In the kingdom of Eryndale, the three of us—Zack, Lycaon, and I—sat together in a bustling restaurant, surrounded by the aroma of grilled meat and freshly brewed tea.
"So, where exactly are we meeting this Chronia?" Lycaon asked, tearing into his grilled meat like a starving beast.
Zack took a slow sip of his tea before glancing at me. Meanwhile, I stared out the window, watching the lively streets of Eryndale.
"She didn't mention a specific place," I muttered, pulling out the letter she had sent.
My fingers traced the hastily written words. "Judging by the handwriting, it looks like she wrote this in a rush."
I grabbed a few fries and popped them into my mouth, the salty taste grounding my thoughts.
"Do you have any idea where she might be waiting?" Zack asked, placing his cup down with a soft clink.
I raised an eyebrow. "You think I'd know?"
"She's your childhood friend," Zack pointed out, as if that fact alone should give me some mystical insight.
"In her world," I countered with a shrug.
Lycaon, still focused on his food, spoke between bites. "If you want to recruit her, you should at least try to figure out where she is."
"At least chew properly before talking," Zack sighed, shaking his head. "We're in a restaurant, not a battlefield."
I let out a small sigh, leaning back in my chair as I mulled over the possibilities. "Hmm…"
As I was lost in thought, Zack suddenly patted my shoulder. "Hey, how about we explore the city later?"
It wasn't a bad idea. "Alright."
Zack gave me a small smile before resuming his tea, while I continued munching on my fries.
After finishing our meal, the three of us stepped out into the lively streets of Eryndale, the sun casting long shadows between the stone buildings.
"So, where do we start?" Lycaon asked, stretching as he scanned the crowd.
That was the question, wasn't it?
Zack turned to me as I started thinking, scanning my surroundings.
Then, I spotted a building—one that held a connection to her.
A smile crept onto my lips before I suddenly took off running. "Follow me!"
The two of them trailed behind me, their footsteps quick against the pavement.
"Where are we going?" Zack asked between breaths.
"Clock Tower," I answered without hesitation. We started running and headed towards the clock tower.
When we arrived, I stopped in front of the towering structure.
"Let's go in," I said, staring up at the massive gears barely visible through the upper windows.
"Are you sure she's here?" Lycaon asked, crossing his arms.
"Maybe." I shrugged.
The interior of the clock tower was dimly lit, dust dancing in the air as we gazed up at the winding staircase that spiraled toward the top.
"It's a shame you can't use magic right now, Arche," Lycaon grumbled.
"Don't complain," Zack interjected, patting Lycaon on the back.
Then, with a sudden burst of energy, he shouted, "Transform!"
Without hesitation, Lycaon's form shifted, his body expanding as thick fur enveloped him.
He stood tall in his werewolf form, exhaling deeply. "Alright, I'm full now."
Without warning, he grabbed both me and Zack and leaped up the stairs, scaling the heights of the tower with ease.
The wind howled around us as we ascended at an incredible speed.
At the very top, we landed softly on the wooden floor. There, standing near the edge, was a blue-haired woman, her back turned toward us.
Lycaon set me and Zack down gently before glancing at her. "So, she is Chronia?"
"Definitely... though her hair is shorter now," I muttered, my eyes locked onto her familiar yet changed figure.
A name escaped my lips. "Nia!"
The moment I called her name, she flinched. Slowly, she turned around, revealing tear-filled eyes.
I froze. "Nia...?"
Her lips trembled before she suddenly took a step back. "Arche! Don't come any closer!"
I frowned. "Huh? What's wrong? You were the one who told me to pick you up, right?"
Her voice was sharp, almost desperate.
"I cancel it!"
Both Zack and Lycaon turned to me, their expressions filled with confusion.
"Don't look at me like that! I don't know either!" I exclaimed, throwing up my hands in exasperation.
"OhHhOhHo?"
A strange, distorted voice echoed from behind us.
"ArE yOu a fRiEnd oF ChROnIa?"
The three of us spun around, eyes widening as we took in the figure standing there.
A woman—if she could even be called that—stood with unnaturally long hair cascading down to her ankles.
A mask concealed her face, something between a clown's grotesque grin and a twisted nightmare.
"Who are you?!" Lycaon growled, his stance shifting into a defensive posture.
"Why are you here?" Zack asked sharply, his hand instinctively reaching for his knife.
"Since when were you there?!" Nia gasped, clearly shaken.
"What's your gender?!" I blurted out before I could stop myself.
The air froze for a second as everyone turned to stare at me.
"What?" I asked, blinking at their judgmental looks.
"Nothing," Zack muttered, shaking his head.
The masked woman tilted her head unnaturally. "I wIlL aNsWer yOur qUesTiOns."
Her voice wavered between high-pitched mockery and eerie depth, sending a chill down my spine.
"mY nAme iS PloOpa. I aM a cApTaiN oF my gEneRaL Zepharion, jUsT lIke thE wOman thEre." She extended a gloved hand toward Nia, her fingers curling like claws.
Nia visibly stiffened.
"I'vE bEen hErE sInCe beFore yoU guYs aRrIveD," PloOpa continued, her head twitching to one side. "It sEemS likE ChROnIa dIdn't reAlize It, hUh?"
She let out a giggle that sent an unpleasant shiver down my spine.
