Hayase opened his eyes to see Yusuke and Amber standing nearby, eagerly awaiting his return.
"See! See! I told you he'd wake up again!" Yusuke exclaimed, lunging in for a hug.
"How's it going, sleepyhead? You've been out for a full week already... did you ever even plan on waking up?" Amber teased.
"I... I don't even know what happened after that night. I just feel so lost right now."
As Hayase sat up, he sensed something nearby. Just then, the door creaked open, and the mysterious cloaked man who had saved them stood at the entrance.
He stared at the trio for a long moment before speaking.
"I'll let you kids catch him up on the situation. When you're done, bring him outside," he said before walking away.
"That's the guy who saved us from those guys, remember? What's he doing here?" Hayase asked.
"After you and Yusuke got stabbed and passed out from exhaustion, Pepper and I carried you here," Amber replied.
Hayase blinked. "Wait—did you just say... Pepper? His name is Pepper?"
"Oh yeah," Yusuke said. "It's a weird name, but I don't think that's his real one. He's hiding something—I mean, he won't even show us his face..."
"As I was saying," Amber continued, "we brought you to this abandoned cabin, and Pepper used some kind of healing technique to treat your wounds. Yusuke woke up two days later, and we've been checking on you ever since. But here's the strange part—Pepper said there's a strange aura coming from you..."
"A strange aura? What could that even mean?" Hayase asked.
"I'm not sure. But he told us that once you woke up, we should bring you to him. He wants to discuss something with all of us."
The three of them stepped outside and found Pepper sitting at a wooden table near the cabin. They joined him, ready to listen.
"There's a reason I saved you three specifically," Pepper began, his voice low and steady. "That should tell you something, especially considering what I'm here for. So now tell me... how did you kids end up in this situation?"
They exchanged glances and began recounting everything that had happened in Eldina—the ambush, their escape, and their confrontation with DeLaRosa.
Pepper nodded thoughtfully. "So... you ran into DeLaRosa while fleeing an ambush. Interesting. But now tell me this—why does that boy have such an ominous aura? It feels like Seikai... and yet it doesn't. Something's not right..."
Hayase interrupted.
"That's impossible, Mr. Pepper! I don't even know how to use Seikai! How can I give off the aura of Seikai if I've never used it?"
"You fool!" Pepper snapped. "Everyone emits Seikai. It's the foundation of your very soul! Don't they teach you this stuff in those little academies of yours? It just takes a true soul to awaken and use abilities. You damn kids don't know anything!"
Amber cleared her throat. "Sir... or should I say, Pepper... despite this being about Hayase, what did you mean when you said what you were here for?"
Though he wore a mask, Pepper's stare pierced through them.
"Eight years ago, my village was taken over by rebel groups—my own people. We were forced to evacuate. Their strength and cruelty... it was unbearable. That's when everything changed.
"I fled into the forest, separated from my parents, chased by brutes. That's when I found this place. Others did too. Back then, the forest was enchanted with life. Nature provided us with everything.
"But then he came—Michi.
"Michi arrived with one of our own, claiming he could help us escape... if we did him a favor. We were desperate, so we agreed.
"He led us to the forest exit—yes, this forest is endless, and no one escapes. But Michi knew how.
"He kept his promise. We reached the village, but his kindness was a lie. He demanded to be declared king—no, a god. When we resisted, he used his Seikai to terrify us into obedience.
"Michi didn't want to help. He wanted power.
"He called himself a god, but he's a fraud. Nothing like our true god, Seishen—"
"Seishen?!" Hayase interrupted.
"Yes. Seishen is the god my people once worshiped before Michi twisted everything. Eventually, Michi forced us to bring him lost travelers from the forest—people like you—for his twisted game.
"I played that game once. I barely survived and escaped. I was weak then... but now, I've returned to stop him and the Michian cult.
"When I saw you struggling against those brutes, I stepped in. You won't survive out here without training. That's why I'm going to teach you the hidden potential within your souls... and free you all from Michi's grasp!"
Yusuke stood up, tears welling in his eyes. He knelt before Pepper.
