And so, Hajime's companions returned to the base, ensuring they were not followed and carefully obscuring every trace they might have left. There was no room for error, not when the situation was this dire. Chloe, Kuro, and Kimiko each reacted differently.
Kuro was furious; the woman he wanted to kill more than anyone else in the world had been right in front of him, yet he had been unable to act. Kimiko was also angry, but her rage was directed at Hajime, specifically, how he had allowed himself to be discovered. By now, it should have been impossible to find a single shred of evidence linking him to the New Dawn. Finally, there was Chloe, who was deeply worried about him; he had sustained massive injuries, and only God knew what else he had endured.
Kohaku had just emerged from the infirmary, tasked with providing explanations.
"How is Hajime? Has he regained consciousness?" (Chloe)
"HOW THE HELL IS IT POSSIBLE THEY FOUND HIM OUT?!" (Kimiko)
"The most important thing is: what happens now!?" (Kuro)
"Everyone, listen! Hajime is stable for the moment. He suffered grave injuries, but Yukihime saved him. He wasn't 'discovered'... he was betrayed. Someone tipped them off. That is why Goto was so furious and tried to kill him immediately, regardless of what was happening inside or outside his villa..." (Kohaku)
The girl sighed before continuing.
"...He received the news just before Hajime arrived. Obviously, he wasn't thinking clearly, considering he deployed several squads and summoned his elite assassin,the one who killed his... who killed Hajime's mother."
"What did you say?" (Kuro)
" DISGUSTING BASTARD!" (Kimiko)
Kimiko shouted, punching the bunker wall so hard she left a small crack in the concrete.
(No, Hajime… it can't be… I don't even want to think about it...) (Chloe)
The entire team began to feel a profound sense of pity for their friend and comrade. He had suffered a devastating family loss, the very person he had given everything to save. Now that she was gone, would Hajime ever be the same? This was the question on everyone's mind.
Fumio and Yukihime were the last to leave the infirmary. Yukihime was still reeling from what she had seen the silver-haired boy's Grimoire do just minutes before the others arrived.
(The Grimoire wants Hajime to remain human... it modified his genetic code to prevent him from transforming... that Grimoire is as incredible as it is dangerous. I'll have to keep a closer eye on it from now on.) (Yukihime)
"Everyone, I think it's best if you wait and rest. You all need to sit down after what has happened. It is a lot to digest, I know, but we prepared for this. Every member of the New Dawn has sacrificed something to create this breach in Goto's castle. Now, we have a chance for that crack to bring down his defenses—and his kingdom with them." (Fumio)
The Master tried to lighten the burden and the pain of his students, struggling not to show any sign of weakness. However, it was incredibly difficult to suppress what he was feeling. The sacrifice could not be in vain. Secrecy was paramount; the plans to liberate the mages and the artificial islands from the tyrants and ensure a prosperous future for their successors hung in the balance. Everything felt as if it were about to collapse, like a house of cards trembling in a violent wind. Fumio sensed that the events of these past few hours would have lasting consequences, both positive and negative.
Hajime slowly opened his eyelids, observing that he was no longer on Earth. He found himself in the infinite reaches of cosmic space for the fourth time. An otherworldly voice spoke, sounding corrupted, cold, and detached.
"The rage within you, Hajime, has awakened new capabilities. It has made you stronger. Yet, at the same time, an ancient darkness dwells within you. These primordial feelings cannot be easily stopped—not even by me."
"What are you? Why did my father have you? Why did you activate within me? Why is my mother dead?! Why is all of this happening to me! I NEVER WANTED TO BE LIKE THIS! I WANTED A NORMAL LIFE, AWAY FROM ALL OF THIS! AWAY FROM GOTO! AWAY FROM FUMETSU! WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN SOMEONE ELSE?!" (Hajime)
"…Yes… it is time I show myself for what I truly am. I have been your shadow for too long, and you deserve answers. I hope this will satisfy your questions for a time."
