The sea stretched endlessly beneath them… and the ship carrying them was not ordinary vessel, but one of the Hexarith sea crafts… a famous type of vehicle in Valoria that runs on Vakin energy. Some of them fly, some sail, and some move on land like cars.
The ship's frame was hexagonal, made of dark wood inlaid with black steel threads forming geometric lines. On both sides were blue crystal lamps. Its deck was built from sturdy wooden planks. At the stern, a circular engine made of azurite stone rotated slowly, glowing with a faint turquoise light that brightened as their speed increased.
Inside this strange vessel… the five sat in heavy silence while the waves roared around them. Mabushi stood at the edge of the deck, his upper body completely bare. Sweat clung to his skin, and the muscles of his chest and shoulders were tight as he lifted heavy metal weights.
Ken sat at a wooden table near the middle of the ship. His cigarette rested between his fingers, smoke rising slowly into the cloudy sky. Ann sat across from him on the table, her chin was resting on her fists, one foot tapping lightly, and her eyes drifting between Ken, Mabushi, and the sea.
On the opposite side of the deck, Akio was lying on the ground and doing push-ups without stopping. Droplets of sweat fell steadily, his body is shaking with each rep. He was counting under his breath:
"Forty-eight… forty-nine… fifty…"
Silvara stood near the tall mast, her hands were behind her back as she watched the others and gazed at the sea. Akio kept counting quietly, his arms were trembling slightly from the effort… then suddenly he paused, pressing his palms into the deck for a moment as a memory flashed in his mind, just before they boarded the ship.
They had all been standing on the harbor pier, waves crashing against the wood while workers shouted as they carried cargo. Mabushi had been arguing with a guard when a sharp voice erupted behind them:
"You…?! Impossible… there's no way this is my team!"
They all turned at once. Doctor Koto was standing on the pier steps, her black hair neatly tied, her white medical coat fluttering in the wind. Her bright eyes widened in shock as she stared at them one by one… then she raised her hand to her forehead as if struck.
She shouted in disbelief:
"Lord Grim assigned me… to these people?! Has that man lost his mind?!"
Mabushi lifted an eyebrow mockingly:
"If you don't like it… find yourself another team."
Koto shot him a burning glare:
"Shut up, you irritating idiot!"
Ann tried to calm things down:
"Don't worry, doctor… we're not that bad!"
But Koto suddenly raised her hand as if barking an order:
"Stop. No one speaks!"
She took a long breath… straightened her white coat… then spoke in a more restrained tone, though the anger in her eyes still blazed:
"Fine. Since I'm your medic… I'll do my job properly."
She opened her large bag and pulled out several small necklaces, each holding a glowing blue stone like a shard of the sky.
She handed them out one by one, explaining in a strict voice:
"Each necklace is made of azurite stone and linked to Vakin teleportation energy. Users of that Vakin stored a portion of their power inside. If you suffer a severe injury or face life-threatening danger… press this small button."
She pointed to a bright dot at the center of the stone.
"This will summon me directly to your location, or teleport you to me if the situation is worse. No tampering. No jokes. And absolutely no dying."
She lifted an eyebrow sternly:
"Is that clear?"
Akio responded enthusiastically:
"Very clear! Thank you… Doctor Koto!"
Ken gave her a cold glance without a word, while Mabushi said:
"I won't need it… but I'll keep it."
After they all received their necklaces and wore them, Koto sighed and said:
"All right… get on the ship before I change my mind."
Akio returned to the present, steadying his breath on the deck. He smiled a little and placed a hand on the blue necklace around his neck. He stayed quiet for a few seconds… then broke the silence with a thoughtful question, almost speaking aloud to himself:
"The five legendary swords… I've been wondering… who holds them now?"
Everyone paused. Even Mabushi lowered the weights slightly and turned with partial interest. At that moment, Silvara stepped calmly toward the center of the deck. She clasped her hands behind her back and said:
"If you're entering Darkova… it's best for you know what you're facing. The five swords aren't ordinary weapons… they are ancient relics forged centuries ago. Each one holds a power capable of changing the course of wars."
She raised her five fingers and began listing them:
"1 — The First Sword: Sanguinis
Location: The state of Darkova
Bearer: Duchess Terracula
Details:
'It is said that Sanguinis grows stronger with every drop of blood it drinks. It's not merely a blade… but a living entity that feeds on those its wielder kills.'"
Akio's eyes widened:
"A sword that drinks blood…? Awesome… and terrifying."
Silvara continued:
"2 — The Second Sword: Arcticrown
Location: The state of Crystalia
Bearer: A mysterious person rumored to have white hair
Details:
'It's said that this sword can freeze entire oceans with a single touch.'"
"3 — The Third Sword: Tatsumaki
Location: Unknown
Bearer: Unknown
Details:
'All that is known… is that it can control winds and storms. But it vanished decades ago. Some say it's in the Three Isles… others say its wielder died and it disappeared with him.'"
"4 — The Fourth Sword: Abyss
Location: The Kingdom of Kaji
Bearer: Unknown
Details:
'Also unknown.'"
At the mention of Kaji… Ken slowly turned, his ashy eyes were glowing with a deep seriousness.
Silvara continued:
"5—The Fifth Sword: Nocturne
Location: Orakano Island
Bearer: Falkiri Grim — The head of Arkan Organization
Details:
'This sword is directly linked to Dark Faeken. Some say Grim never uses even half of his real power… because Nocturne alone can cover an entire city in darkness.'"
