Chapter — Sorrows
Theme: Shadow Masquerade Part IV
Greenland – Aftermath of the Infiltration
The morning sun cracked over the frozen hills of Greenland, casting a gold-tinted gleam across the blood-streaked windows of Minister Ivar's home. Cold wind howled through the shattered glass. Inside the ruined bedroom, silence lingered like a curse.
Sir Caelum Veyne,the third-ranked Knight of the SUHA generation, knelt beside the trembling form of young Daniel late minister Ivar Son.
Caelum, draped in his oversized black suit and flowing trench coat, remained still as his sentient black chains writhed gently around him. His Chainsmile sword, locked in place across his back, glinted faintly in the dawn's light.
He reached out slowly and placed his gloved hand on Daniel's tiny shoulder.
The boy flinched—his breath shallow, his eyes distant with unspeakable trauma.
"Easy," Caelum whispered, voice rough with buried sorrow. "You're safe now…"
Standing a few steps behind him was Minister Tenzy, arms folded, face grim. His breath clouded in the air, and his gaze swept over the bloodstained walls and the lifeless body of Minister Ivar still pinned to the far side.
Tenzy exhaled. "It could have been any of us," he muttered. "Like I said from the beginning… The Ten want one thing. The God Tree. We must protect it at all costs, ChainSmile."
Caelum's eyes flickered up to him. "And what's the plan?"
Tenzy nodded. "There are five pieces of Yggdrasil … One rests on the Moon. The other four are here on Earth. They cannot activate the tree's full power without all five. So we divide. Each Knight will be stationed to protect one."
He stepped forward, eyes burning.
"So, Sir Caelum Veyne, I ask you: Are you willing to lay down your life for Earth?"
Caelum rose to his feet slowly. "We Knights were born for this." His words were steel.
Tenzy offered a curt nod. "Very well. Let's begin deployment."
He turned to leave, but paused.
"Escort the boy and his mother to a private lodge for now. Let them rest. They deserve peace… if only briefly."
Caelum's eyes twitched. "Understood."
Tenzy entered a black armored SUV, and with a silent wave to the soldiers, the vehicle vanished down the snowy road.
Caelum remained, staring at the boy and the woman—Ivar's widow, eyes lost, skin pale. Fury burned inside him.
"How did they get in?" he whispered, voice trembling with rage. "How did they infiltrate this deep without anyone noticing?! How?!"
But his thoughts shattered as Daniel gently leaned into his leg, seeking warmth, unaware of the storm still raging around him.
Caelum blinked. Slowly sat down beside him.
"…Hey," he whispered. "Sleep tight, alright? I'll move when you move."
But then—
CRASH!
Caelum whipped around.
Ivar's wife—grief-stricken, broken beyond repair—had climbed the rooftop of the adjacent complex. And without a word…
She jumped.
THWACK!!!
The sound echoed through the snowy plains.
Caelum's breath caught in his throat.
Her skull split against the icy pavement, blood spraying across the pristine white.
"NOOO!!" he roared, racing forward far too late.
He fell to his knees, teeth clenched, and screamed—
"FUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKK!!!"
Greenland Airport – Hours Later
The frigid morning had given way to a clear sky as a black military aircraft landed on the restricted runway.
Descending from the open ramp came Sakamoto, flanked by an elite team hand-selected by Mujin:
Madagascar, face stern, eyes sharp, wearing a gleaming white ice-armored cloak.
Tito, confident as always, hands wrapped and fists blazing with residual heat.
Asger, exuding a quiet storm, trench coat flickering with subtle sparks.
Chiro, expression unreadable beneath his hood, blades concealed.
Vincent, chewing gum, sunglasses on, fingers tapping a blade hilt.
Waiting at the runway's edge was Minister Tenzy, dressed in a heavy fur-lined overcoat.
"Welcome to Greenland," he greeted, offering no smile.
Without delay, he gestured to the armored convoy.
"Into the SUV. There's no time to waste."
They boarded.
The drive was long—past icy valleys, frozen forests, and walls of reinforced tundra walls. Finally, they arrived at a massive facility nestled within the mountainside:
SUHA Research Institution — ancient, hidden, fortified.
As everyone disembarked, Sakamoto asked, "Where are we?"
Minister Tenzy looked at the structure with reverence. "This… is where history sleeps."
"Let's go inside."
Undisclosed Location – The Ten's Inner Sanctum
A crimson glow filled the ancient throne chamber of The Ten. Monstrous statues lined the walls, and at the center—upon a jagged obsidian throne—sat Lord Arcade.
Wrapped in Draven's body, his skin glistened with a silver-black sheen of half-regeneration. His breath was heavy, but his eyes burned like twin eclipses.
Before him stood his elites—Omegas and Alphas in formation.
Arcade lifted his hand slowly. "I have already laid the plans to retrieve the Moon fragment. That piece… will not be a problem."
His gaze shifted to Huey, standing tall with his arms crossed.
"Huey. You'll handle the retrieval?"
Huey gave a slight bow. "Without fail, my lord."
Arcade nodded… and then—
CLAP!
He brought his hands together.
"Secret Art: Almighty Will."
WHOOM!!!
A blazing surge of celestial flame burst outward, flooding the entire throne room. Every Omega and Alpha was engulfed in the sacred fire—yet instead of pain, their bodies absorbed it, their aura multiplying exponentially.
Arcade's chest heaved. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
He collapsed back onto his throne, coughing violently. "I have… blessed thee. Your powers… have been multiplied. Go forth. And know I am with thee."
One by one—each Alpha and Omega vanished into shadows.
Only Huey remained.
He stepped forward in concern. "My Lord… You shouldn't push yourself. You're still recovering— you're not fullly complete "
Arcade waved him off, voice low but commanding.
"They will need that strength to rival those knights and hunters of SUHA, they will be able to match them toe to toe with what I have blessed them with. … the world will need that warning, and For Sparta you know what to do right?"
"Yes my lord" he said
He met Huey's gaze, eyes smoldering.
"Do you forget… what it means to carry the Will?"
Huey lowered his head. "I do not, my Lord."
End of Chapter – "Sorrows "
Next: SUHA's Secret of the past and present and the . Echoes of the Moon.