Lord's Cave
Deep beneath fractured mountains…
Inside a vast, ancient cavern lit by dark violet flames—
Lord stood alone.
The air around him trembled subtly.
His expression was calm.
But beneath it—
Irritation.
"Ernos is dead…"
His voice echoed across the stone walls.
"A useful piece… sacrificed."
Behind him, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
Long black hair.
Cold, intelligent eyes.
Diana.
She walked toward him with a soft smile.
"And now?" she asked gently.
Lord turned slightly.
"Now… the final plan begins."
He looked toward the cavern ceiling, as if seeing beyond it.
"My attack."
He stepped closer to Diana.
"And this time… you will stand behind me."
Diana did not flinch.
Lord lifted his hand and slowly brushed his fingers through her black hair.
"Control the Moon," he said quietly.
"Strengthen me."
"Amplify the tides… the gravity… the celestial pull."
"So that this world finally becomes mine."
Diana looked into his eyes.
"You are already the strongest."
"For all we know… you may not even need me, Cassiel."
The name lingered in the air.
Cassiel.
Lord froze for a fraction of a second.
Then—
He smiled.
Slow.
Almost nostalgic.
"Five hundred years…"
He turned toward her.
"And you are the first to call me by that name."
His eyes sharpened again.
"Prepare yourself."
"The age of waiting is over."
The cave trembled faintly.
Far above—
The Moon shimmered for a brief second.
WHU Headquarters
The atmosphere was completely different.
Reconstruction teams worked outside.
Heroes laughed.
Relief filled the air.
For the first time—
There was peace.
Inside the headquarters hall—
Asher sat alone on a bench near a large window.
The city lights flickered in the distance.
His expression was thoughtful.
His mind drifted elsewhere.
His father.
What would he be doing right now?
Was he watching?
Was he disappointed?
Proud?
Asher exhaled slowly.
"I still don't know what you wanted from me…"
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Are you always this serious?"
Asher looked up.
A boy stood in front of him.
Around seventeen years old.
Short dark hair.
Nervous posture—but determined eyes.
Asher raised an eyebrow.
"And you are?"
The boy straightened slightly.
"Myron."
He hesitated.
"I'm seventeen."
Asher gave a small smirk.
"I figured."
Myron scratched the back of his neck.
"I'm… probably the weakest member in headquarters."
Asher didn't respond.
"I know you're busy," Myron continued quickly, "but I want to get stronger."
His eyes hardened with resolve.
"I don't want to stand behind others anymore."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"I want you to train me."
Asher studied him carefully.
There was no arrogance.
No ego.
Just raw determination.
"Why me?" Asher asked.
Myron answered without hesitation.
"Because you fight like you carry something heavier than power."
That caught Asher off guard.
A faint smile formed.
"When do you want to start?"
Myron blinked.
"Wait… you're saying yes?"
Asher stood up.
"If you fall behind, I won't slow down."
Myron grinned.
"I won't fall."
Training Grounds – Later
The training field lights turned on.
Cold night air.
Asher stood across from Myron.
"Show me what you've got."
Myron charged forward—
Fast.
But unpolished.
Asher dodged easily.
"Again."
Myron attacked repeatedly.
Each time—
Blocked.
Redirected.
Thrown to the ground.
He stood back up.
Again.
And again.
Sweat ran down his face.
But he didn't stop.
Asher crossed his arms.
"Your problem isn't weakness."
Myron panted.
"Then what is it?"
"You hesitate."
Myron clenched his fists.
"I'm afraid of failing."
Asher walked closer.
"Then fail."
Myron looked confused.
Asher's voice lowered.
"Fail in training. Not in war."
A long silence.
Then Myron nodded.
He charged again—
This time without hesitation.
And for the first time—
Asher didn't dodge immediately.
The training had begun.
High above the city—
The Moon glowed faintly.
Far away—
In a cavern of shadows—
Cassiel watched the world prepare for something it did not yet understand.
And in WHU—
A new warrior began his path.