《Reaper's Assassins》 The Empty Valley The air was cold and silent, the only sound being heard was the cool wind. Suddenly there was a deep loud voice that cut through. ¡°COME OUT!! I DON¡¯T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR IDIOTIC GAMES!!¡± A tall man with long orange hair and brown eyes yells. He is standing on an open cliff, with small rocks lying around him. ¡°¡­Ngngh.¡± This made him roll his eyes. Zombie-like creatures with unhooked jaws and eyes hanging from their sockets crawl from the ground and slowly limp towards him. ¡°Tch¡­ Sending those damn underlings. Couldn¡¯t you be at least a little respectful, bitch?¡± He scowls. He reaches his hand out, the rocks around him floating and slowly forming into a large hammer. He grips the handle and dashes toward them jumping and slamming down. A loud crash is heard causing a hole to be formed in the middle of the cliff nearly splitting it in half. The creatures fly back and land with a splat turning into black goop. The man stands at the edge of his destruction and looks down with disdain. ¡°Is this really all you¡¯ve got Yin Xingjuan? Tch just proves how worthless my siblings are to have lost to you,¡± Theseus¡¯s voice dripped with disdain as he shook his head. ¡°Well, I suppose you¡¯ll at least die in honor at the hands of ¡®The Great Theseus, God of Creation¡¯¡± he laughs as he hears commotion at the bottom of the hole. Theseus looks down and watches as the goop starts to move wrapping with each other. Slowly a large beast is formed and stares down at Theseus. ¡°HAHAHAHAHA Finally something more interesting. But no matter,¡± Theseus dashes toward the beast swinging his hammer down. The beast grabs the hammer throwing Theseus back. Theseus lands with ease and slams down into the ground lifting large boulders and sending them toward the beast. ¡°RAAAAAAAAH,¡± the beast says as it runs toward Theseus swinging its arms. The boulders hit one of his legs knocking it down as it screams again. Theseus runs towards it grabbing a small rock from the ground. He jumps on the beast throwing the rock on it before jumping away. Theseus puts his hands together as a bright aura surrounds him. The rock on the beast suddenly gets larger as it begins to crush the beast.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°AAARGH¡± the beast screams. ¡°You¡¯re finished. Just give up already.¡± Theseus says as he stands on a rock and floats in the air. Theseus raised his hand, his aura blazing as he shouted, ¡°Face divine punishment!¡± A large meteorite begins to form as Theseus waves his arm. The meteorite slowly falls as the beast struggles to move under the large rock. There¡¯s a loud boom as the beast screams one last time. Theseus lands on the ground silently. ¡°Are we done with these games now?¡± he says as he hears small footsteps behind him. ¡°Always. So. Aggressive¡­¡± a small and slightly childish voice spoke. Theseus swiftly turned around as he glared at the person. They have long silver hair with pink tips with pink and purple heterochromia eyes, small cracks seeming to replace their pupils as if a small motion with shatter their eyes to pieces, and a small mole on their chin. Suddenly the cliff shakes as the black goop from the beast rises and dashes toward them. Theseus gets ready to fight but it goes past him and towards the mysterious person. They collect it in their veins causing them to shine black for a bit. They lean their head back and laugh. ¡°Look at you, so eager to fight,¡± Xingjuan said with a wicked grin. ¡°You¡¯ll end up just like the other gods.¡± Xingjuan raises their arm, the black goo rising from their veins to form sharp black claws, as they dash at Theseus. He scoffs. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this,¡± he raises his hand again, his aura shining brighter than ever as another meteor comes down. Xingjuan stops their attack and looks up. The meteor comes down and hits them. Theseus smiles before his face goes blank. Suddenly the meteor gets cut in half as Xingjuan flies at him. Their sharp claws slash at him as he blocks. He then kicks them back knocking them to the ground and lands. The goo unbeknownst to him starts to drip into his skin. ¡°Is that all you-¡± Theseus starts to talk before gasping and clutching his chest as blood pours from his mouth. ¡°h-huh?¡± He looks down and sees a hole in his chest with black goo around it. He slowly looks back up and notices his heart in Xingjuan¡¯s hands, no longer sharp. They stare at him almost like a child before biting down on the heart smiling. ¡°It¡¯s ironic. Your heart tastes sweeter than I expected,¡± Xingjuan said, laughing as they savored the moment before throwing it over the cliff. ¡°Buh-bye,¡± they say as they tap Theseus knocking him back. He grabs onto their shirt. ¡°If I die then I¡¯ll make sure you suffer for me and my siblings!¡± He glows. ¡°Be crystalized.¡± Theseus then falls off the cliff turning into rocks as they all land with small taps. Xingjuan looks down noticing that their arm is starting to crystallize. They stare in shock before smiling. ¡°HAHAHAHAHA¡­ Oh how lucky I am. This is going to be so much fun,¡± they say as they teleport away. All that is left is a gentle breeze that sways over the destroyed battlefield. A young girl named Dawn 5,000 Years Later... ¡°And... Ta-Da!!¡± Dawn exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement as she held up the tray of cupcakes. Her short black hair was neatly tied back, and her dark blue eyes sparkled with anticipation. She turned to her father, who offered a warm smile. ¡°Is the tea ready, Father?¡± ¡°Yes, Dawn just wait a second,¡± the man, with blue slightly gray hair and purple eyes, responds tiredly. Dawn¡¯s excitement was palpable as she bounced on her toes, almost losing her balance. ¡°Oops,¡± she murmured with a sheepish grin, catching her father''s weary glance. Her gaze begins to drift nervously around the kitchen as if sensing a shift in the air. ¡®Something seems wrong...¡± Dawn thinks as she feels a chill down her spine. Her father sighs before grabbing the teapot and cups and heading out the door. She notices his departure and shakes off the feeling following behind him. ¡°Mom!! They¡¯re done!¡± She yells. Dawn runs, tray in hand, towards her mom before her brother, holding his head in annoyance, yells ¡°Are you an idiot? Don¡¯t run with that.¡± He gets up and snatches the tray away sitting on the table as Dawn deflates. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t snatch from me Makoto,¡± she tries to defend herself before Makoto glares at her, his purple eyes piercing through her, causing her to go silent. He puts his hand in his dirty-blonde hair and pushes it back sighing at his sister¡¯s ignorance. ¡°Calm down, your sister was just excited,¡± the mom says as Makoto sits with a ¡®humph.¡¯ Dawn goes over to take the seat near her mom, both of their deep blue eyes meeting each other, before her father can sit. ¡°She wasn¡¯t too much of a headache was she Hakai?¡± She says hugging Dawn as she talks to her husband. Dawn feels that something is wrong once again. She looks around blocking out the conversation with her family before her mother¡¯s question snaps her out of it. ¡°Oh? You remembered?¡± Her mom looked at her with a smile, the lights causing her dirty-blonde hair to shine. Dawn looks around confused before she remembers the homemade lemon frosting, her mom¡¯s favorite, that she made. ¡°OH!! Of course I did!!¡± Dawn shouted excitedly as she reached for her tea, a faint, uneasy feeling began to stir in her gut. ¡®Why do I keep feeling like something bad will happen... Maybe I¡¯m just nervous? Yeah, that must be it... I¡¯m just nervous cause my mom is trying my cupcakes, and I made them for her... yeah¡¯ Dawn thinks trying to calm herself down as she brushes it off with a forced smile not noticing at this time that the person right next to her has moved something. Mizu, Dawn¡¯s mom, puts the cup to her lips and takes a sip. A few moments go by before time suddenly seems to slow down. Dawn looks over and notices that something is wrong with her mom. ¡°...Mom, are you alright?¡± Dawn¡¯s voice trembled as she tuned to her mother, Hakai and Makoto stop their own conversation looking over in confusion. Dawn¡¯s heart begins to race as Mizu¡¯s hand slipped from her grasp, her body slumping backwards. ¡°MOM?!¡± Dawn¡¯s scream shattered the calm as Hakai and Makoto shot up, their faces a mix of shock and fear. Mizu¡¯s eyes glazed over, rolling back as her mouth began to froth with a disturbing, bubbling foam. Panic surged through Dawn as she watched her mother¡¯s condition deteriorate. ¡°What the hell?¡± Hakai says suddenly angered. He runs over to Mizu and lifts her on the couch. ¡°One of you call the authorities. NOW!¡± Makoto¡¯s face contorted with urgency fumbling with it. His hands shook as he dialed 119, his voice trembling as he relayed the emergency. Dawn, heart pounding, rushed to Hakai, her eyes wide with fear. ¡°Father what¡¯s happening? Is mom going to be, okay?¡± ¡°Be quiet!¡± Hakai¡¯s voice was a harsh command, and Dawn flinched, stepping back with a frightened nod. Hakai walks over to his wife ¡°Mizu! Stay awake.¡± Dawn glances over at Makoto, whose face was twisted with anger. ¡°Are they coming Makoto?¡± she asks as he glares at her. ¡°What-¡± she starts before he pushes her down. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend like this isn¡¯t your fault,¡± he yells still on the phone. Haai turns toward them as Dawn sits on the floor in shock. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m dumb Dawn?!¡± ¡°W-what are you talking about?¡± Dawn stutters in confusion. Hakai stands up and looks toward the two. ¡°Mother¡¯s choking started right after she drank the tea you made. You think you¡¯re clever, don¡¯t you? Did you really expect me not to notice?¡± he yelled, the authorities still on the other line. ¡°What are you talking about? I didn¡¯t poison anyone, especially not our mom-¡± ¡°My mom you mean... I told them not to have another child and now look, ungrateful bitch. She gave you everything and you killed her,¡± As the room grew colder, Makoto¡¯s gaze hardened. His steps were slow, deliberate, each one echoing his growing fury. The icy chill seemed to coil around him, amplifying the tension as he moved menacingly toward Dawn, his phone cracking from the temperature. ¡°W-wait what are you doing?¡± Dawn says as she tries to get up her hands frozen to the floor. ¡°Dealing with the problem before it gets worse,¡± he dashes as Dawn ready to attack. ¡°MAKOTO QUIT IT!!¡± Hakai screams. Makoto stops, his hand an inch from her face. ¡°But why she killed mother,¡± Makoto says in anger. ¡°Even if she did something wrong, killing her won¡¯t solve anything,¡± Hakai said, his voice shaking with frustration. He gestured around at the freezing room. ¡°And look at this ice! You¡¯re making things worse. This cold will only speed up her decline, and you¡¯ll be guilty of that too.¡± Makoto seems to notice the room and slowly calms down. He looks back at Dawn disgusted as a knock is heard. Hakai dashed to the front door, his breath coming in ragged bursts. The ambulance¡¯s flashing lights pierced through the gloom, its arrival a stark contrast to the chaos inside. Paramedics swiftly took Mizu, their movements efficient but impersonal. Dawn watched in stunned silence, the gravity of the situation sinking in. She couldn¡¯t move, speak or even listen. She sat there as the last twenty minutes of her life replayed repeatedly. She couldn¡¯t process anything around her, the cold air from Makoto¡¯s attack earlier making it hard to breathe. Soon her breathing began to quicken, as her eyes teared up. Her body shaking from the cold temperatures and slow realization that she could have killed Mizu. The ambulance seems to note this as they pick up her almost limp body and put her in the emergency vehicle, fearing for her health. When Dawn finally notices where they are, she is lying on one of the emergency room beds hooked up to a breathing machine.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡®Did I have another asthma attack?¡¯ Dawn wonders as she looks around before her eyes widen. ¡°MOM!!¡± she screams as she tries to sit up, almost pulling the machine she¡¯s hooked up to off. The doctor in the room notices and runs over. ¡°Woah there young lady please calm down. Your mom is in the room next door with your father and brother don¡¯t worry,¡± he sats in a gentle voice. ¡°You started to have a panic attack which caused your asthma to flare up so we had to hook you up since you could not use your inhaler in that state. However, the respirator wasn¡¯t working very well so we had to take more drastic measures.¡± ¡°I want to see my mom,¡± Dawn states completely ignoring the doctor. ¡°You have to wait. You¡¯re still wheezing and if I take you off this machine you could die,¡± the doctor looks at her sympathetically. ¡°I DON¡¯T CARE I WANT TO SEE MY MOM!!