Then, her gaze snapped toward me, emerald-green eyes locking onto mine even through the mask. "ANd fOr YoUr quEstiOn, emEralD-eyEd mAn..."
A slow, deliberate movement—her fingers reaching up to the mask.
"I'M a bEaUtiFul gIrL."
With a dramatic flourish, she removed the mask, revealing an impossibly wide, jagged grin.
Her lips stretched far beyond the normal limits of a human face, her teeth sharp and gleaming like those of a predator.
Beautiful girl? More like a walking horror creature.
"You sure about that?" I deadpanned, barely suppressing a shudder.
"YeS! I'M vErY sUrE! BEcAuSe mY mAstEr Zepharion tOlD mE!" She beamed with an unsettling confidence, her sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.
"Lot of liars these days," I muttered, folding my arms.
Zack, unfazed by her theatrics, narrowed his eyes. "So, what is your goal?"
"Of cOuRse, tO prEveNt ChROnIa frOm bEtrAyInG," PloOpa sang, swaying slightly like a broken marionette.
Nia flinched.
"SO yOu rEaLly aRe gOiNg to bEtrAy Us, hUh?" PloOpa's voice dripped with mock disappointment as she addressed Nia.
Then, her tone dropped. The playful madness vanished.
"BeTrAyIng lOrd Zepharion iS a grEat sIn," she rasped, her body going unnaturally still. "YoU wiLl gO To..."
The air around us turned suffocating.
"...HELL."
The last word was spoken in a guttural, demonic growl. A dark, malevolent aura flared around her, and her grotesque grin stretched even wider.
My breath hitched.
This just got a lot worse.
Lycaon stood at the front, shielding us with his incredible endurance. "Take that woman away from here!"
"Got it." I nodded, trusting that Lycaon would be fine.
"Hey, weird woman! My name is Lycaon the Wildbeast! I—" Before he could finish, his body suddenly shifted back into human form.
Zack and I stared in shock. "Lycaon, you know you won't be able to fight her like that, right?"
"I changed back?!" Lycaon exclaimed in disbelief.
"Ploopa has the ability to control other people's powers! You don't stand a chance against her!" Nia shouted.
"Say what?!" My eyes widened at the revelation.
"TrAiToRs cAnnOt bE foRgIveN," Ploopa sneered, her voice distorting.
Zack and I sprang into action, our blades slicing through the air, stopping just short of Ploopa's neck.
I stood behind her, cutting off any chance of escape. "Checkmate."
"HmMm..?" She tilted her head, scanning us like we were mere insects.
"Unfortunately for you, Zack and I don't use magic, which means we have no special abilities for you to control," I said smugly.
"This is the end for you," Zack muttered coldly.
"PeOpLe wHo dOn'T haVe sPecIal abIliTies lIkE yOu arE sO aNnOyiNg.." Ploopa sighed dramatically.
Then, her expression twisted into something darker. "HoWevEr, yOu shOulDn't unDereStImAte mE."
She locked eyes with Zack.
In an instant, his body froze mid-swing. He couldn't move. Not even a twitch.
The same thing happened to me. My limbs refused to respond.
Ploopa strolled away leisurely, completely unfazed.
My gaze flickered past Zack, landing on Nia. She was standing still, her eyes distant, her body rigid.
So that's it… Ploopa wasn't controlling our abilities—she was controlling Nia.
Smart.
Lycaon knelt down, unable to move, while Ploopa approached Nia with slow, deliberate steps.
With an eerie grin, Ploopa grabbed Nia by the back of the neck and lifted her off the ground. "If yOu wAnT tO cAtcH uS, yOu HaVe tO cHaSe Us."
A swirling portal materialized behind them. Nia's expression was pale, her breathing heavy—she was exhausted.
Before we could react, they disappeared into the void.
As soon as they vanished, the invisible force binding us dissipated. My body felt light again. Without hesitation, I bolted toward the portal.
"Arche, wait!" Zack called out, but I didn't stop.
The moment I stepped through, my head spun violently. My vision blurred, memories twisting into an incoherent haze.
My legs gave out beneath me, and just before I collapsed, strong hands caught me from behind.
"You good?" Zack's voice was steady, but his grip on my shoulders was firm.
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. "Never been better," I said.
We found ourselves in a dimly lit alleyway. "Where the hell are we?" Lycaon muttered, now back in his human form.
We cautiously stepped out into the streets, taking in the unfamiliar sights around us.
A bustling market stretched ahead, vibrant and noisy, filled with people moving about their daily lives. And then, amidst the crowd, we spotted them.
Ploopa was walking calmly, Nia still in her grasp. As if sensing our presence, she turned her head unnaturally far, flashing a wide grin.
"Oohh? YOu GuYs aRe HerE aLreAdy? OkAy, nOw, lEt's pLaY tAg."
She took off, weaving through the marketplace. Nia barely managed to whisper one word before they disappeared deeper into the crowd.
"...Help..."
I clenched my fists. "After them!"
Zack and Lycaon followed my lead as we pushed through the sea of people. The chase was on.
But just as I broke free from the crowd, I realized something was wrong.
Zack and Lycaon were gone.
"Tch... we got separated," I muttered under my breath. "Agh! That person is so annoying!"
"She can control other people's abilities?!"
"And with Chronia's power, she can teleport wherever she wants—talk about a fast exit when things get awkward!"
