Astra flew home through the quiet night sky, Roland's words echoing in her head.
"A dominant bloodline… until the incident."
"The last surviving Fray."
The cold wind brushed against her face as she soared over Nexara's shimmering skyline. Everyone she passed waved at her—children pointing excitedly, adults smiling with newfound admiration.
But Astra barely registered any of it.
Her mind was stuck on one thought.
What really happened… to the Frays?
And more importantly—What kind of tragedy creates someone like Nightveil?
◆ ◆ ◆
A Nation Holds Its Breath
Days passed.
News channels replayed the Nightveil broadcast endlessly.Reporters speculated.Citizens worried.Governments scrambled.
But no one—absolutely no one—forgot that a villain just walked into the Hero Association headquarters, hijacked the entire nation's screens, mocked their security, and vanished without a trace.
For the first time in decades… people felt unsafe.
Shops closed early.Parents kept children indoors.Hero patrols increased tenfold.
Students across Lionel Academy were sent home until further notice.
But then—on a calm Saturday morning—
every major news channel switched to a live broadcast.
Principal Ricardo Leonel stood in front of a row of high-ranking heroes, including Grand Hero Titanheart himself.
His voice carried the weight of an entire nation.
"To all citizens of Vornis."
"The Hero Association would like to reassure you—We are not afraid."
A murmur rippled across living rooms and cafés across the country.
Leonel continued:
"Nightveil's attack was bold, but it revealed something valuable:Our weaknesses.Our blind spots.And now that we know them, we will correct them."
Behind him, Titanheart folded his arms, expression carved from stone.
"Effective immediately," Leonel declared,"the rest of the Dawnforge Tournament will continue as originally planned."
Cameras flashed.
Crowds gasped.
"The academy will operate under full surveillance and absolute protection," he said."Top-ranked heroes, including S-class operatives, will guard the premises."
He lifted his chin.
"If anyone threatens the safety of our students—We will respond with full force."
With unwavering confidence, he finished:
"Do not fear.Our heroes will protect the people.No matter what."
The broadcast ended.
And slowly…
People exhaled.
The tension gripping the nation loosened—just a little.
"For now," they whispered,"…things might go back to normal."
◆ ◆ ◆
Starbreaker: Evolution
Meanwhile, inside Arcwell Technologies…
Raze Arcwell stood in the center of a sealed, reinforced chamber.
The walls were an alloy mix designed to survive even high-grade radiation output from the Abyss alloy in starbreaker.
(Abyss alloy is used in the making of starbreaker along with Arcsteel.)
A digital voice echoed:
[TEST CHAMBER SEALED.][RADIATION LEVELS STABLE.]
Raze lifted his hands.
The Starbreaker Suit responded instantly—veins of cobalt light crawling up his arms.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's try this slowly."
He touched his palm to the center of his chest plate.
click—
A faint hum vibrated through the room.
Abyss Alloy energy rippled through the suit—soft, controlled.
Low-level radiation.
It shimmered like faint fog around his frame.
"Good… good. Stable."
He exhaled.
Then increased output.
click—
Medium-level radiation.
Blue-white energy pulsed outward, making the chamber lights flicker.
The radiation didn't harm him—but Raze could feel the raw power pressing against the walls.
He steadied his breathing.
"…And now for the hard part."
click—
High-level radiation release.
The entire suit flared—glowing brighter than ever, hum intensifying into a roar.
Warning sirens gently beeped.
[CAUTION: RADIATION OUTPUT APPROACHING UPPER LIMITS.]
Sweat trickled down Raze's forehead.His muscles tensed.His heartbeat quickened.
But he held the power steady.Contained it.Controlled it.
Not a single flicker escaped his command.
After ten long seconds—
He deactivated it.
The light dimmed.
The chamber fell quiet again.
Raze exhaled deeply, chest rising and falling.
"I can handle it now," he whispered.
He looked down at the Starbreaker Suit, fingers brushing against the armor.
"…I'm getting closer."
To what?
To his limits?
Or beyond them?
◆ ◆ ◆
Warmth at Home
After training, Raze walked into the living room where Lily sat surrounded by plush toys.
The moment she saw him—
"BIG BROTHER!!!"
Lily launched herself at him like a missile.
Raze staggered but caught her easily.
"You're heavy," he teased.
"No! I'm super tiny!"
Luna entered the room with a snack tray.
"You're both loud," she muttered, cheeks slightly smiling.
The three of them spent the afternoon playing, laughing, and forgetting—for a moment—the villain watching them from the shadows.
At dinner, Rose asked gently:
"Are you nervous about the tournament resuming?"
Raze shook his head.
"No. I'm ready."
But inside, he wondered—
Was he?
Astra would be his opponent.
A girl who stopped a meteor.Who moved faster than sound.Who could crush steel with her bare hands.
Could even the Starbreaker keep up with that?
◆ ◆ ◆
The Countdown Begins
The rescheduled tournament date approached.
One day…
two days…
three…
Until finally—
Lionel Academy sent a message to every student:
"THE DAWNFORGE TOURNAMENT — ROUND TWO BEGINS TOMORROW."
Astra read it and smiled softly.
Raze read it and clenched his fists.
The world waited.
Because this time—the battles wouldn't just be fights.
They would be declarations.
Of power.Of evolution.Of destiny.
And lurking in the shadows…
Nightveil watched quietly.
Waiting for his next move.