The voice echoed through the dark library, sending a chill through Kael's spine. He spun around, his instincts on high alert. Standing in the doorway, shrouded by the flickering light of the library's torches, was a figure. Tall, cloaked in shadows, and exuding a presence that sent waves of unease through the air.
"Who are you?" Kaede demanded, his hand tightening around the hilt of his blade. His posture was defensive, though there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. The stranger's aura felt... familiar, but not in a way that Kaede could place.
The figure stepped forward, his face obscured by a deep hood, but Kaede could see the glint of eyes—familiar, yet foreign. "You're getting too close to the truth, Kaede Mizuno," the figure repeated, his voice soft but laden with a heavy power. "The Dawn Wielder's legacy is not something you should meddle with."
Kaede's grip on his blade tightened. "Who are you?" he repeated, his voice sharp and commanding. "Answer me."
The figure slowly lowered his hood, revealing a face Kaede never thought he would see again—pale skin, sharp features, and eyes that glowed with a faint blue light. It was a face from the past, one that Kaede had been told was lost to history.
"I thought you were dead," Kaede whispered.
The man before him smiled coldly, the smile of someone who had seen too much. "I was. For a time. But as with everything in this world, death is never the end."
Kael stepped forward, his voice cautious. "Who are you?"
The man's eyes flickered toward him briefly before settling back on Kaede. "I am… the one who watched over the Dawn Wielder. The one who ensured the power didn't fall into the wrong hands."
"The Dawn Wielder's guardian?" Kaede asked, his heart racing. "But... you should have died with the Sovereign's defeat."
The man's smile faded, his expression darkening. "Death is a peculiar thing, Kaede. It's not always final. Some of us are too important to stay dead."
Kaede's mind raced. The connection between this man and the Dawn Wielder—the heir—was now clearer than ever. This was no mere guardian; this was someone far more dangerous, far more entangled in the legacy of the Will than anyone realized.
"You're the one who's been pulling the strings," Kaede said, realization dawning on him. "You've been manipulating things behind the scenes."
The man's gaze hardened, and the air around them seemed to grow heavier. "Not manipulating. Protecting." He stepped closer, his eyes locking with Kaede's. "You have no idea what kind of power you're dealing with. The Dawn Wielder's heir... is not someone you can just control. The power they hold is not meant for the likes of you."
Kaede's hands clenched into fists, but he didn't speak. He didn't need to. The weight of the man's words was enough. They were all standing on the edge of something far darker than they could have imagined.
"What do you want from us?" Kaede asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The man's eyes glinted with a cold, unsettling amusement. "What do I want?" He laughed softly. "I want nothing but to see history repeat itself. To ensure that the power of the Dawn Wielder does not fall into the wrong hands."
"And if it does?" Kaede's voice was steady, but a part of him feared the answer.
"If it does..." The man's eyes narrowed. "The world will fall. And the last remnants of the Sovereign's Will will be destroyed forever."
The silence that followed was thick with tension. Kael exchanged a glance with Ryuu, who stood by the entrance, silently watching. Tetsu, still on guard, stepped into the library, his hand resting on the hilt of his weapon, but he didn't make a move.
"You don't understand," the man continued, his voice turning more serious. "The power of the Dawn Wielder is not just a gift—it's a curse. If the heir's power awakens fully, it will fracture the very fabric of this world. Kurojin Tsukiro's return is only the beginning. The real threat is much greater."
Kaede took a deep breath, his mind reeling. "So, you're telling me that if the Dawn Wielder's heir awakens, everything will fall apart?"
The man nodded slowly. "Exactly. And the truth is… you're all in danger. Kaede, you're far too close to the truth. The legacy of the Dawn Wielder is far more dangerous than you realize."
Kaede's heart raced. The walls of the library felt like they were closing in on him. The air was thick with secrets, with truths that had been hidden for decades—centuries, even. He couldn't help but wonder how much of what he'd been told was a lie.
"We don't have time for this," Kael said, his voice firm. "We need to act before Kurojin's soldiers get any closer."
The man's lips curled into a wry smile. "You think you can act against what's coming? You have no idea what you're up against."
Kaede's mind was spinning, but his resolve hardened. "We'll face whatever comes," he said, his voice unwavering. "We've fought this far. And we're not stopping now."
The man's smile faded, replaced by a look of cold understanding. "Very well. But remember my words, Kaede Mizuno. The power you're chasing is not something you can control. And when it's too late, you'll understand why."
With a sudden movement, the man turned and vanished into the shadows, leaving Kaede and the others standing in the silent library, the weight of his words pressing heavily on their hearts.