After resting for a bit, they continued their journey. They arrived at a great mountain, its peak piercing the sky.

“Rodolf, give me Lucenio. Thank you for everything, but from here on, it’s a point of no return,” Kai said, determination etched on his face.

“I think going back was behind me the moment I helped you. I also owe Master Alexander. Please, let me see this through to the end” Rodolf replied, his resolve matching Kai’s.

“Fine, I can't reject your request. Let's go, but don’t say a word” Kai agreed.

Rodolf nodded, and they resumed their climb. At the middle of the mountain, they found a small village, half-empty and mostly abandoned, except for a large house resembling a mini-castle.

“Hurry, we need to go. They are our only hope” Kai urged.

A young boy spotted them and sprinted towards the small castle, shouting, “KAI IS HERE! HURRY, KAI CAME BACK!”

People emerged to welcome him. A strong man appeared and asked, “Welcome back, Kai. Where's the hero, and who are these with you?”

“Long story. First, where is Master Anzal? We have an emergency” Kai responded urgently.

When the villagers saw Lucenio, they recoiled in anger.

“HOW COULD YOU BRING THIS HELL TO US?” they shouted, their voices rising in unison with the strong man.

“LISTEN, HE IS ALEXANDER'S SON!” Kai yelled, silencing the crowd. The villagers looked at the ground, torn between their past traumas and the need to help.

“The whispers of the night told me you were coming,” a blind old man said as he emerged from the large house. Age showed in every step he took.

“Master Anzal, please, we need your help,” Kai pleaded.

“Kai, my child, is that smell coming from Alexander's son?” Anzal asked.

“Yes, Master. Please, let us in. We need to heal him,” Kai replied.

The villagers grumbled, but Anzal raised his hand. “Please, calm down. Kai, bring the boy.”

Rodolf carried Lucenio, and they followed Anzal into the house. “Put him here. Now, please, all leave the room except for Kai. I need to talk to him” Anzal instructed.

Everyone left, except Rodolf, who pretended to leave but stayed to listen.

“Young man, I hate these tricks. Can you leave us, please?” Anzal said, surprising Rodolf. Ashamed, he left, leaving Kai and Lucenio alone with Anzal.

“Who knew I would witness two of these in my lifetime?” said anzal aas he examined Lucenio.

“Captain told me you had witnessed this before,” Kai said.

“Kai, what happened in the past was not just witnessing; it was far more than that. You know I should kill this man, right?” Anzal said while treating Lucenio.

“Yes, but you are healing him”

“Life is a funny thing. Me, helping one of them. But you know, you didn’t even need my help with this. The boy will soon enter the shell state,” Anzal explained.

Dark matter began to cover Lucenio before Anzal could finish his sentence. Kai tried to intervene, but Anzal stopped him.

“You and Alexander did bad to this kid. Did you stopped giving him the herb?” Anzal asked.

“we stoped 3 days before his fight, when they fought each other,” Kai replied.

“That’s why it took so long. The shell state has started. It will cover him, but whether he lives through it, I don’t know,” Anzal said.

“What do you mean? He needs to live! Even if I have to take him out!” Kai shouted.

“Don’t even try. It won’t let you,” Anzal warned.

Kai drew his weapon to break the black shell covering Lucenio. A force from the shell threw him back

“What?!” Kai exclaimed.

“ When this state starts, it defends him. You won’t break it. The power fights for its own life,” Anzal explained.

“I can’t see anything, but the flow of this power is terrifying. If I wasn’t indebted to his father, I would have killed him on the spot. Kai, let’s go heal your injuries and leave him alone. Pray that this boy has a good soul or we will be part of ending everything,” Anzal said.

“At this point, I don’t care what he chooses. I’ll stay by his side until my last breath,” Kai declared.

“I know you will, boy. I know,” Anzal said, leading Kai out.

Anzal addressed the villagers. “Everybody, the boy inside is one of us. We promised his father that we would pay him for what he did for us, even if our lives were the price. Now help these two men. Let them rest and start preparing what we need to prepare. Go!”

