Ark 2 chapter 11 Clash at Laywing Island – The Reunion in Chaos
The beast thundered forward, massive claws ripping through earth and stone as it barreled toward them, its armored body shaking the ground with each step.
Retro stepped ahead, The Night Slayer now secured to his hand—the blade's dark emerald green steel glinting with gold trim, its three yellow-green gems pulsing, echoing the rhythm of his heart.
"Scatter! Take positions!" Retro commanded, his voice calm but firm.
Nexus and Atlas moved instinctively, as if no time had passed. Atlas summoned his frost relic into his glove, forming an icy blade that hissed with power. Nexus gripped his own weapon, his aura burning with focus.
Maris quickly guided Lea behind the debris with Lilly, keeping them safe while watching the field with her aura sense, scanning for any unseen danger.
The monster lunged, jaws wide, claws swinging—ready to tear them apart.
But Retro was faster.
In a single blink, he was in front of it, The Night Slayer clashing against its massive claws. The impact sent a tremor down his arm, but the sword held firm. The air around Retro warped from the dark energy flowing off the blade.
"I was forged for this," Retro muttered, his eyes glowing faintly. "I am the nightmare that monsters fear."
He leapt into the air, slashing across the creature's eye. The cut wasn't just physical—it tore through magical defenses, severing whatever enchantment kept it reinforced.
Atlas followed close behind, plunging his frost sword into the beast's shoulder. A wave of ice burst outward, freezing the surrounding skin solid.
Nexus ducked under the flailing limbs, his shadow-wreathed sword cutting clean through a joint with precision and speed. "Keep pressing it!"
The monster screamed in agony, blood and steam hissing out from its wounds.
Lilly stepped in, her blade engulfed in flame. She struck true, carving a molten line across its exposed side. "Stay away from my family!" she shouted with fury.
The Night Slayer pulsed in Retro's grip. The gems glowed with sinister harmony, and darkness bled from the blade like mist. Retro held it aloft, gathering the elements around him—lightning crackled, fire roared, and frost crystallized in the air.
Then, as the monster roared one last time, Retro spoke.
"Let this be your end."
He drove the sword down.
The impact wasn't just physical—it was spiritual. A black-and-green shockwave exploded from the blade, slicing through the monster and shattering its core from the inside.
The beast stood frozen for a heartbeat—then crumbled.
Silence.
Retro slowly stood, breathing heavy, the Night Slayer still humming in his grip.
Around him, the others began to rise.
Nexus sheathed his weapon, grinning. Atlas crossed his arms and nodded. Lilly walked forward with Lea, and Maris stayed close to Nexus, silent but steady.
The family was whole again—battle-scarred, tired, and bruised... but whole.
And Laywing Island had just witnessed the return of legends.
As the dust settled from their intense battle, a brief silence filled the space between them all. Retro exhaled sharply, straightening up as he reattached The Night Slayer to his side.
His eyes narrowed as he finally focused on Maris, his expression growing serious.
"Alright, reunion's nice and all," Retro began, his voice dripping with mild annoyance, "but who the hell is the merfolk?"
Maris flinched visibly, immediately stepping closer to Nexus. Her golden eyes widened, pupils trembling as she gazed at Retro, fear clearly etched on her face. Her true aura sense flared violently within her mind, revealing a terrifyingly pure, dark, and ominous aura swirling around him. Her pulse quickened, her breathing shallow.
Nexus opened his mouth, ready to step in and explain, but before he could, Atlas folded his arms, raising an eyebrow toward Lea, who still clung nervously near Lilly.
"Hold on, Retro," Atlas interjected, his tone challenging yet curious. "Before we even get there—what's the deal with your kid? Care to introduce her?"
Retro and Atlas stared each other down, the tension thickening. For a moment, the two old friends—brothers in all but blood—seemed locked in a silent standoff, each waiting for the other to speak first.
Retro finally broke the silence, exhaling through his nose and glancing at Lea, whose ears drooped slightly under the sudden attention.
"She's ours," Retro replied firmly, placing a comforting hand on Lea's shoulder. "Mine and Lilly's. Her name is Lea."
Atlas's gaze softened slightly, a faint smile crossing his face as he nodded. "Alright. Good to meet you, kid."
Lea shyly waved, inching closer to Lilly, who wrapped an arm protectively around her.
Nexus finally stepped forward, gently touching Maris's shoulder to calm her fear. "And this is Maris. She's with me."
Retro raised an eyebrow at that but said nothing further, though his intense aura calmed slightly, easing the tension in Maris's chest.
A fragile peace settled around them, a momentary understanding amidst lingering questions.
They were reunited again, but it was clear there was much left to uncover about each other's journeys.
Atlas broke the tense silence first, nodding toward a distant structure partially visible on the mountainside.
"Why don't we head toward the guild house up on the mountain?" he suggested casually, pointing up the winding road ahead. "Better than standing here drawing more monsters toward us."
Retro released a heavy sigh, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he scanned their surroundings. He glanced briefly toward Lilly, who gave a subtle, reassuring nod.
"Alright," Retro finally agreed, adjusting his sword at his side. "Let's get moving before something else decides we're lunch."
Atlas grinned faintly, clapping Nexus on the shoulder. "Come on, kid. Stay sharp."
Nexus rolled his eyes slightly, a small smirk forming. "Yeah, yeah. Like always." He glanced down at Maris, softly squeezing her hand to reassure her.
Maris exhaled slowly, still wary but reassured by Nexus's calm presence. She stayed close to his side, occasionally glancing nervously toward Retro, who now seemed slightly less intimidating—but only slightly.
Lilly gently guided Lea along, keeping her close as the young leopard-humanoid girl quietly took in the group dynamic, her curiosity clear despite the overwhelming atmosphere.
Together, the reunited group began to ascend the mountain road, each step taking them closer to the guild house—and whatever new challenges awaited them on Laywing Island.
As the group made their way steadily up the winding mountain road toward the guild house, the tension slowly gave way to an easy rhythm. Birds chirped from the trees overhead, and the distant roars of Titans echoed through the valley below.
Retro, walking casually with his arms folded behind his head, glanced sideways at Nexus with an impish smirk.
"So Nexus," Retro began, his voice deliberately casual yet mischievous, "am I to assume Maris here is your girlfriend?"
Nexus stumbled, freezing instantly in his tracks, his face flushed bright crimson beneath his fur. "W-What?!" he stammered, completely caught off guard.
Maris's golden eyes widened, her face turning an equally deep shade of red as she glanced nervously between Retro and Nexus. She quickly looked away, nervously twirling a lock of silver hair between her fingers, embarrassment radiating clearly through her aura.
Atlas chuckled loudly, clearly enjoying the sudden awkwardness of the moment. "Oh, I'd love to hear this answer too."
Nexus glared briefly at his father before looking back at Retro, desperately trying to regain composure. "I, uh—I mean..."
Retro's grin widened, clearly entertained. "Ah, so that's a yes then."
Nexus took a deep breath, quickly recovering his footing, though the blush remained. He glanced at Maris, who peeked shyly back at him, still clearly embarrassed but not entirely opposed to the idea.
"It's..." Nexus started slowly, finally composing himself enough to look Retro directly in the eyes. "It's complicated."
Retro shrugged lightly, suppressing laughter. "Fair enough."
Lilly smiled warmly, gently nudging Retro's shoulder. "Leave them be, love. You're embarrassing them."
Retro feigned innocence, throwing his hands up defensively. "Hey, I was just asking!"
Lea giggled quietly from Lilly's side, her seasickness momentarily forgotten. "You guys are funny."
Nexus sighed deeply, shaking his head, a faint, reluctant smile forming. "Let's just keep moving..."
Maris nodded quickly in agreement, though a tiny, shy smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
With laughter and teasing lingering in the air, the group continued their ascent—each of them feeling a little lighter, despite the chaos awaiting them at their destination.
As the group continued their ascent up the winding mountain road, laughter and occasional teasing filled the air, easing the previous tension.
Lea glanced thoughtfully toward Lilly, tugging gently on her sleeve. Her curious eyes shimmered with an innocent question that she clearly had been pondering for some time.
"Hey, Lilly?" Lea began softly.
Lilly smiled warmly down at her adopted daughter. "Yes, sweetheart?"
Lea tilted her head slightly, her eyes full of sincerity. "When did you first realize you loved Retro?"
Lilly stopped suddenly in her tracks, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. A faint blush crept up her cheeks as memories rushed to the surface. She blinked, momentarily lost for words.
Retro, who overheard Lea's question, chuckled quietly, glancing back at Lilly with an amused but affectionate expression.
Lea looked genuinely curious, oblivious to the sudden embarrassment her innocent inquiry had caused. "Was it like in the stories, you know, all romantic and stuff?"
Lilly laughed softly, shaking her head slightly as the blush deepened. "No... it wasn't exactly like the stories." She glanced fondly at Retro, a gentle warmth in her eyes. "It was... complicated. But when I realized it, it was the most certain thing I'd ever felt."
Lea smiled brightly, satisfied by the answer. "I think that's even better."
