The Weight of Shadows
The aftermath of the battle still hung heavy in the air as CP0 stepped onto the grounds of Jin's former safe house. The land bore the scars of the fierce clash—scorched earth, fractured rocks, and the faint, lingering essence of power. The battlefield felt alive, as if it were replaying the chaos in whispers, resonating with energy too fresh to have dissipated.
CP0 walked slowly, each step calculated as his heightened senses scanned the area. He could feel it—he wasn't alone. Subtle movements caught his attention, faint disturbances in the environment that betrayed the presence of another. Without hesitation, his body blurred into motion, vanishing from his position and reappearing behind a large rock, hand poised to strike.
Instead of an enemy, CP0 found Nightshade slumped against the rock. The agent's body was battered, his breathing labored, and his face pale, streaked with dried blood. Yet, his grip on Kurokage remained firm, as if the sword was the only thing keeping him tethered to life.
Recognizing the crest on Nightshade's torn attire, CP0 lowered his hand slightly. His cold, detached voice broke the silence. "What happened here?"
Nightshade's eyes flickered open, filled with pain but sharp. He gave a weak, bitter laugh. "You must be… the Council's new pet. Sent to clean up what's left?"
Ignoring the insult he was an emotionless being,CP0 reached into his pocket and retrieved a small vial filled with a shimmering serum. He held it out toward Nightshade. "Take this. It will stabilize you."
With trembling hands, Nightshade injected the serum into his arm. His breathing steadied slightly, and his color improved as the serum began its work. Gripping Kurokage for support, he shifted into a sitting position, his gaze fixed on CP0.
"How are you alive?" CP0 asked, his tone even. "You should have died from your wounds."
Nightshade gave a grim smirk, his voice low. "Kurokage kept me alive. The sword… it heals its wielder just enough to stay breathing"
CP0 studied the sword briefly, noting the faint pulse of energy emanating from it. "Tell me everything. What happened here?"
Nightshade's expression darkened, his voice straining as he recounted the battle. He described the awakening of Jin's demonic power, the devastating force of The Order, and the destructive Netherstorm that obliterated Valkris. Every detail was laced with bitterness, a clear admission of how unprepared they had been to face Jin and his allies,especially quoting Jon's appearance.
"All of it…" Nightshade muttered, staring at the ground. "We thought we were ready. But Jin—that demon—he was unlike anything we've ever seen."
As he spoke, Broken crouched behind the remnants of a wall nearby, hidden in the shadows. He listened intently, his curiosity growing with each word. Hearing Nightshade's account of Jin's overwhelming power, Broken began to understand why the Council feared Jin—and why they would stop at nothing to control or destroy him.
When Nightshade finished his recount, CP0 stepped back, his expression unchanged. "You need rest," he said flatly. "I'll take over from here."
As Nightshade steadied himself with Kurokage, CP0 asked one last question. "How did Jin escape?"
Nightshade hesitated, then answered, "Jon. He uses compass magic, he pulled them away. Jin was unconscious—he wouldn't have made it otherwise."
"Where?" CP0 pressed, his gaze narrowing.
Nightshade pointed to a specific spot on the battlefield. "There. That's where they disappeared."
CP0 followed the direction, scanning the area intently. Residual traces of Jon's compass magic lingered faintly in the air, like a distant echo. With this final piece of information, CP0 opened a portal using the pendant, sending Nightshade back to the Council. The battlefield fell silent once more, leaving only CP0 and Broken behind.
"You came uninvited," CP0 said to Broken without turning to look at him. "If you're going to follow me, stay useful."
Broken smiled faintly, his expression calm. "Of course,I know I couldn't stay hidden forever"
Jin's Subconscious: The Demon's Whisper
Elsewhere, Jin lay unconscious on a bed in the safe house, his body still recovering. But in his mind, he stood in a vast void of darkness. Shadows swirled around him like living things, their movements fluid and hypnotic. He could feel a presence—ancient, powerful, and oppressive. It wasn't familiar . It was the same force he had felt during the battle. The same one he had called to.
