Chapter 3: Presence
The night was silent.
Too silent.
A flash of light tore through the darkness as Yura and Yuri returned from the meeting chamber, reappearing within the floating garden of the mansion.
Above them, the sky stretched endlessly—
dark clouds drifting across the moon as if even the heavens were holding their breath.
Yura took a step forward.
Then—
He stopped.
The air changed.
It grew heavy.
Oppressive.
As though something unseen had turned its gaze upon them.
Watching.
Waiting.
For the first time in years—
Yura's relaxed posture disappeared.
His eyes sharpened.
Yuri noticed immediately.
"Yura…?" she called softly.
"What's wrong?"
He didn't look back.
"…Nothing."
But the ease in his voice was gone.
Inside the Mansion
They entered in silence.
Crystal lights flickered faintly as Yura lowered himself onto a sofa. Yuri sat beside him, her gaze fixed on his face.
"Yura," she said again—firmer this time.
"You're acting strange."
"I'm not."
"You stopped outside," she pressed.
"Your aura… it changed."
Yura looked away.
"You're imagining things."
Yuri frowned.
"Then why…" she asked quietly,
"does it feel like something terrible is about to happen?"
Silence.
Yura stood.
A Silent Promise
Before he could walk away—
Arms wrapped around him from behind.
Yuri held him tightly.
"You don't have to carry everything alone," she whispered.
"Riyu… Zack… Ursula… me—"
Her grip tightened.
"We're all here."
Yura closed his eyes.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
Then quietly—
"I know."
His hand rested over hers.
"And that's exactly why…"
His voice dropped.
"I won't let any of you die."
Gently, he freed himself from her embrace.
"The war is inevitable now," he continued.
"And the Dragon God…"
A brief pause.
"Is far stronger than before."
Yuri lowered her gaze.
"…I'll go rest."
She walked toward the bedroom.
Yura remained where he stood.
Still.
Listening—
to the silence.
The Hidden Council
Moments later—
Yura stepped into a sealed chamber deep within the mansion.
A place known only to a select few.
Five chairs formed a circle.
Four were already occupied.
Twras — Leader of the Elf Clan.
Iera — Leader of the Orc Clan.
Ren — Leader of the Spirit Clan.
Ursula — Leader of the Dragon Clan.
Yura took the central seat.
"Thank you for coming," he said calmly.
"Leaders of the Four Clans."
Ursula's gaze sharpened.
"You felt it too," she said.
"Didn't you?"
"Yes."
Yura's voice was quiet.
"The Dragon God's presence."
Silence fell like a weight.
"That means…" Ursula continued slowly,
"he's close to regaining his full power."
"Yes."
Twras leaned forward.
"Then war is inevitable."
"I've already mobilized all five divisions," Yura replied.
"Every captain is on standby."
"The Elf Army is ready," Twras said.
"The Orc Army as well," Iera added.
"The Spirits will answer the call," Ren spoke calmly.
Yura nodded once.
"At most… one or two days."
A pause.
"After that—
the Dragon God will be complete."
The air tightened.
Then—
Yura spoke again.
"There's a problem."
All eyes turned toward him.
"Only two of the Twelve High Rankers will participate in this war."
Ursula stood abruptly.
"Why?"
"The other ten are currently on a mission," Yura replied.
"They cannot return until it's complete."
Ursula exhaled slowly.
"That weakens us."
"Somewhat," Yura admitted.
"But we still have Riyu… and Zack."
A brief silence.
Ursula nodded.
"That will have to be enough."
Yura stood.
"This meeting is over."
Before Dawn
One by one—
The clan leaders vanished.
Yura returned to his room.
Yuri was already asleep.
He lay down beside her, staring at the ceiling.
Outside—
The wind howled.
As if the world itself could feel what was coming.
Morning
Far away—
Within a grand council hall, Hyuri stood before dozens of kings.
"Will you stand with us?" she asked.
"This war concerns all of us."
A man rose slowly from his seat.
King Rex of the Twelfth Kingdom.
"Why should we?" he scoffed.
"Surrendering to the Dragon God is the wiser choice."
Murmurs spread across the hall.
"You may be one of the Three Great Kingdoms," Rex continued,
"but even you cannot defeat a god."
Hyuri remained calm.
"Alone… no," she admitted.
"But together—fifty kingdoms—"
Rex laughed.
"We are not as strong as you."
His voice turned cold.
"If we fight… we will be erased."
He turned to the others.
"What do you say?"
One by one—
The kings stood.
"We surrender."
Without another word, they left.
The hall fell silent.
Empty.
Hyuri stood alone.
Her hands trembled slightly.
For a moment—
She said nothing.
Then she turned sharply.
"Send a messenger," she ordered.
A pause.
"Call Yura."
End of Chapter 3