After being called before the Elder Council, the question of whether or not to use Ain as a living weapon immediately became the subject of discussion among the Elders'. Many argued that the technology they possessed was now far more advanced than the "primitive" tools used during Ain's era—and that they could finally contain, control, and make proper use of his "abilities."
However, few also argued against employing such inhumane measures. The VALKYRIE Project, previously known as SENTINEL, was a culmination of the countless experimentations their ancestors had subjected Ain to.
Now tailored exclusively toward women due to the gender imbalance caused by the war, where men served as soldiers, this newly specialized program gave humanity the means to finally fight back, eventually reclaiming over 40% of the Earth's surface. Now face-to-face with the very man who had helped them grow and evolve through centuries of experiments and tortures, few council members felt a bitter taste in their mouths—repaying that sacrifice with nothing but further discrimination and cruelty.
Tensions rose. Arguments continued.
"The benefits are too great to ignore."
"We're better than this."
"We also have to account for the sins he committed!"
The debate raged around him. In the central podium: Ain stood—hands clasped behind him, his posture formal and military—like he's simply awaiting orders.
He had expected this. How could he have not?
Even back then, a weapon of mass destruction was all they ever saw him as—trained and adapted to fight against the abominations that now claimed their home planet as their nesting ground.
All of them, but one… or so he thought.
Memories of reprieve flashed in his mind—memories of her: Illya. The woman who stood beside him through it all. She comforted him, helped him navigate the traumas he had experienced, the one who made him feel a little bit more… human.
But she wasn't the only one.
Illya's face alone was crystal clear. Eyes blue as the seas, silver hair that shone in the moonlight, skin white as snow.
However, the figures behind her were not.
The others wore military equipment—that alone, he could make out, but as for their physical appearances, there was only a void where details should be.
Without warning, the massive double doors to the Court of Elders burst open—one panel hurtling across the carpeted hallway leading to the central dais—cutting Ain from his train of thought.
What arrived was a woman with but one wing on her back—immediately retracting as she stood up.
Her eyes, sharp and inspecting, scoured the room; the Elders', the guards, before flickering to the central podium.
She had long, dark hair, and her attire was similar to the crimson-haired woman Ain had met earlier—except hers was torn and battered, like she had just returned from an intense battle.
The Elders' murmured in angered scrutiny—some lamenting the sheer audacity of entering their court without permission.
The four guards who were knocked back by the woman's sudden arrival finally regained their bearings and pointed their spears at her.
"None may enter these halls without the Elders' summons. Please leave at once, General." One guard said, her voice stern and commanding.
The dark-haired woman paid the guards no mind, gaze fixed on something. Someone.
Ain slowly turned around,
And as inch by inch of Ain's face was revealed, tears soon followed in the woman's eyes as she finally took in the full sight of him.
Moving on instinct and memory alone, she reached out toward him and took a few unconscious steps forward.
"M-master Ain..." She voiced out his name, voice thin and shaking as if she couldn't trust her own eyes.
By the third step, the crimson-haired woman appeared and embraced her. Whispering in her ear, "Not now, Lilith."
"B-but… He's there. He's alive... Can't you se—"
The crimson-haired woman's grip tightened around Lilith, voice breaking.
"I-I know… But he needs time. We need time…" She pressed her face against Lilith's cheek.
"Go home. We'll talk later." She whispered, walking her toward the exit.
The Elders' scrutinizing gaze deepened, and one of them—roused by the situation—stood and voiced his concern.
He was slightly younger than the rest, his ceremonial staff bearing only a single pair of wings at the tip—and an ashen-colored sash that marks his recent investiture.
"Insolence! By what authority do you dare stand before the Court of Elders without our summons?!" He shouted, voice echoing across the opulent hall.
"This court! This seat! These halls! Built and maintained for centuries, they have withstood the test of time. And you—you dare trespass, and worse, damage the very infrastructure that our great ancestors have poured their blood and sweat into?!
"PREPOSTEROUS!"
"HEAR! HEAR!"
Satisfied, the Elder continued with a smug grin on his face.
"Guards!" The angered Elder pointed at the Lilith. "Seiz—"
The words died in his throat as the crimson-haired woman suddenly turned—the mask now opened to reveal her face. Blood-red eyes, long-crimson hair—face contorted into barely-contained rage, and a single tear trickling down her cheek.
Fear gripped the Elders' throats, the bravado they had displayed all but erased under the crushing weight of her gaze.
Even the guards stepped back, spears trembling in their grip.
The crimson-haired woman's eyes fell to Ain—and for a brief moment, his locked with hers.
However, she looked away immediately—unable to bear the thought of him seeing her as anything but a stranger.
After the blatant display of authority through sheer, unbridled will, the court fell silent—save for the sound of scrambling retainers now tending to their unconscious Elders'.
Amidst the silence, the sound of hands clapping snapped everyone from their daze.
Then, high above the central seat of the council, a figure's shadow emerged through the curtains—slowly opening to reveal the person hidden beneath.