¡± Dawn shouts starting to take off hooks as the doctor tries to stop her. ¡°Stop you could get yourself killed. I promise once you stabilize, I will take you over there,¡± the doctor tries to plead. Dawn begins to glow with a blue hue, her water magic about to burst. ¡°Dawn quit it.¡± a deep voice says. Dawn stops in her tracks and looks up seeing Hakai. ¡°Father-¡± ¡°Mizu is dead,¡± Hakai says coldly. ¡°She died while you were unconscious. So, there is no point in rushing to get over there.¡± Dawn stares silently, not able to mutter a single word as the doctor stares in shock at Hakai¡¯s blatantness. She tries to open her mouth, but nothing comes out except syllables and unfinished sentences. ¡°She- I-...¡± Dawn stutters as her vitals go unstable again as her breathing becomes erratic. The doctor alerts the staff as multiple nurses rush in. They try and calm Dawn down as Hakai is pushed out of the room. He walks over to Makoto, sitting on one of the chairs in Mizu¡¯s room. The doctors try to soothe Dawn as they lay her down hooking her back up to the respirator so they can get her breathing under control. Dawn eyes close unwillingly as she hears a soothing song Mizu always used to sing. When her eyes open again, she is laying in sand. She immediately recognizes this as her mother¡¯s magic. She looks around trying to find her mother in this dream world. ¡°Mom,¡± she says softly as she sees her Mizu humming the song near the beach. Her Mizu looks up with a small smile as she motions for her to sit down. Dawn walks over sitting down next to her, the water aggressively splashing reaching up to their hands. ¡°Calm down dear. This may be my dream world, but I¡¯m not too strong now due to my recent passing. You can still affect the water here and we don¡¯t want a tsunami, right?¡± Mizu jokes, Dawn lets out a deep breath as she looks over. ¡°You¡¯re really dead?¡± she tears up. Mizu sighs, hugging her. ¡°Physically yes, however, as long as you still remember me, I¡¯ll still be here,¡± she says in a soft tone. ¡°But... I killed you. Why- why would you want me to remember you,¡± Dawn says in-between sobs. Mizu¡¯s face becomes serious. ¡°You did nothing of the sort. Makoto doesn¡¯t think before he speaks pay him no mind,¡± she scowls. ¡°The tea though, you choked on it because of me-¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t you had nothing to do with this and no matter what Makoto, Hakai, or the Legion says know that this isn¡¯t your fault,¡± Mizu states. ¡°Huh? The Legion? Why would they-¡± Dawn begin to ask but Mizu is starting to fade. ¡°Look I don¡¯t have much time, so listen carefully, they¡¯re going to blame you for my death, when that happens you need to run. Don¡¯t stop running until someone with reddish-violet hair grabs you. You will then follow her, okay? She¡¯ll take you somewhere safe,¡± Mizu states. ¡°Wait what? Why would they blame me, the Legion has the power to see the past they should know who did it so-¡± Dawn starts asking frantic questions as she tenses. The water by them becomes restless. Mizu cuts her shaking her head. ¡°I love you, and no matter what I will always be there,¡± Mizu smiles as she disappears. Dawn wakes back up on the hospital bed looking around. The doctors all look at her with a smile. ¡°SHE¡¯S ALIVE!!¡± They scream in joy. Dawn looks at the rook before closing her eyes hoping to go back to the dream world to no avail. The door slowly opens revealing Makoto and Hakai. ¡°Call us if her condition worsens,¡± the head doctor tells as they leave the room Hakai walks over. ¡°Is your breathing, okay?¡± he asks as Makoto sits in the chair facing away. Dawn slightly opens her right eye before nodding. She then looks over at Makoto who glances with a scowl before a look of sorrow covers his face. Dawn notices and opens both of her eyes as she slowly sits up. ¡°Dad... can I speak to Dawn alone please,¡± Makoto asks. Hakai looks over suspiciously before nodding heading out the room. Makoto looks at Dawn before looking down. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes widen in shock at the apology. ¡°W-what?¡± ¡°If I hadn¡¯t froze the room your panic attack wouldn¡¯t have been as bad as it was, and mom would probably still be alive. I¡¯m sorry for blaming you... I- I know you didn¡¯t kill mom; I don¡¯t know why I would even accuse you of that. I was just so angry... no that sounds like I¡¯m making excuses,¡± he gets up and walks over tears streaming down his face. ¡°You could¡¯ve died because of me, I¡¯M SO SORRY!!¡± Dawn just stares in shock before smiling. ¡°Makoto...¡± she leans over hugging him. ¡°I didn¡¯t pass out from you, and mom¡¯s death had nothing to do with your magic.¡± ¡°But-¡± ¡°Makoto, it is neither of our fault,¡± Dawn says in a hushed tone as Makoto wipes his eyes. ¡°But... if it wasn¡¯t because of us what could have happened?¡± Makoto moves back from Dawn as he begins to think. ¡°I¡¯m not sure but we¡¯ll figure it out together, and when we do, we¡¯ll avenge mom,¡± Dawn smiles feeling a new purpose, Makoto nods. ¡°The Legion has scheduled a trial since mom¡¯s death has been ruled a homicide. When they call out the murderer we¡¯ll get them,¡± Makoto states as Dawn¡¯s smile fades. She remembers the dream world and starts to speak before the door opens and Hakai enters. ¡°Sorry to cut your talk short,¡± he walks in handing the two plates of food, noticing Makoto¡¯s tear-stained face before looking at Dawn. ¡°Hear eat up, especially you Dawn.¡± The two of them nod, grabbing their respective plates and begin to eat. Dawn eats hastily, stuffing the lasagna in her mouth before she even finished the first spoonful. ¡°Dawn!¡± Makoto says with a look of disgust as he slides his plate away from him, his appetite suddenly gone. ¡°That is gross.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± she said her mouth still full as she swallows. ¡°Father, Makoto said the Legion set a date for mom¡¯s trial. When will it be?¡± ¡°Tomorrow. We are an influential family, so they have prioritized your mom¡¯s death,¡± Hakai said as Dawn¡¯s eyes widened as fear began to envelope her body. ¡®Oh no! Mom said they¡¯d blame me, but why? I don¡¯t understand and a few hours isn¡¯t enough time to figure out what¡¯s wrong. Especially, not in this place,¡¯ Dawn thoughts flood with infinite possibilities. ¡°Can¡¯t we postpone it?¡± Dawn said shocking both Makoto and Hakai. ¡°WHAT!! WHY WOULD WE DO THAT?