The night was alive with tension.
At the edge of a darkened forest, a lone woman stood, her silver hair gleaming under the moonlight. Clad in shining white armor, she was the very image of divine justice.
Seraphina, the Grand Inquisitor of the Golden Saints.
"Shadow…" she whispered, gripping the hilt of her blade. "You've grown too bold."
Behind her, an elite unit of knights prepared for battle, their golden insignias glinting ominously in the dark. They were not mere soldiers—they were warriors trained in the art of monster-slaying, specifically those who wielded the power of shadows.
Her command was simple: bring the Hollow Emperor to his knees.
As she stepped forward, the wind shifted. A lone figure emerged from the darkness.
Seraphina's sharp eyes locked onto him instantly. Cloaked in black, his very presence seemed to distort reality.
"So, you've come," she said, unsheathing her blade. "The false emperor."
Cid remained silent, letting the moment drag on, allowing Seraphina to draw her own conclusions.
Then, he took a single step forward.
The trees behind him withered.
The knights behind Seraphina flinched, their grips tightening around their weapons.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. That pressure… it's real.
Her instincts screamed at her—this was no ordinary foe.
Cid lifted a hand. The shadows beneath him stretched, twisting unnaturally, swallowing the moonlight. He had no idea what he was doing, but the effect was perfect.
Seraphina raised her sword. "Then let's see if you're worthy of the title you've claimed."