The days after the Hammerstrike battle settled into a routine — but for the team, there was no true rest. They trained harder than ever, driven by instinct. More threats would come.
At the rooftop training ground, Kael and Veyra sparred in a tight circle, Orion and Lyra rotating in to push their limits. The clash of fists, blades, and aura echoed across the skyline.
Kael's focus sharpened with each strike — but in the midst of movement, a sudden voice echoed through his mind:
"Kael…"
The voice was vast. Calm. Beyond comprehension.
He froze for a half-second, scanning around. No one was near enough to speak.
"Kael?" Veyra asked, stepping closer. "What's wrong? Did… did you call out just now?"
Kael shook his head slowly.
"No. I… heard something. A voice. It called my name." He glanced toward her. "Did you hear it?"
Veyra's brow furrowed. "No… but your aura just spiked. What kind of voice?"
Kael explained — the sensation, the presence beside him in Chapter 6, and now this whispered call.
They gathered the others. Over dinner in the quiet side streets of Tokyo, the team sat around a small table, Kael recounting what he'd felt.
"It wasn't an enemy," Kael said. "It didn't feel hostile. But… it was something vast. Beyond us."
Lyra leaned forward. "And you're sure it wasn't one of us reaching out?"
"Positive."
Orion crossed his arms. "First that, now Zevak finding something ancient behind that machine… we're being watched. No doubt."
Veyra remained thoughtful. A flicker of energy still stirred within her, stronger each day — the same unknown force trying to awaken.
Later that night — far from Earth — deep in a void of folded dimensions:
Nullframe hovered in a space of shifting stars, facing a tall, cloaked figure of lunar shadow. The being's pale crescent eyes glowed through the darkness.
Ecliphaze — The Moonveil Sovereign — assassin of illusions, sovereign of unseen blades.
"You have your orders," Nullframe intoned. "Observe. Eliminate."
The lunar figure bowed slightly, his voice cold and smooth:
"Consider it done."
END CHAPTER 7
END CHAPTER 8