Whispers of the forgotten

After hours of poring over documents and gathering information, Morpheus headed straight to Germain's office to share his discoveries.

He entered with steady steps, finding Germain seated behind his desk, engrossed in a pile of reports. Germain looked up as Morpheus approached, his tone serious.

"Do you have new information on the case?"

---

Sharing the Findings

Morpheus took a deep breath and placed the old documents he had obtained from Michael on the desk.

"I found a name that might be linked to the killer: Galdeor. He was a nobleman ten years ago and, like me, possessed the Aetherial Shadow class. However, his life took a tragic turn when he was marked by the Primeval Demon of Envy, Varyth."

He paused, watching as Germain's expression became sharper with focus.

"What's intriguing is that Galdeor was hunted by the Church because of this mark, and his parents were executed for aiding his escape. If the killer is connected to Galdeor in some way, it means we're dealing with someone driven by much deeper motives than random revenge."

---

Germain's Response

Germain was silent for a few moments, leaning back in his chair thoughtfully.

"Galdeor..." he repeated the name, as though testing its weight. "I remember hearing rumors about him when I was younger—a fallen noble marked by a cursed symbol. But I never imagined his name would resurface in a case like this."

Fixing his gaze on Morpheus, Germain continued with gravity.

"If the killer is tied to Galdeor, he likely has a specific agenda. He's following a pattern, not striking randomly. The real question is: why these particular victims?"

---

Uncovering the Pattern

Morpheus nodded, his tone reflective.

"I'm beginning to think the killer isn't choosing his targets randomly. Each victim represents one of the seven sins. But in the case of Lord Alfonso, there was a twist. He symbolized wrath, yet he wasn't as innocent as we first believed. His actions—burning his wife and her lover—were deeply rooted in that sin. The killer seems to be punishing those who embody their sins."

---

Germain's Directives

Germain nodded thoughtfully.

"If that's the case, we need to identify the full pattern. This isn't just a series of murders; it's a carefully constructed message. The killer is not only skilled in shadow magic but also has a complex worldview. These are no ordinary crimes."

Placing his hand on the documents, Germain added,

"Keep digging, Morpheus. If you need additional support, don't hesitate to ask. But be careful—if the killer is truly tied to Galdeor's shadows, you're facing a foe unlike anything you've encountered before."

---

Morpheus's Resolve

As he left Germain's office, Morpheus's mind was racing. Could the killer be Galdeor himself, or someone following his ideology?

Walking through the corridors of the headquarters, he made an important decision:

The next step would be to understand the killer's psyche on a deeper level and decode his pattern before another victim falls.

After leaving Germain's office, Morpheus felt a strange surge of energy course through him. He stopped in his tracks as an ominous sensation washed over him. Closing his eyes, he realized his ability to see fragmented glimpses of the future had activated once more.

But this time, it was different. The vision wasn't a battle, as he had grown used to. Instead, he saw a familiar place: the headquarters of the Knight Battalion, where his uncle Jaiden served.

Chaos reigned in the vision. Fires consumed the structures, bodies lay scattered across the ground, and thick smoke blanketed the air.

At the center of the destruction stood the killer.

Morpheus snapped his eyes open, his heart pounding in his chest. The vision was more vivid and urgent than any he had ever experienced before.

Without hesitation, he grabbed his communication crystal, prepared to alert Germain if his fears were confirmed. Then, he bolted toward the battalion's headquarters, his determination burning brighter with every step.

When Morpheus arrived at the scene, dread overwhelmed him—it was exactly as he had seen.

Fires raged unchecked, the stench of smoke and blood filled the air, and the ground was littered with fallen knights. Despair gripped his heart as his eyes scanned the devastation.

Then, he saw him: his uncle Jaiden.

Jaiden was standing before the killer, locked in a perilous confrontation. The scene was charged with tension, and the sight of his uncle in this perilous position stabbed at Morpheus's very soul.Before Morpheus could react, with a small movement, the killer cut his uncle Jayden's neck with a blade of shadows.

"No!" Morpheus shouted, but the distance between them was too great.

Before Morpheus could intervene, the killer turned to face him, his movements deliberate and taunting. The red symbols on his white mask glowed ominously under the flickering firelight, as if mocking him.

A maniacal laugh echoed through the chaos.

"Welcome, Morpheus," the killer said, his voice dripping with malice. "Do you like my masterpiece?"

He gestured at the carnage surrounding them as though presenting a work of art he was proud of.

Morpheus clenched the hilt of his sword tightly, his entire body trembling with anger and frustration. But before he could act, the killer vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only devastation.

Morpheus stood amidst the wreckage, his eyes fixed on the destruction left in the killer's wake. His heart ached with loss, and his fists burned with the promise of vengeance.

Silently, he made a vow:

**"I will find you. And I will stop you, no matter what it