Nobu stood before the towering gates of the Yamikawa Mansion.
The air around the estate felt… heavy.
Not just powerful—but ancient.
Like something within these walls had witnessed centuries pass.
He stepped forward calmly, his gaze steady as the guards crossed their weapons to block his path.
"State your business."
Nobu didn't hesitate.
"Inform Senjo Yamikawa…" he said quietly,
"…that Malvek has come to meet him."
For a moment, the guards didn't react.
Then one of them stiffened.
Without another word, he turned and rushed inside.
Silence followed.
The wind brushed lightly against Nobu's coat, but his expression didn't change.
A few minutes later—
The same guard returned, this time with urgency in his steps.
"…He will see you."
Nobu smiled faintly.
And walked in.
The mansion interior was vast and elegant, yet strangely cold.
Paintings lined the walls. Ancient artifacts rested in glass cases. Every step echoed faintly through the halls.
But Nobu didn't stop.
He followed the path until he reached a quiet room.
Inside—
An old man sat calmly on a chair.
His eyes, though aged, were sharp.
Watching.
Waiting.
This was Senjo Yamikawa.
The moment Nobu stepped in, Senjo spoke.
"…You're not Malvek."
His voice was calm, but absolute.
Nobu stopped.
Then slowly…
He closed his eyes.
This is the time, he said within his mind.
Silence.
And then—
Something shifted.
When Nobu opened his eyes again—
They were different.
Darker.
Deeper.
Ancient.
A faint aura filled the room.
And when he spoke—
It wasn't Nobu anymore.
"…How could you forget me so easily, Senjo?"
The room fell into stillness.
Senjo's eyes widened slightly.
He felt it.
That presence.
That overwhelming, familiar aura.
"…Malvek…" he whispered.
For the first time in years…
Shock appeared on his face.
Malvek walked forward calmly and sat on the sofa as if he had always belonged there.
A faint smile rested on his lips.
"It's been a long time."
Senjo stared at him in silence.
Memories began to surface.
Battles.
Blood.
Loss.
A past that refused to fade.
"…I thought you were dead," Senjo said quietly.
Malvek chuckled softly.
"So did many."
For a moment—
The tension disappeared.
And two old souls, burdened by centuries, simply sat together.
Talking.
Remembering.
Laughing faintly at moments only they understood.
But the past wasn't why Malvek had come.
"I need your help," Malvek said finally.
Senjo's expression turned serious.
"…What kind of help?"
Malvek leaned forward slightly.
"Send us back."
A pause.
"…Back to our time."
The room went silent again.
Senjo looked at him carefully.
"…That's impossible."
Malvek's eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
Senjo exhaled slowly.
"That ritual… requires immense energy."
He looked down at his hands.
"They are no longer what they used to be."
"…I'm old, Malvek."
For the first time, there was something fragile in his voice.
Time had caught up to him.
Malvek didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he leaned back and closed his eyes briefly.
"…We've both lost too much, haven't we?"
Senjo didn't answer.
Because he knew it was true.
Malvek opened his eyes again.
"If we go back…" he continued,
"…we can change everything."
A faint intensity entered his voice.
"No more endless bloodshed."
"No more broken futures."
"…We can live a different life."
Senjo's eyes trembled slightly.
Memories flooded back again.
Everything he had lost.
Everything he couldn't protect.
A long silence followed.
Then—
"…Fine."
Malvek looked at him.
Senjo stood up slowly.
"I'll do it."
But his gaze hardened.
"However… there is something you must understand."
Malvek said nothing.
"You are not alone in that body."
"…There are two souls."
The words hung in the air.
"And when the ritual ends…"
Senjo's voice turned heavy.
"…only one of you will remain."
Silence.
For a moment—
Even time itself seemed to stop.
Then—
Malvek smiled.
Not a forced smile.
Not a shocked one.
But a calm… accepting smile.
"…Don't worry."
His voice was soft.
"I already know what I have to do."
Senjo stared at him.
"…You haven't changed."
Malvek stood up.
"Let's begin."
They moved in silence.
Deep into the mansion.
Past hidden doors.
Down a long staircase.
Into an underground chamber.
The room was filled with ancient artifacts.
Strange symbols covered the walls.
The air itself felt… alive.
"This place hasn't changed," Malvek muttered.
Senjo stepped forward and pointed to a large circle carved into the ground.
"Stand there."
Malvek walked to the center.
The moment he stepped in—
The ritual began.
Dark energy slowly gathered around Senjo.
It rose like smoke, thick and heavy.
The ground trembled slightly.
Symbols around the circle began to glow.
Layer after layer of energy formed, surrounding Malvek.
The air became suffocating.
"Senjo…" Malvek called.
"…Are you alright?"
But Senjo didn't respond.
His entire focus was on the ritual.
His body trembled.
The energy was too much.
Too heavy.
Yet he didn't stop.
The circle glowed brighter.
The energy surged violently.
And then—
Silence.
The ritual was complete.
Senjo collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.
His body felt like it would break at any moment.
"…Goodbye… old friend," he said weakly.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
And then—
Malvek disappeared.
Darkness.
Then—
Light.
Nobu's eyes opened slowly.
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Wilder.
He looked around.
His breath stopped.
Before him—
Were countless clans.
Different banners.
Different warriors.
Different powers.
A world long lost to time.
A world where everything began.
Nobu clenched his fist.
His eyes burned with determination.
"…So this is it."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Final.
"I'll destroy it all."