Silence followed her words.
Akio swallowed hard:
"So the Founder Grim himself holds one of the swords…?"
Silvara answered:
"And that's exactly why no one dares lay a finger on Arkan."
Ann pressed her hand on her forehead:
"One sword with Terracula… one with Grim… one with someone from Crystalya… one is missing… and one in Kaji… what a crazy world."
Mabushi shrugged.
"I only care about Sanguinis. We steal it… and leave."
As the dark sky of Darkova began to appear above the ship… Terracula herself sat on her throne, having just finished draining the blood of three victims.
She suddenly said in a cold, lofty tone:
"So… when will this farce end? Darkova has become dull. No thrill… no fun… just a bunch of foolish humans running like insects, thinking they can escape."
Akira let out a light, playful laugh tinged with madness. He turned toward her, his tail is swaying:
"You're right, Lady Terracula… people here live in a city ruled by a vampire who drinks their blood and then complains about boredom. Of course they're uneasy."
Terracula laughed softly, provocatively, then said:
"Oh, Akira… if only it were just uneasiness. The problem with humans is that they die too quickly, from the silliest things. They don't live long enough to entertain me. Weak creatures… born and dead in a blink."
She leaned back on her throne, her eyes are glowing:
"Three hundred years… watching their generations come and go. It's more amusing than pitiful."
Nyoro stepped forward lightly and stopped at the first step of the throne. He looked up at her, speaking in a calm almost childlike voice:
"You talk about humans as if they're a completely different species…"
He tilted his head a little, his messy brown hair falling over his bright blue eyes as he continued:
"But I'm human too, my Lady. And still… I'm here with you. Not dead yet."
Terracula gave a delighted laugh, then leaned down and took Nyoro's cheeks in both hands, gently stretching them as if teasing a little boy.
"Yes… you're human. And that's exactly why I hope I won't have to watch this beautiful face wrinkle… while I'm still in my prime."
She pulled his cheeks a little to the sides, more funny than painful. Nyoro's face flushed immediately, eyes widening with embarrassment. He tried to pull back, but he clearly couldn't escape her grip:
"M–My Lady… don't do that… not in front of everyone…"
She leaned closer, still tugging at his cheeks:
"Why not? You look adorable like this."
Nyoro shook his head quickly, his eyes are darting as if he's searching for an escape:
"Please… let go of my face…"
Terracula laughed with playful warmth and finally released him. Nyoro's hands instantly flew to his reddened cheeks, trying to hide the blush, while Akira burst into loud laughter and Steve simply pushed his glasses up as if trying to ignore the entire scene.
Steve took a step back, adjusted his glasses in his usual cold manner, and said in a low, sharp tone:
"If you're done… I'm leaving. I have work."
His voice carried a clean, quiet irritation, one that didn't shout, but cut like a blade.
Akira raised a brow and smirked:
"Oh? Look at him… Mister Discipline has decided to walk out."
Nyoro chuckled lightly as he rubbed his cheeks:
"Steve… you walk like some government employee… are you planning to submit your resignation too?"
Steve blinked slowly, then answered dryly:
"I'm simply doing my duties. Unlike some people."
He lifted his chin slightly, exhaled, then said:
"I'll check the corridors. At least there… no one's pulling anyone's cheeks."
Terracula laughed again and waved a hand in amusement:
"Let him go. Steve always needs a little space to stay… Steve."
He left with steady, disciplined steps. Nyoro then turned towards the throne with sparkling eyes, dashed forward in a burst of mischief, and jumped straight into Terracula's lap.
He landed without hesitation, his arms wrapped around her waist, and his head was resting on her chest as if it is the most natural place to be unbothered, unafraid… as though her lap was his rightful home, even after she had killed three people minutes ago.
Terracula raised a brow, then laughed softly:
"Oh… Nyoro… asking for affection now? You really are the boldest of them."
She ran her fingers through his messy brown hair. Neuro's voice came out soft and warm:
"I don't want anything… I just… want to stay here for a while."
Terracula folded an arm around him gently:
"Stay as long as you like… as long as you don't cry if I pull your cheeks again."
Nyoro's face flushed red once more, but he didn't move. He only curled closer, as if her lap was the only place he truly felt right.
Akira let out half a smile:
"Heh… the spoiled one is back to his daily routine."
Terracula shot him a sideways look carrying a light warning:
"Don't complain, Akira… each of you has a role… and that's his."
Hours later, and the Hexarith vessel finally reached the shores of Darkova.
Mabushi stopped training, pulled on his jacket, and said:
"Finally… we're here."
Kin rose slowly, extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray, then opened his small bag to make sure his sword was well hidden.
Akio said:
"The laws here are strict… just showing a blade could be enough to get our heads cut off."
He wrapped his sword in a dark leather cover, then hid it under the long cloak he had chosen specifically for this mission.
Ann stood nearby watching them, while Silvara kept her eyes on the dark sky, and said:
"Darkova doesn't welcome outsiders. Be careful from the very first step."
The ship's prow struck the stone pier with a dull impact. The sound of wood grinding against rock echoed through the air. The deck trembled… then everything stilled.
Kin looked toward the shadowed harbor stretching before them:
"Let's begin."
The five of them jumped onto the heavy soil of Darkova… where darkness, Terracula, and the sword Sanguinis awaited.