Crestfall: Darkness Unveiled

"The blast radius was massive, covering nearly the entirety of the industrial district. Innocents were nearly killed." Virgil's tone was measured but sharp as he spoke to Gabriel. His arms were crossed, his gaze unflinching. "Master, I believe he needs training to master his technique earlier than the others. His powers are far too volatile to be left unkept. If left unchecked, this could lead to catastrophic situations in the future."

Gabriel swirled the wine in his glass, his expression calm but contemplative. He sat back in his leather chair, boots propped up casually on the edge of his desk. His office was dimly lit, the glow of the city below seeping through the large windows behind him. "I see," he murmured, taking a slow sip of his drink. "I underestimated his power."

A faint chuckle escaped his lips as he set the glass down. "Foolish of me, really. To underestimate an Estrella is almost comical." He leaned forward, steepling his fingers as his smile widened. "I'll train him myself soon enough. But not yet. There's one more mission I need him to complete first."

One Hour Earlier: Industrial District

"This way!" Arthur's voice echoed through the ruined streets, urgent but composed. Beta Squad had been deployed to search the wreckage of the industrial district—a once-thriving area now reduced to rubble and ash. Only a handful of buildings remained standing, their skeletons casting eerie shadows over the debris-strewn ground.

The squad moved methodically, their eyes scanning the destruction for any sign of Alpha Squad. The air was thick with smoke and mana residue, making it hard to breathe.

"I found them!" Lyra's voice rang out, cutting through the oppressive silence. She stood atop a collapsed section of a warehouse, waving her arms wildly. "Over here!"

Arthur and Elowen sprinted toward her, their footsteps crunching over broken glass and charred debris. Without hesitation, Arthur began lifting pieces of wreckage, his movements swift and precise as Lyra joined in to help clear the rubble.

"They're alive, but barely," Lyra muttered, her voice tinged with relief and concern as Sosuke's limp form came into view.

Elowen stepped forward, her staff glowing faintly as she planted it firmly into the ground. Her eyes closed, and a soft hum resonated through the air. "Divine Healing," she intoned, her voice steady despite the strain of channeling such potent magic.

A sphere of golden light expanded outward, enveloping the fallen members of Alpha Squad. Cuts began to close, bruises faded, and their breathing steadied. Sosuke stirred first, his purple eyes fluttering open, clouded with confusion.

Arthur knelt beside him. "Take it easy. You're safe now," he said, his tone firm but reassuring.

Sosuke tried to sit up but winced as pain shot through his body. "The mission… Did we finish it?"

Lyra crossed her arms, looking at the devastation surrounding them. "You finished it, all right. Nearly took the entire district with you."

Sosuke's gaze lowered, guilt flashing across his face. He clenched his fists, the faintest flicker of violet lightning sparking around them.

Elowen placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're alive, Sosuke. That's what matters right now."

Arthur stood, his expression grim as he surveyed the scene. "We need to move. The longer we stay here, the more questions we'll have to answer. And this…" He gestured at the destruction. "…is not something we want to explain."

Beta Squad began helping their injured teammates to their feet, each movement deliberate and careful. But even as they prepared to leave, the weight of what had happened hung heavy in the air. For Alpha Squad, the consequences of this mission were only beginning.

The journey back to Gabriel's palace was tense and quiet. Alpha Squad, still battered and shaken from the mission, sat in the transport vehicle. Rin stared out the window, her expression unreadable, while Ren leaned his head back, eyes closed, seemingly asleep but his breaths uneven. Sosuke, seated across from Rin, kept his gaze fixed on the floor, his fists resting on his knees.

As the vehicle rolled into the grand courtyard of Gabriel's palace, the opulence of the structure stood in stark contrast to the events of the day. Towering spires gleamed under the moonlight, and the tranquil gardens seemed almost mocking after the destruction they had left behind.

Beta Squad had arrived before them and was already inside. Virgil's sharp eyes caught Sosuke as they entered the hall, but he said nothing, his expression a mix of disappointment and contemplation. Gabriel was nowhere to be seen, leaving them to retreat to their quarters without further confrontation.

Later That Night

Rin sat alone in the courtyard, her knees hugged to her chest as she stared at the sky. The cool night breeze did little to calm the storm within her. She had always prided herself on being a prodigy, someone who could adapt quickly, but today… today had shattered that image.

Sosuke's power had overwhelmed not only the monsters but also her confidence. She clenched her hands tightly, the memory of the surging lightning and his unrecognizable face burned into her mind.

"Rin."

She flinched at his voice, her head snapping around to see Sosuke standing a few feet away. His clothes were clean now, but the faint scorch marks on his sleeves remained, a silent reminder of what had happened.

"I wanted to check on you," he said, his voice softer than usual. He sat down a few feet away, giving her space.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, too quickly.

Sosuke glanced at her but didn't press. Instead, he leaned back on his palms, looking up at the stars. "I lost control today," he admitted. "I didn't mean for any of that to happen."

