Lucien Veylor emerged from the skies like a phantom king, cloaked in shadows, hovering over the ruins of Kaigenshiro. From the deep beneath, demons and monstrous beasts cried out in praise. Their roars echoed through the void as Lucien raised a single vial above his head—a tear of divine origin, glowing like liquid crimson light.
With a cruel smile, he declared,
"With this Sky Tear, our world will rise again! We shall reclaim what was lost! Let the old world fall, and ours rise in blood!"
A wave of excitement exploded from the demon horde. Cheers. Screeches. The madness of a rebirth they believed was theirs.
---
Back in the Overworld.
The ground was quiet, smothered in ash and broken stone. Ren's body lay still, covered in a blanket. His breath was shallow. Elden Louve knelt beside him, healing potions spread around him like scattered prayers.
"Damn it…" Elden muttered as he looked over the fallen city. "I didn't expect Kaigenshiro to be… destroyed like this. Everyone... gone. My city… erased in a blink."
A tear slipped from his eye.
Nearby, Souta lay in Aria's lap as she carefully poured healing drops on his wounds. Souta's voice was weak, a whisper lost in the wind.
"Ren's been through so much... I just hope he's still the friend I knew. The one I started all this with…"
---
Arisa stood before her father, eyes wet and trembling.
"I'm sorry… father."
Lorth, eyes cold and expression void of warmth, replied flatly,
"She's gone. But that's no longer our concern."
He turned his back.
Arisa screamed behind him.
"What do you mean!? Her death meant nothing to you?! Did she deserve that?! Is that what you're saying?!"
Lorth glanced over his shoulder, voice sharp as ice.
"Her death was a necessary silence. She chose her path. I choose not to mourn what chose to die."
He turned fully.
"As for you… Arisa Noir, you're no longer a Holy Knight. Once we return to Sanctum, your title is revoked."
"But fath—"
"One more word," Lorth snarled, "and you'll join her in death… by my hands."
He walked away without another glance.
---
Lorth approached Kesshō, who stood battered and panting.
"So… you're a demon."
"So it took you this long to figure that out?" Kesshō said with a dry smile.
"Why help us?"
"Because I want peace," Kesshō replied, voice calm but firm. "Not war. I just want a normal life."
Lorth's eyes flared.
"Demons don't get to live. They exist to be exterminated—by any means necessary."
Kesshō narrows his eyebrow, annoyed.
"The hell are you even saying?"
Souta forced himself up, voice low but defiant.
"Sir… no offense, but that's not how the world works anymore. Especially not when the end is right around the corner."
Lorth snarled, stepping closer.
"You think I don't know? That your friend—Ren Akagawa—isn't just some boy? He's a weapon! The son of Azakael, the Demon King of Roots, forged in war, bred in chaos! And you want me to spare him? Are you mad?! Maybe… you're a demon too."
"Shut up, Lorth!!" Velmira Noir screamed, her body shaking with pain. Elden tossed her another potion.
"Here—drink it. You need strength."
She nodded, tears falling as she poured it over her body. Elden glanced at her solemnly.
"What about your sister?"
She lowered her head, silent. Elden's eyes dimmed.
---
Itsuki groaned, confused.
"What… happened to Ren? What happened to everything?"
Aria looked at him sadly.
"You don't remember anything?"
"I… just remember saying sorry to Ren. That's it…"
Souta watched in silence, wide-eyed.
Then—Ren moved.
Everyone turned. Kesshō tensed, drawing his blade.
"Ren Akagawa. Are you alright?"
Ren slowly stood, eyes dull.
"Who… are all of you?"
A stunned silence followed.
"Ren…?" Souta stepped forward, eyes glimmering with hope.
"I… I don't know who that is," Ren said, stepping back. "Why are you all so hurt? What happened here?"
Souta ran to him and hugged him tightly.
"It's me, Souta! Don't you remember—"
Ren pushed him away.
"Don't touch me! You… you humans… you're scaring me."
Arisa stepped forward.
"You've forgotten… haven't you?"
"I'm not Ren!" he snapped, rage in his voice. "Don't call me that name!!"
They stood face-to-face.
Lorth prepared to strike—but Arisa raised her hand.
"Stay where you are!"
She gently placed her palm on Ren's face. His eye flickered red as rage stirred again. But her voice, soft as a whisper, broke through.
"If you're not Ren Akagawa… then tell me—what is your name?"
He blinked. Then closed his eyes.
"…I don't have a name."
She smiled through tears.
"Then… would you let me give you one?"
He nodded slowly.
She took a breath and said,
"From now on… your name will be Raien Kagatsuki."
He whispered it aloud.
"Raien… Kagatsuki…"
A faint smile curled at his lips.
"I like it."
Souta wept silently.
"Ren… is gone."