The sun was setting over the Divine Crucible.
The crowd had already begun to leave, their cheers fading into the wind.
Renjiro, Ren, and Kenji walked side by side through the long stone corridor leading out of the arena.
All three wore the same faint smile — exhausted, but proud.
Ren stretched his arms. "Man… what a day. We actually did it. All three of us got in."
Kenji grinned. "Told you, didn't I? Nature, Blood, Metal — unbeatable combo."
Renjiro chuckled softly. "Let's not celebrate yet. This was only the entrance. The real tournament hasn't even begun."
Ren sighed. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Serious as always. Can't you relax for one night?"
"Not when I can still hear that crowd," Renjiro replied quietly, eyes fixed ahead. "It reminds me what's at stake."
They stepped outside. The evening air was cool, the sky glowing orange and purple. For a moment, it almost felt peaceful.
Almost.
Then a strange sound — like bells, faint and hollow — echoed across the empty street.
Ren stopped. "You guys hear that?"
Before anyone could answer, the air shimmered.
Five figures appeared at the end of the road — cloaked in black and violet, their robes flowing like smoke. The air around them pulsed with quiet divinity.
The Divine Punishers.
Renjiro froze. His heartbeat quickened.
They're here again.
The one in the center stepped forward — tall, masked, his voice calm but heavy.
"We warned you once," he said. "And yet you continue toward the path of ruin."
Renjiro clenched his fists. "We told you before — we're not backing down."
The Punisher tilted his head. "The Gods' wrath is not a story, boy. It is truth written in flame. Withdraw now… or accept what follows."
Kenji took a step forward. "You keep talking about punishment, but you haven't done anything yet. Maybe you're bluffing."
Another Punisher — the one with a voice like broken glass — spoke next. "We act only when the sin is sealed. The gates have opened… soon the Crucible will burn."
Ren frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
No one answered. The five simply stood there, watching — silent as shadows.
Then, in perfect unison, they raised their hands.
"Your choice is made," the leader said. "Then so is your fate."
A surge of violet light surrounded them, and just like before, their bodies dissolved into dust, scattering into the wind.
Only silence remained.
Renjiro let out a slow breath. "They're not done with us."
Kenji forced a laugh. "They're all talk. I say we ignore 'em."
Renjiro didn't respond. He stared at the spot where the light had vanished. Something about it felt different this time — heavier.
The three eventually split up, heading their separate ways.
Renjiro walked alone through the quiet streets of Hoshikawa. The lamps glowed faintly, casting reflections on the wet pavement. His thoughts wandered.
The tournament's about to begin. The Divine Punishers… the Gods… what if they're right?
He shook his head. No. I can't doubt now. Akari's waiting for me. I promised I'd win… for her.
The night breeze brushed against his face. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear children laughing, shopkeepers closing up for the night. The city felt alive — unaware of the storm the Gods had promised.
He reached his apartment, climbed the narrow stairs, and pushed open the door.
The room was dark except for the faint glow of the holo-screen on his desk.
A new message notification blinked.
Renjiro frowned. He didn't remember giving out his address.
He sat down and opened it.
The sender's name was hidden — Anonymous.
The message itself was short.
"Be prepared, Renjiro. It won't be easy to win…
and be careful not to lose three times.
Because if you do —
you will meet him."
Renjiro's stomach turned.
"…Him?"
He glanced around the room, half expecting someone to be standing there.
Nothing. Only silence and the soft hum of the lights outside his window.
He stared at the message one last time, the words glowing faintly on the screen.
Then he closed it.
"Whoever you are," he muttered, "you'll see me win."
He lay down on his bed, the city lights flickering through the blinds.
Outside, thunder rumbled faintly over the horizon — distant but growing closer.
As Renjiro's eyes began to close, one last thought crossed his mind.
Calm before the storm, huh…?
The wind outside stopped.
And for a heartbeat, the whole world held its breath.