(The character will be introduced immediately after the episode concludes.)

Scene 1: An Overwhelming Presence

Mechan and Xero freeze mid-step in the sterile corridor of the Satellite Office, their tension momentarily abated as a palpable shift in the air makes them all stop. Suddenly, a powerful surge of Soul Aura floods the room—a force so immense it forces even the hardiest warriors to falter. The atmosphere turns electric; every hair on their arms stands on end as an unnatural chill snakes across the floor and up their spines.

Their eyes snap toward the entrance as the heavy double doors creak open. A column of armored figures marches in with relentless precision, the rhythmic thud of their heavy boots echoing like the drums of war. At the front stands a tall, imposing man, his presence radiating dominance. A jagged scar carves across his left eye, and the dim light glints off the faded insignia on his shoulder—an emblem that speaks of countless battles won and lost. As he strides forward, a hush falls over the room, broken only by the subtle clink of polished armor.

Flanking him is another figure whose intensity is equally formidable. He grips an ornate elemental staff, its core pulsing with a latent energy that sparks erratically like a caged storm. His piercing gaze sweeps across every corner of the hall, as if he is reading the souls of those present. Their combined presence sends shivers down spines; even the ancient walls seem to recoil, murmuring secrets of past conflicts.

A guard rushes forward, dropping into a deep, respectful bow before saluting with urgency.
Guard: (Respectfully)
"Vanguard III - Marshal Maximus!  Vanguard II - Junior Marshal Leonidas! Your presence is an honor. What brings you to our doorstep?"

Marshal Maximus’ voice, low and commanding as thunder, fills the hall.
Vanguard III - Marshal Maximus:
"The Black Cloaks have struck again. First the Border Village… now Sham Vill. They’ve wiped out the Hoodoo Bond Guild completely."

A heavy silence descends as the weight of his words sinks in. The Hoodoo Bond Guild—one of Visceral City’s most promising guilds, covering Border Village, Freak Town, Swiss Hamlet, and Smokey Forest—was more than just a faction; it was a beacon of hope. Its destruction sends a collective shudder through the room.

Mechan’s jaw tightens imperceptibly as old, painful memories surge. But it is Claude whose reaction explodes first. His eyes blaze with fury, and his hands begin to tremble uncontrollably as the name “Black Cloaks” reopens a wound that has festered in his heart since his father’s tragic loss. With a feral growl that shatters the lingering silence, Claude’s Soul Power ignites into a chaotic, blazing wave, causing papers to fly and alarms to echo as the walls seem to shake with his unbridled rage.

Claude’s vision blurs as he surges forward, intent on unleashing his pent-up wrath—but before he can reach the threat, a sudden pulse of energy lashes out. In a flash, Junior Marshal Leonidas moves with predatory precision. Sparks erupt from his elemental staff, and a bolt of raw energy streaks through the air, striking Claude squarely in the chest. The force is overwhelming, sending him hurtling across the room like a ragdoll. He crashes into a wooden desk with a resounding thud, his body crumpling under the impact while the energy, like sinister tendrils, crawls briefly over his skin before fading away.

Xero’s eyes widen in furious disbelief as he takes a step forward.
Xero: (voice trembling with anger)
"You—!"

Before he can launch himself at Leonidas, Mechan grabs his arm, urgency and caution lacing his tone.
Mechan: (low, urgent whisper)
"Not here. We can’t win this fight."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Mechan dashes to Claude’s side, hoisting the battered warrior onto his back with a desperate strength borne of years of shared battles. Xero hesitates only a heartbeat before following, his heart pounding in his ears as the heavy, scrutinizing gazes of the Vanguards burn into their retreating forms.

The corridor, once a sterile bastion of order, now trembles with the echoes of battle and the promise of darker days ahead, as the trio flees into the uncertain night with a heavy resolve and new burdens in their souls.

Scene 2: Into the Woodland

Deep in the heart of the Woodland, far from the sterile corridors of the Satellite Office, the trio finds a temporary haven beneath the ancient, towering trees. The moon hangs low, casting an ethereal silver glow that transforms the forest floor into a mosaic of light and shadow. The night is alive with the rustle of leaves, distant calls of nocturnal creatures, and the whisper of secrets hidden within the dark.

Mechan, having carried the injured Claude away from the chaos, finally slows his pace. With practiced care, he gently sets Claude down on a bed of soft moss, ensuring his battered body is supported as best as possible. Claude groans, his eyes fluttering open as pain and confusion mingle on his face.

Claude: (weakly, voice raspy)
"What... happened? I feel like I was torn apart."

