The next day, Zara tries looking for Ren at school, but when she asks around, she's told he's absent again. A wave of sadness washes over her. It's been days since she last saw him, and the uncertainty gnaws at her.
Wandering through the courtyard, lost in thought, she's startled by a familiar voice behind her.
"Looking for someone?" Kaito asks, stepping closer with a casual grin.
Zara turns to face him, managing a half-hearted smile. "Yeah... but it looks like he's not here."
Kaito studies her for a moment before speaking again. "You know, I've seen you around at the football games a lot. Didn't think you were that into it."
Zara shrugs, her voice quieter. "I usually just watch Ren's matches. But... he's not here today."
Kaito nods, understanding. "Well, if you're not watching Ren play today... why don't you come to our game? We're playing later. Could use a good cheer or two from the stands."
Zara hesitates, still preoccupied with Ren's absence, but after a moment, she nods. "Sure, I'll come."
Kaito plays exceptionally well in the game, dominating the field with precise passes and sharp movements. Zara finds herself genuinely enjoying it, more than she expected. Kaito's energy is infectious, and she can't help but cheer for him, caught up in the excitement of the match.
After school, as the day winds down, Kaito approaches Zara with his usual confidence. "You ready?" he asks, gesturing toward his bicycle. Zara nods, and soon they're both pedaling through the quiet streets, the sun beginning to set behind them.
As they ride side by side, Kaito glances over at her. "So, how about we watch a movie this weekend?" His tone is casual, but there's a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Zara pauses for a moment, then shakes her head. "I can't," she says, sounding almost apologetic. "I already have plans with Ren. We're supposed to watch a movie together this week."
Kaito doesn't hide his disappointment, but he quickly covers it up with a grin. "Ah, I see. Well, another time, then."
Zara smiles softly. "Yeah, maybe another time."
Meanwhile, at Mount Cimmerian..
The cold air thick with tension, Matteo steps into the dimly lit cave where the Sword of the Sterling Family has been kept for centuries. His eyes search the familiar stone pedestal, but to his shock, the sword is gone. The pedestal is empty.
Matteo freezes, disbelief gripping him. "No… it can't be," he mutters, his voice echoing off the cave walls. He rushes toward the pedestal, his hands instinctively reaching out, but there's nothing but cold air. The legendary blade, passed down through generations of his family, has vanished.
Panic sets in, and Matteo turns to leave the cave, but his path is blocked. As he tries to exit, he slams into an invisible barrier. It's like hitting a wall, though nothing is visible. He reaches out again, feeling the unmistakable hum of spirit energy. His heart skips a beat.
Suddenly, Matteo senses something else—faint, ancient energy lingering in the air. The spirit energy of his Sterling family ancestors. His eyes widen in shock, understanding the gravity of what this means. Whoever took the sword can use his power.
"Impossible…" Matteo whispers, his voice trembling.
Matteo, trapped within the invisible barrier, grits his teeth and channels all his energy into breaking free. His hands glow with power as he unleashes a barrage of attacks. Pulses of spirit energy burst from his palms, shaking the walls of the cave and crackling against the unseen force. He roars in frustration, pouring everything he has into the strikes, but it's all fruitless. The barrier doesn't budge. Panting, Matteo falls to one knee, his energy drained and desperation filling his mind.
Meanwhile, at Ren's house..
Ren's father returns home, his footsteps echoing through the quiet halls. He pauses at the entrance, surprised by the stillness. "Ren didn't go to school today?" he mutters to himself. Frowning, he climbs the stairs and finds Ren sitting in his room, staring blankly at the floor.
"Ren," his father says, stepping into the room. "Why didn't you go to school today?"
Ren doesn't look up. "I'm sick," he replies, his voice low. "I couldn't."
His father eyes him carefully, but his gaze soon shifts. He can feel it—the faint but unmistakable hum of energy radiating from Ren, particularly from his foot. The air in the room feels different, charged with something powerful. Ren's father studies him for a moment longer, then speaks casually, asking a few questions about school, nothing out of the ordinary. Ren gives brief responses, not suspecting a thing.
After their short conversation, Ren's father walks out of the room, closing the door behind him. His face remains expressionless as he heads down the hallway, deep in thought. "Another defective piece," he murmurs to himself, his eyes narrowing. But despite the hint of disdain in his words, there's a cold satisfaction beneath them. "It doesn't matter. He's already served his purpose."
Meanwhile, in a dark forest..
Seraphyx returns to a small, haunted house, his footsteps echoing softly against the damp ground. He drops his bag on the creaking floor and opens it to reveal the Sword of the Sterling Family, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light.
Seraphyx stares at the sword, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "You will free my people," he whispers, his voice low and dripping with ambition. "And then we will dominate the human world."