The night draped over the broken Sanctuary like a funeral shroud.
Inside the shattered halls, flickering holo-screens cast eerie glows over shattered stained glass and ancient machinery fused with cracked stone pillars.
The Four sat apart, each battling invisible demons far worse than the ones outside.
The Fractured Brotherhood
Daiki nursed his burning fists, still feeling the scars from the Titan's Wrath.
"We can't keep running."
Ren's eyes narrowed, wind stirring faintly.
"We fight smarter. Not harder."
Haru rubbed his temples.
"We need information — and allies. But where do we find any in a war between the Ministry and the Vatican?"
Icarus, still bearing the cursed crown, finally spoke, voice low and haunted.
"The crown showed me something… Ruth's betrayal is deeper than we thought. She's not just a traitor — she's the key to the Vatican's plan."
Ruth's Web
Meanwhile, Ruth stood in a hidden chamber beneath the Vatican's Cathedral.
Her eyes cold, she stared at a map dotted with markers of secret operations.
A shadow approached — Cardinal Malraux, the Vatican's ruthless strategist.
"Your loyalty is commendable, Sister Ruth. The Four are close to breaking. Soon, the Ministry will crumble."
Ruth smiled thinly.
"They are children playing at war. The real game is far bigger."
Ren broke the silence.
"There's a Ministry vault beneath Craterhold — with files and relics we need. If we get that, we might expose the Vatican's lies."
Daiki cracked his knuckles.
"Then let's burn their secrets to the ground."
Haru nodded, eyes glowing faintly.
"I'll scout ahead — foresight won't fail me this time."
Icarus adjusted the crown, its dark pulse synchronizing with his heartbeat.
"I'll cover your rear."
Under cover of darkness, the Four slipped through the ruins, shadows in the ancient tech ruins beneath the Sanctuary.
The air hummed with forgotten power — rusted gears turning, flickering neon panels lighting cryptic runes.
Suddenly — alarms blared.
Vatican patrols flooded the tunnels.
Ren's sword sliced through steel, wind roaring in his wake.
Daiki's earth power exploded, pillars smashing enemies aside.
Haru's eyes glowed as he predicted and dodged attacks, landing precise blows.
Icarus, crowned and cursed, unleashed fiery blasts fueled by the crown's dark energy.
The vault doors were seconds away — but so were reinforcements.
They burst inside.
Walls lined with relics pulsed with ancient energy.
In the center — a data crystal glowing with a blue flame.
Haru plugged into the crystal, his mind swimming in encrypted truths.
"We found it… the Vatican's plan to awaken The Herald — an ancient demon imprisoned beneath the city."
Ren's voice shook.
"If The Herald awakens... the world ends."
Escape and Revelation
As alarms screamed louder, the boys fled.
Ruth appeared, blocking their path — her eyes blazing with dark resolve.
"You cannot stop what's coming."
Ren stepped forward.
"We'll stop it. No matter the cost."
Ruth smiled cruelly.
"This isn't over. The real war begins now."