One Month Ago – During the Oceanside Battle – Yoshinori’s breath came in ragged bursts as he dashed through the smoke-filled streets, Itsuki close at his heels. Their eyes frantically searched every shadowed alley, every destroyed building, desperate for any sign of their missing friends. “Aiko! Yuki! Sora!” Itsuki called out, her voice cracking with anxiety. “Where are you?” The eerie silence only heightened their dread. “There!” Yoshinori shouted suddenly, his eyes catching a lone figure slumped against a partially collapsed wall. They sprinted toward her, their relief quickly replaced with shock as Aiko lifted her head to meet their gazes. Yoshinori stopped abruptly, a tightness gripping his chest. “Aiko…” he breathed, voice hollow with disbelief. “Your face… What happened to the rot user?” Aiko forced herself upright, her movements stiff with pain. Half her face was horribly scarred, flesh blackened and twisted by the corruption of Reina’s rot. Her expression, though distorted by agony, was filled with defiance. “She left,” Aiko answered bitterly, touching the damaged skin lightly before wincing. “She escaped through one of the portals.” Itsuki stepped forward instinctively, reaching out with trembling hands. “Let me try healing it, Aiko,” she urged softly. A faint golden glow flickered in her palms, struggling to form into a coherent pulse of healing energy. But the light quickly faltered, collapsing into a few pathetic sparks. Itsuki’s shoulders slumped, tears pricking at her eyes. “I…I can’t-” “It’s alright,” Aiko cut in quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil evident in her eyes. She understood, deep down, that the scar would remain forever, a permanent reminder of the agony Reina had inflicted. “This mark isn’t going anywhere. It’s mine to carry.” Yoshinori clenched his fists, anger mixing with grief. “We’ll make her pay, Aiko. I promise you that.” Aiko’s eyes flashed, filled with resolve. “I know we will,” she said, her voice hardened by determination. “I’ll be the one to settle this score.” Taking a steadying breath, Yoshinori nodded firmly, shifting his focus back to their immediate task. “Come on. If they’ve all retreated, we should regroup before anyone else gets hurt.” As they hurried back toward the battlefield, Itsuki’s worry deepened. “I hope Kaito hasn’t lost to Tsubasa…” she murmured anxiously. Yoshinori kept his gaze forward, jaw set grimly. “He won’t. He’s strong, stronger than any of us. He’ll hold them off until we get there.” But despite his confident words, uncertainty churned in his stomach as they ran toward the unknown that awaited them. Daichi led Rei and Hiroki carefully through the battered streets, stepping around crumbled stone and twisted metal. The devastation left by the battle weighed heavily on their spirits. Suddenly, Daichi halted, his eyes locked on something ahead. “Hey!” Rei called out, breaking into a relieved run toward their guildmate. Yuki stood alone, unharmed but visibly shaken. At her feet lay Sora, unconscious, his body limp and still against the debris-strewn street. “Are you alright?” Rei asked, placing a comforting hand on Yuki’s shoulder. Her eyes shifted uneasily toward Sora. “What happened here?” Yuki swallowed hard, her eyes filled with fear as she explained, “Renjiro… that hooded guy from the portals… His scythe, it corrupts anyone it touches. Even the smallest graze is enough.” Rei’s expression darkened. “Sora was hit?” Yuki nodded solemnly, her voice trembling slightly. “He lost himself… I had to knock him out, or else he’d have killed us both.” Rei glanced nervously at Sora. “But what happens now? Can he recover?” Yuki hesitated, anguish clear on her face. “I…I don’t know. Corruption isn’t curable. It’s supposed to consume you entirely, turning you into a mindless killing machine. But…” She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. “I’ll do whatever I can to keep him from slipping further. I won’t let it happen.” Hiroki knelt down beside Sora, examining him carefully. His brow furrowed in confusion. “Guys… Something strange is happening,” he said urgently. “What do you mean?” Daichi asked, stepping closer. “Sora’s corrupted energy, it’s fading away,” Hiroki said incredulously, his fingers lightly brushing against Sora’s skin. “It’s disappearing.” Rei and Yuki knelt beside Hiroki, their eyes wide with disbelief. Before they could question further, Sora’s tense, corrupted aura completely dissipated, replaced by a gentle calmness. His breathing