¡± Makoto asks in anger. ¡°Well, I-¡± Dawn has no response, she doesn¡¯t know how to explain herself without making her seem suspicious. ¡°We will not!¡± Hakai says in a stern tone. He glares at Dawn causing her to shiver. ¡°Sorry...¡± Dawn whispers. ¡°Now the doctors said they will discharge you in a few hours. Makoto and I will plan for your mother¡¯s funeral.¡± Hakai states before walking away Makoto following him. ¡°Call me if you need anything,¡± Makoto mouths to her. Dawn nods as she lays down wondering what to do. Hakai and Makoto leave the room as Hakai shuts the door. ¡°Your sister murdered her.¡± he says. Makoto stares in shock. ¡°What? What are you saying? Why would you-¡± ¡°Shut it boy. They found that she was poisoned, and it was in the tea. Your sister is the only one who had any involvement in that,¡± he says. Makoto wants to speak up but stays quiet looking at his father in fear. ¡°The sooner you accept that the sooner you can avenge your mother.¡± ¡°No! The Legion will prove you wrong¡± he yells before a loud ¡®smack¡¯ is heard. Makoto holds his cheek as Hakai looks at him in disappointment. ¡°You dare speak back to me little boy.¡± Hakai gives him a glare and walks away not waiting for him to catch up. Makoto holds his tongue as he silently follows. Dawn is sitting on what some would refer to as a death bed. ¡®I should just die here then if I¡¯m going to be charged with a crime I didn¡¯t commit. No, mom would be upset if I did that¡¯ Dawn groans in frustration. A few hours later she hears footsteps by her door before one of the doctors opens it slowly. ¡°Dawn, you have been officially discharged, your father is waiting for you outside.¡± he says with a small smile. ¡°Thank you!¡± Dawn nearly jumps out of the bed almost pulling the machine down with her. ¡°Woah¡± one of the other doctors stop her. Dawn notices her reddish-violet hair and pitch-black eyes staring at her for a moment. The doctor smiles and helps her off safely. ¡°You¡¯re-¡± Dawn whispers as the lady shushes her before winking. She helps her walk over to Hakai and Makoto. ¡°Do stay safe Ms. Hamasaki,¡± the doctor smiled. Dawn nodded before walking over noticing Makoto¡¯s torn expression. ¡°Something wrong Makoto?¡± Dawn asks before thinking about it. ¡®What a dumb question Dawn, mom just died why would you ask that.¡¯ ¡°No... Just thinking about mom,¡± he says with a smile. Dawn nods understanding, Hakai motions for them to come along as they have a long trial to prepare themselves for. Dawn looks back at the hospital tears forming in her eyes as she closes her eyes picturing her mom for what she thinks is the last time. Nanami the Doctor The long and awaited day comes to Dawn¡¯s dismay. Her mind has been going back and forth between the nurse with reddish-violet hair to the Legion, who was about to frame her for the death of her own mother. She paced back and forth in her room trying to calm her breathing. Her door slowly opens, revealing her brother. ¡°Dawn, you need to calm down a little,¡± Makoto says, handing her an asthma pump. She stops pacing and grabs it, muttering thanks as she takes a puff. She begins to try and calm down before turning to Makoto. ¡°Can I tell you something?¡± Dawn said, slightly scared. ¡°Anything. We¡¯re family. We stick by each other no matter what,¡± he smiles. ¡°Well, when I was in the hospital-¡± suddenly Hakai burst into the door as if he was waiting for Dawn to start talking. ¡°Are you two ready to go now?¡± he says in a commanding tone. ¡°Yes.¡± Makoto says, ready to bring the perpetrators to justice. Dawn nods less eagerly looking sheepish. Hakai glares at her sending chills down her spine as he turns away and walks out the door. The courthouse was a monster of stone and judgment, its pillars reaching skyward like accusatory fingers. Dawn Hamasaki walked between her father Hakai and brother Makoto, each step feeling like she was marching towards her own funeral. The building seemed to breathe with a malevolent anticipation, its marble floors reflecting the nervous tremor in her steps. Her mind drifted back to the hospital. To her mother¡¯s final words. ¡±They¡¯re going to blame you for my death, when that happens you need to run.¡± Mizu¡¯s voice echoed in her memory, a haunting prophecy that now seemed terrifyingly real. The courthouse interior was a study in intimidation. Massive portraits of previous Legion judges lined the walls ¨C faces carved from stone, eyes that seemed to follow her with cold, unforgiving scrutiny. Dawn¡¯s breath began to shallow, her lungs tightening with the familiar warning signs of an impending asthma attack. Her fingers instinctively reached for the inhaler in her pocket, finding comfort in its familiar shape. Makoto stood beside her, his posture rigid. He had been different since their mother¡¯s death ¨C more controlled, more intense. His purple eyes scanned the room constantly, a predator ready to defend his territory. Dawn wondered if he still blamed her, even after his tearful apology in the hospital. Hakai said nothing. He never said much. His silence was a weapon more potent than any words, a pressure that crushed whatever resistance might bloom in its path. The courtroom fell Into an unnatural silence. No shuffling of papers. No whispered conversations. Just absolute, complete stillness. Then the voice came. Not from a person. Not from anywhere specific. It was everywhere and nowhere, a sound that seemed to originate from the very walls, the floor, the air itself. ¡°WE SEE ALL.¡± The Legion¡¯s proclamation wasn¡¯t a human voice. It was something else. Something that vibrated through bone and spirit, a sound that promised absolute knowledge.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°WITH OUR ALL-SEEING EYE, WE HAVE WITNESSED THE TRUTH OF MIZU HAMASAKI¡¯S MURDER.¡± Dawn¡¯s mind began to drift again. She thought about the cupcakes she had made. The lemon frosting her mother loved. The way Mizu¡¯s eyes had lit up when Dawn presented them. The last moment of pure, uncomplicated joy before everything shattered. *Something feels wrong.* The thought came unbidden. A whisper from some deep, primal part of her consciousness. Something was coming. Something terrible. ¡°THE KILLER IS-¡° The voice paused. A breath of anticipation filled the room. ¡°DAWN HAMASAKI.¡± Makoto¡¯s reaction was instantaneous and volcanic. ¡°YOU!¡± he screamed, his voice cracking with a mixture of betrayal and rage. ¡°YOU KILLED MOM!