In a dimly lit office, a man sat silently, sifting through a stack of documents. His fingers traced the edges of each page, his sight long stolen from him, yet his presence remained commanding. The room exuded an air of refinement—two opposing couches rested before his grand wooden desk, separated by a thick bear fur rug. Behind him, an enormous window stretched toward the ceiling, revealing the night sky adorned with the constellation of Sagittarius.


    As the man immersed himself in his papers, a knock echoed through the chamber. He paused, lifting his head slightly toward the door.


    "You may enter," he commanded, his voice smooth yet authoritative.


    The door creaked open, revealing two figures stepping inside—King and Gil, returning from their mission.


    "We have returned, sir," Gil announced.


    "I can see that," the man replied coolly.


    "We came to report—" Gil began, only to be silenced as the man raised a single, commanding index finger.


    "Though I am blind, I need no eyes to perceive the state you''re in," he said, his voice laced with quiet menace. "Both of you were injured. I expect a brief but thorough explanation. Understood?"


    A suffocating aura filled the room, pressing against their chests. Beads of sweat trickled down their already dirt-streaked faces.


    "Yes, sir," they answered in unison.


    "Address me properly," he ordered.


    "Yes, Sagittarius Lüge Wirklichkeit."


    Lüge Wirklichkeit—one of the Twelve Zodiacs. His golden locks were impeccably groomed, his beard well-maintained, exuding both wisdom and regality. Though he lacked sight, his awareness surpassed that of most men; he could sense the slightest shift, the most minute presence. The Twelve Zodiacs were the pinnacle of the World Federation’s power, the unwavering guardians who had shaped history, their influence instrumental in ending the war five decades prior.


    As Gil began recounting their mission in Prosperum, Lüge’s expression darkened with every word. His disappointment seeped into the air like a slow-moving storm, his features twisted in growing irritation.


    "You have both failed me," he said coldly. "Gil, I assigned you as King’s partner because your fighting styles were meant to complement one another. And yet, I hear you allowed King to face August Magnus alone?"


    Gil swallowed hard. "Sir, there were two of them, so—"


    "So what?" Lüge interrupted, his voice like the crack of a whip. "You struggled against a mere child—one who had only just acquired a Trinket. Do you not find that shameful?"


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    "Yes, sir," Gil murmured.


    Lüge’s piercing focus shifted to King.


    "Why do you remain silent?" he demanded. "Does Gil speak for you now? You always swear vengeance for your fallen people, yet when the moment presents itself, you falter."


    King lowered his head. "I apologize, sir."


    Lüge exhaled sharply, as though releasing the weight of his disappointment.


    "You may leave, King. I will speak with Gil alone."


    "Yes, sir."


    With stiff movements, King turned and exited, leaving the two men alone. Lüge rose from his chair, his golden mane illuminated by the starlight spilling through the window.


    "I wish to meet this boy," he declared.


    Meanwhile, in the dead of night, Adrian’s slumber was shattered by the sudden crash of their ship. He shot upright, heart pounding. Scrambling to his feet, he rushed toward the upper deck.


    Stepping outside, he peered over the ship’s edge, his breath hitching at the eerie landscape before him. A vast beach of black sand stretched outward, leading into a dense forest of crimson-red trees. Above them, the sky churned with ominous dark clouds.


    Creepy, Adrian thought.


    Determined to get a better vantage point, he climbed to the ship’s highest mast and scanned the horizon. But there was nothing—no movement, no sign of life.


    "Adrian! What’s going on?" Emily’s voice called from below.


    He turned to see her standing on the deck.


    "Not sure!" he yelled back before leaping down, landing with a forceful thud that made the ship sway slightly.


    "What did you see?" she asked.


    "Just those weird red trees. Couldn’t make out anything else," he said, brushing the dust off his clothes. "Where’s everyone?"


    "I tried waking them up, but… they won’t wake," Emily admitted, concern lacing her voice.


    A chill ran down Adrian’s spine. His face paled.


    "Are they… dead?"


    "No, they''re still breathing. Just… unconscious."


    Relief washed over Adrian, and he exhaled deeply. "Thank the gods."


    "But why are we awake?" Emily questioned. "If this island is responsible… then what is this place? The black sand, the red trees, the clouds—it all feels unnatural."


    "You’re right," Adrian said. "Let’s check it out."


    Before he could take a step, Emily grabbed his wrist, stopping him. She scanned him from head to toe, her expression unimpressed.


    "You’re going out in that?"


    Adrian glanced down at his ragged clothes. "What’s wrong with it?"


    "I fixed your outfit. It’s in your room," she said.


    His eyes lit up. "Seriously?! Thanks, Emily!"


    Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight hug. She stiffened, her heartbeat hammering in her chest. A faint floral scent clung to her—soft, fresh, like a flower just beginning to bloom.


    Adrian, oblivious to her flustered expression, released her and hurried off to change. Emily, left standing there, pressed a hand to her racing heart.


    Why am I so nervous? she wondered.


    Inside his room, Adrian marveled at his newly restored outfit. The familiar sweater was now refined—its missing sleeve replaced, adorned with additional stars on the front. The tattered collar had been modified into a button-up style, fastened with polished white buttons. His pants were swapped for sleek black leather shorts, and he had new black sneakers with white accents that perfectly completed the look.


    Slipping into his refreshed attire, he studied himself in the mirror, a newfound confidence settling over him.


    Stepping onto the deck once more, he carried himself with a new air of certainty. Emily watched him ascend from below, her gaze lingering on him. From his silver-white hair to the polished new shoes, he looked almost like someone else entirely.


    "Let’s go check this place out!" Adrian grinned.


    Emily exhaled, shaking her head with an amused smile.


    "You’re way too excited."