The first rays of dawn barely touched the rooftops of Eryndale when Kaito Takahashi felt the ground tremble beneath him. From the edge of the village, a column of dark-robed figures advanced, the silver sigils on their robes glowing faintly in the morning light.
Seraphine Korr herself hovered at the front, her piercing gaze locked on Kaito. He swallowed hard. The Sanctum wasn't just observing anymore—they were moving in.
"We have no choice," Elden Mire said quietly, stepping forward. His eyes scanned the approaching army. "If they catch you here, you—and the village—will be destroyed."
Kaito looked at the villagers—women, children, the elderly—sweeping the ruins of last night's attack. Their hope rested on him. He swallowed the tight knot in his chest.
"Then we leave. Now."
Riven Blackhart's twin Shadow Manael blades glinted as he scanned the perimeter. "Kaito, stay close. Don't try anything heroic. We're leaving, not fighting."
"Leaving?" Lyra Emberfall exclaimed, sparks of Fire Manael flickering on her fingertips. "I fight! I'm not running!"
Aira Valen stepped forward, her hands glowing with gentle golden Manael. "Lyra… we have to prioritize the villagers. Fighting now will get everyone killed."
Lyra clenched her fists, but nodded reluctantly. Kaito gave her a small reassuring smile. Patience, he thought. We'll fight when we have a chance.
The group moved quickly through the back alleys, Elden guiding them toward a hidden forest path known only to him. Behind them, the Sanctum's forces spread like shadows across Eryndale, sealing all escape routes.
The forest loomed ahead, its trees whispering faintly with Manael. Kaito felt the energy pulse under his feet—the forest was alive, and its magic thrummed with possibilities.
"This forest will hide us… for now," Elden said. "But the Sanctum can sense Manael. They will follow."
Kaito clenched his fists. His semi-immortal body throbbed with residual pain from the last battle, but his Manael still pulsed strongly. He placed a hand on Aira's shoulder.
"I'll protect you," he said softly. "No matter what comes."
Aira looked up at him, eyes wide. She wanted to trust him—but the fear in her heart was real. "Kaito… you can't do everything alone," she whispered.
"Then I won't," he replied. "We'll do this together."
No one expected them to be followed so quickly.
A rustle in the underbrush. A pair of shadows leapt into the clearing, Manael radiating from their bodies—Sanctum scouts.
Riven drew his blades instantly, shadows coiling around them like living serpents. Lyra's hands ignited in brilliant orange flames. Kaito's own hands glowed faintly as he tapped into his healing Manael, ready to react to injuries before they even happened.
"Kaito, let us handle this," Riven growled.
But Kaito shook his head. "No. I'm not just going to stand behind. Not anymore."
The battle erupted. Shadow Manael clashed with Fire and Healing energy. Kaito moved fluidly, dodging attacks, using bursts of Manael to shield the group. His body ached—every wound he felt, every stab of pain—but he stood, semi-immortal and unyielding.
In the chaos, Kaito's senses tingled. He wasn't just fighting scouts. Someone was watching, controlling their movements. He turned toward the trees… and saw Seraphine, her black Manael swirling like a storm.
"Interesting," she murmured. "He's braver than I thought. Let's see if he can survive the true test."
Kaito gritted his teeth. She's here. She's watching us. And I can't let her win—not while anyone else is in danger.
The battle reached its peak—Riven and Lyra held their ground, Elden guided the group strategically, and Kaito felt a strange rush, Manael surging in his veins. His semi-immortality wasn't just a shield—it was becoming a weapon.
Finally, Elden called out, "Move! There's a path through the northern ridge—hurry!"
The group ran through the forest, Kaito clearing the way with bursts of Manael. Behind them, the Sanctum's forces pursued, relentless and unyielding.
As the treetops swallowed the fleeing party, Kaito glanced at Aira. Her eyes met his, filled with worry—and something else, something unspoken. He smiled faintly.
I'll survive. I'll protect everyone… and one day, I'll live a long, happy life with the people I love.
But deep in the shadows, Seraphine's voice echoed like a promise and a threat:
"Semi-immortal… you cannot hide forever."