¡± Dawn stared in shock. This was different from his earlier apology in the hospital. Something had changed. ¡°Makoto, I didn¡¯t-¡° she started. ¡°LIAR!¡± he roared, lunging towards her. Guards instinctively moved to restrain him, but his fury broke through. ¡°You poisoned her! You killed the only person who ever truly loved us!¡± Tears streamed down Makoto¡¯s face, but they weren¡¯t tears of grief. They were tears of pure, uncontrolled anger. ¡°I trusted you! I defended you in the hospital, and this whole time YOU WERE THE MURDERER!¡± Hakai stood silent, his purple eyes cold and calculating. Dawn realized he wasn¡¯t trying to stop Makoto. He was watching. Evaluating. ¡°You made those cupcakes,¡± Makoto continued, his voice a venomous whisper that somehow carried through the entire courtroom. ¡°You prepared the tea. You were the only one who could have done this. Mom trusted you, and you KILLED HER!¡± His words were a physical assault. Each accusation felt like a knife, cutting deeper than any physical wound could. ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± Dawn shouted back, her voice breaking. ¡°I would never hurt Mom!¡± ¡°LIAR!¡± Makoto screamed again. ¡°The Legion sees all! They know the truth! YOU MURDERED OUR MOTHER!¡± The guards were closing in. Dawn could see them, hear their heavy footsteps. Something inside her began to crack. Water erupted from her hands. Not a controlled stream. Not a carefully crafted magical technique. Pure, raw emotion transformed into elemental power. The water burst forth like a living thing, a liquid shield that sent the first wave of guards sliding backwards. ¡°STOP HER!¡± Voices blended into a cacophony of chaos. Dawn¡¯s lungs burned. Her asthma screamed its protest with each desperate breath. But survival demanded movement. She ran. Her magic continued to flow erratically. Puddles formed and expanded. Guards slipped and crashed into each other. Her breath came in ragged gasps, each inhalation a battle between terror and physical limitation. A hand grabbed her. Strong. Precise. Dr. Nanami Mazoku ¨C a woman who defied simple description. Her skin was the color of rich bronze, a beautiful testament to her mixed African and Japanese heritage. Reddish-violet hair framed a face marked by intelligence and determination. Pitch-black eyes assessed the situation with predatory calculation. ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± Nanami whispered. They moved like liquid shadow. Through maintenance corridors. Down spiral staircases. Into the city¡¯s underground sewer system. The sounds of pursuit faded, replaced by the drip of water and the echo of their footsteps. Dawn¡¯s magic was spent. Her body was a trembling mess of exhaustion and fear. Nanami moved with a grace that suggested this wasn¡¯t her first escape, her movements deliberate and practiced. A hidden door. A silent slide. And then ¨C sanctuary. Dawn collapsed, her body finally surrendering to exhaustion. Five figures greeted her arrival with remarkable nonchalance. One stretched across a worn leather couch, casually consuming dried fruit. Another sat cross-legged on the floor, a knife twirling between skilled fingers like an extension of their hand. A third read a book, completely unbothered by the dramatic entrance. The fourth was absorbed in some electronic device, fingers moving with rapid precision. The fifth simply stared. Unblinking. Unmoving. Nanami¡¯s voice cut through the silence. ¡°She¡¯s here.¡± Five pairs of eyes turned towards Dawn. Predators sizing up their newest companion. Or their next meal. The room hummed with unspoken intentions. Dragons "Hm, she seems worse for wear,¡± one of them finally spoke. Setting her device down the lady walks over. ¡°Poor thing.¡± She says her eyes shiny with a bright orange as she leans over Dawn. ¡®There are clocks in her eyes?¡¯ Dawn stares at her. She grabs Dawn¡¯s arm pulling her up as she carries her over. ¡°Satoshi get the poor thing some water,¡± she tells a young boy. Satoshi sets down the fruit and rushes to the kitchen grabbing a cup and filling it with water. ¡°Here,¡± he says handing it to her. Dawn stares in silence observing the people around her. The lady that picked her up had black hair and... ¡®Wait...¡¯ Dawn thinks, ¡®her eyes were just orange now they¡¯re yellow? Am I seeing things??¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s your name child?¡± The lady with yellow? Eyes asked handing off the cup. ¡°Oh... um Dawn. Dawn Hamasaki,¡± she stutters out taking a sip. ¡°I¡¯m Miu Azula,¡± she smiles. Dawn nods setting the cup down. ¡°Geez Nanami you have the poor girl stuttering and exhausted.¡± ¡°I saved her, I am not carrying her too.¡± Nanami says in a defensive tone. ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s already too many people here. It¡¯s going to be crowded,¡± a new voice says. Dawn looks over as a young girl around her age sets down her book and gets up. She has long black hair and blue eyes. However, her skin is a pale gray color. ¡®Hm? She looks so familiar. Who do I know with freckles and pointy ears?¡± Dawn thinks as she closes her eyes trying to remember all the people she has met. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that angry tomato,¡± a knife clatters on the floor as blonde hair floods Dawn¡¯s vision. ¡°Hi~ I am Celestial Neuville, my friends call me Celeste.¡± Dawn nods as Celestial shakes her hand with unseen force. ¡°Welcome Dawn to the Dragons. We¡¯re the bringers of justice ready to strike down the evil Legion.¡± ¡°No one even agreed to that dumbass name Celestial.¡± The pale girl grumbles. ¡°I guess since I must introduce myself I will. I am Soo-Hun.¡± ¡®Soo-Hun? Nope never met her hm that¡¯s weird...¡¯ Dawn wondered. ¡°My mom already said my name earlier but I¡¯m Satoshi,¡± Dawn turned back at the boy, his green eye sparkling as he smiled. He has the same hair color as Miu but a mysterious scar on his right eye. ¡®Is he blind in one eye?¡¯ Dawn observes before noticing movement. She looks over at the last person in the room. ¡®I almost forgot she was here¡¯ The woman has short black hair, her eyes a beautiful shade of pink and the same pointy ears as Soo-Hun. Dawn waits for her to introduce herself, but she remains silent. ¡°That¡¯s Soo-Jin" Nanami says instead. ¡°She¡¯s probably in her own little world and hasn¡¯t bothered to notice you yet.¡± ¡°O-oh...