Chapter 24: The Eye of the Storm

The air was still thick with the tension from the previous encounter, and the cold of the Ashen Forest pressed in around them like a suffocating weight. Kaede stood motionless, his gaze locked on the empty space where Vael had vanished. The echoes of the soldier's words lingered in the ruins, haunting him.

"Kaede?" Kael's voice was soft, but the urgency in it cut through the silence.

Kaede slowly turned, his face ashen. His usually composed demeanor was shattered. His eyes were clouded with doubt, the weight of Vael's revelation taking a toll on him. "I... I never thought we'd face something like this."

Tetsu stepped forward, his face grim. "So, what now? Kurojin Tsukiro is back. What's our next move?"

Kaede's hand gripped the hilt of his blade, his knuckles white. "We need to get back to the academy, warn them, and prepare for what's coming." He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "But there's more to it. I need to know who defeated Kurojin all those years ago. If Vael's telling the truth, then we're not dealing with a normal Wielder here."

Ryuu, still tense from the earlier confrontation, spoke up. "You're not planning to go after Kurojin now, are you? We don't even know where to start."

"I'm not," Kaede answered, his voice sharp. "But we need answers. We can't just run away from this."

Kael looked toward the darkened horizon, the shadows in the forest seeming to stretch endlessly. A part of him wanted to take action—take the fight to Kurojin, but the reality of the situation hit him hard. They were outmatched. They needed more information, more strength. They needed to be prepared.

"We move back to the academy," Kael said, his voice steady but resolute. "We regroup and figure out our next steps from there."

The group nodded in agreement. They made their way back toward the academy, the journey long and filled with silence. The weight of what they had learned hung over them like a storm cloud, ready to break.

The academy was only a few days' journey away, but the road felt longer. Each step was weighed down with the knowledge that the world was changing—and not for the better.

As they approached the academy gates, the familiar sight of the towering structure brought no comfort. It was a sanctuary, yes, but it also felt like a fortress that had been built to protect them from the inevitable storm.

Inside the academy's walls, the faculty and students were already on high alert. Kaede quickly sought out Headmaster Yujiro, the stern but wise leader of the academy. When Kaede explained what had happened in the Ashen Forest, Yujiro's expression hardened.

"Kurojin Tsukiro," Yujiro muttered. "We'd hoped this day would never come."

The headmaster's words echoed through the grand hall. "The Sovereign's Will... it's not something to be trifled with."

Kaede nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We need to prepare. This isn't just a fight against rogue Wielders. This is bigger than that."

Yujiro paced, deep in thought. "The truth about Kurojin Tsukiro's survival... there are those who might know more, but they won't reveal it easily. You'll need to go deeper into the history of the Will Sanctuary. Seek the hidden texts. Only there can you uncover what you need."

Kaede's eyes narrowed. "Hidden texts? Where?"

Yujiro's eyes flickered with a knowing gaze. "In the library beneath the academy. It's sealed for a reason, but you may find answers there."

That night, Kael, Kaede, and Ryuu made their way to the underground library, a vast and silent place, the air thick with the scent of old books and dust. The stone walls felt ancient, and the floors creaked underfoot, as if the very foundation held secrets long buried.

Tetsu, ever vigilant, stood watch at the entrance while Kaede searched through the rows of ancient scrolls and tomes. His fingers brushed over the delicate parchment, feeling the weight of history in every turn.

"Here," Kaede said, his voice low. He pulled a heavy tome from the shelves. The cover was cracked and worn, but the title was still legible: The Sovereign's Legacy.

He opened the book, and as his eyes scanned the pages, a sense of dread filled him.

Kael stood behind him, looking over his shoulder. "What does it say?"

Kaede's expression grew darker with every line he read. "The Sovereign... Kurojin Tsukiro was a master of the Void Will—a power unlike any other. The one who defeated him was known as the Dawn Wielder, a figure whose identity was lost in time."

Kael's heart skipped. "The Dawn Wielder?"

Kaede nodded. "The Dawn Wielder was the only one to stand against Kurojin. But they vanished without a trace after the battle."

The page turned, and Kaede found more. "But there's a warning here. It says that if Kurojin returns, the Dawn Wielder's heir will also reappear. If the heir's power awakens, it could tip the balance."

"The heir?" Kael repeated, his mind racing.

Kaede closed the book slowly, his hands trembling. "It's not just about Kurojin. We're in the middle of something far more dangerous than we thought."

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the darkness behind them.

"You're getting too close, Kaede Mizuno."