Jayden and Tristan were training in Kaos Team's headquarters. After an intense sparring match, the two collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Though Jayden was stronger, Tristan's endurance clearly surpassed his.
Tristan chuckled between breaths. "Didn't expect you to be this strong, you bastard."
Jayden smirked. "And I didn't expect your stamina to be that insane. Still, it's a draw."
"We should train together more often," Jayden added. "It'll help us sharpen our skills."
Tristan : "Agreed."
They stood up and clasped hands firmly before sitting down with a deck of cards, letting the heat of battle fade into friendly conversation.
"By the way, Jayden," Tristan said casually, "why did you lie about not suspecting anyone of ill intent toward you?"
Jayden narrowed his eyes. "So, you noticed I was lying?"
"Of course."
Jayden looked away, exhaling. "It's complicated, Tristan. There are only three people I truly trust with something like this."
"Trust them with what? Is it some dangerous secret or something?"
"Something like that."
"You can tell me. I won't say a word."
"I will... just not now."
"Alright. Take your time."
Meanwhile, the twins were at their home. The three men they had fought earlier were locked away in the basement.
Yuna turned to Luna, eyes serious. "Go check on Liam. I'll stay with these bastards and interrogate them."
"You sure you'll be alright?"
"What kind of questions is that? Of course I'll be fine. Don't forget—I'm one of Tominako Reed's successors."
"Alright," Luna nodded.
Without hesitation, Luna teleported directly to Liam's house. She knocked then entered, finding Liam with his mother, younger sister and a few neighbors engaged in conversation. They all turned toward her as she stepped in.
"Come in, Miss Ribwan," Liam's mother said warmly.
Luna entered and Liam immediately walked toward her.
Liam : "Luna, did you hear what happened to me?"
Luna : "I did."
Liam's expression darkened. "I need to talk to you—alone."
"Okay."
"Let's go to the back garage."
Once there, Liam didn't waste time.
"I'll get straight to the point. I think I'm being targeted by the red Hands gang—the same group I helped you investigate before."
"That's... serious," Luna replied.
"Yeah. And according to what I know, the police won't do anything to help me. So what am I supposed to do?"
"You should run. You and your family. Don't risk being targeted again."
"But Luna," Liam lowered his voice, "I never asked you back then—when we found out those men in the photos were part of the red Hands gang . why were you investigating them in the first place ? "
Luna went quiet.
"Why were you looking into the most dangerous criminal organization in our country?" he pressed.
"We just suspected they were up to something. They were acting suspiciously around the area and we thought they might hurt someone. That's all."
"That's all? Are you sure?" he asked, unconvinced.
Luna blinked, confused by his tone. Liam pressed on.
"Then was it just a coincidence that the same people who kidnapped you and Yuna that day were those exact men and that they died afterward?"
Luna remained silent for a moment, then finally said, "No, it wasn't a coincidence."
"Then why didn't you tell me you were their target?" Liam demanded.
"Because we meant to keep it from you. You were busy with another case and didn't dig too deep into this."
"You meant to keep it from me?" he said, visibly hurt. "Why?"
Luna's expression hardened. "Liam, I can't tell you. But I need you to trust us."
"My life is on the line!" Liam burst out. "The red Hands gang will come for me again, I know it! And you still can't tell me the truth?"
"If I told you, you'd be in even greater danger. But believe me—we won't let them touch you."
"'We'? Who else is helping you fight those monsters?"
Luna placed a hand on her forehead and cursed under her breath. "Damn it."
"What is it?" Liam asked.
"I'll tell you everything. But you must promise to keep it secret and stay out of it completely."
"I promise."
So Luna told him everything—from the truth about the wonder stones, to how she and Yuna were ones of the heir stones , to how they killed Seto and his team, and even the existence of the Fauvism.
Liam was stunned. "That explains everything. No wonder you both seemed so unfazed when I told you how dangerous the Red Hands were—or how you survived being kidnapped."
"Yes. But don't worry. We'll protect you. We are Tominako Reed's heirs, and we're the strongest on our team. Still, Liam... you really need to leave. That's the safest path."
"Even if I leave, they'll find me. That's not a real solution."
"Staying isn't safe either. You need to leave the country with your mother and sister. Distance is the best defense."
"But what if they find me even in another country? At least here, you can protect me."
"You're making this hard. Staying is a risk. Leaving is also a risk."
"Then what should we do?" he said in frustration. "Maybe someone on your team can help us figure out a better plan."
"Fine. I'll ask them—soon."
While Jayden and Tristan were eating, Merrick suddenly burst into the room, his face pale.
Jayden stood. "What's wrong, Merrick?"
Merrick's voice trembled. "Tristan... your friend Satomi—he's dead."
