The day was drawing to a close.
The golden light of dusk slid slowly across the rooftops of the small town. The streets were still busy, but the pace was unhurried. Merchants were packing up their wares, children chased each other between houses, and the scent of warm food began to drift through the air.
Ruby walked slowly down the street.
Her steps were calm.
There was no rush.
She observed everything around her like someone who could finally breathe.
Old wooden houses.
Small shops lit by lanterns.
People chatting in doorways as night approached.
Ruby let out a soft sigh.
"It's been a long time since I've stopped in a place like this…"
She adjusted the scythe on her back and kept walking.
Maybe it was just a feeling…
But this place seemed too peaceful.
And at that moment, peace was exactly what she needed.
Ruby looked up at the darkening sky.
"I think I'll stay the night here."
Her eyes scanned the street.
Just ahead, there was a simple hotel. Warm light spilled from the windows, creating a welcoming glow.
Ruby headed toward it.
The Next Morning
Explosions.
Screams.
Shattering glass.
Ruby jolted awake.
The flash of explosions flickered through the bedroom window.
She opened one eye, still half-asleep.
"Another normal day…"
She sighed.
"Seriously? I have to fight here too?"
Ruby got out of bed.
She changed her clothes calmly.
Brushed her teeth.
Only then did she walk to the window.
When she looked outside…
The city was on fire.
Houses destroyed.
People running.
Explosions echoing through the streets.
Ruby sighed again.
"Unbelievable."
She jumped out the window.
On the Street
The ground was littered with debris.
Flames licked the walls of the houses.
People screamed as they tried to flee.
Suddenly—
An explosion tore through a wooden wall.
A man emerged from the rubble.
Hooded.
Black clothes.
He leaped backward, creating distance.
In front of him stood a gargantuan green rhinoceros with hollow black eyes.
And behind the creature…
A girl walked slowly.
Tall.
Blonde hair with orange highlights.
Ruby watched it all in silence.
The man also cast a quick glance at her.
For an instant, their eyes met.
Ruby narrowed hers.
"Those eyes…"
She whispered.
"Judging by the color… I'd say it's Kevin."
She analyzed his face further.
"But those scars… It looks like a tic-tac-toe board."
She frowned.
"Who is he?"
The man wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
Then, he looked directly at Ruby.
The Hagan in his green eyes flared.
Ruby met his gaze.
For one second…
Two…
Her mind went pitch black.
As if someone had wiped the memories right out of her head.
Absolute silence.
An image surfaced in Ruby's mind.
It was night.
Kevin and Alexys were moving across the city rooftops in the dead of night.
A cold wind whipped through the silent houses.
Alexys walked with his hands behind his head.
"Are we far from your kingdom, Kevin?"
Kevin replied casually:
"Not really."
He looked at the sky.
"But for now, I don't plan on going back."
Alexys grinned.
"What do you think about traveling the world?"
He hopped to another roof.
"Maybe play some soccer here and there."
Kevin let out a low chuckle.
"I always wanted to be a pro player."
He thought for a moment.
"But in my family, only one person pulled that off—my cousin."
Alexys turned his head.
"Your cousin? I thought you didn't have uncles, just like me."
Kevin replied:
"I have a cousin."
He sighed.
"Luis."
"And my sister, Ryane."
Alexys arched an eyebrow.
"Are you afraid of them?"
Kevin answered naturally:
"I'm only afraid of two things."
He looked straight ahead.
"Almighty God…"
"And Luis Clent Dinark."
"The strongest man in Hestia."
Alexys fell silent.
'If Kevin is afraid of this man… then fighting him isn't an option.'
Kevin's deep voice broke the silence.
"Alexys."
"Can you do me a favor?"
Kevin pulled some coins from his pocket.
Seven gold coins.
"Go buy us something to eat."
Alexys took the coins.
"Sometimes your voice sounds like a professional salesman."
He laughed.
"Deep… loud… confident. I wish I had a voice like that."
Kevin smiled.
Alexys went leaping across the rooftops.
Kevin stood still.
He pulled up his hood.
Slowly, he turned his head back.
"Since you've been following us…"
He spoke calmly.
"Show yourself."
A girl appeared on the roof behind him.
Tall.
Athletic build.
Blonde hair with orange highlights.
She smirked.
"Hey there, shorty."
"How did you notice me?"
Kevin blushed slightly.
But he answered seriously:
"I am a user of the strongest Anagarate in the world. Sensing your presence is the bare minimum."
The girl crossed her arms.
"I was sent to capture you. I'm not allowed to kill you. So, surrender."
Kevin narrowed his eyes.
"Who sent you?"
She smiled provocatively.
"Do you really want to know?"
Kevin replied coldly.
