With the battle between Iskarth and Nulthira finally over, the ruined west sector fell into an uneasy silence.

  Snow still drifted through the air, settling over shattered stone and scorched ground like a burial shroud.

  Reito moved through the debris with heavy steps, Hiruzen’s unconscious body cradled carefully in his arms. His breath came slow and controlled, but his expression was tight—strained. Behind him, Kai followed, carrying Emma and Caitlyn, both barely conscious and stained with blood and ash.

  No one spoke at first.

  Then—

  Kai: Reito sir… I know it might not be my place to ask, but… what did Iskarth say to you earlier?

  Reito slowed.

  For just a second, his grip tightened around Hiruzen. Iskarth’s words echo in his mind

  Iskarth: While I was fighting, I noticed something about this boy’s body. I didn’t recognize it at first—but now I do. This boy’s body is unrestricted.Probably the result of a contemporary vow made by one of his parents. I don’t know why… or how… but it’s been that way since birth. You might want to question his father.

  Reito exhaled quietly and kept walking.

  Reito: You’re right. It isn’t your place to ask.

  Kai flinched slightly.

  Reito: And it’s not important right now. What matters is getting everyone somewhere safe.

  Before he could finish—

  BOOM.

  A violent explosion tore through the corridor ahead, sending a shockwave ripping through the air.

  Kai: What the hell was that?!

  Reito’s eyes sharpened instantly.

  Reito: I don’t know. But that’s where I left Trish and Jonathan.

  He didn’t hesitate.

  Reito adjusted Hiruzen in his arms and broke into a sprint. Kai followed, pushing his aching body beyond its limits.

  They rounded the shattered corner—

  And froze.

  A tall man stood amid the wreckage, dressed in a pristine black suit that contrasted violently with the destruction around him. Silver hair fell neatly behind his shoulders. One hand was wrapped around Mrs. Zinc’s throat, lifting her effortlessly off the ground.

  In his other hand—

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Jonathan.

  Gripped by the head. Barely conscious.

  Nearby, Logan stood silently, holding an unconscious Aaron over his shoulder.

  Reito: HEY!

  Ice burst outward from Reito’s feet as his rage spiked.

  Reito: What do you think you’re doing?! Who the hell are you?!

  The man turned slowly, eyes scanning Reito from head to toe. Then he smiled.

  Flynn: So you’re Reito Aukusti. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.

  He inclined his head slightly.

  Flynn: The name’s Flynn McAlistor. I’m a representative of Skyzen.

  The temperature dropped instantly.

  Frost crawled along the floor beneath Reito’s boots.

  Reito: Skyzen…

  His voice was cold enough to freeze breath.

  Reito: He didn’t send you all this way just to pick on students. So talk. What are your orders?

  Flynn chuckled lightly.

  Flynn: This isn’t my first visit, actually. A few months back, my colleagues—Adam and Annie—paid this academy a visit. Along with a boy named Liam.

  Reito’s eyes widened slightly.

  Flynn: We were the ones responsible for the South sector bombing. Our goal was to breach the academy's data center while using the bombing as a distraction. Everything went smoothly… though Adam is still recovering.

  Reito’s jaw clenched.

  Flynn: My current objective is simple. Retrieve Franklin and Sera Sagewell.

  He glanced at Aaron.

  Flynn: And capture Aaron Nanazawa.

  Reito(thinking): Damn it… I’m barely standing. Kai’s injured. The others are unconscious. But I can’t let them take them.

  Carefully, Reito lowered Hiruzen to the ground.

  Ice surged up his arms as he turned back toward Flynn.

  Reito: Over my dead body.

  Flynn sighed.

  Flynn: Logan. Handle him.

  Logan stiffened.

  Logan: Yes… sir.

  Logan gently set Aaron down.

  Then raised his hand.

  Metal screamed as a massive titanium wall formed instantly between Reito and Flynn. Reito slammed into it at full speed, the impact sending cracks spidering through the metal.

  Before he could recover, the wall collapsed inward—reforming as restraints that wrapped around his arms, legs, and torso.

  Reito struggled.

  Reito: Logan! Stop this! These people are the enemy!

  Logan didn’t respond.

  Reito: Look at your father! Look at what he’s become! He doesn’t care about you—or your mother! He only cares about himself!

  Logan hesitated.

  His grip wavered.

  A tear slid down his cheek.

  Logan: …I’m sorry, sir.

  The restraints tightened.

  Logan stepped forward and placed a hand against Reito’s face. A faint hiss filled the air as an incapacitating agent dispersed.

  Reito’s eyes fluttered.

  Logan: He’s out cold. Let’s go.

  Flynn emerged from the settling dust, now carrying Franklin and Sera—both unconscious.

  Flynn: Grab the kid. We’re done here.

  Logan lifted Aaron again.

  The massive crystalline sphere descended from above, its hatch opening smoothly. One by one, they entered.

  The hatch was sealed.

  The sphere rose into the sky and vanished into the clouds.

  Minutes later, the dean and staff arrived—too late.

  Dean Frederick: Oh my god… get medical teams here NOW! These students are critically injured! Reito—Trisha—someone help them!

  One Week Later

  A steady beeping echoed in the sterile hospital room.

  Hiruzen groaned.

  Hiruzen: Ugh… my head…

  He cracked one eye open.

  White ceiling. IV line. Monitors.

  Hiruzen: …Where am I?

  Reito sat beside the bed, his arm in a cast.

  Reito: A Hospital in Shibuku. The academy’s med bay was destroyed.

  Hiruzen: …How long was I out?

  Reito: A week.

  Hiruzen swallowed.

  Hiruzen: And the others?

  Reito: Different wing. Their injuries were severe.

  Hiruzen’s voice trembled.

  Hiruzen: Reito I'm sorry I… I couldn’t save Randall.

  Reito leaned forward, gripping his shoulder firmly.

  Reito: I know. And it wasn’t your fault.

  A pause.

  Reito: But we don’t have time to grieve yet.

  Hiruzen: What do you mean?

  Reito straightened.

  Reito: The dean has given me a new mission. I’m to personally train you—and the others—and prepare you for the Five Island Sanctuaries.

  Hiruzen’s eyes widened.

  Hiruzen: What?! Why the outer islands?!

  Reito: I’ll explain later. For now—rest.

  He stood and moved toward the door.

  Reito: We leave tomorrow.

  The door closed.

  The lights flickered.

  Cold flooded the room.

  Iskarth appeared at the foot of the bed.

  Iskarth: Listen, boy. We need to talk.

  End Chapter