Ark 2 chapter 12 The world that we once knew.
The first light of dawn peeked through the tall, stone-framed windows of the guild. A gentle warmth filled the rooms as morning settled in, brushing away the heaviness of the past few days.
In Retro and Lilly's room, the soft sound of rustling blankets stirred the silence. Retro opened his eyes slowly, the peaceful weight of Lea still curled up between him and Lilly. For once, there was no chaos. No fight. Just a quiet breath of stillness.
Retro lay still for a moment, watching the morning light spill across the floor. Then, carefully, he sat up without waking either of them. He rubbed his face, exhaling deeply.
A knock came gently at the door—followed by the familiar voice of Atlas.
Atlas (through the door):
"You up yet? Gronn wants to talk. Something's happening."
Retro slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake Lilly or Lea. He walked to the door and opened it, greeted by the calm, serious presence of Atlas.
Atlas (quietly):
"Good. You're up."
Retro studied Atlas's expression for a moment, his voice low and tired.
Retro (softly):
"…That means something really bad must've happened, huh?"
Atlas nodded slightly, his gaze briefly flicking past Retro toward the room's interior.
Atlas:
"Yeah. Something's stirring. I'll meet you in Gronn's office."
Without another word, Atlas turned and walked down the hallway, his footsteps fading with distance.
Retro lingered at the doorway for a breath, then turned his head to look back into the room. Lea was curled up close to Lilly, both still asleep in the soft light of morning.
A quiet smile tugged at the corner of Retro's mouth.
He whispered to himself.
Retro:
"Just a little longer, alright?"
With that, he moved quietly to get dressed, sliding on his coat and securing the Night Slayer to his side—ready once again to face whatever came next.
As Retro walked down the stone hallway, his footsteps echoing softly, distant voices drifted toward him—heated, exasperated.
Unknown Voice #1 (grumbling):
"I'm telling you, that titan didn't just stumble into the fight. It hunted the other one down. Crushed its skull like a melon."
Unknown Voice #2:
"How the hell does a titan kill another titan? Aren't they supposed to be… mindless?"
Unknown Voice #1:
"Not this one. This one watched. Waited. And then tore the other apart like it was nothing."
Retro slowed his pace just slightly, listening as he passed the corner. The murmurs faded behind him, but the tension clung to the air.
His expression grew serious.
Retro (to himself, under his breath):
"Looks like our time to rest just got shorter…"
He continued toward Gronn's office—each step a reminder that whatever was happening out there was only just beginning.
Retro approached the heavy wooden door of Gronn's office. From behind it, voices echoed—Atlas's low tone laced with concern.
Atlas (from inside):
"—I watched the whole thing. That titan wasn't acting out of instinct. It was strategic. It waited until the other titan's back was turned, then struck with precision."
Gronn (gruffly):
"That's not just strange… that's unnatural. Titans don't plan."
Retro raised his fist and gave the door two firm knocks.
Gronn (without missing a beat):
"Open it."
Retro pushed the door open. The smell of ink, parchment, and old stone filled the room. Atlas stood by a large table covered in maps and documents. Gronn sat behind his desk, arms crossed, his gaze sharp.
Atlas (glancing over):
"Good, you're here."
Gronn:
"Close the door, Retro. You're gonna want to hear this."
Retro stepped in, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click, the weight of the world already settling on his shoulders.
Retro (moving closer):
"You two wouldn't have called me in unless it was serious. So… what's happened?"
Gronn (leaning forward, his tone heavy):
"One of the titans—an obsidian-plated one—killed another titan in cold blood. No provocation. No territorial scuffle. It walked up behind it and tore its core out."
Retro (brows furrowing):
"Titans don't kill their own… not like that."
Atlas (arms folded):
"Exactly. That's what I've been saying. It didn't even eat the remains—just stood there afterward… watching. And then it looked straight up the mountain. At us."
Retro:
"Like it knew we were watching?"
Gronn:
"Like it was waiting."
A beat of silence passed—tense, heavy.
Retro (his voice low and grim):
"I saw something like that during the war. The gods used corrupted mana to twist beasts—make them turn against their own kind. Broke everything they were meant to be."
Atlas:
"You think that's what's happening here?"
Retro:
"I think something ancient is stirring. And it's rewriting the rules."
Gronn (with a shake of disbelief):
"And the craziest part? Thalgrun—the titan that watches—he's sent word… says he wants to meet you, Retro."
Retro (eyes narrowing):
"Me? Why me?"
Atlas (quietly):
"Maybe because of what's inside you. Or what's coming."
Retro (calm but firm):
"Then go get Nexus. We need to be prepared."
Atlas stepped out of Gronn's office, leaving Retro and the guild master to finish their conversation. His boots echoed softly down the stone hallway as early morning light filtered in through high windows. The guild was just beginning to stir.
He stopped in front of a door and gave it a gentle knock.
Inside, Nexus, still groggy, rolled out of bed and shuffled to the door. When he opened it, he was greeted by his father's familiar face—and a raised eyebrow.
Atlas, smirking, tapped his own cheek where Nexus had a few faded lipstick marks.
Atlas (soft chuckle):
"Looks like someone had a fun night."
Nexus, confused at first, wiped at his face quickly as a faint red crept up his neck.
Nexus (grumbling):
"Shut up…"
Atlas (smiling):
"Relax. Just get ready. We're heading out—with Retro. Something important came up."
Nexus (more alert now):
"Got it. I'll be out in a minute."
Atlas gave him a nod, then turned and started back toward the hall, his expression slowly turning serious again.
For a moment, everything seemed calm.
Then, without warning, the early morning sunlight vanished—replaced by a haunting amber glow that bathed the hallway in eerie hues. Atlas, standing near one of the tall windows, squinted toward the strange light. His eyes widened in shock.
A massive hand crashed through the stone wall, seizing him with terrifying speed.
The Titan outside wore a wicked grin, fangs gleaming as if it had just snatched its prey. Atlas's body froze, caught between panic and disbelief.
Atlas (stunned):
"How… how did it get this close without me sensing it…?"
The Titan began pulling him toward the shattered wall, its grip tightening.
But before it could drag him out—
A brilliant greenish-yellow slash tore through the air.
With a sickening sound, the Titan's hand was severed. It howled in agony, the force of its scream shaking the mountainside.
Retro stood behind Atlas, sword drawn, his aura crackling in the dim amber light.
Retro (calmly):
"Next time, don't freeze up."
Snapped from his daze, Atlas gritted his teeth and raised his glove. The Frost Relic ignited with a burst of energy as he summoned an enormous ice spear, hurling it straight into the Titan's exposed chest.
The beast stumbled backward, roaring as it tumbled down the mountainside.
Dust and debris filled the air as silence returned—if only for a moment.
The thunderous roar of the Titan echoed across the mountainside, shaking the very walls of the guild.
Within seconds, alarms sounded as guild members scrambled, weapons in hand, racing toward the source of the chaos—Retro and Atlas.
From the nearby rooms, Lilly, Lea, Nexus, and Maris burst out into the hallway, half-dressed, eyes wide with confusion and adrenaline. The air was thick with panic and magic.
Retro turned to them, his voice sharp but protective.
Retro:
"Get dressed—now. This Titan isn't just watching anymore… it's making a move."
Before anyone could respond—
A crack tore through the wall behind him.
In a flash of movement, a massive hand shot through the stone and grabbed Retro, lifting him off the ground with terrifying speed. Everyone froze—eyes wide, breath stolen.
Lea screamed. Lilly instinctively stepped forward.
Nexus:
"RETRO!"
Maris, trembling, reached for her weapon. Atlas lunged forward, too late.
The Titan pulled Retro through the shattered wall, dragging him violently outside as rocks and debris crumbled away—both of them tumbling down the side of the mountain.
The wind howled.
The world seemed to hold its breath.
And then, silence—brief and deafening.
