Dark Ascension ( 650 )

Gurdan lay in his grand bed, deep in slumber—bare chest rising slowly with each breath, arms relaxed, completely unaware.

But the shadows in the room told a different story.

The Seventh Units had already infiltrated the royal chamber. Silent. Surrounding the bed from every angle. Blades drawn. Spells prepped. Their eyes locked onto the target.

The First leaned forward and whispered, barely audible.

"Ready… on my signal."

But before anyone could move, the Seventh scoffed, smug as ever. "What? He's a weakling. I can kill him alone."

The Fourth gritted his teeth. "Don't talk like Gurdan is some palace guard. He's a king. A celestial vessel."

Seventh sneered. "Hah! Like I care. Watch this—let me show you how strong I am."

Before the First could stop him, Seventh's body surged with dark magic. He leapt into the air, blade glowing, descending in a direct kill arc toward the sleeping Gurdan's neck.

But before the strike could land—