{Somewhere within the Underworld — The Gremory Estate}
Deep within the Gremory estate, inside a grand and dimly lit bedroom, an old man lay resting upon an ornate bed. His long, pale red hair spilled across the pillows, matched by a beard that spoke of centuries lived rather than decades. His body appeared frail, yet the pressure of power in the room made it clear this was no ordinary elder.
This was Bartra Gremory, the great-grandfather of Rias Gremory.
Standing at his bedside was a handsome young man who appeared to be in his early twenties. He had shoulder-length crimson hair, piercing blue eyes, and features strikingly similar to Rias, so much so that one could easily mistake him for her male counterpart. Sirzechs Gremory.
Bartra's eyes suddenly snapped open.
The old man muttered, his voice trembling as unseen visions flooded his mind. "Four Knights… four existences born of contradiction. They will shake the Human World, Heaven… and the Underworld itself."
Sirzechs leaned forward. "Four Knights?" he repeated carefully. "Great-grandfather… who are they?"
Bartra's eyes widened further, glowing faintly as he continued, seemingly unaware of Sirzechs' presence.
"They will overthrow the Ruined King…" Bartra's hands clenched the sheets. "If the Knights gather… the world will either be saved… or destroyed"
Sirzechs' expression hardened. "Who is the Ruined King?" he demanded. "And who are these Four Knights?"
But before any answer could come, Bartra's body relaxed. His breathing steadied.
The glow in his eyes faded.
"…Zzz…"
Sirzechs stared at him in silence.
A long pause followed.
"…Seriously?" Sirzechs sighed, straightening up and rubbing his temple. "You drop a prophecy about world-ending Knights and then fall asleep?"
He glanced back at Bartra, who was now peacefully snoring, utterly oblivious.
"…Never mind," Sirzechs muttered. "I'll inform Rias."
Turning toward the exit, his expression grew serious once more.
'Four Knights and a Ruined King…'
"Looks like things are about to get complicated," he said quietly as he left the room.