Dian couldn't speak. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst at any moment. Fear shimmered in his eyes, paralyzing him.
Koga's gaze lingered on him for a moment; his expression tinged with faint disappointment. He turned to leave.
"W-Will... you give me food?" Dian's voice barely rose above a whisper, each word trembling.
Koga's steps paused. A hint of a smile touched his lips. "Yes. Everything you need."
Dian's legs shook, but he forced himself upright, his face an empty void, lost from all light.
"Take me with you," he whispered, stumbling toward Koga.
Koga's hand rested lightly on his head.
"Let's go."
Kuro and his group arrived, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. The air felt heavy with silence.
"Arthur, something's off," Kuro muttered, darting inside.
Arthur and Artoria followed closely.
The air reeked of blood; darkness clung to the place like damp mist. Kuro's gaze swept over the shadows until it froze —a limp hand sprawled in the darkness. As his vision adjusted, he recognized Erik's twisted form, sprawled in a pool of blood.
Kuro's jaw tightened; he clenched his fist. Artoria's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp.
Rulet and the others stumbled in, only to be met with the cruel sight, their grief for Lilia's death fresh, Rulet's gaze fell on the body, and for a heartbeat, his world shattered. He stood still, his eyes filling with tears that blurred his vision. Then one drop fell, sliding down his cheek, followed by a snarl, an animal's fury twisted his face. "Who... Who did this?" he howled.
"Dian... where's Dian?" Sira's voice was thin, laced with dread and hopelessness.
Kuro and Arthur searched frantically, but Dian was gone. Only a silver feather lay near Erik's form. Kuro's fingers brushed it, his mind racing. He pocketed it silently.
Suddenly, the silence outside broke. Footsteps, dozens of them echoed through the alley.
The group rushed to the door.
Outside stood a group of masked assassins, their hands behind their backs. At the front was a taller figure with a sword strapped to his side. He stepped forward, "Kurozumi and Arthur, you are summoned to the temple tomorrow." His voice was calm but absolute.
"Wasn't that set for three days later?" Kuro's voice was sharp, suspicious.
"The Lord has changed his mind."
Rulet's grief twisted into fury. To him, the masked figures were the killers.
"You… you did this, didn't you?" he roared, charging forward. He grabbed one assassin by the throat and twisted, Blood sprayed and the body crumpled.
The others recoiled, fear clear in their stance. One beside Rulet stumbled back, legs shaking.
"Stay away! You... you monster!"
"Rulet, stop!" Arthur's voice was sharp, desperate.
The leader glared, trying to regain authority. "How dare you stand against the Lord!"
Rulet's bloodshot eyes locked onto him. "You... You're the one!"
He lunged again, two assassins moving to block him. His eyes glowed a fierce brown. His arms bulged with unnatural strength, and he smashed their skulls together, bone shattered, and lifeless bodies fell.
The leader stepped back, fear cracking his mask. "We came to deliver a message, you lunatic!"
"You're the monsters here," Rulet growled, advancing.
The leader leapt back, and with a desperate signal, the masked men vanished. Rulet's body tensed, ready to leap after them.
"Boss… please, stop." Sira's voice was a thin whisper, broken with grief.
Rulet stood frozen, his breathing heavy. Slowly, his muscles relaxed, the glow in his eyes fading. He stood there like a hollow shell, a guardian who has failed to do his duty.
Kuro exchanged a glance with Arthur and they walked inside.
"So, what now?" Arthur's voice was tight, the tension clinging to the air.
Kuro Clenched his fist and slammed it into the wall, "Fuck, What the hell is he planning." his voice was a low growl.
"Maybe he just wants to talk," Arthur suggested.
"Or maybe it's a trap. What if he's trying to capture us?"
"Maybe it's not a trap," Arthur replied, though doubt laced his words.
Kuro's gaze was sharp. "But I have an idea. Will you work with me?"
Arthur's expression tightened, but then he nodded. "We're in this mess together. I'll make sure you don't do anything too reckless."
"Good," Kuro leaned closer, explaining his plan in a low voice. He barely noticed the figure watching them from the shadows.
"Artoria, come out," Kuro called without turning.
Artoria stepped forward, she was in her true form, her ethereal beauty catching the dim light. "Are you really going to do something dangerous?" Her voice was a fragile whisper, her eyes filled with concern.
"I have to. I need answers," Kuro replied, his tone steady. "But you won't be involved."
"I have Eclipsera. I can help!"
"No," Kuro's voice softened. "You need to be safe."
"Promise me you won't die," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Kuro's hand found hers, his gaze steady. "I promise. I won't die that easily."
She hugged him, her grip tight, desperate. Kuro's hand gently stroked her hair, and for a moment, the world seemed to calm.
Arthur looked away, a faint smile crossing his lips.
With that resolve burning in his eyes, Kuro had taken his first true step into the darkness—toward a truth that veiled in shadows, a truth that could shatter everything.
The great temple, stood in the middle of the kingdom, towered over everything and visible from every corner, its dark spires reaching for the sky like claws. Inside, servants and soldiers rushed around, their footsteps echoing through grand halls, hushed whispers filling the air.
At the heart of the temple stood a massive statue—a shadowed figure that loomed over everything. Below it, on a throne of skulls, sat Varnok—the God of Sufferings. His form was shrouded in swirling green Kagaki, his lips curled in a smile that was both knowing and cruel.
"Let's see what you're truly worth," his voice whispered, like a serpent's promise through the shadows.