Aria-sensei stood still, arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on the fading tree line. The forest whispered softly, but something felt off.
"Three hours…" he muttered, a frown tugging at the edge of his mouth. "They should've been back by now."
Ryker Tensai. Yumi Ayanami. Still missing.
He turned to the gathered students, voice stern and commanding.
"Listen up! Ryker and Yumi haven't returned. That's not normal."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Daiki stepped forward nervously. "Sensei… I think I saw them heading deeper—past the marked boundary."
Aria's eyes narrowed, voice turning cold. "Past the line I explicitly told you not to cross?"
Daiki nodded slowly.
"Tch…" Aria clicked his tongue, then took a deep breath. "Everyone, pair up. No one goes alone. We're searching—now."
He turned to Daiki. "You're leading me. Show me where they went."
"Yes, Sensei!"
As students began to organize, Aria looked toward the thickening mist.
Ryker… What the hell did you drag that girl into?
Another World
Aria-sensei stood still, arms crossed, his sharp eyes fixed on the fading tree line. The forest whispered softly, but something felt off.
"Three hours…" he muttered, a frown tugging at the edge of his mouth. "They should've been back by now."
Ryker Tensai. Yumi Ayanami. Still missing.
He turned to the gathered students, voice stern and commanding.
"Listen up! Ryker and Yumi haven't returned. That's not normal."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Daiki stepped forward nervously. "Sensei… I think I saw them heading deeper—past the marked boundary."
Aria's eyes narrowed, voice turning cold. "Past the line I explicitly told you not to cross?"
Daiki nodded slowly.
"Tch…" Aria clicked his tongue, then took a deep breath. "Everyone, pair up. No one goes alone. We're searching—now."
He turned to Daiki. "You're leading me. Show me where they went."
"Yes, Sensei!"
As students began to organize, Aria looked toward the thickening mist.
Ryker… What the hell did you drag that girl into?
After the ritual ended, the glowing necklace pulsed softly in Ryker's hand. Lunara's presence was no longer in the room—at least, not physically.
Yumi stared at the necklace, her expression a mix of concern and frustration.
"Why did you do that?" she asked quietly.
Ryker slipped the necklace around his neck and turned to her, his face unreadable. "It was the only way to gain her power… and her trust."
Yumi frowned. "She trusted you already."
"No," Ryker said, voice low. "Not enough to risk everything."
The silence between them lingered. Outside, the wind rustled the leaves. The world continued, unaware of the heavy choice just made.
Yumi looked away. "You always act like you're carrying everything alone…"
Ryker stepped closer, his eyes softer now. "Because I am."
Yumi clenched her fists. "Well, stop it. I'm here too."
A small smirk tugged at Ryker's lips. "Then don't fall behind."
She looked at him, half angry, half worried. "I won't."
They stood like that for a moment—two souls caught in a world that wasn't theirs, bound by a fate neither fully understood.
But they were together.
And for now… that was enough.
A soft glow shimmered in the air as Ryker clutched the necklace, and his voice cut through the silence.
"Hey, Lunara… come back into the world."
The light brightened, swirling like mist, until a figure emerged from the glow—graceful, ethereal, and radiant. Long strands of green-and-blue hair flowed behind her, and her eyes shimmered like the dawn sky. Lunara had returned, but not in disguise.
"Why are you in your original form?" Yumi asked, stepping back cautiously.
Lunara's expression was calm but firm. "Because our deal wasn't complete."
Ryker narrowed his eyes. "What's left?"
"You want the truth about this kingdom," Lunara said softly, "then I will take you… to the king."
Without another word, she turned and began walking.
Ryker and Yumi exchanged a glance—tense, but determined.
"Let's go," Ryker said.
Together, they followed Lunara through the grand hallways of the ancient castle, their footsteps echoing against the stone floor. The guards didn't stop them—they couldn't. Not with Lunara leading the way in full royal presence.
At last, the heavy double doors of the throne room loomed before them.
Lunara stopped. "Beyond this door… you'll find answers. But be ready, Ryker. The truth may demand more than you expect."
She pushed the door open.
And inside, the King was waiting.
They stepped into the grand throne room, the doors creaking shut behind them.
The King sat upon his high seat, adorned in regal armor, eyes sharp like a hawk watching prey. As Lunara stepped forward, Ryker and Yumi bowed slightly out of courtesy.
"Your Majesty," they said in unison.
The King's gaze shifted to them. "I've heard whispers. Are you the ones who claim to have found something—or someone?"
Ryker didn't flinch. He stepped forward, tone cool and deliberate.
"No. I heard something. I heard you're chasing someone."
The King's jaw tightened. "Yes. There are intruders hiding in my kingdom."
Ryker raised an eyebrow. "And what if I told you… they're not just in your kingdom." He took a step closer.
"They're in your castle."
Silence fell.
The King sat back slowly. His voice, though calm, carried weight. "Explain yourself."
Ryker's eyes didn't waver.
"You have shadows within your own walls. Secrets. And I intend to drag them all into the light."
entire royal assembly fell into stunned silence.
Gasps echoed through the chamber as Ryker stepped forward, his eyes scanning every figure seated around the King.
Then—he raised his arm and pointed.
"Don't trust your assembly." His voice thundered like a storm.
"And don't trust me, either."
A wave of confusion swept through the hall. Ministers stood from their seats, guards shifted nervously. Lunara's eyes widened, and even Yumi felt her heart drop.
Then—in one swift motion—Ryker summoned his blade.
The sound of steel ringing filled the air as he rushed forward, blade gleaming with killing intent.
He dashed past the guards, past the gasps and shouts—straight toward the King.
The tip of his sword halted just a hair's breadth from the King's throat.
"Even you might be the one I'm looking for."
Chaos erupted.
Guards surged forward, drawing weapons to protect the King. Ministers screamed. Lunara stepped back in shock, while Yumi flinched instinctively.
But the King—he didn't move.
He sat still, eyes locked with Ryker's. Calm. Unblinking.
The silence between them weighed heavier than the sword at his neck.
Ryker slowly raised his hands in surrender, stepping back from the King's throne.
"Sorry," he said, voice flat, almost mocking. The sword vanished from his hand as quickly as it had appeared.
A furious voice shouted from the crowd, "What's the punishment for that bastard!? He pointed a sword at His Majesty!"
Guards stepped forward again, tense and ready.
But the King simply lifted his hand.
"Go back. All of you."
Silence fell. Reluctantly, the guards obeyed, returning to their positions. The angry minister clenched his fists but dared not speak further.
Ryker's eyes stayed fixed on the King.
He didn't move. Not even when I struck. He's strong… maybe even stronger than I thought.
The King finally spoke, his gaze piercing through Ryker.
"What is it that you want?"
Ryker stepped forward, eyes sharp with resolve.
"I want to speak with you," he said, "only you."
A tense hush fell over the chamber.
The King nodded without hesitation.
"Alright. Everyone, leave us."
The assembly murmured in confusion but obeyed. Cloaks rustled, sandals tapped, and the heavy doors creaked as one by one, the nobles and guards exited.
Just as Lunara turned to leave, Ryker's voice cut through the room again.
"You too, Lunara. Go."
She stopped mid-step, stunned.
"But… why me? I summoned you… I trusted you."
The King's piercing gaze fell on Lunara. There was something unreadable in his eyes—neither warmth nor wrath, but something between warning and curiosity.
She clenched her fists but nodded, stepping back without another word.
Now, only three remained in the vast hall: Ryker, Yumi, and the King.
A heavy silence lingered.