"I'd rather listen to Sharon talk non-stop all day than chase after that... whatever she is."
"Calling her a 'woman' feels like an insult—to women, to words, and to my sanity."
I let out a frustrated sigh and ran again.
As I ran, I collided with someone. "I'm sorry."
"Ace?" a familiar voice said.
I froze. My breath caught as I looked at her—Amnesia, her hood casting shadows over her face.
"Ah… sorry, I got the wrong person," she murmured, turning away.
Without thinking, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an alley. "Hey! What are you doing?!" she struggled.
I pressed her against the wall, pinning her hands above her head. Her face flushed.
"You're Amnesia, right?" I demanded.
"How did you know?!" Her voice shook. Then, her eyes locked onto mine, realization dawning. "Your face… your voice…"
"It's me, Arche. Why are you acting like you don't know me?" I asked, searching her expression.
"Arche…? Sorry, but I've never heard that name in my life," she whispered.
"What do you mean? Hey, don't joke around," I said, my grip tightening.
"I'm sorry, but I've never met you. And if you're like this… I have no other choice but to—"
Before she could finish, a figure lunged at me from behind.
I spun, catching the attacker's wrist mid-air. "No need, Queen. Let me handle this."
That voice… that brown hair… and those closed eyes—"Taki?!" My heart skipped a beat.
Taki's eyes shot open in shock. "Basic Arche?!" he gasped.
"Please not that name," I groaned. "That was so lame."
After that…
"I apologize." I bowed deeply to Amnesia.
"Ah… it's not a problem," she said, a bit flustered.
"So, what are you doing in my world, Arche?" Taki asked, crossing his arms.
"Uh… in short—" I quickly explained everything that had happened. By the time I finished, Taki's eyes had widened in shock.
"Hm… Chronia, huh? If she's moving between worlds, then she must have some kind of dimensional ability," Taki muttered, rubbing his chin.
"Taki, please help me!" I begged, gripping his shoulders.
"Yeah, yeah, why wouldn't I help myself?" He smirked.
With a casual whistle, a dragon suddenly swooped down from the sky.
Its massive wings cast a shadow over the alley as it landed gracefully outside the alley.
"Amnesia, wait for me, okay?" Taki said.
"Alright, Taki… be careful," she replied softly.
I gasped. "Eki! I missed you so much!"
Taki and I climbed onto Eki's back, and with a powerful flap of its wings, we soared into the sky, heading off to find Zack and Lycaon.
As we flew, we made small talk—until Taki casually dropped a bombshell.
"HUH?! WHAT?! YOU ALSO WANT TO DESTROY AN ORGANIZATION?!" I screamed in disbelief.
"You too? Well, not surprising," he replied nonchalantly.
"Wait, wait, hold on! You're serious?!" I pressed.
"Yeah. I've got a score to settle with an organization called BLACKJACK."
"My team and I are tracking down their headquarters so we can wipe them out," Taki explained, his tone calm yet firm.
I blinked. "And… Amnesia, she's part of your team?"
"Yup. We use playing card aliases," Taki said with a smirk. "I'm Ace, Amnesia is Queen, and we also have King, Jack, and Joker."
"Where are they now?" I asked curiously.
"Somewhere else, handling their own missions," Taki replied.
"Ah… I see." I nodded, feeling like I had just stepped into another mess entirely.
Elsewhere, Zack wandered through the unfamiliar streets, searching for me and Lycaon.
His eyes darted left and right, scanning every face, every shadow.
Then, in the distance, he saw them.
Two figures, playing in the park. Familiar. Too familiar.
His breath caught in his throat as he stepped closer, his heart pounding. It was them—his wife and child.
Alive. Laughing. Radiant in the sunlight.
His legs felt weak. His lips parted, but no words came out.
He wanted to run to them, to hold them, to tell them how much he had missed them. But before he could move, another man approached them.
Zack froze.
The man had his face. His build. His voice. But this Zack—this version of himself—looked different.
Neater. Softer. He looked like… a good man.
A man who had never been broken. A man who had never lost everything.
Zack's fingers curled into fists.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
He took a step back. Then another. He turned away, walking in the opposite direction.
They were happy. And that was enough for him. "Zack!"
A voice called out, breaking through his thoughts.
He lifted his head, blinking.
I was there, soaring through the sky atop a dragon. "Huh?" Zack muttered, staring up at me.
Elsewhere, Lycaon searched for me and Zack—though, in truth, we were all searching for each other.
In his human form, he walked through the unfamiliar streets, his mind heavy with thoughts.
Then, suddenly—A small hand grabbed his shirt.
He turned around, startled.
A child.
A boy with familiar eyes.
"Lykos…?" His voice trembled.
The child blinked up at him. "Dad? What are you doing here?"
For a moment, Lycaon forgot how to breathe.
He had imagined this moment a thousand times—what he would say, what he would do if he ever saw his son again.
But now that Lykos stood before him, warm and alive, all he could do was pull him into a tight embrace.
Tears spilled down his cheeks, his grip unyielding.
"Dad? Why are you crying all of a sudden?" Lykos asked, confused.
Happiness. Relief. A flood of emotions he thought he'd never feel again overwhelmed him. For the first time in a long time, Lycaon felt… complete.
And then—
"You're… not my father, are you?"
Lycaon stiffened. His breath hitched.
