Narcissus stood before them on the sunlit shore, grinning wide. "Akime, Reo—both of you. Now."

  They dropped into fighting stances, hesitant but ready. Narcissus palmed a small rock from his belt. "Be ready."

  He tossed it skyward—zeep-boom. In a blur, he hammered Reo's ribs. Reo crumpled to his knees, gasping.

  Akime glanced his way—saw Narcissus's fist instead of Reo. Boom. The punch sent her skidding across the sand.

  Narcissus reappeared at his spot, catching the rock mid-air. It hadn't dropped an inch.

  The scene shifted to the Cygnus continent, Deneb Empire—Jiho lounged on his throne. "Stupid gods. Time to unseal the scroll."

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Flashback: Child Jiho darted through the night castle, spotting a shadowed figure. The man beckoned. "Jiho."

  No hesitation—Jiho approached. The stranger pressed a scroll into his hands. "Keep this hidden—"

  Back at Middle Island, nightfall crept in, sun dipping low. Akime and Reo slumped by the shore fire, battered from training. Instead of despair, laughter bubbled between them.

  Reo grinned through swollen lips. "I will crush tomorrow's training session."

  Akime and Reo clasped hands by the fire, laughter fading as Narcissus approached from behind. He gripped their joined hands firmly. "Time to go."

  Confused but trusting, they walked hand-in-hand toward the forest edge. In slow motion, Reo froze—a terrifying aura buckled his legs.

  Akime glanced left—a shadowed figure loomed beside Reo, monk's spade raised to behead him. Narcissus smiled calmly—zeep-boom.

  In a blur of unbelievable speed, Narcissus hauled them back to the cave entrance. "We're here. Sleep," he said.

  Reo stammered, "What about you?"

  “Me? Just guarding the entrance. Don't worry." His smile unwavering, he sat cross-legged. "Trust me—not a finger touches you. Prioritize sleep."

  Terror lingered, but relief washed over them at his words.