Each step felt longer than the last, the wind the only sound accompanying them.
The door was big and wide, enough to fit them all. They stepped inside, only darkness filling the room. Just like before, candles began to light one by one. Inside was a path in the middle, leading to a throne. The room was circular, surrounded by candles.
The seat of the throne was dark and imposing. Its backrest long and intricately designed. The bricks, dark and ancient. No windows on the walls. Only red flags falling from above.
In the middle of the ceiling, a circle. Past it was a view of Dontenslav—like a portal opening into another world. A slight gust of mist surrounded it.
They all stared above. Past the portal was the mountain they knew all too well, its peak reaching the clouds. Night, with only stars shining above.
Right below the portal, in the path leading to the throne, was a circle tainted in red—in the center of the room.
Kyle mumbled to himself in amazement, staring above and at the circle below.
"This is it… I will make sure it stays closed."
The rest were distracted by the gate leading to the Land of No Season. Their faces were pale and filled with intrigue. Dontenslav looked different. Mist already surrounded most of it. Small embers of fire danced in between.
Val shivered.
Have they already reached the village?
He clenched his fist.
Mom… Ray…
Kyle slowly approached the red circle on the floor. Indra looked at him suspiciously.
She spoke in a slightly nervous tone.
"Kyle?"
He turned his face with a smile.
"This… it's our way to close it…"
"We can't let the Netherfall reach the Land of No Season."
Thorn slightly raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
Kyle reached into his bag slowly.
"I just have to grab—"
Suddenly, his voice was interrupted.
Claps began echoing from behind the throne. Slow and steady.
Footsteps echoed in the small room.
A calm, carefree voice followed.
"And here I thought Izanami was dealing with a bunch of nobodies."
A man, tall and slender, peeked from behind the long throne, leaving them all speechless.
He wore light black armor. A long, rough gray cape hung from his back. His feet were covered in metal boots that made each step feel strong and commanding. His hair was red, tied back—long and shiny. His eyes, black and empty. A scar ran through his face, curling with the smile that spread across his pale skin.
"I can't believe I almost have descendants of all the seasons…"
His voice remained cheerful, almost filled with joy. He stepped fully beside the throne. Tall and confident.
"Although you all abandoned your seasons to be here…"
His presence made them all shiver. Kyle turned to face him, pulling his hand away from the bag and resting it on his shoulder instead.
The man shifted his gaze to Thorn.
"You… Lineage of Spring. Son of Freyr."
Then to Phes, his hands intertwining as he grinned.
"Hot-headed daughter of Inari. Who would've thought!"
Indra raised her wand, eyes narrow with a hint of fury.
"Who are you?"
The red-haired man responded casually.
"Oh?"
He pointed to himself with both hands, still smiling wide.
"Me? Next to you, I'm no one—lineage holder of Monsoon, Indra."
Indra gritted her teeth.
"What are you here for? How do you know all this?"
Her gray eyes sharpened. Sweat rolled down her face.
The scarred man ignored her and turned toward Kyle.
"You… Kyle.
The son of the blessed blood, whose blood is worth nothing.
Ironic, isn't it?
Sacred Kyle…"
Kyle's eyes trembled.
"What are you doing here… Orpheus?"
I thought I wouldn't see him again.
The rest stared, confused, at Kyle and the mysterious man—Orpheus.
Val spoke hesitantly.
"You know him, Kyle?"
Kyle nodded.
"It's complicated."
Orpheus laughed loudly, placing both palms over his mouth.
"AHAHAHAHA!"
"I'm just here because I was ordered to evaluate our newcomer…"
"Nice to see you too, thank you very much."
His smile faded as he looked down at Val.
"And who is this?
A bag boy trying to play hero?"
Val gripped his katana, eyes shaking.
"I'm just here to let Izanami play her part.
I'm having quite a bad week already."
He touched the scar that crossed both of his eyes in a horizontal line, then turned his gaze toward the bald, gaunt man.
"Damn your father, Thorn…"
Thorn's glare sharpened, just as fierce as Orpheus's.
Thorn spoke grabing his shield from behind his back.
"What did you do to him!"
Orpheus placed his hand in his chest.
"Me?"
"I couldn't do nothing really."
His mouth opening in the corner revealing his teeth.