¡± Dawn says a little deflated at being ignored. ¡°On to other things,¡± Nanami moves on walking in front of the group. ¡°Dawn listen carefully. We are offering to let you stay here until we all clear our names from the Legion.¡± ¡°We? You guys were also-¡± ¡°Yes. Everyone here was wrongfully blamed for a crime by the Legion,¡± Nanami continued seeming annoyed at the interruption. ¡°If you do not want to stay here that is fine, however, I will knock you out and take your memories of this place. We cannot afford any mistakes.¡± Dawn eyes widen at the thought of being knocked unconscious by someone. ¡°Geez don¡¯t scare the poor thing,¡± Miu argues, her eyes now a shade of green as the clocks tick. ¡®Okay now I know I¡¯m not crazy... maybe it has something to do with her magic?¡± Dawn reasons. ¡°Ms. Nanami... I accept I want to prove to my brother that I did not harm our mother and find her killer!¡± Nanami nods silently. ¡°Soo-Jin please show her to her room.¡± She looks at Soo-Jin who raises her eyebrow. ¡°Because Miu and I have other things to do, just please.¡± Soo-Jin nods, getting up from her chair floating just a few inches above the floor. She motions for Dawn to follow. ¡°So, your magic is wind that¡¯s so cool. I always wanted to fly but it is hard with water,¡± Dawn chuckles. Soo-Jin does not respond continuing to float ahead. ¡°Um... you must have a lot of aura if you can float everywhere. That must take a lot out of you.¡± ¡°...¡± Dawn is met with more silence. ¡°Are you Soo-Hun''s mom? You guys have the same hair and pointy ears... Like Mine!¡± Dawn smiles. At that question Soo-Jin nods. ¡®At least she responded I suppose,¡¯ Dawn reasons as they arrive at a door. Soo-Jin does not speak but her actions say enough. Dawn opens the door seeing an blank room. ¡®A bed, dressers and windows, that¡¯s all? Guess I¡¯ll have to decorate myself...¡¯ ¡°Um... Thank you Ms. Soo- HUH?¡± Dawn turns around to see no one. ¡°I guess she already left.¡± Dawn walks inside and lays on the bed, her body immediately giving out. ¡®Damn didn¡¯t realize how tired I was...¡¯ her eyes closed. There is a loud crash as Dawn jumps awake, ¡°What the-?¡± She hops off the bed and runs out of her room. What she finds is nothing. The others are just sitting around the living room as if she was the only one who heard the crash. ¡°Um... What was that noise?¡± Dawn asks quietly. ¡°Ramira. She has night terrors sometimes. You¡¯ll get used to it,¡± Celestial responded. ¡°Night terrors? Wait who is Ramira?¡± Questions swirl in Dawn¡¯s brain. ¡°Oh, she was asleep when you arrived,¡± Satoshi answered. ¡°Sorry we forgot to mention her.¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°Mention who? Me?¡± a voice comes. Dawn turns around to see a girl with grey eyes and short purple hair. Her purple glasses made her eye color pop, as her caramel skin shines in the light. ¡°Are you Ramira?¡± Dawn asked. ¡°Hm? Yes. And you¡¯re the recruit Ms. Mazoku mentioned.¡± Ramira stated matter-of-factly. Dawn nodded. ¡°Ms. Mazoku, I seemed to have broken one of the windows, do we still have the materials to fix it?¡± Ramira started walking past Dawn. ¡®Huh? A window, what type of night terrors are these?¡¯ Dawn thought. ¡°You broke it again?¡± Nanami asked as she sighed. Ramira nodded as she opened the cabinet to pull something out. She walks back to her room and closes her door. ¡°You would think she would move her bed from her window especially considering how smart she is.¡± Miu says while laughing. ¡°What type of night terrors break windows...¡± Dawn whispers. ¡°Ramira¡¯s obviously. She never expands on what they are about, but we respect her privacy,¡± Celestial whispers back. Dawn jumps not expecting to be heard. Celestial chuckles walking toward her room. ¡°Tomorrow we will have a meeting... something came up,¡± Nanami said before walking into the kitchen. ¡°Uh oh... that means something bad has happened,¡± Miu smirks patting Dawn on the back. ¡°Don¡¯t look so worried Dawn it won¡¯t be anything to bad and plus the three adults here won¡¯t allow you to be hurt.¡± Dawn nods looking around noticing Soo-Jin. She seemed to be muttering to herself before she scoffed. Miu notices it as well, frowning. ¡°Hey Soo-Jin,¡± Miu walks over, putting her arm around Soo-Jin, who looks annoyed. She then drags her away and Dawn swears she saw red in Soo-Jin''s eyes. ¡®Why are everyone¡¯s eyes changing colors. Ms. Miu¡¯s could be from her magic but what about Ms. Soo-Jin''s? Her magic is wind which shouldn¡¯t affect her eyes... Could she be? No there¡¯s no way she¡¯s a Reaper, right?¡¯ Dawn¡¯s thoughts run wild. ¡®Reapers are when a Lunar and a human or mage share a body. Usually the human/mage is the host, and the Lunar is like a parasite. At least that¡¯s what my father explained to me.¡¯ ¡°Something wrong?¡± Satoshi asked. ¡°No... I¡¯m just tired,¡± Dawn smiled and turned around to walk away. She arrived at her room, her mind still wandering. ¡®Father often said Reapers are bad people and cause war but... if Ms. Soo-Jin is a Reaper is she bad?¡¯ Dawn pondered endlessly as she lay down closing her eyes. The next morning came as Dawn sat up groggily. ¡°Ugh I hate mornings,¡± she complained as she looked around. ¡®Oh right... I¡¯m not at home anymore.¡¯ Yesterday replayed in Dawn¡¯s head. ¡®Oh right Ms. Nanami wanted us to meet... But what do I wear I have no other clothes...¡¯ Dawn sighed as she stood up and walked out her clothes from the previous day feeling sticky and gross. She reached the living room seeing everyone else. ¡°You made it,¡± Celestial smiled. ¡°And you look gross,¡± Soo-Hun added getting up. ¡°We look like we wear the same size, come on.¡± Dawn stood in shock at not only the insult but the demand. She then nodded following her. ¡°Soo-Hun can I ask a question?¡± ¡°Do as you please and most people minus one call me Ruby.¡± Soo-Hun stated opening her door. It was filled with supplies and disorganized. She had steel and forging materials all over the place. The only clean section was a small corner with a picture of what looked like Soo-Jin and a small boy. Weirdly enough, Dawn noticed the little boy looked like he could be her brother. ¡®Same skin, eyes and freckles? He looks more like me than Makoto does...¡¯ Dawn thought. ¡°Who is he?¡± ¡°None of your business. Here,¡± Soo-Hun tossed some black shorts and a purple shirt at Dawn. ¡°Take a bath too, you stink.¡± ¡°Thanks, I guess...¡± she mumbles. She walked to the bathroom and took a shower. Feeling rejuvenated she skips out and heads back to the living room. ¡°Thanks Rubes I feel much better,¡± she smiles. ¡°I said Ruby not whatever that is.