After Kazuki and Selena parted ways, Selena sprinted toward the fountain. Her heart pounded as she spotted a large entrance hidden beneath the crumbling structure. Without hesitation, she ventured inside, her determination fueling her steps.
"I need to find the Crimson Veil Core," Selena thought, her eyes scanning the dimly lit underground space. Shadows danced across the damp walls, and the air was thick with tension. As she advanced cautiously, a voice suddenly echoed around her.
"It's a shame we have to fight here," the voice said, laced with a mix of regret and resolve.
Selena spun around, her light sword materializing instinctively in her hand. Her eyes widened in recognition as a figure stepped out of the shadows.
"You…" Selena started, her words cut short as the figure lunged at her with blinding speed. Selena blocked the attack just in time, her blade clashing against her opponent's weapon in a burst of sparks. She leaped backward to gain distance and finally spoke, "You're one of my brother's maids!"
The mysterious woman stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. "My name is Myra," she said, her voice calm yet firm. "And yes, I serve King Nolan Van Darkheart. I won't let you destroy the Crimson Veil Core."
Selena's grip on her sword tightened. "I know the maids are forced into servitude. You don't have to fight for him! Come with us, and you can be free!"
Myra's expression darkened as she surged forward, her blade slashing through the air. Selena barely dodged, and the missed strike left a gaping hole in the wall behind her. Myra's voice was cold as steel.
"You don't know everything, Selena. I am not like the others. I am loyal to my king. Forever."
The clash of swords echoed through the underground chamber as the two women charged at each other. Sparks flew as their blades met, their movements a deadly dance of skill and determination.
Selena gritted her teeth as their swords locked. "If I don't know everything, then tell me! What am I missing about my brother?"
Myra's eyes flashed with an emotion Selena couldn't quite place. In one swift motion, she grabbed Selena by the neck, leaped into the air, and slammed her into the roof of the chamber. Selena fell to the ground with a thud, coughing as Myra advanced on her.
"You only know his bad side," Myra said, her voice trembling slightly. "You don't know the sacrifices he's made. Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand. You'd just… you'd just—" Myra stopped, shaking her head as if to push away unwanted thoughts. Instead, she charged again, her blade slashing at Selena with unrelenting fury.
Selena managed to dodge, but not entirely—Myra's blade grazed her cheek, drawing blood. Pain flared, but Selena pushed through, countering with a swift swing of her light sword. Myra evaded, her movements as fluid as water.
"Tell me the good things he's done!" Selena demanded, desperation creeping into her voice.
Myra clenched her fists and dashed toward her. Selena braced herself but barely managed to dodge in time. Myra's blade, thrown like a spear, whizzed past her head and embedded itself in the wall. Selena turned to face Myra, her expression steeled with resolve.
"Remember the time you were sealed in that crystal?" Myra asked suddenly.
Selena blinked, caught off guard. "Yes," she replied cautiously.
"Your brother protected you while you were sealed," Myra said, her voice rising with intensity. "He fought to keep you safe. He even argued with your parents to break the seal, but the gods wouldn't allow it. They feared your potential. Your own parents feared you."
Selena's eyes widened in shock, tears welling up. "That's not true," she whispered, her voice breaking.
"It is true!" Myra shouted. "He volunteered to seal you so you'd think he was the villain. He bore your hatred to protect you."
Selena's body trembled as Myra's words sank in. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, "THAT'S NOT TRUE!" She charged at Myra with reckless speed, her light sword blazing. Myra dodged effortlessly and extended her hand. Her sword flew back into her grasp as if summoned by her will.
"This sword," Myra said, her voice softening, "is a gift from your brother. He's not the monster you think he is."
Selena's mind reeled, but she forced herself to focus. "Then why is he trying to control this city?" she yelled, her voice filled with anguish.
Myra's expression darkened again, and she tightened her grip on her sword. "You still don't understand, do you? Everything he does, he does for a reason."
