The guests arrived at night.
Four of them stepped out of black vehicles that had no visible logos, no sound, and no lights except faint red glows beneath their frames. They were welcomed into the mansion with forced politeness, and soon they were seated around the long dining table alongside Gothim, Cloud, Ray, and Cally.
The atmosphere was heavy from the start.
No one spoke much during the meal. Every sound—cutlery touching plates, glasses being placed down—felt louder than normal.
When the meal ended, one of the guests slowly nodded at Gothim.
That small gesture changed everything.
Gothim stood up.
"Thank you all for coming," he said calmly. "And thank you for honoring this meeting."
He turned slightly. "Cally… you have served me well. You took care of Cloud when I could not."
Cally nodded respectfully, still unsure what was happening.
Then Gothim turned his gaze to Ray.
The entire room felt colder.
"And you," Gothim said slowly, "have something that belongs to me… and my people."
Ray frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Cally looked confused. Cloud also leaned forward slightly.
Then Gothim spoke a single word.
"Shedox."
Silence exploded through the room.
Ray's eyes widened instantly. Cally stiffened.
Cloud blinked. "What is Shedox?"
But it was too late.
Ray stood up sharply. "How do you know that name?"
The guests slowly began to rise from their seats.
Gothim's expression changed completely. The calm, wealthy man was gone.
"I will not give it to you," Ray said firmly. "Whatever you think I have, it's mine now."
Cally stepped forward. "Ray… calm down—"
But the air shifted.
One by one, Gothim and the guests began transforming.
Their bodies twisted, bones shifting, skin breaking into dark armor-like structures. Their human forms dissolved into massive beast-like creatures with glowing eyes and unnatural strength.
Cloud stumbled back. "What is going on?! Dad?!"
But Gothim—no longer fully human—turned sharply toward her.
He raised his hand.
Ray moved instantly.
"Cloud, MOVE!"
He pushed her aside just as Gothim's strike shattered the table.
Cally reacted immediately, pulling Cloud behind him. His voice dropped low. "Stay behind me!"
Cloud was shaking. "What is he talking about? Dad… what are you doing?!"
Gothim growled. "She was never your concern."
Ray's eyes widened. "What?"
Gothim's voice deepened. "You are not his daughter."
That sentence broke the room apart.
Cally's expression changed slightly—but before anyone could speak, chaos erupted.
Cally suddenly activated a hidden form beneath his body—a sleek, armored alien-like suit formed over him, glowing faintly with energy.
"I didn't want it to come to this," Cally muttered. "But you forced it."
Ray turned sharply. "You knew?"
Cally didn't look at him. "I know everything about you, Ray… and the man who trained you."
Ray froze for a fraction of a second.
"That old man…"
Before he could finish, more beasts charged.
The mansion exploded into battle.
Walls cracked, furniture shattered, energy blasts tore through the dining hall. Ray transformed, his Shedox armor forming fully now, dark energy wrapping around him like living metal.
Cloud screamed as she was pulled further back.
Ray fought desperately alongside Cally, but the enemies were stronger, faster, and coordinated. Gothim's transformed form overpowered everything they tried.
They were losing.
Badly.
Then—
A pressure filled the room.
The air stopped moving.
A shadow appeared at the entrance.
The old man walked in.
Calm.
Unshaken.
And for the first time, even the beasts paused.
His voice was low.
"You shouldn't have started this without finishing your training."