The Twilight Garden was an ethereal, impossible reality. It was a forgotten Eden suspended under a sky of swirling, deep indigo and starlight, illuminated by a massive, pulsing white-blue full moon.
Evergreen glades held flowers of impossible colors, each petal emanating a soft, beautiful glow that made the still waters gleam.
Asuna voiced her awe first, her voice a soft, reverent whisper. "This place is truly beautiful, Riis-sama, Luke-kun."
Yuma, standing protectively beside her, nodded, her purple eyes wide. "You're right, Asuna. It is. I can't believe my mother made this. I wish Kyra nee-san was here to see it."
Luke asked, his voice low, "Why did she stay back with Akane?"
Yuma's expression dimmed slightly. "She was a little homesick, you know. She rarely came home since..."
"Since Lamina Mortis made you two his pawns," Luke finished quietly, his tone laced with regret. "And before you and I stopped him and got Kyra-san back to you."
Yuma sadly nodded, her composure briefly wavering. "Yeah. That."
"I'm sorry," Luke said immediately, his hand going to her shoulder. "I didn't mean to make you remember that."
Yuma regained her usual, defiant composure. "Oh, no, Luke, don't apologize. You helped me save my big sister when I couldn't help her. I'm grateful for that."
"She's right, Luke," Riis cut in, her expression softening as she looped her arm through his. "You saved them both, regardless of their Fallen Angel status. You saw their pain, not their allegiance, and that's what makes you you, my adorable servant."
Asuna moved in front of Luke and took both of his hands, her violet eyes shining. "Luke-kun is kind, and we all like you."
"Thank you," Luke replied, genuinely touched. The warmth of his companions was a welcome contrast to the chilling pressure of the hidden threat.
The group resumed walking, their guard subtly raised. Luke, his Apostles' Eyes sensing the subtle distortion in the mana flow, spoke to his internal command link.
"Valis, could you scan this place? I'm feeling that we're not alone."
"As you wish, my Liege." An invisible bubble of analytical power emanated from Luke, encompassing the majority of the garden.
Moments later, Valis reported: "My Liege, I sense one active presence. It is sophisticated and cloaked, but it does not appear immediately hostile. It is observing your party."
"Okay, keep tracking," Luke sighed, confirming Riis's own intuition. "Riis-kaichou, let it go for now. We don't know if they are a threat or not, but keep your guard up."
Meanwhile, from a hidden perch high in the unnatural shadows of the Garden, the cloaked figure watched the team. A sophisticated, musical voice drifted through the void, though only the figure heard it.
"What do we have here?" he murmured, assessing the key players. "The Calamity Princess Riis Morningstar, the youngest daughter of Sariel, and a high-tier healer, Asuna Arcsine. Kai Suno and Kotori Toujo... a fascinating pair of swords and shields."
His gaze finally settled on Luke. An unfamiliar, primal chill ran down his spine, forcing his own sensory wards to intensify.
"Well, this was worth the trip. He truly is a paradox. I see why that 13th of the Grigori was interested in the boy. Too bad I'm just here to observe under Master Tamiel's orders. I doubt I could take the Calamity Princess alone, and Luke Akuma is an unknown anomaly. Ah well, let's see how this plays out. I doubt Lady Sariel would make this a walk in the park, even for her child."
The group walked until Asuna pointed ahead. "Riis-sama, I see something up ahead!"
Far in the distance, a colossal tree stood, its bark shimmering with internal, starlight-white energy. Riis and Luke looked toward it, and a sharp, searing sting shot through their heads. Luke's Apostle's Eyes instantly activated as a defense mechanism, blazing with pure gold. Both staggered, feeling dizzy and wobbly.
"It's a conceptual ward, Luke!" Riis gasped, clutching her temple. "It's not just a defense—it feels like Divine Law!"
Kai and Kotori instantly bracketed Riis, while Yuma rushed to hold Luke steady.
"Riis-sama, Luke-kun, what happened?" Asuna asked, her violet eyes flooding with worry.
"I'm fine," Riis managed, forcing a breath. "The environment is reacting to us."
Luke thought quickly: Riis is a pure-blood Devil King's sister. Sariel's power, being of the Angelic/Grigori lineage, is likely inflicting immediate, high-mana damage to her core. She might need my sight again, but the backlash... He felt the familiar, debilitating throb of the missing keys in his soul.
Yuma noticed his glowing eyes. "They activated on their own," Luke explained, looking at Riis, whose face was pale with residual pain.
Riis, realizing what he was about to do, looked at his golden eyes. "Wait, Luke, don't—"
Luke took her hand, transferring the immense sight. Riis's green eyes flashed and transformed into the same startling, complex gold. She gasped, seeing the lines of the Ward of Obedience woven into the tree's light—a terrifying, angelic defense meant to repel demonic presence.
Luke canceled the power, instantly collapsing. Riis and Yuma instantly caught him, the power-share leaving him nauseous and weak.
"You idiot! Why did you do it again?" Yuma scolded, her voice cracking with fear.
Riis, supporting him firmly against her, didn't scold. Her eyes were wide with a new mix of awe and profound, protective anger. "You risked a conceptual collapse for my sight. You are a complete fool." She pressed a firm, protective hand against his chest. "I forbid you from pushing yourself like this!"
"I can't let my Master be hurt," Luke panted, genuinely needing the support.
"Alright," Riis conceded, her voice softer, laced with genuine affection. "Let's stop here. You need rest. We're not moving again until your core stabilizes."
Yuma quickly spotted a sheltered recess in the Garden, shielded by large, glowing ferns. The group headed there.
Luke forced himself to focus inward. "Snoke, Valis. Put on your Crimson Armor. Head to that tree. Report immediately if you encounter any resistance or if the Ward changes. Do not engage unless necessary."
Snoke and Valis materialized instantly behind him in their polished crimson combat armor, ready for the direct engagement their master commanded.
"As you command," they answered in chilling unison. With a flash-step, the two Knights vanished into the depths of the Twilight Garden, leaving their Liege to rest under the careful, watchful protection of his peerage.