As sleep overtook him, his consciousness drifted into a void. He found himself standing in an endless expanse of darkness. Before him, two figures clashed with terrifying force.

BOOM! The explosion of power illuminated the void, revealing the combatants.

One was a man clad in regal, shadowy armor, wielding a massive scythe that radiated an overwhelming aura of finality. His face was hidden behind a mask adorned with intricate carvings, giving him an air of authority.

The other was a towering figure with crimson armor etched in jagged patterns, holding a blazing greatsword. His presence exuded raw destruction, and his burning eyes were filled with relentless fury.

"Itaris..." 

Katsuragi whispered, instinctively recognizing the first figure.

"And Elder of Destruction..?"

A voice echoed behind him. Katsuragi spun around, but no one was there.

Before he could process, the figures charged at each other.

"Is this... a memory?" 

CLANG! Their weapons collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the void.

"Itaris!" 

Izanagi, the Elder of Destruction roared, his voice booming with rage. 

"Your rule has turned the Elders into cowards! We were meant to protect the cosmos, not hide behind ideals!"

Itaris's reply was calm but firm. 

"The Elders were created to guide, not to conquer. Power without purpose leads only to ruin. We need to protect humanity no matter what."

"You're a fool!" 

Izanagi spat, slashing his greatsword toward Itaris. 

"The strong rule, and the weak submit. That is the law of the universe! But we can change it, yet YOU are the one who is afraid and prefers to only protect humans! There are still many other beings in the universe who need our leadership!" 

SWISH! 

Itaris sidestepped the attack, countering with a precise swing of his sword. The blade grazed Izanagi's armor, drawing a crackling line of energy.

Katsuragi watched in awe as the battle unfolded. Every movement carried the weight of their conflicting philosophies, Itaris's tempered resolve versus Izanagi's insatiable hunger for power.

"You call yourself the Elder of Authority," 

Izanagi sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. 

"Yet you refuse to bring an end to weakness. Your compassion is your downfall!"

Itaris's mask tilted slightly, as if considering the words. 

"Compassion is not weakness, Izanagi. It is the strength that binds creation together. Without it, even the strongest fall to despair."

CRASH! 

Izanagi's sword struck the ground, fracturing the void beneath them. Katsuragi staggered as the cracks spread toward him.

"You speak of strength." 

Itaris continued, his voice unwavering. 

"But true strength lies in restraint, in knowing when to wield power and when to let it rest."

Izanagi bellowed in frustration, launching himself at Itaris with renewed fury. Their weapons clashed again.

BANG!

Sending shards of energy flying in all directions.

Katsuragi shielded his face from the onslaught, but the sight before him burned into his memory.

"You're talking nonsense!"

Izanagi roared, his voice echoing with fury. 

"You cling to a broken ideal, and it will destroy you!"

"And yet," 

Itaris replied, his sword glowing with energy, 

"I stand firm, for the sake of those who believe in harmony."

The void trembled as the two unleashed their full power. For a brief moment, Katsuragi could see glimpses of the devastation their battle caused-planets shattered, stars consumed by their conflict.

BOOM!

The dream shattered like glass. Katsuragi gasped and jolted upright, his chest heaving. Sweat clung to his skin as he stared at the faintly illuminated ceiling of his apartment.

"What... was that?" 

he muttered to himself, running a hand through his damp hair. The memory of the battle lingered, vivid and disorienting.

He sat there for a few moments, letting his breathing steady, before rising to his feet. The room felt stifling, so he decided to step outside.

"What did Izanagi say... they were supposed to protect the entire universe, but Itaris chose to stay on earth..? This is not my memory." 

The early morning air was crisp, the streets of Shanzhou quiet as the city slowly awakened. Katsuragi walked aimlessly, hands in his pockets, his thoughts swirling.

"If we look at it from one perspective, Izanagi looks like a bad guy, but Itaris's thoughts..."

The more he dwelled on it, the heavier his chest felt. He shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside.

"I should focus on what's ahead." 

He said, looking up at the sky.

He thought back to Carmira's suggestion the other day. Becoming a patroller wasn't a bad idea; it was stable work and would keep him close to her. But then there was the hunter job, a riskier option, yet one that intrigued him.

"Hunting Abyssal Fields... clearing monsters. It's not like it would be hard for me,"

He reasoned. A faint smirk touched his lips. 

"And it pays well. Who wouldn't want to be promised 1000 credits a day if they brought home Abyss's corpse?" 

Just as he was about to decide, a heavy metallic thud behind him made him freeze.

Turning slowly, he was met with a towering figure clad in robotic armor. The suit gleamed faintly in the dim light, and its faceless helm gave the person an imposing presence.