Tristan's face drained of all color. "What? No... how?"
"He was found drowned in a lake two nights ago."
Tristan couldn't take it. Without a word, he teleported again and again, arriving finally at Satomi's house.
A police car was parked outside. Officers were moving in and out of the building.
Tristan didn't care about being targeted by the Fauvism anymore. He stormed inside, finding Satomi's parents and older brother called ( Ren ) , sitting in mourning. The mother sobbed uncontrollably while the father comforted her. Ren looked up and saw Tristan.
"You're Tristan, right? Satomi's friend—the one who went missing a few days ago?"
Tristan : "Yes, that's me."
"Come with me."
Ren led him away from the others.
"I'll tell you everything. I brought you away so my mom doesn't hear this."
"Please," Tristan said. "Tell me everything."
"They ruled it a suicide. But I know Satomi. He wouldn't do that."
"You think someone killed him?"
"Yes. I saw the body—there were signs. Wounds that don't add up. But the coroner fudged the report. Called it suicide. I don't know who did it or why. You were his friend—do you suspect anyone?"
Tristan hesitated. "I... can't think of anyone."
Ren's eyes sharpened. "You're lying. Tell me the truth. Who killed Satomi?"
"I told you—I don't know."
"Don't give me that. This is my brother's life! I won't just sit and do nothing while the bastard who did this walks free!"
Tristan clenched his fists. He couldn't lie to Ren—but telling him the truth would be just as dangerous.
"Ren, listen... I think I know who's responsible. I swear, I'll find them and send them to hell."
"Tell me who it is!"
"It's complicated. If I tell you, you'll be in danger too. But I swear—I won't rest until I avenge Satomi."
Ren grabbed Tristan's shoulders, tears in his eyes. "Why won't you let me help? He was my little brother! I need to avenge him!"
Tristan was silent, then finally said, "I'll tell you everything. But you must promise to stay out of it."
"I promise."
Tristan revealed everything—just as Luna had with Liam.
Ren cursed under his breath. "So it was those Fauvism bastards..."
Tristan : "Yes. And it's my fault. I dragged him into this. They were after me."
"You're not to blame, Tristan. But if you're going after them—I'm in."
"No. Stay out of it. I won't let you die too."
"But—"
"Shut up, dammit! You promised not to get involved!"
Tristan's voice was fierce, his tone final. Despite being younger, he didn't hesitate to lay down the law.
Ren sighed. "Alright. But do me a favor—promise me you'll bring the one who killed Satomi to justice."
"I promise."
They shook hands. Tristan then teleported away, heading to a tall, empty building. From its rooftop, he looked down at the city and whispered:
"You helped me find a home in this city, Satomi. You got me a job... a life. I swear, I'll cut down the one who killed you. Even if it costs me my life "
Yuna finished interrogating the two prisoners and wrote everything down. She headed upstairs, flipping through her notes, when Luna entered.
"How's Liam?" Yuna asked.
"He's fine. But... he found out about us."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain."
Luna recounted everything that had happened.
Luna : "So what do you think? , Should he leave the country or stay?"
"I don't know," Yuna replied. "We can't protect him forever. Maybe we can create a hidden space using wonder stone power like we did with the team base."
"Are you insane? A concealment barrier like that takes over six months to build!"
"Then maybe we bring him to the team base—just for now."
"That's not something we can decide alone. We need to tell the others."
"Yeah."
Just then, Luna's phone rang—it was Merrick.
"Hey, Luna," he said grimly. "I've got bad news."
He told her about Satomi's death. Yuna, who overheard, clenched her fists.
"Damn those bastards," Luna growled.
"But why would they kill Satomi?" Yuna asked. "Wasn't their target Tristan?"
"I don't know," Luna replied. "But Tristan might. He was Satomi's friend. We need to ask him."
Meanwhile, Merrick and Jayden had been trying to call Tristan but he wasn't answering.
They exchanged worried looks.
"He's not okay," Jayden said. "He might do something reckless."
"We need to find him," Merrick agreed.
"I shouldn't have told him like that," he muttered. "That was stupid of me."
Jayden sighed. "No offense, but... yeah. What did you think would happen? Of course he'd rush off to the crime scene."
"Yeah. My fault."
Before they could say anything else, Tristan appeared before them, having teleported in.
"Tristan!" Merrick called. "I'm sorry I told you that way about Satomi."
"It's alright but listen—Satomi didn't die by suicide. He was murdered."
"By the Fauvism ?" Jayden asked.
"Most likely," Tristan confirmed. "Listen, I'm going after them. I don't care what it costs me. Are you with me or not?"
"Of course we're with you," Jayden said.
"So am I," Merrick added.