steadied, turning slow and peaceful, as if he were simply in a deep sleep. Yuki stared in astonishment. “That… shouldn’t be possible.” Daichi crossed his arms, his expression troubled but intrigued. “What the hell is going on?” None of them had an answer. The four adventurers stood in stunned silence, uncertain how to comprehend this bizarre turn of events. But one thing was clear: whatever had happened to Sora, it defied everything they knew about corruption. Daichi took a shaky breath, rising slowly from where Sora lay peacefully. His eyes lingered on his fallen comrade, still bewildered by what they had just witnessed. “I’m not sure what just happened here,” he murmured, his voice tense yet hopeful, “but this is huge. When Sora wakes up, we’ll need to ask if he remembers or felt anything strange.” Rei nodded, still shaken but regaining her composure. Then a sudden realization flashed across her face. Her voice wavered as she asked softly, “What about Hikari?” Yuki visibly tensed, her expression darkening with grief. She looked down, unable to meet Rei’s gaze. Without saying a word, she quietly motioned for them to follow her, leading them to a nearby shack, its walls splintered from the battle. Inside, the air was heavy, thick with sorrow. Lars and Ryota sat beside Hikari’s body, their own injuries severe and untreated, faces pale and eyes distant. The dwarf lay still, her once-energetic presence replaced by an unnatural stillness. Her body had been respectfully covered with a cloak, though the dark stain where she had been impaled was unmistakable. Daichi’s steps faltered as he approached. Slowly, he knelt down next to Hikari’s body, his eyes tracing her lifeless features. A tremor ran through his clenched fists, his breath coming out ragged as he fought back tears. The usually composed adventurer was visibly shaken, emotions he’d buried deep threatening to break free. “I’m sorry,” Daichi whispered, his voice barely audible, thick with sorrow and regret. “We couldn’t protect you.” Rei gently placed a hand on his shoulder, her own eyes misting with grief. She didn’t speak; there were no words that could ease this loss. Instead, she stood quietly beside him, sharing his pain. Nearby, Yuki, Lars, and Ryota exchanged somber glances. Though they had barely known Hikari, the loss resonated deeply. The dwarven leader of the Titans had fought bravely, and her death was a harsh reminder of the cruel reality they faced as adventurers. Lars shifted painfully, grimacing from his wounds, his voice weak but sincere. “I didn’t know her well, but I can tell she meant a lot to you guys. I’m sorry.” Ryota nodded solemnly, his own pain mirrored in his gaze. “No guild deserves this. We’re here with you.” Yuki’s eyes shimmered softly with unshed tears, but she remained silent, the weight of loss settling over them all. Daichi took another deep breath, gathering his composure, though his eyes remained fixed on Hikari’s still form. His jaw tightened with determination. He knew their journey was far from over, but for now, they would grieve, honor their fallen friend, and eventually rise stronger from the ashes of this tragedy. Kaito coughed violently, blood spattering onto the ground as he fell to one knee. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his usually sharp eyes were dull with pain. Across the battlefield, Tsubasa’s portal had already vanished, leaving an eerie quiet in its wake. Ryuji rushed to Kaito’s side, stumbling slightly from his own injuries. “Hey, Kaito! Are you alright?” Concern etched his face, mixed with disbelief that their strongest warrior was in such a state. Kaito grimaced, managing a weak nod as he wiped the blood from his lips. “I’ll be fine,” he forced out. “But we need to return to Radiance and find healers as soon as possible.” Ryuji glanced around warily, confusion clear in his eyes. “Why did Tsubasa retreat? He had us on the ropes.” Kaito shook his head slightly, breathing heavily. “We’ll take this as our victory for now. Akira is on her way here with a squadron of knights from Radiance, but…” He paused, his voice wavering. “She won’t arrive for another few hours. We can’t wait that long.” Ryuji clenched his fists in frustration. “There’s nothing else we can do without a healer. Itsuki and Aira completely drained themselves, they’ll be out for at least a week.” Just then, hurried footsteps announced the return of Yoshinori, Itsuki, and Aiko. Yoshinori’s expression darkened at the sight of Kaito on his knees. He sprinted