The stone hallway beneath the capital echoed with every step Kazuki took, his presence veiled in a magical silence. No one followed—this path was his alone. At the end of the descent lay an ancient door, reinforced with countless seals, humming faintly with divine magic.

  With a flick of his hand, Kazuki bypassed the wards using the seal given by the Duke. The door groaned open, revealing a circular chamber illuminated only by the dull blue glow of rune-etched chains.

  In the center, suspended in a magical stasis, was the Seer.

  Old and withered, yet eyes burning with unnatural clarity, the Seer turned toward Kazuki. “So, the blade of light and shadow comes to me... at last.”

  Kazuki stepped forward, cold and unreadable. “You said you’ve seen my fate.”

  “I have seen many... but yours is a thread woven by gods and severed by men. You carry the Crimson Sigil, don’t you? You felt it awaken, didn’t you, Child of the Split Prophecy?”

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  Kazuki's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.

  “The Old Ones stir,” the Seer continued, voice trembling with ancient dread. “They slumber beyond the Veil—beyond even R.I.S.K.’s grasp. But they watch. And you... you are both key and gate.”

  He began to chant in tongues forgotten, and images flashed in Kazuki’s mind—cataclysms, twisted creatures in the sky, and himself at the center of it all, torn between light and darkness.

  “The Crimson Sigil awakens in tragedy,” the Seer whispered. “And when it shines fully, the world will either burn... or be reborn.”

  Kazuki didn’t flinch. “Who created the prophecy?”

  The Seer’s eyes widened. “A god long exiled—Varnir, the god of paradox. He foresaw your existence. R.I.S.K. merely hunts what they cannot understand.”

  Kazuki turned to leave.

  “One more thing,” the Seer rasped. “The next one who tries to break the world... will wear a familiar face.”

  ---

  Kazuki emerged from the depths of the prison hours later. He did not return to his companions. Instead, he teleported to the Duke’s chambers unannounced.

  The Duke rose from his desk, startled. “Kazuki?”

  “I’ve seen the Seer,” Kazuki said. “He spoke of R.I.S.K., of the prophecy... and of the Old Ones beyond the Shattered Veil.”

  The Duke listened in silence as Kazuki recounted everything—every word, every vision, every warning.

  “I need unrestricted access to the archives beneath the capital,” Kazuki said flatly. “And I want full guild authority over my missions.”

  The Duke, shaken, nodded. “You’ll have it. All of it. Just... keep this from the others, for now.”

  Kazuki turned toward the window, eyes distant. “I planned to.”

  As he disappeared in a flicker of magic, the Duke stared into the darkness outside.

  For the first time in years, he feared what was coming.