«Y-You're kidding?! You really rejoined HESPARC Japan?!» Hakuto exclaims, torn between disbelief and an electric thrill, over the moon after hearing Shin's announcent.
Shin, finally back ho after a full recovery, had just shared the news with the family.
«Yeah, though I'm not sure I deserve it, honestly… Anyway, I'm not the only one in the mood for surprises, son. I've heard you almost single-handedly killed a terrifyingly strong mber of the Primordial Shadow Cult, thanks to the powers that Ana gave you by sacrificing her own life,» Shin says.
But Rika and Yuzu don't appreciate that detail.
«Shin, better not remind us of that!» Rika snaps.
«I wonder how I'm supposed to have sex with big brother now, knowing he's got the magical and vital energy of another succubus in him… It's outright betrayal!» Yuzu adds.
«Not that I did it of my own free will…» Hakuto defends himself, visibly uncomfortable. «Besides, if Ana hadn't given her powers, both Chantal and I would have died. Not to ntion what Raelos would've done if we hadn't stopped him—he was a step away from finding you! Let's just say living with Ana's magical energy inside is a small price compared to what we prevented…»
Rika and Yuzu only mutter under their breath—they know Hakuto is right, but it doesn't make it any less annoying that, in a way, Ana will always be inside him.
Then, Hakuto's gaze suddenly turns deadly serious toward Shin.
«Unfortunately, the situation is far from over. Velshekar now has the body of a vampire and is building an army of them, probably to wage war on HESPARC. I don't know where she is, but through a human she turned, we can lure her out and set a trap. Now that you're in HESPARC, it'll be even easier to get rid of her once and for all,» Hakuto says, his voice full of hope.
But Shin doesn't seem to agree.
«Rember, Velshekar has several connections inside HESPARC, and we don't know who they are. Now that Alexia is gone, even asking Chris for help could be risky, since it would require authorization from the new deputy director of HESPARC U.S.—soone I've never even heard of. For all we know, he could be on Velshekar's payroll, and we can't risk sabotaging such a delicate operation. No matter how strong her new body is, her spirit and magical energy are the sa. When we fought, I already tested her limits—I can assure you they're nothing insurmountable. We can handle this just fine, just , you, and Chantal.»
«If you say so…» Hakuto murmurs, clearly doubtful. «Anyway, Velshekar will be here in Ro in a week—she's eting with the representatives of the Caspada family, the most powerful criminal family in Italy. This is the ambush I ntioned earlier.»
Shin smirks.
«Then I'd say the best way to prepare for a fight with Velshekar is… a nice week of rest.»
Suddenly, everyone falls silent as the TV—until now playing an episode of the soap opera El Suspiro de Valmara (which, thanks to Velune, even Shin has grown fond of)—cuts off abruptly, replaced by the news.
«We interrupt this program for so truly incredible news.»
♡♡♡
In the heart of Iceland's frozen mountains, a vast, cold, and dark chamber.
At the center stands a table with seven chairs, but only one is occupied—by Zhurvak, the blue amphibian creature with bulging yellow eyes.
Zhurvak looks around with a desolate gaze.
The last ti he was here, those sa chairs had been filled by Velshekar, Velune, Eskari, Akashi, and Raelos.
Now, only him.
A mont later, a tremor shakes the entire chamber, and then a portal begins to open—like a pane of liquid glass revealing another world.
On the other side, rocks are clearly visible, but made of minerals completely unknown on Earth.
Through that portal steps an elderly man, draped in a long black cloak, with gray hair and a stern, rciless expression.
Cassian Thalukvar, holding under his arm a thick, heavy book with a completely black cover—no title, no symbols.
It is one of the twelve original copies of the feared Rithzargul—the Dark Grimoire, a to filled with countless dark spells and rituals, written thousands of years ago.
Over the centuries, dozens of copies of the Rithzargul have been made, translated both into the language of N'Raeth and human tongues, and jealously guarded by mbers of the Primordial Shadow Cult.
All except one—kept by HESPARC Italy, taken after they captured a cult mber nearly five hundred years ago.
The copies are identical to the twelve originals, with one difference.
The twelve originals were written directly by the twelve daughters of Nyratalir, and the spirit of each demon resides within its own volu, later entrusted to the twelve founding families of the cult—from which the twelve high priests of the Primordial Shadow Cult descend, among them the Thalukvar family.
Once he steps through the portal—closing behind him—Cassian looks around with clear confusion and irritation.
«I suppose they're not all late…» the man remarks with disdain.
«U-Unfortunately not, my lord…» Zhurvak murmurs nervously. «Akashi betrayed us after taking the Eye of the Fallen-One, Velune, now useless, has fallen into the hands of the Monster Reapers. Eskari and Raelos have been killed, and there's been no news of Velshekar for months.»
Cassian shakes his head in disappointnt.
«I've been gone only six months… and this is the result? I thought I could trust you, Zhurvak, but clearly I was wrong. Leaving the managent of those incompetents in your hands was a grave mistake, and your incompetence will not go unpunished.»
Then Cassian extends his arm toward Zhurvak—a shroud of black smoke begins to swirl around his hand.
«W-Wait, my lord! It's true the mission was a complete failure, but there's still hope! I know where the hybrids are!»
At those words, the black smoke swirling around Cassian's hand dissipates.
«Speak.»
«Well… they're in Ro, my lord. I'm certain of it! That's where Raelos clashed with Shin Tendo's son!»
«Shin Tendo's son…» Cassian repeats. «That brat managed to take down soone like Raelos? Truly impressive.»
«Yes, my lord—it was all because of Raelos's daughter, who sacrificed herself so Shin's son could face him on equal terms and finally defeat him!»
«Not that it makes much difference—soone like Raelos is hardly a problem for . Zhurvak, go to Ro imdiately in human form and search every single street of that city. Once you find them, report to at once.»
«Yes, my lord.»
With that, one of Zhurvak's eyes vanishes, and his body dissolves a mont later into a cloud of yellow smoke.
«Do you plan on hiding there much longer?» Cassian comnts with a grin, turning his gaze toward the hall's entrance.
Slowly, the door creaks open.
A figure steps inside—a young man with neatly combed orange hair, and a bright fuchsia eye with a white cross at its center.
Akashi Chihane, with fierce fuchsia flas swirling violently around his body.
«Cassian Thalukvar… you've finally returned. I've been waiting for you with great impatience,» Akashi says with a malicious grin.
«I take it you're not here to welco ,» Cassian replies with an equally sinister smile.
«My family, my holand, my future… I had to give all of that up just to stand here, in front of you, wielding a power strong enough to kill even soone like you—one of the most powerful mortals in all of N'Raeth!»
The flas around Akashi grow more intense and violent, shaking the entire mountain.
«The final act of my mission: prepare to die, you old bastard!»
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