"What…?" His voice cracked. He pulled away slightly, looking Lykos in the eyes. "I am your father… My name is Lycaon!"
Lykos frowned. "You look like my father… but something about you feels different."
Lycaon's body went cold.
Even though he had already made up his mind. Even though he had been prepared to do whatever it took—kill his other self, take his place, start over—Lykos had seen through him in an instant.
"Whoever you are, stay away from me! And mind your own business!" Lykos suddenly shoved him back.
Lycaon didn't resist.
He hit the ground, stunned.
"…Mind my own business, huh?" he muttered, his voice hollow.
Slowly, he pushed himself up, feeling like a fool. A child—his own son—had put him in his place.
"Sorry… I thought I could be your father," he murmured. "But I guess… the real thing can never be replaced, huh?"
His hands trembled. His thoughts spiraled.
Then—With a sudden growl, his human fingers shifted into sharp, clawed ones.
And he struck himself across the face.
"H-Huh?!" Lykos gasped, taking a step back. "What are you doing, sir?!"
Lycaon exhaled, the sting grounding him. "Just punishing my own stupidity," he muttered.
A small, sad smile crossed his lips.
"Nice to meet you, kid."
And with that, he turned and walked away.
He let go of Lykos.
But the rage in his heart still burned.
From a distance, I wiped my eyes, sniffling. "Give me a tissue, I think I'm going to cry."
"Hey!" Lycaon snapped, turning to face me. "You've been watching this whole time?!"
I grinned sheepishly.
His scowl deepened.
Moments later, we climbed onto the dragon's back, leaving the painful past behind as we set off once more—this time, in search of Ploopa.
I explained everything to Zack and Lycaon. They listened intently, their expressions shifting from disbelief to realization.
After everything they'd seen, it wasn't too hard to accept.
"So, this man is you in this world?" Lycaon asked, arms crossed.
"Yeah, that's right," Taki confirmed with a grin.
Lycaon muttered under his breath, still processing. "So we really did move to another world… Still hard to believe."
Taki chuckled. "Yeah, but admit it—it was kind of fun, right?"
"Yea—" I started, nodding, but before I could finish, Zack suddenly cut in.
"Not to ruin your little chat, but I see Ploopa over there." He pointed downward.
I followed his gaze.
Sure enough, Ploopa stood near a swirling portal, holding someone—Nia.
"We found them! That's enough for me." I turned back to Taki, smiling. "It was nice seeing you again, Taki."
"Yeah. Goodbye, Arche. I hope we meet again… and maybe next time, without all the trouble."
"Hah! I'll drink to that." I smirked.
Just then, a distorted voice rang out.
"oH… yOu'Ve FouNd uS? WelL… sHe aLreAdY hAs tHe EnErGy To oPeN tHe pOrTaL aGaIn, tHoUgH…"
Ploopa's eerie tone sent a shiver down my spine. That bastard… She was using Nia's power like it was her own.
From within the portal, I saw a dark sky. Ploopa stepped forward, dragging Nia's limp body with her.
"Me first," Zack declared. Without hesitation, he leapt from the dragon, diving straight into the portal.
Taki watched, unimpressed. "Your friend is crazy. He reminds me of Joker."
Lycaon huffed. Then, without another word, he followed Zack, disappearing into the swirling void.
Taki folded his arms. "Huh… If he reminds me of Joker, then that guy reminds me of King."
"Looks like we're leading a crazy group huh?" Taki said with a smirk.
I laughed. "Well, we're all a little crazy, aren't we?"
'Taking on an entire organization with just a handful of people?" I said.
Taki smirked. "Yeah, you're not wrong."
"Goodbye, Taki!" I called as I stepped onto the edge.
Eki let out a cheerful rumble, flashing a wide grin.
"I wish I could hug you again, Eki!" I shouted.
Then, with a final leap, I plunged into the portal.
The moment I stepped through the portal, I found myself in a strange place. It was nighttime, and the atmosphere felt... off.
I looked around. "Okay… Where the hell am I?"
Before I could figure it out, a loud voice cut through the air.
"Arashi?!"
Huh? I turned toward the source and saw Zack and Lycaon looking absolutely overwhelmed, engaged in a fierce battle against—wait, is that a kunoichi?!
"Uh… What—"
Then I got a proper look at her face.
My jaw dropped.
"ELAINA?!"
The kunoichi froze, her eyes narrowing. "Elaina? My name is Erena!"
She looked me up and down, her expression shifting to one of pure confusion.
"Wait… What kind of weird fashion sense is that? And—hold on, did you cut your hair?"
I instinctively touched my head. "What? No! My hair's fine!"
She crossed her arms, looking increasingly suspicious.
"Arashi would never cut his hair that short... Who are you?"
She pointed dramatically at me, then turned to Zack and Lycaon.
"And—am I friends with these two weirdos? Is this a joke?"
Zack and Lycaon, clearly exhausted from fighting her, took the opportunity to retreat behind me.
"Arche, if you know her, explain this mess," Zack panted.
I raised my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay! Uh… Elaina—"
Her eye twitched.
"E. RE. NA." she corrected, her voice dripping with irritation. "Seriously, how hard is it to pronounce Erena?"
I awkwardly shrugged. "Yeah, yeah, sorry, Erena."
She huffed and nodded, satisfied.
"Mhm. That's better."
Then, suddenly, she jabbed a finger at me again. "But you have no right to call me by my first name!"