Wind howled past Retro's ears as the Titan's grip tightened around his body like a vice. The world spun wildly, rocks and debris crashing around him as they tumbled down the mountainside. His back slammed into a tree, but the Titan didn't let go—it only squeezed harder.
Retro (gritting his teeth):
"Tch… Damn it…"
He twisted violently, trying to pry the enormous fingers apart with brute strength, but the pressure was immense. The creature's claws were like iron bars, grinding against his ribs. Blood seeped through his shirt, but his expression didn't falter.
His eyes glowed faintly.
Retro:
"You picked the wrong damn human."
Suddenly, a pulse of magic burst from him—a surge of light, followed by flickers of ice and fire along his body.
The Titan roared in pain as ice crystals exploded along its palm, forcing its grip to weaken. With that small opening, Retro slammed his foot against its thumb and ripped his upper body free.
Still halfway in its grip, Retro clenched his fist, and his sword—the Night Slayer—materialized in his hand, glowing with green and black aura.
Retro (low, furious):
"I'm not your prey…"
With a powerful swing, he slashed through the Titan's hand, severing three of its fingers. The creature howled, reeling back as Retro fell through the air, flipping mid-descent.
He landed hard on one knee, skidding across dirt and shattered stone—his sword glowing in his grip, eyes locked on the towering beast above.
Retro (rising, breath sharp):
"Round two… let's dance."
Back at the guild, the shockwave from the Titan's roar still echoed through the mountain halls. Dust rained from the ceiling, and the walls trembled with the force of the struggle just outside.
Lea clutched Lilly's arm, her leopard tail puffed out in fear, ears pinned back.
Lea (shaking):
"D-Did it just… take him?"
Lilly's eyes were wide, her breathing shallow, but her voice was steady.
Lilly:
"Yes. But he's still alive… I can feel it."
Nexus, now fully dressed, slammed his fist into the stone wall, his purple eyes burning.
Nexus:
"That thing just grabbed him like it was nothing—how the hell did it even get that close without being noticed?!"
Maris was pale, her silver hair sticking slightly to her face as she gripped Nexus's arm.
Maris (quietly):
"Something… changed. That aura—it was like the world itself recoiled when it grabbed him."
From the side hall, Gronn emerged, fully armored, his expression grim as he addressed them all.
Gronn:
"It's moving fast. That wasn't just a random attack—that Titan knew what it was doing."
Atlas limped back into view, frost fading from his fingertips, his face scratched and bleeding.
Atlas (to everyone):
"Retro's not going down that easy. But if we're going to help him—we move now. Gear up. Full equipment. No hesitation."
Lilly knelt in front of Lea, brushing hair from the girl's face gently.
Lilly:
"Lea… you stay with Gronn. You'll be safe here."
Lea stood frozen for a heartbeat—then broke into a sprint.
Lea (yelling):
"I'm going too!"
Lilly turned fast, reaching out instinctively—
"Lea, no—!"
But Lea shoved her hand away, her eyes brimming with tears and fury.
Lea:
"He's my dad now! I'm not sitting here while that thing tries to take him away from us!"
Gronn, looked between them. He was about to protest—but stopped himself, seeing the fire in the girl's eyes. He gave a short nod.
Gronn:
"She's got the heart of a fighter. If she slows down—we pull her back."
Atlas, still bruised and catching his breath, looked down at Lea, then up at the others.
Atlas:
"Stay near Lilly or me. We'll protect you."
Lea (firm):
"I can protect myself."
Nexus, gripping his sword, gave a nod toward his cousin.
"Then don't fall behind."
Maris, tense but resolute, stayed beside Nexus, eyes flicking between the team.
"Then we move—before we lose sight of him."
Lilly, standing by Lea's side, conjured a flare of magic in her hand, her aura slowly building.
"Retro's still fighting. He's holding on. We will get him back."
Atlas looked over them all, then turned toward the broken entrance.
Atlas:
"Let's go."
They ran.
Down the path the Titan had taken Retro—toward the edge of the mountain, into the unknown.
Wind howled through the cliffs as the Titan stomped downward, its claws digging into the mountain's surface for support. But its prize — Retro — was no longer thrashing blindly.
Instead, Retro now stood atop the Titan's arm, knees bent low, the blade of the Night Slayer glowing with pulsing energy.
Retro (breathing steadily):
"So we're doing this again… fine."
The Titan roared, swinging its arm violently in an attempt to fling him off. Retro leapt, flipping high into the air — then vanished.
FWOOSH!
A sonic crack echoed through the air — Retro reappeared directly in front of the Titan's eye, sword drawn back.
Retro (voice low, sharp):
"Second dance."
He slashed downward — a green arc of pure destructive energy slicing through the Titan's face. The beast reeled back, one of its tusks shattering into the cliffs below.
Angered, it struck with its other hand, but Retro deflected the blow midair with a pulse of space magic, vanishing again — only to reappear behind its neck.
Retro:
"Try harder."
The Night Slayer ignited with fire and lightning at once — he plunged the blade into the back of the Titan's neck, sending a surge of mixed elemental magic through its nervous system. The Titan screamed, falling forward onto its knees — shaking the earth for miles.
Retro jumped back, landing on a broken ridge below.
His eyes narrowed, breathing calm now.
Retro (quietly, to himself):
"That's the best you got?"
The Titan stood again, slower this time — but its eyes were now burning with fury.
Round two had truly begun.
The Titan lunged, mouth open in a guttural roar, but Retro was already moving.
He ran toward the beast — not away — kicking off a jagged boulder as it collapsed beneath him. As he launched into the air, time itself seemed to slow.
Retro (grinning):
"Now we're talking."
Twisting in midair, Retro slashed downward — the Night Slayer cleaving through the Titan's shoulder like paper, leaving behind a burning, glowing trail of dark-green mana. The Titan roared, reeling — but Retro wasn't done.
He landed, then vanished again — flickering from rock to rock, from ridge to cliffside — his speed increasing with every second, the Relic of Time subtly warping space around him.
The Titan swung blindly, smashing a section of the cliffside, but Retro reappeared directly on the back of its head, crouched low with a wild grin.
Retro (laughing):
"C'mon, big guy — you're barely keeping up!"
A burst of lightning magic exploded from his boots, launching him like a missile down the Titan's spine, dragging his blade in a deep burning line. The Titan's skin hissed and cracked from the multi-elemental damage.
Spinning mid-run, Retro threw his hand back — the Relic of the Depths flaring to life. A torrent of ocean water burst from the ground below, slamming into the Titan's knees and staggering it again.
Retro (taunting):
"That all that rage, and you still can't catch a human?"
The Titan turned with glowing eyes and brought both fists crashing down. But just before impact—
Retro roared, slamming the Night Slayer into the ground. A shockwave of shadow, fire, and time magic erupted outward in a dome, catching the Titan full-force and launching it backward. The entire mountainside trembled. Distant trees were uprooted. The sky darkened.
Retro stepped out of the smoke, breathing hard but smiling — wild, untamed.
Retro (to himself):
"I forgot what this felt like… to cut loose."
He rolled his shoulder, twirling the Night Slayer once, eyes locked on the now-bleeding Titan pulling itself upright from the rubble.
Retro (smirking):
"Alright then… let's make this last."
Dust filled the air. The earth still trembled from the shockwaves ahead.
Atlas, running ahead of the others, turned back toward the others.
Atlas: "Hurry! He's still fighting it!"
Lilly, gripping Lea's hand tightly, narrowed her eyes as the distant flashes of magic reflected off her irises.
Lilly: "That aura… it's Retro's. But it feels... different."
Maris, running alongside Nexus, shivered despite herself.
Maris: "I can feel it even from here. That's not just power… that's joy."
They rounded a sharp bend in the trail—then stopped cold.
Below them, in the shattered clearing where the mountain met the forest line, Retro was a blur of motion, laughing as he danced circles around the massive Titan. With every strike of his sword, the air cracked with force and elemental magic. Fire surged, lightning arced, ice shattered and reformed in waves.
