Emberfall Chronicles

Rajiv's Recovery – The Price of Power

Rajiv's eyes fluttered open.

His body felt like stone, his muscles refusing to move. He was lying on a bed in a dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of medicine and cloth.

A voice spoke.

"You're finally awake."

Rajiv turned his head slightly, seeing Yokudo sitting beside him, arms crossed. His face looked relieved, but there was a tension in his eyes.

"You were out for a while. Two days, to be exact."

Rajiv's mind spun.

Two days? But for him, it had felt like mere moments since he was trapped in Dark Blue 67's void.

"Where… are we?"

"An underground safe house," Yokudo replied. "The city is still a mess after the battle. The noble family is trying to cover things up, but rumors are spreading."

Rajiv tried to sit up, but pain shot through his chest.

"Easy," Yokudo muttered, pressing him back down. "You burned through too much energy. And…" He hesitated.

Rajiv saw something dark in his expression.

"And what?"

Yokudo looked away. "Anil is dead."

Silence.

Rajiv's breath hitched. He had seen it himself—the way Dark Blue 67 had taken Anil's dark energy, how his body had grown cold.

But hearing it now, in a quiet room, away from the chaos… it felt real.

He clenched his fists.

"Dark Blue 67… took his power."

Yokudo nodded.

"And he got away."

Rajiv shut his eyes, his mind replaying the last moments of the battle.

Anil had been his rival. Annoying, arrogant, and unpredictable. But he had also been strong, determined, and fearless.

And now, he was gone.

"I should've done more," Rajiv muttered.

Yokudo sighed. "We all should've."

But before Rajiv could respond, another voice cut in.

"Get ready. We have company."

It was Jiro, standing at the doorway. His face was grim.

"The Black Knight is here. And he brought someone with him."

Rajiv and Yokudo exchanged a look.

Then, with effort, Rajiv forced himself up.

This conversation wasn't over. But right now, they had to face whatever was coming next.

---

The Meeting – White & Black Knight's History

The Black Knight stood at the entrance of the underground safe house, his dark armor still scratched from the battle. But this time, he wasn't alone.

Beside him stood White, the Fourth Leader of the World Government.

His white robes were spotless, his sword resting at his side. His presence alone was overwhelming, yet his expression remained calm.

Yokudo's hand tensed near his weapon.

"What the hell is he doing here?"

The Black Knight didn't answer.

But White did.

"I came because we need to talk." His eyes scanned the room before stopping on Rajiv. "You are the golden energy user, aren't you?"

Rajiv, still weak, met his gaze.

"And you are the one who let Dark Blue 67 escape."

White raised an eyebrow.

"You're bold. I like that."

Yokudo stepped forward. "Enough games. Why are you here?"

White exhaled. "Because there is something you don't understand yet. About the Strays. About Dark Blue 67. About why the noble family created them in the first place."

The room fell silent.

Then, Black Knight finally spoke.

"Tell them."

White's gaze didn't waver.

"The Strays weren't just an accident. They were created as weapons. The noble family started the project decades ago—using kidnapped Akaru Clan members for their experiments."

Rajiv's breath caught in his throat.

"What?"

White nodded.

"They wanted to make an army of perfect soldiers, immune to energy loss, capable of endless combat. But the experiments failed. Instead of creating warriors, they created… monsters. The Strays."

The weight of the words hit hard.

Rajiv's mind flashed back to the underground tunnel, where the Strays had attacked them.

The Akaru Clan had once lived there.

And now, he knew why their history had been erased.

"The noble family covered up their mistake," White continued. "They sealed the failed experiments away, buried the research, and pretended it never happened. But one man refused to let it go."

Rajiv's jaw tightened.

"Dark Blue 67."

White nodded.

"He was one of the lead researchers. And unlike the noble family, he didn't see the Strays as failures. He saw them as a foundation. He wanted to perfect them."

Yokudo crossed his arms. "And let me guess—he went rogue?"

White smiled faintly. "More than that. He believes he can complete the experiment in a way the noble family never could. And now that he has Anil's energy, he's closer than ever to achieving it."

Rajiv's fists clenched.

"So what are you saying?"

White's expression turned serious.

"I'm saying that if you want revenge, if you want justice… you have to be ready for what's coming next. Because Dark Blue 67 isn't done. And the noble family? They're still hiding things from you."

The room was silent.

Then, finally, Rajiv spoke.

"Where do we find him?"

White smiled slightly.

"Now that… is the right question."

---

Far Away – Dark Blue 67's Next Move

Somewhere in a dark chamber, Dark Blue 67 stood before a massive, ancient machine.

The black energy he had stolen from Anil swirled in his hand.

He smiled, watching it pulse and flicker.

Then, a voice echoed from the darkness.

"You have done well."

Dark Blue 67 turned slightly.

"I followed your orders, master. The experiment is nearly complete."

The voice chuckled.

"Good. Then let's begin the final phase."

Dark Blue 67's grin widened.

The Strays were only the beginning.