Azrael and the others returned to the kingdom, accompanied by Erika, who hadn't taken part in the battle. However, Crescent Sun 1 suddenly felt an enormous pressure in his chest. Instinctively, he looked toward some trees ahead… but there was no one there.
Azrael also sensed something strange—a powerful and unknown presence—but chose not to pay much attention. He quickly opened a portal, wishing to reach the house where he had left Nevaeh with Erza as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Crescent Sun 1 and 6 chose to return a different way.
Upon arriving, Azrael found Nevaeh having breakfast with Maria, the kingdom's baker. However, something invaded his mind: a subtle thought, an intuition. He knew the king was calling him. Without saying a word, not even greeting Nevaeh, he hurried to the castle. She, unaware that Azrael had returned, continued her breakfast.
Before the throne, the king spoke firmly:
King: Azrael, I knew you'd come. I want you to go to the Elven Kingdom. You will spend a week there investigating their magic. I need anti-omniscience magic to be under our control as well.
Azrael: Understood. At your command. As Crescent Sun 2, I will fulfill my duty.
Without further words, Azrael created a portal and disappeared, instantly reappearing in the elven lands.
Azrael used transformation magic to completely alter his appearance, taking the form of a well-known elf named Tobi, a young man respected for his wisdom and serenity. His body changed: elongated ears, lighter skin, emerald eyes, and silver hair. Once ready, he crossed the forest and entered the Elven Kingdom.
Upon arrival, he walked confidently to the palace, where he was received politely by the elven guards, who recognized Tobi's appearance. Before the elven king, Azrael —under his new identity— bowed and spoke firmly:
Azrael (as Tobi): —Your Majesty, I wish to be trained in the arts of elven magic. I've felt an inner calling, and I want to deepen my skills.
The king, an elf with a deep gaze and serene voice, observed him carefully before responding:
Elven King: Elven magic is not taught. It's not something you learn… it is born with us. If it doesn't flow within you from the beginning, no method or master can force it.
Azrael lowered his head, feigning disappointment, though inwardly he was analyzing every word, seeking clues about the source of that ancient power.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Light, Nevaeh continued peacefully enjoying breakfast with Maria, the kingdom's baker. The two laughed as they shared childhood stories and savored freshly baked rolls. Nevaeh still didn't know Azrael had returned—or that he had already left again.
After breakfast with Maria, Nevaeh headed to Azrael's house. She entered calmly, expecting to find him perhaps reading or resting, but the house was empty. There was no sign of him.
Nevaeh: Azrael...? she asked softly, knowing no one would respond.
Unease began to grow in her chest. She hurried off to the royal palace, hoping the king might know something. Upon arrival, the guards let her in without issue. Before the throne, the king watched her calmly.
Nevaeh: Your Majesty, have you seen Azrael? —she asked, with a hint of concern in her voice.
King: No, I have no knowledge of his whereabouts —the king responded, his expression serene, almost indifferent.
That answer only increased her distress. She left the palace without a word and went in search of Crescent Sun 1, also known as Hanzo. She found him in the gardens, meditating among the cherry blossoms.
Nevaeh: Crescent Sun 1, can you see Azrael with your omniscience?
Hanzo slowly opened his eyes and shook his head.
Hanzo: No… for some unknown reason, I can't see him. As if something is blocking my vision.
Nevaeh's stomach twisted. Thousands of thoughts rushed through her mind. Where was he? Why did no one know? Could he be in danger…?
Meanwhile, Azrael remained in the Elven Kingdom, still under the identity of Tobi, an elf known for his wisdom but also for his reserved and solitary nature. Since Tobi rarely left his home, Azrael could move freely without raising too much suspicion.
For days, he explored the most secret laboratories and entered the Grand Library, a sacred place full of arcane books. It was there that he finally found a tome hidden among the oldest shelves: The Great Treasure. His fingers traced the cover with reverence. Upon opening it, he began to read about an ancestral magic so powerful it could even defy omniscience.
But just as his eyes examined a key fragment, a presence interrupted him. An elf appeared in the library, swift as the wind, with a piercing gaze. He was one of the most powerful guardians of the kingdom.
—It's strange to see you here… —he said coldly—. Just a moment ago, I saw you at home.
Azrael, unfazed, calmly closed the book.
Azrael: I just got curious about the library. I wanted to read a bit —he replied in a calm voice.
—Hmm… It's odd for you to want to read, since you almost never do.
Azrael: Sometimes new thoughts arise… and I decided to give it a try.
The elf said nothing. His gaze lingered for a few seconds. Then he turned around, but before completely disappearing, he dropped a small note onto the table.