He vanished, reappeared midair, spun, landed a punch that cratered the Titan's cheek — all while wearing the grin of a man finally free.
Lea (wide-eyed, whispering):
"Is… is he having fun?"
Nexus (in disbelief):
"I've never seen him fight like this."
Atlas crossed his arms, a half-smile breaking across his face.
Atlas: "Yeah… this is the retro I know."
Lilly, watching closely, exhaled in relief—though concern lingered in her eyes.
Lilly: "But even so… that kind of power has a cost."
Just then, Retro surfboarded down the Titan's arm on a frozen wave of ice, flipped through the air, and drove his blade into the creature's collarbone with explosive force. The Titan howled.
From below, his voice echoed back toward them—
Retro (shouting up, laughing):
"Took you guys long enough! Wanna join the fun, or are you just gonna stand there gawking?!"
Just as Retro landed another clean strike, the beast suddenly lashed out with unnatural speed. Its massive hand snatched him mid-air.
Retro (gritting his teeth):
"Tch—!"
Before he could react, the Titan hurled him like a ragdoll, slamming him into the rocky ground below. The earth cracked on impact, sending chunks of stone flying. A deep crater formed around Retro's body, dust swallowing the moment.
From the ridge, the others gasped.
Lea (terrified):
"Retro!!"
Lilly (furious):
"That thing just—!"
Atlas (calm but focused):
"He's not down. He won't stay down."
Back in the crater, the dust began to swirl. Cracks of green and black energy flickered.
Retro (voice low, strained):
"Ow… okay… that was new…"
He pushed himself up, blood on his lip, eyes now glowing brighter than before.
Retro (smirking):
"You finally got serious, huh?"
With a sudden pulse of magic, the dust cleared—Retro stood tall, The Night Slayer glowing with an ominous green aura in one hand, his body radiating a rising storm of elemental power.
Retro (grinning wide):
"Good. Then I don't have to hold back either."
Retro stood tall, body crackling with a tempest of mana. His aura surged in shades of emerald, black, and shimmering silver, swirling around him as he tightened his grip on the Night Slayer.
The Titan roared defiantly, its voice shattering rocks and shaking the mountain itself. Then, as if responding to Retro's challenge, its body began to contort and darken, radiating waves of unnatural energy.
Atlas, from above, sensed the shift immediately.
Atlas (shouting urgently):
"Retro—watch out! It's transforming!"
Retro's eyes narrowed.
"Then I'll finish it before it gets the chance."
He raised his sword, the gems embedded within igniting in blinding flashes of elemental fury. Magic coalesced around him—fire, ice, lightning, darkness, and even shimmering distortions of time and space.
Retro (voice resonating with power):
"Twilight Cataclysm!"
The air screamed around his blade as he brought it down, releasing a torrent of energy so fierce it carved deep trenches into the mountainside, roaring straight toward the Titan.
Yet the Titan, wrapped in a shroud of black and violet shadows, finished its transformation just as Retro's spell collided. The explosion erupted violently, shaking the very foundations of the mountain and blanketing the area in smoke and ash.
For a brief moment—silence.
Then, with a guttural growl, the Titan emerged from the dust, fully transformed:
Its armor now obsidian-black, hardened and jagged.
Eyes glowing crimson, blazing with hatred.
Claws elongated, crackling with corrupted mana.
Spikes and thorns protruding along its spine and limbs.
The beast towered menacingly, its presence suffocatingly dark. Its eyes locked onto Retro with chilling, calculated malice.
Retro took a breath, feeling adrenaline surge through him as he smiled defiantly, undaunted.
Retro (whispering, exhilarated):
"Now this... this is gonna be fun."
From the ridge, Atlas glanced quickly at the others, determination in his voice.
Atlas:
"We're out of time. Everyone—move in! Retro can't do this alone."
With weapons drawn and magic flaring, they charged forward, ready to join the fray.
The ground cracked beneath their feet as the group sprinted toward the battlefield. Smoke curled in the distance, lit by flashes of magic. Titan roars echoed across the cliffs. Then they saw it—
Retro, standing alone, facing the transformed Titan—its obsidian hide pulsing with malevolent energy.
Lea clutched Lilly's hand, eyes wide.
Lea (softly):
"He's really fighting that thing…"
Lilly narrowed her gaze, wings twitching slightly as she gathered her magic.
"He won't be alone much longer."
Nexus, eyes sharp, drew his blade as it shimmered faintly.
"Let's end this—together."
Atlas, already mid-stride, summoned his frost blade with a flick of his relic.
"I'll flank it from the side. Nexus, with me!"
Maris, behind them, summoned a whirl of water at her fingertips, her voice calm but steely.
"I'll disrupt its stance—look for an opening!"
Retro ducked a clawed swipe from the beast, then leapt back as ice spikes erupted beside him—Atlas's entrance.
Atlas:
"Took us long enough, huh?"
Retro (grinning):
"Thought you'd sleep through this."
WHAM! Nexus landed a slash across the Titan's leg, drawing its attention as Maris launched a spiraling torrent of water at its other side, causing it to stagger.
From above, Lilly swooped in, her dragonfire blazing as it scorched across the Titan's chest. She landed next to Retro, shielding Lea, who stood behind her readying a bolt of stored mana in her little slingbow.
Lea (determined):
"I wanna help too!"
Retro:
"Then watch our backs, Little Dawn. That's the most important job of all."
With a roar, the Titan unleashed a shockwave, sending several of them flying back. Nexus caught Maris mid-air, while Retro braced Lilly and lea from tumbling. Atlas slammed his sword into the ground, creating a wall of ice to block falling debris.
But the Titan wasn't done. Dark glyphs lit up along its arms, and a gravity pulse began to suck magic toward it.
Retro (low and intense):
"It's draining mana—back off!"
Gronn, arriving late with several guild members, roared from the cliff:
"Everyone, focus fire on its core! Aim for the chest—we'll cover you!"
Retro raised Night Slayer, its three gems glowing in sync.
He shouted:
"NOW!"
Atlas launched a frozen spear at the Titan's eye.
Nexus and Maris combined their water and shadow magic to trap its feet.
Lilly launched a wave of searing golden flames at its midsection.
Lea, with a fierce cry, fired her bolt—directly into the chest glyph.
Retro, bursting with pure energy, sprinted forward.
Retro (voice rising):
"Fifth Gate—Break!"
The gems pulsed. His blade carved through the Titan's chest in a single sweeping arc.
The Titan screeched.
It staggered.
It dropped.
Dust and silence fell over the mountainside.
Retro stood at the center of the field, sword crackling with dissipating energy.
Retro (panting):
"Not bad for a morning workout…"
The others gathered slowly, bruised but standing.
Gronn (smirking):
"You people are insane."
Retro (grinning):
"Welcome to the family."
Suddenly, a deep rumble cracked through the air like thunder beneath their feet.
Before anyone could speak, glowing lines raced across the ground, carving an enormous arcane pattern that spread out in all directions—a mana circle, ancient and complex, etched in blinding blue and gold light.
It encompassed the entire isle.
All around, the Titans froze, their gazes locked toward the epicenter. Even the winds seemed to still, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Lea gripped Lilly's arm tightly.
"W-What is that?"
Atlas, wide-eyed, muttered under his breath.
"I've never felt a spell this large before…"
Gronn, his voice barely a whisper:
"That's not a spell… That's a summoning."
The mana flared brighter, flickering like the sun was being born from the earth. The glowing sigils pulsed in perfect synchronization with the beat of every living thing nearby. Even the Titan Retro had just defeated had gone completely still.
Then—
Retro, standing at the very center, narrowed his eyes and slowly turned.
With a crooked grin, he exhaled, amused.
Retro (smirking, low):
"Well… this is unexpected."
The mana surged. A wind unlike any other tore through the trees. Birds fled. The skies cracked with streaks of amber lightning.
All eyes fell on Retro.
And the circle kept pulsing.