I blinked. "What?"
She flipped her hair dramatically. "Listen well! My name is Erena Sereshia, Remember that—if you live long enough to."
She smirked confidently.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. Oh boy. Another one of these types…
"Uh… My name is Arche the Fool Hero." I introduced myself with as much dignity as possible.
"And these two are Zack the Deathbringer and Lycaon the Wildbeast," I added, gesturing toward my companions.
Erena raised an eyebrow, then let out a small, amused chuckle.
"Zack the Death, Lycaon the Strength… and Arche the Fool, huh? What a delightful group of weirdos you are." She smirked, arms crossed.
I placed a hand on my chest in mock offense. "Hey now, we prefer the term 'eccentric warriors.'"
She ignored me.
"But judging by your names… you guys are from Europe, huh?" She tilted her head slightly.
Oh. Right. That's probably why our names sound weird to her.
"Anyway, Sereshia. Did you, by any chance, see a weird wom—uh, creature carrying a woman?" I asked, choosing my words carefully.
At that, her playful demeanor vanished, replaced by something much sharper.
Her expression darkened. "Yeah. I did."
I leaned forward eagerly. "Really?! Where—"
"But what's it to you, huh?" Her voice carried a suspicious edge.
I blinked. "She kidnapped our friend! Do you know where they went?!"
Erena crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. "Nope."
My enthusiasm instantly crashed.
"Wh—What do you mean 'nope'?!"
She shrugged. "I mean nope. As in, I don't know."
I stared at her, my eye twitching. She definitely knows something.
"And why, exactly, should I help you guys?" she added, tilting her head.
"Why should I trust you? I barely even know you."
Lycaon sighed. "Well, when you put it that way—"
"Lycaon, shut up."
I wasn't about to lose to some sassy kunoichi.
"Ugh…" I sighed, trying to think of a way to get through to this stubborn kunoichi.
Before I could say anything, Lycaon stepped forward.
"We actually come from another world."
Erena raised an eyebrow, her face screaming, Oh? This should be good.
"Another world, huh?" She tapped her chin mockingly.
"Let me guess, you guys are heroes trying to save the day?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Clearly, she wasn't buying it.
"You're wrong," Zack cut in, stepping forward with his usual nonchalant demeanor.
"We're just gangsters looking for revenge," Zack said with a grin.
Erena blinked. Then she chuckled.
"Haha! Gangsters, huh? I love it."
"A bunch of gangsters trying to rescue their kidnapped friend."
"It sounds like the plot of a mediocre book." She said sarcastically.
I sighed. "Her words cut deeper than a blade…"
"She's a pain in the ass," Lycaon muttered.
"We have no choice but to convince her," Zack said, rubbing his temples.
Erena smirked, placing a hand on her hip. "Aww, did I hurt your feelings? I'm soooo sorry." Her sarcasm was so thick, I could probably spread it on toast.
"But let me ask you this—" She crossed her arms. "What's in it for me if I help you guys?"
Before I could answer, a voice came from behind us. "You're so stubborn, Erena."
I turned around, and my heart nearly stopped. Standing there, looking as smug as ever… was him.
Arashi.
He gave a lazy wave. "Yo! Long time no see, Basic Arche."
My eye twitched. Oh, for the love of—
"I never thought I'd run into you again," Arashi continued, smirking.
"Yeah, me neither," I muttered, crossing my arms. "And stop calling me that."
The others stood there in stunned silence, looking between us.
After all… when Arashi and I stood side by side, we were practically twins.
Erena's eyes widened in surprise when she saw Arashi standing there, as smug as ever.
"Arashi?! What are you doing here?!" she exclaimed, clearly shocked.
Arashi chuckled. "So, Erena, I see you've made some new friends." He smirked, glancing at me, Zack, and Lycaon.
Meanwhile, Zack and Lycaon were still frozen, their eyes darting between me and Arashi like they were trying to spot the difference in a puzzle game.
"No need for formalities," Arashi continued, crossing his arms.
"I'm Arashi Yorutsuki, a ronin—a wanderer without a master."
He closed his eyes dramatically. "I simply follow the wind… and my blade, of course," he muttered, his voice dripping with poetic flair.
I sighed. I've heard this speech before.
Erena rolled her eyes. "Typical Arashi. As dramatic as ever," she teased.
Ignoring her, Arashi turned to me. "I've heard your problem. I'll help you."
I narrowed my eyes. "How long have you been eavesdropping?!"
Arashi ignored my question completely. "So, Erena, which way did that creature take their friend?"
Still processing Arashi's sudden willingness to help, Erena pointed in a certain direction. "They went that way."
Arashi nodded and patted my back—hard. "Thanks for the tip. Come on, Arche." He motioned for me to follow him.
I sighed but ran after him. Zack and Lycaon followed, still occasionally glancing between us like their brains were buffering.
We kept running until—"Huh?!"
Up ahead, Ploopa froze, their eyes widening in pure shock as we charged straight toward them.
"YOu gUyS aRe fAsT," Ploopa muttered, her distorted voice echoing through the dimly lit space.
Behind her, Nia slumped against the wall, her body barely able to hold itself up.
Without hesitation, Ploopa raised her hand, trying to control Arashi's ability—unaware that he had none.
"Raijin Kiri."
With a swift diagonal slash, Arashi's blade cut through the air.
