The Royal Palace

Aria froze, her whole body trembling as she stared at the ashes that drifted where Cain once stood. Her voice cracked, barely above a whisper.

"I… I killed him."

Arian placed a firm hand on her shoulder, his expression calm but sharp.

"Aria, forget about him. He totally deserved what he got. And besides—knowing Cain, he won't die that easily. He's always been a pain in the neck."

They turned to walk away, but then—

A smooth, mocking voice slithered from behind them.

"Arian… you sure do know how to say words that hurt a lot."

Aria froze again, her heart hammering. Slowly, both she and Arian turned back—only to see Cain standing there as if nothing had happened. His body was unscathed, his skin steaming as if freshly forged from fire. His clothes, however, had been completely burned away.

He stood naked before them, utterly shameless.

Aria's cheeks flared crimson. She squeaked in panic, throwing both hands over her eyes.

"W-what are you doing!? Cover yourself!"

Cain smirked, tilting his head.

"Oh? Don't be shy. You were the one who did this to me… so shouldn't you take responsibility?"

Before Aria could shout, a bundle of fabric smacked Cain square in the face.

Cain pulled it down, blinking. Then he smiled faintly.

"…Fredrick. You're still alive. Thanks for the clothes, by the way."

Standing at the hall's edge was Fredrick, calm as ever, his presence sharp as a blade.

Cain slipped into the clothes leisurely, Aria cautiously lowering her hands from her face once he was dressed.

Cain chuckled.

"So you stayed here in the Royal Palace instead of rotting away in the Crucible with the rest of us, huh?"

Aria leaned toward Arian, whispering urgently.

"Arian… didn't you say all of the Six live in the Crucible? Then why is Cain saying that like Fredrick's different?"

Arian sighed. His voice was steady, but his gaze was fixed on Fredrick.

"That's because… Fredrick is part of the Six."

Aria's eyes widened, shock washing over her.

"F-Fredrick… is one of the Six!?"

Fredrick turned to her then, expression calm but unreadable. His voice was cold, clipped, precise.

"Lady Aria. We should meet with Lord Azreal. We mustn't keep him waiting."

Aria nodded quickly. She turned to move with Arian when—

Cain's voice slid in, teasing.

"Fredrick, wait—"

BAM.

The air cracked. Heat and pressure surged. Aria turned just in time to see Cain stumble back. One of his hands was blown off entirely, flesh and bone reduced to steaming vapor. A massive hole tore through his forehead, so clean and deep that Aria could see right through to the other side.

Fredrick's right hand was raised, thin trails of steam curling from his fingertips. His eyes were cold, merciless.

"Don't touch me, Cain."

For a heartbeat, Cain stood frozen, lifeless. Then, impossibly—

A smile curved across his broken face. His body pulsed with unnatural vitality. The severed hand regenerated in seconds, new flesh hissing with steam. The gaping hole in his forehead sealed shut as if it had never been there.

Cain flexed his new fingers and chuckled darkly.

"Still cold as ever, Fredrick."

Aria's breath hitched. She hadn't even seen Fredrick move, and Cain—Cain who should have been erased by Yuzara's flames—was standing whole again.

Her thoughts spiraled.

I didn't even see it… Fredrick is terrifying. But Cain… what even is he? Burned to ash, body shattered, head pierced clean through—and yet he keeps coming back. Again and again. Is this… the power of the Six?

Arian's voice cut into her thoughts.

"Let's go, Aria."

She nodded mutely, forcing her feet to move. Arian floated beside her in his small form, steady as always.

Behind them, Cain and Fredrick walked together in silence, a dangerous tension between them.

---

The Crucible — Fifth Layer

In a meticulously arranged room, the air smelled faintly of lavender. A young girl with long, messy brown hair slept tangled in her sheets, her breath slow and even.

Sarah appeared in the air above her bed. Her voice rang sharp.

"You're still sleepy as ever, aren't you?"

The girl groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow.