The pulsing of the mana circle reached a fever pitch. Just when it felt like the air would collapse in on itself, a booming voice echoed across the land—deep, ancient, and laced with exhaustion.
"ENOUGH."
The light cracked upward like a pillar, and from the heart of the storm, Thalgrun emerged.
Towering and draped in armor made of living stone and molten crystal, his presence alone caused the Titans to bow their heads slightly. His glowing eyes scanned the battlefield, his breath heaving like a mountain exhaling.
Thalgrun:
"You're all too late. The seal… it's already ruptured."
Everyone stared at him—Retro, Atlas, Lilly, Nexus, Maris, Gronn, even Lea, frozen in awe and fear.
Thalgrun's voice thundered again, shaking the very bones of the mountain:
"LISTEN TO ME—there's no time to hesitate. You must drive your mana into the spiral points across the island. Each of you carries a relic or aura strong enough to anchor what's left. If you don't act—"
He paused. His expression darkened.
"—it won't matter what power you hold. Even gods will be swallowed by what's coming."
Retro: (stepping forward, voice calm but sharp)
"Then tell me where to strike."
Thalgrun (gritting his teeth):
"You can't stop the awakening anymore… but maybe—just maybe—you can contain it. At the edge of the spiral, beneath the black roots, where even light refuses to shine—that's where you'll find the heart. Destroy it… or this world dies screaming."
Before anyone could ask what he meant—
The ground split open.
And from within, something massive began to rise… a form long forgotten. A presence older than time.
Thalgrun turned back toward the forming void, slamming his fist into the ground. Cracks of golden energy tried to seal the rent in space—but it was too late.
Thalgrun (yelling):
"GO! WHILE YOU STILL HAVE THE CHANCE!"
As Thalgrun slammed his fist into the ground, golden cracks of energy spiraled outward, trying desperately to mend the rip in reality.
But it was futile.
From the gaping fissure in the earth, a low guttural hum emerged—vibrating through the bones of everyone present. Then came the wind, violent and unnatural, swirling in reverse, pulling toward the void.
The sky dimmed, not with clouds—but with shadows that bled like ink, spiraling upward in pillars.
Then it emerged.
A claw.
Massive, scaled in blackened obsidian with glowing red veins pulsing beneath the surface. It gripped the edge of the fissure, dragging with it a hulking form too large to comprehend.
The Ancient Darkness, the one Gaia herself had sealed away, had awoken.
Its horned head rose next, crowned with twisted bone and a singular white eye that pierced the veil of mana like a blade. No mouth moved, but every soul heard its voice—within their heads, whispering in a language older than sound.
> "I… am hunger. I… am the silence between creation."
> "I remember you…"
It was staring at Retro.
The world groaned as the thing pulled its entire body up and out, wings like ragged shrouds unfolding behind it, blocking out the sun. Every titan in the distance fell to one knee, acknowledging something even they feared.
Thalgrun, shaking with effort, slammed his other hand down beside him, forming another mana glyph to slow the beast's rise—but his knees buckled.
Thalgrun (strained):
"I bought you minutes. No more."
Retro, holding the Night Slayer, stared up as his eyes flashed—not with fear, but focus.
Retro:
"So… this is the bastard."
Atlas (gritting his teeth):
"That's not just any monster… that's a god-killer."
Nexus (stepping beside them):
"Then let's kill a god."
Retro and Atlas exchanged a glance—a familiar one, the kind only warriors who've survived death together could share.
Nexus, fists clenched, spoke with conviction:
Nexus:
"Then let's kill a god."
Retro and Atlas burst into laughter—not mockery, but something deeper… a mixture of pride and understanding.
Retro turned toward Nexus, a gentle seriousness in his voice:
Retro:
"Kid… stay here for now."
Nexus:
"What? But—"
Retro (firmly):
"Protect them. That's your fight."
He glanced to Lilly and Lea.
"Same goes for you two. No matter what happens, don't come near the seal."
Lilly stepped forward, eyes sharp:
"Why? You think we can't handle it?"
Retro looked back at her with the kindest eyes he could manage.
"No. I think we shouldn't have to."
Then he turned to Atlas, cracking his neck.
"I think it's about time we stopped holding back."
Atlas nodded, a wicked grin curling across his face.
"I couldn't agree more."
The two began walking side-by-side toward the collapsing seal, toward the abyssal rift where the Ancient Darkness stirred.
Thalgrun roared from behind:
"Are you both insane?! Get out of there—NOW!"
But it was too late.
The world fell silent.
The wind stopped.
The monsters froze.
Even time itself seemed to hesitate.
And then…
Their auras erupted.
Retro's aura—a swirling storm of emerald green, crackling with arcs of lightning, fire, ice, and void.
Atlas's aura—a roaring blaze of frostfire and abyssal shadow, bending the air with pressure alone.
The earth beneath them cracked.
The sky above dimmed.
Even the Ancient Darkness, now fully emerged, tilted its head slightly—as if… curious.
The ground quaked as trees snapped from the sheer force of their unleashed energy.
In this moment, the world no longer saw two warriors.
It saw what they truly were.
Retro. Atlas.
The ones who defied fate.
The monsters that the gods themselves feared.
The entire battlefield froze as the two overwhelming auras collided and expanded, blanketing the world in pressure heavier than gravity itself.
Maris gasped sharply, clutching her chest as her vision blurred. The intensity was too much, her legs buckling beneath her as she collapsed to her knees, trembling.
Maris (voice shaking, breathless):
"W-What… is…this…?"
Nexus immediately dropped beside her, gripping her shoulders tightly to keep her conscious.
Nexus (frantic):
"Maris! Breathe! Just hold onto me—!"
Nearby, Lilly instinctively shielded Lea, pulling the girl close to her chest. Lea's ears were flattened against her head, eyes wide in shock as she clung desperately to Lilly's waist.
Lea (voice trembling):
"I can't… I can't breathe, Mom—!"
Lilly's own eyes widened, her expression a mix of awe, pride, and terror.
Lilly (softly):
"This… this is their true power…"
Even Gronn, battle-hardened and unshakeable, staggered back, bracing himself against his axe buried in the ground, breathing heavily.
Gronn (in disbelief):
"By Gaia herself… they were holding back this much?"
Thalgrun, though still straining to hold the seal, paused in stunned awe, voice quiet but resonant:
Thalgrun:
"This… is why the darkness fears them."
Far ahead, Retro and Atlas stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their auras blazing in unison—ready to confront a threat that could unmake worlds.
Retro calmly lifted his head toward the strained figure of Thalgrun, his voice clear and steady despite the storm of power surrounding him.
Retro:
"Thalgrun… you can let the seal break now. We're ready."
He turned slightly toward Atlas, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Retro:
"And Atlas—I know you have the fourth gem with you."
Atlas's eyes widened in mild surprise, quickly replaced by a smirk.
Atlas:
"How did you figure it out? The gem's aura?"
Retro shook his head lightly, voice amused but confident.
Retro:
"No. I just knew you had it. Hold onto it. It'll amplify your strength."
Atlas chuckled, gripping his frost relic tightly, readying his sword.
Atlas:
"Then let's get this party started."
Retro raised an eyebrow with a sly grin.
Retro:
"Shouldn't I be saying that?"
Thalgrun glanced at both warriors, breathing heavily yet understanding clearly. Without another word, he stepped aside, releasing the last of the golden binds holding the seal.
In an instant, Retro and Atlas's auras merged, blending together like fire and ice, shadow and lightning, space and time—all drawn into their swords.
The ground cracked open fully, the sky split, and with a furious roar, the colossal form of the Ancient Dragon of Darkness surged upward, wings spreading wide and claws aimed to rend the world asunder.
But before it could even blink—
Retro and Atlas struck as one, blades shining brilliantly.
In a flash of overwhelming power and speed, the beast was cut down—cleaved effortlessly, leaving nothing behind but silence and disbelief.
