Zain crossed his arms.
"Why our Damiks?"
Maria adjusted her sleeve, eyes sharp with curiosity.
"Studying only Mivarala's Damiks won't improve our weapons much. If we want real advancement, we need outside information too."
Leona nodded. "We're fine with it. But our Damiks should decide."
She closed her eyes slightly.
"Raya?"
A calm voice echoed within her.
"As long as it doesn't kill me, I'm in."
Zain exhaled. "Kiriyu?"
A playful voice answered immediately.
"I'll do it… if you get me a treat."
Zain smirked. "Deal."
Sulaiman hesitated.
"Malu… what about you?"
"I don't want to be left out," Malu replied warmly.
Abraham didn't even pause.
"Livia?"
"Yes."
Benjamin spoke next.
"Eagus?"
"Yes."
Scarlet's voice was soft.
"Violet?"
"Yes."
Rimazu asked his Damik. It agreed.
Finally, Ryo.
"…Nurami?"
There was a short silence.
"Something about this feels wrong."
Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yeah. I feel it too. Just go. You'll get to know the other Damiks."
A cold response followed.
"Fine. Just call me when you're about to die so I can see it myself."
Ryo blinked. "Why do you hate me so much?"
Ruqayya shook her head. "That relationship is strange."
Benjamin muttered, "Tell me about it."
Maria clapped her hands excitedly.
"This is perfect!"
With a wide smile, she guided the Damiks into her laboratory and shut the heavy doors behind her.
"This is going to be fun."
Thirty minutes later
The palace had grown quiet.
Ryo wandered the halls out of pure curiosity until he noticed someone by the pond.
Sulaiman.
Ryo walked over calmly.
"So, what are you doing out here?"
Sulaiman turned quickly. "Oh—big brother. I didn't notice you."
"I just got here," Ryo replied. "Why are you alone?"
Sulaiman stared into the water.
"I came to think."
"About what?"
Sulaiman's hands tightened.
"Everyone is stronger than me. Even Ruqayya… and she doesn't even have a Damik."
His voice cracked.
"I feel like I'm holding everyone back."
He looked up at Ryo, tears forming.
"Big brother… can I ever be as great and strong as you?"
Ryo understood instantly.
So that's what's been bothering him.
He smiled gently and placed his hand on Sulaiman's shoulder.
"Don't stress yourself. I see how hard you try to protect us."
He paused.
"I don't see myself as a great person."
His hand remained on Sulaiman's shoulder.
"But if I'm great and strong in your eyes…"
He looked at him firmly.
"Then you too can be great and strong."
Sulaiman broke down, crying loudly.
Ryo blinked and awkwardly hugged him.
"Jeez… did I say something bad?"
BOOM.
An explosion shook the palace.
The ground trembled.
Ryo's expression changed instantly.
Both he and Sulaiman ran toward the laboratory.
Others were already gathered near the shattered entrance.
Smoke filled the corridor.
Inside—
Maria and the Damiks were suspended in the air, restrained.
A masked figure stood before them.
Beside him—
A man wearing the uniform of the Reathagon.
The last to arrive were Ryo and Sulaiman.
Sulaiman stopped walking.
His breathing shifted.
His eyes darkened.
Ryo noticed immediately.
"What's wrong?"
Sulaiman stared at the man beside the masked figure.
His voice trembled.
"…Big brother."
Ryo's expression sharpened.
"The man next to him…"
Sulaiman's fists clenched.
"…is my brother."