Kural walked toward Mao's door and knocked.
No response.
He knocked again.
Still nothing.
Kural sighed and turned to leave.
Click.
He froze.
The door slowly opened.
The food in Kural's hands slipped and crashed onto the floor.
"Mao."
He rushed toward her.
"Mao, are you okay?"
Mao looked at him with a blank expression.
"Yes? Why wouldn't I be?"
She walked past him without another word.
Kural stood there, stunned.
Something was different.
Very different.
Mao entered the throne room.
Nexus immediately noticed her.
His expression darkened, but the shock in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"Mao."
She looked at him.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay."
She paused.
"It felt like I was sleeping for a very long time."
Nexus closed his eyes.
He already knew the answer.
But he had to ask.
"Do you know who Sasaki is?"
Mao thought for a moment.
Nothing came to her.
"No."
She tilted her head.
"Is he important to my task?"
Nexus remained silent for a moment.
"No. Not at all."
He sighed.
"What is my task for today?" Mao asked.
"The same as usual. Search for the other Architects."
"Alright."
Mao turned around and opened her umbrella.
She walked out of the throne room.
A few seconds later, Kural entered.
He looked at Nexus.
"What happened to her?"
Nexus stared at the empty doorway.
"She has forgotten."
Kural's expression fell.
"Sasaki no longer exists to her."
"Is that good or bad?"
Nexus shook his head.
"Neither."
He looked toward the throne.
"She is a ticking time bomb, waiting to be used."
Nexus sighed.
"Curse this troubled fate I have been placed upon."
A few hours passed.
Nexus stood beside the throne as usual.
Kural continued working.
Then—
BOOM!
Mao came flying into the throne room.
She crashed against the throne.
Kural immediately looked up.
"Mao?!"
Nexus rushed toward her.
"Are you alright?"
Mao weakly raised a hand.
"I..."
She struggled to speak.
"I found them..."
Nexus froze.
"The other Architects?"
Mao nodded.
Nexus slowly turned toward the entrance.
One by one, figures began walking into the throne room.
The lost Architects had returned.
And in the middle of them stood—
Ryu.
Nexus's eyes widened.
Tears began forming in his eyes.
After all these years...
His Leader had returned.
"Sir Ryu..."
Nexus's voice trembled.
"Is it really you?"
Ryu smiled.
"Long time no see, Overture."
He walked toward Nexus.
"Sorry for being away for so long."
Ryu placed a hand on Nexus's shoulder.
"Thank you for taking care of the others for me."
Nexus bowed his head.
"It's an honor."
He hesitated.
"But...why did you attack Mao?"
Ryu glanced toward her.
"Her?"
He chuckled.
"She made a cruel joke about how you're weak."
Ryu shrugged.
"I knocked some sense into her."
Nexus looked toward Mao.
"Thank you for defending my reputation, Sir."
He paused.
"But Mao is very fragile."
Ryu walked toward Mao.
Using telekinesis, he gently lifted her from the throne and brought her closer.
He bowed his head.
"My apologies, Architect."
"Please forgive me."
Mao looked at him.
"It's fine."
Ryu carefully placed her back onto the throne.
Nexus continued staring at him.
Something wasn't right.
"Sir Ryu..."
"Hm?"
"Where have you been all this time?"
Ryu's smile faded.
"..."
Silence.
Then he chuckled.
"I've been watching over things in my other job."
"The Association?"
"Yes."
Ryu looked at his hand.
"I was needed to fix a few things."
He quickly smiled again.
"But now I'm back."
Ryu spread his arms.
"Let us celebrate."
Within a few hours, the entire castle had been decorated.
The Architects gathered together for the first time in years.
Music filled the halls.
Food covered the tables.
For the first time in a long time, the castle felt alive.
Ryu stepped onto the throne's platform.
"Everyone!"
The room fell silent.
Ryu smiled.
"I, the Founder of the Architects..."
He raised his cup.
"...have returned!"
The Architects erupted into cheers.
Nexus smiled faintly.
For a moment, everything felt right.
Then someone approached him.
"Nexus."
Nexus turned.
His eyes widened.
"Lorele."
An old comrade smiled.
"Hello, Nexus."
"Welcome back, Lorele."
Nexus shook his head.
"It's been quite a while."
"Indeed."
Lorele smiled.
"Sorry for being gone for so long."
"It's alright."
Nexus smiled.
"Sir Ryu had his reasons."
Lorele's smile widened.
"Thank you for understanding."
She raised her cup.
"So you wouldn't mind what happens next, right?"
Nexus's expression changed.
"What do you mean?"
Across the room, Ryu raised his cup.
"Cheers."
He smiled.
"And farewell."
Nexus froze.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
He immediately grabbed Kural by the arm.
"Huh?"
Kural looked at him, still holding his drink.
"Nexus? What's up?"
"We need to leave."
Kural's expression changed.
"Now."
Nexus's voice was unusually serious.
"This is bad."
Kural immediately sobered.
"What happened?"
"Lorele is acting strangely."
Nexus looked toward Ryu.
"And whatever Sir Ryu just did..."
He narrowed his eyes.
"...doesn't feel right."
They found Mao in the library.
She was sitting peacefully, reading a book.
"Mao."
She looked up.
"Hm?"
"Come."
Nexus walked toward her.
"We must leave."
Mao blinked.
"Why?"
"What happened?"
"I have a feeling something bad is about to happen."
Mao looked between the two.
"...Alright."
The three rushed toward the castle's exit.
They were almost there.
Then—
A scream.
Blood-curdling.
Another followed.
Then another.
Nexus stopped.
His eyes widened.
"No..."
He immediately turned around.
"Nexus!"
Kural shouted.
But Nexus was already running.
He sprinted toward the throne room.
He threw the doors open.
And froze.
Silence.
The celebration was gone.
The music had stopped.
The tables were overturned.
And across the floor—
Bodies.
The Architects who had returned only hours ago now lay motionless across the throne room.
Nexus stood completely still.
His breath caught in his throat.
His eyes trembled.
Then he looked toward the throne.
One figure stood alone.
Surrounded by the remains of the Architects.
Ryu.
His expression was calm.
Almost peaceful.
Nexus stared at him.
"...Sir Ryu?"
Ryu slowly turned his head.
And smiled.