A single, perfectly straight line of destruction stretched across the entire isle, marking where their combined attack had ended the threat instantly.
Retro and Atlas stood calmly amidst the silence, their blades slowly dimming as dust settled around them.
In that moment, everyone witnessing understood clearly:
This was their true power.
A deep, unnatural silence blanketed the island.
Where once stood chaos, monsters, and titans… now only the haunting echo of that final, singular strike remained.
The massive line carved through the isle was still glowing faintly, steam rising from it like the scar of a god's fury.
Everyone stood frozen.
Maris, eyes wide, collapsed to her knees. She clutched her chest, gasping—barely able to breathe. The sheer pressure of what had just happened weighed on her like gravity itself.
Maris (barely whispering):
"W-What… are they?"
Beside her, Nexus stood silently, jaw clenched, his hands trembling—not in fear, but in awe.
Nexus:
"That… that wasn't even close to their limit… was it?"
Lilly, holding Lea tightly in her arms, stared with unblinking eyes, the color drained from her face. Her heart raced.
Lilly (softly):
"I've never… even seen Retro use a fraction of that power before…"
Lea, still young and barely able to process what she had just witnessed, looked up at her mother with wide, confused eyes.
Lea:
"Was that… really Retro and Uncle Atlas?"
Lilly swallowed hard, nodding.
Lilly:
"Yes, sweetie… and now you understand why even the gods fear them."
Back near the ruins of the stairwell, Gronn grunted and leaned heavily against the stone wall, sweat beading down his face despite the cold wind.
Gronn (to himself):
"They weren't warriors. They were the final page in a history book… The kind that ends entire eras."
He looked toward Thalgrun, who had stepped back into the clearing, his expression unreadable.
Even Thalgrun, a titan of legend, was silent.
The island itself seemed to hold its breath.
And then…
Retro sheathed his blade slowly.
Atlas cracked his neck, casually.
Both turned back toward the others, walking calmly through the ruined clearing as if what they had just done meant nothing.
Retro (calmly):
"We good?"
He managed a weak smirk… and then—
His knees buckled.
The smirk vanished as the strength drained from his body all at once. His sword fell from his grasp, clattering to the ground as his entire frame began to collapse.
Atlas (alarmed):
"Retro?!"
In a blur, Atlas caught him just before he hit the ground.
Retro's breathing was shallow, his skin pale, veins glowing faintly with traces of residual magic—too much magic. Far too much for any human body to contain.
Atlas (gritting his teeth):
"Damn it, I knew it was too much…"
He held Retro tightly, lowering him gently to the grass.
Lilly screamed his name, racing toward them with Lea still clutched in her arms.
Lilly:
"RETRO!"
Maris gasped, trembling, and backed away a step, unable to process what she was seeing. Nexus darted forward, his eyes wide with fear.
Nexus:
"Uncle?! Is he—?!"
Atlas (firmly):
"He's alive—but barely. His body wasn't meant to hold that much power."
Thalgrun stepped forward, grave concern in his eyes—something few had ever seen on his face.
Thalgrun:
"I warned him. Even I wouldn't unleash that much mana so freely..."
Gronn barked orders to anyone within earshot.
Gronn:
"Get a stretcher! Get healers—now! MOVE!"
Lilly dropped to her knees beside Retro, placing her hand over his heart. Her magic flared softly—light, green, and warm—trying desperately to stabilize him.
Lilly (whispers, tears forming):
"Don't you dare leave me…"
Lea (small and afraid):
"Dad…?"
Retro's eyelids fluttered as he coughed weakly, blood flecking his lip. His voice was barely above a whisper.
Retro (strained):
"H-Hey… I said we were good, right…?"
And then his eyes rolled back.
Atlas carefully lifted Retro's unconscious form, draping his friend's arm over his shoulder and supporting him firmly.
Atlas glanced down, shaking his head with a half-smile.
Atlas (softly):
"You always have to push too far, don't you?"
Lilly, holding Lea close, couldn't help but chuckle softly through her tears.
Lilly:
"That's Retro for you… Always making us worry."
Atlas chuckled in response, tension momentarily easing as he began walking slowly back toward the guild. Nexus, Maris, Gronn, and Thalgrun followed closely behind, their expressions still marked by concern, but the shared laughter easing their worry just slightly.
Atlas laid Retro gently on the guild's medical bed. As healers rushed in, surrounding him with spells and healing herbs, Lilly and Lea took their places at Retro's side, refusing to leave him.
Atlas stepped back, arms crossed, eyes fixed firmly on his unconscious friend.
Atlas:
"Rest up, Retro. You earned this one."
Retro slowly opened his eyes.
He stood alone in a place suspended beyond reality—a serene field, bathed in gentle twilight, soft golden grasses swaying gently under a sky filled with countless stars.
A familiar, comforting voice echoed softly behind him.
Voice (warm, gentle):
"Always taking on the world alone, aren't you?"
Retro spun around, heart skipping a beat.
His late wife stood before him, smiling warmly, her eyes soft with affection.
Retro (voice breaking slightly):
"You… Is this real?"
She stepped closer, gently placing a hand against his cheek.
"As real as it needs to be, my love. You push yourself so hard—always fighting, always protecting. Remember… you're not alone anymore."
He closed his eyes, resting his forehead gently against hers.
Retro (softly):
"I know… but losing you nearly broke me. I can't let it happen again."
She smiled, voice tender but firm:
"And yet, you found them. A new family. Protect them—but also let them protect you."
The dream faded gently, and Retro felt peace wash over him.
Voice (fading slowly):
"Wake up, love. They're waiting for you."
Retro's eyes slowly fluttered open, vision swimming with hues of gold and crimson. The ceiling was cracked—no, gone. Dust floated gently in the air, catching the rays of a setting sun.
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then it hit him.
Retro (groggy, breathless):
"…What the hell happened here?"
He sat up sharply—but instantly regretted it.
"Gh—!" he winced, clutching his side as a sharp pain flared across his ribs. His breathing turned shallow, ragged. Every inch of his body screamed from overexertion.
He looked around.
The guild hall was destroyed—walls shattered, debris scattered, support beams collapsed inward like broken ribs. The icy wall he remembered from Atlas? Gone. The spiraling staircase? Rubble. Cracks ran through the marble floor like veins of a dying world.
And worst of all…
No one was in sight.
Retro (softly, uncertain):
"…Atlas? Lilly? Lea?"
No answer.
Just the distant groan of stressed wood… and silence.
Retro tried to reach out with his aura, but—
Nothing.
No mana. No divine pulse. Even the sword at his side didn't respond.
He clenched his fist.
He was powerless.
And completely alone.
Retro (through gritted teeth):
"Okay… breathe. Think…"
His mind raced. Had they evacuated? Was this another illusion? Another trial?
He staggered to his feet, leaning on a shattered pillar for support. Dust swirled around him, and somewhere far off—perhaps deep within the ruins—a sound echoed.
A whisper.
A footstep.
Or… something else.
Retro narrowed his eyes.
Retro (softly):
"…Guess I'm not as alone as I thought."
The soft, uneven footsteps grew louder, each accompanied by ragged, heavy breathing.
Retro braced himself against the cracked pillar, eyes narrowed as he peered into the shadows. His heart quickened, uncertainty gnawing at him. Who—or what—was approaching?
Then, from the dim corridor, a slender, trembling figure emerged.
It was a young woman, battered and bruised, limping slowly into view. She clutched her side, clearly injured, breathing harshly as she moved. Her clothes were torn, hair disheveled and covering her downturned face.
Retro tensed, eyes cautious, voice uncertain:
Retro (hesitant):
"…Who are you?"
The figure stopped, frozen in place for a moment. Slowly, her head lifted—revealing familiar eyes, eyes filled with sorrow and relief.
Retro's heart skipped a beat. He knew those eyes, yet…
She took another shaky step forward, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Lea (voice trembling, broken):
"D-Dad…?"
