"Aki, what do you think you're doing…?"
Leroy's sharp eyes locked onto me, his voice laced with disbelief as he noticed the blade I had just swung, a strike that nearly reached Siana. She lay behind me, dazed and confused, unable to comprehend why I had attacked her.
Before Leroy could act, the energy surged through me. My blade clashed against his with a sudden, overwhelming force, forcing him to take a step back. Without hesitation, I dashed forward, closing the gap between us instantly.
The sound of metal colliding echoed as I unleashed a flurry of strikes, one after another, with blinding speed. Leroy's expression shifted to shock as my movements had become far faster than he had anticipated, each strike relentless and precise.
"His strength... It's on a completely different level now. Even his appearance… it's like he's become someone else."
Leroy thought, struggling to keep up as he clashed against me.
Leroy's arms trembled slightly as he blocked each blow. The intensity of my attacks left no room for counterattacks, forcing him on the defensive.
"Aki… what's gotten into you?"
Leroy growled, his voice strained as he parried another strike, the sheer force of my blade pushing him further back.
I didn't respond, words felt meaningless. My focus was entirely on overwhelming him, the rush of power coursing through me drowning out all reason.
Siana attempted to rise, her expression filled with both fear and confusion. For a brief moment, her voice cut through the chaos.
"Aki, stop! What are you doing!?"
But I couldn't stop. Something inside me burned brighter with every swing of my blade, an uncontrollable force that demanded more, more power, more chaos. Leroy's face twisted into a mix of determination and desperation as he prepared to counter, his strength rising to meet mine.
Siana struggled to stand, her mind flashing back to all the times I had saved her, protecting her from monsters, easing the tension between her and her brother, shielding her from Dorven, and always being there when she needed me most.
Suddenly, a surge of energy coursed through her body as if something deep within had awakened. Her cyan eyes glowed with fierce determination, locking onto me as she steadied herself.
With newfound strength, she broke into a sprint, heading straight toward me.
"This is getting out of hand… looks like I have no choice."
Leroy muttered, his voice steady as his aura began to flare up, glowing with an intense blue light.
"Blue Flame Aur—"
His words were abruptly cut off, his eyes widening in shock as Siana suddenly ran and threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly from behind.
"Aki… please… it's enough."
She whispered, her voice trembling. Her arms wouldn't let go as her tears streamed down, soaking into my back.
"Siana! What are you doing!?"
Leroy shouted, his voice filled with worry as he watched her hug me without hesitation. But then, her gentle words reached me, and my body froze in place, unable to move an inch.
At that moment, something inside me snapped. My expressionless face twisted into a scream of agony as an intense, dark red aura erupted from my body, spreading like a violent storm and shaking the entire area.
As Siana held onto me tightly, refusing to let go despite the violent storm of dark red energy swirling around us, Leroy struggled against the force, desperately trying to reach her. The oppressive aura pushed him back, making it impossible to break through.
My screams echoed through the air, filled with agony and turmoil, until finally, the chaos within me began to settle. The overwhelming rage of my RageCrysta slowly subsided, the crimson aura fading like a receding tide.
My breathing slowed, my body weakened, and my appearance returned to normal. As my legs gave out beneath me, Siana caught me, holding me steady with trembling arms as I collapsed into her embrace.
"My sister… calmed him down?"
Leroy's voice trembled with disbelief as he stood frozen, staring at the now-quiet figure in Siana's arms. Somehow, against all odds, her voice had reached me, breaking through the storm of rage.
Snapping out of his shock, Leroy rushed toward her, his heart pounding. His eyes widened in horror as he saw the wounds covering her body: scrapes, bruises, and cuts from the chaos she'd endured.
"Sis! What happened to you?!"
He demanded, his voice thick with concern and heartbreak.
But Siana hesitated, lowering her gaze.
"I… I don't want to talk about it now."
She murmured, clutching me closer as if shielding me from the weight of her words.
