Amara led Noah to a place nestled deep in the mountains. The building was small, modest—nothing like the ancient cathedrals or radiant temples he'd envisioned when she mentioned the Bearers' meeting place. But it had charm. Ivy crept up its wooden walls, and the gentle sound of wind chimes hung in the crisp alpine air.
Noah followed her inside. The interior had a rustic warmth, the scent of aged wood and burning incense filling the air. It wasn't grand or ceremonial—it was intimate, almost cozy. A long table stretched through the middle of the room, and around it sat a few individuals. Not all the Bearers were present, that much was clear. From a quick glance, Noah counted only three.
One of them stood the moment Noah entered. His eyes narrowed, scanning Noah like a threat.
"Who the hell is this guy? Why's he here?" the man asked sharply. He was lean, with sharp cheekbones and black hair tied into a neat bun. Japanese, from his tone and presence.
"Renjiro, he's the one who helped me take down the shadow monster," Amara replied quickly.
But Renjiro wasn't having it. He jabbed a finger toward Noah. "And? That doesn't mean he's not some kinda spy. He shows up outta nowhere with a glowing relic and a sword? Sketchy as hell."
"I think he's a new Bearer," Amara said. Her voice held conviction, but there was uncertainty too. "I didn't know him before today. But he has a relic, and it chose him."
Another man leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. He had a contemplative air—like someone who calculated before speaking.
"I dunno, Amara. I'm with Renjiro on this. When we were all chosen, it happened at the same time. The lights, the tremors, the voices. So why's his appointment showing up now, outta nowhere?" Elijah asked, watching Noah intently.
Noah remained calm. He stepped forward, standing tall despite the tension in the room.
"I can explain," he said. "Before I was sent back to Earth, the Cardinals told me I'd be dropped into a moment when the world was already in crisis."
That made the room go still. Amara frowned.
"The Cardinals? Who even are they?" she asked.
Noah blinked. "Wait—you guys didn't meet them?"
They exchanged glances, brows furrowed. The silence was telling.
Renjiro stepped forward again. "We didn't meet anyone called the Cardinals. We met the god of our own faith."
Noah's brows furrowed. "The god of your… faith?"
Elijah nodded slowly. "Yeah. When I was chosen, I was standing in front of this… overwhelming presence. He called himself Ein Sof. It was like being swallowed by infinity. He didn't speak, not in words, but I understood everything."
Amara added, "I was under a moon that didn't cast shadows. A figure appeared—something divine. Gave me my Crescent and told me to protect justice. No name. Just the command."
Renjiro crossed his arms. "Amaterasu gave me the Mirror. Straight-up goddess. Said I was to carry the light. That was it. No angels. No Cardinals."
Noah looked away, thinking hard. "I was in a place that didn't make sense. It was all light, but not light. Like the concept of illumination. Time didn't feel real. There were seven figures. They called themselves the Cardinals. They said they served the Creator—not a god. The God. The one above everything."
Silence stretched once more. Elijah looked skeptical. "That's not what happened to us. If you met someone higher than the gods we saw… then either you're lying, or something's seriously off."
Jaya, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. Her voice was calm, but her gaze was piercing. "You're saying your authority comes from above ours. That's not just different—it's dangerous. Because if it's true, then what were we following?"
"I'm not making any of this up," Noah said. His hand instinctively hovered near the floating sword by his side—the Sword of Michael. Its presence was subtle but undeniable. Despite its divine aura, it felt natural to him, like a part of his being. "The Cardinals told me I'd be sent when it was too late to stop what's coming. My job isn't to prevent the darkness. It's to walk through it."
Renjiro scoffed. "So you're the late-game protagonist, huh? Here to save the day with your big-ass sword and cryptic prophecy?"
"Dude, come on," Amara sighed.
"No," Noah said firmly. "I'm not here to fix your problems. I'm here because something worse is coming. The Cardinals didn't give me specifics—just told me to expect betrayal, war, and truth that breaks everything."
He paused for a beat, eyes scanning the room.
"I'm not asking for trust. Just a shot to prove I belong here."
The Bearers exchanged uncertain glances. There was still doubt, but Noah's presence—his words, his blade, his calm—seemed to land.
Elijah finally exhaled. "We don't exactly have a bench of replacements. Trial or not, you're here now. Let's see what you can do."
Renjiro muttered something under his breath, but he didn't argue further. His posture shifted, less aggressive, more curious.
Jaya rose to her feet. Her dark cloak rippled slightly as she moved. She studied Noah with eyes that had seen too much. "Then the Circle convenes. We'll test you, Noah Cain. One of us will fight you. There's a training arena beneath this building. Ancient, but it still works."
As they began walking toward the staircase leading downward, Elijah glanced over at Noah and asked, "How old are you anyway?"
"Twenty-one," Noah said.
"Huh. I'm twenty-three," Elijah replied. He looked over his shoulder. "Renjiro's older. What are you, thirty-five?"
Renjiro didn't break stride. "Twenty-six. Don't push it."
Amara grinned. "I'm twenty-four."
Jaya, bringing up the rear, spoke softly. "I'm twenty-three."
Noah absorbed the numbers quietly. They were all close enough in age to relate, but far enough to have lived very different lives.
He nodded to himself. "Age doesn't matter here. Power does. Purpose does."
They descended into the depths of the mountain stronghold, torches lighting as they walked. The air below was colder, more solemn. The training area was circular, stone-lined, and worn with the scarring of countless clashes. Runes faintly glowed along the walls, humming with old power.
As Noah stepped into the arena, the silence was almost reverent. Each Bearer took a place on the edge of the circle. One of them would step forward. One of them would test him.
Renjiro stepped up to the plate.