The training hall was still heavy with the echo of wooden strikes. The four sat close, their breaths calmer now, but the silence had a pulse of its own.
"My father's name was Duarte Barbosa," he began, voice low, as though afraid the walls themselves would carry the memory away. "Before Johann Weyer ever wore the title of Grandmaster, Duarte traveled the roads beside my master, Bartolomeu. They were more than comrades. They were brothers in everything but blood. Later… Johann joined them. Together, they were a storm that demons learned to fear."
Lucien listened closely, his chest tightening at the name of his grandfather.
"When the Vatican announced an initiation—" Juan's jaw clenched, "—the last trial was a battle. And in that final fight, in the Colosseum itself, father faced Isabella. She was the disciple of Warden of Barcelona at that time."
He fell silent for a moment, eyes burning into the floorboards.
"She killed him."
The words struck like a hammer. Ino's hand froze on his blade. Matteo stopped fiddling with his bowstring. Lucien lowered his gaze.
"I was there," Juan whispered. "I was six years old. I don't remember if it was her intent or an accident. The battle was chaos. But the look on his face… I will never forget it."
The group sat in heavy quiet. Even the torches seemed to burn softer.
Then, without hesitation, Ino extended his hand to Juan. "I'm sorry. Truly. Now I understand why you…" He stopped, glanced at the others, then added: "But it's still… You dragged us into this with your choice. You're not alone anymore—you're part of a team."
Juan smirked bitterly. "I know."
Matteo raised a palm, calm but firm. "Enough. What matters now isn't blame. It's information. We need to know everything we can about Isabella—her powers, her style, her tactics."
Lucien straightened, determination in his amber eyes. "I'll ask the Grandmaster. He must know."
Ino nodded. "And I'll ask my teacher."
Matteo looked at all three of them in turn, his expression steady. "Then it's decided. We meet here again at dawn. No excuses."
The torches flickered as though sealing the pact.
Four hunters. One trial. One shadow looming over them all.