Silence ruled the scene for several long minutes after (Raym) unleashed that strange light from his sword.The gazes of (Vail), (Daniel), and (Arvela) met—each face reflecting the sheer horror of what they had just witnessed.
How much time had passed?Ten minutes? Fifteen? Thirty?It no longer mattered. Their expressions alone told the story.
(Vail) finally spoke, his voice trembling, words struggling to form:"Th… that light… Is it what I think it is? Did you both see it? Or am I imagining things?Did (Raym) truly manifest the Light Element?"
(Arvela) tried to respond, her breath shallow, her voice barely audible:"I knew it… from the very first moment…(Raym), you—"
Her words faded as she lost consciousness, collapsing into (Daniel)'s arms.
"Yes, (Vail)… it is exactly what we think," (Daniel) said solemnly."That boy carries the will of the great ones.He is our hope… our last hope."
A cold, gentle wind swept through the ruins, as if announcing the birth of a new era—one unlike anything that came before it.
(Vail) raised his head, his eyes filled with something long forgotten.Hope.
"We must inform the Commander," he said firmly.
They carried the survivors back.(Vail) bore (Raym) and (Lyra), while (Daniel) supported (Arvela)—despite her weak protests, insisting she was not a burden.
With every step, (Vail) felt closer to a dream he had once believed impossible.Victory.
Yet the closer they came, the heavier his steps grew.Was it the shock of what he had witnessed?Or the exhaustion of endless wishing for an end to this nightmare?
Still… this time felt different.
As they walked, (Raym) murmured in his sleep:"Me…? I have to… live… for you…I will become… stronger…"
(Vail) couldn't help but smile.
"Yes, (Raym)… you will," he whispered."From this moment on… you are our hope."
(Daniel) slowed his pace until he walked beside (Vail).
"Do you truly think it's wise to let everyone know?" he asked seriously."Wouldn't it be safer if this remained a secret?Only you, me, the Battalion Commanders, the Commander-in-Chief, and his deputies should know."
(Vail) hesitated. The excitement drained from his face.
"…You're right," he finally said."No one else must know."
When they returned to the camp, crowds quickly gathered.(Daniel) shouted them back, forcing them to disperse.
The soldiers whispered anxiously:"What happened?""Where are the others?""Where is (Lance)? He's behind you, right…?"
(Vail) turned his gaze away.
They understood.
Grief spread like wildfire.
Later, (Arvela) regained consciousness after receiving treatment.
And then—The dream returned.
The woman again.Alone this time.
"Raaaym! You must survive!" she screamed."Don't die—live for me!"
(Raym) awoke abruptly.
This time… no one was there.
Tears welled in his eyes as he lowered his head.
"(Lance)… I swear your sacrifice will not be in vain," he whispered."I will destroy them all.I will leave none alive.I will make them beg for their lives."
His fists clenched until blood seeped from his palms.
A man entered his room carrying food.
"Oh, you're awake," he said kindly."I heard about your bravery, (Raym). You're quite popular now.Who would've imagined you could stand alone against an SI Knight?"
"I envy you," the man added.
"What good is envy," (Raym) replied bitterly,"when I couldn't protect the ones I love?My friend died because of me. I couldn't do anything."
He looked up, eyes burning.
"Did they tell you?If not for (Lance), I'd be dead.I turned my head for a second—and a dark-charged axe was coming for me.He took it instead."
His voice cracked.
"Three others died… and I stood there helpless.So tell me, Mr. (Lonz)—what exactly are you jealous of?"
(Lonz) turned toward the mirror. Tears filled his eyes.
"…You're right," he said quietly.
(Raym) froze."A-are you okay? I'm sorry if I—"
"No," (Lonz) interrupted gently."If you can stand, (Vail) wants to see you.It's important."
The camp felt eerily quiet as (Raym) prepared himself.Whispers echoed behind closed doors.
On his way, one sentence echoed in his mind—words (Lonz) always repeated:
"Strength is not surviving…It is standing up after falling—and refusing to remain at the bottom."
Lost in thought, (Raym) collided with (Vail)'s door.
He hesitated.
The weight in his chest grew heavier.
After a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked.
No answer.
"Oh… he must not be here," (Raym) muttered, turning away—
Only to stop dead in his tracks.
"Commander (Irene)?" he said in shock.
"You're late," (Irene) replied calmly."Come. Everyone is waiting for you."