Xero crouches beside him, his tone gentle yet laced with concern.
Xero:
"You took a brutal hit, Claude. Leonidas’ strike was more than just powerful—it was precise. You barely had time to react."

Claude clenches his fists, trying to steady himself, his voice growing bitter with frustration.
Claude:
"That guy... he moved like he was part of the elements themselves. I can't believe how quickly he turned the tide."

A heavy silence falls as they catch their breath. Xero glances at Mechan, searching for answers in the cool night air.
Xero: (quietly, almost in disbelief)
"Leonidas... what kind of fighter moves like that? It felt like he wasn’t even human."

Mechan's eyes, dark and haunted, fix on the shifting silhouettes of the trees. His voice, low and measured, carries the weight of experience.
Mechan:
"He’s a Mutahuman, Xero. Not just a man with enhanced traits—his elemental affinity sets him apart. His power flows directly from the Mythical Domain, precise and instinctual, like a force of nature."

Claude, still struggling to sit up, asks, his tone edged with both curiosity and pain,
Claude:
"So, what does that mean for us? How are we supposed to measure up when we can barely keep pace with someone who seems... almost untouchable?"

Mechan sighs, his gaze drifting upward as if he can see the tumultuous energies of his past battles.
Mechan:
"It means that strength comes in many forms. Not all of us are destined to command the elements, but every fighter can forge their own power. What matters is how you use it—not just what you're born with. I’ve seen warriors who found greatness in adversity."

Xero studies Mechan's words intently, his eyes narrowing as he absorbs the lessons hidden in the quiet of the Woodland.
Xero: (softly)
"But then, why does it feel like this… like there's a deeper loss behind all of this? Mechan, you've seen things—what exactly are we up against?"

Mechan hesitates, his voice trembling with memories of battles long past.
Mechan:
"I’ve witnessed the devastation that elemental power can unleash when it’s driven by despair and vengeance. Once, long ago, I fought a Mutahuman whose fury was so consuming it turned the battlefield to ash. They don’t fight like we do—there’s no hesitation, no calculated risk. It’s raw, it’s wild, and it leaves scars that go far deeper than flesh."

Claude glances at Xero, then back at Mechan, his expression a mixture of determination and sorrow.
Claude:
"So, what do we do now? If the enemy out there wields such power with ease, how do we stand a chance?"

Mechan’s eyes darken with resolve as he speaks, his voice low and steady, yet imbued with a quiet intensity.
Mechan:
"We adapt. We learn from every blow, every failure, and every victory. Today, we retreat—not in defeat, but to regroup and grow stronger. Our resolve must become our shield. And remember: strength isn't only about elemental might; it's about the courage to rise after every fall."

Xero nods, feeling the weight of the conversation settle into his bones. His tone, reflective yet resolute, carries the promise of a new beginning.
Xero:
"Every step, every scar, will be a lesson. We may not command fire or water, but we have something just as potent—our determination to protect what we love."

A moment of silence envelops them as the cool night air mingles with the residual tension of their ordeal. Mechan then gestures toward a hidden, winding path that cuts through a thicket of ancient oaks, its entrance shrouded in shadow and mystery.
Mechan: (firmly)
"Come on. We need to move before dawn breaks. There’s a safe haven ahead—a forgotten treehouse, once used by the Lethal Troops. It’s not much, but it will give us time to heal and plan our next move."

Claude musters a pained smile, trying to find humor amid the hardship.
Claude:
"Guess even in our broken state, we can still find refuge in old ghosts."

Xero helps Claude to his feet as they trudge along the secret path, their every step echoing with a mix of pain and hope. The Woodland, with its whispering trees and dappled moonlight, seems to cradle their wounded forms and weary spirits. As they approach the weathered treehouse—a sanctuary carved into the very heart of the forest—the distant chorus of nocturnal life swells, a reminder that even in darkness, life endures.

Inside the treehouse, the air is thick with history and the musty scent of old wood. Faded murals and dust-covered relics speak of battles long past and victories earned at a great cost. It is here, in the quiet solitude of this hidden refuge, that the trio finds a brief respite—a moment to gather their strength, share their grief, and rekindle the resolve that will carry them through the challenges yet to come.

Mechan settles onto a creaking bench, his voice barely above a whisper, yet carrying an intensity that fills the room.
Mechan:
"Rest now. Tomorrow, we face not only the enemies that stalk us, but the truths within ourselves. We may be broken tonight, but in the dawn, we will rise anew—wiser, stronger, and ready to reclaim our destiny."

Claude and Xero exchange solemn nods as the cool night wraps around them like a shroud, binding their fates together with a promise of a new resolve in the face of overwhelming darkness.