The old wooden floor creaked quietly as Rayon, Erethon, Nyk, and the old man ascended to the second floor of Relish.
The upstairs looked far cleaner than the lower area.
Bookshelves lined the walls.
Ancient blueprints were scattered across tables.
Weapons of all kinds rested behind glass cases.
Some radiated terrifying pressure even while dormant.
Nyk instinctively narrowed his eyes.
Even the air around those weapons felt dangerous.
Rayon calmly walked further inside.
"Nyk, Erethon…"
He gestured toward the old man.
"This is Simon Vezarel."
Erethon's eyes widened slightly.
"Vezarel?"
"You mean…"
"The legendary Blacksmith?"
Rayon nodded once.
"Yes."
Simon sighed softly while adjusting his glasses.
"It doesn't matter anymore."
"I retired a long time ago."
Everyone took their seats around a circular wooden table.
Erethon leaned back while staring at Simon carefully.
"Sir…"
"Even in my time you were a myth."
Simon chuckled faintly.
"Ah…"
"The War of the Primordials."
A nostalgic look crossed his face.
Then suddenly he looked at Rayon.
"Is that old man Azelar still alive?"
Rayon smiled faintly.
"Yes."
Simon lowered his gaze toward his tea cup.
"I see…"
"That's good to hear."
For a brief moment—
the atmosphere became strangely peaceful.
Old memories.
Old eras.
Old monsters who somehow survived long enough to sit together and speak casually.
Then Rayon's expression shifted slightly.
"Simon…"
"What's really going on?"
Simon's face darkened.
"I presume Jaidis already filled you in."
Rayon nodded.
Simon continued.
"Since the war with Judith and Samrok…"
"Ra decided to release his project called Zodiac."
"He introduced them to end the war."
"And their purpose is to listen to the Great Ones and Ra."
Simon's eyes narrowed slightly.
"But knowing that mad scientist bastard…"
"He probably has full control of them."
Rayon folded his arms.
"So we'll just assume he has his own ulterior motives."
Simon nodded.
"That's right."
Before anyone could continue—
Rayon suddenly glanced toward Nyk.
Nyk sat completely still.
In a trance.
His eyes were locked onto a sword resting against the far wall.
Rayon chuckled.
"This guy…"
Simon noticed immediately.
Then slowly smiled.
"So that sword finally found its master."
Erethon raised an eyebrow.
"Hm?"
He tapped Nyk lightly on the shoulder.
Nyk suddenly snapped back to reality.
"Hey— what was that?"
"The sword techniques I experienced…"
"I've never seen anything like it."
Simon slowly stood up.
He walked toward the corner of the room.
A sword leaned quietly against the wall beneath a black cloth.
Simon grabbed the cloth.
Then removed it slowly.
SHHH—
A terrifying pressure spread through the room.
Nyk's eyes widened.
The blade was beautiful.
A long black sword.
Dark hilt.
Pitch-black blade.
And along its edge—
a thin crimson line glowed faintly.
Simon held it carefully.
"This…"
"…is called Destroyer."
"It's a sword made for controlled destruction."
He slowly walked toward Nyk.
Then stopped directly in front of him.
Simon looked deeply into Nyk's eyes.
Then smiled.
"From a primordial vessel…"
"To a primordial…"
"To the first Monarch of Ruin…"
"I bestow this sword upon you."
Silence filled the room.
Nyk stood slowly.
Then bowed respectfully.
"I thank you, Sir Simon."
He accepted the blade carefully.
The moment his hand touched the hilt—
VRRRMMM—
The sword vibrated violently.
A deep crimson aura flickered briefly around Nyk.
Like the weapon itself acknowledged him.
Rayon smiled faintly.
"Swords made by Simon…"
"…can cut even Constellations."
Erethon laughed.
"Destroyer…"
"What a wonderful name."
For the next hour—
they spoke casually.
Rayon and Simon caught up on old times.
Discussed the wars.
The upper realms.
Ra.
The Great Ones.
And the changes Tiamat had undergone over the past thousands of years.
Eventually—
they left Relish.
Night covered Tartarus.
Rayon, Nyk, and Erethon stood atop one of the massive buildings overlooking the city.
Below them—
millions of lights illuminated the streets.
Massive flying creatures moved through the skies.
The city never slept.
Erethon sat casually at the edge of the building with one foot hanging off.
Nyk rested Destroyer against his shoulder.
Then suddenly—
four presences appeared.
Across from them.
On the opposite building.
Sebastian.
Vizer.
Serion.
Myron.
The Zodiac members stood calmly beneath the moonlight.
Rayon looked at them calmly.
"So you're not cowards after all."
Vizer folded his arms.
"It's our first time seeing Primordial Darkness."
"So you can understand."
Erethon smirked.
"Yeah right."
"Why strategize…"
"…when you can simply war and win?"
Myron adjusted his purple robes slightly.
"Unlike some…"
"We know our limits."
"And we have the brains to plan for them."
Sebastian smiled calmly.
"Impressive, Darkness."
"I've never met anyone as smart and manipulative as you."
Rayon smirked and held out both hands.
"Of course."
"It's me."
Sebastian's golden eyes gleamed.
"Don't worry though…"
"I got something planned for you."
The atmosphere became silent.
Then—
the four Zodiac members vanished.
Nyk exhaled smoke slowly.
"So this just became technical."
Rayon nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
Elsewhere on Tiamat—
An unknown region hidden beneath layers of dimensional barriers.
Sebastian, Serion, Myron, and Vizer appeared before an enormous mansion.
The mansion radiated dangerous energy.
The very land surrounding it was poisoned by authority.
Myron looked toward Sebastian.
"Are you sure this will work?"
"What if her memories are recovered?"
Vizer answered calmly.
"It will."
The four entered.
The doors opened automatically.
Inside—
a massive throne hall stretched endlessly.
And sitting atop the throne—
was a woman.
Tall black hair flowed down her body.
Amber eyes.
Curvy.
Elegant.
Dangerously charismatic.
Her mere presence distorted the atmosphere slightly.
Scorpio.
Miyuki.
She looked down toward them coldly.
"Why have you entered my grounds?"
Sebastian slowly walked forward.
Then opened his arms slightly.
"Miyuki…"
"I have a proposal for you."
The girl stared at them silently.
Then finally spoke.
"Speak."