Retro gave Lilly a playful wink, warmth clearly showing in his gaze. "Nice answer."
Lilly nudged him lightly, smiling despite herself. "Oh, hush."
Atlas smirked, chuckling quietly. "Alright, enough mushy stuff. Let's keep moving."
With Lea's curiosity satisfied and Lilly's heart a little lighter, the group resumed their journey, each step bringing them closer to the guild house—and whatever new adventures awaited them there.
As they reached a wide clearing in the mountainside, the dense forest thinned and revealed a breathtaking view of the ancient guild house carved directly into the stone wall of the mountain. The massive doors stood at least three stories tall, etched with intricate dwarven runes and hammer-chiseled craftsmanship—a blend of artistry and power that had withstood centuries.
Everyone paused to take it in.
Lea's eyes sparkled.
"Whoa... this is real?"
Lilly ran her fingers along the engraved stonework. "This place... it feels alive."
Maris's breath caught in her throat. "I've never seen anything like this..."
Nexus stared up in silent amazement.
Only Atlas remained unfazed, folding his arms as he leaned against the stone arch.
"What? I was just here a few hours ago."
Retro smirked at that, but the moment didn't last.
Lea pointed off into the distance.
"Um... Retro?"
Retro turned just as something prickled deep in his chest.
His eyes narrowed. The air had shifted—cold, unnatural, like something ancient stirring.
"Everyone, hold up." His voice dropped into a lower, more serious tone.
He turned toward the horizon.
And then he saw it.
Beyond the ridgelines and distant valley, through a veil of mist and sunlight, the titans roamed—massive beings lumbering slowly across the land like walking mountains. Some had wings, others bore trees and moss like crowns. Their sheer size bent the landscape, their footfalls reverberating like distant thunder.
But one stood apart.
A titan larger than the rest, with glowing pale eyes and stone-like skin that shimmered with faint cracks of light, had stopped walking. It wasn't moving anymore.
It was looking.
Right at them.
Retro's hand slowly drifted to the hilt of The Night Slayer, his aura stirring like a storm beneath the surface.
"That thing..." he murmured, voice barely above a whisper, "...it's watching us."
Atlas walked up beside him, eyes narrowing as he followed his gaze.
"That one wasn't there earlier," he muttered. "Or... maybe it was, and it didn't care then."
Maris stepped in closer to Nexus, unease flooding her aura.
"Is it going to come this way?"
Retro didn't answer immediately.
The breeze picked up, ruffling everyone's cloaks, and the low groan of stone creaked from the direction of the titanic being—as if it were shifting its weight.
"Let's not waste time out here," Retro finally said. "Get inside. Now."
Everyone nodded, urgency rising in their steps as they moved toward the ancient guild doors.
Behind them, the giant watcher remained still—but its eyes didn't.
They stayed fixed on them.
Waiting. Watching. Judging.
Something was coming. Something not even the titans themselves could ignore.
The massive stone doors groaned open with a deep rumble, revealing the guild hall's towering interior, lit by hanging lanterns and embedded crystal fixtures that shimmered with soft light. The space was grand yet worn—ancient dwarven architecture meeting the grit of time and combat. Long wooden tables filled the center, maps and requests pinned to boards, while staircases spiraled upward into carved hallways. The air held the smell of parchment, steel, and lingering embers.
As they stepped in, Retro's hand never left the hilt of his sword, still wary from the presence of the titan outside.
"Atlas!" a familiar voice rang out.
The receptionist from earlier, a young woman with short auburn hair and a grumpy but alert expression, waved from the main desk. Her sleeves were rolled up, and she looked like she hadn't slept in a day.
"You're back already? Thought you'd be gone longer—wait, who the hell did you bring with you this time?"
Atlas raised a hand in greeting, looking mildly amused.
"Guess we're making this a family affair."
Retro glanced around before noticing a thick, opaque ice wall reinforcing the back section of the guild—one that still shimmered with magical frost. It was the same barricade Atlas had created hours earlier, still holding strong.
The receptionist followed Retro's gaze.
"Yeah, that mess? That's your boy's doing. Froze half the back hall to keep the monsters out. It actually worked." She crossed her arms, half impressed.
"Still kind of a pain though. We had to reroute the bathhouse entrance."
Atlas smirked.
"Hey, it worked, didn't it?"
Lea tugged on Lilly's sleeve, whispering:
"Is this a safe place?"
Lilly bent down and reassured her, brushing a hand over her hair.
"Safer than outside, for now."
Maris remained quiet beside Nexus, scanning the room cautiously—her aura sense flickering with a strange unease, though nothing malevolent lingered inside. She looked at the ice wall with fascination but kept close to Nexus.
The receptionist nodded toward a hallway.
"There's a free room on the second floor—corner suite. Bit dusty, but it's quiet. You lot look like you've had a week."
Retro grunted.
"More like a few years."
The group slowly moved deeper into the hall. As the massive doors began to shut behind them with a final boom, the tension didn't vanish—it just waited.
Because beyond that wall of ice...
Something else was watching.
As the guild doors closed with a heavy boom, sealing out the dangers lurking beyond, the young receptionist took a quiet moment to study the eclectic group that Atlas had brought in. Her eyes moved slowly from face to face—curious, intrigued, slightly amused.
A human wielding a sword that pulsed with strange power, a dragon-elf hybrid radiating quiet strength, a shy but sharp-eyed leopard girl, a young shadow fox with clear determination, and a silver-haired merfolk who seemed both cautious and perceptive.
Her gaze finally settled on Atlas, and suddenly her normally composed expression faltered.
Her cheeks flushed faintly pink, warmth spreading quickly as she realized she'd been staring a bit too openly. He certainly was striking, she admitted silently—his confident posture, those sharp golden eyes, the rugged ease with which he moved.
Quickly composing herself, she cleared her throat, hoping no one had noticed her momentary lapse.
"Well," she said, adopting her usual brisk tone but still clearly flustered beneath it. "This is definitely... an interesting group you've brought, Atlas. You planning on making trouble, or trying to stop it this time?"
Atlas caught her gaze briefly, a small, knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "Bit of both, probably."
She felt her heart jump unexpectedly, and immediately scolded herself internally, quickly glancing down at her notes to regain composure. "Right. Of course."
Keep it together, she thought sharply. You're on duty!
Yet, as the group began moving further into the guild hall, she couldn't resist stealing one last quick glance at Atlas's retreating form, her blush lingering.
This day just got a lot more interesting.
The receptionist leaned subtly on the counter, pretending to flip through her well-worn logbook, but her eyes betrayed her focus. They lingered on Atlas, trailing the way his long coat moved with each step, how confidently he walked ahead of the others. She bit the inside of her cheek, cheeks still lightly flushed.
He really doesn't even notice, does he? she thought, watching the flick of his tail, the way his ears twitched ever so slightly—always alert. Just strolls in with a whole band of misfits like he's the star of some saga... and still doesn't look tired.
Her gaze flicked to the others again—Retro, whose aura practically bent the air around him, was the kind of man who looked like he'd survived the end of the world more than once. Lilly, graceful and radiant, had a presence that nearly rivaled it. Nexus and Maris, young but already hardened by something deeper, something more dangerous. And Lea, small and bright-eyed, a spark of innocence in a sea of shadows.
But her eyes returned to Atlas—the only one who looked perfectly unfazed, as if walking into a monster-infested guild was a daily errand.
She sighed to herself, quietly amused.
"Out of all the people who walk through that door..." she muttered under her breath, "it had to be him I get flustered over."
Just then, Atlas turned slightly, golden eyes flicking back to her—whether by instinct or coincidence, she wasn't sure. Their eyes met.
She stiffened.
He offered a small, almost teasing smirk.
"You still holding down the front desk?"
Her mouth opened, but words stumbled awkwardly out.
"Y-yeah. Someone has to, you know?"
"Good," he said with a casual nod, before turning back to his group.
As he disappeared into the interior hall, she exhaled slowly, brushing a hand through her hair to hide her lingering blush.
"Damn fox," she muttered with a crooked smile.
"Why's it always the smug ones?"
As the group made their way deeper into the guild, they passed towering stone columns etched with ancient dwarven history—stories of wars long gone and beasts long slain. The warmth of the interior gave them all a brief moment to breathe.
Retro glanced around the main hall, instinctively taking note of exits, vantage points, and chokepoints. Old habits never died, especially when danger still loomed outside.
Lilly guided Lea toward a nearby bench to rest, wrapping an arm protectively around her shoulders. The young girl, though visibly tired, watched everything with wide eyes full of awe.
Nexus was unusually quiet, his eyes scanning the faded banners that hung from the ceiling. Something about the air here reminded him of the dwarven city—a feeling of legacy—of things built to last.
Maris stayed close to his side, her silver eyes flickering with unease. She could still feel distant auras—faint, shifting, monstrous—but they hadn't drawn close. Yet.
Atlas, leading the way, turned to the others as they reached a wide chamber just past the central hall.
"We'll rest here for a bit. The guild master isn't around right now, and no one will bother us in this wing."
