Shock and confusion appeared on Lorian's face… as if he knew something, yet didn't at the same time...The way he looked at Raym changed, but he said nothing...
He let out a slow sigh...
"Well then… it's fine if you don't remember. But you shouldn't stay like this. You have to search for answers."
Raym's expression froze...
"That's easy to say… I don't even know who to ask. Everyone kept asking me questions… and never gave me the chance to ask back...And I doubt anyone knows the answer… According to them… they found me near some forest… dragging a rusty sword covered in blood and cracks… and the body of a six-year-old boy, torn by wounds…"
Lorian didn't fully grasp the horror of that image, so he tried to change the subject...
"…I'm sorry. I was only trying to help. I didn't realize you went through something like that."
Raym felt slightly ashamed of his reaction and apologized...
Then Lorian said:
"Well, then… you can ask me instead."
A strange feeling filled Raym's chest...Something unfamiliar...
Many questions clashed inside his head… but one reached his lips first.
"What exactly did those bastards do to Lonz???"
Lorian lowered his head instantly...Silence.
Disappointment spread across Raym's face, but before he could change the question, Lorian finally spoke, his voice heavy with regret...
"…It's something bigger than you can understand right now. But let's say… he was used as a vessel to summon a dragon."
Raym froze...
Thousands of thoughts stormed his mind… but the first one was sharp with suspicion.
"Lorian… how do you know that???"
He answered quietly:
"There is a part of my past… I'm not proud of.Once… I was one of them...Not just anyone… but their future leader."
In an instant, Raym grabbed his collar, eyes burning with rage.
"Why??! Even you… you betray my last bit of trust?!!"
Lorian spoke softly:
"Please… just let me finish.You have every right to kill me… but first… let me atone for my sin..."
Raym released him, though unconvinced...
Lorian placed a hand on his shoulder...
"I'm sorry you're going through this. But I swear I mean you no harm.I was with them… against my will.I was dragged there by force. In fact—"
He was interrupted as Round and Saon returned...
"We've arrived," Round said calmly."But it doesn't look like the conversation went well."
No one replied...
They sat in silence as night swallowed the last traces of light.They decided to sleep and continue at dawn.
But Raym couldn't sleep well...
Was it because of Lorian's words???Or the bitter memories of sleeping outside the base???
For some, the night passed quickly.For others… it felt like days.
At first light, Raym was already awake.He prepared silently, and once the others rose, they continued their journey.
Hours passed without a word...Only footsteps… and the wind between the trees...
Then suddenly—
They all stopped at once...
They felt it...
A strange aura… heavy…Something unnatural watching them...
They hid behind the trees, ready for anything...But nothing appeared...
So they moved forward cautiously...
And then…
They saw the remains...
Torn clothes.Broken arrows stained with blood...Shattered swords stuck in the ground.
But the strangest thing…
There weren't many bodies.Only signs of resistance… as if the battle had ended before it truly began.
Then they saw pieces of familiar armor...
An unmistakable emblem...
The "SI Army"…
Once again...??!