Ark's drifting memories faded as he returned to the present. He remained seated in the small hot spring, steam curling around him in the cool night air. Across from him, Mizan watched in silence, sensing the heavy atmosphere.
Suddenly, Ark stood, his scarred, worn body illuminated by the moonlight. A sharp hiss filled the air—Pshhh!—as steam rose from his skin, the residual water evaporating under the force of his fire energy. His eyes, cold and indifferent, revealed no emotion as he calmly dressed and pulled his cloak over his shoulders.
He stepped toward Mizan, who was still seated on the ground, watching him with wide eyes. Ark stopped just in front of him, placed a hand over his chest, and gave a small, respectful bow.
"I apologize, Mizan. I didn't mean to frighten you. Hearing that name come from you startled me—it's a… sensitive matter for me."
Mizan blinked in surprise. He had never expected such a sincere apology from Ark. Awkwardly, he scratched the back of his head and stammered, "Ah! It-it's okay… really, I'm fine." He waved his hand sheepishly, trying to brush the moment off.
But then, he heard something that made him freeze.
"Is that what you thought I'd say?"
Mizan looked up sharply. Ark's calm expression was gone, replaced by a mocking grin. The older man chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with amusement, as though Mizan were the most naive person in the world.
Mizan felt a sinking sensation in his stomach.
"Hehe… Haha… HAHAHAHA!"
Ark burst into wild laughter, tilting his head back and covering his face with one hand. His laughter echoed through the spring, cold and unsettling.
"Boy!" Ark said, wiping the corner of his eye. "If you have even a sliver of intelligence—which I sincerely hope you do—you should have figured it out by now. The reason I agreed to teach you is because your ability has something to do with gravity. Just like that witch Mistya." His tone hardened. "Which means your power might be the key for me to unlock this accursed ring and find a way back to my home. And the only way that'll happen is if you grow into a powerhouse worthy of the task. Understood?"
Mizan froze, Ark's words striking him like a blow. The usually composed man's sudden shift to aggression left him speechless. And realization dawned. So he only wanted to use me... to see if my power could help him find a way home.
Ark squatted down to Mizan's level, his gaze piercing. "Here's the deal, boy. Yes, I'm going to use you. Hell, I may even abuse you to get what I want.' His tone was cold but firm. 'But that's not entirely a bad thing for you, is it? You want to become strong. To break your limits. This is your chance. You'd better grab it with your nails and teeth. So…" Ark's voice then rose, sharp and commanding. "GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!"
The sudden shift in volume startled Mizan, making him flinch and scoot backward. His heart pounded in his chest.
"Enough!" Ark roared, his voice slicing through the stillness. "You stay quiet, you disgusting wimp!"
Mizan froze, wide-eyed. He watched Ark, who now seemed to be shouting at thin air, his head snapping left and right as though arguing with someone only he could see. Still sitting on the ground, Mizan began to crawl backward, his thoughts racing. 'Th-this man is a madman… a complete madman.'
Ark's tirade continued, his fury unchecked. "You coward! After everything that's happened, instead of gathering more blood essence to recover—no matter how many you had to slaughter—you're sitting here playing house with this kid? RIDICULOUS!"
Suddenly, Ark's head snapped back as though responding to himself. "Have you not had enough slaughter? Don't you remember how many perished that day!?"
His face contorted with rage and grief. A single tear trickled down his left cheek, while his right eye remained dry and hollow. "Enough? NO! NEVER!" His voice cracked with raw emotion. "If my most beloved ones have already died in such a way, why should I care about these lowly insects? If I hadn't been so calculating—so hesitant—if I had eradicated every single dog that dared to bare its fangs at me at that time, they wouldn't have died!" His fists clenched tightly. "No! I will never hesitate again. Never yield again!"
His aura erupted like a volcano. A blinding blue pillar of energy shot skyward, illuminating the dark forest as though it were midday. The ground trembled beneath him, and a massive shockwave burst outward, flattening everything in its path.
"Argh!" Mizan shielded his face with his arms, thrown backward by the force. The Everdusk Forest shook violently, trees bending and cracking, and creatures of all kinds fled in every direction. Birds took to the skies in panicked flocks, fleeing the chaos below.
Ark spread his arms wide, his expression wild and unhinged. His voice boomed—a deafening declaration. "All these lowly scum should just kneel and tremble in fear! For I am Arcaya Nox Vondark—the Monarch of Destruction! And my wrath is greater than the heavens!"
***
At the same time, miles away, in a small town on the outskirts of Brightshores City, a group of six sat in an inn, enjoying food and conversation. Their laughter echoed through the cozy room, but it abruptly died when a middle-aged man with a long white ponytail froze mid-sentence. His silver eyes widened as he shot to his feet and rushed outside.
"Vermin?" one of his companions called, confused by the sudden outburst. The leader of the group, Kael Durnan, followed closely behind. They stopped just outside the inn, both staring to the north.
"You sense it too?" Vermin asked solemnly, his usual carefree demeanor gone.
Kael nodded grimly, his eyes narrowing.
A faint wind blew toward them from the horizon, carrying with it a strange, faint blue light. Though distant, the energy was undeniable.
These two members of the Ashen Fangs weren't the only ones to notice the disturbance. Across the entire eastern region, nearly every top expert felt the tremor. An ominous feeling settled in their chests like a storm on the horizon.
***
At Brightgaze Port Tower, the High Mountains of Argon, and Luna Ray Academy, experts paused mid-task, their gazes turning northward. In the residences of all four great families, powerful figures stopped in their tracks, frowning deeply.
***
On a hill just outside the Everdusk Forest, an old man stood, his hands clasped behind his back. He wore a simple white robe that fluttered gently in the breeze, his hair tied neatly into a bun atop his head. His smooth white beard swayed lightly in the wind.
Highmoon's silvery eyes were locked in the same direction as the others, his expression grim. The air was heavy with foreboding, and the elder's frown deepened.