Joshua's boots crunched against the cobbled path leading deeper into the Slums, where the glow of noble estate torches gave way to flickering oil lanterns and the smell of spice, smoke, and sweat. The streets were narrower here, buildings packed tight like secrets, and voices murmured behind shaded curtains and cracked doors.
He walked casually, hands behind his head, but his eyes darted from shadow to shadow.
Something felt off.
A chill rolled down his spine that had nothing to do with the wind.
He slowed his steps slightly, then veered off into a side alley, cutting between buildings stacked like shoddy puzzles. The sounds of the market dulled behind him.
A second pair of footsteps echoed lightly, barely there but there.
Someone was following him.
He turned a corner sharply and waited.
Silence.
Then...
Whuff.
A gust of wind rolled through the alley, carrying the scent of dried lavender and incense.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps quickened. A figure in a hooded black cloak darted into the alley behind him, hand outstretched toward his back, palm glowing faintly gold.
Without hesitation, Joshua twisted, his clawed hand flashing up with supernatural speed grasping the wrist.
His other arm swung forward, claws extended, fingers aiming straight for the attacker's throat.
But he stopped, just inches from the delicate skin of a young woman's neck.
The hood had fallen back, whipped away by the force of her approach.
She wasn't a rogue or an assassin.
She was a witch.
A noble witch.
Her long, raven-black hair flowed behind pointed ears, gold-glowing eyes locked on his with unreadable calm. Her skin was flawless, pale like untouched marble, except for the golden energy rippling across her hand.
Joshua's claws trembled at her throat, but she didn't flinch.
Instead, she laughed, soft, amused, dangerous.
"You should have killed me," she said.
Before he could react, her free hand shot forward, glowing brighter now and pressed flat against his chest.
"Wai...!"
FLASH.
A blinding golden light exploded around him.
The world shifted.
Gravity twisted.
Sound warped.
When the light cleared...
Joshua was standing in front of the Church in the heart of the human district.
Surrounded.
Stone pillars loomed around him like ancient judges, and golden banners bearing the holy cross of the Church fluttered in the breeze.
Rows of armored Holy Knights stood in formation around him, swords drawn but not yet raised. Their silver-white armor glinted in the morning sun, and the faint scent of incense and steel filled the air.
Directly in front of him, a familiar pair stepped forward.
Joan, tall and cold-eyed, armor scorched but gleaming, stood to the left. Her blade rested against her shoulder casually, but her eyes never blinked.
Beside her was Grace.
Joshua's heart jolted.
Her once-beautiful face now bore three jagged, discolored scars that tore from her right temple down across her cheek and lip, a brutal souvenir from her fight with Blanchette. One eye was permanently dulled.
But her hatred? Very much alive.
And then… from behind them…
A figure stepped forward from the grand oak doors of the Church.
The Pope.
No longer in his pristine white ceremonial robes, but in charred, reinforced vestments, etched with runes and burning incense.
His face bore a massive scar, arcing like a thunderbolt from his left brow across his nose and ending at his jaw. His eyes were shadowed, colder, darker.
Joshua's fists clenched.
"…Really should've slashed her throat," he muttered under his breath.
The noble witch stepped from behind him, golden aura still shimmering around her hands.
"Sorry for the rough greeting," she said sweetly.
Joan took a step forward, her voice cold and regal. "Welcome back, Joshua Xeno."
Grace unsheathed her sword slowly, the scrape echoing like thunder. "We've been waiting for you."
The Pope raised a hand, and all knights snapped to attention.
"Joshua Xeno," the Pope intoned. "The monster who corrupted the Princess to attack the Church."
He smiled, scar twisting it into something monstrous.
"Welcome to your slaughter."
Joshua's claws slid out once more.
And the golden wind howled.