"Tell me now… you pretty blonde."
She answered without hesitation:
"Your uncle. Richard."
Kevin froze.
"He should be with your friend right now. And from what I understand… he wants you alive."
She shrugged.
"But Alexys… probably dead."
Kevin's breathing quickened.
"Alexys…"
He started to run.
The girl teleported, appearing right in front of him.
"No, no. You're coming with me."
Kevin sighed.
"You might be pretty… beautiful… sweet-smelling…"
He smirked.
"But that doesn't change the fact that you are incredibly impressive."
She looked uncomfortable, running a hand through her hair.
"I don't think now is the time for compliments."
Kevin kept smiling.
"What's your name?"
She replied:
"Carmilla."
She crossed her arms.
"And just so you know… you're not my type. No man is my type."
Kevin blinked.
"Come again?"
Carmilla answered naturally:
"I like girls."
Kevin was left speechless.
Carmilla continued:
"Anyway… you're coming with—"
A punch slammed into her face.
The impact sent her flying several meters back.
Kevin lowered his fist.
"No."
He activated the Hagan.
His eyes turned grey, sliced by a luminous green streak.
"I'm going after my friend."
Behind him, a giant green rhinoceros emerged.
Carmilla wiped blood from the corner of her mouth.
"Interesting."
The rhino charged.
The creature crushed the ground with every step.
Carmilla dodged the first strike, the horn grazing her face.
She spun her body and delivered a powerful kick to the creature's flank.
The impact sent out a shockwave.
The rhino responded with a brutal sequence of lunges.
Each blow shattered parts of the rooftops.
Kevin appeared beside Carmilla.
Punch.
She blocked.
Another punch.
She countered.
The two began trading blows at absurd speeds.
Fists collided.
Each impact created small sonic booms.
The houses shook.
Windows shattered.
People began running through the streets, screaming, trying to escape the crossfire.
The two stopped for a moment.
Carmilla was breathing hard.
Kevin was completely calm.
"So, blondie…"
He smirked.
"Tired already?"
Carmilla replied irritably:
"Shut up, you tic-tac-toe faced brat. I haven't even started."
Suddenly—
The rhino surged from behind Kevin.
Its horn struck his back.
The impact launched him across the rooftops.
Kevin crashed through two houses, landing amidst the rubble.
He stood up, pushing wooden beams aside.
Then, he noticed someone watching him.
A girl.
With a scythe on her back.
Kevin whispered:
"Ruby…"
He smiled.
"You've grown."
Ruby watched him, confused.
As if she were trying to remember something.
Kevin sighed.
"Maybe this will help."
His eyes shifted.
The grey pupils remained, but the green streaks flickered, and blue streaks emerged, forming an 'X'.
"Melisa…"
He murmured.
"Pass my memories to her."
The darkness returned. In the midst of the void, Kevin's voice rang out:
"WAKE UP, GIRL! I WANT TO TALK!"
Melisa's voice echoed in Ruby's mind:
"May the darkness not reach you, Ruby… my ward. God bless you."
Ruby woke up.
The first thing she saw was a green dome protecting her body.
Fire burned all around.
Buildings were collapsing.
Ruby stood up slowly.
"My back…"
She touched her body.
"It feels lighter."
She took a deep breath.
"But why am I… so excited?"
Kevin appeared atop the dome, holding her scythe.
A giant green wolf stood behind him.
Ruby shouted:
"Hey, Kevin! What are you doing with my scythe?"
Carmilla appeared in the distance.
"The girl's awake."
She smiled.
"Now what, shorty?"
A black shadow surged across the ground, moving rapidly.
Kevin grabbed Ruby.
"Hold tight."
He took off.
Ruby's eyes widened.
"This speed… it's absurd!"
Carmilla muttered:
"He looks like a flash… a green flash."
Kevin stopped and set Ruby down.
"Go find my uncle. He must be attacking my friend."
A shot rang out.
The bullet hit Ruby's head.
She fell.
Her body began to be covered in black marks.
Kevin's eyes widened.
"Blood manipulation…"
He took a deep breath.
"I've seen four users of this in my dimensional travels. But none at this level."
Ruby began to convulse.
Carmilla smirked.
"Do you like my ability? Some call it a common skill… but in truth, it's an Anagarate, even if it's unrecognized."
Kevin replied:
"Impressive."
Carmilla pointed at Ruby.
"You seem to be immune, but what if I increase the frequency? What do you think?"
Ruby stood up.
The scythe flew into her hand.
"I'm sorry…"
She was crying.
"Cousin… I can't control my body."
Kevin whispered:
"Melisa… what do I do?"
The voice replied:
"Don't fight Ruby. If you do, you'll get carried away… and end up killing her. Better to surrender."
