Weightless and torn between awareness and forgetfulness, Jacob and Connor floated across the emptiness. With nerves still jangling from the aftermath of combat, their shared body hurt from head to toe. Distant and unfocused, system notifications flickered at the corners of their consciousness.
Something else was here.
A presence.
It loomed beyond perception, shifting within the abyss like a predator beneath the ice of a frozen lake.
Then—
A whisper.
Not words, but an impression—something pressing against the edges of their consciousness. It wasn't hostile. It wasn't welcoming. It simply existed.
Hollow Craft Assimilation: 20%…
The void rippled.
Their body jerked. Fingers twitched against nothingness. A sudden rush of sensation coursed through their nerves, and then—
Breathe.
Jacob and Connor inhaled sharply, lungs burning as reality slammed back into them. Their eyes snapped open.
The battlefield was gone.
Above them stretched a vast sky, deep bruised purple, fractured with veins of molten gold. It wasn't natural—it was shattered, as if remnants of something immense and broken still clung to the heavens. Below them, the ground gleamed like polished obsidian, stretching infinitely in every direction.
They made an effort to move. Their body fought back. Their limbs seemed heavy, like they were bound together by invisible chains.
Then—
A sound.
A slow, rhythmic thud.
Footsteps.
A figure approached.
Forcing their heads up, Jacob and Connor blinked against the haze, muscles protesting. The figure stood tall, its form draped in shifting shadows, tendrils of dark mist curling around it.
Then, the mist parted—revealing something far more extraordinary.
In front of them loomed a majestic, spectral Azure Strifelion, its crystalline, translucent form glimmering with an unearthly light. With each slight movement, its enormous, glass-like wings scattered brilliance as they reflected the shattered golden light overhead. Luminous, cold eyes blazed with a mysterious power that was at once mysterious and dominant. The whole thing had the feel of a living mythology, something made of spirit energy, ice, or maybe the very essence of heaven.
The Revenant Azure Strifelion.
A perfect reflection of itself, at least.
Skill Activation: Doll Summoning—Azure Strife (Lv. 15).
It matched the twins in level, an eerie mirror of their own strength.
Rowan, standing nearby, tensed, his instincts screaming at him to fight. Doubt flickered across his face. His grip on his weapon tightened as he prepared to act—
But before he could move, the twins raised their hands in perfect unison.
A silent command. Stop.
"It's on our side," they said.
Rowan hesitated, confusion clouding his expression as he glanced between them and the spectral beast before them.
Tired from their previous battle, Rowan and the twins mounted the Azure Strifelion Doll. The spectral creature remained still underneath them as they positioned themselves for the trek ahead, its crystal body shining with an eerie radiance.
As Rowan settled onto the beast, he hesitated. "You sure about this?" he asked, casting a wary glance at the twins.
Connor smirked. "Remember how you always wanted to ride one of these? Well, now's your chance."
Rowan let out a shaky breath as he gripped the twins for balance. "Yes, well. Either this or— He hesitated, squirming as a sharp pain shot through his bones. " Really? I doubt that even if I wanted to, I could walk back.
As they ascended into the sky, a sudden notification disrupted their thoughts:
Quest Update—Archon of Man (Part 2):
"You have been deemed trustworthy enough for the current quest holder to share its details with you. You now have access to Lyle's goals as a trusted and acknowledged member of his circle.
As soon as Jacob saw the same conclusion in Connor's face, his eyes automatically turned to his new friend. They had both gotten the notification, and they understood without speaking to each other. Their attention then shifted to Rowan, whose response verified that he had also been added to the quest's expansion.
They all came to a silent accord. They were also notified about the mission. They kept asking themselves why Lyle had decided to tell them about this quest now of all times.
Meanwhile, Geneva Graye stood poised to strike, eyes locked on Lyle. But before she could act, one of her followers spoke up.
"He didn't attack us first," the man pointed out. "You said we only kill those who are a threat. This guy hasn't done anything."
A murmur of agreement spread through the group. Geneva's jaw tightened, but she didn't argue.
Lyle saw his chance. She didn't tell them about the quest…
Lyle's mind clicked into place. Oh, I can exploit that.
It all made sense now—when the quest appeared, she only shared the details with the red-haired man; that's why she was whispering to him. The rest of the group was left in the dark. Which means they don't know the full truth…
A slow smirk threatened to form, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. This was an opportunity—one he fully intended to use. He quickly adjusted his expression, feigning innocence. "Oh, so you're not just a bunch of deranged killers? That's a relief. I really thought you were going to attack us."
The man who had spoken earlier raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
Geneva's expression soured. She shot Lyle a sharp glare, clearly irritated. "And we're just supposed to take your word for it?" She scoffed. "I don't think so. We'll be keeping you in chains—just in case."
Lyle's mind raced. She's looking for an excuse to kill me, he realized. She doesn't want to justify it outright, so she's trying to make it seem reasonable to them.
He forced a nervous chuckle, keeping up the act. "Chains? Now that seems a little excessive, don't you think?" But inside, he was already preparing his next move.
He spoke up, his voice clear and steady. "I get that you're all wary of me—and I'll cooperate with whatever you need. I know you don't know my intentions, and if it'd help, I'd turn myself in as a show of goodwill… But I'm already in cuffs. I just want you all to know I'll do everything I can to help. I'm not here to cause trouble."
Markus and the rest of the group were stunned, but they played along with Lyle.