Seeing the pain and hesitation in her eyes, Leroy softened, his gaze filled with understanding.
"I understand. You can tell me later."
He said gently, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"For now, just focus on taking care of yourself."
Without another word, he unclasped his cape and carefully draped it over Siana's shoulders, shielding her from the cold and the weight of the moment.
"I'll go get the medics."
He added, his voice calm yet firm, before turning to leave, sparing one last glance at her and the unconscious figure in her arms.
As the medics arrived to assist Siana, they gently helped her to her feet and tended to her wounds. The tension in the air began to ease, and a fragile calm settled over the ruined church.
Leroy, surveying the scene, took in the devastation surrounding him. The once-sacred space now resembled the aftermath of a battle with a powerful monster, its walls crumbled and scorched, the air still heavy with the remnants of chaos.
At the back of the ruined church, Siana sat with me resting on her lap, cradling my head gently. Her hands trembled slightly, but her touch remained soft, her weary eyes filled with a mix of relief and exhaustion. Though the medics had tended to her wounds, the toll of everything that had happened was clear.
As she stroked my hair absentmindedly, her eyelids grew heavy, and despite her best efforts to stay awake, exhaustion overcame her. Slowly, her eyes closed, and she drifted into a quiet, much-needed sleep, still holding me close.
Leroy's gaze fell on Dorven's lifeless body sprawled on the ground, motionless amid the wreckage. He approached cautiously, his sharp eyes narrowing.
"By the look of this person's body and sense… that this must be the shadow figure who captured my sister."
Leroy muttered to himself, crouching to examine Dorven more closely.
His attention was drawn to the stolen ring resting in Dorven's right palm, its surface pristine as if freshly taken. Suddenly, a shiver ran down Leroy's spine, and something felt off.
"Without a doubt, this person is an EmoCrysta user. His aura has completely gone… but his heart."
Leroy muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Dorven's chest.
"It's still glowing."
A flicker of unease ran through him. Though Dorven's soul seemed to have faded, the EmoCrysta within him remained alive, pulsating faintly like an ember refusing to die.
"Maybe… a glimpse of his EmoCrysta's memories for some answers."
Leroy thought, determination flashing in his gaze.
Closing his eyes, he steadied his breathing and extended his hand. With a faint glow of his aura, he placed his palm over Dorven's chest, directly above the EmoCrysta.
The moment his hand made contact, a jolt of energy shot through him like lightning. His body recoiled, and he stumbled backward, clutching his head as a sharp pain seared through his mind.
"Agh!"
Leroy winced, struggling to stay on his feet. His head throbbed with a blinding ache as if fragments of Dorven's memories were forcing their way into his consciousness.
One of the medics, noticing Leroy's sudden distress, rushed over with concern.
"Your majesty! Are you alright? What happened?"
Leroy waved the medic off weakly, his breathing uneven.
"I'm fine… just—just give me a moment."
He said, though his hand trembled slightly as he steadied himself.
He glanced back at Dorven's body, unease creeping into his thoughts. Whatever secrets were locked within that EmoCrysta, it was clear they wouldn't give themselves up so easily.
Leroy's expression froze, his eyes wide with shock as beads of sweat dripped down his face. The fragments of Dorven's memories that had surged into his mind painted a chilling picture, an elaborate, calculated plan to bring ruin to Lightwoods.
"You've got to be kidding me..."
He muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
He took a step back, his hand clutching his head as the vivid images replayed in his mind: the reveal of the two spies planted in the town, the hidden bombs, the chaos, and Dorven's twisted laughter as he orchestrated it all.
Leroy forced himself to steady his thoughts. He couldn't afford to let panic take over now. With a grim resolve, he turned to the medic.
"We need to secure this body immediately. There's more to this…"
Suddenly, Miho and a group of soldiers arrived at the scene, their footsteps echoing through the ruined church.
"Your Majesty! Is everything alright?"
Miho called out, her voice filled with urgency as she stepped forward, the soldiers close behind.
