Exit from Salem

  Zeke led the last group of survivors through the ruined streets of Salem. Haunted children, elderly leaning on makeshift crutches, the wounded wrapped in filthy bandages—all marched on, exhausted but determined. When the energy of Y?g? erupted, Zeke shuddered:

  “‘He… is alive. Stronger than ever.’”

  The blood at his feet formed greenish pools—the echo of power flowing in the distance. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and called out:

  “‘Onward! This man is our hero. May his strength guide us!’”

  And the displaced quickened their pace, confident in the invisible protection pulsing through the air.

  Silent Refuge

  Atop a nearby hill, Gotier kept watch. Beside him, Kaien rested with Akari on his shoulders—the young woman still slept, too exhausted to wake. The wind carried sparks of ash, but Gotier smiled as he felt the same current of energy Zeke had detected:

  “‘He prevailed… and survived.’”

  Kaien bowed his head, exhaling a soft rumble like a grave relief after the storm. Akari murmured in her sleep and settled back, while Gotier closed his eyes in silent gratitude.

  Distant City

  In a faraway metropolis, Paige and her mother sat down to a simple meal of bread and broth. Suddenly, the air seemed to vibrate. Paige looked up, feeling a familiar warmth in her chest—the mark of Yuzuki still resonating in her soul.

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  “‘He… once saved me. Now, he’s saving the world.’”

  Paige grasped her mother’s hand and closed her eyes. A whispered prayer escaped her lips. Those who had witnessed Salem’s cruelty recognized in that moment a new guardian rising on the horizon.

  Iron & Ash Bar, Sazhen Gate

  Taida, the Kugutsu traitor, raised his mug:

  “‘Welcome… to the stolen home. To the redeemed soul. And to the power reborn!’”

  His friends toasted, uncertain why, but Taida—smiling predatory—sensed:

  Someone from Kugutsu is in Pangea.

  And as the entire continent bowed before the power of Y?g?, a new era of blood and redemption began to dawn.

  “Hello Kugutsus, I’m L.K. I’m very happy to have come this far and I want you to know that your opinion matters greatly not only to me but to other readers as well. The book I wrote, as you know, comes from a story I created for a tabletop RPG with my friends: Coyote, Clebola, and Denilson. Each of them will appear in this story. Coyote is a fair but melancholic person, yet with strong conviction! Clebola is the opposite: someone with powerful ideas who pursues their goals at any cost, always smiling and enjoying flings and drinking. And last but not least, there’s Denilson, someone who loves fighting, seeks out parties and bloodshed, we never know exactly what he wants—a person unpredictable but always reliable.”

  “Regarding Yuzuki, a new arc is about to begin—the Global War arc. Yuzuki is now known throughout Pangeia after slaying a Tailax and standing against King Lepra. The Church of the Holy Faith, the Leprous King, and Kugutsu Island all know of Yuzuki and his allies and will hunt him at any cost. Yuzuki will gain followers, new allies, and enemies. Taida has appeared, and with him comes fresh information about the island, the hunt, and the battles. The events at Salem—with the deaths of Alkaraz and Yuri—will force Kugutsu Island to mobilize its full might. Yuzuki’s head will be wanted for a bounty, and a reward will be offered for his group.

  The arcs of Gotier, Zeke, and Akari have merged and are now being developed in depth—they are the pillars of this dark, heavy, and cruel fantasy, where truth is dubious and trust is a disaster.”