Retro's eyes widened in disbelief, confusion flooding his expression. He felt dizzy, unable to grasp the meaning of her words.
Retro (in disbelief):
"Lea…? That can't be… You're—older?"
Lea nodded slowly, a sad smile breaking through her tears.
Lea (voice strained, exhausted):
"You fell… five years ago, Dad. We lost you. I thought—I thought you'd never wake up."
Retro's breath caught in his throat. His knees nearly gave way beneath him as her words sank in. Five years had passed. The guild, his family… everything had changed.
Retro (barely audible, shaken):
"Five… years…?"
Lea stepped closer, trembling heavily now, collapsing toward him. Retro instinctively reached out, catching her in his weakened arms as she sobbed into his shoulder, holding onto him desperately, as if afraid he would vanish again.
Lea (whispering, broken):
"Please… don't leave me again…"
Retro held her tighter, his mind spinning with confusion, grief, and unanswered questions. The ruins of the guild loomed around them, silent witnesses to the years he had lost.
Retro slowly lowered himself and Lea to the cracked stone floor, gently holding her weakened, injured body in his arms. The world around them felt hollow, unfamiliar; shadows stretched long across the ruined hall, and whispers of memories echoed like ghosts in the silence.
He held Lea close, trying desperately to process what she'd just told him.
Retro (softly, voice shaking):
"Five years... how? Lea, what happened here?"
Lea took a deep, trembling breath, her grip tightening weakly on Retro's sleeve.
Lea (exhausted, voice strained):
"When you fell... everything started to collapse. Without you, without Atlas—"
Her voice caught, choking slightly.
"—they came. And nobody could stop them."
Retro's heart tightened painfully, a thousand fears rushing through him at once.
Retro (carefully, voice breaking):
"Lilly... Atlas... Nexus? Where are they? Are they—?"
Lea looked up slowly, tears still streaking her cheeks, yet her eyes held a spark of hope.
Lea:
"I—I don't know. Everyone scattered after the guild fell. But I promised Mom I'd never stop fighting, never stop hoping that you'd come back."
Retro held her closer, determination flaring in his heart despite the confusion and pain.
Retro (firmly):
"I'm here now. And we'll find them, Lea. No matter what it takes—I'll make this right."
Lea nodded slowly, exhaustion pulling at her battered body, but a faint smile appeared through her tears.
Lea (whispering):
"Welcome back, Dad."
Retro gently touched her face, wiping the tears away.
Retro:
"I'm not leaving again. I promise."
The ruined guild lay quiet around them, but in the ashes of destruction, a small spark of hope had returned—Retro was back.
A cold wind blew through the shattered remnants of the guild, carrying with it a faint, mocking echo.
??? (distant voice):
"He's awake… He's finally awake…"
It slithered through the air like a predator's hiss, curling around broken pillars and fallen beams. The voice was neither loud nor close—but it was unmistakably sinister.
Lea's breath caught in her throat.
Lea (panicking, voice cracking):
"He followed me here... I tried to outrun him—but he's not normal... he—he just kept coming!"
She clung to Retro's side as her legs began to shake.
Retro's eyes narrowed. He looked around quickly, trying to feel for his sword, for his aura—anything.
Nothing.
Still no magic. Still no aura. Still just pain.
Retro (calm but firm):
"My sword. Where is it?"
Lea bit her lip, hesitating, then finally whispered:
Lea (guiltily):
"Nexus… Nexus took it. Before he left. He said he had to… He didn't want to… but we needed it."
Retro's brow furrowed. His grip on Lea tightened—not in anger, but instinctively, protectively.
Retro (gritting his teeth):
"Of course he did... Damn it, kid..."
The echoing voice returned, louder this time—closer.
??? (teasing):
"Come out, come out… you little fragment of chaos… I want to see if your fire still burns."
Retro stood slowly, supporting Lea with one arm as he turned toward the voice's direction.
Retro (coldly):
"Well… guess I'm gonna have to kill someone barehanded."
Retro stood still, his eyes scanning the shattered hall, his body aching, blood still wet on his side. Rubble crumbled gently from the cracked ceiling, and a slow creaking echoed in the distance—like the building itself was holding its breath.
??? (mocking):
"Oh, sweet little Lea… look at you, all grown up. Still trembling like a leaf in the wind. Still so… breakable."
Lea squeezed Retro's sleeve tighter, tears still in her eyes—but she clenched her jaw now, not from fear, but from shame. Retro's gaze remained calm, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that hadn't been there before.
He didn't move. Didn't flinch.
Instead, he spoke—low, steady, and cutting through the air like a blade.
Retro:
"Come out."
Silence followed—brief, but electric.
Then the voice chuckled.
??? (mockingly amused):
"Oh? Did I strike a nerve, broken hero?"
Retro (eyes narrowing):
"I said. Come. Out."
The shadows near the hallway began to churn unnaturally, like a living mist, as if darkness itself had taken offense to Retro's command. Something twisted began to emerge, a humanoid figure cloaked in flickering shadow and flame. Its eyes glowed with a hungry orange hue, its form unclear but clearly powerful—and cruel.
??? (now visible, grinning):
"Still got that fire in you… but without your sword? Without your magic? You're just a man."
Retro, still holding Lea close, stepped forward slightly—protectively.
Retro (voice like a storm about to break):
"Then I guess I'll just beat you to death with these hands."
Retro gently set Lea down behind the cracked wall, shielding her with his body for just a second longer.
Retro (softly):
"Stay here. Don't move… no matter what you hear."
Lea, still trembling, nodded through her tears. She tried to grab his hand again—but he had already stepped away.
Standing tall despite the pain, Retro closed his eyes for a heartbeat. He reached inward, trying to call upon the power that once surged through his veins.
Nothing.
No sword.
No relics.
No magic.
But still… something faint flickered inside him.
A spark.
A whisper of power.
Like the ember at the end of a dying fire.
He clenched his fists. His breath slowed. The air around him began to shift—barely. The ground beneath his feet cracked ever so slightly from the pressure.
It wasn't much. But it was something.
And something was all he ever needed.
Retro (to himself):
"Alright… one more round."
The enemy stepped forward from the dark, amused, yet cautious. It could feel it too.
Even drained. Even broken.
Retro wasn't done.
??? (smirking):
"I thought you were finished."
Retro (cracking his neck, a grin forming):
"You're not the first bastard who's tried to bury me…
But I always crawl back."
And with that, he charged forward—slow at first, body struggling—but his eyes?
They were burning.
Retro's body surged forward, muscles screaming in protest, wounds still fresh and raw. He swung a fist, striking the enemy squarely across its shadowy jaw. Pain shot through his knuckles, but he didn't falter.
The enemy staggered back, briefly surprised. Its sinister laughter faded into a low growl of annoyance.
??? (voice dark, amused):
"So, the hero still knows how to fight."
Retro, breathing heavily, stepped forward again. But something felt different now—a warmth surged within his chest. He felt it in his bones, in his veins, like wildfire spreading through a dry forest.
He glanced down at his side, noticing the deep wound slowly closing itself, skin knitting together and sealing the injury. It was slow—but it was happening.
Retro (softly, to himself, surprised):
"Healing…?"
The enemy lunged forward in a blur, claws slashing toward Retro's face. He ducked, barely dodging, then countered with a sharp kick, knocking the enemy sideways.
As the fight continued, Retro's body gradually healed more and more. Every strike felt stronger, every movement more fluid. It was as if his body itself refused to let him fall again.
??? (furiously):
"What is this? You shouldn't even be standing!"
Retro stood upright, wounds now fully healed, aura faint but unmistakably growing brighter. He smiled fiercely, his eyes shining with renewed determination.
Retro:
"Sorry to disappoint you… I don't stay down for long."
He cracked his knuckles, ready once again to face whatever came next.
Lea crouched behind the crumbled remains of a pillar, her small hands clenched tightly around her sides, where fresh wounds bled through torn fabric. Her chest rose and fell quickly, the fear on her face slowly morphing into something else—shock… and awe.