Leroy's eyes widened when he saw Miho, his expression hardening into a sharp glare.
"Y–Your Majesty…?"
Miho's voice wavered as she froze, her breath catching. The sheer determination burning in Leroy's gaze sent a shiver down her spine, leaving her uneasy.
Leroy stepped forward, his serious expression darkening the atmosphere.
"Miho… you are under custody."
Leroy declared firmly, his voice echoing with authority.
Miho's eyes widened in shock, and the soldiers around her exchanged confused glances, the tension thick in the air.
"W-What…?"
Miho stammered, her disbelief evident.
"Of all the people in Lightwoods, no one could ever find Skyler… except you."
Leroy's gaze sharpened, his tone unrelenting.
"What do you mean…?"
Miho asked, trying to mask the unease in her voice.
"At the moment we encountered Skyler, I noticed something strange about how he looked at you. It was subtle, but it was there. I wish I were wrong but…"
Leroy continued, his eyes locked onto her.
"Your Majesty, what does that have to do with me?"
Miho tried to defend herself, her voice wavering.
"I saw it… Dorven Markson's memories."
Leroy said coldly.
Miho froze, her breath catching in her throat.
"At that time, you wanted to bring my sister along, knowing it was all to ensure Dorven could capture her. And then, you even went as far as cutting off your left arm to fake your defeat by him."
Leroy's piercing gaze met Miho's as his voice grew heavier.
"You and Skyler... you were the two spies, weren't you?"
His words sliced through the tense silence like a sharpened blade, leaving no room for denial.
The air grew heavier as if time itself had stopped.
"I guess it's time…"
Miho's eyes glowed an eerie green, and in a flash, she dashed toward Dorven's body with inhuman speed.
"Is she going for the ring!?"
Leroy's instincts kicked in, and he moved to block her path, his presence sharp and unyielding.
But Miho's movements were fluid, almost unnatural. With a graceful backflip, she soared over Leroy's head, her hand outstretched. In midair, her fingers brushed against Dorven's palm, snatching the ring in a perfectly timed motion.
Landing smoothly, Miho shot toward the top of the window, her figure a blur as she prepared to escape.
Standing there, Miho stared at the ring now gleaming in her hand.
"Thanks for having me… Young King."
She unwrapped the bandages that had been concealing her left arm, or rather, the space where it should have been. To everyone's shock, her left arm began to regenerate, forming a vibrant green crystal structure.
The crystal shifted and solidified, taking the shape of a fully formed arm. Flexing her fingers, Miho clenched her new hand into a fist and shattered the crystalline layer, leaving behind a fresh, flawless limb.
She glanced back at Leroy one last time, her expression unreadable, before vanishing with blinding speed.
Yet, in that fleeting moment, Leroy noticed something: there was a hint of sadness in her gaze, as if she was silently saying goodbye.
"After her!"
One of the soldiers shouted, taking off in pursuit.
"Stop."
Leroy ordered firmly.
"It's already too late. At that speed, you'll never catch up to her."
The soldiers hesitated, watching helplessly as Miho vanished into the distance.
"DisgustCrysta, huh…"
Leroy muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. The power to regenerate like that was a skill only an EmoCrysta user could wield.
"Your Majesty, w-what should we do now?"
One of the soldiers asked, concern in his voice.
Leroy's expression hardened as he looked over the destruction.
"Right now, we focus on cleaning up the damage done to Lightwoods. This is far from over."
His voice carried a quiet determination, his eyes reflecting the weight of what lay ahead.
The soldiers' faces suddenly shift to shock as three figures approach the scene.
"W-wait!? Is that—"
Leroy tensed, immediately recognizing the three distinct auras drawing closer. Turning around, he confirmed his suspicions.
"Wou~ Guess I was right about the huge aura spread around here."
A laid-back female voice rang out, her black hair tied up in a messy high ponytail. She wore an white t-shirt and a long black jacket that swayed as she walked, hands lazily tucked into her pockets.
