selenfall

Rey reappeared facing the vast monotony of the gray desert — a lifeless ocean of cold, dull sand stretching endlessly under a low, oppressive sky. The air hung thick with dust and silence, pressing on his shoulders, as if the very land rejected his presence.

He frowned.

This desolation gnawed at his skin, dragging down his spirit. This desert was a damn natural prison — a cursed checkpoint he loathed every time.

Why the hell does it always have to be this much of a pain just to get back to HQ… he thought, jaw tight.

Beneath his boots, the sand — grayer than usual — cracked like an ancient, brittle painting. The moment his foot touched the ground, a tide of worms erupted, a viscous, hissing wave, mandibles snapping in the dry air.

He gently set Noah down at his feet, the boy's limp body seeming even heavier in this hostile wasteland.

"Wait here, kid. I'll make this quick."

He slowly rolled up the worn sleeves of his shirt, revealing forearms marked with deep scars.

He stood still for a heartbeat, back straight, eyes hard… before stepping forward, slow, deliberate.

"What a pain…" he muttered.

The worms lunged — thousands of them — surging in a grotesque swarm.

And then… nothing.

The air crackled, slashed by arcs of violet lightning. A shockwave tore across the ground, launching clouds of blackened sand. The entire desert seemed to tremble.

As the ash settled, Rey emerged, unfazed, a lit cigar between his lips. Smoke drifted lazily into the overcast sky.

"They really thought that could stop a member of the Eye of the Void? If they ever decide to attack for real… yeah, let's not even go there."

He carefully lifted Noah back into his arms and resumed walking through the desolation.

The desert still tried to swallow him, but he kept moving. Unstoppable.

A few minutes later, he stopped.

There it was — HQ. A fortress of black steel cutting sharp against the horizon. A bastion of metal and shadow.

He tapped his earpiece.

"I'm here. Open up."

A flash of violet — and he stood before the massive gates. Soldiers awaited him, standing rigid.

"Gentlemen… Rey," a voice murmured. "Looks like he brought back a survivor."

Without a word, Rey handed Noah's body to a medic.

"Put him in a pod. I'll make my report later."

He turned, heavy footsteps echoing on the steel floor.

At the council's door, he paused. A low, tired sigh.

"This is gonna be a pain…"

He entered.

The chamber was empty, save for a long black table covered in pulsing runes. He placed his hand on it, triggering a violet glow that wrapped around his fingers. The runes lit up — shifting between red, blue, green, black, white.

Above, five holograms flickered into existence. Faceless figures, each bathed in its own color.

"I greet the Elders," Rey said, his voice low and firm.

"Rey… What brings you here?" the black voice asked, cold as ice.

"The lunar beast from Adele."

"Adele? Where was that again?" the blue voice grumbled, weary.

A bitter smile touched Rey's lips.

Old bastard… One day I'll take your seat.

"Don't dream, Rey," the green voice cut in. "Not today."

"Hehehe…" chuckled the red voice. "I'll put my disciple in your spot first!"

"Hello, Master," Rey said flatly.

"Yo, kid. That fire of yours still burning?"

"A little."

The black voice interrupted.

"Let's stay on topic. Did you kill it?"

"No."

"Did it take victims?"

"No."

"Did it vanish?"

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

Rey crossed his arms, staring at the holograms.

"It was a rank 9… and it got obliterated. By a freshly awakened Marked."

Silence dropped like a stone.

"Sangraveil, huh…" someone murmured.

"Where is this Marked?" the black voice asked, sharp as ice.

Rey's eyes darkened.

"Under my protection."

A long pause.

"Oh? And what if we decide to take him?" the white voice asked, soft… but edged like a blade.

Rey's cigar flared violently. The air around him seemed to hum with heat.

He narrowed his eyes, a wicked grin playing on his lips.

"Try. If you've got the balls."

Heavy silence.

He pulled his hand from the table, turned on his heel, and walked out — heart pounding, anger rumbling like a coming storm.

---

Later — In the Lab

The laboratory gleamed under a harsh white light, almost sickening. Bodies floated in pods, caught between life and death. Nearby, monster corpses — twisted, deformed — bobbed in tanks. Silent trophies.

At the center stood Marie.

Golden skin, caramel hair tied back, hazel eyes rimmed with shadows.

Rey stepped in, eyes instantly locking on Noah — frail, arm broken, skin ashen.

His fist clenched.

"Is he gonna make it?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"No idea…" Marie murmured. "Maybe. Maybe not."

"Any way?"

"C4."

"The experimental cure? Seriously?"

He raised an eyebrow, sarcasm sharp.

"You know he won't last two hours without it."

Rey ground his teeth.

"Fine… But make sure it works."

He walked out.

Marie picked up the glowing syringe and drove it straight into Noah's heart.

"Well… let's see if you last five minutes…"

---

Three minutes later — while Rey was hammering away at the punching bag in the next room…

…The lab exploded.

The ground shook. Lights flickered.

And Rey felt the anger — deep, dark — surge another notch.

End of chapter