The journey to the Nameless Fortress began at dusk. Solas led the way, guided by fragmented memories from the shard embedded in his staff. They crossed dead marshes where the sky reflected black in the still waters, and the air grew heavier with every step.
Julius sensed the distortion first. "We're crossing into an illusion field."
Indeed, their surroundings began to blur. Trees twisted into walls. Water shimmered into mirror-like floors. And ahead stood the outline of a crumbling fortress surrounded by ever-shifting fog.
"This is it," Solas whispered. "It hides from time itself."
Rin stepped forward. "Let's knock."
The moment they passed through the outer gate, a voice rang out—ghostly, emotionless:
"Who remembers the name of the forgotten?"
Rael looked around. "What kind of test is this?"
Lyra's eyes narrowed. "It's a soul trial."
Inside, they were separated.
Julius found himself walking the halls alone. Old portraits lined the walls, their faces blurred. A child sat on the throne at the end of the corridor, crying.
"I don't remember who I am," the boy sobbed. "No one ever did."
Julius approached. "Then let me remember with you."
He knelt and activated Time Trace, pulling the past into view.
The throne room shimmered, revealing a boy-king abandoned by his people, cursed to exist only in others' silence. Julius gritted his teeth and said:
"I name you Elion. You were a ruler, and you mattered."
The boy's eyes lit up—and a golden key appeared in his hand.
Rael faced endless mirrors. Each reflection showed a version of himself that had failed. One stepped out and attacked.
Rael stood tall. "I'm not who I was. I choose who I am!"
Lightning exploded, shattering the mirrors—and a path opened.
Lyra saw a frozen kingdom of silence. Her mother's voice echoed through the ice.
"You will forget me. All things fade."
Lyra touched the frost and whispered, "Even if I forget, I will love you anew."
Warmth spread, and the ice melted, revealing a hallway to the vault.
Rin stood in a forest of swords. Each blade bore a name of someone she'd killed.
"You carry the weight of all who fall," a voice said.
She sheathed her blade. "Then I carry them forward—not backward."
The path cleared.
They reunited before a sealed chamber.
Julius held Elion's Key.
"Let's finish this."
He placed the key into the seal. The doors parted.
Inside was a glass coffin holding a figure in black armor. A second Demon Key hovered above his chest—this one glowing with azure and violet flames.
As Julius reached out, the ghostly voice whispered:
"Remember me… always."
He nodded. "You will not be forgotten."
The key floated into his hand.
Twilight Zone Guild – Members: 5
Julius (C-Rank Mage, Bronze Guild Master)
Lyra (D-Rank Mage, Ice-Make Magic)
Rael (D-Rank Mage, Lightning Magic)
Rin Ayana (C-Rank Mage, Whispering Blade Style – Memory Awakening)
Solas (C-Rank Mage?, Unknown Magic – Seal Fragment Holder)
F Rank Quests Completed: 70/1000E Rank Quests Completed: 10/10000D Rank Quests Completed: 10/1000C Rank Quests Completed: 7/1000
Guild Status: Bronze Rank
Next Chapter Preview: Blade and Bloom
A new recruit arrives—an assassin turned herbalist with ties to Rin's past. But when a bounty is placed on her head by a powerful guild, Twilight Zone must choose: protect their new friend or face the wrath of an elite S-Rank mercenary squad.