¡± Dawn just chuckled as she sat down. ¡°Now that we¡¯re all here shall we begin Nanami?¡± Miu speaks. ¡°Yes. There is someone named Anuva. He is a Reaper and enemy number one at the moment. He has somehow figured out our whereabouts and intends on giving them to the Legion.¡± Nanami starts. ¡°What Lunar is he hosting?¡± Celestial asks. ¡°Enmei, the elemental being. From what I know Anuva has no magic of his own, but Enmei can use any element making him quite formidable.¡± Ramira begins to explain. ¡®How does she know all that¡¯ Dawn wondered. ¡°Ramira is correct. However, that aside we need to deal with him. Think of this also as a test to see where you children are at physically.¡± Nanami continues, ¡°He isn¡¯t very strong so the three of us will stand aside and allow you guys to handle this. Of course, we¡¯ll step in when needed.¡± ¡°You want us to fight a Reaper, on our own?¡± Satoshi asks. ¡°Yes.¡± Nanami states. There is silence before Dawn speaks. ¡°Um... I don¡¯t have any of my stuff... including my weapon. My magic isn¡¯t the best so...¡± ¡°Ruby?¡± Nanami looks over as Soo-Hun sighs. ¡°Fine.¡± She gets up and walks over. ¡°Weapon type, and characteristics in full detail now.¡± ¡°Um... two handed sword, heavy and um color doesn¡¯t matter. Well, it does but you know...¡± Dawn began to stutter. Soo-Hun sighed, grabbing her and dragging her back to her room. She then guides Dawn to a back room filled with weapons and tables of materials. ¡°Look around and pick one, tell me any adjustments needed. If we are to fight, we don¡¯t need you holding us back because you can¡¯t speak up.¡± ¡°Um... Alright,¡± Dawn looks around taking soft steps as if anything too big will break the beautiful display of weaponry. She spots a silver dagger and stops. The dagger is shiny and glimmers in the light. ¡°Woah this is pretty.¡± ¡°I thought you used a sword?¡± Soo-Hun comments. ¡°I do... Maybe if it isn¡¯t too much could you make a sword that looks like this? Unless it is a lot of work then it¡¯s fine you...¡± Soo-Hun ignores her as she grabs the dagger and walks away. ¡°Now scram I will tell you when it is done.¡± Dawn nods awkwardly as she leaves the room walking past the picture from before. She stops looking at it once more but continues on. ¡°It might take a little bit of time,¡± Dawn says as she walks back out. The others look over and nod. ¡°That¡¯s fine we aren¡¯t in too much of a hurry,¡± Nanami states as she gets up and walks into the kitchen. ¡°I have a question,¡± Satoshi said. ¡°Hm?¡± Nanami asked. ¡°How will you know if we need help? I mean you three won¡¯t be there so that makes it hard and I doubt we¡¯ll have time to call you,¡± he explains. ¡°Hm that¡¯s simple. I¡¯ll just use my all-seeing eye... oh.¡± Nanami speaks before realizing her mistake. The room becomes quiet as we stare at each other. ¡°And you always complain about us not thinking before we speak,¡± Miu jokes as the tension is thick. ¡°What the fuck do you mean all-seeing eye?¡± They hear Soo-Hun as we turn. She comes out holding the same dagger in her hand. She walks over and tosses it to Dawn. ¡°Press the button on the bottom and it forms into a sword.¡± ¡°Ms. Nanami would you like to elaborate on your all-seeing eye?¡± Ramira asked. ¡°As I assumed you all guessed... I am or was a part of the Legion. However, allow me to explain,¡± Nanami starts to speak. ¡°Explain what exactly how our number one enemy tricked us all?¡± Soo-Hun interrupts. ¡°Soo-Hun I think we should let her explain. I have a feeling it will make more sense,¡± Ramira states walking over to Soo-Hun who calms down and nods reluctantly. ¡°Thank you, Ramira. My wife and I originally formed the Legion to stop criminals and make this world a better place. It was going well at first until... The God of Control took over her brain and made her different. She began to falsely accuse people who were in the way of the Legion or Gods. I couldn¡¯t stand that, so I escaped and left. She caught me but I saw a glimmer in her eyes for a second she was in control and let me go, that¡¯s how I know I can save her.¡± Nanami explains as she looks down her expression now solemn. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Ms. Nanami,¡± Dawn talks. ¡°We¡¯ll do whatever it takes to save your wife and stop the Gods.¡± ¡°Speak for yourself. Who said I wanted to fight fucking Gods,¡± Soo-Hun complains. ¡°They¡¯ll come after you anyway so what does it matter?¡± Dawn asks back. ¡°Whatever just know when push comes to shove, I am not fighting Gods for anyone other than myself,¡± Soo-Hun said. Nanami just nods in response. ¡°I am not expecting anyone here to fight my battles. We all have our own goal it just seems now they align,¡± she explains. Soo-Hun nods walking toward Soo-Jin. "So how exactly are we going to take this Reaper guy down?" Dawn asked as Ramira smirked. "I have a plan would you all like to hear?" She does not wait for a response as she walks into the kitchen away from the three adults for Dawn and the others to follow. Soo-Hun walks past into the kitchen as Satoshi follows. "Might as well see what she has in mind," Celestial skips. Dawn sighs and follows already fearing for the worst. The Reapers Tower A flash of violet light enveloped them, the force of Nanami¡¯s teleportation magic twisting the air. For a split second, Dawn felt weightless, then the sensation of being yanked forward sent her stomach into knots. The world around her blurred, shapes warping, voices muffled¡ªuntil the teleportation ended as abruptly as it began. She stumbled, barely catching herself against a stone wall. The air was thick with dust, cold, and eerily stagnant. The massive stone walls towered above them, their surfaces worn and cracked with age. Faint engravings stretched along the corridors, depicting stories Dawn could not yet understand. A deep, unsettling energy pulsed beneath her feet. ¡°This,¡± Ramira¡¯s voice echoed through the still air, ¡°is the Reaper¡¯s Tower.¡± Dawn turned, looking behind her where Nanami still stood just outside the teleportation sigil she had drawn. Her pitch-black eyes surveyed the ruins with a quiet intensity. ¡°You¡¯re not coming in?¡± Dawn asked, catching her breath. Nanami¡¯s expression remained unreadable. ¡°I have other things to handle.¡± Soo-Hun scoffed. ¡°Sounds like an excuse to sit out a fight.