Shameless One

June and September casually passed through the gates of Sila, with June scanning the surroundings in curiosity, while September walked in steady silence, his focus unwavering.

"Why is this city so quiet? Did they already get wind of our arrival?" June muttered, lost in thought as his gaze swept across the eerily empty streets.

"Not a chance," September replied flatly. "We've left a trail of destruction in the cities we passed. It will be noticed soon enough, but not this fast."

June shrugged, continuing to walk. A hundred theories swirled in his mind. Perhaps the boy they were searching for was the cause of this unsettling stillness. With a soft sigh, a black orb materialized in his hand, its surface cracked and unstable, radiating an ominous glow.

"Wait, June…" September's voice cut through the quiet, his gaze lifting to focus on the top of a tall building. "Isn't that…?"

"March!" June exclaimed, his tone a mixture of surprise, annoyance, and something closer to exasperation.

The girl perched atop the building and turned her gaze toward them, though her expression betrayed no surprise. With a casual leap, she descended effortlessly from the building, landing gracefully in front of June and September.

"Well, well, if it isn't June and September," March greeted, her voice laced with a lazy, childish drawl. "I thought you'd show up eventually, but wow, you guys are slow."

June shook his head in mock frustration. "Of course, with August by your side, you can practically blink and be anywhere. Lucky bastard. And then there's me, stuck with…" His voice trailed off as he gestured behind him toward September.

September remained unperturbed, his voice cold. "What's the deal with this city? Is this just for your entertainment, or is it by boss's command?"

March let out a playful laugh. "Entertainment, of course. There's someone in the castle who's willing to sacrifice everything for something completely meaningless. I couldn't pass up the chance for a little fun." She pointed toward the central castle of Sila. "I've decided to 'help him out,' you know? I love helping people."

With a wicked smile, she continued, "And by the way, the boy the boss wants is also here."

"Are you trying to steal the credit from us?" September asked, his voice icy, clearly uninterested in engaging in more banter.

"Hmm, probably not. Credit means nothing to me," March said with a shrug, her smile returning. "But if you do find the boy, make sure you hand him over to me first. I'd like to do a quick checkup."

June rolled his eyes, shrugging in amusement. "Having an entire city to play with isn't enough for you?"

"Actually, that's the boss's order, not entertainment," March's grin deepened. Won't take long, just a quick examination."

September pressed on arrogantly. "Antonio Valdis can do whatever he wants with him once we bring him back. What's the rush?"

"Antonio?" March's voice turned dismissive. "No, no, no. Mister Valdis isn't the boss I was referring to." As she spoke, a portal materialized behind her.

Turning toward it, March grinned. "I was talking about the one behind him." She leapt into the portal with an energetic flourish, her voice echoing as she disappeared. "Take care, you two!"

June reached out instinctively, but the portal closed before he could grasp anything. He stood still for a moment, puzzled. "Who's this person behind Antonio Valdis? December always said he was the leader," he muttered.

September sighed, shaking his head as he began walking toward the central castle. "Hmph. Must be that maniac again. What he's up to this time… I don't know. And frankly, I don't care."

June shook his head and trailed after September. The two walked in silence down the barren streets, their destination clear—the central castle of Sila.

"June," September finally spoke, his voice unusually reflective, "have you ever heard of Shun, Head of Starflame?"

June raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk forming. "Wow, first time you've ever started a conversation. Guess today's full of surprises." He paused, then added thoughtfully, "Wait, is Shun the one March was hinting at?"

"That's also the first time you've caught on so quickly. Maybe I'm rubbing off on you." September's pace didn't falter, his gaze fixed ahead. "Probably, but March is still young, she doesn't know the complete story. Shun wasn't a leader of Antonio—more of a partner. Their alliance was his suggestion. March might have meant someone else, though I can't say for sure."

June snapped his fingers. "I remember now! Shun! He's one of the seven Harbingers, isn't he?"

"Exactly," September replied, his tone even. "But titles like that don't hold much weight anymore. What matters is the organization he once led: the Starflame Community. Every member of that group wielded power beyond imagination. Even with all the ethereal arms we've gathered, I doubt we'd stand a chance against them."

June's face twisted with disbelief. "No way. After everything we've been through? All the arms we've acquired? You're telling me we'd still lose?"

Ignoring the outburst, September continued, his voice steady. "The previous Shadow of Starflame was David Xshasi, son of Sirius Xshasi. He and his wife, Eva, were two of the strongest individuals of their time. Yet, they both perished in a supposed accident around ten years ago."

June frowned, his curiosity piqued. "How do you even know all this? Ten years ago, we were both trapped in the Bog. Where'd you get your intel?"

"I have my ways." September adjusted the helmet on his head. "Information comes at a cost, and I've paid it. If Sirius Xshasi was the previous owner of the Distributor, and the boy Antonio's after is the current owner of the Harvester…"

"then he's likely David's son and Sirius Xshasi's grandson. If so, David and Eva's deaths also made sense, but..." His voice trailed off.

Before September could finish his thought, the towering central castle of Sila came into view. He didn't continue, June didn't ask either.

Their approach was met with an unexpected interruption. A figure stood waiting at the gates of the castle.

"I'm afraid I must disappoint you both…" Eden Pyram clapped his hands, and from the garden, a group of guards emerged, surrounding them with an eerie synchronicity. June's gaze swept the area, realizing they were now surrounded by citizens who seemed to materialize out of thin air.

"Given the current circumstances," Eden continued, his smile cold and calculating, "no visitors are welcome."