Kevin sighed.
"I see. There are battles I just can't win. If I understood her ability, I'd win for sure."
Ruby lunged.
The scythe pierced through Kevin's back.
Blood spilled.
Ruby sobbed.
Kevin smiled.
"Don't cry, Ruby. The cosmos only listens to victories."
Carmilla watched.
"This guy…"
She whispered.
"Nearly dead… and he's still laughing."
Kevin replied:
"Die?"
He smirked.
"I'm far from that."
The green wolf surged behind Carmilla and bit her.
Kevin raised his hands.
"Alright. I surrender. But leave Ruby alone."
A shadow struck Kevin.
Carmilla spoke coldly:
"You will live. But you'll be my combat thralls."
The wolf vanished.
Ruby pulled the scythe from Kevin's back.
The two stood motionless.
Under control.
Carmilla turned her back.
"Let's go. Richard is waiting."
They walked through the ruined streets.
Kevin was slowly regenerating.
People watched from a distance.
Whispers broke out.
"It was him…"
"That man created those creatures…"
"Look at his eyes…"
"Is that Kevin Dinark?…"
"Dark Star has returned…"
"And who are the other two? Why did they destroy our home?"
Confusion.
And hatred.
Kevin kept walking.
In silence.
They began to climb the hill in silence.
The early morning wind blew cold, swaying the tall grass at the edge of the trail. The town's houses fell behind them, growing smaller and smaller, while the lights below flickered like tiny golden dots in the dark.
Carmilla led the way.
Ruby followed right behind.
Kevin was last.
Suddenly, Kevin picked up his pace.
The black marks that had previously covered his body slowly faded, like ink being erased from skin. He caught up to Carmilla and placed both hands on her shoulders.
Carmilla jumped slightly, startled.
Her body froze.
Kevin's deep voice spoke right into her ear, low, almost a whisper.
"I figured out your technique… or rather, your Anagarate. Your mistake was giving me time to understand it."
Carmilla stood still.
"This aura… is it yours?" she whispered. "It's so… intimidating."
She swallowed hard.
"You really are his nephew…"
Kevin gave a half-smile.
"Let's get moving. I want to hear what my uncle has to say."
His voice hardened.
"But if my friend is dead… both of you die."
He said it with a laugh.
Carmilla began to tremble.
"A-alright… but… aren't you going to ask me to release your friend?"
Kevin tilted his head slightly.
"Ruby?"
He let out a small sigh.
"I know you can't kill her. Your technique isn't just control… you can swap your mind with the victim's as well."
Carmilla's eyes widened.
Kevin continued:
"Unlike other blood manipulators, you don't need your blood to enter the target's body. Your shadow does that job for you."
Carmilla turned her head slowly.
"You figured that out… in the time you were trapped?"
Kevin shrugged.
"Actually, I had a hunch before that. I just wasn't absolutely sure."
His eyes returned to normal.
His hands began to shake slightly.
"Let's go… you beauty."
He gave her shoulders a slight shove.
"Move."
Ruby, walking behind them, spoke cautiously.
"Could you… release me, please?"
The shadow enveloping her body began to dissolve slowly, like smoke taken by the wind.
Ruby regained control of her own body.
They kept walking.
Kevin whispered to himself:
"I wonder if there will be a full moon tonight…?"
He took a deep breath.
"I don't want that to happen again."
"Kevin."
He turned.
Ruby was looking at him, clearly nervous.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to get in your way."
Kevin shook his head.
"It's okay, cousin."
He gave a small smile.
"Just try to understand as much as possible about your enemy before you fight."
Ruby looked down slightly.
"I thought you were going to scold me… like my brother would."
Kevin let out a short laugh.
"Melisa won't even let me touch a hair on your head."
Ruby looked up.
"Because you're my cousin. That's why you can absorb my aura."
She began to smile.
"And besides…"
Kevin looked ahead as he spoke.
"She's like your guardian angel."
Then he added:
"And I'm going to help her protect you."
Carmilla turned back, annoyed.
"Shut up, both of you."
She stopped walking.
Kevin and Ruby stopped too.
Carmilla pointed ahead.
"We're here."
Ruby frowned.
"Where?"
Carmilla cracked a small smile.
"Home."
They began to descend the slope.
The place was isolated. Old trees surrounded the plot, and a small wooden house appeared in the middle of the brush, lit only by the light of a campfire.
They crossed the yard.
Richard was there.
Sitting by the fire.
Roasting a fish on a makeshift skewer.
The flames illuminated his face, which was covered in cuts and wounds.
Carmilla spoke first.
"Master… we're back."
Richard looked up slowly.
"Welcome."