Retro nodded, setting his blade gently against the wall before sitting down with a faint groan.
"I'm not old, but that mountain road did not do my legs any favors."
Lilly chuckled, leaning over the back of his chair.
"You handled a sea dragon a few days ago. Don't start complaining now, love."
Atlas smirked, but then his eyes turned serious.
"The titan that was watching us—something's off. It wasn't just looking... it was waiting."
Nexus looked up.
"Waiting for what?"
Atlas's ears twitched as he stared toward the distant door.
"That's what I don't like. I don't know yet."
A low hum of tension settled over the room.
Retro's hand hovered near his blade once more.
"Then let's find out. But not until Lea and the others get a proper rest.".
The air in the chamber shifted.
The stone under their feet gave off a faint tremor—subtle but deliberate.
From the far hallway, heavy footsteps echoed. Steady. Purposeful. Ancient.
Everyone turned as a figure entered through a side arch—broad-shouldered, wrapped in a deep forest green cloak lined with fur, and adorned in armor that looked equal parts ceremonial and battle-worn. His long beard was streaked with silver, braided in dwarven fashion, and his eyes—piercing amber—cut through the group like a blade.
A curved axe rested across his back. The very air seemed to give way before him.
"You brought quite the storm to my doorstep, Atlas," the man said, his voice like gravel over steel, calm but commanding.
Atlas straightened.
"Master Gronn."
The others instinctively took note. Even Retro, whose hand hovered near his sword again, relaxed just a bit. This was not a man you underestimated.
"So," Gronn said, walking slowly into the chamber as his gaze moved from face to face. "The swordsman with the relics... the half-dragon elven woman, the fox-child with shadow in his veins, the sea-blooded girl, and..." He paused, his gaze softening slightly. "A little one. Haven't seen a child walk through these doors in years."
Lea blinked, stepping behind Lilly slightly.
"She's with us," Lilly said calmly.
"I can see that," Gronn replied, then looked to Retro. "And you—you're the one they whisper about in the lower halls. The one with the Night Slayer."
Retro stood slowly, not as a threat, but with quiet confidence.
"Guess the rumors move faster than I do."
Gronn smirked.
"They always do." He walked past them, stopping at the ice wall Atlas had created earlier. He placed a hand on it, letting out a thoughtful hum.
"You've brought trouble here. But maybe... just maybe, you've also brought the solution."
Turning back, he addressed the group.
"Rest while you can. Once night falls... I'll tell you what I know about the titan that watches, and the truth about Laywing Island."
As Gronn turned and disappeared down the corridor toward his office, his heavy boots echoing against the stone floor, the room fell into a thoughtful silence. His presence had shifted the atmosphere—from wandering to weighty, from reunion to purpose.
Retro stood quietly, eyes locked onto the ice wall that shimmered faintly in the low torchlight. Frost still clung to the ground around it, tendrils of cold weaving along cracks in the stone.
He took a slow step forward.
"What happened here... Atlas?" he asked, his voice low, not accusatory—just filled with quiet curiosity.
Atlas folded his arms across his chest, ears twitching slightly as his eyes followed Retro's gaze.
"A monster," he said simply. "Big one. Crushed part of the guild hours before you arrived."
Retro raised an eyebrow. "And you sealed it with ice magic?"
Atlas nodded. "Didn't have much of a choice. Thing was about to rampage through the rest of the building." He glanced toward the wall. "I didn't kill it... just drove it back. Whatever it was, it didn't act normal. It was like something else was guiding it—like it had a purpose."
Retro narrowed his eyes at the mention of purpose.
"So it wasn't just a random attack?"
Atlas shook his head.
"No. It was searching for something... or someone."
Lilly, listening nearby, exchanged a look with Retro. Maris instinctively moved closer to Nexus, tension rippling through her aura. Lea, sensing the unease, stayed quiet but clutched tightly to Lilly's sleeve.
Retro let out a breath, cold mist forming briefly in the chilled air around the ice wall.
"If it comes back... we end it."
Atlas cracked his knuckles.
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
And as the group slowly began to settle into the guild, the frost behind the wall pulsed once—just faintly.
Something beyond it stirred.
Waiting.
As the tension settled and the others began to unpack their gear and gather their thoughts, Retro turned silently toward the hallway where Gronn had disappeared. His steps were steady but slow—he could feel that whatever the old dwarf had to say wouldn't be easy to hear.
But just as he reached the archway leading deeper into the guild, a small voice called out behind him.
"Retro?"
He paused and turned.
Lea stood there, her wide eyes shimmering under the torchlight. She fidgeted with her hands, looking unsure... and then she took a few small steps forward.
"Can I... have a hug before you go?"
The request hit him like a soft arrow straight to the chest.
Retro blinked. He hadn't expected that. Not from her.
Not after everything.
For a moment, he said nothing. The weight of the world on his shoulders suddenly felt heavier—but warmer.
Then, slowly, he crouched down and opened his arms.
"Of course you can, kiddo."
Lea rushed into his embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around him. He held her there—gentle, but strong. For a man who had seen too much, fought too long, and walked through hell more than once, this simple moment of affection nearly broke through the cracks in his armor.
"You'll be okay while I'm gone?" he asked quietly, pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes.
Lea nodded.
"As long as you come back."
He smiled faintly and tapped her gently on the forehead with his gloved hand.
"I always do."
With one final squeeze, Retro stood, gave Lilly a quiet nod, and walked down the hall toward Gronn's office, the sound of his boots echoing off the cold stone.
The halls ahead felt darker now—heavier.
The truth was waiting.
The hallway narrowed before opening into a spacious chamber carved directly into the mountain's heart. The room smelled of old parchment, steel, and faint traces of ember smoke. Books lined the walls in thick, ancient tomes. Weapon racks stood at attention in the corners, and a single round table dominated the center, covered in maps and relic fragments.
Gronn stood at the far end, back turned, pouring a dark, steaming liquid into a pair of carved stone mugs.
"Took you long enough," the dwarf grumbled, his tone gruff but not unkind.
"I figured you'd come. You've got that look."
Retro stepped inside, closing the heavy wooden door behind him.
"What look's that?"
Gronn turned, offering him a mug.
"The look of a man who knows the peace he's found is temporary."
Retro accepted the drink with a nod, taking a slow sip. It was bitter. Strong. Just like everything here.
They stood in silence for a moment.
"You've been watching the island, haven't you?" Retro asked.
Gronn exhaled.
"Every day. Every hour." He moved to the table, pulling back a sheet to reveal a rough map of Laywing Island. Circles, runes, and warnings marked several points—especially near the docks, the mountainside, and a spot marked only with an ancient dwarven glyph.
"This island isn't just crawling with monsters," he said. "It's reacting to something—or someone. The beasts don't behave like they used to. The titans are wandering outside their normal ranges. The skies darken without storms. The land feels... unhinged."
Retro's brows furrowed. "You think it's because of us?"
"No." Gronn's eyes met his. "I think it's because of what follows you."
Retro set down his mug quietly.
"The sword," Gronn continued, pointing at the relic now once again at Retro's waist. "The Night Slayer. It's more than just a weapon. It's a beacon. A scar on fate itself."
Retro's jaw tightened.
"And now," Gronn went on, "with two relics in your possession—the Depth and Time—and that sword fully returned to you..." He shook his head.
"This island isn't waiting for a hero, Retro. It's preparing for war."
Retro stepped forward.
"So tell me what's coming."
Gronn looked him dead in the eyes.
"Something old. Something that doesn't belong. You've felt it, haven't you? That presence behind the veil—watching, waiting?"
Retro didn't answer, but the way his hand drifted to his sword spoke volumes.
"Whatever it is," Gronn said grimly, "it knows you're here. And it remembers you."
The room fell silent, save for the faint sound of stone creaking somewhere far off, as if the mountain itself was listening.
Retro stared at the map for a long moment before speaking. His voice was low, edged with something heavier than the years he wore.
"A few years ago... in the dead of night... I met something."
Gronn looked up sharply.
"Something?"
"An ancient spirit," Retro clarified. "Didn't have a name. Or maybe it did—I just couldn't understand it. It didn't speak with words. It... whispered straight into my soul."
He took a step closer to the table, fingers tracing one of the darker marks on the map without thinking.
"It told me that the world—this world—had been tampered with. That relics, swords, even fate itself had been twisted. And worse..." He looked up at Gronn.
"...we'd already unleashed monsters. Things far beyond control. Far too powerful to kill."
Gronn's brow tightened.
"You think one of those things is here?"
"No," Retro replied quietly. "I think they're waking up. All of them."
Silence again.
The old dwarf sat down slowly, the weight of that possibility anchoring his thoughts.
"And you?" he asked. "What did this spirit want from you?"
Retro looked toward the ice wall down the hall, eyes distant.
"It didn't want anything. It was warning me. Said I'd be the reason the balance tips. That I had to choose... who gets saved, and who doesn't."
Gronn muttered a dwarven curse under his breath.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Retro looked back, a hollow smile on his face.