She peeked out just enough to see him—Retro, standing tall again.
His back was to her, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the sheer force of his will pushing through every fiber of his being. The man who had been gone for five long years—the one they feared might never return—was fighting. No sword. No magic. Just him. And somehow, he was healing.
Tears welled up in her eyes again, not from pain—but from hope.
Lea (whispering):
"…Dad…"
Her voice cracked, so soft it was nearly swallowed by the wind, but her trembling lips curled into a faint smile.
She pulled her knees up, hugging herself tightly, eyes never leaving the battlefield.
Lea (barely audible):
"You're really back… you're really here…"
And for the first time in what felt like forever, amidst blood and ruin—Lea felt safe again.
The wind howled softly across the broken landscape, carrying with it the distant echoes of power—raw, ancient, and unrelenting. On a jagged ledge high above the ruined guildhall, a cloaked figure stood silently, the folds of their hooded cloak dancing with each gust. Their eyes, hidden beneath shadows, focused intently on the man below.
??? (low voice):
"…Who is that…?"
A faint pause.
"…And why does his aura… outclass even the masters…?"
They gripped the edge of their cloak, knuckles tightening, as they watched the seemingly impossible unfold. Down below, Retro, battered, barehanded, his aura flickering like a broken flame—was winning.
The enemy lunged at Retro with savage speed, blades cutting through the air with deadly precision. But Retro ducked, twisted, and delivered a crushing blow to the enemy's side—bones shattered audibly.
Retro (gritted teeth):
"You've had five years… and this is all you've got?"
The enemy staggered back, blood spitting from their mouth, eyes wild with disbelief. They charged again—desperate, reckless.
Retro didn't move. Not right away.
Instead, his right fist ignited—not with magic, but with something older, something deeper. His will.
He stepped forward, caught the enemy's arm, and pulled them into a brutal uppercut that sent them flying through two ruined walls, dust and debris following like a storm.
Retro (calmly):
"I don't need a sword to break you."
Back on the ledge, the cloaked figure flinched, a bead of sweat trailing down their cheek.
??? (quietly):
"…That's no ordinary man… That's something else entirely."
The cloaked figure narrowed their eyes as the dust settled around Retro and the wounded fighter below.
??? (stern, cold):
"Tch… Stop playing with him."
Their voice echoed through the canyon-like ruins, sharp and commanding like the ring of steel.
"Kill him already. Stop holding back."
The words cut through the air like a dagger. Retro's expression hardened as he rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, breathing in slow and steady.
Retro (low growl):
"Oh? So there's a puppet master pulling the strings now?"
He looked up toward the ledge, eyes locking onto the vague silhouette.
"Fine then. If this clown was holding back—"
He slowly stepped forward, fists clenched, aura sparking to life again.
"—I won't."
The enemy's expression twisted, frustration and fear battling for dominance. With a shout, they let go of whatever was sealing their true strength. A black flame erupted around them, their eyes glowing a cruel red as their body grew in size, corruption crawling across their limbs like veins of fire.
Retro smirked.
Retro:
"Now we're talking…"
He crouched, hand skimming the cracked stone beneath him as his aura roared to life—lightning flickering, space distorting faintly around him, shadows dancing with threads of golden light.
Retro (calmly):
"You better kill me fast… or I'll remind you what fear really feels like."
Back on the ledge, the unknown figure's grin twitched wider beneath the hood.
??? (amused):
"Let's see if you're still smiling when he rips the earth apart."
The silence didn't last.
In an instant, the enemy surged forward, the ground beneath their feet exploding from the sheer force. Retro barely had time to brace before the first punch collided with his guard — a devastating shockwave ripped through the air, shattering nearby walls.
Retro (gritting teeth):
"He's faster than before—"
The enemy vanished again, appearing behind Retro mid-thought. A blade coated in burning corruption slashed forward — Retro ducked, sparks flying as it grazed his cheek. He twisted and countered with an upward kick, sending the enemy skyward, but—
Enemy (grinning):
"You'll need more than that!"
They flipped mid-air, using the momentum to dive back down, fists glowing with energy. Retro raised both arms just in time as the impact drove him through several stone floors, smoke erupting around him.
From above:
Lea screamed his name, but her voice was swallowed by the boom of battle.
Retro — buried under rubble — growled.
He shoved the stones aside and launched himself upward, a shockwave bursting from his feet. His hand extended forward as if grabbing something—
Retro:
"Come on… I'm done playing!"
With a pulse of emerald light, his sword—the Night Slayer—materialized in his hand, humming with power. He twisted his body mid-air and clashed blades with the enemy in a blinding collision of force, the air itself warping and cracking like glass around them.
—
Back on the ledge, the unknown figure's eyes widened.
??? (shocked, whispering):
"…He summoned it back…? That's not possible…"
—
Below, the two fighters moved like streaks of lightning—clashing mid-air, vanishing and reappearing across the ruins, every impact painting the sky with blinding flashes of green and black.
Retro (yelling):
"You wanted this! So let's see if you can HANDLE IT!"
He vanished once more and appeared right behind the enemy—delivering a devastating slash, infused with fire, lightning, and raw mana. The blow sent the enemy crashing through an entire mountain wall, leaving a trail of molten stone and ash in its wake.
—
Enemy, crawling from the rubble (coughing blood):
"Heh… You're a freak, Retro…"
Retro (panting):
"No. I'm the storm you idiots keep calling down."
Retro (voice low, cold):
"Now I'm done playing games. My power's not at full strength… but it's enough to end you."
The Night Slayer pulsed—a haunting hum echoing through the wind as emerald-black mana spiraled up the blade. Retro raised the sword above his head, and for a split-second, the entire battlefield seemed to stand still.
Then—he vanished.
The air cracked.
The mountain rubble behind them exploded in a spray of rock and dust as Retro reappeared mid-swing, cleaving through the first enemy in a single, clean arc.
Enemy (final words, shocked):
"Wha—?"
Their body split apart—erased before it could even hit the ground. Retro didn't spare a glance.
—
Up on the ledge, the hooded figure staggered back.
???:
"…Impossible—! He wasn't even using his full strength!?"
Before the figure could react, Retro appeared again, his blade resting on the edge of their throat. The energy around him surged like a controlled storm—fierce, precise, and absolute.
Retro (deadpan):
"I don't know who you are, and I don't care. But if you're the one chasing her…"
He tightened his grip on the blade.
"…You're next."
The Night Slayer surged with mana, casting a green glow over the figure's wide eyes.
No words were exchanged.
The hooded figure ducked and flipped backward, just narrowly avoiding Retro's first strike—
but the air behind them cracked open again as Retro appeared mid-flip, delivering a devastating downward slash.
Clang!
The figure blocked with a glowing obsidian blade—sparks and mana clashing violently, splitting the ground beneath them.
Retro didn't relent.
He was already gone again.
—BOOM!—
A shockwave blasted the ledge apart as Retro's follow-up strike crashed down, forcing the figure to their knees.
Hooded Figure (gritting their teeth):
"What are you…!?"
Retro (his aura flaring):
"I'm the one who makes monsters like you disappear."
Their swords collided again—this time unleashing a wave of dark and green mana that blasted the ruins in the distance. Craters formed from their movements. Buildings shattered.
Lea, watching from below, shielded her face from the flying rubble.
High-speed clash.
Strike for strike. Blink for blink.
Retro moved like a ghost—one moment in front, the next behind. Every swing of the Night Slayer distorted the battlefield, slicing through reality with sheer power.
The hooded figure tried to teleport away—
But Retro raised two fingers. "Time Lock."
Suddenly the figure froze mid-teleport.
Retro (whispers):
"Too slow."
—SLASH!—
The hooded one screamed as the sword tore through their side, blood scattering across the broken stone.
They dropped to one knee, gasping.
Hooded Figure (coughing):
"H-How… are you still moving… with that body…?"
