Scene 1: Genesis and Kael's Campsite
The scene opens with Genesis and Kael at a campsite around a fire. The sky is painted with hues of orange and purple as the sun sets. Genesis is engrossed, studying a map with focus, while Kael gazes at the twinkling stars above.
Kael:"Why do you want to 'restore humanity'?"
Genesis, keeping his eyes on the map:"Because it's too filthy. Sins and crimes are committed every moment. Evil has already taken root within them, so I want to reset everything—to before anything happened. This time, I'll take proper care of them…"
Kael:"And… how exactly do you plan to do that? I mean, if you could do it normally, you'd have done it already."
Genesis, shifting his focus:"That's the complicated part. I need… something… to make it complete. And to get it, it'll be a long journey."
Genesis sets the map aside, lying down to sleep.
Genesis:"Tomorrow morning, we'll reach Kintô. We're close now. From there, we'll start everything."
He turns over and falls asleep. Kael remains there, watching the fire's flames dance gently, casting restless shadows around. He approaches Genesis, placing a hand on his head. Kael's mind floods with memories.
Scene 2: Genesis's Memories
Kael finds himself in an unfamiliar setting, yet one he and Mnemos recognize as the Sacred Hall in the spiritual world. All the spirits are present, except the judges. They argue heatedly.
Genesis:"But we have to do something!"
Excidium:"What? You know our only role was to balance the world when something happened. This is something that's been unfolding naturally—"
Genesis, interrupting:"And what does that matter? Are we just going to stand by while they destroy themselves? Where's the balance in that?"
Ignis, irritated:"That was their choice! If this is the path they've taken, there's nothing we can do!"
Dilua:"He's right. Free will prevents us from interfering, unfortunately. We agreed to that."
Genesis:"We can't just let—"
Flashes of memories flood Kael's mind, pulling him elsewhere. He stands atop a mountain, dark purple clouds swirling above. Before him, a mysterious figure with eyes of shifting colors—but an apparent emptiness—faces Genesis. Genesis is wounded and panting, yet determined to fight. The figure watches him calmly.
Kael finds it strange; Mnemos has no memory of this person or spirit, and even that time feels as though it never existed. A sense of unease fills Kael's chest.
As Kael watches, both intrigued and alarmed, the figure looks directly at him.
She sees him.
Kael abruptly pulls out of Genesis's mind, releasing his head, trembling and shaken.
Kael, confused:"What was that… No one should be able to see me… How… No, who…?"
Kael sits beside Genesis, rattled, his gaze fixed on nothing.
Scene 3: Takeru and Izumi
The scene cuts to Takeru resting after intense training, soon joined by Izumi.
Takeru:"Feeling the heat too, huh?" (panting)
Izumi:"Nah." (sighs) "Just trying to get the hang of things. I'm improving bit by bit."
Takeru:"I've been trying to get the hang of it for seven years, and I still haven't found the engine."
Izumi bursts into laughter, and Takeru joins in.
Izumi:"So you've been using abilities for seven years?"
Takeru:"More like seven years of trying. My dad taught me before he passed. Since then, it's one of the only things I have left of him as a legacy."
Izumi:"Your dad?"
Takeru:"Yeah, he was a pretty skilled mage. Wanted to teach me too, but I never quite got the techniques down. He only had time to teach me portals and left me this necklace as his last gift."
Takeru holds the necklace, gazing at it reflectively.
Takeru:"Then one day, there was an accident in town. A house caught fire with a family inside. It started on the first floor, and the family was on the second, screaming for help. My dad was nearby and used magic to get them out. But instead of thanking him, they accused him of witchcraft… and killed him…"
Takeru seems to hold a quiet resentment, his expression shifting subtly.
Takeru:"People can really be…"
He cuts himself off.
Takeru:"That was three years ago. Since then, I've been living with Grandpa and Niori…"
Izumi looks shocked, at a loss for words. He isn't sure whether to console Takeru or just listen, but he stays there, taking it all in.
Takeru, snapping back to the present:"Anyway, since then, I've trained hard with this skill. And it looks like I'm finally getting the hang of it! Haha."
Scene 4: Izumi and Leonhart
The scene shifts to Izumi as the sun begins to yellow the sky with its setting, alongside Leonhart.
Leonhart:"During training, I noticed you tried to summon your kakudai."
Izumi:"My what?" (in his mind: Speak my language!)
Leonhart:"Your kakudai. It's the weapon your spirit wields best, an extension of it."
Izumi:"You mean the katana?"
