Charles appeared before a ruined building, his feet landing on cracked pavement overgrown with centuries of neglect. The structure before him bore the Seekers' symbol carved into weathered stone.

A silver crow with two swords behind it, wings spread in eternal flight.

Charles stared at the building in a daze for a couple of seconds. Then his gaze tracked across debris scattered around the entrance, cataloging damage accumulated over three hundred years.

The walls had collapsed inward on the left side, creating a gap that exposed interior darkness. Thick green coating that suggested decades of unchecked growth, moss that covered every surface not claimed by roots.

Trees had fallen across the roof, their weight crushing stone that should have withstood such assault.

Charles sighed with a tired look.

"I'm home, at last..." His voice was soft, barely carrying beyond immediate space. "Sorry it took so long."

He lifted the Star Jewel, the golden orb with metal claws gleaming as he rotated it slowly. His gaze fixed on the artifact with an expression mixing relief and determination.

"Just as I promised before I ended the Dark Silence..."

His head turned toward the side, and the crimson-black tide surged there. It flowed like a corrupted river, drifting around obstacles in patterns suggesting both liquid and conscious thought.

The malevolent flames created channels through the landscape, filling depressions and spreading outward in search of everything burnable.

"So now, let me fulfill the other promise." His voice gained resolve. "That I would help the current generation start living in the present and look toward the future."

Charles began walking toward the building, moving over the broken stones and navigating the debris field with familiarity, suggesting prior knowledge of the layout. He entered through the gap where walls had collapsed, stepping over roots that had claimed the entrance.

The interior was darker, with light from the outside barely penetrating through cracks and collapsed sections. The crimson-black tide had poured inside, creating water channels throughout the structure.

The malevolent flames flowed like streams, following the floor's natural slope and filling every depression. But Charles ignored the corruption, stepping through it without apparent concern.

"Just as I saw..." His mutter echoed slightly in the confined space. "I will create the barriers that will lock all of Eastern Hesod up, and them in. Allowing for the tide to do its job before making my final wish… I wish I could have spent more time walking around and saying goodbye to you all… But Vlad and Brunhilde should be rushing over here soon, so I need to make them now."

Even though there was no one here, Charles still spoke as this building held all the memories of his old friends and comrades. He paused at the doorway leading deeper into the structure. His hand rested against the frame, fingers tracing symbols carved there centuries ago.

"Without others' help, I will have to use the souls I have to create a barrier… To cover Eastern Hesod and make it strong enough to withstand Vlad and Brunhilde's blows would sacrifice a lot of souls… But this is all for the sake of the future I promised you all." Charles pressed his head against the frame and said. "Forgive me for what I must do, but I hope you all continue watching over me as always."

He continued moving forward, disappearing into the darkness beyond. Behind him, the tide trembled, not threatening motion but something approaching recognition, as if the corruption itself was responding to his presence with uncertainty.

…

Vlad walked over to where Brunhilde stood. His boots crunched against charred root fragments, each step deliberate despite tension radiating from his frame. His weathered face showed concentration mixed with concern.

"It's probably the skill he got after becoming a First Class Beast Master… Most of us Ancestors were still Second Class Beast Master back then…" His mutter carried across the area. "This is bad. We need to find out where he went and retrieve the Star Jewel."

Amiya rushed over, her curly black hair bouncing with frantic movement. "But can we even find him? He can see the future, wouldn't he know we were coming and simply leave?"

Vlad sighed, the sound carrying three centuries of exhaustion. "The fortunate thing is that he will have trouble viewing me and Brunhilde's future because we're First Class Beast Masters, but you're right, he can still know if we are coming." His frown deepened. "And worse, he can feel us through his perception."

The others continued talking, voices overlapping as theories and concerns were expressed simultaneously. Joseph gestured animatedly, arguing for immediate pursuit while Marie suggested splitting into teams. Veryn proposed using her barriers to somehow track magical signatures.

Brunhilde ignored them all as her focus turned inward, consciousness reaching toward the word symbol connection she maintained with Reinhard. Her thoughts projected along that invisible thread.

Rein, where are you?

The response came immediately, the words appearing in her mind with clarity.

