As they all moved together, their pace slow and heavy, Souta walked near the back his expression distant.
I can't believe he doesn't remember me...
Is his new form taking over completely?
No… I have to find Ren. Somehow… he's still in there.
A soft tap landed on his shoulder.
Souta turned to see Itsuki standing there, his face calm but eyes filled with quiet understanding.
"I think Ren is still in there," Itsuki said. "Somewhere."
Souta blinked. "Wait what are you saying?"
Itsuki looked down at his hand, flexing his fingers slowly.
"I can feel him... and at the same time, I can't. His blood's still in me. That connection it's not broken."
Souta's eyes widened. "You're serious?"
Itsuki nodded. "Even if he doesn't remember, part of him is still alive. The question is… which part will win in the end?"
Raien continued walking, silent as ever, his steps mechanical his eyes scanning the world as if he didn't belong to it.
Suddenly, Lorth raised his voice.
"Everyone stop!"
The group came to a halt.
"I'm calling the outer scouts. They'll send a vehicle to get us out of this ruin."
Velmira crossed her arms. "How long will that take?"
Lorth exhaled. "I'm not sure. But if they don't make it in time… we keep moving."
From the side, Elden Louve swung his large travel bag off his back and gave a light chuckle.
"No worries, people! I got everything in this bag food, med kits, clothes, maybe even a house if you dig deep enough!"
Velmira smiled faintly. "That's why I keep you around, love."
He winked back. "And here I thought it was for my charm."
A few steps away, Aria suddenly dropped to the ground with a groan.
"I can't walk anymore... I'm done. I'm exhausted."
Lorth turned toward her, face hardened by command.
"Get up, soldier. We can't afford to lose focus now. If anything happens, you'll need your strength."
Aria groaned again but forced herself upright, trembling slightly.
Lorth pulled out a compact device, flipped the communicator open, and spoke clearly into it.
"This is Lord Lorth of the Ivory Cross. We've got wounded. We need extraction."
A response came quickly, slightly crackled through static.
"Lord Lorth, sir we read you. What's your status? How was the mission?"
Lorth's voice was heavy.
"Mission failed. Send a vehicle immediately. There are injured critical condition."
"Understood, sir. Deployment en route. ETA fifteen minutes."
A soft beep ended the call.
"They're on their way," Lorth said. "We move until they reach us. No stops unless someone drops."
Raien continued to walk at the edge of the group, distant from their chatter. Watching. Listening. Not speaking.
They joked. They argued. They helped each other. They bled. They endured.
Why… do they keep calling me Ren?
He looked down at his pale hands.
This body... it's not mine. But it moves when I think. Feels what I don't remember feeling. Am I living in someone else's story?
He raised his gaze to the sky, his voice a soft murmur lost in the wind.
"…I wonder… because right now…"
His eyes darkened, lips curling in strange confusion.
"...I'm just… hungry."
The journey back to Sanctum City began.
Tension choked the air. No one spoke. Not a word. Just the sound of boots crunching gravel and wind scraping silence.
Lorth glanced around the quiet group, his thoughts dark.
This wasn't the war we were meant to fight… he murmured inwardly. But once we return... I'll end your suffering myself.
His cold gaze shifted to Raien sharp, merciless. A silent promise of death.
Just then, a battalion of armed soldiers approached the same unit Lorth had called ahead. They stormed forward, surrounding the group like wolves closing in on prey.
As Raien stepped toward the city gates, weapons were suddenly drawn rifles aimed and exorcist blades unsheathed all pointed directly at him.
He froze, his eyes narrowing in confusion.
One of the armed men barked, "A demon walks among us. He is to be sentenced to Abyss Lock."
Souta flared up instantly. "What the fuck is wrong with you people?!"
Before he could say more, the butt of a rifle cracked against his neck, knocking him out cold.
Arisa screamed and tried to leap forward but several soldiers held her back.
Itsuki and Aria raised their hands slowly as guns turned on them.
Kesshō followed suit only to be kicked to the ground by a boot to the back.
Lorth stepped through the crowd, his expression twisted with grim satisfaction.
"I swore never to let a demon set foot in Sanctum City again... not after what happened last time," he said, voice thick with disdain.
Raien lifted his eyes, trying to speak, "I... I don't bring harm"
But Lorth burst into laughter, cutting him off. "Enough." He raised a hand. "Bring me the Holy Spear."
Gasps echoed. The spear an ancient divine weapon said to pierce through any demon, forged by the gods themselves was handed to Lorth with reverence.
Raien stared, bewildered, lifting his hands in surrender. He tried to summon his blood magic... but nothing came.
Confusion twisted his face.
Then, in a blink
SHINK!
The Holy Spear plunged into his chest.
Raien screamed a horrible, soul-wrenching sound as the spear crackled with divine energy, electrocuting him from the inside.
His body convulsed, white-hot light tearing through him. His glowing hair dimmed, returning to a dull blond.
Lorth grinned, eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction.
Everyone froze. Even Elden moved to intervene only to find a gun shoved against his head.
Raien, writhing, was lost in a blur of memories voices, moments, fragments until a chilling whisper echoed in his head:
"I'm in control now... Play your role."
His eyes rolled back, turning pure white. A single tear slipped down his cheek as he lost consciousness.
When it was over, he collapsed, blood dripping from his mouth. His body limp.
The soldiers quickly bound him in glowing chains alongside Kesshō.
Kesshō turned to Lorth, eyes full of hatred.
Lorth stepped closer, leaned down... and whispered with venom:
"Not again."