His decision was made. "I'll cover it with an eyepatch until I find a way to control it."
With that thought, he retrieved the black eyepatch and secured it over his left eye. As he adjusted the strap, another important detail surfaced in his mind...
---
He had yet to examine his reward... the Crimson-Black Mask bestowed upon him by the Dark Avengers Club.
Taking a deep breath, Morca retrieved the mask along with its accompanying guide. Just as he was about to open it, a soft knock echoed through the silent room. He sighed and muttered, "Never mind, I'll go through it later." Carefully, he stored the mask away before stepping out of the bathroom.
His gaze immediately landed on his older brother, Emmett Lee, seated near the window. The usual playful smile was absent, replaced by an expressionless mask. Dressed in a sleek black suit, an unusual choice, he held something tightly in his grasp.
Morca's expression grew serious. "Brother, what's the matter? I thought we still had thirty minutes before departure?" He stepped closer, but Emmett remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on the horizon.
As Morca took another step forward, an oppressive chill swept through the room, turning the air frigid. His body tensed, his limbs stiffening as the sheer intensity of the cold nearly knocked him off balance. Before he could hit the floor, a firm hand caught him effortlessly.
Emmett's frown deepened. His grip tightened on Morca as he spoke. "We're leaving now."
Without waiting for Morca's response, Emmett lifted him effortlessly, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared into the quiet morning mist.
---
Not long after their departure, six figures emerged in the dimly lit apartment, each draped in long black hooded cloaks, their faces concealed. A distorted, robotic voice broke the silence. "Damn it. We missed him again. This is frustrating."
"That guy isn't just some simple 'Red Lord,'" another voice chimed in, laced with irritation.
"As expected. Even though we suppressed our presence to the level of an ordinary human, he still slipped away. I had my suspicions before, but now I'm certain, he's the one." The third figure's voice was distinct, recognizable if one listened carefully. It belonged to No. 3, the 'All-Knowing' of the Dark Avengers Club. He had been present at the battle ring, watching Morca's fight against the monstrous foe.
"If it weren't for that little rascal he keeps around, he might have confronted us directly. Confident in his own abilities, he could have tried to take us on... but instead, he escaped. Interesting." No. 3 smirked knowingly.
The six figures stood motionless for a moment before vanishing into a thick shroud of darkness, leaving the apartment eerily silent once more.
---
Meanwhile, in Section Three, two figures materialized within an abandoned building. One was clad in a black suit, his striking sky-blue hair swaying slightly. The other was a young boy in all black, an eyepatch covering his left eye, Morca Sherman.
Morca's face was pale, his expression filled with lingering shock from what had just transpired. "That presence back there... it could have easily ended my life," he muttered. He had been unaware of how close death had truly been.
A third figure soon arrived, making no effort to conceal his identity. He was a young man, likely in his late twenties, with dark blue hair and piercing gray eyes. His unreadable expression revealed little of his thoughts. This was Dino, Emmett Lee's most trusted subordinate. He was the same man Emmett had planted within the Voidspace Family and the one overseeing the Dark Avengers Club's control room.
"Take him to the Trial Grounds," Emmett ordered without looking at either of them.
Dino nodded. "Yes, Master Lee."
Emmett turned to Morca. "We'll meet again at the academy. Don't hide your abilities. If possible, let them know you are Crimson-Black, that will increase the likelihood of our paths crossing. If you don't see me... which is unlikely, but should it happen, just survive."
Before Morca could respond, Emmett waved his hand. A crack in space opened behind them, engulfing Morca and Dino instantly.
With them gone, Emmett exhaled deeply. "Now that everything is in motion, it's time for me to step into the light."
A shimmering diamond mask materialized in his hand. His lips curled slightly. "Such a familiar feeling... It's time Eden bears witness to the might of the 'Diamond Ghost Hand' once again."
Placing the mask over his face, his aura shifted dramatically. In an instant, he vanished. The moment he disappeared, the massive abandoned building behind him disintegrated into fine dust, particles dissipating into the air. A storm was brewing.
---
Far above, in a black airship cutting through the sky, Morca sat in silence, his mind churning. His eyepatch-covered eye remained shut as he sat motionless, deep in thought. 'Not again... this feeling is infuriating.'
It was the second time he had found himself utterly powerless against overwhelming strength, his fate left at the mercy of a force he could not oppose. The helplessness gnawed at him.
'I need to get stronger. My current pace isn't enough.'
With that determination, he closed his eyes, intending to enter the Oblivion Realm, his unique domain. But something was off. His thoughts were scattered, and he struggled to achieve the tranquility necessary to enter that state. His mind was a chaotic storm, preventing him from focusing.
'Damn it… I need to calm down first before trying again.'
As he attempted to steady his thoughts, exhaustion overtook him. Unbeknownst to him, he drifted into an unintentional sleep. The stress of the past few days, the dungeon, the Dark Avengers Club, the relentless battles, and his sleepless cultivation, had finally caught up to him.
Dino, standing at a distance, observed in silence. He shook his head slightly, murmuring to himself, "Another monster... perhaps even stronger than him. Just how do they do it? It must be linked to their mysterious lineage."
Despite his musings, he held no true concern over Emmett's fate. "Master Lee's words were absolute, but in truth, it's nearly impossible for him to fall. Even if things go south, he has countless means of survival. That's what I know about him."
With that, Dino turned his gaze back to the horizon. As the airship continue drifting to the direction of section two... The trial ground...