I am heading toward where Charles is going.

Brunhilde's eyes widened slightly. Not dramatic widening but a subtle shift suggesting surprise poorly concealed.

Her thoughts formed rapidly. How do you know where he is going?

Through the help of the tide. Reinhard's mental voice carried a matter-of-fact tone, as if the statement required no elaboration. It will take a long time to explain, but to summarize, I can control the tide, and it helped me find that Charles went to the first Seeker base.

Brunhilde's eyes narrowed. Her mind raced through implications, forming responses even as she processed the revelation.

Then the others and I will go-

No. Reinhard quickly interrupted. I have a plan for you. I need you all to help deal with the crimson-black tide.

Is something about to happen to it? Or will it reach past Eastern Hesod soon?

I can feel it stirring deep, and I can tell an explosion is imminent from it. I can help suppress it a bit, but I'm not strong enough, and so it will soon blow up, covering the entire Eastern Continent.

Brunhilde grimaced slightly, but the subtle shift caught the attention of others nearby.

"Brunhilde?" Vlad asked in concern. "What's wrong?"

She waved dismissively without looking at him, maintaining focus on an internal conversation. Her thoughts projected with intensity matching her expression.

Okay, but how would we stop the crimson-black tide without the Star Jewel? Didn't Mimir say it would require the Star Jewel and everyone's connected belief to help push it out?

That's one way with the highest chance. Reinhard's response came with a slight pause, as if choosing words carefully. The other way is to combat the tide with light energy and have it cleanse the tide into something pure, like water.

Brunhilde's frown intensified. Her mind worked through the mechanics, immediately identifying issues. But I can't generate light that strong or wide enough to combat the... Wait, are you suggesting-

Yeah. Reinhard finished before she completed the thought. We're going to rely on Marie's skill, Gathering Strength, to create strong enough light to overpower the tide and turn it into a sea. The good thing is it won't place pressure on her body, so she can draw magic from even Vlad and you.

Brunhilde fell silent as her mind swiftly processed the plan. Examining it from multiple angles, identifying weaknesses, calculating probabilities, and assessing risk factors.

After three seconds, her thoughts formed. That could work, but what about Charles? He might interfere, unless you want that to happen, so that we can get him.

That's one plan. Reinhard's mental voice carried something approaching amusement. The other is that I will go deal with him. And before you say it, don't worry. I can deal with him with the help of the tide since I can control it.

Brunhilde sighed audibly. The sound was loud enough that several nearby warriors paused mid-conversation, glancing toward her with confusion.

She ignored them, thought projecting with exasperation poorly concealed.

Are you expecting me to trust you can deal with a First Class Beast Master by yourself?

Not a First Class, but Second Class. The correction came swiftly. It seems he plans to sacrifice some of his souls to create barriers to cage everyone and not let the tide spread to the rest of the continent.

Brunhilde blinked before realizing why Charles wasn't worried about the entire Hesod Continent and what he meant by just the forest itself.

If he plans to cage even me and Vlad, that would mean the number of souls he needs to sacrifice will be extremely large… Especially if he wants to maintain long enough to achieve his plan… Doesn't that mean-

Indeed, he will be weakened and perfect to attack. And once he feels the action of the others, he will either be forced to continue dealing with me or go over, which would give you and Vlad a chance to cut him down quickly. Even if he tried to run from me, I could use the tide to always find him and even attack from afar.

Brunhilde fell silent again, with it stretching to five seconds. And during these seconds, her expression cycled through multiple emotions.

Of concern, reluctant acceptance, frustration, and resignation.

Finally, her thought emerged with weariness matching Vlad's earlier sigh.

Why must these plans of yours always put you in the greatest danger?

Tell me about it. Reinhard's mental voice carried dry humor despite circumstances. Anyway, I'm trusting you to relay the plan to everyone. I have to go now.

Then nothing, the connection remained, but Reinhard's presence withdrew, attention diverted elsewhere.

Brunhilde sighed again, louder this time. She turned toward the assembled Inquisitors of Vlad, Marie, Joseph, Amiya, Janus, and Veryn.

All watched her expectantly, having noticed her distraction and grimacing.

She opened her mouth to speak.

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