The sun had barely risen over Eryndale, casting long orange streaks across the cobblestones, yet the village was far from peaceful. Smoke from the outskirts curled into the sky, and the faint stench of Manael-corrupted beasts lingered.
Kaito stood at the edge of the square, watching villagers rebuild and tend to the wounded. He flexed his hands, feeling the faint pulse of Manael flowing through his veins. Every human had it, but his was different—stronger, persistent, unnatural.
Aira approached, her golden hair catching the morning light. She placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Kaito… you need to be careful," she said softly, worry etched across her face.
He gave her a small smile. "I know. But I couldn't just stand there and watch them die."
Her eyes narrowed. "And yet every time you do, someone notices. People will come for you."
Her words were more prophetic than either of them knew.
A gust of wind blew through the village square, carrying a chill that silenced even the birds. From the horizon, figures emerged, clad in black robes adorned with silver sigils—agents of the Sanctum of Eternal Order.
They moved with purpose, their Manael glowing faintly—cold, controlled, deadly.
Leading them was Seraphine Korr, her piercing gaze fixed on Kaito. She didn't move like a normal warrior; she flowed like liquid shadow, and Kaito felt a strange tug in his chest, as if her Manael was probing the very essence of his being.
"There he is," she said softly, almost to herself. "The anomaly. The semi-immortal. Fascinating…"
Riven stepped forward, twin blades humming with Shadow Manael. Lyra ignited her hands with Fire Manael, flames curling around her fingers like living sparks.
"Kaito, stay back!" Riven barked.
But Kaito shook his head. His semi-immortality made him both a target and the most capable fighter.
Seraphine raised a hand. Soul-Binding Manael flowed like black silk toward Kaito. The air rippled unnaturally.
Kaito felt it deep in his chest: pain, fear… a reminder that immortality has limits. Physical wounds healed, but his soul could be harmed.
He tensed. So this is what the Sanctum wants. Not just control… death.
For the first time, Kaito attempted something bold. His hands glowed faintly, Manael swirling around him in an untrained, chaotic burst. Healing Manael radiated outward, mending a villager's arm shattered by the previous night's attack. The residual life energy pulsed outward, disrupting the flow of Seraphine's Soul-Binding attack.
It wasn't perfect. It hurt like hell. Blood trickled from a deep gash on his arm. But he stood. Alive. Fighting.
A cloaked figure stepped from the shadows, Elden Mire, his calm demeanor radiating a strange barrier of Arcane Manael.
"Kaito Takahashi," he said, voice deep and measured. "You are stirring more trouble than you know. Semi-immortality is forbidden in Solyra. The Sanctum will not allow you to exist."
Kaito frowned. "Why? I've done nothing to anyone!"
Elden's eyes were somber. "Your kind doesn't exist naturally. Your Manael is… a flaw, a disruption. Those who live as you cannot survive without destroying the balance of this world eventually."
Kaito's chest tightened. Balance… my existence is a threat?
Aira stepped closer, placing her hand on his chest. "Kaito… you can't fight them alone. And… you can't survive if you keep risking everything for everyone else."
He looked into her eyes, feeling that familiar pull in his chest—the desire to protect her, to live a long, happy life with the people he loves.
"Then I won't fight them alone," Kaito said, determination hardening in his voice. "But I will survive. I will protect Solyra. I will protect you."
Aira's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"Just… promise me you'll be careful," she whispered.
Seraphine's lips curved into a faint smile as she observed from the edge of the battlefield.
"Interesting," she murmured. "So he has allies… friends. Very well. Let's see how long the semi-immortal can hold onto them."
The wind picked up, carrying the faint pulse of Manael—the calm before a storm. Kaito clenched his fists.
If this is war… then I'll fight. No matter the cost.
And somewhere in the distance, the Sanctum's forces readied their full assault.