The sinister voice continued:
— Good boy… you will go to the Glass Crimson. They have been conducting certain research under my command. EdelGear. A weapon conceived years ago by a terrorist — a handheld cannon capable of channeling Arcane power and releasing it in a devastating, explosive burst… even Noble Arcane. Do you understand what that means, boy?
Khaelis frowned, his tone laced with unease.
— That would only be possible with a stone of immense Arcane power… that can't be.
— Yes — the voice sounded almost amused. — A stone of a lesser god. Thanks to… heh… to Reixys, we managed to stop the terrorist project before it advanced. But since the girl belongs to that house, I'm certain she will go after the weapon. She's probably known of its existence for a long time.
— Even so… the Glass Crimson? They're smaller even than the LiGodght. Are they really the best choice for something like this?
— They are alchemists and Arcane scientists, after all. Their way of seeking their gods has always been through experimentation. Who would be better suited to study such an artifact?
Khaelis drew a deep breath.
— Perhaps you're right.
— I believe you have no time to waste — the voice concluded, cold and final. — Go. Move forward. This is your crusade, isn't it?
Khaelis remained silent. He turned and left the hall with firm steps. Soon, his silhouette vanished.
The five women awaited him in the corridor, guiding him to a new destination: a tube generator — an Arcane magic able to connect distant places swiftly and safely. He gripped the hilt of ShadowStorm tightly and stepped through the portal.
When his eyes opened, he was already in the territory of the Glass Crimson.
A vast place — a colossal structure clad in mirrors that reflected a vibrant crimson glow. Every member of the cult wore hooded robes. Men who pursued science through the Arcane, balancing prayers with technology fueled by mystic energy — and, beneath it all, conspiracy.
Khaelis's presence was immediately noticed.
A man without a robe approached. His appearance was odd, almost unsettling; he must have been the head researcher.
— I believe you're the one entrusted with protecting the EdelGear research — the man said, his voice neutral.
— Yes… I was assigned to the mission — Khaelis replied.
— Good. Follow me.
They walked through the immense, almost living structure.
Fanaticism hung in the air like a dense, choking scent. Khaelis despised it. He knew he was surrounded by blind devotees — and he hated it. But his mission stood above all.
Something greater was driving him.
They passed through a massive door. Behind it lay a vast magical chamber.
At its center glimmered the EdelGear: a gigantic cannon, designed to be operated by hand. A magnificent weapon, pulsing with energy and radiating power. A single glance was enough for Khaelis to sense its destructive potential.
— Here it is — said the head researcher, a faint smile crossing his face. — Beautiful, isn't it? Without doubt, the highest honor of our studies. I wish I could have met the brilliant mind that created it. A shame he turned out to be just another filthy heretic… now burning in the underworld.
— I see… — Khaelis narrowed his eyes. — So you're going to dismantle it to use the stone? It seems far more useful the way it is.
— I doubt you would understand — the man snapped. — Our orders are to study it and comprehend its composition. No more questions. Just do your job.
Anger surged in Khaelis's throat, but he held it back. This was his mission.
Yet boredom slowly dulled his senses… until, in the haze, a vision formed.
A pale man, black-haired, thin as a corpse. His voice barely a whisper:
— Please… wake me—
BOOM!
The explosion ripped through the air, the tremor shaking the entire structure.
Khaelis jolted awake. The ground quaked, mirrors shattered. The attack had begun.
That energy — once again — flooded everything.
He already knew what it meant.
From above, a wild laugh thundered:
— HAHAHAHA! Speechmaker! Long time no see, huh? You really do show up everywhere!
Khaelis looked up.
Tattered clothes. A centipede tattoo across his face. Hair wild and spiked. And most striking of all: a belt — Igyris.
Once again, the cursed one had returned.
— You won't escape again… — Khaelis's voice dripped with menace. — I guarantee it… your death will be certain, you filthy swine.
Igyris burst into green flames, once more taking on his demonic, skeletal form.
He drew his plasma pistols and leapt, colliding with Khaelis, who conjured Arcane blades in a deadly strike.
Mana charged forward as well, firing explosive rounds.
When her eyes caught the EdelGear, a flash of her entire life crossed her mind.
Her gaze hardened with resolve.
She knew what had to be done.
It was her destiny.