In an old warehouse hidden in Nocturne's End, three figures met in the dim light of a lamp.
Leon, Kazan, and Keen Observer sat around an old wooden table. Maps were scattered before them, some areas marked with black ink scratches. The lamp above flickered, nearly dying out, disturbed by the night wind seeping through the cracks in the walls.
"Now," Leon said, his voice soft. "Tell me what you know about the sacred races."
Keen Observer did not answer immediately. He stared at the candle on the table—nearly spent, its flame flickering.
"I don't know where to begin."
"From the beginning," said Kazan. His hands were on the table, two swords sheathed on his back.
Keen Observer sighed.
Suddenly, white smoke enveloped his entire body. Not ordinary smoke—thin, cold, like morning mist over a river. Leon and Kazan did not move, did not startle. They had suspected.
The smoke vanished in an instant.
Before them now sat a woman. Shoulder-length white hair, sharp green eyes—sharper than before. Her clothes were the same, her posture the same, but her face... a different face.
"Veylin," she said. "My name is Veylin."
Leon blinked. "Keen Observer..."
"Just a disguise." Veylin leaned back in the wooden chair. "I couldn't use my real name in the arena. Too many people are looking for me."
Kazan was not surprised. His eyes remained calm. "Former member of an assassin squad?"
Veylin nodded. "Hrafnagildr. The assassin squad of the Gigantora Kingdom."
Kazan's eyes sharpened. "Gigantora? The kingdom of giants?"
"There were seven of us. I was one of them." Veylin clasped her hands on the table. "We were formed to kill anyone who opposed the gods' laws. More than that... we were children who survived the Domus Dauða magical experiments."
"Domus Dauða?" Leon had never heard that name.
"House of Death." Veylin's voice was flat, like discussing the weather. "We were trained from childhood. Killing, spying, infiltration. No childhood. No names. Only numbers."
Kazan did not ask. He had heard similar rumors.
Leon gripped Lokantaka at his waist. The sword pulsed—as if sharing his anger.
"The sacred race you served?"
"The giant race. The Gigantora Kingdom." Veylin sighed. "A magnificent and powerful kingdom. Ruled by nine giant king brothers. They are called... The Nine Roots of Yggdrasil."
She began to explain.
"The first and oldest king is King Ásgarðr. He stands at the peak of the kingdom, guarding the throne of power."
Her finger pointed to a spot on the map—a towering mountain, surrounded by circles.
"Then there is King Vanaheimr, guarding the eastern gate, and King Álfheimr, guarding the western gate. But before reaching them, we must pass King Jötunheimr at the western border and King Niðavellir at the eastern border."
Leon followed the movement of her finger. The map suddenly felt more complicated than he had imagined.
"There is also the middle path. Guarded by King Miðgarðr. He is the second strongest king. Direct access to Ásgarðr."
Veylin paused for a moment, staring at the map with empty eyes.
"Then there is King Svartálfheimr, guardian of the kingdom's treasures and important items. King Múspellsheimr, guardian of the prison. And before entering the kingdom..." she pointed to two spots at the base of the map. "...the twin kings. King Niflheimr and King Helheimr. Guardians of the main gate."
Silence.
Leon stared at the map. Nine kings. Nine points. Nine layers of defense.
"You escaped from them," said Kazan. It was not a question.
Veylin nodded. "I began to question everything. What we were doing... was it truly for the gods' version of truth?" She clenched her fists. "I felt it was all wrong."
"Then?"
"A friend helped me escape." Veylin smiled faintly, but her eyes were wistful. "Hroaldr. He had the ability to see the future. He said there was someone in this city who could help us escape pursuit."
She looked at Leon.
"With characteristics exactly like... Zero."
Leon fell silent.
"He sent me here. To the arena. In disguise, waiting." Veylin clasped her own hands. "And you appeared."
Kazan crossed his arms. "Where is he now?"
Veylin looked down.
Tears fell on her cheeks.
"He... was captured. He sacrificed himself so I could escape."
No one spoke. Only the sound of the night wind outside.
Leon sighed. "Don't worry, you're not alone now."
Veylin lifted her face. Her eyes were red.
"Join us." Leon looked at her. "We are Varavium. An organization that opposes the gods and the sacred races."
Veylin stared at him for a long time. Then smiled faintly—the first time since her mask had fallen.
"I thought you'd never ask."
Leon nodded. "Welcome."
Kazan only nodded coldly. But at the corner of his lips, there was a faint smile.
Veylin wiped her tears. Her green eyes now gleamed—not with sadness, but with determination.
"There's one more thing," she said.
Leon's ears perked up.
"About the Nexus..."
Leon blinked. "You know about that?"
Veylin nodded. "I know more than you think."
---
Outside the warehouse, the night was still dark. The lights of the Nexus began to glow in the distance—bright, white, cold.
Leon stood at the door, Lokantaka at his waist, pendant on his chest.
Veylin beside him, her white hair blowing in the wind.
Kazan behind, two swords on his back.
"We start now," Leon said.
They stepped forward.
=== CHAPTER 26 END ===