The land darkened the moment they stepped beyond Eldmere.
Grimfang Wastes welcomed no one.
Ash-gray soil cracked beneath their feet, the air heavy with old mana scars and lingering malice. Wind howled softly, carrying whispers that felt like unfinished battles.
Eclipse Collectors moved in silence.
Reeve finally broke it.
"…Now tell me," he said, looking at Lunareth,
"why are we going back to Grimfang Wastes?"
Lunareth didn't slow her steps.
"Because of Nerisse."
Reeve stopped.
"…What?"
He turned toward her, disbelief flickering in his eyes.
"She's innocent," he said firmly.
"We know," Lunareth replied calmly.
"But the one who destroyed her village—was Lynvar."
The name hit like a blade.
"And the one who threw you away that day," Lunareth continued,
"was also Lynvar."
Reeve's breath caught.
"…You're saying—"
"They're the same person."
The world tilted.
Reeve clenched his fists.
Before he could speak—
"I'm sorry."
Nerisse's voice trembled.
Everyone turned.
"I didn't know," she said quietly.
"That he was the one who hurt you."
Reeve looked at her.
Then smiled—soft, genuine.
"I'm alive because of you," he said.
"So don't apologize."
Kaelith frowned slightly.
"…Alive?"
Nerisse nodded.
"When he came for me," she said,
"I created a healing wall."
She clasped her hands together.
"When he struck it, all his injuries healed—but… wrongly.
The mana repaired his body, but his balance was destroyed."
Her eyes lowered.
"So when I found him later… he was barely alive.
He kept saying, don't kill me—as if I was the one hunting him."
Silence followed.
"…After that," she finished,
"I don't remember much.
I only remember waking up—and being with all of you."
Before anyone could respond—
[System — Nyx]
"Destination reached. Grimfang Wastes."
Reeve stopped walking.
"…Nyx."
[Nyx]
"Yes."
"If Lynvar attacks again," Reeve said quietly,
"me or any of them—can you take control and fight him?"
A pause.
Then—
[Nyx]
"…Why do you assume I can't?"
Reeve blinked.
[Nyx]
"There is no probability in which he defeats me in hand-to-hand combat."
Reeve exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
The mist ahead shifted.
Mana rippled.
A figure stepped forward.
Dark clothes.
Mask.
Presence sharp enough to cut skin.
Lynvar.
The moment his gaze landed on Nerisse—
He vanished.
Wind screamed.
Before anyone could react—
Lynvar appeared beside her, hand reaching out.
"Ner—!"
But—
CLASH.
Reeve was there.
He caught Lynvar's wrist mid-motion, boots digging into the cracked ground.
"Sorry, mask man," Reeve said calmly, eyes cold,
"but your game is over."
For the first time—
Lynvar froze.
Then—
Mana twisted.
His body blurred unnaturally, slipping like smoke through Reeve's grip.
He leapt back, landing several meters away.
"…Second ability," Kaelith muttered, eyes sharp.
Elaryn stepped forward slightly, smile gone.
"That speed… it's artificial."
Lunareth's mana flared, wings threatening to manifest before she suppressed them.
"Nerisse," she said sharply,
"stay behind us."
Reeve didn't move.
He stared at Lynvar.
And smiled—just a little.
The mist thickened.
Lynvar's voice echoed faintly—
"…Interesting."