¡± Nanami didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Believe what you want. I¡¯ll be waiting outside. Don¡¯t die.¡± And then, before anyone could protest, she disappeared in another pulse of violet energy. Ramira sighed. ¡°Figures.¡± Dawn frowned but turned back toward the corridor. The air inside felt heavier the further they walked, the silence pressing in on them. ¡°The Lunar hid here?¡± Satoshi finally broke the quiet, glancing at the old carvings on the walls. Ramira¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°Because they had nowhere else to go.¡± The weight in her voice sent a chill through Dawn¡¯s spine, but she held her tongue. They pressed on, the eerie silence stretching between them. It wasn¡¯t until they had walked for several minutes that Dawn finally spoke. ¡°You know a lot about this place,¡± she muttered. Ramira didn¡¯t look at her. ¡°I should.¡± ¡°Why?¡± A pause. Then, a quiet chuckle. ¡°Because I was cursed.¡± Dawn parted her lips to ask more, but before she could, the massive iron doors at the end of the hall creaked open. They had arrived. A dimly lit chamber stretched before them. At its center stood a man, draped in red and black robes, his long blonde hair cascading over his shoulders. His crimson eyes gleamed as he smirked, arms crossed in casual amusement. ¡°Ah,¡± Anuva mused, his voice laced with amusement. ¡°The fugitives finally arrive.¡± Dawn stiffened. There was something about him¡ªcontrolled, confident, and utterly unconcerned. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Ramira took a step forward. ¡°Save the theatrics. We know why you¡¯re here.¡± Anuva tilted his head, his smirk widening. ¡°Do you? Then you must also know how pointless this is. The Legion will find you soon enough, and when they do¡ª¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be long gone,¡± Ramira interrupted, voice sharp as steel. For the first time, Anuva¡¯s smirk faltered. His red eyes darkened, and then¡ª His body convulsed. A pulse of raw energy erupted from him, his head snapping upward as his limbs tensed unnaturally. A new voice rumbled through the chamber. ¡°Ah¡­ I was getting bored.¡± His eyes flickered¡ªa fiery orange, then a deep brown, then crackling yellow. The ground trembled. Flames erupted. Stone surged upward. The wind howled, slashing through the chamber like unseen blades. Lightning crackled around Anuva¡¯s form before a tidal wave of water surged forward. Dawn barely had time to react before fire shot toward her. She transformed her dagger into a sword with a press of the hidden button at the hilt, but the moment it expanded into a full blade, she stumbled, nearly dropping it. She swung with both hands, but the sluggishness of her movements left her wide open. As she barely managed to block the attack. Satoshi darted past her, dodging through the battlefield with rapid punches, his lightning-charged fists colliding with Enmei¡¯s earthen shields. Celestial fired her twin pistols, bullets infused with her magic, twisting through reality itself to find their target. Ramira¡¯s spear, once hidden as a simple ring, extended into its full deadly form. She moved with precision, her nature magic weaving vines through the cracks in the stone, trying to slow Enmei¡¯s movement. Soo-Hun, gripping her blood-forged sword, slashed through the air, her strikes controlled and brutal. Each wound she inflicted only added more fuel to her magic. Enmei laughed, his eyes flashing light blue as water swirled toward Celestial, but Dawn intercepted, countering with her own wave as she was starting to get use to the heaviness and learned to make it work. ¡°You fight well,¡± Enmei mused. ¡°But one of you¡­ ah, yes.¡± His smirk deepened. ¡°One of you is a God.¡± Silence fell between them, even as the elements raged around them. Dawn¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°What?¡± Satoshi snarled, lightning crackling at his knuckles. Enmei chuckled, his eyes flickering between orange and yellow. ¡°I was expecting a good fight, but now? Now I¡¯m truly interested.¡± Soo-Hun grit her teeth, gripping her sword tighter. ¡°Tch. What the hell are you talking about?¡± Enmei only laughed. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± Dawn¡¯s mind raced. ¡®A God? Here? That¡¯s impossible¡­ right?¡¯ The battlefield roared back to life. Soo-Hun lunged at Enmei, but his eyes flashed yellow, lightning crackling through the air as a bolt slammed into her. She screamed, body convulsing before she collapsed to her knees. ¡°Ruby!¡± Celestial shouted, grappling upward with her pistols, firing rapid shots. Enmei grinned, but his amusement wavered as Soo-Hun let out a low, growling laugh. ¡°You really think that¡¯s enough to stop me?¡± Blood dripped from her fingertips. She stood. The entire room pulsed. And then¡ª Crimson energy exploded outward. The sheer force of her magic cracked the walls, shattered the ground, and consumed Enmei in a vortex of destruction. His smirk vanished. "Shit¡ª¡± He tried to escape, eyes flickering blue as water surged around him, attempting to push back the explosion. But it was too late. The blast engulfed everything. ¡°You¡¯re on your own human,¡± Enmei muttered as he gave Anuva back control. Dawn barely managed to summon a shield, water forming into a protective dome as Ramira¡¯s vines coiled around them, reinforcing it. The tower trembled. And then¡ªsilence. As the dust settled, Anuva¡¯s body lay motionless, blonde hair sprawled around him like a fallen king. Enmei was gone. Soo-Hun stood in the center, blood-stained and silent. Ramira exhaled. ¡°Well, that went better than expected. Seemed the plan worked¡± Dawn turned to her, eyes wide. ¡°Better?! Nowhere in the plan did you tell us we were bait!¡± Ramira smirked. ¡°You would have hesitated if you knew.¡± Before they could argue, Celestial pointed toward the entrance. ¡°We need to leave before this whole place collapses!¡± They didn¡¯t need to be told twice. As they emerged into the night air, Nanami stood waiting, arms crossed. She wasn¡¯t looking at them. She was deep in thought, her gaze distant, dark. ¡°One of you is a God,¡± she muttered under her breath. Dawn wasn¡¯t sure she was even speaking to them. Before she could question it, Nanami¡¯s black eyes flickered with violet energy. The magic surged, swirling around them. ¡°Close your eyes,¡± she ordered. ¡°We¡¯re heading back.¡± The world twisted once more. They vanished. None of them noticed the faint sound of footsteps following behind them.