"Go away, Sarah…"

Sarah rolled her eyes.

"Rise and shine… Lyra."

Lyra groaned again, pulling the sheets over her head.

"What is it now? I've been sleeping peacefully since our last mission. Why must you always come to disturb me?"

Sarah's lips curled into a sly smile.

"A mission has been assigned to Lord Azreal. He wants the Six to accompany him. The mission is in the world of the living. But if your sleep is more important, then no need to worry—I'll simply inform Lord Azreal that Lyra chose to waste time in bed instead of helping him."

Lyra's eyes flew open in horror. She bolted upright.

"Don't do that! You're so mean, Sarah! I just wanted a little sleep."

Sarah's gaze narrowed.

"And what have you been doing all these years if not sleeping?"

Lyra pouted, her voice small.

"…Fine. I'll get ready for the mission. But first—just a little nap. Go call the others, then come back and wake me properly."

Sarah's expression flattened.

"Has sleep rotted your brain, Lyra? What layer do you think this is?"

Lyra blinked. "What kind of question is that? Of course you're in the Fifth Layer."

"Then," Sarah said dryly, "how exactly do you expect me to call the others if I'm already here? You think I left the First Layer and came all the way down here just to personally wake you, then back up again?"

Lyra groaned and flopped off the bed, still wrapped in her sheets like a cocoon.

"Fine, fine, I'll get up…"

Sarah folded her arms.

"Lord Azreal is at the Royal Palace. Don't make him wait."

Lyra shuffled toward a glowing portal, still wrapped in bedding.

"Fine, fine… I'm going…"

She stepped through, cocoon and all, and the portal snapped shut behind her.

---

Sixth Layer

The sound of rapid gunfire echoed through a training hall. Rows of lifeless dummies stood at the far end, their heads exploding one after another with perfect precision.

Lying prone on the floor, a young man steadied a massive sniper rifle, eyes cold and unblinking.

Sarah appeared in the air, her voice sharp and clear.

"Shot."

Without turning his head, without pausing his fire, the young man answered coolly.

"What's up, Sarah? You came to visit me today?"

Sarah's eyes glinted.

"A mission has been assigned to the Six. You will accompany Lord Azreal to the world of the living."

Silence stretched. Shot fired one last bullet. The dummy's head popped off cleanly and clattered to the floor.

He stood, the rifle dissolving into black flames in his hands. His lips curled into the faintest smile.

"…Finally. A real mission. I was getting bored of shooting at lifeless dummies."

Sarah gave a single nod. A portal opened behind her.

"Then don't waste time. Lord Azreal is waiting in the Royal Palace."

Shot slung his hands into his pockets, walking toward the portal. He stopped at the threshold, half-turned to her.

"See you there, Sarah."

Then he stepped through. The portal snapped shut, the air going silent again.

Sarah's voice lingered in the empty chamber, low and satisfied.

"The Six are ready."

And with that, she disappeared.

---

At the Royal Palace — The Throne Room

The throne room of the Royal Palace was bathed in a soft golden glow, light spilling down from the high arched windows. The polished marble floor reflected the fire of the chandeliers, while the throne itself, carved of obsidian and gold, seemed almost alive with authority.

Azreal sat casually upon it, one leg crossed, sipping from a porcelain teacup with an ease that contrasted the overwhelming aura he carried. Behind him stood Jack, silent yet watchful, also sipping tea from a cup he held delicately between his fingers.

Jack broke the silence first, his voice smooth and almost nostalgic.

"This is the first time in years since I've made you tea, my lord. I hope it's still the same."

Azreal's crimson eyes flickered with a rare softness as he lowered the cup.

"It's the same, Jack. Just like you used to make it."

Jack smiled faintly, bowing his head slightly.

"I am honored."

The heavy doors creaked open, interrupting the calm. From the light spilling in, a figure walked in with an air of grace. Aria. Floating beside her, Arian drifted like a guardian spirit, his presence sharp and protective. Following closely behind them were Cain and Fredrick, their footsteps echoing in the vast chamber.

