The morning light poured through the tall windows of the dining hall, reflecting off the polished table. Sando sat calmly, golden eyes drifting across the room. His cloak draped over the chair, his golden blade resting at his side.
"Nice place," he said at last, his voice steady. "This is the Prismic Gathering mansion, isn't it?"
Gendai stood by, arms folded. "Yeah. Recruits train on the grounds, but there aren't any Vandors left here. Not since they all left Capriha. Sometimes we get visits, but… it's different now."
Sando leaned forward slightly. "Then why not become one yourself? You're strong enough. You've already got the requirements. Why not be a face—why not be the Vandor?"
Gendai tilted her head. "And how exactly did you get in?"
Sando chuckled, low and disarming. "I heard my name. So I came. And I overheard your talk with Raijin. About me facing Kazimir leading to my death." His eyes narrowed, a faint edge sharpening in them. "Tell me, Gendai… does he think Kazimir is a god? Or am I simply too weak to stand against him?"
She stood in silence, her gaze low. He rose from his seat, facing her directly."Answer me. Do you have faith in me? If that day ever comes, when I stand opposite Kazimir on the battlefield… will I defeat him?"
Her lips parted but no words came. She shook her head faintly. "…I don't know. I've never seen the true power of the holy blade. It couldn't kill Abiba. But I've seen Nullity. I've felt what it can do. And Kazimir—he isn't alone. He has another Nullity ally… and Riah. A Satura."
The name struck Sando like thunder. His eyes widened."Riah… sided with Nullity? A traitor to Solaris…" His jaw tightened, his voice darkening. "She's worse than Kazimir. To betray the god who gave her life, for the sake of a sinner…"
He placed a hand over his sword hilt, golden aura faintly pulsing from the blade."Thank you, Gendai. Now I know what lies ahead. I'll prepare myself. And when the time comes, all three will feel the judgment of my blade."
The massive doors creaked open. Raijin entered, lightning already flickering faintly at his fingertips. He smirked when his eyes landed on Sando.
"Well, well. Look who it is. The Rank 1 Vandor himself. Sneaking into our home without permission. Chosen hero or not—don't get cocky. You can't just barge under any roof you please."
Sando rose from his chair, his cloak swaying as he turned. His presence was like a storm, calm but pressing."Oh? It's you. Raijin. Ex-member of Kazimir's team, wasn't it? Did they kick you out too?"
Raijin's eye twitched. "What the hell did you say?"
Sando stepped closer, unflinching. "I'll ask you one thing. Why did you say those things to Gendai last night?"
Raijin scoffed, his words venomous. "Because she lied. If it weren't for Kazimir, this world would already be dust. But she'd rather twist it because he rejected her. Three years, chasing after a man who never wanted her. She's pathetic."
The sound cracked through the hall before Raijin could finish—Sando's fist connecting square to his face. Blood sprayed from Raijin's nose. He stumbled back, but laughed through the crimson."Ha! That all you got?"
Sando's fists blurred—two rapid strikes to Raijin's jaw, snapping his head side to side.
Raijin roared, green lightning exploding around him as he darted forward, knee slamming into Sando's stomach. The impact rattled the floor. Gendai's scream cut the air."STOP!"
She tried to pull them apart, but Raijin shoved her back, sparks crackling off his arms. "Get off me!"
Sando's fist slammed into his cheek the moment she let go, the blow echoing like a hammer strike. The two crashed to the ground. Sando pinned him and unleashed a barrage of punches—each one a golden blur, Raijin's head snapping with every strike.
"Enough!" Gendai's voice shook as she reached out, tears threatening.
Sando froze, his fist hovering midair. He stared down at Raijin's bloodied face, breath heavy. "That's for misjudging a lady."
Raijin coughed, spitting red onto the tiles. His laugh was hoarse, but it cut deeper than any blade."You… you really are a bluff. Not ready for Kazimir. You only landed a hit because I was off-guard. The moment I fought seriously, your little traitor girlfriend stepped in. You're a fraud. And her? She's still a bitch. A desperate, pitiful bitch who'll—"
The next punch silenced him. His body went limp, unconscious.
The hall was dead quiet, save for Gendai's ragged breaths. She stared down at Raijin's bloody form sprawled across the cold tiles, then slowly lifted her gaze to Sando.
He wiped his knuckles against his cloak, voice low but steady. "He talks too much."
Gendai stepped forward, uncertain. He turned to her. "I'm heading back home."
Her breath hitched. "…Wait. I'm coming with you."
She disappeared into her room, grabbing her things. Sando stood silently at the doors, the golden blade humming faintly at his side. Ten minutes later, she returned, bag over her shoulder.
Together, they stepped out into the daylight, the heavy doors creaking shut behind them.
Raijin bloodied, unconscious, sprawled across the cold floor of the Prismic Gathering mansion. The sunlight cut across his face, glinting against the blood. His last bitter words seemed to echo in the silence:
"I'll be praying for your death to the Nullity…"