As the sun began to rise, Hide stirred awake. Jin and Rin were still asleep nearby, the faint sound of morning wind rustling through the trees. Back at Izumi's home, she entered Hide's room to check on him, only to find it empty. On the desk lay a note:
To Master Izumi,Thank you for taking care of me. I'm glad that I was able to meet you again. Sorry that I left so suddenly, but I didn't want trouble to come your way. I promise Minoa I'll visit again someday.— Your student, Hide.
Tears welled in Izumi's eyes. She clutched the note to her chest, unable to hold back her emotion.
Back in the forest, Rin and Jin awoke to find Hide gone. A note addressed to them explained his sudden departure:
I'm heading to Lissandra. I think I may find some answers there. —Hide.
They exchanged confused glances but wasted no time, quickly setting off to follow him.
Hide rode swiftly through the skies atop his bird, bypassing search parties scattered through the forest below. He knew the bounty on him wasn't just for his identity—it was for the power he carried.
He stopped near a quiet waterfall, hidden in the thick canopy. Dismounting, he stepped into the water and washed the blood from his body. For a brief moment, he let the cool stream run over his skin, finding clarity in its stillness.
But as he reached for a branch, the leaves beneath his left hand withered instantly.
"...It's spreading faster than I thought," he murmured.
The corruption was growing. Everything his left hand touched began to die. He couldn't risk touching anyone—not without spreading it. Gritting his teeth, Hide ran through the woods, harvesting herbs and plants for later. A rustling sound behind him made him tense up—but it was only a deer.
He moved on.
From a mountaintop, Hide observed the approaching storm: King Regis was nearby—and with him, the Zodiacs.
"This is going to be a problem," Hide muttered.
He made his way toward a secluded house on the outskirts of Lissandra, a place from his childhood. But when he arrived, it was empty.
"They're not here," he whispered.
He stood in silence, memories flooding back.
"Nice to see you again, Hide," came a familiar voice.
Hide turned. It was Hojo.
"I figured you'd come back. You've changed… but the corruption—it's worse. You're running out of time."
"Hojo, what are you doing here?"
"I came to warn you. Nagamoto's planning to use you—to push you to the edge. Once the corruption takes over, it'll trigger a portal. The fiends will return—and the Fiend King too."
Before Hide could respond, they were surrounded. Adventurers emerged from the trees, encircling them. A flash—then Hojo was gone. Vaporized.
Hide reached out, but his body seized with pain. The corruption was spreading fast—his left leg nearly engulfed.
"Capture him!" a man barked.
Nagasaki. His voice like gravel and spite.
They used strange electric bindings—technology, not magic. Sparks surged through Hide's body as he collapsed.
Nagasaki leaned in. "We meet again. You escaped me once, but this time… you'll be the key to father's plan."
Hide gritted his teeth as another shock surged through him.
Inside his mind, the voice returned:
Use your power. Let us take control.
A younger version of himself appeared in the void.
You can't do anything. Let us burn the world.
Outside, the bindings pulsed with energy—but Hide was still. Unmoving. Then, he laughed.
A deep, unhinged laugh that sent chills down the spines of the adventurers.
"He snapped," one whispered.
Suddenly, Hide broke free. The bindings shattered.
Nagasaki grinned. "Yes."
Hide removed his mask. The corruption had spread to the right side of his body—both eyes now marked.
He lunged.
Their clash was violent—feral. Hide's speed surged, corruption forming into jagged weapons. With one final roar, Hide gripped Nagasaki's head and hurled him like a ragdoll through ten trees.
The forest shook.
And the nightmare was just beginning.