Retro, standing tall, panting:
"Because… I promised her I'd survive. And you're in my way."
The hooded figure staggered back, clutching their side, blood seeping through their fingers. Their breathing became ragged, labored, but their eyes—burning red beneath the hood—still glared with hate.
Hooded Figure:
"You… should have died five years ago."
Retro (softly):
"Yeah… I should've. But I didn't."
He raised the Night Slayer, its green edge humming violently, the gems glowing in unison. The very air bent around him as his aura flared to its peak—
not broken, not tired, not human anymore…
Retro (coldly):
"This is for Lea."
He vanished again.
The hooded figure barely moved before—
SLASH!
The blade carved clean through their body from shoulder to hip—
reality itself cracking along the arc of the strike.
A pulse of green-black energy exploded behind them as the hooded figure was thrown back, their body split and shattering into particles, screaming as they vanished into the wind.
Silence.
Ash floated gently from the remains, and Retro, panting, stood in the center of the destruction, the Night Slayer humming softly… before fading to a dull glow.
He turned his head just slightly, toward the ruined path.
Retro (softly):
"…Now then. Let's clean up the rest of this mess."
He started walking back toward Lea.
The green glow faded from Retro's hand as the Night Slayer vanished into mist—dissolving like a mirage.
Retro (half-grinning):
"So it was just a shadow copy… Damn. Didn't know I could do that."
His body, bruised and torn just moments ago, cracked and realigned, steam rising off his skin as his natural regeneration kicked in harder than before. Muscles mended, cuts closed, and his eyes regained their usual sharp focus.
He turned and saw her.
Lea, collapsed just a few feet away, curled into herself, trembling, bloodied. Her clothes were torn, her breathing shallow. But her eyes—those feline eyes—locked onto his as he approached.
Her lips moved, barely more than a whisper.
Lea:
"…Dad…"
Retro dropped to his knees beside her, not hesitating for a second. He placed his hand over her chest and closed his eyes. A faint glow of greenish-blue light surrounded his palm, and slowly, a magic circle etched itself into existence, humming with ancient power.
Retro (quietly):
"Hang on, kiddo… I'm right here."
The magic flowed from his hand into her body. Her breathing began to steady. The pain etched on her face softened slightly. Her wounds began to close, the torn skin knitting itself back together as warmth spread across her frame.
He didn't speak again—not yet. He just sat there, one hand keeping the healing spell steady, the other gently brushing the blood and dirt from her cheek.
His jaw clenched. His eyes were burning.
Retro's eyes narrowed as a chill ran down his spine.
He could feel it.
Several presences. Watching. Waiting. Their auras were soaked in ill intent—tainted with bloodlust and hunger. They were close, too close.
Retro (gritting his teeth):
"Tch… not now."
The healing light in his palm faded as he carefully pulled Lea into his arms. Her head rested against his chest, still unconscious but breathing easier.
He stood slowly, scanning the ruins around them with cold precision. Then, without another word, his eyes shifted into a deeper shade of green, and shadows swirled around his feet, wrapping up his legs and arms like a protective second skin.
Retro (softly):
"I'll get you somewhere safe. I promise."
With one flick of his wrist, the shadows expanded—swallowing him and Lea whole.
In an instant, the two of them vanished, pulled through the fabric of reality itself by Retro's shadow step.
They reappeared inside the half-collapsed remains of what used to be a tavern cellar, long buried beneath the surface. It was cold, damp, and smelled of old earth and burnt wood—but it was hidden, and more importantly, safe… for now.
Retro laid Lea down gently on a stack of blankets left behind, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Retro (in a whisper):
"Sleep easy… You've done enough."
Then he turned, the shadows licking off his shoulders like flame, and stepped out of the cellar—his aura beginning to rise as his expression hardened.
Retro:
"…Now let's see what's hunting me."
Retro stood there in the cold silence, his eyes scanning the ruined landscape.
Nothing.
No figures.
No twisted shadows.
No movement.
Only the bitter breeze brushing dust across the stone.
Retro (exhaling through his nose):
"…Hmph. All that bloodlust, and nothing to show for it."
His aura pulsed slightly before settling back into his core. With a frustrated sigh, he turned his back on the desolate remains of the world he once knew.
Retro:
"I better go check back on her… Maybe I can get some answers too."
He vanished in a soft ripple of shadow.
With a whisper of black mist curling behind him, Retro blinked back into the hidden cellar. The flickering light from a cracked lantern danced across the stone walls as he approached Lea again.
She stirred slightly at the sound of his steps, her expression still pained but more relaxed than before.
Retro (softly):
"Hey… you awake, kiddo?"
He knelt beside her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
Retro:
"I need you to talk to me. What happened? Where is everyone? And why the hell… did it feel like the world ended while I was asleep?"
Lea opened her eyes slowly—still tired, still hurt—but there was something else in them now.
Fear.
And something deeper… guilt.
Lea slowly opened her eyes, exhaustion heavy in her gaze. She turned her head slightly, meeting Retro's concerned stare. Her breathing was slow, careful, but steadier now.
Lea (softly, weak):
"…Dad?"
Retro nodded gently, keeping his voice calm and reassuring.
Retro:
"I'm here. Can you tell me what happened, Lea? Where is everyone? Did something happen to the world?"
Lea shook her head slowly, eyes shimmering with emotion.
Lea:
"No… The world's still there. Still whole."
She swallowed hard.
"It's just… this island. Everything fell apart after you went down. It became an apocalypse… Titans and monsters roaming everywhere. People scattered or got captured…"
She paused, gathering strength.
Lea (voice breaking slightly):
"We lost contact with everyone. Mom, Uncle Atlas, Nexus—they left to find help. But they never came back…"
Retro clenched his fists quietly, taking a deep breath.
Retro (softly):
"So… it's just this island. But why?"
Lea's eyes were shadowed with fear, her voice faint:
Lea:
"Because something woke up… something worse than the gods. It changed this place. Corrupted everything. I tried… we all tried to hold out, but…"
She trailed off, tears filling her eyes again, and Retro reached out gently, brushing a tear away.
Retro (firm, gentle):
"You did your best. I'm back now—and we're not finished. We'll find the others, and we'll fix this, Lea. Together."
She nodded slowly, weakly gripping his hand, finding comfort in his presence once more.
Retro gently held her hand as the ruins around them sat in quiet stillness. His voice was soft, carrying a rare warmth.
Retro:
"I'm proud of you, kiddo. You survived all this… and you're still standing."
He paused, eyes dim with guilt but heart full of admiration.
"Not only that, but you've grown. Stronger. Braver."
Lea blinked, her tired gaze fixed on him.
Retro (voice thick with emotion):
"I may not have been there to see you grow… to protect you the way I should've."
He looked down for a second, then back into her eyes.
"But I see you now. And I couldn't be prouder."
Tears welled up in her eyes again—but this time, they weren't from pain or fear. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper.
Lea:
"…Thanks, Dad."
Retro brushed her hair gently from her face, a rare, soft smile on his lips.
Retro:
"You held on long enough for me to get back. That alone, takes real strength."
Retro gently squeezed her hand, his voice soothing yet firm:
Retro:
"So rest now, Lea. Once we recover a bit more and heal up, we'll move out to find Atlas."
Lea looked up sharply, confusion and worry in her eyes.
Lea:
"Atlas...? Not Mom?"
Retro met her gaze steadily, his expression calm but resolute.
Retro:
"Atlas has my fourth gem. That gem holds a lot of the power I'll need if we're gonna fix this mess."
He paused, softening again, gently stroking her hair.
Retro (quietly reassuring):
"Trust me, we'll find lilly too. I promise. But right now, the gem Atlas carries is key."
Lea nodded slowly, understanding settling into her tired eyes as she leaned back and let her body relax a little, finally trusting that things might get better.
Lea (softly):
"Okay… I'll rest. But promise me we'll find her."
Retro's eyes softened, determined.
Retro (firm, gently):
"I promise."