The tranquility of the abandoned church was broken at dawn when a faint ray of light filtered through the broken stained-glass windows. Akihiko opened his eyes slowly, his body still aching from the previous night's fight. He could feel the Apple fragment pulsing inside him, as if it had a life of its own, a constant reminder of the burden he carried.
Kaede, sitting near the entrance with her weapon in hand, turned to him. "You slept too long. We have to move."
"And Hartmann?" Akihiko asked, sitting up.
"He's checking the maps. He thinks there's another entrance to the Tree near the border. He says he needs time to confirm." Kaede paused before adding, "But we can't stay here much longer."
Akihiko nodded, his mind already calculating his next steps. The temporary refuge they'd found wouldn't last. The mobs would be tracking them, and every passing second brought them closer to danger.
A Message in the Darkness
As Hartmann examined the maps on a makeshift table, something in the professor's expression caught Akihiko's attention. There was a mixture of fear and fascination in his eyes as he muttered to himself.
"What did you find?" Akihiko asked, moving closer.
Hartmann looked up, his trembling hands holding an ancient scroll. "This wasn't here before. It's as if it appeared among the papers."
Akihiko took the scroll and unfolded it. It was written in an arcane language, but the images were clear: they depicted the Tree of Eden, surrounded by hooded figures holding weapons and artifacts. In the center, a solitary figure held a shining fruit, which Akihiko instantly recognized as the Lux Aeterna.
Kaede approached as well, peering over his shoulder. "This looks like a warning."
Hartmann nodded. "The Lux Aeterna isn't just a weapon of absolute power. It's also a key. A key to unlock something we don't understand."
Akihiko frowned. "If it's a warning, what are we supposed to do with it?"
Before Hartmann could respond, a loud noise shook the church. The main doors burst open, and a group of armed men entered, led by an imposing figure with a perfectly tailored suit and a scar across his face.
The Enemy in Sight
"So this is the Void Prodigy," the man said, his deep voice echoing throughout the church. "Akihiko Sora, the boy who has caused so much trouble for the world's mafias."
Akihiko stepped forward, his katana ready in his hand. "And who are you?"
The man smiled coldly. "You can call me Kazuo. I represent the Black Alliance. And I'm here to take what's rightfully ours."
Kaede raised her weapon, pointing it directly at the leader. "If you think we're going to give up that easily, you're wrong."
Kazuo raised a hand, stopping his men. "I'm not here to destroy you... yet. I'm here to offer you a chance. I came to offer you a chance. Give me the fragment of the Lux Aeterna, and I'll let you live."
Akihiko narrowed his eyes. "And what will you do with him?"
Kazuo smiled again. "To do what you cannot. To tame the Tree and use its power to bring a new order to the world."
Hartmann intervened, his voice firm. "You can't control the Tree. No one can."
Kazuo burst out laughing. "That's what losers say. Now, what's your answer?"
The Decision
Akihiko closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of the decision before him. He could feel the fragment vibrating in his chest, as if it too was waiting for his choice.
"The answer is no," she finally said, opening her eyes with determination. "The power of Lux Aeterna belongs to no one. And I won't let it fall into the hands of someone like you."
Kazuo sighed. "Too bad. Then I guess we have no choice but to kill them."
The ensuing battle was chaotic. Akihiko and Kaede fought side by side, engaging Kazuo's men with unrelenting ferocity. Hartmann, though not a combatant, used his skills to activate hidden traps in the church, collapsing sections of the roof and blocking exits to limit the enemy force.
Kazuo, meanwhile, watched from a distance, evaluating Akihiko's every move. When he finally decided to take action, he proved to be a formidable opponent, blocking Akihiko's attacks with surprising ease.
"You're good, kid," Kazuo said as their swords clashed. "But you're still a long way from facing someone like me."
Akihiko gritted his teeth, using the power of the Void to increase his speed and strength. However, each time he did so, he felt the fragment drain more of his energy, as if it were demanding more from him in exchange for its power.
The Sacrifice
As the battle reached its climax, Hartmann made a crucial discovery on the maps. "Akihiko!" he shouted. "There's a way to seal the fragment. But you need time."
Akihiko nodded, blocking another attack from Kazuo. "Do it, Professor!"
Kaede covered Hartmann while he prepared the ritual. However, just as they were about to complete it, Kazuo launched a devastating attack, breaking the barrier protecting them.
At the last moment, Akihiko stepped in, taking the blow full force. Although his body was gravely injured, the power of the Void kept him standing. "This isn't over," he said, his voice resonating with supernatural strength.
With a final effort, Hartmann completed the ritual, creating a burst of energy that forced Kazuo and his men to retreat. However, the cost was high. Akihiko fell to the ground, unconscious, the fragment glowing brightly in his chest.
A New Beginning
When Akihiko woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar place. Sunlight filtered through dense foliage, and the air was filled with the scent of unfamiliar flowers. He tried to get up, but his body felt heavy, as if he had carried an immense weight.