WELCOME TO UNBALANCE

The nearby towns bore the burden of the rogue Shinras. Daily robberies, constant fear, and unchecked violence had become a norm. The few rogue Shinras caught were punished—not by the Special Darkside Knight, who turned a blind eye—but by his assistant, the Pro Darkside Knight. Unlike his superior, he was no rogue and rejected their chaotic existence, standing as the only line of order in the kingdom of Scale. His presence alone was enough to keep the rogue Shinras from going completely berserk.

Meanwhile, Jackson and Marcel rode deeper into the infamous town of Unbalance, searching for Lyon and Sasaki.

"Jackson, I think now's the time for that little trick of yours," Marcel whispered. "My instincts are screaming—we're going to lose them if we wait any longer."

Jackson glanced around. "This place… It really lives up to its name," he thought. "No normal people in sight. Just desperate-looking rogue Shinras who gave up their path for power and lawlessness."

From the shadows, rogue Shinras began emerging, their eyes fixated on the strangers riding through.

"Hey, Jack—can you hear me?" Marcel shouted.

Jackson snapped. "Shut up, Marcel! Why are you yelling my name like that?"

"Because you weren't listening, genius. Use that tracking spell—you know we're losing them."

Jackson groaned. "Damn… you're right. But I can't cast it while riding."

"So you're saying we should just stop in a place like this?" Marcel growled.

"We don't have a choice," Jackson replied. "If things go south, we fight back. Let's check out that farmyard up ahead—it looks quiet."

The town of Unbalance wasn't like others. Scattered homes, terrified citizens, and the lingering fear of darkness had driven many to flee. But not everyone could afford to leave. Some stayed, adapting to the chaos.

As they neared the farmyard, Jackson and Marcel slowed down, tying their horses to a tree near the fence.

"This spot's too close to the town," Marcel warned. "We should head into the forest—fewer eyes, more cover."

"Them? Who's 'them'?" Jackson asked.

"You know who I mean, Jack. Rogue Shinras. We can't risk getting spotted while you cast that spell."

Jackson sighed. "Alright, you've got a point for once. Let's move."

They led their horses deeper into the nearby forest.

"This is good," Jackson said finally, stopping at a quiet clearing. He tied his horse to a tree. Marcel did the same and climbed up a nearby tree to watch from above.

"You need to hurry," Marcel said. "We don't have time to sit around."

"You think I don't know that?" Jackson muttered.

He knelt down, picked up a broken tree branch, and reopened the old wound on his hand, gritting his teeth against the pain. Blood flowed.

He began the chant:

"Blood is one, heart is one, bodies apart—bring the bodies of my blood together."

As his blood touched the ground, a glowing Renshical circle formed beneath his feet, pulsing with his energy.

"Jack, you done yet?" Marcel whispered urgently from above. "We need to get the hell outta here before someone finds us."

"You're damn right, brat. Anyone can come out from anywhere to attack," a voice whispered chillingly into Marcel's ear.

"AHHHHHH!" Marcel screamed, slipping from the tree and crashing hard onto his back.

"Jack! I think I just heard someone whisper to me—but I can't see anyone!" Marcel shouted, scrambling to his feet. "Jack, stop the spell! We've got trouble!"

But Jackson stood firm, eyes closed, chanting over and over again as the blood tracking spell neared completion.

" after few seconds of silence he responded,I knew something like this would happen. I need to finish the spell first. Once I know if my papa is nearby, we're out of here," Jackson replied, sweat forming on his brow.

"Huh… fine. But this is bad," Marcel muttered. "That voice—wherever it came from—it's not good."

Suddenly, Marcel felt it. A violent gust of wind blasted toward his face. He managed to dodge, but not without a sharp gash cutting across his cheek.

"Damn it!" he hissed, leaping backward. "Where did that come from?! I don't see anyone!"

"Jack, stop the damn spell! We've got company!" Marcel shouted again.

"What the—!" Jackson exclaimed, leaping just as a mini tornado ripped through the space he'd just stood in.

"That was close!" he panted. "Where are these attacks even coming from?!"

"I told you, it's the guy from before!" Marcel replied. "The one who whispered to me. I'm sure it's him!"

"Watch out!" Jackson yelled, diving at Marcel to knock him out of the path of another slicing wind attack that tore through the trees behind them.

"Just who the hell is this guy?" Marcel breathed heavily.

Then the voice returned, drifting like an echo through the forest.

"Don't be afraid, kids. I just want your Renshi. If you come with me willingly, you won't get hurt. It's for our master."

Jackson's eyes narrowed. "Don't treat us like fools. If we're drained of Renshi, we're as good as dead."

A low chuckle echoed through the trees.

"Smart. Not just smart—strong, too. Very few Shinras have ever dodged my first and second attacks. I didn't think I'd live to see kids like you manage it so easily."

A sudden surge of wind began spiraling into a tornado just a few meters from where they stood.

"Well," the voice continued, "enough chit-chat. You're both coming with me."

Jackson's eyes widened. "He's either inside that tornado or nearby—stay sharp!"

"This is suicide!" Marcel said. "We don't even have our swords! Running might be the only option."

"We can't," Jackson replied. "He'll catch up, and worse—he might attack that family back at the farm. We brought this fight into the town."

Marcel nodded grimly. "Yeah… and with this wind pressure, I can barely see a thing!"

"You kids have spirit," the voice called mockingly. "Our master will love that. She adores those who cling to life."

Marcel blinked. "His master… is a woman?"

"Don't underestimate women," Jackson growled. "My dad's about to eliminate a powerful one. There are women out there stronger than most men."

"Well, what do we do now?! He's getting closer—we're about to be blown away!"

"Focus!" Jackson barked. "Concentrate your Renshi in your legs! We can anchor ourselves and fight back."

"You're always a damn genius in moments like this," Marcel said, doing exactly as Jackson instructed.

They planted their feet, legs glowing faintly as their Renshi stabilized them against the raging wind.

Inside the tornado, the hidden enemy whispered to himself, "Incredible. Ancient spells… Renshi control… My lady must have these kids—at all costs."

"Jack, what about your papa? Did the spell work?" Marcel asked quickly.

Jackson's face turned cold. "It wasn't good. That's why I'm ready to fight."

"They're… gone?" Marcel asked, tension rising.

"They're no longer in this kingdom," Jackson said, jaw clenched.

And then, through the swirling winds, their enemy emerged—his body merging from the tornado like a ghost through smoke.

"There he is!" Jackson shouted. "We can't fight this guy head-on. His Renshi pressure is way too heavy!"

"Then let's find a way to escape—fast!" Marcel said.