prologue ends

 Daniel alerted Sarah about what had happened to Erie and the pendant. Sarah immediately stopped talking, turned around, and looked at Erie. She walked toward him briskly.

"Erie?" she called, her tone firm yet filled with concern. She reached out and grabbed the pendant. "Erie, let me see that pendant."

As Sarah tried to touch it, the mystic energy within the pendant began to glow and burned her hand.

"Ouch!" she yelped, quickly pulling her hand back. "Great Helio'son, that hurt!"

Erie instinctively tried to take off the pendant, but no matter what he did, the pendant retracted back to his chest like a magnet.

Leviathan stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Young master, how does it feel?" he asked calmly.

Erie glanced at him, his small hand clutching the pendant. "It feews wike it's twying to puww into my chest," he stammered, his voice trembling slightly.

Daniel, standing nearby, smiled faintly and walked over to Chain. "Chain, you need to follow him and serve him in the shadows," he said in a low voice. "In the twelve paths I've seen, he will end up on a different planet at an early age. I will inform Her Majesty that he will be alright. This is the best course for the young master."

Chain nodded slowly, his expression heavy with emotion. Tears began to stream down his face as he asked Daniel, "Was this the only outcome? What is my own fate? My hands are dirty, Daniel, and my heart is heavy."

Daniel placed a steadying hand on Chain's shoulder and listened intently. "You'll be in good hands," he replied gently. "Just continue to do the best that you can."

Chain nodded again, tears still falling. His anguish eventually caught Sarah's attention.

Sarah turned toward him and immediately understood. She knew why Chain's heart was heavy. He had carried out a task that had taken lives, and though his actions were cruel, they were done out of necessity. She believed he would be forgiven because his heart remained kind, and he was still seeking ways to atone.

The day had passed since the pendant's creation, and Sarah wasted no time preparing for what was to come. She devised a plan based on Daniel's vision. Knowing the city was about to face unimaginable suffering, Sarah gathered all the children within the royal palace. She sent the knights to the Alliance World to warn their allies of the impending catastrophe.

When the fateful day arrived, the knights began gathering the children in the palace hallways. Sarah spent her remaining time with Erie, savoring every moment. She told him stories, shared riddles, and encouraged him to stay strong.

"The pendant calls out to you, Erie," she said softly, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes. "When the time comes, it will guide you. But for now, follow your heart. Respect those who help guide you, alright? Mommy has to go now."

She cupped his small face in her hands and whispered, "And remember me, baby. I love you so much."

Erie looked up at her, tears forming in his wide, innocent eyes. "Mommy, what's going on? Whewe are you going?"

Sarah hugged Erie tightly, her arms warm and comforting as she whispered, "Your father and I are going to have a little talk, son."

Erie wiped the tears from his eyes, his small voice trembling. "Okay, Mommy."

Sarah straightened, her gaze soft but resolute. As she walked away, she paused and glanced back one last time, her glowing yellow eyes casting an ethereal light in the dim hall. "My young prince," she said, her voice filled with gentle authority, "follow your knight's orders."

Before Erie could reply, she vanished in a shimmering flash of light, leaving him standing alone in the quiet corridor.

Erie stood patiently, waiting for Knight Leviathan to return. The hours ticked by, but he didn't budge from his spot. His small hands clutched the pendant around his neck, its surface warm to the touch. Suddenly, it began to tug gently, pulling him toward the center room.

"My mommy towd me to wisten to you," Erie whispered to the pendant, his wide eyes filled with trust. "So I will."

Following its subtle pull, Erie found himself in the palace's vast center hall. The room buzzed with life—children darted around, their laughter echoing off the ornate walls. Some of them glowed faintly, yellow auras surrounding their tiny frames like halos. Erie stopped in the doorway, his gaze darting from one smiling face to another.

"Hi! I'm Lilly!"

Erie blinked as a cheerful girl bounded up to him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Hi! I'm Ewie!" he replied with a shy grin, the pendant's tugging suddenly ceasing. "You wanna be fwiends?"

Lilly nodded enthusiastically, her missing front tooth making her smile all the more endearing. Erie couldn't help but laugh softly, a feeling of warmth spreading through his chest as if the pendant itself shared his joy.

The two quickly fell into a rhythm, running, laughing, and playing as if they'd been friends forever. Erie hadn't felt so free in what felt like an eternity.

Then, without warning, the ground began to tremble. A low rumble filled the room, growing louder with each passing second. The children froze mid-play, their laughter replaced by gasps of fear. Dust drifted from the ceiling as the walls quaked violently.

Erie's heart pounded in his chest. He glanced at Lilly, who clung to his arm, her glowing aura flickering faintly.

"What's happening?" Erie asked, his voice barely audible over the rising din.

The pendant around his neck grew hot, its golden light flaring to life. Erie clutched it tightly, his instincts urging him to protect the frightened girl beside him.

Leviathan approached Erie and Lilly with a calm yet commanding presence. "Young masters, fear not. We are here to protect you all." His voice carried reassurance and authority. Turning to the other knights, he shouted, "All knights, initiate the First Protection Sequence!"

At Leviathan's command, the knights responded in perfect unison, their voices echoing through the palace. "Light Veil!" A shimmering barrier of light enveloped the palace, stabilizing its foundations and silencing the tremors.

Chain stepped into the center of the group, standing tall amidst the children. Raising a glowing crystal high above his head, he announced, "Call of the Five Suns!" In response, a radiant sun began to form within the palace, its brilliance illuminating the room. The crystal shards floated toward the glowing sun, embedding themselves within its core as it hovered in place.

Chain's voice carried a weight of solemnity as he addressed the knights. "My fellow brethren, this is the most I can do for you. The energy from this sun should sustain you long enough to ensure the children reach their destination as per Daniel's guidance." He took a deep, steadying breath before continuing. "I am sorry it has come to this. I will watch over you and strategize from Amos's side. Please, trust Daniel's orders and obey them."

With his final words, Chain bowed his head, his expression one of resolve and sorrow. Then, as if carried by an unseen wind, his figure dissolved into the air.

A surge of energy coursed through the knights, fortifying the barrier of light around the palace. The shimmering veil grew stronger, and the tremors ceased completely, leaving the building in peaceful stillness.

Erie turned to look at Lilly, her innocent face giving him a moment of comfort. Suddenly, his pendant began to glow, a warm light emanating from his chest. Before he could process what was happening, the pendant's power surged, and in a flash of radiant light, Erie was teleported outside the palace.