Everyone stood in silence for a few seconds, observing the wounds scattered across his body.
Carmilla frowned.
"Master… who did this to you?"
Richard let out a short laugh.
"My nephew… from another dimension."
He looked directly at Kevin.
"Kevin… I have to admit… Alexys gave me a better fight than we did."
Kevin stared at him.
"The kid was trained by someone who was trained by the best in our kingdom, uncle. What did you expect?"
Richard gave a small smile.
"The difference… is that he learned faster than you."
Kevin pulled back his hood, revealing his face completely.
The scars crossing his face caught Richard's attention.
Richard laughed.
"Who played tic-tac-toe on your face?"
He pointed at Ruby.
"Was it this scythe girl?"
Ruby jumped to the side.
"N-no! I had nothing to do with that!"
Richard tilted his head.
"And what are you doing here, girl?"
Ruby began to tremble as she prepared to answer.
Kevin spoke before she could.
"She's my cousin."
Richard fell silent.
Kevin continued:
"Your daughter. The one who was kidnapped as a baby."
Richard stopped eating.
The fish slipped from the skewer and fell to the ground.
"My daughter…?"
He stood up slowly.
Walked over to Ruby.
He stood in front of her for a few seconds.
Then, he hugged her.
Kevin looked away, respecting the moment.
"Where is Alexys, uncle?"
Richard replied with a choked voice.
"In the living room."
He discreetly wiped his face.
"He's alive."
Kevin nodded.
"Come on, Carmilla. Leave them alone."
He started walking toward the house.
Carmilla followed.
As they walked, she asked:
"How did my master accept that so easily? Without even confirming if she's really his daughter?"
Kevin placed his hand on the doorknob.
"We Dinarks… we can recognize other Dinarks."
He opened the door.
"Just by touch."
He paused.
"Or by aura."
The door creaked.
Inside the house, Alexys was completely bound.
Feet, arms, and even his chest were tied with ropes.
He was lying on the sofa.
Kevin let out a sigh of relief.
"Glad you're still alive."
Alexys turned his head.
"Damn… our uncle is strong as hell, man."
Kevin gave a short laugh.
"Let's go outside."
He began untying his friend.
"We need to talk."
He looked seriously at Alexys.
"A lot."
Later, the sun had completely taken over the sky.
The fire crackled in the center of the yard, sending orange sparks upward. The scent of roasted fish mingled with the cold morning air.
Everyone was sitting around the fire.
Kevin and Ruby ate in silence.
Alexys held the fish in his hands but was slow to take a bite.
Carmilla sat with her arms resting on her knees.
Richard watched them all.
For a few seconds, no one said a word.
Then Richard took a deep breath.
"I understand everything now."
He looked at Ruby.
"And I'm very sorry… that you, my girl, had to go through all of that."
His voice dropped lower.
"I should have done more to find you."
Ruby shook her head quickly.
"Relax… it's okay."
She took a small bite of the fish before continuing.
"You know… if that hadn't happened, maybe things would be different."
She looked at the fire.
"And if anyone is to blame here… it's Luis."
Richard frowned.
"He left the door to the house open that night."
Richard was silent for a moment.
Then he turned his gaze to Alexys.
"And you, my friend."
Alexys looked up.
"I know I'm not your father… or your mother."
Richard's voice grew heavy.
"But I know exactly what it's like to see them die right in front of you."
Alexys clenched his fists.
Richard continued:
"Because of that… you can count on me for whatever you need."
Carmilla gave a small side-smile.
"Here… everyone is family."
The words hung in the air for a few seconds.
Alexys's eyes began to fill.
Tears streamed down his face.
"Thanks… guys."
He took a deep breath.
"I really want to stay here."
He looked at everyone.
"I want to adapt… and start a new life with you."
Richard cracked a discreet smile.
But his expression soon changed, and he looked at Kevin.
"And you…"
He pointed at him with the empty skewer.
"Dimensional destroyer."
Kevin kept eating as if nothing had happened.
Richard let out a short laugh.
"Where's that dinosaur you created to destroy Alexys's planet, huh?"
Carmilla arched an eyebrow.
Alexys's eyes widened.
"Summon it so we can see."
Kevin chewed calmly.
Swallowed the last piece of fish.
And answered without looking up.
"That will only happen after…"
He picked up another piece.
"…you explain to me why you brought us here."
Kevin kept eating.
The mood shifted.
Richard's expression turned serious.
The smile vanished.
He leaned his elbows on his knees and looked at everyone.
"I gathered you all here…"
The fire popped.
"Because I want justice."
The silence returned.
Richard looked up, meeting each of their gazes.
"And I'm going to need your help."
The flame of the campfire grew.
And no one said a word.