"Because I thought I could run from it. Thought maybe if I stayed out of it all... the world would fix itself." He paused.
"But the world doesn't fix itself, Gronn. It breaks quietly. Then violently."
A crack of thunder echoed faintly from the horizon—distant but heavy. The mountains trembled ever so slightly beneath their feet.
"And now it's too late to run," Retro finished.
Gronn stood again, his voice hardening.
"Then we prepare. Whatever's coming... whether it's gods, monsters, or fate itself—we don't face it on our knees."
Retro nodded, slowly drawing the Night Slayer just enough from its sheath to feel the hum of power beneath his hand.
"No," he said softly. "We face it standing."
Retro leaned over the map again, his finger hovering over one of the crudely etched symbols glowing faintly with a dull blue shimmer.
"These glyphs," he muttered. "I see some nearby... What are they, Gronn?"
The old dwarf let out a breath through his nose, stepping beside him.
"Ancient markers. Carved long before even the dwarves claimed these mountains. We've found a few over the years... most buried, some still active. We never knew what they truly meant—until recently."
He pointed to three of the closest glyphs:
The Spiral Eye – just to the west of the guild, etched into a cliffside cave. The Broken Fang – deeper in the forest, surrounded by roots and bones. The Hollow Crown – far up the mountain path, where the wind never stops howling.
"Each one," Gronn continued, "is tied to something sealed away. A guardian, a relic, a curse—depends on the glyph."
Retro's eyes locked onto the one labeled Spiral Eye.
"This one's close."
Gronn nodded.
"A cave behind the western ridge. We don't go near it anymore. Last patrol that went in..." He hesitated.
"Didn't come out."
Retro frowned.
"You think something's inside?"
"I think something's waking up." Gronn tapped the glyph again. "And this isn't the only one pulsing. They're all starting to glow now—like a warning."
Retro stood upright, sliding the Night Slayer fully back into its sheath.
"Then we don't have time to sit around. If these glyphs are connected to what's coming, we need to check them. All of them."
Gronn gave a grim nod.
"You're not wrong. But if you go poking around those sites... you better be ready for what's still buried."
Retro turned toward the door.
"I always am."
Retro stepped out of Gronn's office, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone corridor as he made his way back toward the main hall. The air was heavier now, charged with purpose and an uneasy anticipation.
Night was falling quickly outside, shadows beginning to stretch across the great stone walls of the guild. As Retro returned, he saw his friends gathered near a wide wooden table, maps and weapons spread before them.
Lilly caught his eye first, offering a quiet nod of reassurance. Lea sat beside her, eyes heavy with fatigue but still bright with curiosity. Nexus stood close to Maris, protective and attentive. Atlas leaned casually against the wall, but his ears twitched restlessly, betraying his true feelings.
Before Retro could speak, heavy footsteps echoed from behind. Gronn emerged from his office, his presence immediately drawing everyone's attention.
The old dwarf's voice was steady, strong as stone.
"Listen closely, everyone." He moved forward, his amber eyes scanning the group. "Night's falling, and I owe you some truth—especially about that titan."
Atlas straightened slightly. "The one watching us from the valley?"
Gronn nodded solemnly. "Yes. It's no ordinary titan. We call it Thalgrun—'The Mountain's Watcher.' It woke only recently, right after your arrival, Atlas. It's an ancient guardian, older than this guild, older than even the dwarven kingdom itself."
Maris shifted uneasily, eyes flickering with worry. "Guardian of what?"
Gronn's jaw tightened. "A seal. A very old, very powerful seal. Beneath the island, something slumbers—something that should never wake."
Retro's voice was low, heavy with memory. "Monsters beyond control, and too powerful to kill..."
Gronn met Retro's eyes knowingly. "Exactly. Thalgrun is awake because it senses danger. And if we don't stop whatever is triggering it... everything will change."
Silence filled the hall, broken only by the distant sounds of wind and creaking stone.
Retro stepped forward, hand firm on the hilt of the Night Slayer. "Then let's not waste another minute."
Gronn nodded, determination etched across his aged features. "Tonight, we start taking it back."
Retro placed a firm hand on Gronn's shoulder, his voice calm, but resolute.
"No."
He looked around the group before continuing.
"We'll split into a smaller team—just five would make us a target, but three..." He gave a small smirk. "Three ghosts in the dark might get further."
The group listened closely.
"Maris, Nexus, Lea, and you—Lilly—need rest. You've all been through too much today," Retro said, turning toward her. "Let us handle this. Me, Atlas, and Gronn will head to the Spiral Eye."
Gronn gave a sharp nod, already tightening the strap on his gauntlet. Atlas cracked his neck lazily, stretching a bit.
"Finally," he muttered. "Something to hit besides flying pests."
But before anyone could move, Lilly's voice cut through the room.
"Wait." She stood slowly, narrowing her eyes. "What was that name?"
Retro turned his head, slightly surprised by the shift in her tone.
"The Spiral Eye," he repeated.
A pause. Lilly's expression shifted from confused to cautious.
"...That name. I've read about it before. In old elven lore. It's not just a place—it's a warning."
Everyone turned to her now.
"The Spiral Eye was said to be a gate. A passage to something called the Unwritten Hollow, a place where memory and time collapse... and where even the gods wouldn't tread." Her voice trembled slightly, but she held her composure.
"If you go down there, you're not just fighting monsters. You're fighting the past."
Retro glanced briefly at Atlas. Atlas didn't say a word, but his eyes narrowed in thought.
"Then it's a good thing," Retro replied, tightening his coat, "that the past picked the wrong people to mess with."
He gave Lilly a small smile.
"Stay with them. Keep them safe."
Lilly wanted to protest, but the conviction in Retro's voice kept her still.
Gronn opened a side panel on the wall, revealing a stairway carved directly into the stone.
"Trail to the Spiral Eye starts down this way. If we move fast, we'll get there before the moon's at its peak."
Retro gave one last look at Nexus and Lea—then at Lilly.
"We'll be back before dawn."
And with that, the three disappeared into the stone passage, the air around them growing colder with every step.
The cold stone spiral staircase seemed to go on forever, winding deeper into the mountain's ancient heart. With every step, the light behind them dimmed, and the pressure in the air thickened—like the mountain was holding its breath.
Retro, walking just ahead of Atlas and Gronn, kept one hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. The silence allowed his thoughts to drift, and with it came a memory... one that clawed its way to the surface without permission.
It had been hours since I'd found shelter in that cursed forest. I'd made a crude bed of branches and leaves—not the most comfortable, but better than nothing. The wolves howled in the distance as I finally began to doze.
Then—snap.
A twig broke. A rustle. Someone was coming.
A faint light formed in Retro's palm as he summoned a small glow orb and stepped forward.
That's when he saw him—a redwood fox humanoid, injured, staggering from the shadows. Blood soaked his side. His breaths came sharp and shallow.
"Are you part of the group that's hunting me?" the fox growled, weak but ready to lash out.
Retro blinked.
"No... Who's hunting you?"
But before an answer could come, they both heard it—footsteps. More of them. Closing in.
The fox dropped into a shaky stance, eyes narrowing. Retro raised his sword defensively.
Suddenly, from the brush—a flash of movement. A blade.
"Duck!" Retro shouted.
The fox dove. Retro's blade met the attacker mid-swing. Metal clashed, sparks flying. With a powerful rip through the air, Retro severed the enemy's hand. A scream echoed.
Without pause, Retro lifted his sword, its blade glowing dark green, and split the attacker clean in half. The thud of the body hitting the earth was soon drowned by the sound of more pursuers.
"Damn it," he muttered.
He spun, swung again—this time horizontally. The shockwave of power from his sword cleaved through trees and enemies alike. Limbs, bodies, shadows—all collapsed in an instant.
Breathing hard, he turned back to the fox, who was lying in the dirt, stunned.
"Come with me," Retro said, holding out a hand. "I'll help you."
The fox nodded... and passed out.
"Oi, oi, oi... you can't just pass out like that."
No response.
That's when we first met, Retro thought, as the memory faded.
The stone beneath his boots brought him back to reality.
Retro gave a small chuckle under his breath.
"You've always been trouble, Atlas," he muttered.
Atlas, walking beside him, glanced over.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Retro smiled faintly and continued downward, the air growing colder... and heavier.
The staircase finally ended at a jagged stone landing—one barely touched by time. Before them stood an archway, carved with old runes and partially cracked from age. The air pulsed with something unnatural, humming with the echoes of forces long forgotten.
Retro stepped forward first, eyes narrowed. The Night Slayer sword at his side pulsed faintly—its green glow flickering in response to the magic saturating the air. Behind him, Atlas silently reached for the frost relic on his glove, while Gronn lit a dull-blue torch, its light flickering eerily against the cavern walls.
The moment they passed beneath the archway, everything changed.
The temperature dropped.
The light dimmed.
And the air grew thick—like breathing through a dream.
They entered a vast open chamber—circular, wide, and seemingly carved out of the rock itself. The center of the room held a raised platform shaped like an eye, spiraling inward. Around them, glyphs flickered faintly on the walls—some broken, others glowing like they were watching.
