The scene opens inside Excidium's sanctuary. The spirit of destruction is chained, its gaze fixed and impassive, surrounded by chains that seem to glow with a dark shimmer. The sanctuary is vast, with black stone pillars and ancient runes faintly glowing red. Excidium hangs suspended, its chains coiling around it like vigilant serpents.
The frame widens to show Izumi from behind, observing Excidium intently. His gaze is a mix of fear and fascination, while Excidium remains stoic, a primordial force held back only by the chains. The sanctuary exudes a sense of raw, restrained power, ready to be unleashed at any moment.
Izumi wakes abruptly, his heart pounding and his body drenched in cold sweat. He sits up quickly, looking around to figure out where he is. He sees Takeru and Niori already awake, both visibly angry and distressed by the betrayal they've suffered. They're in a cold, damp cell with stone walls and reinforced metal bars. The only light comes from a torch on the opposite wall, casting dancing shadows across the small space.
Takeru, with a sarcastic tone, remarks: "You know, I think asking a random guy in a bar for help and straight-up telling him you want him to kill one of the most powerful dudes around isn't a great idea, huh?"
Niori huffs and snaps back: "Shut up."
Niori notices Izumi is awake and recalls the scene at her grandfather's house. She turns to him with an urgent look.
Niori: "Hey! Can't you do that thing, like back at Grandpa's house—that plasma stuff?"
Izumi, confused, asks: "What?"
Niori, trying to explain, says: "Those energy beams! When that guy attacked us! You saved us!"
Izumi tries to recall and replies: "I don't remember anything. After seeing those eyes… everything went dark. All I felt was hate and rage—I couldn't see or hear anything. When I woke up, I was already in the cave."
Lumen Joins the Conversation:
Lumen, leaning against the wall outside the cell, interrupts: "Yours is Excidium, right? Ironically, the strongest one here has no clue how to use his own power."
Izumi, still confused, asks: "My what?"
Lumen explains patiently: "Your spirit, the one wriggling and twisting inside you. It's the spirit of destruction, and all it craves is just that. It's your natural role."
Niori, out of patience, yells: "Get lost!"
Lumen continues, ignoring Niori's outburst: "He's the brother of Genesis, the guy up there. Spirit of creation, who ironically wants to wipe out all of humanity…"
Niori, furious, demands: "And what does that have to do with us? Why are you still here?"
Lumen replies with a darker tone: "Lucky for me, I got stuck babysitting you since I'm the one who brought you here."
Lumen's Explanation of Ether:
Lumen begins to elaborate: "What you saw is Ether, energy that comes from spirits, straight from their core—their essence. The essence naturally circulates Ether through the body, like blood vessels, and it can be easily manipulated and expelled, taking whatever shape the user desires and can manage."
Takeru, cutting in with a joke, says: "The guy locks us up and now wants to play teacher."
Lumen tries to stay patient and continues: "The essence circulates Ether naturally through the body, like blood vessels, and it can be easily manipulated and expelled, taking whatever shape the user desires and can manage."
Takeru, growing impatient, snaps: "And? Get to the point."
Lumen turns to Izumi: "Izumi, hold out your hand."
Izumi's Demonstration:
Izumi extends his hand toward the cell bars, palm open.
Lumen instructs: "Imagine several channels and rivers inside your arm, flowing toward your palm."
Izumi complies, focusing.
Lumen continues: "Concentrate it…"
A small black orb forms in Izumi's palm.
Lumen gives the final command: "And release."
The orb shoots forward, obliterating the space where the Ether touches, clearing a path for their escape.
Lumen, pleased, says: "Very good. You'll need to use that soon, so get ready…"
The Capture:
With rays emanating from his body, Lumen moves in a single flash and knocks the three unconscious again, dragging them to the main hall.
The Confrontation with Genesis:
The trio wakes once more, this time in a grand hall surrounded by several people. The hall is opulent, with marble columns and ancient tapestries. At its center is an elevated throne where Genesis sits, Lumen standing behind him. The atmosphere is tense, charged with the anticipation of an imminent clash.
Genesis begins speaking in a calm, calculated tone: "You almost escaped—that's impressive, managing to manipulate and use Ether with almost no knowledge. To make things simple, I only need Excidium to purify all of you. So, if you'd kindly hand him over, you can go home and enjoy whatever time you have left with your families—"
Niori, furious and teary-eyed, interrupts: "And how could I do that when you're the one who killed my grandfather?"
Genesis pauses briefly and responds, visibly affected: "That… truly pained my heart to do, but I knew that if I faced him head-on, he wouldn't stop until either he or I was dead. So I just sped up the process, spared him the agony of fighting with his body wounded like that. But I genuinely admired his persistence in protecting his family…"
The Escape Plan:
One of Genesis's men approaches the trio, positioning himself behind Izumi. Izumi feels a rising anger but tries to stay calm while devising a plan.
Lumen, giving Izumi a subtle nod, comments: "You know, it all boils down to a river flowing to the same place, no matter where it starts…"
The man looks down and sees an orb in Izumi's palm. Before he can react, the orb explodes, knocking him out instantly.
The Battle:
Taking advantage of the surprise, Lumen moves swiftly, eliminating the remaining four men in an instant, like a bolt of lightning. He unties the trio, and they all realize the dire situation: they'll have to face Genesis together.
The chapter ends with Genesis looking at them, his expression one of disapproval and disappointment. The tension is palpable, and the battle to come promises to be decisive.