Training Grounds – Night
The air was cold.
Floodlights illuminated the concrete field.
Asher stood calmly.
Across from him — Myron.
"Again," Asher said.
Myron charged forward.
He was faster than before.
But there was still hesitation in his strikes.
Asher stepped slightly to the side.
The punch cut through empty air.
With a simple motion, Asher redirected him and sent him to the ground.
Myron breathed heavily.
"Up."
He stood immediately.
Another attack.
Another dodge.
Another fall.
One hour passed.
Then two.
Myron's movements grew slower.
His technique was unrefined.
His reactions delayed.
His body exhausted.
Finally, Asher raised his hand.
"That's enough."
Myron dropped to one knee.
"I'm… still too weak."
Asher looked at him carefully.
"Your weakness isn't physical."
"You lose in your head first."
Myron lowered his gaze.
"When I think about protecting someone… I'm afraid I'll be too late."
Asher fell silent for a moment.
His father crossed his mind again.
"Fear is normal," Asher said quietly.
"But you have to learn to control it."
Myron looked up.
"How?"
Asher didn't answer directly.
"We continue tomorrow."
Myron nodded, still breathing hard.
"I won't quit."
Asher gave a faint smile.
"I hope not."
Upper Floor – WHU Headquarters
Sebastian walked into Wang's room.
Wang stood near the window, looking out over the city.
"The doctor told you to rest," Sebastian said.
Wang smiled faintly.
"I already slept for three days."
Sebastian joined him by the window.
Silence for a moment.
"How do you feel?"
Wang thought carefully.
"My body is recovering."
"But something feels… off."
Sebastian frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Wang gestured toward the Moon.
It was unusually bright tonight.
"Gravitational flow has shifted."
Sebastian's tone grew serious.
"Shifted how?"
"Micro-fluctuations in tidal pressure."
"Atmospheric deviations."
"It's subtle… but deliberate."
Sebastian's voice lowered.
"Lord?"
Wang didn't answer immediately.
"Ernos wasn't the attack."
"He was preparation."
Sebastian finished the thought.
"Then this peace… is just the calm before the storm."
Wang nodded slowly.
"During 'Sun Rise'… I felt something."
"Energy wasn't just erupting."
"It was being observed."
Sebastian crossed his arms.
"He hasn't moved yet."
"He will," Wang replied quietly.
"And when he does… it won't be one city."
"It will be the world."
Silence stretched between them.
"Are we ready?" Sebastian asked.
Wang's eyes remained on the Moon.
"We're never fully ready."
"But we stand anyway."
He turned slightly.
"How's Myron?"
Sebastian gave a small smirk.
"Weak."
A faint light flickered in Wang's eyes.
"Good."
Sebastian blinked.
"Good?"
"Yes."
"The weak have the strongest reason to grow."
Wang returned his gaze to the sky.
For a brief second—
The Moon shimmered.
No one else noticed.
But Wang did.
"The darkness is coming, Sebastian."
"This time… it will be different."
Sebastian nodded slowly.
"Then we'll be different too."
The camera pulls back.
WHU stands quiet under the night sky.
The Moon glows brighter than it should.
Deep inside a distant cavern—
Cassiel opens his eyes.
And whispers—
"Begin."