William was in the middle of training once more, this time under Jayden's supervision, desperately trying again to awaken his weapon. Nearby, Clara and Merrick silently observed the session.
Unfortunately, despite all his effort, William failed again.
"Damn it!" William shouted, fists clenched. "Why can't I summon my weapon like the rest of you?"
Clara stepped forward, to ease his frustration. "Don't worry, William. This happens often to those who inherit the wonder Stones. Sometimes you'll manage to summon the weapon without needing elemental power… other times you'll master the elemental power before the weapon ever appears."
"She's right," Merrick added, folding his arms. "Keep training. It might take time but eventually, you'll get it."
William exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, I'll keep trying… just not today. I'm exhausted. I need to go home and rest."
"I should head home too," Clara said, picking up her bag. "I've got some administrative work to handle."
Before they left, Merrick called out to them with a serious tone. "William, Clara—one more thing. You, Salvadore and Soni are the only ones left who haven't been discovered as wonder Stone heirs. I want you to keep contact with us extremely limited outside the base. Only reach out if absolutely necessary—and discreetly."
Clara nodded. "No problem… but William's still new. He might slip up."
"He can't," Merrick said firmly. "A single mistake could cost us everything."
William straightened up and replied with resolve, "Don't worry, Merrick. I'll do everything I can to stay hidden."
With that, William and Clara departed for their respective homes. Merrick, meanwhile, remained behind with Jayden, The twins and Chris.
While they were still together, Tristan suddenly appeared before them—his face pale, his breath short and fear visibly written across his expression.
Luna stepped forward. "Tristan? What's wrong?"
He was holding a folded piece of paper in his trembling hand.
"It's a message," Tristan said. "From the Fauvism gang."
Everyone gathered around him as he unfolded the letter and handed it over. The group from Team Kaos read it in tense silence:
---
Message Contents:
Merrick Isaboro – Your aunt is being held hostage in an abandoned warehouse on the southern outskirts. A man will meet you at the corner of 6th and 11th Street to guide you.
Jayden Durbin – Your friend Rossi is being kept in a cabin near the northern forest. Someone will wait for you at the corner of 17th and 25th Street to take you there.
One of the Ribwan twins – The Stone Heir. Liam is being held in the old parking lot on the east side. A woman will wait for you near the Niagara Falls Hotel to escort you.
Chris Hiday – Your grandmother is a hostage in the west, in an abandoned hospital. A man will be near the Loyalty Restaurant to take you to her.
Tristan Danson – Rin Slyzer is our hostage. he's being kept in an old café in the southwestern part of the city. You'll find a man waiting near Success School.
Each of you must come alone, two days from now, in the evening. Cooperate and your loved ones will return home safely.
---
Jayden clenched his jaw. "Where did you get this, Tristan?"
"I was picking up some dog food for Badwin from the usual supermarket I secretly visit," Tristan said, still breathless. "The old vendor there handed it to me and said it was from a 'friend.'"
Chris scoffed. "A friend? This is clearly from those beasts."
Merrick's expression turned grim. "They've trapped us… All our loved ones, taken. They're threatening us into submission."
"Damn them!" Luna hissed.
"They chose the place and time. No room for negotiation," Jayden muttered. "So what do we do? Just walk into their den and hand ourselves over?"
"I didn't say that," Merrick replied, voice low and steady. "If we go, we go prepared. With a plan—or backup."
Jayden's eyes met his. "You have a plan?"
"I do."
Two days later, as night fell, each of the five—Tristan , Chris , Merrick , Jayden and Luna—walked alone toward the rendezvous points stated in the letter, escorted by the individuals assigned to them.
As Luna walked alongside the woman who was taking her to Liam, the silence between them was heavy… until the woman finally broke it.
"So… you're the Stone Heir, aren't you? And your twin… she's not?"
Luna answered coldly. "Yes."
"You're not scared? Of what my allies might do to you?"
"I just want Liam safe," Luna said plainly. "I don't care if I die or lose my powers."
"You're… selfless."
"I am."
"What element do you fight with?" the woman asked casually.
"That's none of your business."
"Don't be rude," the woman snapped. "Don't forget your precious Liam is still our hostage."
"Second time he's been taken…" Luna muttered. "Can't you people just let him live in peace?"
"We do what we must to achieve our goals."
"Let me guess," Luna said bitterly. "World domination? Expanding your influence?"
"Not world domination," the woman answered. "But yes… expanding our reach. Haven't you read the history books? We've been labeled as monsters. Cursed sorcerers. Even though—"
"Even though we're human too," Luna finished for her.
The woman looked at her with some surprise. "Exactly. So you do understand."
"So your solution is to kill innocents to make people respect you? That's your noble cause?"
"It's not easy—"
"Neither is losing someone you love," Luna cut in.
The woman fell silent.
Luna pressed on. "Do you have anyone you care about? A family?"
"No family," the woman said at last. "But I have comrades. Friends. Most of us were strays… abandoned. The Fauvism took us in, made us strong. I owe them everything."
"Then you understand what it's like to have people you don't want to lose," Luna said softly. "The same is true for the people you've killed. They had families, friends. They were loved."
"They weren't killed in vain. They were a necessary sacrifice for—"
"For power?" Luna snapped. "You have no right to make that choice for others."
"Enough!" the woman barked. "Your philosophy is tiresome."
"Oh? Is silencing me one of your new rules now? If I speak again, do you kill me and call it 'necessary sacrifice'?"
"Quiet!" she shouted again.
Drawing her sword, she held it to Luna's forehead.
"We walk in silence from here," she said coldly.
Luna raised a brow, unfazed. "Touched a nerve, have I? Or is it guilt? Or maybe… you felt something?"
"Say another word and I'll—"
"You won't kill me," Luna said calmly. "Your job is to deliver me to Liam. Besides, I'm a hundred times stronger than you."
"Don't test me."
The blade pressed harder against her skin.
"Fine," Luna said with a sigh. "I'll be quiet. You're no fun, you know. Can't even chat during what might be my final walk."
The woman lowered the blade slightly and muttered, "My name's Dalia… since you're so eager for conversation."
"Pretty name," Luna said. "You already know mine, I assume."
"Yes. Luna Ribwan."
The two continued in silence until they reached the old parking lot. As they entered, Luna's heart dropped. Liam was there—bound, blindfolded, and gagged with tape, completely helpless. Three men stood around him.
Two of them were clearly elite fighters. Luna could feel it in the air—the sheer weight of their presence. The other two, Dalia and a fourth man, were weaker… subordinates, most likely.
Luna wasn't the only one walking into danger that night. Chris, Jayden, Merrick and Tristan had all reached their own destinations, just as the letter instructed—each greeted by two elite members of the Fauvism.
Now the question remained.
Would they surrender?
Or did they have a plan?