They all lowered their heads respectfully before Azreal.

Azreal's voice rumbled with calm authority.

"Aria… it seems Veymar delivered my message."

Aria raised her head, her expression a mix of reproach and quiet fondness.

"Yes, he did. But you should have told me about it earlier. I would have stayed behind rather than return to the Second Gate."

Azreal leaned back against his throne, his expression unreadable yet tinged with thought.

"I was still debating whether you should come along. I didn't want to give you hope and then choose not to take you."

Aria's lips curved faintly as she folded her arms.

"That's the same thing Arian said. But it's fine."

Cain's gaze narrowed on her, suspicion burning in his eyes. He leaned toward Fredrick, whispering low enough so only he could hear.

"Who's she? And how is she related to Lord Azreal?"

Fredrick remained calm, his eyes never leaving the throne.

"You could call her… a friend."

Cain arched an eyebrow, smirking slightly.

"Oh… a friend to Lord Azreal."

Before Azreal could respond, another voice rolled through the throne room, calm yet laced with amusement.

"Well, well… nice to see the group gathered once again."

Everyone turned.

Approaching slowly into the chamber was Shot, his presence sharp as a blade. Beside him, suspended gently in the air, was Lyra—sleeping peacefully, her hair trailing behind her like flowing silver.

Shot bowed his head slightly as his voice carried respect.

"Good day, my lord."

Lyra stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She drifted down gracefully, landing before Azreal with elegance, before bowing her head as well.

"My lord."

Azreal's gaze swept across them all.

"Now that we're all here, let me introduce you properly."

He turned his attention toward Aria, his tone firm yet welcoming.

"Aria, let me introduce the Six to you."

He gestured toward Cain first.

"Cain. The first member of the Six."

Aria's eyes flickered briefly toward him before Azreal continued.

"Fredrick. The second. Eric—the third."

He shifted slightly, motioning to the man at his side.

"And Jack… the Ripper. The fourth member of the Six."

The name hit Aria like a thunderclap. She froze, her breath catching in her throat.

"J-Jack the Ripper? You mean… the infamous serial killer from England?"

Azreal's lips curled faintly, almost amused.

"So… you know him. Or rather, you've heard of him."

Cain chuckled under his breath, his smirk widening.

"Jack… she called you infamous. And yet she's heard of you."

Jack lifted his gaze only slightly, his expression unreadable as his voice cut through.

"That's quite a crude title, my lady. Better you call me simply Jack."

Aria blinked, realizing her mistake. She straightened herself quickly.

"Sorry, Jack."

But as her eyes lingered on him, her thoughts whirled uncontrollably.

A serial killer… serving Azreal tea. What is he even doing here? Does he… still have people to kill? No… what am I saying? He died. That's why he's here. There's no way someone like him would make it to Heaven…

Her inner thoughts were interrupted as Azreal's deep voice brought her back.

"Meet Shot and Lyra. The fifth and sixth members."

Aria bowed her head slightly in greeting.

Lyra tilted her head, her tone carrying curiosity.

"Is she… joining the Six too?"

Eric exhaled smoke lazily from his mouth, leaning against the wall.

"Hmph. Didn't know we were getting a new member."

Azreal's voice cut the murmurs short.

"No. She's not joining the Six. But she will accompany us on the mission."

Before anyone could respond, the doors flew open once more.

"Sorry—I'm late!"

Lexi rushed in, adjusting her glasses hurriedly as her footsteps echoed across the chamber. She stopped before Azreal, straightened herself with a small bow, and greeted him respectfully.

"My lord."

Aria turned her eyes toward her, curious.

Azreal's gaze softened slightly.

"Everyone, meet Lexi. She will also be accompanying us to the world of the living."

Lexi raised her head, smiling faintly as her glasses caught the chandelier's glow.

"Hi, everyone."

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