A voice, deep and resonant, echoed from the void, dripping with malice and arrogance. "Ah, Jin," it sneered. "You saw it, didn't you? How effortlessly I erased your enemies. One after the other."
Jin's fists clenched. "I didn't ask for that. You took over."
The demon's mocking laughter reverberated around him. "Took over? You called to me, boy. Begged me for help. And what I did… was nothing. A fraction low percent of my power."
A faint glow appeared in the void, and a box floated toward Jin, its edges shimmering with a pulsating golden light. The demon's figure remained hidden, but its glowing eyes pierced through the darkness.
"This," the demon said, gesturing toward the box, "is what binds me. What restrains me. Open it, Jin. Release me. Let me show you what true power looks like."
Jin stepped back, his instincts screaming against touching it. "No," he said firmly. "Not until you tell me who you are and why my family is connected to you."
The demon chuckled darkly. "Information comes with a price. Are you willing to pay it?"
Jin shook his head, his voice steady. "Why did you help me against Valkris? What's in it for you?"
The demon's tone grew colder. "Help you? No, Jin. I helped myself. If you had died there, I would've been locked away forever. You were weak, broken, and desperate. You called to me. And I answered, I know you're dumb but this is easy to grab"
Jin stared at the box, unease twisting in his chest. "And now?"
The demon's voice softened, though it carried an edge of menace. "Now, I need you alive. You survive, I survive. But don't mistake this for kindness. When you're desperate again—and you will be—you'll call for me."
The box pulsed brighter, enticing Jin, but he stood firm. "I won't let you take over again."
The demon's laughter erupted, shaking the void. "We'll see, Jin. We'll see."
As the darkness swirled and faded, Jin felt himself being pulled back to reality. But the demon's laughter lingered, a chilling reminder of the danger lurking within him.
Jin Awakens
Jin's eyes shot open as he gasped for breath. His heart raced as the faint echoes of the demon's mocking laughter lingered in his mind. The dim light of the safe house filled his vision, and he realized he was lying on a simple bed.
"Ryker!" he shouted, sitting up abruptly, but his voice faltered as he looked around. Instead of the battlefield, he was surrounded by familiar faces. Amy was seated nearby, her expression lighting up with relief as she saw him awake.
"You're awake!" she said, her voice filled with excitement. "Hold on, I'll get Jon."
Moments later, Jon entered the room, his calm demeanor reassuring. He approached Jin and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing well, considering what you've been through," Jon said. "Your body is healing faster than I expected."
Jin's gaze shifted to Rex, who stood nearby. Unlike Jin, Rex's injuries seemed minor, and he appeared fully recovered. But his expression was grim as he met Jin's eyes.
"Ryker's gone," Rex said bluntly. "And so is Valkris. Saving Ryker now… it's going to be nearly impossible."
Jin's fists clenched, frustration boiling within him. "Jon," he said, his voice firm. "Can't you reverse time? Bring Ryker back?"
Jon's expression grew serious. "I can," he admitted. "But we've already progressed too far. Reversing time now would create consequences we can't afford."
Jin lowered his gaze, the weight of Ryker's loss sinking in. He felt helpless, trapped between the demon within him and the mounting threat of the Shadow Council.
CP0's Attempt to Trace Jin
Meanwhile, back at Jin's former safe house, CP0 stood at the center of the battlefield, his pendant glowing faintly in his hand. Broken watched silently as CP0 extended his arms, channeling the energy left behind by Jon's compass magic. The air around him crackled with power as he attempted to force the pendant to trace Jin's new location.
"This should work," CP0 muttered, his tone low and controlled. The faint glow of the pendant began to pulse, syncing with the energy he was drawing from the remnants of the battlefield. But the connection was unstable, the energy fragmented.
Broken stepped closer, his curiosity piqued. "You think you can find them with just that?"
CP0 didn't answer, his focus unbroken. The pendant's glow grew brighter, the air around them humming with intensity. Broken could feel the energy building, a pressure that made the air feel heavy.