Scene shifts to the Valen Clan.
The hall was silent.
The head of the Valen Clan—now seventy years old—sat beneath dim lantern light. His hands trembled slightly as he spoke, his voice breaking.
"The Draven Clan is trying to impose our generational Vital Art as forbidden… eradicated."
The words lingered in the air like poison.
He continued, breathing heavy.
"This will lead to a war."
His sons—Ragnar and Loki—stood beside him, their expressions grim. Both nodded.
The old head clenched his fist.
"We must bring Noctyre as our head… and use the Judgement of Umbra as a counter to the Draven Clan."
Thunder rolled in the distance.
Scene shifts to a hooded man.
Rain poured relentlessly as he walked through the streets, hood pulled low, face hidden. Water soaked his clothes completely.
A child's voice rang out nearby.
"Mama, I'm hungry!"
Her mother smiled tiredly.
"Then let's buy something."
The child erupted in joy.
The hooded man paused for a moment—then smiled faintly before continuing on.
A nearby screen flickered to life.
"News: The victims of the battle against Neraxis—"
The names scrolled slowly.
Draven Kael — Dead
Novaerion Karen — Dead
Seraphine Voss — Dead
Ren Takeda — Dead
Noctyre Valen — Critical Condition
Toura Oni — Injured
Yura De Urs — Dead
The hooded man walked past without stopping.
He arrived at a quiet graveyard.
Rain pattered softly as he stood before a tombstone.
"Draven Kael.
Grave of the Strongest Hunter."
He sat down slowly, rain soaking his hoodie completely.
"I did it, sir…" he muttered.
"We defeated Neraxis."
His voice lowered.
"Now I'm going to go very far away from here."
The rain swallowed his words.
Hospital — three days later.
Noctyre Valen stirred.
His eyes fluttered open, heavy and unfocused. He rubbed them weakly.
"Where… am I?"
A nurse set down a tray beside him, relief clear on her face.
"You were unconscious for a whole day. We didn't think you'd make it out alive."
The door opened.
Kozuki Toya stepped inside.
"Good to see you're conscious," he said quietly.
Noctyre frowned.
"What happened—"
Pain surged through his head. He groaned.
"I don't remember… anything. Just pain… distorted memories."
Toya pulled a chair closer.
"I'll tell you everything," he said.
"Just stay still."
The room fell silent.