CHAPTER 38: DEVASTATING REVELATION

"Let’s continue this in my room." Valen said firmly as the other two nodded without question.

"And about your Core Release," Valen added, glancing at Ren. "There are many stages you can take from here. It’s not just about raw strength and speed. We’ll get into the details soon. But for now, I’m giving you permission to join the war. You’ll be a valuable asset."

The three of them headed back to Valen’s office. Ren trailed a few steps behind, lost in thought. Kaien had always been the kind of person who laughed things off, never taking anything too seriously. But earlier, his voice had carried a heavy weight, a seriousness that Ren had never seen before. Whatever Kaien was planning to say, it had to be something important.

As they walked, Valen leaned closer to Kaien and whispered. "Are you really planning to tell him?"

Kaien nodded. "Yeah. He deserves to know. Keeping this secret won’t help anyone. I already spoke to the leader and he agreed with me."

Valen exhaled. "If that’s your decision then I won’t stop you."

As they arrived, the air inside the room grew heavy with tension. Valen sat at his desk, Ren on the couch, and Kaien leaned against the door.

"So, what I’m about to tell you might shock you, if not outright kill you." Kaien said.

"Hey!" Valen interrupted as he shot him a sharp look.

Kaien continued. "Earlier, I mentioned running into one of the Fangs. That man, his power is terrifying. I can say with certainty that he’s on par with us Wardens. I don’t know about the others yet, but that one alone was enough to confirm it."

Ren’s eyes widened. "Really? Then I have to get stronger fast."

"That’s not all. This specific Fang might actually be targeting you."

Ren blinked in disbelief. "Me? Why? I’m not even from here! Is it because of all the attention I drew in that fight with Grin?"

"Not exactly. Though that might’ve added fuel to the fire." Kaien muttered.

"Oh, for crying out loud, Kaien!" Valen snapped, slamming his hand on the desk. "If you’re going to tell the kid, then just tell him!"

"Okay, that Fang is your brother."

Valen buried his face in his palms, shaking his head at Kaien’s utter lack of tact.

Ren froze. His eyes widened as the words slammed into him like a hammer. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t even breathe properly. His entire body just stiffened as disbelief consumed him.

His world was about to shatter. His brother, the only family he had left, the one he looked up to, the one who taught him how to fight, was a Fang.

No. No, that can’t be right. Did Kaien even confirm this? No, no, no. He’s a good guy, he has to be. He always protected me. He....wait, am I supposed to fight him? Stop him? I can’t. He’s too strong, too important. This.....this doesn’t make any sense!

"Snap out of it and listen to me!" Kaien’s sharp voice cut through the spiral in Ren’s head, bringing him back into the present.

"I think your brother is trying to awaken something inside you." Kaien said firmly. "I don’t know what he’ll do after, but I’m sure it won’t be good. That’s why you’re not allowed to go to war unless your Core Release is activated. At the very least, you need the strength to hold out until I or another Warden can reach you."

"But..." Ren’s voice wavered.

"There are no buts, Ren. This is reality." Kaien’s tone grew sharper. "I’m sorry, but we can’t keep the truth from you anymore."

"Then why even tell me this now?"

"Because we want you to be ready." Kaien answered/ "If you choose to stay with ZEAL, you’ll continue to be on the battlefield. And sooner or later, whether I like it or not, you’ll face him or he’ll come for you. When that time comes, I don’t want you to lose yourself. It’s fine to be shaken here, but out there, in the middle of a war, you have to stay composed."

"I... I still can’t process all of this. I’m sorry, but can I just go back to my apartment for now? I’m sorry, Kaien, Valen. I just need some time alone."

Valen and Kaien exchanged a look, both silently agreeing. They knew Ren had to process this on his own. The revelation was heavy, far too heavy for a boy his age to carry all at once.

"Alright." Valen finally said. "We’ll see you tomorrow morning."

Ren gave a faint nod before stepping out of the room.

His footsteps echoed down the quiet streets as he wandered aimlessly through the ward. His eyes were vacant and his mind hollow. Each step felt like walking through fog. A part of him begged for this to be a nightmare he would wake from, but deep down, he knew it wasn’t. This was reality.

And reality was cruel.

His brother, the only family he had left, the one who raised him, who taught him how to fight, wasn’t just gone. He was a Fang. One of the main figures of the Shikkoku.

Eventually, he found himself sitting at the edge of the sparring platform. The night was silent as the stars and moon cast a pale glow over him. He buried his face into his knees, his chest tightening with emotions he couldn’t hold on his own.

"What am I supposed to do? What am I even supposed to feel?!" Ren shouted into the emptiness, his voice echoing faintly in the stillness.

And as if materializing from the shadows, a woman appeared beside him. She had a glowing white hair that shimmered under the moonlight, and her sharp blue pupils seemed to pierce straight through him as a white jacket hung loosely over her shoulders like a cape, its fabric fluttering with the passing breeze.

"Then just knock some sense into your brother or something." the girl said casually.

Ren shot to his feet and instinctively stepped back a few meters. His hand gripped the hilt of his katana as tension surged through him.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Don’t panic, I’m just passing by." The woman said calmly. "My name’s Gale."

"Did Kaien send you to watch me? Or was it Valen?" Ren shouted.

"Neither. I’m actually keeping an eye on Kaien."

"Huh? Are you the affiliate he mentioned?"

"Affiliate? Is that how he described me to you ZEAL guys? Ugh, I’m going to smack him for that."

