Xzavier and Hageshi stepped out of the towering obsidian gates of the Warden's Forge, their shoulders slouched and expressions grim.
"Seriously?" Hageshi groaned. "We sneak into the most sacred blacksmith chamber in the world… and your boy just isn't there?"
"He always vanishes when I need him," Hageshi muttered, kicking a rock. "Should've known he'd be off meditating on a volcano or something."
Xzavier remained quiet, the disappointment weighing heavier than his sword. "I thought I'd find something—anything—to help me grow. But we're stuck. Again."
"Not stuck," Hageshi said, trying to lift the mood. "Just… delayed."
Before either could speak further, a sharp, low horn blast shook the air. A deep, haunting sound that echoed throughout the mountainside.
Xzavier's eyes narrowed. "That's not a drill."
Around them, other Wardens and trainees snapped to attention. The glowing banners of the Warden's Citadel flared crimson. The Call of Assembly had sounded—an emergency summon. No delays. No excuses.
Together, Xzavier and Hageshi dashed toward the Grand Forum, where crowds were already forming beneath the High Banner of the Wardens.
Kaze stood waiting, hands in his pockets, his wild silver hair fluttering in the wind. Beside him was Sensei Gara, his stoic face grim, arms folded across his chest. The four regrouped without words, standing shoulder-to-shoulder as the murmuring crowd hushed.
From the stage, two towering figures emerged.
On the left, draped in red-and-gold silks, was King Tengu—ruler of Akira City, famed for his brutal power and unmatched flame techniques. His crown looked more like a blazing helm, and his eyes smoldered with authority.
On the right, taller and broader, clad in sleek battle armor of silver and blue, stood King Eagle of Kingston City. His presence was colder, like steel—measured, unreadable.
The two kings stood before a thousand Wardens.
King Tengu stepped forward. "Wardens… We gather under dark skies today."
The crowd held its breath.
"The Dawn's Awakening—the cursed cult of Gimori Aku no—have officially declared war. Today, they attacked Sarutobi Academy. Over seventy first-years are dead, critically wounded, or taken hostage."
Gasps erupted. Xzavier's hands clenched. He could feel Hageshi stiffen beside him.
King Tengu's voice deepened. "Among the hostages is my daughter—Zadie Tengu."
A deadly silence swept the square. Tengu's expression twisted with rage. "The cowards left a message... the Aku no sigil painted across the academy walls… and spread throughout my city."
Murmurs broke through the crowd. The symbol of Aku no—his cursed brand—was appearing in public.
"To counter this," King Eagle said, stepping forward in his chilling tone, "we are activating the highest level of response. The Warden Strike Protocol."
A screen materialized above them, displaying images of eight individuals. Xzavier recognized every one.
"Team A will be deployed immediately," King Tengu said. "The two strongest Warden squads—Team X and Team W—will merge into a single elite strike force. This team will infiltrate Sarutobi, rescue the hostages, neutralize threats, and uncover the truth behind the attack."
"Team A will consist of:
Sensei Gara
Sensei Ryoko of the Ice Corps
Xzavier Shishiroma
Hageshi Senshi
Kaze of the Wind Fang
Jin Dorei, the explosive tactician
And two of our newest recruits…"
Two more images appeared. The crowd erupted into gasps and shouts.
"Yagumi Daisuke and Raijin Inazuma."
Xzavier's eyes widened.
"Former elites of the Dawn's Awakening," King Eagle continued. "They were spared execution. They failed to kill Xzavier Shishiroma during their last encounter… but were not entirely discarded. Gimori let them live, while sparing only one other."
Xzavier gritted his teeth. "Levine…"
"They've defected," Tengu said coldly. "Now, they fight beside us. Whether you trust them is irrelevant. They are part of this mission."
The screen vanished.
"Team A will leave immediately. No further questions. Dismissed."
As the crowd dispersed into hushed chaos, Xzavier, Hageshi, Kaze, and Gara stood silently. Jin joined them, tossing his small black bomb from hand to hand, smiling crookedly. "Looks like we're going back to school, boys."
Then came two more figures walking through the crowd: Raijin Inazuma, with crackling energy pulsing from his gauntlets and wild blue hair spiking behind him, and Yagumi Daisuke, calm and lean, a long scar across his brow, eyes cold.
"Great," Kaze muttered. "We're bringing them."
Xzavier stepped forward, facing Raijin directly. "If you betray us again—"
Raijin raised a hand. "Save it. We've already died once."
Yagumi nodded. "This is war now. And we hate Gimori more than anyone."
The eight stood together—uneasy, unsure—but united under one purpose.
Sensei Gara turned to them. "You all carry different blades… but one purpose. Protect the innocent. Destroy the wicked. This is your time to rise."
As they boarded the transport airship to Sarutobi, Xzavier looked out toward the fading sun, his grip tightening on his flame blade.
They dared touch my home…
Now, we burn them out.