Chapter 6: Heroes, Memories, and the Brother Who Drew His Blade

The bathhouse was dead silent.

Velda stood by the wall now, arms crossed, cloak slightly soaked from the steam, her gaze locked on Lucius.

"You've been reborn into the final timeline," she said. "There are no retries. No do-overs. The Chosen Heroes have already been summoned."

Lucius didn't flinch. "Who are they?"

Velda raised a hand. Three glowing sigils appeared in the air:

A blazing sun emblem.

A twin sword and shield.

A shattered rose.

She tapped the last one. "That one… belongs to your brother."

Lucius's fingers twitched.

"…Takeshi."

---

FLASHBACK – Earth, 1 Year Ago

A hospital room. Faint beeping. Lucius—then Ryouma—sat at the foot of the bed. Takeshi stood at the window, looking down at the snow.

"You always ran from everything," Takeshi muttered. "School, work, mom's funeral... even her."

Ryouma's hands clenched. "You don't know what I've been through."

"I know exactly what you've been through," Takeshi snapped. "You just always wanted to be the victim."

The silence was suffocating.

Then Takeshi turned, his eyes cold. "If I ever had your power… I'd change everything."

---

NOW

Lucius opened his eyes.

That final moment.

Takeshi was standing above him in the game world. Sword drawn. Betrayal fresh.

"I should've been the one they summoned," he had said.

> [Memory Synced: Pain +2 | Hatred +1 | Calm Rage -3]

[Emotional Stability Dropping – Tyrant Aura Increasing]

Lucius stood up from the bath.

Claire looked at him nervously. "Lucius…?"

"I need a sword," he muttered. "Now."

---

Meanwhile, in the floating capital of Aerendel…

Takeshi Nachtveil stood at the edge of a balcony, his white armor glowing with holy runes.

A priestess approached from behind. "Lord Chosen, the Demonblood Tyrant has awakened."

Takeshi didn't turn around.

"So it's finally starting."

He looked at his hand—still stained with faint traces of blood only he could see.

"Tell the others. I'll end him again."

The priestess hesitated. "But sir… he's your brother."

Takeshi's eyes went cold.

"No. My brother died the moment he let the world destroy him. What's walking now… is a monster."