In the infinite void, a light appeared, more intense than the billions of stars surrounding them. A figure materialized: a being with long white hair, a toned, seemingly feminine body, eyes that looked like crystal, and a golden aura that bathed her entire form.
"I am Mastema, the Guardian of the divine artifact known as the 'Grimoire of the Fallen'." (Mastema)
"You... you are a Guardian? And the Grimoire is called... the 'Grimoire of the Fallen'?" (Hajime)
Hajime had even more questions now, but he sensed that some things had become clear. This entity wanted him to become strong; she wanted to keep him alive at all costs, which was why she urged him to master the Grimoire. It was all part of a larger plan, for his future and for the Guardian's own interests.
A few seconds later, Hajime woke up in the infirmary bed. To his surprise, he saw Yukihime. He hadn't seen her in months, not since he joined the New Dawn.
"Y-Yukihime... is it really you?" (Hajime)
"Yes, it's me, Hajime-kun." (Yukihime)
"What happened? Where… where… where is my mother?" (Hajime)
Yukihime remained silent. Hajime knew. The things he had seen were real; his mother was no longer in this world.
"No... I..." (Hajime)
Hajime threw his arms around Yukihime, holding her tightly while still lying in the hospital bed. He was fighting back tears, wanting to scream, to cry, to lose himself in despair.
"Let it out, Hajime-kun. I'll stay with you as long as you need." (Yukihime)
Hearing those words, Hajime could no longer hold back. He began to howl and weep from the pain of losing the person he loved most, the person who had raised him and inspired him to become strong enough to save her from Goto. But he had failed.
A few days earlier, Yukihime had been with Hoshi, discussing a plan to dismantle Goto's reputation.
"No, Hoshi, I will not put innocent lives at risk, especially not hers!" (Yukihime)
"We have no choice! If we do this, Goto's reputation will plummet, and we will have the people on our side! Do you want to throw away decades of work for nothing? Do you believe our cause is worth less than a single life?" (Hoshi)
"We are talking about the person who always cared for him, who gave him the strength to pursue his goal. It would be a betrayal of his trust; his spirit might break." (Yukihime)
"Or it will make him stronger and ensure Goto has no further moves. This is the only way, and you know it, Yukihime-sama." (Hoshi)
The vampire reflected on the plan, covering her mouth with her hand. After several minutes, she spoke.
"Fine. Do it. But make sure you aren't caught. Be discreet and publish it the day of. As you say, it is the only way." (Yukihime)
Back in the present, a video was released. Every news outlet on the island and across Japan began reporting on it.
"Breaking news from Fumetsu Island: A member of the Black Corps, Goto Mukuro's loyal guard, has been filmed killing Goto's wife in cold blood. The footage shows the island's leader standing motionless, watching the massacre of his own wife without intervening. The video has been verified as authentic. Japan is now considering Goto's expulsion from the political order and has begun cutting off funds to Fumetsu Island, which is currently in a state of constant revolt. Civilians, tourists, and workers are fleeing the island en masse. An arrest warrant for Goto Mukuro has been is—"
The television screen shattered under the force of a punch from the Black Corps leader.
"No... no, no, no, no... THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! THIS IS A NIGHTMARE! MY AMBITION, MY KINGDOM, MY THRONE... EVERYTHING IS GONE!"
Goto was consumed by rage, slowly destroying his office. He was so furious he didn't realize his Esper powers were involuntarily bending every metal object in the Black Corps tower. He was losing control, nearly bringing the tower down around him.
"No... my defeat is not yet decided. I will show these 'rebels' how a true sovereign plays the game." (Goto)
Goto picked up his phone and dialed a number. After two rings, someone answered.
"Yes, Goto-sama?"
"Finalize the Omega Killer with the instructions I'm sending you. Furthermore, complete Project 'Hakai.' You have fifteen days." (Goto)
The leader of the Black Corps had played his final cards. Now, he only had to wait to see who would make the first move.