The fire crackled low in the hearth as the last embers of daylight vanished beyond the horizon. Shadows stretched across the stone floor of the workers' quarters, but Rei's mind was alight with thoughts far more volatile than flame. What had started as a simple journey—one of learning, of surviving—was now spiraling into something beyond his control.
First, he was surrounded by people who feared his power or sought to exploit it. Second, he had somehow drawn the attention of the Mystic Church—an organization infamous for hunting those who didn't fit into their tightly knit mold of divine prophecy. And third, he was being watched—studied like a specimen—by the very country he was living in.
No, Rei thought bitterly. This wasn't survival anymore. This was a battlefield.
He needed power. But not the solitary kind he had been relying on. Not just magic, Qi, or the strength of his will. He needed influence. A network. A force capable of shielding him when no one else would. One that could rival a kingdom—no, eclipse it.
"I need to create an organization," Rei muttered under his breath. "One that can act in the shadows, shield me from attacks, and gain power across this land."
He turned to Levi, who was sitting casually across the table, sipping tea like the world wasn't unraveling.
"Levi," Rei asked slowly, "how do you know all this? Shouldn't information about the Thousand Records and national secrets be… classified?"
Levi raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Why do you think we workers were given this mine? This place isn't just a rest stop for tired laborers. It's a retirement home for warriors who've seen too much. Every man and woman here has survived war, espionage, or assassination. Some were knights. Others were spies. Me? I was one of the king's informants—Luc's predecessor, actually."
Rei's eyes narrowed. "So this whole town…"
"Is a nest of old wolves in sheep's clothing," Levi said with a grin. "But we're too old to fight on the front lines. Now we just live in peace… or pretend to."
Rei turned to Luc, who had been standing near the window, arms crossed, face unreadable. "And you're Luc, right? I want you to contact the king. Now."
Luc blinked. "You're ordering me?"
"Yes," Rei said, eyes flashing. "And if you've studied me as well as you claim, then you know what I'll do if you refuse."
Luc's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Fine. I'll reach out to His Majesty. Tonight."
Rei took a step forward, his presence swelling with unspoken threat. "And you'll stay out of Hazel Town until the king responds. No tricks. No surveillance. If you come near me again before then…"
"I understand," Luc interrupted, backing toward the door. "You've made your point. I'll leave."
A small yawn echoed in the room as Tenko stirred from his nap. The fox-like Navarion stretched lazily and stood up.
"Tenko," Rei said calmly. "Keep an eye on him."
Tenko tilted his head, then silently padded after Luc, his bright eyes glowing faintly in the shadows.
Levi leaned back, crossing his arms. "You don't have to worry, Rei. I told you, the king won't try to harm you. You're their best hope now. The only chance they have against the demons' return. They'll do everything in their power to shield you from the Mystic Church."
Rei shook his head. "That doesn't change what I have to do."
Levi raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you plan to do?"
"I'm going to build an organization," Rei said, his voice calm but firm. "Something that can't be easily uprooted. I'll need loyal members, influence in politics, economic power, underground strength, even control over trade routes. I'm not going to run or hide. If the world's going to keep coming after me… then I'm going to reshape the world."
Levi stared at him for a long moment before chuckling. "Well, I can't stop you, can I? In that case, I'll help. I might be retired, but I've still got a few contacts in the capital. Besides, I want to protect this country too."
Rei gave a small nod. "Good. I could use someone like you."
Levi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But one thing still bugs me. The Thousand Records have held up for eight hundred years. No one's ever strayed from them. Not even a little. So how did you break it? How did everything change?"
Rei's gaze turned distant. "Some things are meant to be broken."
There was a silence between them until Levi spoke again.
"Before we go further… You said you had a sentient weapon, right? I know someone who might be able to help with that. But you'll have to meet the king first."
"I will," Rei said. "Then we'll find your expert."
Night fell over the hills, and the flicker of torchlight faded into stillness. But Rei's mind refused to rest. He stayed up for hours sketching out symbols, drawing plans on old scrolls, and listing the traits of the people he would need—strategists, warriors, scholars, spies.
But eventually, sleep crept up and pulled him under.
And as he drifted into unconsciousness… he felt it again.
The shift in air. The hum of violet and crimson. That realm.
When Rei opened his eyes, he was standing in a void of swirling ribbons—purple, indigo, and black. They tangled in the sky above like veins, pulsing with eerie light.
In front of him stood Chaos.
The manifestation of the madness was sealed deep within him.
"I thought I escaped this place," Rei muttered.
Chaos snarled. "This may be a dream, but don't think you've escaped me. You tricked me. Caged me. But no matter how tight your bindings… I will break free. I will kill you. I SWEAR IT!"
Rei didn't flinch. "I won't let you out. Not now. Not ever. You won't take over me. You won't kill me. And you won't harm anyone else."
"You don't understand my power," Chaos hissed.
"Yes, I do," Rei said coldly. "You're weak."
The ribbons around them glowed suddenly, tightening, anchoring Chaos in place. The beast roared and lunged, but his limbs were yanked back mid-air, forcing him to all fours. He growled, his breath heavy and wild.
Rei stepped forward and placed a foot firmly atop Chaos's bowed head.
"You are strong," Rei admitted. "But I'm your master. I already sealed you. You already surrendered most of your strength to me. What makes you think you can ever defeat me?"
Chaos's eyes burned. "As you grow stronger, so do I. I am your shadow. Your inevitability. One day… You will fall. I am the end that waits."
Rei's gaze burned with defiance. "I've heard plenty of tyrants say the same thing. All of them turned to dust. Let's see which of us breaks first."
The ribbons pulsed again, and Chaos howled as he was yanked deeper into the void. The realm shook—and then shattered.
Rei's eyes shot open.
He sat upright in bed, heart racing. But he wasn't afraid.
No. He was more certain than ever.
A storm was coming.
And he would be the one to command it.