Ren’s guard lowered as his wariness turned into surprise and curiosity.

"So you are close to him! But why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be in the 13th ward?"

"I take breaks sometimes. I can’t just stay there forever, or people will find me. And for the record, I’m not just an affiliate’" she said with a pout.

Ren blinked at her, lost for words.

"I-I-I’m his girlfriend."

Oh Valen, I can’t wait to tell you this. Ren thought.

After a while, the two sat quietly on the edge of the platform.

"I think I know the situation to some extent. After all, Kaien told me." Gale finally said, breaking the silence. "I won’t say I understand, because honestly, I don’t. I never had a family. But if he really matters to you, then knock some sense into him."

"And what if he refuses to listen?"

"Then deal with it when that time comes. Your heart and instincts will guide you. Kaien told me you’re a good kid, with strong values. Hold on to that. But remember this, if you can’t reach your brother, you’ll face a choice. Either stop him or let him get you."

Ren looked worried. After all, he knew deep down that he could never kill his own brother.

"But don’t worry." Gale continued. "If you can’t decide, the Kaien and all of the ZEAL guys will protect you. Even I. But promise me this, if Kaien is forced to act, don’t hate him. He cares about you and the ZEAL guys more than himself. If the worst happens, try to forgive him."

Ren’s chest ached at those words, but he understood. This wasn’t just about him and his brother, it was about the peace of all Aetherpolis.

"But don’t worry." Gale said with a smile. "We’ll knock some sense into your brother first."

Despite still feeling down, Gale managed to lift Ren from the abyss of thoughts he was drowning in. He wasn’t okay, not yet, but he felt as if he could at least move forward and accept this reality. Deep inside, he made a resolution with himself.

I’ll save you, Kade. I definitely will.

"Anyway." Ren said after a moment of silence. "Why don’t you just join ZEAL?"

"I prefer to act alone." Gale replied casually. "I don’t like having someone telling me what to do. It’s not that I dislike ZEAL or Ayato, for that matter. He’s a good guy. I just want to be free, you know? Don’t get me wrong though, I still lend ZEAL a hand here and there. After all, I want peace too. But just think of me as an owl, one that hunts either alone or with a pair."

"Hmmm..." Ren smirked faintly. "So Kaien’s that pair, huh?"

"S-stop it! I’m older than you! Don’t tease me!" Gale shot back, clearly blushing.

Ren and Gale just burst out laughing, waving her embarrassment away. Soon, the teasing faded, and the two slipped into lighter conversation. It was simple, but warm. After a while, silence fell between them, the kind that meant the night was winding down.

"So? Where are you gonna go after this?" Ren asked.

"Guess I’ll just hang around some inns in this ward and stay for the night. Anyway, don’t tell Kaien you saw me here. He’ll probably come running. I don’t want to see him right now, not after he called me an ’affiliate.’ If I do, I might just smack him."

"Yeah, fair enough." Ren replied with a small laugh.

The very next morning, Ren headed straight to the training grounds with Botan and Isamu.

Unlike yesterday, when their walk had been filled with casual chatter and lighthearted mood, today carried a different air. A weight pressed down on their shoulders, every step heavy with unspoken tension. After all, this was their final day of training before the war against the Ashen Scars. And from what they’d heard, the Shikkoku themselves might be directly involved.

When they arrived, Valen and Kaien were already waiting.

"So? How are you feeling?" Valen asked, eyes steady.

Ren took a deep breath. "I’d be lying if I said I’m okay. But I’m ready to move forward and face reality head on."

Valen smiled faintly, but Kaien looked pale, his body trembling as though the ground beneath him had cracked open.

"What’s with you, Kaien? Shouldn’t you be relieved he’s holding up well?" Valen asked.

Before Kaien could answer, a chilling pressure swept over the training grounds. It slammed into them like a snowstorm in midwinter, freezing into their skin and their bones.

The ZEAL members instinctively stepped aside, making way as Gale walked forward, her presence alone was enough to catch every eye to her.

"You know what?" Her voice cut through the air, echoing across the grounds. "I almost left earlier, but then I remembered your words. The way you introduced me." Her eyes locked on Kaien. "An affiliate."

Ren exhaled slowly and glanced at Valen. With a faint smile Valen let go of his grip from the dagger at his side. He immediately understood what was going on.

"G-G-Gale! H-hello, how are you? Why are you here? An affiliate? Who told you that? O-of course I’d never say that!" Kaien stuttered, trying to hide behind Valen.

But before he could do so, Valen had already vanished into a portal and reappeared right beside Ren, leaving Kaien exposed.

"Affiliate? Seriously? I’ve been your girlfriend for five years!" Gale snapped.

"Five years?!" Valen muttered in disbelief.

"You’re going to love this." Ren whispered to Valen, both of them barely holding in their laughter.

Suddenly, chains of ice crept up from Gale’s feet, holding Kaien in place before he could move. She walked slowly toward him, eyes sharp and glistening with unshed tears.

"So?" She demanded, her voice cracking with fury. "Who am I to you? Say it! Let everyone hear!"

"C-c’mon, Gale, let’s talk about this somewhere private." Kaien pleaded in panic.

"No! Say it now or I’ll freeze you solid!"

"Fine! She’s my girlfriend!" Kaien’s voice echoed across the training grounds, enough for everyone to hear.

Ren and Valen immediately burst into laughter.

"I’ve never seen Kaien get crushed this badly. It’s beautiful." Valen said while laughing.

"Yeah, priceless." Ren agreed, laughing just as hard.