Azrael picked it up and opened it cautiously. On it, there was only one warning written in elegant handwriting:
Be careful what you do, Tobi…
Crescent Sun 1 remained in absolute silence, meditating beneath the garden's cherry trees. The soft wind swayed his hair as his thoughts floated in peace. But after parting ways with Nevaeh, he felt the urge to walk. He wandered into the nearby forest, letting his steps follow nature's flow. He closed his eyes… and let instinct guide him.
Every leaf, every branch, every vibration in the air… he felt it all. It was as if he could walk without sight, as if the world spoke to him.
But then, something changed. An overwhelming pressure spread through the air like a wave of lead. His chest tightened, his breath stopped. He opened his eyes suddenly, heart pounding like a war drum. A powerful, ancient presence had invaded the forest.
—Divine Spear! —he shouted—. Aeternos, come to me!
A blinding light engulfed him instantly. From the heavens descended his sacred weapon: Aeternos, the divine spear. Its appearance ignited the air, and its heat was so immense that the entire forest began to burn. Flames rose among the trees, turning the landscape into a hellscape lit by celestial fire.
From the scorched shadows, a female figure slowly emerged, walking elegantly through the fallen trees and smoldering embers. In a blink, she appeared behind Crescent Sun 1 and struck him with brutal force. He was sent flying through the air but did not lose control.
—Divine Spear… First Form! —he exclaimed mid-air—. Rotation!
Aeternos spun with him in the air, unleashing a cyclonic energy impossible to contain. The ground shook. Trees, rocks, entire mountains began to break apart. A colossal whirlwind formed around them, growing with fury in an endless expansion, as if the universe itself were trembling.
The sky darkened. The roar of the cyclone drowned all sound. The world trembled… and the true battle was only beginning.
Crescent Sun 1: Who are you!?
The mysterious girl spun within the vortex at an astonishing speed, as if unaffected by the world's laws. Her eyes gleamed with determination, and a smile appeared on her face.
—Interesting… Now I'll show you what I can do.
She raised her hands, and her energy absorbed the cyclone as if it had always belonged to her. The vortex unraveled, transformed into a stream of pure energy that began to take shape.
—Wind Magic… Celestial Thorns!
The wind roared again, but this time with lethal intent. What was once a tornado was now thousands of invisible blades, sharp as divine knives, spreading throughout the charred forest, piercing everything as if the very air had turned into a killer.
Crescent Sun 1 stepped back, a mix of awe and fury in his eyes.
—What…!? Celestial magic!? That's impossible! Why couldn't I detect you with my omniscience...? I never saw your existence in the past, present, or future!
The girl shrugged with a mocking expression.
—You're boring… You used to be stronger.
Crescent Sun 1's eyes sharpened like blades. His energy exploded once more.
—Cloning Magic… Tentai no Kuron!
Two perfect clones of him appeared at his side. Each one with the same energy, the same gaze, the same determination.
—You're powerful, yes… but can you face two beings with the same power as the original? You'll never know which is the real one.
The girl stayed silent for a moment… then began to laugh. A soft, mocking laugh that grew stronger.
—Fine, fine… you win —she said through laughter—. You really… have no idea who I am. Elven magic… does work.
Crescent Sun 1 was breathing heavily, still surrounded by the vibrant air of celestial magic. The mysterious girl looked at him with a confident smile as she exhaled smoke from a cigarette lit with a snap of her fingers.
Crescent Sun 1: Who are you?
Crescent Sun 3: Do you really not remember? Don't you remember why you took the place of Crescent Sun 1? Don't you remember my celestial power? I was supposed to receive that title, but I was sent on a mission to the Elven Kingdom… so I gave it to you. Ah, how ignorant…
Crescent Sun 1 (surprised): So… Crescent Sun 3. Did you learn elven magic?
Crescent Sun 3: Exactly. And I see that now Azrael, that dark being who rules Shadowfel, holds the title of Crescent Sun 2… because he killed the previous one? The king is a complete fool.
Crescent Sun 1: Azrael has changed more than you think.
Crescent Sun 3: I know. But he shouldn't be here. He's a dark being, and now he infiltrates the Elven Kingdom to steal magic in the king's name? Seriously? That's the great plan?
Crescent Sun 1 (sighs): Those are the king's orders. Our kingdom comes first. Always.
Crescent Sun 3 (mocking laugh): What nonsense… Now that I've finished my mission and mastered new abilities, the king will surely want to return me to my place as Crescent Sun 1. You'll be second… and Azrael, third.
Crescent Sun 1 (furious): Like hell!
Crescent Sun 3 (with a calm smile): Relax… you can keep the number one spot. I'm fine with being number three.
Crescent Sun 1 (gruffly): You better be…