A deep, echoing hum vibrated the air, low and pulsing like a heart buried beneath the stone.
"So this is the Spiral Eye," Atlas muttered, voice low. "Creepy name. Creepy place."
Gronn ran a hand along one of the glowing glyphs.
"This place is older than the Guild... older than even the titans. My people knew of it only through whispered tales passed down by flame and forge."
Retro said nothing. He stepped closer to the spiral platform. Every instinct screamed that something was wrong—but he couldn't walk away now. Not when the glyphs on the map had led them here. Not when so much of the truth was buried beneath their feet.
Then—the wind stopped.
A silence that wasn't silence at all fell across the cavern. A silence that listened.
Suddenly—
A pulse echoed out from the spiral center.
Like a heartbeat.
Then another.
Then—
"Step back!" Retro barked, just as the platform in the center split open.
Out from the spiral eye rose a massive stone monolith—circular, rune-covered, and bleeding black mist. The glyphs on the walls flared to life, and a deep whispering voice began to echo in the minds of all three men.
"...You trespass..."
"...Unwritten... forsaken... forgotten..."
"...Only those marked may proceed..."
Atlas drew his frost sword.
Gronn gripped his axe.
Retro narrowed his eyes and whispered, "Then mark this."
The Night Slayer ignited, its green flames spiraling with lightning and shadow.
Retro surged forward, ready to strike, but his sword was halted mid-swing—not by force, but by sudden stillness. Time itself felt like it froze, suspended around them.
In the span of a heartbeat, a figure emerged directly in front of Retro, materializing from the pale mist—a being composed entirely of pure, radiant white light. It was a presence familiar only to Atlas, whose eyes widened instantly in recognition.
"You..." Atlas whispered, recalling the strange figure from the island he'd once been trapped upon. His grip on the frost sword tightened, uncertainty and caution coursing through him.
The ethereal figure ignored Atlas, focusing solely on Retro. Without a word, it raised one hand and reached calmly toward Retro's chest. Retro, sensing danger, tried to step back—but the being's fingers effortlessly passed through armor and flesh, touching Retro's heart directly.
Retro gasped sharply, grunting with exertion as heavy, spectral chains burst forth from his own aura, wrapping around his body, limbs, and sword. He struggled fiercely, muscles straining against their grip, but they held firm—immovable and absolute.
"What...are...you doing?" Retro snarled through gritted teeth.
The white being's voice resonated through the cavern—not spoken, but felt, vibrating through their bones and minds:
"Only until the trial is done. Only then may you proceed."
Atlas stepped forward cautiously, frost sword raised defensively. "Trial? What trial?!"
The figure finally turned slightly, acknowledging Atlas for the first time. Its featureless face tilted subtly, radiating a deep, ancient curiosity.
"Your companion's heart must be weighed. The sword he carries, the relics he wields—each demands sacrifice and judgment. The Spiral Eye will reveal the truth beneath his burdens."
Retro fought against the chains once more, anger mixing with uncertainty. "You could have just asked!"
The being's voice pulsed softly, gentle but unyielding.
"Words lie. Hearts do not."
Then, without another word, the room shifted. The walls, glyphs, and spiral vanished, plunging Retro into a place of shadow and mist, alone—trapped in a trial of memories, choices, and truths.
Atlas and Gronn stared, stunned, as Retro stood motionless, suspended by ethereal chains.
Gronn tightened his grip on his axe. "What do we do now?"
Atlas took a slow, steady breath, eyes locked onto Retro's frozen form. "We wait—and trust that whatever's in there... Retro can handle it."
As Retro stood motionless, bound by ghostly chains shimmering in pale, spectral light, Atlas took a cautious step closer. He circled carefully around Retro's frozen form, ears twitching anxiously, his golden eyes narrowed in deep concern.
Atlas exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"Dammit, Retro... always gotta do things the hard way, don't you?"
Beside him, Gronn folded his armored arms, quietly observing the scene. The dwarf's eyes held a thoughtful intensity.
"You recognize that being?" Gronn finally asked.
Atlas nodded slowly, memories flickering across his expression.
"Saw it once before, on the island I was trapped on. It... asked me strange things. Things about responsibility, sacrifice—stuff I wasn't ready to answer back then." He paused. "Looks like it decided Retro's ready, though."
Gronn's gaze hardened slightly. "Do you trust it?"
Atlas hesitated, glancing back at Retro, then shook his head slowly. "Trust isn't exactly the word I'd use. But something tells me it's not trying to harm him. It's testing him."
"Testing him for what?" Gronn questioned sharply.
Atlas looked thoughtful, the air around him cooling as his worry intensified. "To see if he's worthy. Of the sword, the relics—hell, maybe even of what's coming next."
The dwarf let out a heavy sigh, eyes locked onto Retro.
"If he fails?"
Atlas's voice lowered. "Then we're probably next. Or worse, everything else out there is."
Silence settled between them, broken only by the rhythmic humming of magic and the occasional creak of stone.
Gronn eventually sat on a nearby outcropping of rock, axe resting beside him. "Well, I'm no good at doing nothing. What do we do until then?"
Atlas stood silently for a moment, then slowly lowered himself onto the stone floor, gaze fixed unblinkingly on Retro's bound form.
"We watch," he said simply, voice steady but edged with quiet tension.
"And we hope to hell he passes."
And so, beneath the watchful glow of ancient glyphs and spectral chains, Atlas and Gronn waited—prepared for anything, yet helpless to intervene—as Retro faced the trial that could change everything.
(Inside the Spiral Eye)
Retro walked slowly along the broken pathway, each step echoing across the void beneath his feet. The world around him was unfamiliar and unwelcoming—a dreamscape twisted by memory and magic.
The sky was gray, swirling like smoke trapped in a glass dome. The land beneath his boots cracked with each step, dyed in shades of black and deep violet, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. Ruins of buildings—unnaturally clean and glowing in white and blue hues—lined the path, flickering as if not entirely real.
Retro's brows furrowed as the atmosphere pressed in on him like a weighted blanket. His fingers clenched slightly around the hilt of his sword—even here, its presence was a comfort, though it felt... muted.
At the end of the path stood a single door, freestanding, glowing with a faint blue outline. There was no wall. No frame. Just the door.
As Retro reached out toward the handle, a sharp pain stabbed through his skull.
"GRAAH—!" he staggered back, clutching his head. His knees buckled as the world spun. It felt as though something inside him was tearing—like threads of memory pulling apart and stitching back together all at once.
Then—the ground vanished.
He was falling.
Air rushed past him, howling in his ears as a whirl of lights and images blurred around him—faces, screams, battles, fire, a girl crying, a blade glowing, a world dying.
He fell through time and memory, past his own moments of triumph, regret, betrayal, and love—and then it stopped.
He landed—hard—on his knees.
The world was still. Cold.
Retro looked up.
He was no longer in the fractured world of the spiral path, but in a small house.
One he knew.
The floor creaked beneath him. The smell of dust and old wood filled his lungs. A fireplace glowed gently in the background.
And there, sitting on the old couch... was a younger version of himself.
Retro stood slowly, heart thudding in his chest.
The younger Retro looked up, his expression grim and knowing.
"So," he said, voice calm but sharp. "You finally made it here."
The older Retro said nothing.
"This trial isn't about power," the younger version continued, "It's about truth. About you. What you've lost. What you've ignored. And what you're afraid to face."
Retro's hand tightened around his blade.
The younger self stood, stepping forward, eyes glowing faintly green with a flicker of the same aura his sword once held.
"Let's see if you're still the same man... or just a mask hiding from what you've become."
He drew a glowing replica of the Night Slayer sword.
The Trial... had begun.
Retro reached for his sword—only to find his side empty.
His heart dropped.
"Looking for this?" the younger Retro grinned wickedly, lifting the glowing version of the Night Slayer, its aura burning with twisted energy. His smile wasn't one of mockery—it was unstable. Broken. Insane.
"You don't get to carry the blade of legends... not here. Not until you face what you've buried."
Before Retro could react, his younger self lunged.
SWOOSH!
Retro barely dodged the first strike, but space itself fractured, splitting his coat open and carving a deep gash across his chest. Blood spilled down his torso, sizzling against the distorted reality.
"Spatial distortion..." Retro grunted, dropping to one knee, hand clutching the wound. "What the hell is this sword—no... what is this place?"
The mad version of himself tilted his head.
"This is memory, guilt, regret—and now it's punishment."
The world shattered like glass—Retro fell backward, tumbling into a new space.
He landed hard against a stone floor, surrounded by flickering candles and shattered glass. This time, he stood in the middle of a small child's room, worn toys scattered across the floor, the air heavy with sorrow.
In the corner sat a young boy—no older than 8.
Crying.
Retro's voice caught in his throat as the boy looked up. His face was his own—but younger, more vulnerable, with wide eyes filled with confusion.
"Why did you let them die?" the boy whispered.
"Why didn't you save them?"
Retro stepped back.
"I... tried."