"Tch…"
"Well then…" Orpheus said, his voice returning to a jolly tone.
"Bye-bye. I leave you with her."
He clapped twice and vanished from sight. Nothing of him remained.
After he disappeared, two more claps echoed from behind the throne.
Suddenly, Izanami sat upon the throne. Before any of them could process what had just happened, their gazes locked onto her.
Her long golden hair flowed gracefully, well-kept. Her gaze was sharp and dignified behind her brilliant blue eyes. Her clothes were white and fitted. Her armored shoulders, gray and gleaming. She brushed dust off the throne with a relaxed sigh.
"Let me guess…"
"…Orpheus."
"To think you'd be foolish enough to walk willingly into one of the gates…"
Kyle gritted his teeth, dropping the bag right next to him.
"Stop this… It will soon reach the city."
He stepped forward.
"Thousands will die."
Izanami smiled.
"Are you just narrating my plan to me?"
She sighed.
She rose from the throne, her hair falling loose. Her feet touched the cold stone floor. A smirk formed on her lips.
In the next moment, she dashed toward Kyle with terrifying speed.
Val's eyes widened. He screamed.
"Don't let her touch you!"
A split second before impact, Phes and Thorn stepped in front of Kyle. Thorn's shield slammed down, bracing for the hit. Phes's eyes ignited, her fist ablaze and ready for Izanami's face.
Phes snarled.
"Try and touch me now, will you?"
"…Monster."
Izanami raised her hand, stopping just before contact. She smiled wide.
"My pleasure!"
Before she could act further, a bolt of lightning crashed down from above.
Izanami dodged just before impact.
She looked down, her expression darkening.
"You are quite annoying."
In a blink, she appeared behind Indra and Val, her hand aimed at Indra.
Just as she reached for her face, Val swung his katana at her neck.
She stopped, her expression soft as her eyes met Val's.
"My Winter…
Just wait, and I'll take care of them.
Then we can be together again."
She smiled warmly.
Val screamed.
"STOP!"
His eyes trembled.
"You don't have to do this, Izanami…
Close the gate!"
She giggled, relaxing, her hand lowering from Indra's face.
Indra panted beside her, soaked in sweat.
"After all we've been through, my Winter…
You think you have a say in this?!"
Before she could lunge again, Thorn slammed into her with his shield, sending her flying toward the ancient wall. The candles flickered violently.
Thorn caught his breath.
"I think he does…"
Izanami's body crashed into rubble. Slowly, she pushed a slab off, freeing herself.
Kyle stood near the red circle, stuffing shards of armor into the floor with shaking hands.
Faster… faster…
DO IT RIGHT DAMN IT!
Izanami stood, brushing off the last of the debris. Her white armor, now cracked and dusted, lost its once-pristine dignity. Her voice grew uneven.
"Oh…"
She rubbed her neck slightly.
"All of you have grown quite…"
Her grin faded.
"…Arrogant."
Phes hurled a sphere of fire—like a falling star—toward her. Izanami dodged effortlessly and appeared behind Phes, one hand cupping her chin casually, her wide eyes gleaming.
"Let's see who's more annoying."
A root surged from below, but Izanami vanished again, reappearing behind Thorn.
"Hmm… not you."
A thunderstrike followed tearing pieces of the concrete floor apart.. She dodged again, disappearing completely.
Her calm gray eyes were now shaken.
Val stood in front of Indra, scanning the room.
"Where is she?!"
Indra stared at Val, eyes wide.
"I… I don't kno—"
Her eyes went empty.
The atmosphere froze.
Val stared at Indra, his heart racing. His legs trembled.
A hand, soaked in blood, emerged from Indra's chest.
Her body turned pale. Her life faded.
Val whispered.
"No—"
Phes's scream echoed across the room, pain twisting her voice.
"INDRA!"
Indra's voice was faint.
"S-Sorry…"
"I couldn't hold any longer…"
Her body dropped the impact raising dust from the floor, revealing Izanami behind her. Their friend, Indra, who had been with them for all of their adventures. Her calm eyes. Her smile, her nervousness. The times she held out her hand for Val, comforting him. All now gone. Taken away from them by the heir of death.
Silence consumed the room.
Izanami's twisted smile returned.
Her voice echoed.
"Who's…"
She wiped Indra's blood from her hand, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"…Next?"