Black snow. Apocalypse

The morning sun peeked through the window, casting golden light across the room where Josh and Kaen were already awake, minds focused and hearts pounding. Today was the day—they were going after the orb.

They dressed swiftly, layering themselves in enchanted garments and protective spells. Josh laced his boots tighter than usual, his fingers trembling slightly. Kaen sheathed his sword with purpose, checking it twice before strapping it to his back. The memory of Josh's berserk state was still fresh in both their minds.

"We don't know what we'll face after that dragon," Josh murmured, adjusting his purple cloak. "But if I lose control again…"

"You won't," Kaen replied firmly, gripping his friend's shoulder. "This time, we're prepared."

They summoned their magical Carters—floating mechanical beasts shaped like falcons—and soared through the morning skies to the school. The campus buzzed with its usual energy: students rushing to class, magical familiars dancing in the air, and professors discussing theory spells under shimmering trees. It felt almost too normal… for what was about to come.

During their morning class, as they tried to pretend like nothing was amiss, Lia approached them.

Her voice was casual, but her eyes pierced. "So… are you guys still planning to take the orb?"

Josh froze. "Or–orb? What orb?" he stammered with a fake chuckle.

Lia raised a brow, clearly unimpressed.

Kaen cut in smoothly, "We were just curious, you know, why that ancient figure with overwhelming power wanted it. We looked into it and… turns out, it was useless. Not worth the effort."

Josh leaned toward Kaen, whispering, "Since when did you get good at lying?"

Kaen smirked back, "Since we started trying not to die."

Lia paused for a moment, then simply said, "Well… just in case you do change your minds—I'm always available. And I'm a better ally than a spy."

Josh nodded, offering a grateful, awkward smile. "Thanks, Lia."

As she walked away, Kaen exhaled. "That was too close."

Morning class ended. Without wasting time, Josh and Kaen slipped into the grand library. After scanning through hundreds of titles, their eyes locked on a thick, black-bound book with a glimmering obsidian crystal set in the center of the cover. Josh's fingers tingled as he touched it.

"Multiplication spells," he whispered.

They flipped through the ancient pages until they found it: Echo Mirage Technique—a spell allowing duplication of body and memories for limited periods.

With intense focus, they cast the spell. Two shimmering copies appeared, blinking like translucent ghosts. Within moments, the doubles solidified and nodded, perfectly synced with Josh and Kaen's memories.

"Afternoon class?" Josh asked.

"Handled," Kaen said.

Leaving their doppelgangers behind, the real duo slipped into the underground passage beneath the school. The familiar chilling aura of the sealed corridor greeted them. They passed the broken first seal, descending deeper into darkness and toward the dragon's lair—the Second Seal.

They paused at the gate, hearts thudding.

"Ready?" Josh asked.

"As I'll ever be," Kaen replied, drawing his blade.

Josh activated his system.

> System Ping:

Fogbeast Armor initiated

Blightfall activated

Silence Spell active

The sealed cave door hissed open, revealing the towering beast within. Its scarlet scales shimmered like molten rock. Its crimson eyes glowed like rubies in a furnace. The dragon turned toward them, sensing their intrusion.

Then, it roared.

A deep, ear-shattering cry erupted, but the silence spell held firm. Still, the sheer pressure of the dragon's voice sent hurricane-force winds rushing through the chamber. Josh and Kaen shielded their ears and braced their feet.

"We're still in stealth. Let's move!" Kaen shouted, despite not hearing his own voice.

They charged. Josh summoned the Blightfall sword, its violet light cutting the air, while Kaen's own blade gleamed with lightning energy. They struck the dragon's scales—

CLANG!

Their swords bounced off uselessly. The creature's armor was far beyond what they expected—stronger than anything the fogbeast armor had ever faced.

With a growl, the dragon swung its tail, smashing both boys across the chamber. They crashed into the rock wall with a thunderous slam. Josh's armor sparked and held. Kaen, however, coughed blood, his hand trembling as he tried to lift his sword.

"Kaen!" Josh cried, then turned to the system.

"Is it possible to transfer the armor?!"

> System Ping:

Fogbeast Armor Transfer: 50% capacity available

Users of Fogbeast Armor: 2

"Do it," Josh commanded.

Purple light flowed from Josh's chest, enveloping Kaen's injured body. His wounds slowly healed as a layer of misty armor wrapped around him.

Kaen opened his eyes, breathing hard. "You gave me half your shield?"

"I'll take hits, but you'll survive," Josh said fiercely.

The dragon was not done—it stepped forward, claws cracking the ground beneath it. S