The forest clearing was silent except for the faint hum of energy circling Zero's palms. Master Sylver watched him closely, arms folded behind his back, his ancient gaze sharp yet calm.
"Good," Sylver murmured. "Your inner force has stabilized. When you're fully prepared… I will bring you to that place. The resting ground of the First Elemental Sage. If fate approves, you may claim the Legendary Artifact."
Zero wiped sweat from his brow. "First Elemental Sage? If I'm chosen, right?"
Sylver nodded. "If. Even your Master himself struggled to subdue that artifact. It chooses no one lightly."
Before Zero could reply, a sudden shift in the surrounding air made him pause. There was someone else here.
A faint, sharp presence...cold yet strangely elegant.
Zero turned.
A woman stood several steps away, her posture straight, her blade planted in the ground beside her. Her aura was nothing like a human's—dense, ancient, tinged with a quiet predatory grace.
Silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her crimson eyes barely flickered toward Zero as she continued her training form.
Zero squinted. "Master… who is she?"
Master Sylver exhaled softly. "Ah. That one. She is Veyra Nyx the Commander of Division 4 of the Demon Race."
Zero's eyes widened. "Division Four...wait… she's that commander?"
Veyra's crimson eyes tilted toward him slightly. "You're too loud," she said, her voice cool and emotionless.
Zero stepped closer anyway. "Why is a Demon Commander here? And why are you training alone instead of being at your base?"
Veyra slowly sheathed her blade. "Because someone tried to kill me."
Zero froze.
"A traitor?" he asked.
Veyra's expression darkened. "Yes. Someone attacked me while I was training at the Valley. That coward struck without warning." She clenched her fist. "If I had not been momentarily off guard, that insect would be dust."
Zero swallowed. Could it be the same person who kicked me into the Valley?
He stepped closer. "Did you see who it was? I think the person I fought might be from your side."
Her eyes narrowed. "I saw nothing but his movement. His aura… was strong. Almost on par with the elite commanders." Her voice lowered, calm but edged with fury. "If he is one of Demon General's subordinates… I will not forgive him."
Zero nodded quietly. "So… what side are you on now? Seraphel and I discussed forming an alliance with you before."
Veyra let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Alliance? With a human?" She stepped forward, her killing intent brushing past Zero's skin like ice. "I do not ally with humans. Or anyone."
Zero held his ground. "Then what do you want?"
Veyra turned away, crossing her arms. "Revenge. Nothing more. If the traitor who attacked me belongs to the Demon General's army, I will crush him myself. But do not mistake me for your ally." Her gaze sharpened. "If you are dying in front of me, I will not help you."
Zero shrugged slightly. "Fair enough. Your choice."
"But," she added softly, "if our goals align… then coincidence may place us on the same battlefield."
Master Sylver stepped beside Zero, lowering his voice. "She belongs to the Vampire Bloodline Demon clan… the same clan that once fought in the Great War."
Zero turned. "Her clan… they're strong?"
Sylver's expression darkened.
"During the Great War, her clan possessed strength great enough to extinguish even the most elite warriors."
Zero looked at Veyra again—this time with deeper respect.
After a moment, Veyra tightened her grip on her blade. "I've told you what matters. Now leave. I must train."
Zero gave a casual nod and turned back to Sylver.
"You said we'll begin the next phase of my inner energy training?"
Sylver smiled faintly. "Yes. We have little time. Something is stirring above."
He motioned to the sky. A faint tremor rippled through the ground—distant, but unmistakable.
Zero frowned. "What was that?"
"The preparations," Sylver said darkly. "The ritual is beginning sooner than I expected. We must hurry."
Before Zero continue training, Zero check the Aura of Kyren, Zero's eyes widened. Kyren's aura wasn't just faint... it was gone.
"Damn it… Kyren, don't tell me something happened. Please be safe".
Several Weeks Later
Zero's training had progressed faster than expected.
His control over inner force had multiplied. Although he hadn't reached Level 2 Inner Domain yet, his Level 1 had become incredibly refined—dense, focused, and destructive.
All his training finally paid off : Inner Force (Ascension Cycle)
But then, on a quiet morning—
The earth shook.
Master Sylver's eyes opened sharply. "It is time. Zero, the enemy is moving."
Zero clenched his fists. "Then let's go."
Sylver raised a hand. "Not yet."
Zero blinked. "Not yet?"
"I told you," Sylver said softly. "Before we ascend to the surface—there is a place I must take you."
Zero's breath caught.
"The place of the First Elemental Sage?"
Sylver nodded. "A sanctuary sealed for centuries. The Sage left behind many powerful artifacts. One of them… is meant only for the chosen."
Zero's pulse quickened. "Like Master Zeyn's legendary mount?"
Sylver chuckled. "Yes. That beast was one of the Sage's artifacts. But the artifact I want you to attempt…"
He looked at Zero with a grave expression.
"…is far stronger."
Zero inhaled. "And no one has ever taken it?"
"No one," Sylver said. "Not even the Shadow Master could wield it. The artifact accepts only one who possesses the right soul...and you may be that person."
Zero's heart pounded. "So… when do we go?"
Master Sylver stepped forward, placing a hand on Zero's shoulder.
"Now."
He glanced toward Veyra's distant silhouette.
"The future is shifting, Zero. And you will need a power that even the Demon General cannot predict."
Zero clenched his fists, determination rising in his chest.
"Then let's begin."
And with that, the path toward the Sage's Artifact… finally opened.