The bustling city of Alpha was alive with energy, a vibrant hub among the AVLC cities—Alpha, Vein, Live, and Crane. Towering skyscrapers pierced the sky, their glass facades reflecting the dazzling sunlight. Sleek, advanced vehicles zipped through the streets, and digital billboards flashed with the latest technological marvels. Yet beneath this façade of progress, shadows lurked.
Since their arrival in this time, Rein, Jay, and the Generation of Freedom had been relentlessly pursued by a formidable force known as the Guardian Against Unknown Forces, or GAUF. These agents operated in the shadows, their mission to eradicate any threats to the timeline, especially those linked to the infamous Dark Phoenix.
Amidst the chaos of the city, an extravagant art exhibition was underway at the prestigious Crane Gallery. Visitors marveled at pieces depicting ancient cities, their rich histories brought to life through vibrant colors and intricate designs. One man, clad in a black jacket, moved silently through the halls. He removed his hat, revealing short brown hair that framed a face marked by a cold intensity. His eyes glinted with a mix of nostalgia and pain as he studied the artworks, especially a haunting drawing of Sheegan. The memories of the Massacre flooded back to him, causing a sharp ache in his head.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts. "Don't move. I'm from GAUF!" The woman's tone was authoritative, but it didn't faze Rein. In a heartbeat, he summoned his sword and plunged it into her, a swift and deadly motion. Panic erupted as he realized the truth—everyone in the gallery was a GAUF member, lying in wait.
With lethal precision, Rein activated his two White-Eyes, a surge of power coursing through him as he defended against the onslaught of attackers. He moved with an agility that belied his turmoil, his blade dancing through the chaos. A man lunged at him, but Rein retaliated, throwing him through a window, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the air.
Blood dripped from his sword as he surveyed the scene, a grim satisfaction settling over him. But then, a sudden flash of violet fire struck him, sending him staggering back. Rein turned to face his assailant, a familiar smirk crossing his lips.
"You have found me, Rein!" the man declared, his presence radiating dark energy.
"Cefron, the Dark Phoenix," Rein responded, a mix of anger and recognition coloring his voice. "So this is where you time-traveled to that day you disappeared."
Cefron's smile widened, a sinister glint in his eye. "You're right. And it seems you've inherited my memories."
Without warning, Cefron pointed his sword at Rein, but before Rein could react, another figure swooped in, delivering a powerful strike that sent Cefron crashing against the window. He fell, disappearing from sight.
"Yuri!" Rein shouted, his frustration boiling over.
"Rein, calm down!" Jay shouted, appearing from the shadows. Javi, Nhar, and Marielle followed closely behind, their expressions a mix of concern and anger.
Rein turned, surprise etched across his features. "So you've all been following me."
Javi stepped forward, his voice rising. "Ever since you left us to hunt the Dark Phoenix alone!"
Jay, trying to de-escalate the situation, moved toward Rein. "Calm down, Javi," he urged, but emotions ran high. Jay's fist connected with Rein's jaw, knocking him to the ground. The anger surged as Jay kicked Rein repeatedly, his voice laced with pain. "Come with us, Rein!"
In a flash, Jay cuffed Rein with a special device they had stolen from GAUF, the cold metal clamping tightly around his wrists. They dragged him away from the chaos, navigating through the city until they reached the serene yet haunting shores of Lake Ragon, the site where Rein had once met Zaen, his future self.
Marielle averted her gaze from Rein, memories of his indifference toward Marco's death flooding her mind. Nhar, too, felt the weight of despair; the guilt of his feelings for Marielle weighed heavily on him, believing that his affection had contributed to Marco's demise.
Yuri, a young boy they had found after the fall of NewFound, stood silently among them. Unlike the others, he bore no hatred toward Rein. Having lost his family in the Battle of the Force and Freedom Phoenix, he saw the bigger picture—sometimes, sacrifices were necessary to prevent further loss.
Jay pushed Rein into a makeshift cell they had constructed near the lake, a precaution taken for his own protection. "I'm doing this to protect you, Rein," Jay asserted, his voice firm yet strained.
Rein turned away, his back rigid with defiance. "One day, I'm going to destroy the world with the Supreme Phoenix!" he declared, the words heavy with both menace and conviction.
"And we will always be here to stop you," Jay replied, his voice resolute, a promise etched in the air between them.
As the sun began to set over Lake Ragon, casting long shadows across the water, the weight of their choices hung heavily in the air. They were bound by fate, united in purpose, yet fractured by the scars of their pasts. The battle against the Dark Phoenix loomed on the horizon, and they would need to confront not only their enemy but the darkness within themselves as well.
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The Swordsman 4: The Final Book (Pt.1-2)
FantasyAs they ventured deeper into this new world, a sense of foreboding loomed over them. The Dark Phoenix awaited, and they would have to confront not just him, but the darkness within themselves to save their past and secure their future. Their journey...
