The world held its breath.
Kai Renshiro stepped from the cathedral like a god remembering he once walked among mortals. Rain curved around him, dodging his skin. Lightning bent in the sky—not to strike, but to observe.
Each step he took pressed symbols into the earth—glyphs older than language, etched in light, not ink.
Shin Kagami gripped the hilt of the Bleeding Blade tighter as he stared from the rooftop. Beside him, Ryuu's smirk had long since faded.
"That's not the same Kai," Shin muttered.
Ryuu didn't respond. For once, even the Laughing Void had no joke to offer.
Kai walked the empty street with his eyes closed.
He wasn't lost.
He was listening.
The ground whispered secrets. The air carried memories. The wind curled around him like an old friend bearing a warning.
"They know you've awakened."
He stopped.
And so did the world.
Somewhere Deep Underground – Lazarus Control Core
The woman in silver stood before the holographic table. On it, Kai's image pulsed with erratic energy patterns.
"He broke the seal," the tech muttered. "He wasn't supposed to remember the First Flame."
The woman's eyes narrowed.
"He wasn't supposed to survive the Widow."
"Ma'am," another voice interrupted. "He's stabilizing reality around him. It's not just memory resonance anymore—he's creating loci. Control fields."
She raised a single hand. Silence.
Then two words:
"Deploy Them."
The room tensed.
"You mean—"
"Yes. The Twelve."
"But if we send them this early—"
"He's no longer part of the system. He's become the fracture."
Back Above – The Edge of the Broken City
Shin jumped down from the rooftop, landing with a jolt that cracked the pavement.
"Kai!" he called.
Ryuu landed beside him, arms loose, half-cocked grin back in place.
Kai didn't turn.
Didn't need to.
"I remember both of you," Kai said, voice calm, distant. "I remember what we were. And I remember what I chose to forget."
Shin stepped closer, eyes scanning his friend's posture.
"You came back."
Kai turned. His gaze didn't waver—but it wasn't cruel. It was heavy. Burdened.
"I was never gone."
Ryuu crossed his arms. "You sure? Because the guy we knew wouldn't leave us to fight hell on our own."
A flicker passed over Kai's expression.
"I didn't leave you."
He stepped forward. The ground hissed under his feet.
"They took me."
Flashback – The Deal
A memory flickered in Kai's mind. The Red Widow. Her chains. The altar. The choice.
One word burned behind his eyelids: "ASHIN."
Not a name. A binding.
The First Flame didn't just awaken him—it reminded him of what he gave away to survive the war.
Not just his name.
His fate.
And now it wanted him to pay.
Back in the Present
Sirens wailed in the distance. Drones zipped overhead. A shape streaked across the skyline—then another. Then six. Then twelve.
Units in obsidian armor descended like vultures.
Each bore a glowing insignia on their chest: a Roman numeral.
I through XII.
Ryuu whistled. "Huh. They actually sent the Twelve."
Shin didn't move.
Kai looked up at them, eyes unreadable.
"They're here for me."
Ryuu cracked his knuckles. "They're here for us."
"No," Kai said quietly. "This isn't your fight."
Shin stepped forward. "Then make it ours."
Kai glanced at him—just for a second—and something inside him softened. Just for a breath.
Then he turned back toward the Twelve descending.
His voice dropped.
"They were designed to erase me if I ever woke up."
Ryuu's laugh returned, sharper than ever. "Well. Let's ruin the design, then."
Above – Unit Leader of XII
"Engage Catalyst Renshiro," the command came through. "Confirm termination."
The leader of the Twelve—Unit I—activated his spear, a weapon humming with containment runes and synthetic flame.
"Target acquired," he said.
But just before he landed—
Kai raised a hand.
And the street itself turned into light.
Twelve agents.
Twelve fates.
And the boy they were built to erase?
He didn't run.
He smiled.