The boy stood up. His shadow stretched unnaturally long, engulfing the room.
"You had power. You always did. But you chose to run. You chose to survive. And every time you did..."
From behind the boy, countless silhouettes appeared—people Retro had failed, each whispering, accusing, pleading.
"You lived. We didn't."
"Why are you still alive?"
"Help us, you said you would help us"
"You have the strength to kill it"
"Help me retro" a little girl's voice echoes out.
Retro fell to his knees, the weight of their stares pulling on his chest like anchors. He couldn't breathe.
As the pressure mounted—the room vanished again.
Now he stood in a hall of mirrors, endless versions of himself staring back. All of them... wrong.
Some were covered in blood.
Others wore regal robes.
Some wept.
One screamed endlessly in silence.
One held a bloodied corpse
He stepped forward, placing his hand on the nearest mirror.
Suddenly, the reflection moved on its own, grabbing him and slamming him into the glass. It whispered:
"Which one of us are you, really?"
Retro's trial was not about combat—it was about facing every version of himself he hated, feared, and lost to time.
His mind burned. His heart cracked.
And still, he moved forward.
The winding stone walls echoed faint murmurs of conversation as Atlas and Gronn stood near a dimly glowing crystal embedded in the cavern's wall outside the archway. The air was cold, but calm—until...
"AAAGHHHHHHHHH—!!"
Retro's scream shattered the silence.
Both men turned instantly, their eyes wide. The ground quaked, dust falling from the ceiling as a pulse of dark energy erupted from the sealed archway where Retro had entered.
The very stone around the doorway cracked, glowing with an unnatural greenish-black light as violent wind spiraled outward. The torch flames nearby snuffed out, leaving only the flickering glow of the corruption bursting from the trial chamber.
Gronn gritted his teeth and reached for his axe.
"By the Forge... What in the hell is going on in there?!"
Atlas, his expression suddenly hardened, stared at the glowing doorway. He took a step forward, shielding his eyes from the surge.
"It's his trial," he muttered. "But something's gone wrong... that aura—it's not just memory magic. That's suppressed darkness... rage, guilt, grief, but this it's too much."
A shockwave burst out—throwing both of them back slightly.
Atlas stood fast, fists clenched, his shadow flickering unnaturally behind him.
"If that continues... he might tear this entire place apart without meaning to."
Gronn adjusted his stance, eyeing the sealed entrance.
"Then what do we do? We can't get in. That trial—it's soul-bound. You interfere, and it could kill him."
Atlas's ears twitched slightly, catching faint echoes—Retro's screams fading into broken whispers.
He growled lowly.
"Then we wait. But if he doesn't come back in one piece..."
He looked toward the glowing archway, his voice low and full of conviction:
"I'll go in after him, rules be damned."
The once-lively murmur of voices inside the guild hall faded as the entire structure trembled. Mugs clattered, shelves shook, and distant cracks echoed from the mountain's belly. Everyone paused—uncertain if it was a quake, or something worse.
Lilly's eyes widened.
She stopped mid-step, nearly dropping the cup of water she was carrying to Lea.
A sharp sting ran up her spine, her draconic senses alert. Her pupils narrowed.
"That aura..." she whispered. "Retro..."
Lea, sitting nearby and still recovering, perked up.
"Mom?" she asked quietly, clutching the blanket around her.
But Lilly wasn't answering yet. She turned sharply toward the stairwell that led down the mountain and toward the Spiral Eye's entrance. Her gaze sharpened as a pulse of dark magic rippled through the air—a thick, nauseating pressure only those sensitive to mana could feel.
Lea felt it too now. She clutched her chest.
"It hurts..." she whispered. "It feels... like when he was angry. But worse."
Lilly's brows furrowed as her heart pounded. Her instincts screamed fight or flight, but her love for Retro anchored her.
She knelt next to Lea and held her close.
"He's in pain. Somewhere deep underground... something's hurting him—not his body, but his soul."
She looked toward the door, wings twitching under her cloak.
"If it gets any worse..." she whispered, mostly to herself, "I'm breaking through that mountain myself."
In a quieter corner of the guild, Nexus leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed. His eyes had been closed, trying to rest—but they snapped open as the ground beneath him rumbled. The air around him grew heavier. Cold. Familiar.
"What the...?" he muttered, standing upright.
Across the room, Maris gasped sharply, nearly falling forward. She gripped the edge of a nearby bench, her silver hair falling over her face as her breathing quickened.
"No..." she whispered.
Nexus ran over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Maris? What's wrong?"
Her eyes widened as she looked up—her ability, True Aura Sense, now fully active without her meaning to.
"That aura... that darkness... It's Retro!" she said, almost choking on the words. "It's ripping through the foundation of this place."
Nexus's pupils thinned, his instincts screaming at him to move—but his feet wouldn't budge. The sheer weight of Retro's presence was bearing down like a tidal wave.
"He's... fighting himself." Maris trembled, voice shaken. "I've never seen an aura like this. It's screaming in agony—like a storm made of every emotion someone could bury: guilt, grief, rage..."
Nexus clenched his fists.
"Why now? He just got free from that damn hell hole..."
He looked toward the floor, down toward the Spiral Eye's direction, and whispered:
"Uncle... don't lose yourself again."
Maris stood beside him, brushing strands of hair out of her face as her expression turned more serious.
"He's at war with himself. But if anyone can crawl out of a battlefield like that..."
She looked Nexus dead in the eyes.
"It's him. Retro isn't just powerful—he's willpower given form."
The shaking hadn't stopped.
In fact—it had worsened.
Dust and tiny fragments of stone rained down from the cavern ceiling, cracks spiderwebbing across the floor beneath Atlas and Gronn. The once-sealed archway—meant to contain a soul-bound trial—was beginning to splinter apart.
Fissures of emerald black and glowing green light pulsed through the doorway like veins, surging with every cry of pain from within.
Gronn took a staggering step back, shielding his eyes from a sudden burst of energy that lashed out like a whip.
"This is madness! That door was forged with six divine seals! It's... it's breaking apart like glass!"
Atlas's cloak fluttered behind him, his hellhound blood stirring, his own aura rising instinctively in response. He didn't flinch.
His golden eyes narrowed, locked onto the door as it shuddered violently with another pulse of anguish from within.
"He's tearing through the trial." Atlas growled, low and grim. "Not just enduring it—he's breaking it from the inside."
The massive stone glyphs that lined the arch began to glow erratically, some even flickering out entirely—as if Retro's sheer aura had begun unraveling the enchantments themselves.
Gronn grit his teeth, gripping his weapon.
"If he loses control... this whole mountain might come down with him."
Atlas's response was instant and cold:
"Then we dig him out from the rubble. But I'm not leaving him down there."
Just then, a final, booming crack echoed like thunder. The central glyph—marked with the ancient rune for TRUTH—shattered, sending a shockwave of energy rolling through the cavern.
Atlas stepped forward, hand resting on the relic slot of his glove.
"Hold on, Retro..." he whispered.
"Don't you dare fall now."
The world around Retro was quiet. Too quiet.
Ashen winds blew across a fractured landscape—an endless field of floating stone, twisted ruins, and warped time. Faint echoes of laughter, weeping, and screaming all bled together in the distance, like memories fighting to be remembered... or forgotten.
Retro walked slowly, his steps echoing on the broken path. His breathing was sharp but heavy. His eyes, half-dead from everything he'd endured, suddenly locked onto something ahead—
A silhouette.
One he knew.
No.
His feet stopped.
His heart didn't.
A familiar warmth began to take shape just a few steps away—standing amidst the fog like a phantom made from love and regret.
She stood there, bathed in soft white light.
Hair flowing like silk, eyes holding every memory he had buried. Her dress, torn and faintly bloodstained, danced in the breeze. The same breeze that once carried their laughter.
His voice trembled.
"...You shouldn't be here..."
But she was. And she smiled. Not cruelly. Not pityingly. But with the sadness of knowing everything.
She stepped forward.
Retro flinched.
The sword at his side was gone. His armor felt hollow.
He was just himself now.
"Why are you doing this to me..." he whispered.
She reached up and gently placed her hand on his cheek. A tear fell instantly from his eye. His knees nearly buckled.
"You still cry like you did back then," she whispered.
Retro squeezed his eyes shut.
"Please... don't say anything more..."
But she continued, voice soft and commanding:
"You lost yourself in war because of me."
"You became a legend... a monster... a savior... all to avoid this moment?"
"But it's time to come back, Retro."
She smiled again, this time brighter.
"Rip down the veil. Destroy these lies. Get back to your family...oh lover boy."
Something inside Retro snapped—not in rage, but in clarity.
He looked down at his own hand—shaking, ghostly pale—then clenched it into a fist.
"...You're right."
"No more running. No more forgetting."
"No more being a coward"
He reached out.
The air in front of him cracked like glass, a spiderweb of fractures forming along the invisible fabric of reality. The chains of the trial wrapped tightly around his arms and chest, but he roared—a primal scream of loss, love, and finality.
With one mighty pull, Retro tore the very memory-scape apart.