"Heh, what a mess around here."
The second figure, a male, chuckled beneath a full face-covered mask with white hair tied into a neat bun, and his tone carried an unsettling amusement.
"..."
The third figure, taller than the other two, remained silent. His wavy black hair fell over his eyes, masking his expression. While the others casually surveyed the scene, he simply walked beside them, an imposing, quiet presence.
"Are those— the Leaders of the Three Luminian Clans!?"
The first male soldier gasped, his voice full of awe and admiration.
"What!? Why are they here!?"
The second female soldier stammered, her shock clear.
"That's without a doubt! That's Sarphina Nocsis, The Leader of Embrial Owls! The number one strongest leader in Lightwoods!"
The third female soldier couldn't contain her excitement as she pointed toward the casually dressed woman.
"And over there… The Leader of Falcor, Thalios Krane! The second strongest!"
The fourth male soldier added, his voice trembling with disbelief as he glanced at the masked man.
"And also… Zephier Vale!? The Leader of Raifclaw! The third strongest!"
The fifth male soldier's eyes widened, his tone reverent as he gazed at the silent, towering figure with wavy black hair.
Leroy remained silent, his gaze steady as the three legendary leaders appeared.
"Your Majesty, it's an honor to meet you again."
Sarphina spoke gracefully as she bowed before Leroy, her long black jacket swaying with the motion. Thalios and Zephier followed suit, bowing in perfect formality.
"It's great to see you all again. It's unfortunate that you have to witness such chaos upon your return..."
Leroy replied with a calm tone, though his expression betrayed the weight on his shoulders.
"Hmph, it seems like the town has spiraled into disaster while we were away."
The three leaders rose from their bows. Zephier's voice carried a hint of frustration, his sharp tone cutting through the tension.
"Apologies for our late arrival, Your Majesty. If only we had returned earlier…"
Thalios added, his sincerity evident as he slightly tightened his hand.
"Don't blame yourselves; you all have arrived at the right time."
Leroy said, shaking his head.
The three leaders exchanged confused glances, unsure of what Leroy meant.
"As I glimpsed into this man's memories, Dorven Markson... This disaster, this chaos, is only the beginning."
Leroy began, his gaze falling upon Dorven's lifeless body.
A heavy silence fell over the group as Leroy took a breath, steeling himself for the words that were about to follow.
"There will be an upcoming WAR heading our way..."
The air grew still, and the shock on the faces of Sarphina, Thalios, Zephier, and even the soldiers was palpable.
Meanwhile...
"You've gotten stronger, huh? Skyler."
A moment ago, Skyler lay defeated against a crumbling wall after their massive clash of power. Miyaki's dark aura struck, overwhelming him, and her blade hovered near his neck before she calmly sheathed her katana.
"Please tell me, where have you been throughout the past 10 years? and why are you doing this?"
Miyaki's voice was firm, her gaze piercing as she awaited his answer.
But Skyler remained silent, his head bowed, refusing to meet her eyes.
"I believe you know what you're doing, Skyler."
Miyaki sighed, closing her eyes briefly, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face.
Left with no other option, Miyaki placed restraints on Skyler and prepared to take him into custody, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision.
"I hope that boy is okay."
Miyaki thought, her mind drifting to concerns about my safety.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. Warson appeared, flanked by his soldiers, their eyes scanning for any sign of villagers. They stopped abruptly upon spotting her.
"Miyaki?"
Warson's voice carried a note of surprise.
"Ah, Warson, it's been a while."
Miyaki responded with a gentle smile, a rare glimmer of familiarity softening her expression. It had been a while since they had last crossed paths.
Warson stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide with shock as he took in the sight of Skyler, the man who had been missing for ten years now, standing before him, restrained and silent.
Miyaki quickly explained the situation, her voice steady yet laced with lingering tension. Warson listened intently before nodding, his expression darkening as he shared the latest report.
