The bells of Craterhold rang.
Not for worship.
But for war.
Their deep toll echoed through the hollowed canyons, vibrating the ancient gears of the monastery and waking old things that had long slumbered.
The Four stood at the heart of the Sanctuary's underground — before a door that hadn't been opened in two hundred years. Massive, round, and etched with a tri-script seal: Latin, binary, and demonic glyphs.
The Forbidden Chamber.
Only those recognized by the seal could enter. Not even Sister Ruth had permission.
But Icarus… the moment he approached, the glyphs glowed red, gold, and white.
Access granted.
The door opened without a sound.
The room inside was alive.
Inside the Chamber — Echoes of the Lost War
The chamber was spherical, lined with glowing panels made from unknown alloys. Suspended in its center, wrapped in cables and chains, was a single object:
A sarcophagus forged from obsidian and crystal, covered in blood-sealed scripture.
Floating above it, spinning slowly, was a crown made of bone and iron.
Icarus stepped in, the others close behind.
"What… is that?" Daiki asked.
Ruth, breathless behind them, finally spoke.
"That… is the Ark of Silvanas."
Ren's eyes narrowed. "The angel who fell here?"
Ruth nodded.
"Silvanas was neither angel nor demon. He was something else. Created in the old war to destroy both Heaven and Hell… but he went mad. The Ministry sealed him here after the war. His mind, his body, his power—all divided."
She pointed at the crown.
"That crown can control gods. But wearing it… breaks you."
Haru stared at the sarcophagus.
"I saw this in a dream," he whispered. "It screamed my name."
The Crown's Temptation
Something pulsed from the crown.
A whisper, a hum.
Only Icarus heard it clearly.
You are not a boy. You are the Key. Take me. Become what you are.
He reached out unconsciously.
The chains on his arms hissed.
Ruth grabbed him. "Don't!"
Her voice snapped him out of the trance. But something… someone… inside him had already responded.
He looked down.
One of the chain links had turned black.
Vatican Offensive – The Siege of Craterhold Begins
Far above, at the edge of the cliffs, the first Vatican ships broke through the clouds.
White-gold cruisers, adorned with angel wings and flame insignias.
From their underbellies dropped Judicators — paladins trained in both divine law and extermination.
The sky cracked with the sound of ancient cannons.
Sister Ruth ran to the outer halls, her voice thunderous.
"TO POSITIONS! THE HOLY WAR HAS FOUND US!"
Every monk, mage, and guardian sprang into motion. Walls of energy shimmered. Old defenses came alive — runes glowing, forgotten artillery unfolding from stone.
Daiki cracked his fists.
"Guess diplomacy's off the table."
First Blood — Daiki vs. The Hammer of Heaven
As the first wave landed, a massive knight in full gold armor stormed forward.
He wielded a hammer the size of a boulder, blessed in molten scripture.
"By decree of the Divine Seat, I claim your heads in the name of purity!"
Daiki stepped up, eyes burning.
"By decree of I'm sick of your sermons…"
He stomped the ground.
The earth erupted.
Spikes of rock jutted from the soil. A pillar launched Daiki into the air. Mid-leap, he brought both fists down—
The ground swallowed the Judicator in a crater of stone and force.
Dust cleared.
The hammer knight rose again… helmet cracked.
Then laughed.
"I felt that. Good."
Daiki grinned. "Good. I'm just getting started."
Elsewhere — Haru's Vision Bleeds Reality
Back in the chamber, Haru knelt, clutching his head.
He was seeing too much.
Futures collided. Blood. Fire. Betrayal.
He saw himself killing Daiki.
He saw Ren impaled by his own blade.
He saw Icarus with the crown — and the world ending.
"No… no, I won't let it happen!"
He reached into the sarcophagus — a flash of blue light burst out.
Then silence.
When Haru stood again, his eyes glowed like twin moons.
"I know what to do now," he said.
"I know who the traitor is."
Ren's Duel — Wind vs. Wings
Ren faced an airborne enemy: a Vatican angel-blood hybrid who controlled winds sharper than blades.
The battlefield was the cliffs.
Ren danced on air, parrying gusts, slicing them apart.
The wind howled like wolves.
But Ren's blade sang louder.
"I don't cut air," he whispered, closing his eyes. "I listen to it."
With one final breath, he spun once, twice, and vanished.
The Judicator's head fell off seconds later, never even seeing the strike.
Ren landed.
Then collapsed.
Icarus Awakens Something Deep
Back in the chamber, Icarus stood before the crown again.
Something had changed.
He could feel the demon blood in him awakening.
His heartbeat thundered like war drums.
"I am the Key," he muttered.
The crown pulsed in answer.
Yes.
Chains shattered.
His eyes glowed red and gold.
The others rushed in — too late.
Icarus reached up and grasped the crown.
A scream echoed through the monastery — not his.
But something older.
Something freed.