Far away on Tiamat—
Inside a massive black hall illuminated only by dim crimson flames—
A long table stretched through the room.
Ancient symbols covered the walls.
The atmosphere itself felt intelligent.
At the very top of the table sat a man with short brown hair and sharp golden eyes.
His posture was relaxed.
But the pressure around him was absurdly refined.
This was—
Gemini — Sebastian Savage.
Sebastian rested his chin against his fingers thoughtfully.
"So he killed them…"
Silence lingered.
At the end of the table stood a man wearing black robes.
Short black hair.
Crimson eyes.
Tall.
Charismatic.
Dangerous.
Cancer — Vizer Ragnarok.
Vizer folded his arms.
"I told you."
"If we send more men…"
"They'll all die unnecessarily."
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"So if we were to make a next move…"
Another figure interrupted him casually.
A tall man with dark blue hair tied behind his head sat directly on the table itself.
Blue eyes.
Blue pullover.
Blue pants.
Relaxed expression.
Aries — Serion Bane.
Serion leaned back slightly.
"We would have to thoroughly think it through."
"But in the meantime…"
"We'll need a distraction."
A fourth figure leaned lazily against the wall nearby.
Purple robes.
Hazel eyes.
Tall black hair.
Taurus — Myron Gates.
Myron smiled faintly.
"Let's greet him ourselves…"
"Or else he'll think we're cowards."
Sebastian looked toward him.
Then smiled.
"You got a point."
"He deliberately killed them just to force our hand."
"We have to go ourselves."
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavier.
Not from fear, But anticipation.
Because all four of them understood one thing—
Darkness had returned to Tiamat.
And the moment that happened—
everything changed.
Elsewhere—
Rayon stood calmly atop a floating cliff while the winds of Tiamat roared around him.
Erethon stretched lazily.
"So we're dealing with the Zodiacs…"
He cracked his neck.
"It's a new project…"
"But right about now…"
"I can bet they'll come themselves."
Nyk lit a cigarette.
Smoke drifted into the sky.
"Of course."
"If they don't…"
"It's just them proving they're cowards."
Rayon smiled slightly.
"That's right lil bro."
"You gotta show them up."
"Because here in the upper realm…"
"It's all about what you can actually do."
His black eyes shifted toward the horizon.
Then he smiled again.
"Let's go to a nearby city."
"I want to see someone I haven't seen in a while."
BOOM—
The three of them shot into the sky.
Flying across Tiamat at terrifying speed.
Nyk looked around while moving through the clouds.
Everything here was gigantic.
Mountains pierced beyond the atmosphere.
Creatures larger than continents slept beneath oceans.
Entire civilizations floated in the skies.
Even the moons orbiting Tiamat looked unnaturally close.
Nyk exhaled slowly.
"This place is insane…"
Erethon laughed loudly.
"And you've only seen the peaceful side."
Rayon suddenly slowed down.
Below them—
a massive city came into view.
Buildings taller than mountains stretched into the heavens.
Bridges made of crystal connected floating districts.
Countless lights illuminated the city despite it being night.
Rayon looked down calmly.
"This…"
"…is the city of Tartarus."
The three descended.
Landing smoothly inside the city.
The streets were crowded.
Massive beasts pulled transportation carts.
Vendors shouted across the streets.
Unknown species moved through the markets casually.
Nyk looked around like a tourist.
"Damn…"
"This city alone bigger than continents."
Rayon smirked.
"Tiamat doesn't think small."
Then—
SNAP.
Rayon snapped his fingers.
The world distorted.
The bustling city vanished instantly.
And the three appeared inside a dark alleyway.
In front of them—
was a small worn-down building.
Compared to the rest of Tartarus…
it looked ancient.
Forgotten.
A black wooden door stood quietly beneath a faded sign.
Relish.
Nyk blinked twice.
"This place?"
Rayon slowly walked forward.
He pushed open the door.
CREEEEAK—
Darkness greeted them.
Cobwebs covered the ceiling.
Dust coated nearly every surface.
The place looked abandoned.
Nyk waved his hand twice through the air.
"Bro…"
"What happened to this place?"
Rayon frowned slightly.
"Yeah…"
"What happened to this place…"
"Why is it run down?"
Suddenly—
Footsteps echoed from upstairs.
Slow.
Heavy.
An old man wearing glasses appeared near the edge of the second-floor platform.
He looked down tiredly.
"We are closed."
Rayon looked up calmly.
"Since when?"
The old man paused.
His eyes narrowed.
Then widened slowly.
"…Darkness?"
Rayon smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
The old man froze completely.
Then tears formed in his eyes.
"You're finally back…"
Rayon's expression softened slightly.
"Yeah."
The old man descended the stairs slowly.
His hands trembled slightly.
Nyk and Erethon exchanged glances silently.
Because for the first time since entering Tiamat—
they saw someone Darkness genuinely respected.
Rayon looked around the old shop again.
Then asked quietly—
"What happened to Miyuki?"
"I haven't seen her in a while."
The old man froze.
Silence filled the room instantly.
Rayon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What's wrong?"
The old man clenched his fists.
Then finally spoke.
"…Two years ago…"
"She went missing."
"I haven't seen her since."
His expression darkened.
"And I have a feeling…"
"…it's that guy called Ra."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Erethon's smile vanished.
"Two years ago…"
"That's the same time period he began his project."
The old man folded his fists tightly.
"Curse that bastard…"