Reality shattered.
The ground exploded with light.
The sky peeled open like torn pages of a forgotten book.
Chains burst into radiant dust.
And in the eye of the storm—stood Retro, whole again.
His Night Slayer sword flashed into existence at his side.
His wife's image began to fade with the wind, but not before whispering:
"Go protect what's left. That is your truth.... Oh lover boy."
The moment the dark aura began to fade, everyone—Atlas, Gronn, Lilly, Nexus, Maris, even Lea—felt the air shift.
It wasn't over.
Not even close.
Suddenly, a new wave of energy erupted from the depths of the cavern below—not ominous, not evil—but something deeper. Heavier. Pure. It struck like thunder through the stone, sending tremors across the mountain.
Everyone stopped.
Retro's scream echoed up through the halls, a sound that cut through space itself.
The chains binding Retro turned to ash, crumbling like ancient paper. His eyes flared open—burning with raw, untamed light. Power surged through his body, a pulse of every element, every memory, every truth he had reclaimed.
He reached forward—grabbing empty space—
—and with a sound like a thousand whispers, his Night Slayer sword formed in his hand, humming with divine resonance. Its emerald-black edge shimmered as the embedded gems sparked like stars.
The pure-white being—composed of stillness, judgment, and neutrality—stood silent.
Retro moved.
Faster than light, faster than thought—his blade cut through the being's form, cleaving it in half as if it were nothing.
The white man's eyes widened for the first time—before his form shattered into light, like glass falling through the void.
And behind him—stood the Spiral Eye Monolith, ancient and radiant.
Retro turned to it.
Raised his sword.
And with every ounce of reclaimed power, he screamed to the heavens:
"Such petty tricks will not hold me down!"
He brought the blade down in a diagonal arc—
A crescendo of force blasted from the impact point.
The monolith cracked—then exploded, releasing a surge of relic-bound magic and sending fragments soaring into the walls like meteors.
Atlas, Gronn, and the others barely had time to brace.
The walls shook.
Light surged upward through the staircase.
The Spiral Eye's foundation groaned as if the very truth of its existence had been erased.
Atlas: "He did it..."
Lilly (whispering): "He broke the trial..."
Gronn: "No... he destroyed it."
Dust floated in the air like ash from a burned memory.
The room that once held so much pressure, silence, and pain... was now in ruins. Broken stone, shattered glyphs, and flickering magical residue lined the chamber. The Spiral Eye Monolith was gone—obliterated. All that remained was a small, glowing crater where it once stood.
Retro stood in the center, sword in hand, chest rising and falling slowly.
His head lowered, shoulders slumped—not from defeat, but from the sheer release of burden. Years of grief, chains of guilt, and unsaid goodbyes had just fractured and fallen away.
The only sound was the soft hum of his Night Slayer, still pulsing with warm green light—gentle now, as if it too understood what had just happened.
He looked at his own reflection in a puddle formed by the wreckage.
Blood, dirt, and old scars stared back.
But his eyes were different.
They weren't hollow anymore.
They were alive.
Retro dropped to one knee, not in pain—but reverence.
"Thank you... for giving me strength, now rest and watch while I finish what I started all those years ago."
His voice cracked—not from weakness, but from being human.
He reached into his coat and pulled out the folded letter from Lex, now smudged with blood and soot. He gave it a small nod, tucked it safely away, then slowly rose to his feet.
The wind stirred again—though there was no wind underground.
Something had shifted.
Not just in the world... but in him.
"Time to go home," he said quietly.
He sheathed his sword.
Took one last look at the destruction behind him.
And with steady steps, walked toward the light filtering down the corridor—where Atlas and Gronn waited.
(Underground – Near the Chamber)
Atlas stood by the crumbling doorway, his hand resting on the wall, eyes narrowed as the last of the tremors faded. Dust still fell from the ceiling, the floor cracked beneath his feet.
Atlas: "That energy... it wasn't rage. It was something deeper. Something pure."
Beside him, Gronn, arms crossed, said nothing at first. He watched the ruined path ahead like a battlefield veteran reliving an old war.
Gronn: "He shattered the Spiral Eye. That monolith's been here longer than this guild has existed. Do you know what kind of force that takes?"
Atlas glanced sideways, voice low.
"Yeah... I do. He's not just Retro anymore."
They both looked forward as faint footsteps echoed from the shattered hallway.
---
(Above – Nexus and Maris)
At the top of the stairway that led deeper underground, Nexus stared down into the dark. His body was tense, tail flicking slightly, eyes sharp like a blade ready to be drawn. He could feel it—the ripple in the aura below.
Nexus: "...That wasn't normal magic. That was him—breaking through."
Next to him, Maris stood wide-eyed, hand lightly gripping Nexus's arm—not out of fear, but concern. Her silver hair shimmered with residual energy still lingering in the air.
Maris: "I saw his aura change... It used to be heavy, filled with torment. But now... it's clear. It's like watching a storm break into calm skies."
Nexus: "Yeah... but even calm skies can hide something terrifying underneath."
---
(Upstairs – Lilly and Lea)
Lilly nearly collapsed into the wall as the tremor passed. She steadied herself, heart racing, staring out the window where the stars blinked faintly in the sky.
Her dragonic senses tingled.
She felt him.
Not his pain. Not his sorrow.
But his resolve.
Lilly (softly): "...You're back."
Across the room, Lea sat at the edge of the bed, clutching a pillow tight. Her feline ears twitched, her eyes darting toward the floor as if she could feel the heartbeat of the world itself.
Lea: "Did... something happen to Dad?"
Lilly: "No... something happened inside him."
---
(Back Underground – The Return)
Light filtered through the cracked tunnel like a dawn breaking through stone.
And then—footsteps.
Slow, steady. Purposeful.
Retro stepped out of the shadows. Sword sheathed. Clothes torn. Aura still humming faintly around him like a storm that had just passed. His gaze calm, face unreadable—but those who knew him could see it:
He was changed. The aura that was black now silver as it radiated off of him.
Atlas stepped forward first. No words. Just a look.
A silent nod passed between them.
Gronn: "You okay?"
Retro exhaled deeply, brushing some dust off his coat.
Retro: "No. But I'm free from the burdens that hold me."
The faint clinking of boots against stone echoed up the spiraled stairs.
Atlas, Gronn, and Retro emerged from the depths of the Spiral Eye chamber. Dust still clung to their coats, and faint traces of energy shimmered briefly around Retro before vanishing like smoke. His expression was unreadable—calm on the surface, but beneath it, something had shifted.
At the doorway to the guild hall, Nexus and Maris waited.
Nexus's arms were crossed, but his gaze softened when he saw Retro.
Maris, still uncertain, gave a small smile—but her eyes scanned Retro's aura instinctively, sensing the storm had passed.
From above, hurried footsteps approached—the sound of someone running.
Lilly appeared first, breath caught in her chest, eyes scanning for Retro. But it was Lea who reacted faster.
"Dad!" she cried out, tears already forming.
Before Retro could brace himself, Lea leapt into his arms, throwing her full weight into the embrace. He stumbled, catching her just in time, grunting softly from the force—but smiling for the first time since emerging.
Retro (quietly): "Easy now... You're getting stronger, kid."
Lea (burying her face into his coat): "You were gone too long..."
Retro: "Yeah... but I came back. I always will."
They all began walking together into the main hall, the warmth of reunion mixing with the cool tension of recent events.
As the group gathered, Gronn paused at the stairwell behind them.
He stared down at the darkness one last time before raising his gauntleted hand. A series of runes lit up along the wall as he invoked a binding spell.
Stone and frost surged into the entrance, sealing it shut with a resounding crack.
Gronn: "The Spiral Eye is closed—for good. No one else should see what lies beneath."
The group stood in the main hall now, all together—wounded, weary, but no longer alone.
For the first time in a long while, it felt like a family.
The last echo of the sealing spell faded, and Gronn turned from the now-closed stairwell. His boots echoed against the stone as he walked toward the group.
Retro still held Lea in one arm, her head resting against his shoulder, refusing to let go.
With his other hand, he held Lilly's, their fingers intertwined—tired, but steady.
Nexus and Maris stood side by side, quietly holding hands, their silence a soft comfort in the aftermath of chaos.
Atlas leaned beside Retro, arms crossed, chatting in a low voice, the bond between them evident.
Gronn stopped a few feet in front of them all. His voice, deep and grounded, broke the stillness.
Gronn: "You've all earned this."
He glanced at Retro, then to Atlas, then to Nexus and Maris.
"The next few days... are on me. No missions, no alarms, no responsibilities."
He looked at Lilly, then to Lea—his expression softening.
Gronn (firmly): "Rest. Heal. Regroup. Whatever that trial was... it shook the very bones of this place. And if something like that is stirring—then we're going to need you all at full strength when the time comes."
A pause.
Gronn (half-gruff, half-genuine):
"That includes your soul, not just your sword arm."
Retro gave a slow nod, eyes lowering to Lea's sleeping form in his arms.
Retro (quietly): "Thanks, old man. I think... we needed to hear that."