"Please... if what you say is true, and you truly want to help us—train us!"
Hayase stepped forward. "And let us help you. I may not be the strongest, or as talented with Seikai as Amber, but please—let me help you bring peace back to your people."
Amber followed, her voice filled with passion. "Sir Pepper, I've never heard them speak like this. This is all new to us. We have no purpose anymore—so let us find one with you. We want to become stronger. I've seen your skills with Seikai. I believe you can lead us to a better future. Let us help you!"
Pepper looked at them—Amber, Yusuke, and Hayase. He nodded slowly.
"From this moment forward, you three are my students. We'll fight together, grow together, and push through the darkest times ahead. Your path has been rough—and it will only get rougher from here on out. Let's do this!"
"YEAH!" they shouted in unison.
The wind danced across the forest floor as the trio dashed through trees, dodging branches, leaping riverbanks, and pushing their bodies beyond exhaustion. They trained from dawn to dusk—meditating to strengthen their Seikai, and sparring with Pepper by night.
He taught them the Seishen technique—an ancient defensive stance passed down from his master, Shu. The stance turned defense into overwhelming offense.
Days passed, and the kids overcame battle after battle against other players. With each victory, their speed, agility, and control grew.
Pepper, once doubtful, now saw hope in their eyes.
Amber, already gifted in Fire Seikai, was taught to combine it with Wind—creating powerful and unique flames.
One day, Pepper brought them to a hidden pond he'd discovered years ago.
"This place... it's special," he said. "Amber, sit in the center and meditate. You two, observe."
As Amber meditated, the pond glowed orange—her Seikai awakening.
"What do you see, Young Amber?" he asked.
"I see fire—everywhere. But it's not destructive. It feels... brave. Courageous."
"Good. Is that all?"
"...No. I also see water. Why would I see water mixed with fire?"
Pepper stood there in silence for a bit before speaking.
"You've done well. Stand up."
Next, Yusuke sat and meditated.
"What do you see?"
"Winds... flowing through my mind. They feel strong, like you taught me."
"Anything else?"
"No."
Then came Hayase.
He sat, and soon, his mind filled with visions—Kimiko and emeralds... forming a palace.
"What do you see, Young Hayase?"
"I-I see... the woman from my dreams—Kimiko. And emeralds... the emeralds are forming a palace... the palace where I met her.I can feel her presence in my mind."
Pepper's eyes widened.
"A woman named Kimiko? And emeralds? Fascinating. I believe... you've manifested your own Seikai technique."
"My own... technique?! What does that mean?!"
"Few people awaken personal Seikai techniques—manifestations unique to their soul. While others learn elemental abilities and such yours is different. Emeralds... I've never heard of anything like it."
As the power surged within him, Hayase collapsed briefly, overwhelmed. Pepper examined him.
"Your Seikai output has increased. I wasn't sure before, but now I am—you've awakened something new."
That night, Pepper gathered the group.
"Tomorrow, we begin our mission. North of here lies a palace. Inside dwells a beast—Leon the Beastmaker, a forest keeper. I fought him once and barely escaped.
"This time, with you, we have a chance.
"I'll lead the charge. Amber, you'll support us with potions I made. Hayase, you'll support with your Wind Seikai—and possibly your new ability. Yusuke, you'll be on the front lines. You've shown you're ready despite how old you truly are."
They nodded. Tomorrow would be dangerous—but this was their purpose now.
They returned to the cabin, shared their best meal yet, and went to bed.
Hayase stared at the ceiling.
Am I ready? Will I make it out alive?
Then, a voice echoed in his mind.
"Hey... what's the big worry? Didn't I say I'd always be there to protect you, Hayase? Remember our pact?"
"Kimiko? How are you speaking to me?"
"Silly... don't you remember? We said we'd fight as one. You'll understand everything soon. Just wait."
"...Hey Kimiko," he murmured as he yawned.
"Yes, Hayase?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"...Everything."
He closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
Whatever came tomorrow—he would face it head-on. Because this was just the beginning.
The beginning of the end.