"You are Shin Katsuragi, correct?" 

The figure said, their voice distorted but calm.

Katsuragi instinctively tensed. 

"No. Shin Katsuragi went there."

The armored figure took a step closer. 

"Don't play dumb. My name is Kai. I am here on behalf of Lady Xiang Hua. She is expecting you at Nexus Haven."

"Nexus Haven?" 

Katsuragi repeated, his brow furrowing. 

"The big building in the middle of the city?"

Kai nodded. 

"She wishes to speak with you immediately. Please follow me."

Katsuragi hesitated, his instincts on high alert. But there was something about Kai's demeanor that suggested they weren't here to harm him.

"I don't have time for such trivial things, I'd better find a job-"

Kai quickly stopped Katsuragi from leaving. Knowing that, Katsuragi immediately avoided Kai and ran away.

However, when Katsuragi looked back he saw Kai flying towards him.

"What the hell?!"

He continued running, climbing the wall and jumping between buildings. Still, Kai didn't give up and continued to chase Katsuragi.

"Are you serious?! Get away from me! I have a job to find!"

A few minutes later. When Katsuragi was filling out the work form to clean up the Abyssal Fields, he felt uneasy because Kai was behind him and everyone was watching them. 

"Goodamnit fine, I'll go there and let me finish this!"

Hearing that, Kai nodded 

"Very well."

An hour later, 

The Nexus Haven towered over the heart of Shanzhou, its sleek architecture a blend of futuristic and traditional design. As Katsuragi approached with Kai, the imposing structure seemed to radiate authority.

Inside, the halls were bustling with activity. Officials in crisp uniforms moved with purpose, and the walls were adorned with holographic displays of maps and reports.

Kai led him to a grand chamber, its ceiling high and adorned with intricate carvings. At the far end of the room stood a figure Katsuragi recognized instantly, Xiang Hua, the Knight of Creation.

Draped in elegant robes that shimmered like woven light, Xiang Hua exuded an aura of grace and power. Her piercing eyes locked onto Katsuragi as he entered.

"So, this is the man who fell from the sky," 

She said, her tone sharp yet curious.

Katsuragi scratched the back of his neck, feeling slightly out of place. 

"You could've just sent a letter, you know. No need for the armored escort."

Xiang Hua's lips curved into a faint smile. 

"You have a sharp tongue. I see Carmira wasn't exaggerating."

Katsuragi raised an eyebrow. 

"She talked about me?"

"She did," 

Xiang Hua said, stepping forward. 

"But I am more interested in hearing about you, from you."

The atmosphere grew tense as she studied him closely. 

"Tell me, Katsuragi, what do you remember before arriving in Shanzhou?"

Katsuragi shifted uncomfortably. 

"Not much. Just my name and... bits and pieces. Nothing that makes sense."

Xiang Hua's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she seemed deep in thought. 

"And yet, you possess abilities far beyond those of a normal man. Abilities that saved lives, but also absorbed Abyssal energy."

Katsuragi stiffened. 

"So what? You want to use me as an experiment?"

"No, but if you want we can do that." 

Xiang Hua said, her tone firm. 

"The Abyssal energy you absorbed is dangerous. It could corrupt you or worse, turn you into the very thing you fight against."

"Oh really? I'm afraid~. Trust me, don't study me, you won't even get a benefit."

"No, not yet,"

"But the potential is there. That's why I need to know... are you a threat, or an ally?"

Katsuragi met her eyes, his jaw tightening. 

"I don't know what I am. But I can tell you this. I wasn't a monster. But if you want me to be one, I can do it now."

A grin appeared from Katsuragi. Not a mocking grin, but the grin of a murderer.

"Do you want me to show you?" 

The room fell silent, tension hanging in the air.

"No then? Aw, I was just about to show you."

"Heh, interesting. How about a challenge? Show that you won't use that power for evil. Prove it."

Katsuragi smirks.

"Okay, I'll prove it. Without showing it."

Katsuragi walked away and out of Nexus Haven. Meanwhile, A man appeared, bringing a spear.

"That guy is rude. But I like his spirit."

Xiang Hua slightly chuckles.

"Is that so? Ms. Tian Yi would definitely like to get to know this man. I think you are also interested in this man, right General Shenghua?" 

Shenghua Yuan, the man next to Xiang Hua, nodded. Indicates what she said is true.

Outside, Katsuragi smirks. He opens his phone and sees he has hacked into Nexus Haven's security camera, seeing Xiang Hua and Shenghua Yuan talking. 

"Wow, it's not for nothing that I learned how to hack security cameras yesterday." 

Katsuragi started to smile evilly.