The morning sun slipped through sheer curtains as Riah rose from bed, brushing strands of silver hair from her face. She dressed quickly, her expression unreadable, and summoned the others for an urgent meeting.
In the Lounge of the Dorm Tower
Raijin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head. "This is a first. What's got you dragging us out here, Riah?"
"It's Kazimir," Riah replied firmly. "He's been… off."
Raijin raised a brow. "You mean like how Lilly gets when she's trippin'?"
"No. Kazimir's not like that. He's sensing something—something old. A dynasty. One tied to his past. He plans to fight it alone… and I won't let him."
Tojo narrowed his eyes. "So he's seriously going off on his own?"
Riah nodded. "I'm going to inform Jessie and that edgy Vandor, Neve, before it's too late."
Just as she said that, everyone's devices chimed. A mission alert flashed across their screens, requesting their presence at the Tower for a special task.
Tojo glanced up. "Well, let's not waste time."
At the Tower
The group arrived moments later, Jessie waiting at the top of the steps.
"You're all here," she said, scanning the group. "Except Kazimir."
"He's probably still asleep," Riah offered.
Jessie frowned. "That boy thinks he can just do whatever he wants—"
"I'm here." Kazimir's voice cut through as he stepped into the sunlight, eyes shadowed from lack of sleep.
Gendai tilted her head. "How'd you sleep, Kazimir?"
He didn't respond.
"Oh… okay."
Jessie folded her arms. "This mission should be manageable. A-rank parasites in the forest. Think you're up for it?"
"We've trained for this," Riah said confidently. "It'll be our toughest fight yet—but we're ready."
Tojo grinned. "As long as no one wanders off again, we'll be fine."
Xavier chuckled. "Let's show what we've learned."
Raijin shrugged. "I won't touch any weird buttons this time."
Riah gave him a side glance. "There won't be any. This one's outside the academy walls—deep in the real world forest."
Jessie nodded. "Good. Keep your heads down and stay sharp. You're fewer in number now, but you're the strongest left standing. I believe in you."
Everyone saluted in unison—except Kazimir, who turned and quietly walked away.
Riah watched him with concern, then followed the group out.
On the Road to the Forest
Tojo gestured toward a sleek, armored transport van parked in the courtyard. "Let's take this. It's segmented inside, like a moving base. As long as we don't wreck it, we'll be fine."
Raijin patted the side. "Looks sturdy enough."
Riah sighed in relief. "We'll need this. Sleeping outside as a woman isn't easy in rough conditions."
Tojo smirked. "That's why I brought it up. Let's go."
They boarded the van and headed into the depths of the forest.
Within the Forest
The van came to a halt near a glistening waterfall and a small spring surrounded by luminous trees.
Riah stepped out first. "No parasites here. This area's clean. We'll use this as our camp."
Tojo checked the scanner. "Confirmed. The van's tech already mapped the region—nothing dangerous nearby."
Raijin stared at the cascading water. "Yo, this place looks like a resort."
Gendai's eyes lit up. "It's beautiful…"
Riah glanced toward the horizon. "Let's make use of the peace. It'll be dark soon."
Raijin tilted his head. "You guys heard? There's supposed to be a solar eclipse tomorrow."
Tojo nodded. "Yeah. The moment where the sun and moon touch."
Gendai fell silent, remembering the ominous dream Kazimir had shared.
Xavier folded his arms. "Guess we're in for quite a view."
Tojo looked up at the sky. "As they meet, all we can do is watch. Like two lovers finally reuniting."
Raijin scoffed. "Bro, why you getting all poetic?"
Xavier laughed. "Tojo's in his feelings again."
Riah smiled softly. "Let's sit together. The moon's rising."
The group settled down near the fire. Gendai looked around.
"Where's Kazimir?"
Riah glanced toward the van. "He's inside. Probably asleep—he didn't rest last night."
Gendai frowned. "But… Kazimir can go days without sleeping. Why now?"
"Don't worry, Gendai," Riah reassured her. "He's okay. Just needs time."
Tojo's eyes narrowed. "This eclipse… it's the one from your dreams, isn't it?"
"Yes," Riah said. "But Kazimir saw something more. Something I didn't. If the eclipse is approaching… so is the dynasty."
"But this place is safe," Gendai said. "The scanner would've picked it up."
Tojo leaned forward. "Speaking of dreams… what are yours?"
Gendai hesitated. "I… want to be seen. Not as a demon. Just as me."
Raijin shrugged. "That's fair. I mean, you look like a—well, never mind. Honestly, if I were Kazimir, I would've bagged you and Riah."
Riah narrowed her eyes. "Do you ever stop talking?"
Tojo waved his hands. "Alright, alright—next person."
Xavier smirked. "I just wanna be strong enough to one-shot parasites."
Riah smiled. "I want to be… a bride."
Tojo blinked. "Wait—seriously?"
Riah nodded. "That's my dream. Nothing else matters."
Gendai beamed. "That's really sweet."
Raijin chuckled. "Y'all keep dreaming. I just want a harem of loyal girls."
Gendai sighed. "You're not that guy."
Riah rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that."
Raijin smirked. "Says the two future wives of Kazimir."
Tojo clapped his hands. "Okay, moving on. My dream? To be rich. Filthy rich."
Riah smirked. "All the Vandors are millionaires. You're on the right path."
Raijin leaned back. "Still… I wonder what Kazimir's dream is."
Tojo nodded. "Yeah. What drives him?"
Riah looked down. "The night we talked, he said… his only dream is to avenge his mother. That's what's kept him going."
"So the dynasty from his dream…" Tojo murmured.
"Is the one he's searching for," Riah confirmed.
She stood, brushing off her skirt. "It's late. Let's sleep and be ready for tomorrow."
Later That Night
The camp was silent under the moonlight, the eclipse hours away. Gendai stirred in her bedroll, noticing Kazimir quietly step out from the van.
She rose without a word, brushing off her robe, and followed.
"Kazimir," she said softly. "You're awake. Good… I wanted to talk."
He turned to her, his expression unreadable.
She gently took his hand. "Come with me. There's a place I want to show you."