Leonhart:"In your case, yes. The katana is the weapon you summon through Excidium. It represents your connection to him, as it can only manifest if there's an 'agreement' between both parties for its summoning. If the vessel or spirit is out of sync or something similar, the kakudai can't be summoned until they're in harmony again."
Izumi:"Okay, but why can't I make it appear at all?"
Leonhart:"It's a complex process. It doesn't just require focus—it demands a certain harmony between you and Excidium. The kakudai is the physical expression of your mutual will, even if for different reasons. First, you need to connect deeply with your spirit, feel its presence."
Leonhart pauses, positioning himself to demonstrate.
Leonhart:"Watch."
He focuses his eyes on his hand, breathing deeply. A subtle aura begins to emanate from his body, pulsing in sync with his heartbeat. Slowly, a large sword materializes in his hand, glowing brightly under the sunset.
Leonhart:(looking at Izumi) "This is my kakudai. Notice how the glow dances in perfect harmony with my breathing. It's an extension of me, just as I am of it."
Izumi watches, fascinated but slightly skeptical.
Izumi:"Looks complicated."
Leonhart:"It is at first. But with practice and understanding, it becomes natural. Now, let's try. Focus. Feel Excidium's nature within you."
Izumi complies, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, trying to sense his connection to Excidium. He focuses intensely, attempting to visualize the katana.
Leonhart:(calmly) "Feel the energy flowing between you two. Picture the katana as a bridge between your strength and Excidium's."
Izumi starts to feel a faint pulse, a presence, but when he tries to materialize the katana, nothing happens. He opens his eyes, frustrated.
Izumi:"I couldn't do it."
Leonhart:"Don't get discouraged. This takes patience. Try again. And remember, don't force it—let the energy flow naturally between you and Excidium."
Izumi takes a deep breath and closes his eyes again, calming himself. He focuses once more, feeling Excidium's nature. The pulsing sensation returns, stronger this time.
Leonhart:(watching closely) "You're doing well. Now, visualize the katana in your hand—feel its weight, its shape. Let Excidium manifest it through you."
Izumi feels the energy building, almost reaching materialization. A plasma begins to form, but something snaps, and the sensation fades. He opens his eyes again, exhausted and disappointed.
Izumi:"Still nothing."
Leonhart:(smiling faintly) "You're making progress. Feeling the energy is the first step. Summoning it takes time and practice. Keep at it, and you'll get there."
Izumi:(breathing deeply) "I'll keep trying."
Leonhart:"Remember, Izumi, the kakudai is an extension of your soul and Excidium's. Work together, trust each other, and it will manifest."
Scene 5: Izumi and the Old Woman's Prophecy
Izumi continues attempting to summon his kakudai on the darkened training field. His efforts feel stalled, and he grows increasingly exhausted and frustrated. Leonhart has already returned to the house, leaving Izumi alone under the starry sky.
As he heads back to the house, Izumi spots an elderly woman—short, aged, her white hair tied in a bun. She appears to be praying with a rosary in her hands, kneeling on the ground. Without a word, she seems to beckon Izumi, who approaches cautiously. He notices she's blind, her lifeless white eyes staring into nothing.
Old Woman:(in a prophetic tone) "The sacred place will be profaned by those who most seek purification."
Izumi frowns, puzzled by her presence and words.
Old Woman:"He who repels destruction will be no more."
Izumi's confusion deepens, but before he can respond, she continues.
Old Woman:"Hatred and rage will become one, just as sorrow and wrath will be indistinguishable. But soon they will be separated until the arrival, where they will be forgotten. Where war cannot be escaped."
The old woman's cryptic words echo in Izumi's mind, compelling him to act. He turns quickly, determined to call Leonhart.
Izumi:"Leonhart! There's someone in the room at the end of the field."
Leonhart, initially skeptical, furrows his brow.
Leonhart:"What do you mean? It's just us here. The seals didn't detect anything."
Izumi:"I don't know, she appeared there and started saying weird stuff…"
Leonhart:"Who appeared there?"
Izumi:"It was an old lady, blind, praying nonstop."
Leonhart pauses, his eyes widening with realization. He swallows hard, his face turning grave. Without wasting time, he sprints to the spot Izumi indicated. When they arrive, the area is completely empty—no trace of the old woman.
Leonhart inspects the spot thoroughly, his face reflecting a mix of worry and unease. He looks at Izumi, his words heavy with unexpected weight.
Leonhart:"We leave tomorrow at moonrise…"
Izumi stands still, confused and perhaps shocked, not fully grasping the situation's gravity. The chapter ends with Izumi reflecting on the old woman's words, the full moon illuminating the silent field.