is talking, the one who himself left the association. Forget about me, you even quit being a pacifier. I'm not here to explain myself to you. There's more at stake than you realize."
Ken clenched his fists, his anger barely restrained. "You think I don't know that? This isn't just about Rue, is it?"
Ren turned his back to Ken, his voice soft but filled with an ominous weight. "This city… it's about to become a battlefield. Rue is the least of your worries."
Ken's heart raced, the pieces slowly falling into place. "What aren't you telling me?"
Ren glanced over his shoulder, his eyes shadowed. "There are forces at play here that even the association doesn't know about. And when it begins… there won't be time to stop it."
Ken stepped closer, frustration boiling over. "Damn it, Ren! Stop talking in riddles. What are you planning?"
Ren turned fully to face him, his expression dark. "I can't, just tell you like that... Ken."
There was a long pause, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a blade. Finally, Ken spoke, his voice low. "Are the rumors about Rue true?"
Ren nodded. "One hundred percent. Rue is here. But it's not alone."
Ken's breath hitched, a wave of dread washing over him. "What do you mean?"
Ren's eyes narrowed. "You'll see soon enough. Just be ready."
As Ren turned to leave, Ken called after him. "This isn't over, Ren. You owe me the truth."
Ren paused, but didn't turn around. "When the time comes, you'll know everything."
And with that, Ren disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ken standing alone in the ruins, the weight of the coming battle settling heavily on his shoulders.
This night would bring more than just a fight with a special-class beast. It would bring war.