Later, in the bathhouse, Rodolf confided in Kai, "I can't rest. I left my family. I have to save them." "They won't harm them," Kai reassured. "They'll use them to pressure me. Will you help me?" Rodolf pleaded. "I'll help. Without your assistance, we couldn't have done it," Kai agreed. That night, Rodolf prepared for the rescue. Kai joined him with two men in a carriage. "Ready?" Kai asked. "Yes. I know it's important to stay with Lucenio, but you're coming with me," Rodolf insisted. "Don't worry. Lucenio is protected by his powers," Kai assured him. As they traveled, they heard a noise from the trees. "Stop! We need to check it out. You go left; I'll go right," Kai instructed.

"I'll go with you, Kai. It might be a trap," Rodolf said.

They split up, moving silently through the underbrush. The forest was alive with the sounds of the night, every rustle and chirp heightening their tension. Rodolf moved cautiously, his heart pounding till kai voice interrupted him "Rodolf!"

rodolf looked saw a fast attacked that he blocked at the last moment but what shocked him was to attacker

"Why?" Rodolf asked, his voice pained.

"We can't save your family. I promised Alexander I'd protect his son and now your weakness is puting lucenio in danger"

they both stood back till Rodolf threw his weapon on the ground "you are right . "We can't beat those monsters. I love the captain and his son, but I love my family more and I do not want to betray my leader but how can I leave my family . Release me from my duties let me rest I cant handle all this" he pleaded, tears glistening in the moonlight.

With a heavy heart, Kai nodded. The forest seemed to hold its breath as he raised his sickle. In a swift, precise motion, he made a clean cut, ending Rodolf's life. As Rodolf's body crumpled to the ground, a colorful butterfly landed gently on his forehead waited for another one before they both flew away into the night, leaving Kai alone with his fallen comrade. He stood over Rodolf's body, breathing heavily, the weight of his actions pressing down on him under the watch of the clear moon

Back at the empire, a grand funeral was held for Alexander and his family. Victor stepped forward to address the gathered crowd. His voice carried the weight of grief and responsibility.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here and supporting our family through this heartbreak. Despite our problems, he was my brother my flesh and blood,and we have a responsibility to answer your questions. if you have any".

A man in the audience spoke up, his voice edged with suspicion. “Is it true that his eldest son committed this heinous act?”

"Yes, my cousin did it. He came back a monster from the exam The stress, perhaps the result’s difficulty, drove him to the brink. He was taking blend of herbs we found on him, and we’re currently investigating their effects. But we can’t be certain if they were the sole cause.”

“but how could he have done it ?!"

"So he came and did this crime. You know, parents can't hurt their children, so he did all that and left to our main enemies after we caught him but he escaped. We sent guards after him, but they were all killed by a gang of bandits protecting him. He even killed one of his father's disciples and a great guard of our house."

"But it is known that Alexander's elder boy does not have any powers and to kill his family and injure great warriors like Mr. Makrus and Mr. Bran... Can you give us more details?" asked someone else in the crowd.

True, Alexander’s eldest son lacked any supernatural abilities. But there’s more to the story. His parents were poisoned before the wedding—slow-acting poison also he wasnt that weak he trained since he was a baby . We’ll provide answers once we have the full picture to know who how and why. For now, let us grieve in peace.”

As the family was laid to rest, rain poured down, shrouding the scene. One man stood before the graves, tears blending with the rain.

"Death hurts the living. Memories and feelings all flow at the same time when you see your loved ones in the ground," said Victor to the man.

The man’s voice cracked. “How could you kill your own brother?”

"You know, Alaric, your betrayal killed him long before my plan. The moment you didn't show up, he knew you sold him to the devil." "Not the devil. I sold him to the architect."

"You know, it's been so long since I heard that nickname. But we are involved in something bigger than all of us. speaking of bigger things I am meeting them today. I'll send them your regards.You dont need to attend this time just cry for my brother; I hope your last meeting was enough."

