The glowing railcar comes to a halt as the group steps into Aeravell — a floating city of stone towers and mechanical wings, bustling with traders, magical engineers, and whispering winds.
Marine (in awe):
"This place… it's like the sky became a city."
Megum (scanning):
"Perfect. We'll blend in here. The Aether signals should stay hidden—"
Before he can finish, Isaka suddenly turns her head sharply.
Isaka (softly):
"...He's here again."
Kazuya (tense):
"The one following us?"
Isaka (nodding):
"I still can't identify him. He moves like smoke. But he's watching."
---
Scene: The Hidden Stalker
On a high ledge, cloaked in shadow, the mysterious figure watches as Marine laughs with Luci. The figure's red eyes glint for a moment.
> "So close… and yet, not yet mine."
Scene: The Sudden Shift — Hokori Arrives
Just as the group settles in a crowded plaza, the air drops in temperature. The wind halts. A dark pulse echoes through the city.
Isaka:
"No… that's not the stalker. This is something else."
Cracks spread through the sky. A black rift opens above the plaza. From within steps Hokori, cloaked in living shadows, eyes burning like coals.
Hokori (coldly):
"Found you."
Panic spreads. Civilians scream and scatter.
Marine (terrified):
"Who… is that?!"
Kazuya:
"Hokori. The one who destroyed Airladinas."
Luci (readying weapon):
"Here we go."
---
Scene: Isaka vs Hokori – The First Clash
Hokori lands silently, walking toward Marine.
Hokori:
"You don't even know what you are… do you, child?"
Isaka (steps between them):
"Take another step, and I'll break your spine."
Energy explodes around Isaka. Her eyes go white. Her shield unfolds into sharp glowing wings.
Hokori (smirking):
"A machine dares to challenge me? How quaint."
They clash — explosions of Aether and shadow. Isaka uses high-speed barrier strikes, Hokori counters with cursed fire. Buildings crack, the air warps with energy.
Marine watches in horror as Isaka begins to falter, one of her arms smoking and sparking.
---
Scene: A New Presence – The Silent Watcher
Suddenly — everyone freezes. Not from a spell, but from an overwhelming presence.
The shadowed figure is no longer hiding. Black Kai is watching from the edge of a rooftop, still and unreadable.
Hokori pauses mid-attack, eyes narrowing.
Hokori (tense):
"...You."
A beat of silence. The two powerful beings lock eyes across the plaza.
Hokori (growling):
"This isn't your moment… yet."
He turns, his cloak swirling into smoke.
Hokori (to Marine):
"Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, little Core. I'll be back."
He disappears into the rift. Silence falls. The skies return to normal.
---
Scene: Aftershock
Marine:
"W-What just happened? Who was that other person…?"
Isaka (limping, one arm sparking):
"I don't know who he is… but Hokori was afraid. That's enough to terrify me."
Kazuya (softly):
"It couldn't be…"
Marine (looking toward the rooftop):
"I felt… heat. Rage. And something else…"
---