A clean, precise slice—and then, Ploopa's arm was severed.
She staggered backward, blood pouring from the fresh wound.
Her wide, disbelieving eyes darted toward the stump where her arm had been.
"Huh…?"
Her breath hitched. Then—
"Y-YoU… HoW dArE yOu?!" Ploopa shrieked, fury overtaking her shock as she lunged toward Arashi.
But the moment she saw him grinning, she froze in place.
A suffocating murderous aura enveloped her, pressing down like a storm. Cold sweat ran down her forehead.
Her instincts screamed.
She stepped back, her fight-or-flight response choosing the latter.
Without hesitation, she grabbed Nia, yanking her forward. "O-OPeN tHe pOrTaL, nOw!"
Nia's tired eyes flickered open. Reluctantly, she raised her trembling hands.
A faint glow shimmered in the air as the portal tore open.
The moment Ploopa stepped forward—
Shhk.
A sharp, metallic sound echoed as a shuriken embedded itself deep into her back.
She gasped, stumbling.
I turned my head toward the culprit. Erena stood there, arms crossed, the faintest smirk playing on her lips.
"That didn't seem very helpful," I commented dryly.
"You'll thank me later, Arche the fool hero," she replied without missing a beat.
Ignoring the pain, Ploopa dragged Nia through the portal.
"Well then, goodbye!" I said, taking one last glance at Erena and Arashi as I stepped forward.
The two of them grinned, waving casually as the portal sealed shut behind us.
We found ourselves in a grim, desolate place.
A vast, seemingly endless cemetery stretched before us, shrouded in an eerie mist.
The cold air carried the scent of damp earth and something unsettlingly stale.
As I scanned the area, my gaze landed on one of the countless tombstones.
My breath hitched.
My name was carved into it.
A chill ran down my spine. Was this… the world Nia came from?
Before I could dwell on it, a thud caught my attention.
Not far from us, Ploopa had unceremoniously thrown Nia's limp body onto the ground, right in front of the grave.
"I'Ll enD iT hEre…" Ploopa's distorted voice echoed through the still air.
My hands clenched into fists.
I turned to Lycaon. "Take Nia. Keep her safe."
Lycaon gave a sharp nod and moved toward her without hesitation.
Then, I glanced at Zack.
No words were needed.
We both stepped forward.
"Let's do this."
Zack and I launched our attack. With only one arm left, Ploopa would struggle to keep up with both of us.
I dashed toward her, aiming for her face—but at the last moment, she tilted her body at an impossible angle.
What the hell? She can bend like that?
Zack lunged from behind, attempting to strike, but Ploopa twisted away, slipping past us with inhuman agility.
I narrowed my eyes, analyzing her movements. She's not attacking—only dodging. But her evasive skills are insane.
Zack shot forward like a bullet, his speed nearly blurring—but just as he was about to reach her, Ploopa leaped.
Using his face as a foothold, she propelled herself into the air before landing gracefully on the ground.
She exhaled, looking at us with a mocking grin. "iS tHiS aLl YoU'vE gOt?" she taunted, her distorted voice grating against my ears.
Zack clicked his tongue. "She's an annoying one…"
"I couldn't agree more." A smirk formed on my lips as an idea struck me.
"Zack… let's make her feel a pain she's never felt before."
Zack's grin widened. "Tch. You don't even have to ask."
Zack sprinted toward Ploopa, and just as she tried to evade, I grabbed her from behind, locking her in place.
His blade sliced clean through her ear, severing it from her head.
Ploopa let out a bloodcurdling scream. Zack tossed me a knife, and the moment it touched my fingers, I drove it straight into her body.
Unfortunate for her—she was up against people like us. If she had been fighting those who relied entirely on their special abilities, she would have been a nightmare to defeat.
I wrenched the knife free, blood splattering onto the ground.
As her body started to collapse forward, I caught her—no, I seized her throat.
Lifting her off the ground, I tightened my grip around her neck. "You'll die here," I whispered, my voice devoid of mercy.
"No… I dOn'T.. wAnT.. tO dIe…" Ploopa choked, her voice ragged.
"I… I sTiLl hAveN't dOnE aNyThiNg tHaT wOulD… mAkE mY geNeRaL, Zepharion, prOuD…"
She gasped for air, struggling against my grip. "He… tOoK mE iN wHeN I hAd nO oNe… tAugHt mE So mUcH… I sAw hiM As mY oWn fAmIly…"
"How tragic." My eyes bore into hers, cold and unyielding. "But unfortunately for you…"
"I'm no longer the kind of person who spares enemies, no matter how tragic their past may be."
A slow, wicked smile formed on my lips.
"GoOdByE." I mimicked her distorted speech before squeezing the last breath from her throat.
Her lifeless body dangled for a moment before I tossed it aside, letting it crumple to the dirt.
She was dead.
I turned around, my chest tightening as my gaze landed on Nia.
She lay on the ground, her breathing faint but steady.
Lycaon and Zack were already beside her, checking her condition.
Desperate, I took a step closer. "Zack! You used to be a doctor, right? What's wrong with her?!" My voice came out harsher than I intended.
Zack let out a slow breath before nodding. "She's fine… just exhausted."
A weight lifted off my chest, and I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath.
Then, Nia's eyelids fluttered open.