The two women clashed once more, their blades a blur of light and steel. Selena, now fueled by a mix of rage and confusion, managed to land a strike on Myra's torso. Myra staggered but used her sword to steady herself.
Selena steadied her breath, her light sword trembling slightly as she aimed it at Myra's face. "Why is he trying to control this city?" she demanded, her voice sharp and unyielding.
Myra met her gaze, calm despite the situation, and slowly pushed herself to her feet. "Do you know the theory that gods grow stronger when humans worship them?" she asked, brushing dust from her clothes.
Selena narrowed her eyes. "So that's it? Power?" she accused.
Myra adjusted her posture, her expression unflinching. "No, it's not just power," she replied. "The more people that worship him, the more his power multiplies. He's using that power to prepare for something bigger—to destroy the gods who fear you." She stepped closer, her voice steady. "Because they're plotting to assassinate you."
Selena's grip on her sword tightened as the weight of Myra's words sank in. "The gods… plotting against me?"
"Maybe they'll send someone after you," Myra continued, her tone cold yet matter-of-fact. "Or maybe they'll come for you themselves. And don't forget your parents—they might even take the job. Isn't that why your family broke apart in the first place?"
Selena's face twisted with emotion, her knuckles white as she gripped the hilt of her sword.
"And this city?" Myra added, gesturing around her. "It's just a decoy. Nolan already controls countless cities. He used this one to gauge your strength. And that whole 'create a strong child' thing? That's his backup plan—if he fails to take down the gods, he's preparing for someone stronger to rise in his place." Myra straightened and sighed, her tone softening. "Well, I'm done here."
With that, Myra knelt briefly in formal acknowledgment before turning toward the exit. As she walked away, Selena called out, her voice firm. "Tell my brother I don't need his protection."
Myra paused, glancing back over her shoulder with a faint smirk. "You and that Kazuki are no match for me. Remember, I held back when we fought. Just imagine how much stronger the gods are." Without another word, she stepped through a glowing portal and vanished.
Selena exhaled sharply, her determination reigniting as she turned back to her task. "The crimson veil core must be hidden nearby," she muttered, scanning her surroundings. Her eyes darted to the walls of the underground chamber. "Could it be… inside the walls?"
She knocked on the stone until she heard a hollow echo. Without hesitation, she slashed her light sword through the wall, revealing a massive, pulsating purple crystal. "This must be it," she said, raising her blade. With a powerful strike, the core shattered, its fragments scattering across the ground.
As Selena emerged from the underground chamber, the masked villagers began collapsing to the ground, unconscious. Relief and urgency battled in her mind. "Where's Kazuki?!" she thought as she quickly instructed the waking villagers to find safety.
Meanwhile, Kazuki stood amidst the fainting villagers, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. A faint smirk crossed his lips. "Well done," he murmured, gazing up at the towering structure ahead.
At the top, Roberto paced in frustration. "Why are the people collapsing?!" he barked at his subordinates. "Where are the others?"
One of his soldiers hesitantly approached. "Sir… Lucan is dead."
Roberto froze, his face twisting in disbelief. "He's what?!"
Another soldier stumbled forward. "Sir, we found Roa's body. He's… dead too."
Roberto's face contorted with rage as he shouted, "What the fuck is going on?! Why is everyone being killed?" His voice cracked as he slammed his fist into the railing. Peering over the edge, he caught sight of Kazuki far below, staring back at him with unyielding intensity.
"That bastard…" Roberto growled, clenching his fists. "He's the one!"
Without hesitation, Roberto leapt from the towering structure, his battle cry echoing as he sprinted down the wall toward Kazuki. "I won't let you stop our revenge!" he roared.
Kazuki remained still, his piercing gaze locked on his descending foe. Dark magic crackled around his fists, mingling with streaks of lightning. Taking a deep breath, he shifted into a boxing stance, the ground beneath him trembling as he prepared for the fight.