Emberfall Chronicles

Rajiv's Release – The Toll of the Black Cage

The Black Knight stood before the black cube that held Rajiv inside. The temperature around him kept rising, his energy surging as his sword glowed red-hot.

Then—

He swung his blade down with immense force.

CRACK!

The cube shattered like fragile glass, and Rajiv collapsed onto the ground.

His body was shaking, his breath ragged.

For him, it had felt like two days inside that darkness—no sight, no sound, no sense of time. But outside, it had only been a minute.

Rajiv's eyes barely opened.

"Wh… What… happened…?"

The Black Knight knelt beside him, checking his pulse.

"You're alive. That's all that matters."

But there was no time to rest.

Dark Blue 67 was still standing nearby, his expression as calm as ever.

The Black Knight turned toward him, his grip on his sword tightening.

"You will pay for what you've done."

Dark Blue 67 smirked.

"Wait. Before you attack, do you even know why I'm doing this?"

The Black Knight hesitated for a second.

Dark Blue 67 grinned wider.

"Let me tell you a little secret, Black Knight… The world calls me a criminal, but the real evil? It's in front of you."

---

The Truth of the Akaru Clan – A Dark Experiment

Dark Blue 67 pointed toward the battlefield.

"The Akaru Clan—the so-called 'victims'—have become something far worse. You think I attacked this city for no reason? No… I did it because they are my greatest experiment."*

The Black Knight stiffened.

"What are you talking about?"

Dark Blue 67 raised his hand, and suddenly—

A swirling black cube appeared.

Inside, something shifted.

A dark energy pulsated inside the cube, twisting and writhing.

Then, a familiar shape emerged.

Anil.

Or at least… what remained of him.

His body was cold, but his dark energy had not disappeared. It was now trapped within Dark Blue 67's experiment.

Dark Blue 67 chuckled.

"This… is the true purpose of the Strays. I have finally perfected it. My master's grand plan is almost complete."

The Black Knight's eyes narrowed.

"Your master? Who are you talking about?"

Dark Blue 67 only smirked.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Then—

He turned to escape.

Dark smoke surrounded his body, his energy shifting as he prepared to teleport away.

But just before he could vanish—

A white sword flashed through the air.

CLANG!

Dark Blue 67 was forced back, landing a few meters away.

A man in white armor stood where the attack had come from.

A man with a calm yet commanding presence.

The Fourth Leader of the World Government.

White.

---

The Arrival of White – A Long-Awaited Meeting

White held his katana calmly, his gaze fixed on Dark Blue 67.

"Don't run."

Dark Blue 67 clicked his tongue.

"Tch… I should've known you would show up."

White stepped forward, his presence radiating power.

"It's been too long, Black."

The Black Knight didn't respond.

He simply turned away, as if ignoring White's existence.

White sighed.

"Still the same as always."

Dark Blue 67 took this moment to grin.

"Too late."

And before anyone could react—

He vanished into the smoke.

---

Escape & Unfinished Business

The battlefield fell silent for a moment.

White exhaled, sheathing his sword.

"He got away again."

He turned back to the Black Knight.

"You should have stopped him."

But the Black Knight remained silent.

Then, without a word, he turned and left.

White watched him go, his eyes unreadable.

"Still refusing to talk, huh?"

He shook his head.

"This is going to be a problem."

As the chapter ended, Rajiv slowly regained consciousness, still weak from his fight.

And far away, Dark Blue 67 stood in an unknown location, holding the dark energy he had taken from Anil.

His master's plan was not over yet.