The symbol on Arion's hand began to glow faintly—responding to something unseen.
But Gavrilo—which usually stirred instantly—remained still.
No vibration. No whispers.
It was as if the armor… had run out of breath.
"Why are you quiet?" Arion muttered, staring at his wrist.
The light pulsed steadily, as if calling to something in the distance.
It grew brighter with every beat—pulling him toward a single, unseen point.
"I have to find where this is coming from," Arion said firmly.
"No." Savior answered immediately.
Sharp. Final. Non-negotiable.
"Why not?"
Savior was silent. His eyes gazed out the window, as if haunted by old shadows returning.
"Just… no."
But Arion didn't back down. The resolve in his eyes was unmistakable.
Aria stepped forward.
"If Arion's going, I'm going too," she said, unwavering.
"I've made up my mind. The village is healed… but I'm not."
Savior looked at the two determined youths.
A long, slow breath.
Finally… he gave in.
"Fine. But this isn't a sightseeing trip. We're walking straight into danger."
They departed.
As they passed through the village gates, Aria looked back one last time.
The townspeople had gathered to see them off—faces filled with smiles and tears.
At the front stood the village chief—her father—nodding proudly at his daughter.
Aria smiled softly… then turned forward.
The journey began.
Two hours later...
They were deep in the Firefly Forest, where floating lights shimmered gently in the air.
Thousands of fireflies drifted among the branches, painting a dreamlike picture.
But the deeper they went, the dimmer it became.
The air thickened.
Strange noises echoed through the trees.
Roots twisted along the path like serpents, and every so often… red eyes glinted from the brush.
"Don't attack unless necessary," Savior whispered.
"The monsters here... don't always strike first."
The deeper they ventured, the more unnatural the world around them felt.
The energy in the air twisted—wrong, alien.
As if something that shouldn't exist… had forced its way into this world.
And then… they found it.
A ruined temple—no taller than a small house, half-sunken into the earth.
A narrow stone staircase led down from its entrance, swallowed in shadow.
At the arch, a strange symbol was carved.
The same symbol as on Arion's hand—but older.
Cracked.
Radiating a black aura that pressed against their chests.
Savior stepped back.
"This temple… it was supposed to be buried centuries ago…"
Arion stepped forward.
The symbol on his hand blazed even brighter.
And from within the temple…
They heard a sound.
Not a growl.
Not a whisper.
Laughter.
Low.
Calm.
Like the voice of something that already knew they were coming—
and had been waiting.