A man with purple hair, wearing an outfit that seemed only fitting for a ruler.
Almost instantly, the Elders' bowed down their heads in reverence—then, shouting in unison: "Lord Sovereign Kael!"
Kael suddenly jumped down from his seat to where Ain still stood, landing with little to no trouble.
"Leave us." He muttered, an order that carried through the Elders' ears. Moments later, the Elders' stood from their seat and immediately began vacating the court.
Hands clasped behind him, Kael began circling Ain—stopping to stand in front of him once more, one hand extended.
"It's an honor to meet you, Captain."
Ain didn't hesitate. He grabbed his hand in a firm handshake but said nothing.
"Please pardon the words of my council. Though strict they may be, everything they do here plays a large role in keeping things in order."
"I understand. How may I be of service, My Lord?"
Kael remained quiet for a moment, not expecting Ain's obedient, almost soulless response.
"Ain… You must understand that your time living as a human weapon has long passed. As per my council's decree, you do not deserve such a fate. God knows you've already endured more horrors than a soldier could experience in multiple lifetimes."
A hand fell on Ain's shoulder. "Rest, child. You have more than earned it."
Earned?
The word echoed in his mind. They all know the sacrifices he had made for the sake of mankind, but what they fail to realize is the sheer number of innocent people he had also killed along the way.
They don't remember them, but he does. Every. Single. Death. In clear, precise detail.
Rest was all he ever wanted—all he ever needed. But faced with the gravity of his actions, it was far from something he would ever earn.
When he finally spoke, the words came with a clear edge. "You weren't there. Don't presume to know what I deserve and what I don't."
"Of course."
"Be that as it may, and forgive me for my tone, but your services are no longer needed, Captain. As I have mentioned earlier, your time has passed. We now possess the means to fight back and win against the Deviants. Deploying you to the frontlines would only do more damage than good."
"However…"
Kael snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, a woman with short hair and light clothing appeared behind Ain—walking past him to hand Kael a tablet.
Kael took notice of Ain's unfazed reaction.
"Your composure is horrifying. She is nothing but a loyal servant. Please excuse her."
After numerous swipes on the tablet, he finally found the latest information about Ain.
"A recent report from a squad captain called Sonia mentioned you reaching out toward the exit, calling a female's name, before being knocked unconscious… Care to elaborate for me, Captain?"
"Illya…"
"Pardon?"
"Illya, was her name, My Lord. However, given how long I've been… It's highly unlikely that she's still alive today."
Kael handed the tablet back to his servant and started walking toward the inner podium.
"I understand. And out of respect, and of gratitude for your contributions toward mankind, I'll do my utmost to provide you with any information related to this woman called… Illya. However…"
In the blink of an eye, Kael crossed the distance between him and Ain in a single, devastating step—strong enough to crack the floor where he initially left—his hand finding Ain's throat, hoisting him up.
"Mind your tongue in the future, Captain. Immortal or not, you are but a speck—easily removed."
Ain didn't struggle. Didn't resist. He simply stayed still.
Kael's grip tightened, curiosity clouding his judgement.
Eventually, Ain's gaze fell to his. A silent warning.
As Kael began to peer even deeper into Ain's eyes, he saw only nothing—a dark, encompassing abyss.
Then, suddenly, he felt it. A roar? A cry? Or something… hungry?
He snatched his hand away—eAin landing on the ground with a soft thud as he tried to catch his breath.
Beads of sweat began to gather around his skin, trickling down his face—dull tremors began to ache inside his head, and he had to steady himself momentarily.
"Are you well, My Lord?" The servant asked, wiping the sweat from his face.
"I am… So, the records were true after all…"
Ain, after composing himself, hurriedly began to walk out the exit without saying another word.
"Wait!" The servant called out. Shadows coiled beneath her feet, spreading toward the exit—but Kael grabbed her wrist, and the darkness retreated.
"Captain!" Kael called out to him once more.
Stopping mid-stride, Ain turned his head slightly.
"It may not suffice much as an apology, but I have arranged a squad for you to command should you choose to return to the frontlines—as well as full clearance to our city's Grand Archives. The squad is an unusual collection of individuals, but I believe you will find your place among them. Two of them you have already met, in fact."
Ain stood still for a while, then finally turned fully to face him.
"There's one more thing I need."
Kael's brow furrowed, caught off guard.
"Pray tell."
"There's a warehouse that belongs to me and my old divis—squad… I have my things there."
"Very well. We shall assign an escort and—"
"No need. I just need a ship."
"Very well…"
Kael gave his servant a silent gesture—a command.
"Will that be all?"
Ain simply nodded and turned for the exit.
Kael walked in the opposite direction of Ain, toward the inner podium. He swept his hand toward the panel Lilith had hurled away—and within seconds, the double doors snapped back into place, restored and intact. Even the damage done to the floor returned to normal.
"Interesting…" Kael murmured, as though finding a new piece in a larger puzzle