The Argent Dawn Guild loomed ahead like a fortress of glass and steel, layered in angular silver structures and spiraling crystal banners. From the outside, it exuded a sleek, modern power—prestige woven into every seam. Noct stood before it with Ellen and Mia flanking him, their gazes fixed on the massive entrance and bustling courtyard.
"So this is the Argent Dawn..." Mia muttered, adjusting the strap of her weapon harness.
"Feels too polished," Ellen added, her sharp eyes scanning the entrance guards.
Noct said nothing. His expression remained calm, but his heart beat faster with every step toward the guild. As they entered through the glass doors, they were greeted by a spacious interior adorned with digital quest boards and status screens humming softly in bright, iridescent hues.
Behind a polished reception desk stood a young receptionist with silver-framed glasses and a glowing aether tablet. She glanced up, her professional smile already in place.
"Welcome to Argent Dawn. Are you here to register as new members?"
Noct stepped forward. "I'm here to visit your guild master—Eira."
The receptionist blinked, the practiced smile flickering. "I'm afraid the guild master isn't seeing visitors right now. She's currently in a meeting and has restricted access."
"Tell her Noct's here. I was one of her classmates."
Her polite demeanor stiffened. "Sir, we get that a lot. Many people claim old ties to gain access to the guild master. If you're here to waste time—"
"It's the truth," Noct interrupted, voice low but steady.
Before she could respond, heavy footsteps echoed down the staircase behind her. A boisterous voice rang out: "What's with all the noise at the front? Don't tell me some peasant's causing trouble again—"
A tall figure appeared—stocky, muscle-bound, and arrogant. He paused at the bottom of the stairs, clearly agitated.
"Receptionist! What's—"
His eyes fell on Noct.
He froze.
His lip twitched.
"You..."
Noct tilted his head, ponytail swaying. "Long time no see."
The bully stumbled back a step, all bluster vanishing. He turned on his heel and sprinted toward the training hall.
Noct frowned slightly, a strange static buzzing at the edge of his mind. His thoughts felt foggy. His memories... slightly blurred.
Was this connected to the day he fell?
> Argent Dawn — Training Hall
The former classmates were mid-spar when the doors burst open. The panicked boy stumbled in, pale-faced and wide-eyed.
"He's... he's back. He's here."
Eira, seated at the far end of the hall in the observation lounge, raised an eyebrow. "Who is?"
The others turned, curious—until footsteps followed into the hall. Then silence. The moment Noct stepped into the light, the room fell utterly still.
Weapons clattered to the ground. Eyes widened. Breaths caught.
Eira stood slowly. Her hand tightened around the armrest. She looked into the face of someone they all believed dead.
Noct's voice broke the silence.
"Hey everyone. Cool guild you've built. But... I need something. I can't remember what happened that day. The day I fell."
His gaze drifted across them—familiar, unfamiliar. When it met Eira's, something inside his chest ached. An old scar, echoing pain he didn't understand.
"What happened to me? I need answers."