The city's skyline glowed faintly under the moon, but the calm was only an illusion. The aftermath of the Soul Engine's destruction left streets scarred, fires still burning, and shadows lingering like stains that refused to fade.
Ryu stood on a rooftop overlooking the chaos, scythe in hand, wings folded tightly behind him. Hana clung to his side, eyes wide as she scanned the burning streets below.
"We can't stay here," Ryu said, voice low. "The Syndicate will come for her. And for the city."
Morrigan appeared beside them, silent as ever, her eyes scanning the horizon. "They've been waiting for this moment. The Soul Engine's destruction signals weakness."
Ryu's eyes narrowed. "Then we stop them before they strike."
From the darkness below, a figure stepped forward. A man, tall and imposing, dressed in a tailored black coat that seemed to drink in the light. His face was sharp, cold, and unsettlingly calm. A pair of glowing golden eyes pierced the night.
"I see the heir is active," he said, voice smooth and chilling. "And the Listener is awake. Excellent."
Hana's grip tightened on Ryu's arm. "Who… who is that?"
Ryu's gaze sharpened. "Leader of the Syndicate. The one who controls all their Soul Engines. If we fight anyone tonight, it's him."
The man raised a hand. Chains of dark energy formed instantly around him, twisting and writhing like living serpents.
"I am Lucien Varkas," he announced. "And you've just destroyed what was meant to be my masterpiece. For that… you will pay."
Ryu stepped forward, scythe ignited. "Leave her out of this. This isn't her fight."
Lucien's smile widened. "Ah… but it is. She is a bridge—a human who hears the dead. Her existence threatens my plans, her soul is… valuable."
Hana swallowed. "I-I'm not just valuable!"
Lucien laughed. "Oh, but you are. And soon, you'll learn why even the Reaper's heir cannot always save what he loves."
Ryu's wings unfurled suddenly, black energy spiraling around him. "Then I'll stop you—no matter what it costs."
Lucien's chains slashed through the air, colliding with Ryu's shadow. Sparks of energy erupted, shaking the rooftop.
"You think brute force will stop me?" Lucien sneered. "This is not a battle you can win with strength alone."
Ryu gritted his teeth. "Then I'll do what a Reaper must. I'll judge you."
Lucien tilted his head. "Judgment? You don't even know the true cost of what you wield, heir. I can show you."
The shadows around Lucien expanded, forming horrifying creatures—half-human, half-specter, wailing and clawing at reality itself.
Hana gasped. "They… they're alive?"
"They're neither alive nor dead," Morrigan said softly. "Each one is a soul trapped and weaponized by Lucien. A Reaper's true trial is deciding who lives… and who dies."
Ryu's heart tightened. He could see the souls screaming, clawing for release. His scythe pulsed, shadows swirling like sentient tendrils.
Lucien stepped closer, chains snapping through the night. "Choose wisely, heir. Every strike you make, every decision… costs a soul."
Ryu's fists clenched around his scythe. Hana's hand found his shoulder. "You don't have to do this alone," she whispered.
Ryu's jaw hardened. "No. But this is my responsibility. Every soul counts… and every wrong judgment could destroy me."
Above the city, storm clouds gathered, crackling with dark lightning. The Syndicate had arrived.
And the first true test of Ryu's judgment as a reaper just begun.