Arion Makes a Move

The air around Ruberios was heavy, filled with a sense of stillness. The ground was scarred from the fierce battle between Luminous and Granbell, the echoes of destruction lingering in the air. The faint sound of Luminous' heartbeat was the only thing that could be heard, as her gaze was locked on the lifeless form of Hinata, her beloved student. Luminous held the girl close, unwilling to let go, her aura shimmering with a dangerous glow as her tears fell freely, staining Hinata's bloodied form.

Rimuru, now free from the soldiers, stepped toward Luminous. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his usually bright demeanor dimmed by the weight of the tragedy. But just as he was about to speak, a sudden shift in the atmosphere rippled through the surroundings.

The air around them seemed to freeze. The pressure spiked as if the very laws of nature had been altered. Luminous and Rimuru both raised their heads, the hairs on the back of their necks standing on end. They could feel it—someone was here, but the person was nowhere to be seen. It was as if time itself had stopped moving, a strange tension settling in the air. The faintest disturbance in space appeared behind them, and before they could react, I appeared.

I was cloaked in an illusion, my form hidden from view. Only the overwhelming pressure of my presence remained, a subtle distortion in the world around me. The energy was unmistakable, and Luminous and Rimuru could feel it, yet their eyes could not perceive the one standing before them. I approached them slowly, my footsteps reverberating in the silence, and with each step, the weight of my arrival became undeniable.

Finally, I spoke, my voice calm and cold, carrying across the stillness.

"Don't worry, I will take it from here."

Luminous turned to me, her heart pounding with grief and a fierce protectiveness toward Hinata. Rimuru's eyes flickered with confusion, but there was no time for further questions.

Without hesitation, I moved toward Hinata's body, the girl still cradled in Luminous' arms. Luminous flinched, her instincts telling her to stop me, but she said nothing. I extended a hand toward Hinata's chest, and as I made contact, a faint glow emanated from my palm. In an instant, Hinata's form shifted, her body glowing briefly as she transformed into pure essence, her soul separating from her physical vessel. I then stored her soul carefully, ensuring her return.

Luminous's eyes widened in disbelief as she saw Hinata's body fade away before her. She wanted to speak, to ask, but before she could form the words, I vanished.

The world resumed moving, the heavy air lifting, but the questions remained. Rimuru looked at Luminous, both of them frozen in shock and uncertainty. But there was no time to dwell on it. There was a promise I had made to Chloe, and I would keep it.

I teleported high into the sky, above Ruberios, my eyes scanning the entire Cardinal World. The world stretched before me, each layer of existence and power visible to my perception. And then, as if the entire world had unveiled its secrets to me, I located her—Chloe's body, but it was not in the hands of those who should have cared for her.

It was Mariabell, the one who had stolen her.

I teleported once more, moving underground, into a hidden lair deep below the city. Mariabell, and a mysterious figure standing beside her, were the only two present. The air was thick with secrecy, but that was not enough to stop me. As I appeared before them, they both screamed in panic.

"Who are you? How did you find this place?"

I didn't answer. My movements were precise, unhurried, as I walked toward Chloe's body. Mariabell and the other figure tried to move, to attack, but it was useless. I had already placed a spell upon them, a binding that rendered them immobile.

I sent a message to Diablo and the Eminence in the Shadow, instructing them to eliminate Mariabell and her associate. There was no more need for them. My focus remained entirely on Chloe's body, which I carefully lifted. The soft light of her form flickered before disappearing as I teleported once again, leaving Mariabell and her ally to their fate.

In the City of Eternal Night, the air was calm, the sky dark as the lights of distant cities flickered far below. The shadows seemed to whisper as I laid Chloe's body upon a pedestal in a private room.

I reached deep within, pulling Hinata's soul from storage, bringing it to the new body I had prepared for her. The body, forged with my power, began to glow as I inserted Hinata's soul into it. The power surged through the room, an overwhelming force that seemed to shake the walls. I immediately neutralized the energy before it could destabilize the environment.

Slowly, the new body began to take shape. Hinata's essence fused into the vessel, and moments later, her eyes flashed open. She blinked, disoriented, looking around, her confusion settling on Chloe's body lying beside her. Her gaze flickered between the two of us, and she sat up, still weak.

Hinata (softly, voice full of confusion): "What… happened? I thought I died…"

Chloe, seemed to understand what had occurred. She just said thank you. As for me, I had always preferred to remain unseen, my presence more a silent force than a tangible one.

I snapped my fingers, and the room around us shifted. Hinata and Chloe vanished from the City of Eternal Night, reappearing in Ruberios, standing before Luminous and Rimuru.

Luminous, who had been lost in her grief, suddenly turned around at the sound of footsteps. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the two familiar figures before her. Hinata, standing strong, and Chloe, still a little weak but very much alive.

Luminous's eyes widened, and she froze, the disbelief and shock evident on her face.

Luminous (in disbelief): "Hinata… Chloe? But… how?!"

Hinata slowly stepped forward, her eyes searching Luminous' face. The bonds between them had transcended those of a mere teacher and student. They were family, and in that moment, Luminous couldn't help but reach out toward her. She was overwhelmed with emotion, her voice shaking.

Luminous: "You're alive… but… how?"

I stood back, my presence lingering, but I did not speak. This was not my moment. I had kept my promise to Chloe, to Hinata, and now they could rebuild, together.

Hinata gave Luminous a soft smile, understanding the weight of everything that had transpired. Her words were simple, but they carried the depth of what they had all experienced.

Hinata (quietly, as she stepped forward): "I'm back… and so is Chloe. It's not over yet."

Rimuru, watching in silence, understood the significance of this moment. He smiled warmly, proud of what they had all achieved, even if the journey ahead would be fraught with more battles.

And as Luminous embraced both Hinata and Chloe, the world around them seemed to stand still for just a moment. A new chapter was beginning, one filled with both hope and vengeance, as they prepared to face the coming storm.