Gronn: "Damn right you did."
He turned toward the back of the hall.
"I'll make sure rooms are set. The guild staff will tend to your needs—no questions asked."
With that, Gronn stepped away, leaving the reunited group to their moment.
As Gronn reached the far side of the hall, he turned sharply and called out with authority:
"Reyna!"
From behind the main desk, the receptionist from earlier perked up and straightened her posture. The same one who had blushed at Atlas before. With a nod, she hurried over.
Gronn: "Assign rooms. Make sure they're stocked, warm, and untouched. These are honored guests, understood?"
Reyna (nodding): "Of course, Master Gronn. Right away."
She turned toward the group and gave a polite but soft smile. Her eyes briefly lingered on Atlas before shifting back to the rest of them.
Reyna (warmly): "Please follow me."
The group followed her down a stone hallway lit by dim, enchanted lanterns. The flickering light gave everything a calm, cozy hue.
She stopped at the first door and looked back at Retro, Lilly, and Lea.
Reyna: "This one's yours. Large space, private bath, reinforced walls. Should be peaceful enough for a family."
Retro gave her a small nod of thanks, still carrying a half-asleep Lea on his shoulder. Lilly followed behind, her tail gently flicking side to side.
They stepped in, the door clicking quietly behind them.
Reyna continued down the hall, stopping at the next door.
Reyna (to Nexus and Maris):
"Yours. Two beds—just in case."
She gave a knowing wink.
Maris turned bright pink, while Nexus just scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
They slipped inside quietly.
At the final room, she paused and opened the door, looking to Atlas.
Reyna (a bit shyly):
"And... this one's for you. If you need anything—extra blankets, food, um... just ask."
Atlas raised an eyebrow at her lingering tone, but didn't say anything except a short, "Thanks."
He stepped inside, letting the door close behind him.
Now the halls were quiet. Everyone had their space. For the first time in a long time... they could breathe.
The room was warm and softly lit, a gentle breeze coming in from a cracked window. A large bed sat in the center, draped in deep green and silver sheets. Retro gently tried to lower Lea onto the bed, but her arms stayed locked tightly around his neck.
Retro (softly): "C'mon, kiddo... you need rest."
Lea (muffled): "No... not unless you're right here."
Lilly, standing nearby, smiled softly at the sight. A hint of amusement in her voice as she stepped forward.
Lilly (giggling): "Why don't we all sleep together tonight? It's been a long day... we could use it."
Retro (chuckling tiredly):
"I'd like that... but I need to get cleaned up first."
He gently leaned his forehead against Lea's.
Retro: "Lea... please wait for me, alright? Just a little bit, and then we can all curl up. I promise."
Lea blinked up at him for a moment, then slowly nodded and loosened her grip.
Lea (quietly): "Okay... just don't take too long."
Retro set her down on the bed carefully, and she immediately reached for one of the pillows, hugging it tightly. Lilly sat beside her, running her fingers through Lea's hair to soothe her.
As Retro walked toward the washroom, unfastening his coat, he paused for a second—glancing over his shoulder at them. His family. The reason he kept fighting.
And for once, his tired expression softened as he continued into the washroom.
Lilly sat gently on the edge of the bed, brushing a few strands of hair from Lea's face.
Lilly (warmly): "It's time to get out of those dusty clothes, sweetheart. Let's get you into your nightgown."
Lea (sleepily, but with a small smile): "Okay... mom."
Lilly paused for a heartbeat—those words struck her deeper than she expected. A soft smile curled her lips, and a flicker of emotion welled in her eyes. She helped Lea change gently, smoothing out the fabric of the soft nightgown and tucking her in.
Just as she finished, the bathroom door creaked open.
Retro stepped out, now wearing loose nightclothes—simple dark pants and a soft green tunic that matched his eyes. His hair was damp, and the tiredness in his gaze had dulled just enough to notice the scene before him.
Lea was curled up under the covers with her arms open toward him.
Lea: "Daddy... come here."
Lilly chuckled, patting the other side of the bed.
Lilly: "You heard her."
Retro crossed the room with a soft sigh and a smirk, climbing into bed beside them. Lea immediately nestled between them, arms draped around them both. Lilly leaned into Retro, resting her head on his shoulder, one hand reaching across to pull the covers over them.
For the first time in a long while... there was peace.
The night was quiet.
The storm could wait.
The room was quiet, lit only by a single lantern on the nightstand. The faint hum of the island's winds echoed beyond the stone walls. Nexus was sitting on the edge of the bed, shirt half-unbuttoned, still thinking about the events that had unfolded—the monster, Retro's trial, the Titans.
Maris, standing near the small window, glanced back at him. She had changed into a flowing silk nightgown the guild had provided—simple, but elegant, the silver tones catching the faint light. Her silver-like hair shimmered slightly, but her eyes betrayed her nerves.
She stepped closer.
Maris (softly): "Nexus... you've been quiet."
He glanced up, surprised slightly by the tone in her voice. His expression softened. "Sorry... Just a lot on my mind."
Maris: "I know."
A pause.
"That's why... I thought maybe I could help."
She knelt beside him and gently placed a hand on his knee. Her eyes searched his for permission, for any sign of hesitation. There was a blush in her cheeks, but behind it—an ache to feel something warm, something real, after so much fear.
Maris: "I'm not very good at this, but... I want to be close to you."
Nexus (gently): "You already are."
She leaned in slowly, attempting to kiss him, but right as their lips almost touched—Nexus turned slightly, his brow furrowed.
Nexus: "Maris... are you sure this is what you want? Not just what you think I need?"
The silence that followed was heavy.
Maris pulled back a little, embarrassed, her hand trembling slightly.
Maris: "I-I'm sorry. I just... sometimes I forget how to ask for comfort. Back when I was... a slave, affection was just a tool or a weapon. I didn't mean to—"
Before she could continue, Nexus took her hand, pulling her gently onto the bed beside him. He wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head.
Nexus (whispering): "Then let's just fall asleep like this. No pressure. Just... us."
Her body tensed at first, then slowly relaxed into his embrace.
Maris (quietly): "Okay."
And even though the attempt to seduce him failed, what she really wanted all along—was a moment of closeness—it worked better than she ever expected.
(Psych you thought there was going to be a spicy section didn't you.... LMAO)
The door clicked shut behind him. The noise of the guild faded into muffled echoes as Atlas stood there for a moment in silence, taking in the simple room: stone walls, a small window, a single bed, and a desk with a candle already lit.
He let out a slow exhale, then stepped over to the bed. Tossing his coat aside, he placed his bag down with a soft thud, pulling open the flap and rummaging through it. After a moment, his hand brushed against something familiar—worn leather, marked with scratches and weathered corners.
His journal.
Sitting down, he opened it. The pages were packed with messy ink, smudged memories, and scribbled thoughts. So much had changed.
He dipped the quill into the inkpot beside the candle and began to write:
---
"Year unknown. Month unknown. Laywing Island.
The stars look the same tonight, but everything feels different.
Two years... It's been two years since the split. Since the day I thought I'd never see them again. Retro's alive. Not only that—he's stronger than ever, like some force that time forgot. And Nexus... gods, my son's grown. He's holding his own now. He once carried Retro's blade like it belonged to him. Maybe it does.
And then there's Maris, a merfolk. I don't know what to make of her yet, but she's got eyes like someone who's seen too much and still chooses kindness. Nexus is lucky. Maybe she is too.
The island... It's chaos. Titans walking freely, monsters in broad daylight. This isn't just wild territory—this is a fracture in reality. Something's wrong here. Deeply wrong. And I've felt it since the moment I stepped onto the docks. I've been on this island for the last two weeks.
But tonight... for the first time in a long while, we're all under the same roof again. Retro. Nexus. Even Lilly and the little one, Lea. Family—not by blood, but by fire and time. And maybe that's stronger anyway.
I'll keep writing when I can. Just in case I don't make it through whatever's coming next.
—Atlas"
---
He closed the journal, the leather creaking quietly in his hands.
Looking toward the small window, he watched the distant glow of torches outside, where the guild walls met the wild unknown. With a tired sigh, he leaned back into the bed, arms crossed behind his head.
"Let's just make it through tomorrow..." he murmured.
And with that, Atlas drifted off to sleep, memories both comforting and haunting swirling quietly in the shadows of his thoughts.
a moment of peaceful rest resides above them.
The chaos of the world, the monsters, the fractured skies, and the weight of time itself—
all paused for this single breath in the night.
Within the stone walls of the guild, each room held its own warmth:
Retro, finally resting with Lilly beside him and Lea curled between them, the sound of her soft breathing grounding him more than any sword ever could.
Nexus, surprised by Maris's quiet affection, stared at the ceiling in silence, hand still lightly holding hers, unsure of the future—but not afraid of it.
And Atlas, alone yet not lonely, drifted into sleep with his journal tucked at his side, the candle burning low, a quiet witness to his resolve.
Outside, the titans roamed, and the stars blinked overhead like they had for eons.
But for now...
The heroes slept.
And the world, for once, let them.