Her tired eyes scanned our faces, pausing on me. She must have seen the relief on my face because her lips curled into a small, tired smile.
Then, her gaze shifted—her body tensed.
She had spotted Ploopa's lifeless form lying near the grave.
"…You guys actually won?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded. "Yeah. It's over."
A strange expression crossed her face—something between disbelief and a faint trace of admiration.
"You guys… are monsters, huh?" she muttered.
I didn't know if that was meant to be a compliment or not, but I simply smiled.
Lycaon was more direct. "Can you explain what happened?"
Nia nodded slowly, gathering her strength.
"…When I secretly escaped from the organization, I didn't realize that Ploopa was following me." Her fingers curled into fists.
"Zeph ordered her to watch me because both of us were his captain."
Her voice trembled slightly. "But I… I didn't know that."
"So when I was waiting for you guys in that country, she suddenly appeared in front of me."
A bitter understanding settled in my chest. That's why she was captured so easily.
Nia let out a heavy sigh. "Honestly, I'm surprised you guys managed to take her down that fast… She was known for her insane speed."
"She was fast," I admitted. "But she got slower… thanks to a certain kunoichi who threw a poisoned shuriken at her."
Nia blinked, clearly processing my words. "That weakened her," I finished.
Silence fell between us for a moment.
Then, with effort, Nia pushed herself up, standing on shaky legs.
Instinctively, we stood up too, ready to support her if she needed it.
Lycaon's voice broke the silence.
"…Can you open a portal to take us home?"
"Yes… I can," Nia said, her voice quieter than before. "But only once."
Her words made my chest tighten.
"The reason I was thrown into your world…" She took a deep breath before continuing, "was because I found an artifact that accidentally awakened all of my abilities."
Her fingers trembled slightly as she clenched them into fists. "And before I knew it… I was pulled into your world."
I stared at her, still trying to process it all.
"…So, you have the ability to travel between worlds?" My voice came out in disbelief, even though I had already witnessed it firsthand.
Nia gave a small nod, her expression unreadable. "Yes… but because I've overused it today, if I open another portal now…"
"My ability to cross worlds maybe will disappear."
Silence fell.
For a moment, none of us spoke.
We were stunned—not just because of what she had said, but because we understood what it meant.
Then, before we could say anything else, a portal appeared.
When we turned to look at it, we saw something unexpected—
It was evening in our world.
A breathtaking sunset stretched across the sky, its golden and crimson hues reflecting on the ground beneath us.
"This is your world," Nia said softly.
I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.
"…Nia," I started, but she just gave me a gentle smile.
"I'm glad…" she whispered, her voice filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place. "…to have met good people like you."
And before any of us could react—She pushed us into the portal.
We returned to our world, and as I turned around, I saw the portal slowly closing behind us.
Unlike before, this time it closed agonizingly slow.
It was almost as if…
She was waiting.
She wouldn't say it out loud. She wouldn't admit it.
But deep down, she wanted me to pull her into this world again.
And the moment I realized that—I ran.
I ran with everything I had, straight back into the portal.
"Nia!"
Her eyes widened in shock.
"W-What are you doing, you idiot?!" she screamed, her voice shaking. Tears welled up in her eyes.
I reached for her.
"I'm kidnapping you!" I yelled, grabbing her hand without hesitation.
She gasped, eyes searching mine, as if trying to process what I had just said.
But there was no time to think.
The portal was shrinking.
I pulled her into my arms and jumped—just as the last remnants of light from the portal began to fade.
For a moment, everything went silent.
Then, I felt my body hit the ground.
I opened my eyes, breathless, and saw her—safe in my arms.
A deep sigh of relief escaped my lips.
"That was close…" I muttered.
"Arche, are you okay?" Zack's voice broke through the moment.
"You barely made it," Lycaon added.
I sat up, my body still processing what had just happened. "Yeah… I'm fine."
Nia, however, suddenly stood up—and without warning, she started hitting my chest.
Not hard.
Just small, frustrated hits, her shoulders trembling. "You… you… idiot."
I didn't stop her.
She wasn't trying to hurt me.
She just needed somewhere to let out everything she was feeling.
"Why…?" Nia's voice trembled, her hands clenching into fists.
"Why do you still want a burden like me…?" Her eyes were filled with so much uncertainty, so much pain.
"If you… hadn't made it in time—" her breath hitched, "your body would've been—"
She swallowed hard.
"You would've been split in two."
Her voice cracked on the last word.
"...You could've died, Arche."
I simply smiled.
"Who's the burden here?" I asked, tilting my head.
"I told you, right?"
I reached out and gently flicked her forehead.
"I kidnapped you."
Nia flinched slightly, blinking up at me in confusion.
"And as your kidnapper," I continued, crossing my arms with a grin, "I'm going to make you do something for me."
Her brows furrowed.
"...What?" she asked hesitantly.
I took a step forward, locking eyes with her. "Join our team."
Her breath hitched.
"Help us take revenge on the Lunar Ascendance."
Nia's expression instantly shifted to one of shock. "Wait… what?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
"You guys—" she took a step back, shaking her head, "you guys want to attack that organization?!"
She looked at all of us as if we had just gone insane. "Are you guys crazy?!"
"Yeah," Zack said with a smirk.
"We're completely insane," Lycaon added with a chuckle.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a single tarot card.
'The Empress.'
I held it out to her.
"Do you want to be our Queen?" I asked.
