The Fog Draws Near

Morning light barely crept in. Itsuki pulled on his coat while Ren stood silently by the window, now wearing his uniform but without the scarf.

Itsuki raised a brow. "Hey… Why'd you take it off?"

Ren's face was pale, his eye bags darker than ever. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"It was Shira's," he murmured. "Holding onto it… it's dragging me down. I miss him, but he's not here anymore."

Itsuki placed a hand on Ren's shoulder. "I get it. I really do. I lost my family too they were eaten by demons."

Ren blinked, shocked. "Damn. I'm… sorry."

Itsuki smirked, the corner of his lip twitching strangely. "Don't be. I was actually happy they were."

Ren's eyes widened. "What?"

"I've always loved demons. Watching one eat my parents was… sad, sure but also kind of beautiful. That's why I'm not scared of you, mate."

Ren took a step back. "You're a sadist, Itsuki… I didn't realize you were this dark."

Itsuki chuckled. "Sadistic? Maybe. But it helps me understand what you're going through."

He adjusted a device on his wrist. "I linked this to my station back home. I'll keep you updated, alright? Just stay low."

Ren nodded. "Stay safe."

"I will."

Itsuki turned, locking the door behind him.

---

Outside, the academy transport bus pulled up. Ayame and Aria were already waiting by the curb.

Aria crossed her arms. "Where's Ren?"

Itsuki slid into the seat beside her. "He's sick. He'll be staying in today."

The girls exchanged glances but said nothing as the bus pulled away.

---

Elsewhere in the city…

Souta rode with his squad Junpai, Haruno, Arisa, and Airi moving through the streets in an armored transport.

Souta glanced out the window. "What building is that?"

Junpai leaned over. "That's where Ren's squad is staying."

Souta's expression shifted. "Fanji, stop the ride."

Fanji slowed down. "What's wrong, son?"

"I need to grab someone."

Haruno groaned. "If it's Ren, he should be at training already."

"Still… I want to check."

Arisa smiled. "Tell him I said hi, okay?"

Airi nodded. "Me too."

Even Junpai waved him off.

Souta hopped out and ran through the crowd, asking a boy along the way, "Do you know which room Ren Akagawa stays in?"

The kid pointed. "Number 21."

Souta sprinted upstairs and knocked. "Ren! It's me Souta! Are you in there?"

Inside, Ren lay half-asleep. The knock jolted him awake.

"Souta…?" he mumbled, stumbling to the door.

But then the voice again.

"Are you sure it's your friend?" the female figure purred behind him.

Ren flinched. "It's Souta. I know his voice."

"Or is it… just another Anomaly?"

Ren hesitated, paranoia seeping in.

"What if it is him?" he muttered. "Or that bastard again…"

He raised his voice. "GET LOST, YOU BASTARD! IF YOU WANNA FIGHT, COME IN!"

Souta flinched on the other side. "Ren?! What the hell are you talking about?!"

Ren's hands trembled. "Don't make me break this door down!"

His eyes began to glow red, fragmented. Blood dripped from his fingertips, snaking into his coat like living ink.

Souta narrowed his eyes, whispered a Latin phrase, and drew his sword halfway.

"Cut this door, O Heaven."

A flash the door shattered into pieces.

"Yo!" Junpai ran up. "Souta! What the hell?!"

Ren, caught in the blast, collapsed under the door debris.

Souta rushed in. "Ren?! Ren!"

He knelt and checked Ren's arm his tattoo now cracked, glowing, fragments spreading across his chest.

"This is bad," Souta muttered. "Really bad. Junpai hospital, now."

---

Meanwhile… At Kaigenshiro's entrance…

A thick, unnatural fog rolled in. Out of it emerged the armored platoon of the Ivory Cross.

At their head: Lorths, the warlord of divine law. With him were:

Kaien Voss, the silver-eyed enforcer.

Vice Captain Rylan Torvain, grim and silent.

Lieutenant Kairo Mizuno, a magic tactician.

Master Rorik Draeven, the iron-fisted war trainer.

Exorcists stationed at the gate immediately bowed.

Inside, a scout rushed to Sir Zephyr Nox, buried in paperwork.

"Sir! Lorths has arrived!"

Zephyr's pen snapped in half. "Lorths… here? That bastard doesn't move unless…"

He stood, storming from his office. "Shit."

---

Later… At the hospital

Ren jolted awake, gasping, eyes wide.

"Shit…" he muttered. "I wasn't supposed to leave the room…"

The door slammed shut Souta entered.

"Ren. What's happening to you?"

Ren turned, face wet with tears. "They know, Souta. They found out."

Souta froze. "Who? What do you mean? Who knows?"

Ren's voice shook.

"Lorths, Souta. Lorths! He's here."

Souta grabbed him by the shoulders. "Ren calm down. Breathe. Just… start from the beginning."