forward, urgency in his voice. “Kaito! Where’s Tsubasa?” Kaito managed a strained smile, masking his agony. “They retreated…but Tsubasa got me good. I’ve been poisoned.” Itsuki’s eyes widened with fear, while Yoshinori clenched his jaw, clearly struggling to remain calm. Attempting to steady himself, Kaito began to rise slowly. “I’ll use my superspeed to return to Radiance. I can bring Yumi back in half an hour. It’s our only option.” But as soon as he stood, a fresh wave of pain overwhelmed him, forcing him back to his knees. Blood trickled from his mouth once more, staining his lips crimson. Kaito laughed weakly, bitterly amused at his predicament. “Damn that Tsubasa and his tricks.” Despite his deteriorating condition, Kaito’s concern turned outward. He scanned the returning groups, his eyes softening slightly. “How are the others?” At that moment, Daichi, Rei, Hiroki, Yuki, Lars, and Ryota approached, carrying Hikari’s lifeless body respectfully. A solemn hush fell over everyone present. Kaito’s eyes widened, recognition turning to sorrow. “Hikari…” He took a shaky breath, struggling to maintain composure. “It seems our only casualties were Hikari and Tetsuo. Against an SS-ranked threat… it’s nothing short of a miracle.” At the mention of Tetsuo’s name, Aira quickly knelt again beside his motionless body, pressing two trembling fingers against his neck. Her eyes lit with faint hope. “He’s still breathing! But…” Her voice cracked, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. “If we don’t get him to a healer soon, we’re going to lose him.” The silence following her words was heavy, filled with fear and desperation. Everyone knew their options were running out, and time was mercilessly ticking away. Suddenly, Akima’s eyes widened, her head turning upward as she caught distant voices approaching rapidly from above. “There are more people coming!” she called out, urgency evident in her voice. “A lot of them, and they’re all descending from the sky!” Every head snapped upward, eyes straining against the brightening dawn sky. To their astonishment, they saw about fifty figures soaring gracefully through the air, moving swiftly toward them. Kaito narrowed his eyes, squinting to identify the leader of the group. Recognition flickered in his expression, quickly shifting to relief. “Hiroto,” he muttered with a weary smirk. “He’s using his density control powers to make them all light enough to fly.” The first to land was Hiroto himself, visibly exhausted yet still wearing a determined grin. He staggered slightly as he regained his footing, breathing heavily. “Using this power on so many at once seriously drains my spiritual energy,” Hiroto said with a tired chuckle. “But when Akira told us how dire the situation was, we knew there wasn’t a moment to waste.” Just then, Akira touched down beside Hiroto, standing tall and authoritative as always. “I woke Hiroto and Yumi and filled them in on the situation,” she explained briskly. Moments later, Yumi landed gracefully, her serene presence bringing immediate calm to the chaos. Seeing her arrive, Kaito visibly relaxed, genuine gratitude softening his usually stern expression. “Yumi… I’m glad to see you.” Akira folded her arms, scanning the battlefield grimly. “I ordered Mei to remain in Radiance. Someone needs to keep watch.” Before Kaito could respond, a fresh wave of pain surged through him, forcing another coughing fit. Blood dripped from his lips, his weakened state clear to everyone. Without hesitation, Yumi moved forward swiftly, her hands glowing gently with soft, melodic vibrations. The healing energy enveloped Kaito, and almost instantly, his breathing steadied, the color returning to his pale face. Itsuki and Aira watched in awe, their eyes wide and filled with inspiration at the sheer power and ease of Yumi’s healing. Now fully healed, Kaito stood tall again, immediately turning his attention outward. “Don’t waste time on me,” he urged firmly, pointing toward Tetsuo. “Tetsuo needs you urgently.” Yumi nodded, rushing over to where Tetsuo lay motionless. Kneeling beside him, she gently placed her hands over his grievous wounds, her sound healing filling the air with a hauntingly beautiful melody. As Yumi focused on saving Tetsuo, Akira stepped closer to Kaito, her voice low and tense. “Kaito, what exactly happened here?” Kaito’s expression darkened slightly, memories flashing through his eyes. “When I arrived, I encountered a massive blood barrier. After breaking through, I realized the source