Nia stared at the card, then at me.
"We don't see you as a burden, Nia."
"We see you as the only one who knows where to find them."
Nia let out a soft, shaky breath.
Then, she smiled.
A real, genuine smile.
She wiped away the lingering tears on her cheeks before taking the tarot card from my hand.
Her fingers brushed against mine—warm, hesitant, but steady.
"Yes…" she whispered, holding the card close to her chest.
"I do."
She slipped it into her pocket.
But before I could even react—She grabbed my collar and pulled me in.
And then, she kissed me. Not a soft, hesitant kiss.
It was fierce. Desperate. Aggressive.
Like she had been holding back so much—so many emotions, so many unspoken words—And this was the only way she could let them out.
"Get a room!" Lycaon groaned.
Zack, thankfully, had the decency to nudge him in the ribs.
I, on the other hand, was left speechless.
When she finally pulled away, I just stood there, completely dazed.
"Since you forced me back to this world," Nia said, her voice playful yet filled with something deeper, more intimate,
"You better take care of me until I die."
She smiled—radiant, confident, alive.
"And don't call me Nia anymore," she added.
"It sounds childish."
She took a step closer, eyes locked onto mine. "Just call me Chronia."
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
"...Ah. O-Okay…" I nodded, still trying to process everything.
Especially that kiss.
"Are you guys finished making out yet? Because I have an amazing idea!" Zack suddenly blurted out.
All eyes were on him.
I sighed. "Zack, do you ever think before you speak?"
"Not really," he grinned. "But hear me out!"
He leaned forward, excitement gleaming in his eyes."We're not some righteous heroes."
"We're not holy saints who fight for justice or whatever."
"But what we are... is Venganza."
He let the name settle in the air before continuing. "And every real gang needs a mark."
"A tattoo. Something that tells the world exactly who we are."
A tattoo, huh?
The idea sent a thrill down my spine. I'd never thought about getting one before…
but the thought of having something that binds us together—that shows we belong to something bigger—I glanced at Chronia.
She smirked, already knowing what was going through my head.
"Not bad," she admitted.
"Alright, let's do it," I said.
With that, we left the open field and made our way to a tattoo parlor.
Zack had already decided on the design.
Venganza name with classic font.
Lycaon went first.
The buzzing of the tattoo needle filled the room as he sat there, barely flinching.
When he was done, he turned around and grinned, showing off a massive Venganza tattoo sprawled across his back.
Zack got his on his arm—simple, clean, but undeniably badass.
And then it was our turn.
Chronia and I exchanged glances.
"Where do you want it?" she asked.
"Chest," I said.
Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Me too."
The tattoo artist got to work, the sharp sting of the needle sending a rush of adrenaline through me.
It burned, but in a way that felt right.
Like carving something permanent onto my skin was just another way of saying, I belong here.
When it was done, I ran my fingers over the fresh ink on my right chest.
Chronia stood beside me, tracing the mark on her left chest.
She smirked. "Guess that makes us official now, huh?"
I grinned. "Damn right."
With our new marks, we headed straight to the bar.
Drinks flowed.
Laughter echoed.
Lycaon, already tipsy, was slurring some ridiculous story about how he once took down three guys at once—Zack, equally drunk, egging him on.
Chronia and I stood leaning against the bar, watching them with amused smiles.
I turned to her, eyes lingering on the soft glow of the bar lights against her skin.
"...So, what information did you gather?" I asked, my voice steady.
Chronia leaned back against the table, crossing her arms.
"The organization's goal is to create a new world... That is their ultimate mission," she said, her tone devoid of emotion.
I narrowed my eyes. "A new world?"
She nodded. "To accomplish that, they need immense resources—far beyond what they currently possess."
She slid a document across the table. "That's why they've started plundering. Their next targets are listed here."
I picked up the paper, scanning the contents.
Kingdom of Golden Sands.
A deep frown settled on my face. I knew that place well.
But then—my eyes landed on another name.
Robetta.
My breath hitched.
Robetta... Elaina's birthplace.
I gritted my teeth, my grip on the paper tightening.
That bastard.
Valth.
Even though I had deliberately avoided mentioning Elaina's name in front of him—he still found out.
The room felt colder.
"...Damn it."
Chronia noticed my reaction. "You know this place, don't you?"
I exhaled sharply, trying to suppress the burning anger rising within me.
"Yeah. And I know exactly who's behind this."
I won't let it happen.
I won't let the country where she was born be reduced to ruin.
I won't let her suffer.
Then… I have to act now.
No more hesitation. No more games.
I need to cast aside my childish nature—the part of me that always laughed and made light of things.
It's time to be serious. For Elaina's sake.
Chronia placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch lingering.
"Arche, you suddenly look so intense… What's on your mind?"
I exhaled, steadying myself. "Nothing. What matters now is that we move quickly."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
"After this, we're heading to Havenvale," I continued. "I received a letter from a contact there. The weapon I ordered is ready."
Chronia blinked in brief surprise at my sudden boldness, but it vanished almost instantly.
Her lips then curled into a mischievous smile, full of hidden meaning.
She leaned in—so close that her warmth pressed into my side, her presence wrapping around me like silk.
There was one thing I was sure of.
No matter what, I will bring that organization to its knees.
Neither in this world nor elsewhere is there any happiness in store for them who always doubts.