The days that followed were a blur of hiding, whispers, and fear.
The town of Arvendale was no longer safe. Streets were patrolled by men in dark cloaks. Strange symbols appeared on alley walls — warnings or traps. News reports spoke of "terrorist incidents" and unexplained disappearances.
But Eren and his friends knew the truth:
They were being hunted.
In an abandoned warehouse, Mira spread maps and old records across the floor.
"I found something," she said quietly. "There are stories of a secret order… hunters. For centuries, they've sought to prevent the return of a being called 'The Eternal Flame.'"
Sol raised an eyebrow. "Sounds dramatic."
Mira gave him a pointed look. "It gets worse. The Eternal Flame is described as a dragon. Not a myth. A force of rebirth. Each cycle, it returns… in human form."
Kade glanced at Eren. "Sounds familiar."
Eren swallowed hard.
Before he could respond, the ground trembled.
A low hum vibrated through the walls.
Lyra's eyes widened. "They found us."
The warehouse doors exploded inward.
Figures cloaked in black poured in, moving unnaturally fast. Their leader stepped forward — a tall figure with a silver mask, the mark of a dragon carved across it.
"Give him to us," the leader commanded, voice cold and metallic.
Eren stepped forward, heart racing. "Why me?!"
The leader tilted his head. "Because you are not meant to exist."
Dark energy gathered in the leader's hand. He hurled it at Eren — but instinct took over.
Eren raised his hand.
The energy dissolved before reaching him, evaporating in a flash of golden light.
Gasps filled the room.
The leader snarled. "He's awakening. Take him!"
The cloaked figures rushed forward.
Kade and Sol fought desperately, wielding pipes and chains. Mira used quick traps to slow them down.
But there were too many.
Lyra grabbed Eren's arm. "Go! We'll hold them!"
"I can't leave you!"
She kissed him quickly, fiercely. "You have to survive."
Reluctantly, Eren ran.
Outside, the night sky twisted.
Colon's voice boomed in Eren's head:
"You cannot run forever. Turn and face them."
"I'm not ready!" Eren gasped.
"You are. Trust me."
The shadows closed in.
Eren turned.
Power surged through his veins. He spread his arms, and golden fire erupted from his palms, forming a shield around him.
The attackers slammed into the shield and recoiled, shrieking.
But the leader stepped through the flames unharmed.
"You cannot stop us," the masked figure growled.
Eren clenched his fists, fire swirling around him.
"I can try."
They clashed.
The battle was raw and chaotic.
Eren's instincts guided him — fire answered his thoughts, his reflexes faster than ever. But the masked leader was powerful, striking with dark energy that drained strength.
Finally, the leader struck a heavy blow to Eren's chest, sending him crashing through crates.
Pain seared through his body. He couldn't move.
The leader loomed over him, raising a blade crackling with black lightning.
"This ends now."
But before the strike could fall —
A blinding burst of gold light erupted between them.
Colon appeared, in full form, standing between Eren and the attacker.
"You will not touch him."
The leader hissed. "You."
Colon's eyes glowed. "Leave now… or be unmade."
The leader hesitated. Then gave a sharp command.
The attackers vanished into shadow.
Colon knelt beside Eren, his hand glowing as he healed his wounds.
"You did well," Colon said softly.
Eren gasped. "Who are they?"
Colon's expression hardened. "The Order of the Hollow Star. Their purpose is to stop you from remembering who you are."
Eren's head spun.
"I need answers," he whispered.
Colon nodded.
"Soon, Eren. Soon, you will know everything. But first… you must survive."