"The situation at the church was dire, but thankfully, the boy made it out alive."
Warson said.
"Hmph… I'm glad he's alright."
Miyaki murmured, a soft smile gracing her lips. Relief washed over her as she thought of my safety.
Warson's gaze lingered on her for a moment, noticing the faint trace of vulnerability in her eyes. He knew all too well that she couldn't bear the thought of losing another student, another life under her guidance to the chaos around them.
After their brief exchange, Warson straightened up, his tone firm as he turned to his soldiers.
"Take him into custody."
He commanded.
The soldiers moved without hesitation, their steps precise as they apprehended Skyler, ensuring no chance of escape. As they marched him away, Miyaki silently watched, her heart heavy but resolute.
Suddenly, Miyaki felt a single raindrop land softly on her head. She looked up at the sky, her expression calm yet reflective.
"It's starting to rain, huh…"
She murmured, her voice barely audible over the faint patter of droplets that followed.
As the rain gently fell, washing away the lingering traces of the night's chaos, the tireless efforts of the leaders, the captain, Miyaki, Leroy, and the soldiers restored a semblance of order to the town. Though fragile, a sense of peace began to settle over the streets, for now.
The rain itself carried the promise of renewal, cleansing not just the earth but the spirits of the weary townsfolk.
The remnants of destruction faded into the soothing quiet of the approaching dawn. The night surrendered to the soft, golden hues of sunrise, its warm light spilling over the battered streets, a new day emerging from the ashes of despair.
In the stillness, I stirred from a deep, restless sleep. The remnants of a dream lingered in my mind, the mysterious memories that I had about the little girl named Beruciel.
Tears traced down my cheeks as I slowly opened my eyes, the weight of grief mingling with relief.
As my vision cleared, I saw Siana by my side, her wound wrapped around by bandages. She was slumped forward, her head resting on her crossed arms at the edge of the bed.
Exhaustion had overtaken her, and her breathing was soft and steady in her sleep. Her presence brought an odd sense of comfort, even in this fragile moment.
Suddenly, Siana began to stir, slowly opening her eyes. When she realized I was awake, her eyes widened in surprise. A soft blush spread across her cheeks, and she quickly turned her gaze away.
"M-morning…"
She stammered, her voice tinged with nervousness.
I blinked, confused by her reaction, noticing the tips of her ears turning red from where I could see them. Despite my confusion, relief washed over me as I took in her presence, safe and unharmed.
"I'm glad you're alright."
I said softly, offering her a gentle smile.
"H-Hey! That should be my line!"
She exclaimed, spinning around to face me, her face fully flushed as she spoke in a flustered tone.
At that moment, an unexpected laugh escaped my lips for the first time in what felt like forever. Siana froze in surprise, her eyes widening before letting out a sigh of relief.
Soon, we both began to laugh together, sharing a rare, comforting moment of peace amidst everything that had happened.
After a while, Siana's expression turned serious, and she recalled the events of the previous night.
"Where's Aina? Is she alright?"
I asked, my concern evident.
"She's fine."
Siana replied with a faint smile.
"Thanks to Skyler, she was brought to the hospital just in time. But…"
Her voice faltered, and worry flickered in her eyes.
"She's still not awake yet."
As she said it, I felt a pang in my chest but nodded.
"And Skyler will face judgment in a few days, huh..."
Hearing that, I couldn't help but frown, lost in thought.
"I don't know why..."
I muttered.
"...but I can't shake this feeling that Skyler had his reasons. There might be more to this than we know…"
Siana softly smiles as she also believes Skyler is not a bad guy. Before she left, she told me to meet Leroy when I felt energized enough to talk to him.
As she left with a wave and a soft smile at me, I looked at my right arm.
"An upcoming war, huh…"
At that moment, I have gone into deep thinking that to regain my memories may not just be about me, and may unlock what's behind this world. A spark of determination ignited within me, growing stronger with every passing second.
"I will find the truth behind this World Legacy."