Executioner tried to move, but his body still wouldn't respond. His jaw tightened, his face red with rising anger, helpless as the man in the colored robes slowly walked toward Rina with both hands calmly behind his back.
Then, the burning figure he had summoned earlier landed hard on the ground, and its blinding light stretched across the trees and over Rina. She turned her face, squinting—unable to bear how strong the glow was. But slowly, the light dimmed, and standing there now was a woman.
Her beauty was sharp and unreal. A smooth white robe draped all the way to the ground, flowing like water. Her face was hidden behind a soft blue mask, the kind you could still see through. Her eyes glowed purple, deep like a night sky, and red bangles clinked around her ankles and on her left wrist. Her hair was long and silver-white, brushing against her back like silk.
The man who had brought her forth stopped where he stood and bent one arm under his stomach. He bowed deeply, and his voice turned low and respectful.
"I greet you, my princess."
She lifted her hand slowly in return. It was a soft motion, calm, telling him his greeting had been accepted.
Then her eyes moved to Rina.
Rina felt it instantly—the pressure. It hit her chest like a mountain had dropped on her. She dropped to her knees, not by choice. Her back bent forward on its own. It was like the sky itself was forcing her to bow.
The woman walked forward, each step light but heavy with presence. When she reached Rina, she raised her head gently and spoke with a voice that sounded both soft and powerful.
"I am the princess of the Eternal Heaven Court. My name is Ayame."
She stopped in front of Rina and tapped her fingers together, once. A clear, sharp sound rang out.
Right away, the heavy pressure pressing Rina to the ground disappeared. Rina breathed in, coughed a little, and slowly stood up with Ayame's hand helping her.
Ayame's tone lightened. "This is Raikuro," she said, pointing at the man in the three-colored robe. "Please don't mind his behavior. He gets a little too serious."
Rina smiled faintly and gave a small nod.
Ayame turned her head and looked behind Rina. That's when she saw it—Executioner and the kids, all still frozen in place. Their eyes moved, but nothing else.
A small frown formed on her lips. She leaned closer to Raikuro and whispered, "Let them go. Now."
Raikuro didn't speak back. He nodded once and raised his hand, saying something low under his breath. The moment his words ended, Executioner's shoulders shifted—and he moved. So did the kids, now free, their legs shaking as they clung to each other.
Executioner staggered forward a step. His eyes went to Ayame, but there was no softness in his look. His face was cold. Quietly, he folded his arms and turned his face to the side, not even giving her a full glance.
Ayame stared at him. Her expression slowly changed—like she didn't know whether to smile or frown. There was something strange in her chest, something sharp and warm. She looked at his strong build, the way his hair fell slightly messy over his eyes, and her lips parted just a little. She muttered under her breath, "He's... handsome."
She quickly shook the thought out of her head and looked away, but something still stuck inside her. She stepped forward, reaching out slightly—trying to get a read on him—but he didn't turn.
His silence made her uneasy. She raised one hand and made a firm twist in the air, a gesture full of pride and quiet anger. With that, her feet lifted off the ground. She rose, floating upward slowly, robes flowing like clouds.
Raikuro followed, his face calm as always. He looked back once—frowning just a little, like he didn't want to—but then turned away again.
The two disappeared into the sky, leaving the forest quiet.
All of a sudden, Executioner froze. His eyes turned sharp, but his body started trembling. A loud scream tore from his throat. He dropped to his knees, clutching his head. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.
A vision hit him hard—like something bursting inside his brain.
He saw a version of himself… no, not him—Raven. The soul of Raven. He stood alone on a massive round stone, like a platform. Carved into the stone was a strange symbol—three curved lines forming a spiral flame. It pulsed, alive with power. Around the stone were three tall poles, reaching far into the sky. Each pole crackled, pulling in green thunder from the clouds above.
Raven's soul stepped into the center, right between the poles.
Then, the sky roared.
Lightning struck down hard. It wasn't just loud—it was a deafening roar that echoed in Executioner's ears like a drumbeat. The thunder wrapped around the soul, tearing through him. The pain was too real to be a dream. And when it was done, black tattoos crawled across the soul's skin, glowing faintly.
The power of the Dark Heavens had chosen him.
The voice in the vision whispered, "You now hold the might of Goryu, the god of silent storms."
Just as suddenly, the vision ended. Executioner blinked. His breathing was rough, shoulders heaving. His whole body felt different—charged. Like something inside had snapped loose.
Then, a voice echoed in his head. Loud. Confident.
"Finally. Let's give it a try."
Executioner flinched. He could talk to it now—like it was a part of him.
He thought, What do you mean, try what?
The voice replied calmly, "Your old power. It's awake now. This body can handle it. You're ready."
Executioner slowly raised his hand. Green lightning danced in his palm—sharp, wild, alive.
Rina was watching from a few steps away, frozen in place. Her eyes narrowed. "Executioner... what is that in your hand?"
He panicked and quickly swung his arm, trying to get rid of the lightning—but it didn't vanish. So, he hid his hand behind his back, stepping away.
Rina rushed toward him, worried. "Let me see it," she said, grabbing his arm.
He hesitated. "There's nothing to see."
Rina yanked his hand toward her. But by then, the lightning had vanished. She stared at his palm—empty.
"…You see?" he said with a weak smile. "You're overthinking. Lead the way."
She didn't look convinced, but she nodded and turned around, guiding the kids forward again.
Executioner stayed behind, walking slow. He kept his hand open, watching the sparks crawl across his skin. The voices inside him whispered again, showing him how to use it—how to control it.
They showed him moves. Techniques.
"Thunder Claw… Silent Fang… Wrath Pulse… Chain Roar… Judgment Strike…"
He whispered the names under his breath, testing the feel of each one.
Suddenly, without warning, a surge of power shot out of his hand—green lightning burst and tore through a thick tree nearby. The tree cracked with a loud pop. The blast burned a hole through it and it started to fall.
Executioner's eyes widened. It was falling toward Rina and the kids.
"Damn—!"
He didn't think—he just moved. Another burst of lightning shot from his hand. This one hit the tree sideways and sent it crashing in the other direction.
Rina turned sharply, eyes wide. She looked at the spot where the tree had nearly landed. Her voice dropped, cold and sharp. "…What the hell—"
Before she could finish her words, a sound slithered up behind Executioner.
It wasn't a growl. It wasn't a hiss.
It was… wrong. Wet and dry at the same time. Like a cough through a throat full of rocks.
A massive snake stood behind him—twisted and long, its skin black and green, pulsing like it was alive. Its eyes glowed orange, and its tongue flicked out, tasting the air. Fangs long as daggers hung from its jaw. The length of its body stretched beyond sight, at least thirty feet long, thick as a tree trunk.
Its name carved itself into Executioner's thoughts.
Jaryuu—the Serpent of the Broken Void.
Executioner turned slowly, already feeling the weight of another battle coming.