of it was Suzu, the blood mage wanted for numerous murders.” Akira opened her mouth to speak, perhaps to inquire about Renjiro, but Kaito quickly cut her off, his tone grave. “But then Tsubasa appeared.” Akira’s eyes widened slightly, her composure briefly faltering. “Tsubasa? The former prince who abandoned his royal lineage for the life of an assassin? What business did he have here?” Kaito’s jaw clenched slightly. “He arrived with Renjiro, aiming to recruit Suzu. It was strange, though…just as he was about to finish me, something changed. His demeanor shifted suddenly, and he retreated immediately.” Akira’s brow furrowed deeply in thought. “It’s likely Tsubasa serves someone else, and they issued him new orders.” Kaito nodded solemnly. “Probably. Akira, have you ever heard of a group called the Eclipsed Abyss?” She hesitated, shaking her head slowly. “I haven’t. Hiroto?” Hiroto shrugged helplessly, equally unfamiliar. “Never heard that name before.” Kaito’s eyes darkened with worry. “Tsubasa specifically told me to remember it, and that our paths would cross again. I fear something much larger is unfolding in our world, and this is only the beginning.” A soft hum marked the completion of Yumi’s healing. The entire guild quickly gathered around Tetsuo, anxiously waiting for news. Yumi stood slowly, wiping sweat from her brow. “He’ll survive,” she assured gently. “He won’t wake for a while, but he’ll live. However… he’s permanently lost his left eye, and the scar on his face will remain forever.” Itsuki’s eyes brimmed with sadness, grief evident on her face, but Ryuji chuckled softly, breaking the somber moment. “Knowing Tetsuo, he’s going to be ecstatic about his battle scars.” Surprisingly, Yoshinori allowed himself a small smirk, quietly agreeing. “They do look pretty cool.” Yumi turned then to Aiko, noticing the stark burn scar on her face. “Let me try something for you,” she said gently, placing her hands delicately over the scar. But no matter how hard she tried, her healing had no effect. Eventually, she stepped back, offering an apologetic look. “I’m sorry… I can’t heal it.” Aiko shook her head resolutely, a fire in her eyes. “It’s alright. It’ll serve as a constant reminder, one day I’ll get revenge.” Yumi gently placed a hand on her shoulder, offering quiet wisdom. “Revenge can drive us to great lengths, but it can also lead to darkness. Don’t lose yourself in that pursuit.” Nearby, Itsuki slowly approached Kaito, her voice trembling as she asked softly, “Kaito… what about Shunjiro?” Kaito sighed deeply, clearly troubled. “Tsubasa wanted Shunjiro for some reason. He probably teleported him somewhere remote to retrieve him later. We need to regroup in Radiance, inform the King, and plan our next steps concerning the Eclipsed Abyss and Shunjiro.” Itsuki’s strength finally faltered, tears flooding her eyes as her legs gave way beneath her. Kaito swiftly caught her, his voice gentle but firm. “It’ll all be alright, Itsuki.” Itsuki clung to him, sobbing openly. “Please, Kaito… save Shunjiro. Save my sister, Suzu. I beg you…” His heart aching for the young healer, Kaito gently reassured her. “I promise you, Itsuki, I’ll do everything in my power.” Slowly, the members of the Strongest Guild began to board the waiting carriage, weary but alive. As they prepared to leave, Kaito moved off to speak with the King of the Coastal Kingdom, ready to handle the official aftermath of this devastating night. With that, the Oceanside Battle finally came to a close, leaving a deep sense of loss, resolve, and a looming uncertainty about the future. One Week Later, in the Kingdom of Radiance – Tetsuo’s eyes shot open, a gasp escaping his lips as he bolted upright. He looked around, heart racing, confusion quickly overtaking him. Where… where am I? He swung his legs off the bed, feeling oddly weak, and stood unsteadily. The room was unfamiliar, clean, bright, and sterile. A small, reflective mirror hung on the wall, drawing his attention. Slowly approaching it, Tetsuo paused in shock. The reflection staring back at him was his own, but different, marked, changed. A jagged scar ran from his chin up through his left eye, the ruined eye permanently closed. He lifted a trembling hand, gently tracing the line of raised skin, disbelief clouding his features. How am I alive? Memories rushed back to him like a tidal wave: the brutal fight against Suzu, Hikari’s lifeless body impaled on a spike, his friends lying injured and broken. He vividly recalled Shunjiro