Chapter Text
The moment Xavier's hand and sword touched the sea—
It stopped.
The waves that had risen like claws froze in place, as if held back by an invisible force.
Then, slowly, silently... they retreated.
The entire island stilled. The mist broke apart and disappeared.
Silence fell.
The hunters behind Xavier stared in shock. Even Jeremiah, who had seen Xavier at his strongest, was wide-eyed.
Xavier's gaze remained calm, unreadable. He lifted his sword high, and with a quick flick, released a sharp arc of blinding light into the sky—a signal.
The helicopter that had been circling above turned back, hovering as a rope dropped toward them.
Xavier turned his head, speaking without emotion.
"Up. You all leave first. I'll stay to make sure the island doesn't strike again during your retreat. Jeremiah, they're yours."
Jeremiah gave a short nod.
"What about you?"
Xavier didn't blink.
"I believe I'll be fine."
The hunters, still shaken, didn't argue. One by one, they climbed the rope, ascending into the safety of the skies.
But just as the last few clung to the rope— the sea began to churn again, preparing to strike.
Before anyone could panic, Xavier stepped forward, his light evol flaring.
He spoke, voice cold and firm.
"Don't. You. Dare. Touch them."
The sea... froze. Not a ripple. Not a wave. It simply stopped.
Jeremiah turned slightly from the rope, eyes narrowed in disbelief.
Xavier, however, didn't react.
He stared at the sea, but his thoughts were spinning.
Why? Why did it listen?
The helicopter lifted, the hunters now safe in the air. Slowly, as if responding to some unspoken command, the waters surrounding the Island of Song calmed once more. The violent winds faded. The mist vanished completely. It was as though the island had never been disturbed.
Xavier stood alone now.
The strongest solo hunter on a sacred island, facing an ocean that obeyed him.
Something isn't right.
Without a word, he turned and walked back toward the ancient stone slabs that stood tall at the island's heart.
And as he stood before them, his palm brushed one of the stones—and a faint glow shimmered beneath his touch.
Xavier stood alone before the ancient stone slabs.
Without hesitation, he lifted his sword and made a shallow cut on his finger. Blood dripped—bright and red—against the weathered surface of the stone. He didn't flinch. He didn't care if the sea struck him again.
I need to know why the sea listened. Why it obeyed me...
The moment his blood touched the stone, the ground shimmered with a warm, soft blue glow. The air vibrated gently. Two small blue sea fishes, formed entirely of ethereal light, emerged from the stone and began to swim in the air around him—graceful, like guardians.
Xavier's eyes widened slightly. Even in his usual calm, this surprised him. He smiled faintly, dry and cool.
"It doesn't seem hostile to me. Quite the opposite."
Then, the slabs around him began to hum. Ancient Lemurian letters glowed softly across their surfaces, flowing like water. He didn't understand the language, but something compelled him to lift his hand. As he brushed the glowing words.
Flashes of voice memory struck him—
"Will you be the most loyal follower of the Lemuria Sea God... and the only lover? Will you offer me your heart in exchange?"
The voice was warm. Familiar. Soft.
Xavier's own voice, from long ago, echoed back, cool and steady.
"Don't need to ask further. I'm willing."
Another voice spoke then, softer, filled with pain.
"Even if you are willing to give me this heart, I won't take it."
Xavier's voice cut through the memory, colder, firmer.
"And I won't let you burn your life for it... just because you don't want my heart."
Suddenly, the voices vanished—interrupted. A real voice cut through the air.
"XAVIER!"
Xavier turned sharply.
Through the mist of sea aura, Rafayel appeared—his short purple hair flutter a little behind him, his chest glowing softly with a red sigil of their ancient bond. His eyes were wide, breath sharp, footsteps fast and desperate.
Xavier blinked once.
Rafayel stood before him, angry and concerned all at once.
Rafayel demanded, voice trembling beneath the cool tone he tried to hold.
"Why are you here?"
Xavier's eyes widened slightly—not in fear, but in surprise. Of all people, of all moments... it was him.
"Rafayel?"
The name left his lips, calm and composed as always, but his heart was thudding beneath that collected voice.
Rafayel walked straight toward him, fast and cold, but behind the steady steps was something raw—worry, anger, something rare that Xavier had only caught glimpses of before.
Rafayel's voice was low, sharp, threaded with something trembling beneath the surface.
"I'm asking you—why are you here?"
Xavier smiled, faintly, still keeping his posture cool and unbothered. He slowly pulled his hand back from the glowing aura that surrounded the stone slabs.
"I was requested to help. A few hunters from UNICORN got themselves trapped here. They picked the wrong vacation spot."
He looked straight into Rafayel's eyes.
"They're safe now."
Rafayel didn't relax. His brows furrowed deeper, his voice sterner.
"Then why didn't you leave?"
Xavier's tone stayed calm, but there was quiet intensity behind his words.
"Because the sea... obeyed me."
His gaze didn't waver.
"And I want to know why."
He took a step forward, tilting his head just slightly.
"And why are you here? This island isn't near anything. You couldn't have arrived this fast unless—"
Rafayel suddenly grabbed his wrist—cold, sharp, firm.
"I'm not explaining. But we're leaving. Now."
Xavier stared at the grip on his arm. His voice dropped low, calm but questioning.
"How are we leaving?" he asked. "This place is surrounded by sea."
Rafayel's expression didn't shift. His eyes stayed cold as he muttered,
"You can teleport."
Xavier shook his head slightly, amused.
"Not that far. I need a landing point. And this island is... nowhere close to anything."
Then his voice dropped even lower, tone cooler, words more piercing.
"But you have a way."
His gaze locked with Rafayel's.
"Don't you? ...A Lemurian."
At that, Rafayel froze.
He turned fully toward Xavier, jaw clenched. He let go of Xavier's wrist, trying to step away—but Xavier caught his hand before it could fall. This time, gently... firmly.
"Don't avoid me."
The wind shifted. The sea stayed still. And for the first time in a long time, the bond between them pulsed faintly, glowing at Rafayel chest.
Xavier didn't loosen his grip. His hand stayed firmly wrapped around Rafayel's.
Cool. Calm. Unwavering.
But the island—alive with hidden magic—responded to him.
A soft current of energy swirled around them, gentle like a tide, yet ancient and knowing. The power flowed instinctively toward Xavier, almost as if drawn to his very feelings.
Then again, the two glowing fishes appeared.
Blue. Ethereal. Floating in the air around their joined hands—like protectors, or witnesses.
Xavier's eyes widened slightly.
He felt it. The connection. The pull. The recognition. It wasn't just the island—it was something deeper.
But Rafayel didn't smile. His face tightened, his lips trembling faintly.
Without looking at Xavier, he spoke. Cold. Sharp.
"Disperse."
The moment the word left his lips, everything vanished.
The fishes dissolved into soft light. The power stilled.
The air fell silent.
No more glow. No warmth. Just a quiet breeze brushing past them, and the silence left behind.