Rin hesitated, her nails digging into her palms. "You saved us, though," she said, her tone neutral.

"But at what cost?" Sosuke's gaze shifted to her, his purple eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. "I hurt you and Ren. I could've killed you."

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "You're strong, Sosuke. Too strong, maybe." Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her heart tightening at the sight of his guilt-ridden face. She quickly looked away.

"I just… I need to get stronger," she said, her voice barely audible. "I can't keep relying on you or Ren. I can't…" She trailed off, her fingers trembling as they gripped her knees tighter.

Sosuke frowned, leaning forward. "Rin, we're a team. You don't have to—"

"I don't want to be a burden!" she snapped, her voice louder than she intended. She froze, biting her lip. "I mean… I don't want to fall behind."

Sosuke studied her, his guilt giving way to understanding. "You're not a burden," he said firmly. "You're one of the strongest people I know. We'll figure this out together."

Rin forced a small smile but said nothing, her thoughts too tangled to respond.

Elsewhere in the Palace

Rin knocked softly on Ren's door, hesitating for a moment before pushing it open. The room was dimly lit, Ren sitting on the edge of his bed, his arm in a sling. His silver eyes flicked up to her as she entered.

"Rin," he greeted, his voice tired. "You should be resting."

"I could say the same to you," she replied, closing the door behind her. She crossed the room, sitting on the floor beside him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Rin toyed with the hem of her sleeve, glancing up at him. "You were amazing today," she said quietly.

Ren raised an eyebrow. "I got pinned to the ground and nearly crushed. Hardly what I'd call amazing."

"You kept fighting," she insisted. "Even when it seemed hopeless."

He offered her a faint smile, his exhaustion evident. "And so did you."

Rin hesitated before leaning slightly closer, her voice soft. "Ren… do you think I'm weak?"

His eyes widened briefly before narrowing with confusion. "What? No, of course not. What brought that on?"

"I couldn't even leave a scratch on that thing," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sosuke and you… you're both so strong. And me? I just…" She trailed off, her throat tightening.

Ren leaned forward, his tone firm but kind. "You're one of the smartest and most capable people I've ever met. Plus, we all learn at our own pace. Even though you might fall behind a little, you're still far beyond that of the average sorcerer."

She looked up at him, searching his face for any hint of pity, but found none. She nodded slowly, her heart slightly lighter.

"Yeah," she leaned her head against his uninjured shoulder. For now, she let herself find solace in his quiet presence, even as the doubts lingered in the back of her mind.

As Sosuke made his way through the dimly lit courtyard, the weight of the day's events still lingering on his shoulders, a voice called out to him. He turned to see Gabriel leaning casually against one of the stone pillars, dressed in a loose button-down shirt and slacks instead of his usual immaculate uniform. The sight was almost disarming, as if Gabriel had stepped out of another world entirely.

"Sosuke," Gabriel said, his tone warm yet commanding. "I have something for you." He gestured for Sosuke to come closer.

Curious, Sosuke jogged to his side, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "What is it, Mr. Aurelius?"

Gabriel began walking toward the palace, and Sosuke fell into step beside him. "I've been watching your progress, and it's clear you have potential. But potential needs guidance and… refinement." He paused, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "I have a special mission planned for you next week, once you've recovered. It'll be to clear a dungeon—sounds straightforward, right?"

Sosuke raised an eyebrow, suspicious of the nonchalant tone. "A dungeon? That's not exactly easy."

Gabriel chuckled, a deep, melodic sound that carried an unsettling confidence. "Ah, but this one's worth the trouble. Deep in the forest lies an ancient ruin, one that hasn't been explored in centuries. It's dangerous, sure, but the reward at the end will make it worthwhile."

Sosuke's intrigue grew despite himself. "What kind of reward?"

Gabriel's grin widened. "Let's just say it's a relic that could make a fighter like you unstoppable. And don't worry—you can take your squad with you if you're feeling cautious."

Sosuke tilted his head up, catching Gabriel's gaze. "Really? You're serious?"

"Completely," Gabriel said, clasping a hand on Sosuke's shoulder. "I also heard your katana shattered during the last battle. A shame, really. It wasn't forged to withstand the raw power you're capable of."

Sosuke looked down at his empty sheath, the loss of his weapon sinking in further. "It wasn't," he admitted quietly.

"Well, then," Gabriel said, his tone laced with mystery. "Consider this mission an opportunity. Not just for the relic, but for growth. For you to prove that the power you wield is something you can control. I believe in you, Sosuke. Don't make me regret it."

As Gabriel turned and disappeared into the halls of the palace, Sosuke remained in the courtyard for a moment longer. The stars above glittered faintly, the night carrying a chill that settled deep into his bones. His fists clenched, both in determination and frustration.

He'd pushed his power to its limit today—and it had nearly destroyed everything, including his teammates. Gabriel's words lingered in his mind, the promise of something greater, something that could help him bridge the gap between his raw strength and control.

"I'll do it," Sosuke murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.