The two men stood back-to-back. Alaric knew any aggression would dishonor his friend’s memory. He crumbled to his knees, tears mingling with rain.

In a new scene, shadowy figures gathered around a table

“Where is he?” someone asked.

“Always late,” another grumbled.

Victor smirked. “I prefer fashionably late.” Victor entered, flanked by Carter and Delion.

Carter and Delion knew they were not meeting ordinary people. They felt the energy and intensity

“I’ve dealt with my brother,” Victor announced.

“But the boy?” someone pressed. “You also made a scene. Everyone saw and how can we cover it.”

Victor’s tone turned into sarcasm “I thought you’d praise me for eradicating the cancer within our organization. But no, you worry aboutsmall things”

“Victor,” another voice cut in, “we didn’t want a spectacle in front of the empire’s leaders.”

“Reality can be manipulated, my friends. Isn’t that right, Master Morphes?”

"I made a death-life agreement that they wouldn't say a word to anyone. They die, and they accepted putting everything on Lucenio to save their hero's reputation." "And Lucenio?" "He is a broken soul. Leave the boy for now. Finding him and ending this story will take time. About the emperor, Delion will take his uncle's place. Carter is now trusted in the royal court. We can start with the second part." After some minutes, the members left except for a man who was limping. He approached Victor and asked, "How is Alaric taking it? You know Alexander knew about the Eye of Edmund?" "Yes,My brother was vigilant, except with Alaric and Delion, and you saw what happened,and Alaric is broken like a weak cow ready to get slaughtered "And this”—he gestured to a sword—“is your weapon now I payed my debt"

"My precious sword! Finally, your brother was my nightmare. He ruined me, but I am happy I took my revenge. And this sword... you paid your debt, Victor. I have to go now I need to gather my thoughts."

after he left vicotre whispered to Delion and Carter "get ready boys the real fun will begin soon"

Switching to Alaric and Nolan

"Boy, I know you hate me now, but when you grow up, you will understand everything. From this moment, you will focus on improving your powers and your personality to reach your prime form. Please, son, if not for me, do it for your friend."

“You killed your friend,” Nolan accused, tears blurring his vision. “His family. My brother.”

“Lucenio survived,” Alaric confessed. “He’ll return, needing an ally. Let me make amends.” But Nolan’s disbelief hung heavy. Was Lucenio truly alive, or was this a desperate lie?

'please son I am not lying Kai helped him escape Alexander prepared for everything am sure of it Lucenio will come back one day to burn this empire I will prepare you for that moment either you help him or fight him you decide please son I beg you"

Switching to a New Scene "You killed him?" Anzal asked Kai, who was cleaning blood off his hands. "I had to. Lucenio is my priority," Kai said coldly. "My child, I am sorry for your loss." "Now what?" "Now we wait. When the boy wakes up, I'll take him to hell and break the locks as he wished." "And how much time do you need?" "Depends on when he wakes up, but I need four years. The moon month will be crucial."

after some time in Lucenio's chamber Cracks appeared in the shell until it broke into multiple pieces flying around the room, leaving Lucenio uncovered. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, lifted his head, and a sudden explosion destroyed his chamber, even affecting some of the floor.As the dust settled and the debris slowly stopped falling, Lucenio stood amidst the chaos eyes full of darkness as if he really sold his soul to the devil his body full of black veins caused by the dark energy going through them the voices screamed loud as never before directing him feeding his pain and anger

"whats that ?!" asked kai

a man came o kai and Anzal "master Anzal the boy woke up but as if he is controlled

"kai get you weapon "

"what is wrong witrh him" asked Kai worried about Lucenio

"nothing its a sign of the doomsday" answered Alavis

ahifting to another place we visited before

"the stone broke" said one of the elders

"the boy finally cracked I suppose" said another with a calmly voice

"yes he wont survive then I hoped we can end it with him but these idiots pushed him to the verge of destruction "

"we need to wait for another then"

"Lets see if he will survive it so we can end it properly this time"