The cold night wind swept violently across the Arkhan Forest as Red and the others rushed toward the rising smoke.
Branches snapped beneath their feet.
The deeper they ran, the heavier the atmosphere became.
Even the forest itself seemed disturbed.
The crimson moon above cast an unnatural glow over the trees, turning the entire forest blood-red. Shadows stretched endlessly between the trunks, twisting like living creatures beneath the moonlight.
Red tightened his grip around the broken sword hanging at his side.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Ahead of him, Keya and Neya moved quickly through the darkness. Their expressions were tense, filled with fear and desperation as they approached what used to be their hidden residence.
Then finally
They arrived.
The twins froze instantly.
The small residence that once stood peacefully between the trees had completely collapsed. Flames devoured the remains of the wooden structure while thick smoke rose endlessly into the crimson sky.
Neya's breathing trembled.
"No…"
Keya stood speechless.
The warmth of their home… the place where they had hidden for years… was gone.
Reduced to ashes.
Red slowly stepped closer, staring at the destruction around him. Pieces of burned furniture were scattered across the ground while sparks floated endlessly through the air.
Then
Uncle Star suddenly stopped walking.
His expression darkened.
"...We're not alone."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
A cold pressure descended upon the area.
The fire around the ruins flickered violently as footsteps slowly echoed from within the smoke.
Step.
Step.
Step.
From the burning remains emerged a tall figure dressed entirely in black.
A long dark coat swayed gently behind them while silver markings glowed faintly along the edges of the fabric. Their face remained hidden beneath a shadowed hood, but one thing was unmistakable.
Their eyes.
Cold golden eyes that glowed beneath the flames.
Neya instinctively stepped backward.
"...Who are you?"
The mysterious figure tilted their head slightly.
Then they smiled.
A calm smile devoid of warmth.
"Codename SJW #005."
The voice was low and composed.
"Justice Group Silentium Ludicium."
The moment those words were spoken, Uncle Star's eyes narrowed sharply.
"...Justice Group."
Red looked confused.
"You know them?"
Uncle Star did not answer immediately.
His expression alone was enough.
That name carried danger.
Immense danger.
SJW #005 slowly looked toward Red.
"So you are the child."
The flames around the ruins suddenly intensified as if reacting to their gaze.
Red instinctively stepped back.
"The Red Moon vessel."
Silence filled the air.
Keya immediately moved in front of Red protectively.
"We won't let you take him."
SJW #005 stared at her quietly for several seconds.
Then
"Interesting."
A sudden burst of energy exploded outward.
BOOOOMM!!
The ground cracked beneath their feet as invisible pressure spread through the area like a violent storm. Red felt his body grow heavy instantly, as though the air itself had become solid.
Neya nearly collapsed.
"What… is this…?!"
Uncle Star gritted his teeth.
"...Spirit Pressure."
The mysterious figure slowly raised one hand.
"I did not come here to fight."
Despite the calmness of the voice, the overwhelming aura surrounding them said otherwise.
SJW #005 looked toward the crimson moon above.
"The prophecy has begun."
Red frowned.
"...What prophecy?"
The golden-eyed figure remained silent briefly before speaking again.
"When the crimson moon awakens… the sealed bloodline shall return."
A powerful gust of wind suddenly swept across the ruins.
The flames spiraled violently around SJW #005 like living serpents.
"The Aurelius Circle already knows."
Keya's eyes widened.
"So that's why they're searching for him…"
SJW #005 slowly nodded.
"The balance of this world is beginning to collapse."
Red could barely understand any of it.
Bloodline?
Prophecy?
Balance?
Everything sounded insane.
Yet somehow… terrifyingly real.
Then suddenly
CRACK.
A strange sound echoed from beneath Red's feet.
His eyes widened.
The ground beneath him began glowing faintly red.
"...What?"
Neya noticed it immediately.
"Red!"
Before anyone could react
BOOOOMM!!
A massive surge of crimson energy erupted from Red's body.
The explosion of power blasted everyone backward violently.
The surrounding flames bent outward from the pressure while the trees themselves shook uncontrollably.
Red screamed in pain.
"AAAGHHH!!"
Visions flooded his mind instantly.
Blood.
Ruins.
A giant crimson gate.
Countless shadows kneeling beneath a red sky.
And standing above them all
A figure with glowing scarlet eyes.
Watching him.
Waiting.
Red collapsed onto one knee, breathing heavily.
"W-What was that…?"
SJW #005 stared silently at him.
Then for the very first time
Their calm expression slightly changed.
"...Impossible."
Uncle Star slowly stood back up.
His face had become completely serious.
"He awakened too early…"
Keya looked toward him immediately.
"What do you mean?!"
But before Uncle Star could answer
SJW #005 suddenly stepped forward.
Fast.
Too fast.
In an instant, they appeared directly before Red.
Neya gasped.
"So fast—!"
The mysterious figure stared directly into Red's eyes.
For several seconds, silence consumed everything.
The—
"...You truly are him."
A sudden killing intent exploded from the surroundings.
SHIIIIIING!!
Uncle Star immediately appeared between them, blocking SJW #005 with surprising speed.
"Back away from the kid."
The cheerful fisherman from before was gone.
What stood there now felt entirely different.
Dangerous.
Ancient.
SJW #005 quietly observed him.
"...So you finally stopped pretending."
Uncle Star smirked slightly.
"Took you long enough to notice."
The air between them trembled violently.
Two overwhelming presences collided silently.
Even the flames around the ruins began weakening beneath the pressure.
Red stared in shock.
Who exactly… was Uncle Star?
And why did this terrifying person know him?
The crimson moon above continued glowing ominously as fate slowly began moving once again.