Night fell. The sky above Duril was smothered by dark clouds as fierce winds howled through the broken streets and crumbling ruins. Soon, rain began to pour, but Kuro sat outside, unmoving, lost in thought. The rain soaked his clothes, but he didn't seem to notice. His mind wandered too far for discomfort to reach him.
Then, the soft crunch of footsteps on wet earth reached his ears. A familiar voice followed- warm and concerned, broke through the downpour.
"Don't sit out here… you'll catch a cold."
Artoria's voice.
Kuro didn't turn. But she stepped beside him anyway, lowering herself silently to sit beside him. She had returned to her original, elegant form—her white hair clung to her face, glistening with rain. Each drop that slid from her hair looked like the petals of a withering lily.
For a long time, they said nothing.
The only sound was the rhythmic tapping of rain on stone.
"It's cold," she whispered eventually.
Kuro rose to his feet and looked down at her. His voice was soft.
"Let's find some shelter."
They moved toward a nearby bench, covered by a crumbling roof that barely kept the rain off.
"I wanted to thank you for saving me," Artoria said hesitantly, "but… please don't put yourself in danger again."
"Don't worry about that," Kuro replied, eyes steady. "But I won't let you die."
A pink flush rose in Artoria's cheeks. She lowered her gaze, watching the rainwater seep toward them. The soft tip-tap of droplets filled the quiet between them,
"Varnok and my father were once close," she began, her voice distant. "My father used to be his First Divine Knight."
Kuro turned to her, fully attentive now.
"But Varnok was never one to be trusted," she continued. "He's driven by pure evil. Our ancestors were given a Divine Weapon—a gift we protected for generations. Varnok wanted it. He said he'd use it to conquer all the other gods."
"What's a Divine Weapon?" Kuro asked, his curiosity sharpened.
"It's a weapon forged when a god pours all their divine power into it," she explained. "It's said there are only five of them in the entire world."
"So, where's the one Varnok wanted?" Kuro asked, leaning forward.
Artoria hesitated, her voice trembling slightly.
"My father refused to hand it over. Eventually, Varnok betrayed us—he killed my parents… He turned elves into slaves. I tried to resist him once… He cursed me and banished my people."
Tears welled in her eyes, and she looked down.
Kuro's voice came so softly it was barely audible.
"I'm a monster. A murderer. At least, that's what they all say. They think I killed my own mother. I didn't believe it before, but after seeing that play today, I…" his voice broke, "maybe I did kill her… just like that boy in the story did."
Artoria reached out and touched his hand. Her warmth pierced the cold around them.
"You are no monster," she whispered.
Kuro smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Artoria took a deep breath. "There's a temple—buried beneath this city. It belonged to a god long forgotten. The one who forged the Divine Weapon... Eclipsera. I believe it's still there. Hidden in the ruins. If we can find it, we might just have a chance to stand against Varnok."
Kuro stood once more, eyes rising toward the storm-cloaked sky.
"Thank you, Artoria," he said. Then, with steel in his voice, "We'll find it."
He walked back toward the building where the others were still resting. Behind him, Artoria watched, a faint smile ghosting her lips. Her cheeks were flushed with more than cold.
The Next Morning
Everyone was up and getting ready. Artoria, back in her child form, was already awake. Kuro stepped out of the room, wearing only a cloth wrapped around his waist. Lilia immediately turned away, covering her eyes.
"What the hell!?" Sira shouted, jumping up. "What are you doing!? Where are your clothes!?"
Kuro scratched his head, embarrassed.
"They got soaked in the rain yesterday…"
"Who told you to take a bath in the rain?" John added, laughing.
"Enough," Rulet interrupted, stepping forward. "Don't you have another set?"
"No. I'm not here on a picnic," Kuro replied.
Arthur, standing silently in a corner, finally spoke.
"I also need a new pair of clothes," he said.
Rulet looked at both of them, exasperated.
"Do either of you have money?"
Kuro glanced at Arthur, confused.
"We came from another world. We don't really know how money works here," Kuro admitted.
"Alright then. Erik, change their appearance," Rulet commanded.
Erik stepped forward, his eyes glowing with a soft blue hue. He looked into Kuro's eyes for a moment.
"It's done," Erik said.
Kuro glanced at his reflection in a shard of broken glass nearby. His face—unrecognizable. His identity hidden behind new features. Erik repeated the process for Arthur.
"Hey, Rulet," Kuro said. Rulet looked over.
"Do you know anything about the ruined temple beneath Duril?"
Rulet narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were from another world. How do you know about that?"
Kuro hesitated, then looked down.
"I had a dream… there was a man. I can't remember his face, but he told me I'd find a way to defeat Varnok down there."
Artoria avoided eye contact.
Rulet studied Kuro carefully. Then he said, "Yes, I've heard of it. And it's more than just legend. I know where one of the entrances is."
Kuro's eyes lit up, a quiet fire sparking behind them.
"Then let's go. We don't have time to waste."
But Rulet's voice dropped—cold, suspicious.
"Hold on."
His eyes hardened like stone.
"What proof do we have… that we can trust you?"
The room stilled. The air thickened.
Kuro's smile faded. Silence fell. Even the wind outside seemed to pause.