sliced nearly in half, blood spilling onto the battlefield. Tetsuo remembered the attack that struck him down, and then darkness. His body began to shake uncontrollably. Tears spilled from his good eye as he stumbled backward, breathing ragged. He clutched his head, overcome by fear and guilt. “I was useless,” he muttered, voice trembling. “I couldn’t do a damn thing.” He sank to his knees, fists clenched tightly. “Weak,” he spat angrily at himself. “You’re supposed to protect them, and you couldn’t do anything.” For several moments, Tetsuo let himself feel the weight of his despair. Gradually, his breathing steadied, resolve slowly returning to his battered spirit. He wiped the tears from his cheek, determination hardening his expression. “I’ll get stronger,” he vowed fiercely. “No matter what, I won’t fail them again.” Taking a steadying breath, he got to his feet and moved toward the door, stepping out into the hallway. Almost immediately, he collided with two familiar faces: Ryuji and Aiko, both of whom brightened instantly upon seeing him. “Tetsuo! You’re awake!” Aiko exclaimed, rushing forward eagerly. Ryuji grinned widely beside her, looking relieved and genuinely happy. “Damn good to see you on your feet again,” Ryuji chuckled warmly. “How are you feeling, big guy?” Tetsuo smiled broadly, pushing away his lingering pain to put on a brave face. In his mind, he reaffirmed his promise, I’ll get stronger, for them. Out loud, he answered cheerfully, “Much better than I was, that’s for sure! And check out this badass scar I got!” Ryuji and Aiko exchanged amused glances before laughing with relief. Aiko touched her own face lightly, her fingers tracing the burn mark left by Reina. “I’ve definitely seen better days,” she sighed, a hint of sadness behind her smile. Tetsuo quickly gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up, admiring her scar. “Hey, that scar looks awesome too, Aiko! We’re matching now!” Ryuji, not to be outdone, dramatically tore off his shirt, revealing a massive scar across his chest. “Oh yeah? Check this one out!” Tetsuo burst out laughing. “Dude, you’re supposed to have a hardened body! How’d you end up with such a big scar?” Ryuji shot back playfully, grinning widely. “And you’re supposed to be made of stone! Looks like we both need some more practice.” Their shared laughter echoed warmly through the hallway, washing away some of the lingering tension. Tetsuo finally let his laughter settle into a genuine smile. “I’m glad we’re all okay.” Ryuji’s smile faltered slightly as he nodded somberly. “Yeah, but not everyone made it out fine. The Titan’s Guild… They held a private funeral for Hikari. Physically, they’re alright, but emotionally, it’ll take them some time before they’re ready to fight again.” Tetsuo lowered his gaze, feeling the familiar pang of loss. He shook his head, sadness clear in his expression. “I can’t believe Hikari’s gone. That’s awful.” After a pause, Tetsuo looked back up, concern entering his eyes. “What about Shunjiro, Yoshinori, and Itsuki? Are they alright?” Aiko sighed gently, stepping closer. “Shunjiro’s alive, but we don’t know exactly where he is. Tsubasa teleported him away.” Tetsuo frowned, confused. “Wait… who’s Tsubasa?” Aiko blinked, then chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Oh, right. I forgot, you got injured before he showed up. It’s a bit of a story.” Ryuji and Aiko briefly filled Tetsuo in on everything he missed: the arrival of Tsubasa, his dangerous abilities, and how he had taken Shunjiro. Tetsuo listened intently, processing each detail carefully. Relief washed over him as he realized Shunjiro was alive. Still, determination tightened his jaw. “Then we have to go find him.” Ryuji placed a reassuring hand on Tetsuo’s shoulder, grounding him. “Believe me, we all want to find him as soon as possible, but right now, we’re weak and exhausted. If we rush out now, we’ll just end up getting ourselves killed.” Aiko nodded gently, offering a comforting smile. “We’ll regroup with Yoshinori and Itsuki later today and come up with a plan. For now, just rest and regain your strength.” Tetsuo sighed, conceding to their advice. “Alright,” he agreed reluctantly, resolve still burning fiercely in his eye. “But soon enough, we’re going to find him, and when we do, we’ll make sure we’re strong enough to handle anything.” Together, the three friends turned and began walking down the hallway, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in purpose and friendship.