The grand hall of the Sanctuary was filled with tension. For the first time in years, all active S-Rank teams had been summoned, their presence a testament to the gravity of the situation. The room’s massive arches echoed with whispered conversations as the hunters waited for the briefing. However, two familiar teams were noticeably absent—Team 7: The Nightguard and Team 8: The Ironclads.

Cain, leader of Team 1: The Voidbreakers, leaned against a pillar, his piercing gaze scanning the room. “It’s not like Darius to be late,” he murmured to Alice, his second-in-command.

Alice, ever composed, shrugged lightly. “Team 7 is likely still buried in some cursed zone. As for Darius…” she smirked faintly, “maybe he finally found a challenge too big for his hammer.”

The quiet conversation was interrupted as Renji, the guild master, entered the hall, flanked by the eight Advisors. His presence commanded immediate silence.

“Hunters,” Renji began, his voice steady but grave. “Thank you for assembling on such short notice. As you know, the Sanctuary has faced many threats, but none like what we’re about to confront.”

He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered teams. “Before we begin, an update: Teams 7 and 8 are still on their missions and unable to join us. However, we have new reinforcements to assist us in this critical hour.”

The heavy doors of the hall creaked open, and two pairs of figures entered. The first was Jase, a young hunter with an infectious grin, followed closely by his doll, Verra, whose calm, analytical demeanor balanced his energy. The second pair included the quiet and stoic Thorne, accompanied by his swift and precise doll, Lyra.

“These are Team 10: The Nightreavers and Team 14: The Shadowglaives,” Renji announced. “They’ve graduated early from their qualifiers, proving themselves worthy of joining this mission.”

The room filled with murmurs. A-Rank teams rarely worked alongside S-Rank hunters, let alone on missions of this magnitude.

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Jase wasted no time making his presence known. “Looks like we’re jumping into the deep end, huh?” he said, his tone light but confident. He gave a playful salute to the room. “Don’t worry—we’re here to make things interesting.”

Verra sighed, placing a hand on his arm. “Try not to embarrass us right away, Jase.”

Thorne, on the other hand, said nothing, his piercing eyes scanning the gathered teams with quiet intensity. Lyra, ever composed, added softly, “We’ll do our best to support the mission.”

Cain stepped forward, his expression neutral but curious. “You two must be good if Renji’s bringing you in early. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

Jase grinned. “Oh, we’ll do more than keep up. Isn’t that right, Verra?”

Verra rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. “We’re here to learn—and survive.”

Alice raised an eyebrow at Thorne. “You don’t say much, do you?”

Thorne shrugged slightly. “I speak when I need to.”

Marcus, leader of Team 5: The Bloodbound, chuckled as he crossed his arms. “Confidence is good. Just make sure it’s backed up with action.”

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Jase shot him a thumbs-up. “Don’t worry. You’ll see what we’re made of soon enough.”

Renji cleared his throat, bringing the room’s focus back to the map projected in the center of the hall. “Now that introductions are out of the way, let’s discuss the mission.”

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Renji gestured toward the map, where five ominous markers pulsed across various cursed zones. Each one represented a black monument left behind by Siren Head, their presence a reminder of the chaos it had unleashed.

“These monuments,” Renji began, “are not merely remnants of Siren Head’s destruction. They are anchors, tied to ancient void entities known as the 5 Wraiths of Dread—Mortis, Umbra, Abyssus, Noctis, and Ignis.”

The room grew still as Renji continued. “These wraiths are as old as the 3 Titans. Sealed away long ago, their prisons have been weakened by the void energy these monuments radiate. If left unchecked, the wraiths will escape.”

Kael, leader of Team 4: The Shadowblades, narrowed his eyes. “And if they escape?”

Renji’s gaze was cold. “If even one escapes, it will bring devastation far greater than Siren Head. Our task is to reach each monument, seal its cracks, and force the wraith back into its prison.”

The map shifted, highlighting each location. “Here’s the plan,” Renji said, pointing to each marker in turn.

* Team 1 will take Team 14 to the barren wastelands to confront Mortis, Wraith of Desolation.

* Team 4 will venture into the cursed forest to reseal Umbra, Wraith of Shadows.

* Team 5 will face Abyssus, Wraith of Fear, in the desert of illusions.

* Team 3 will navigate the volcanic region to seal Ignis, Wraith of Flame.

* Team 10 will join Team 8—once they return—to confront Noctis, Wraith of Silence, in the frozen wastelands.

“Team 2: The Abyssal Hunters will remain here as backup,” Renji added. “If the Sanctuary is attacked, Dante will be our first and final line of defense.”

Dante, leaning against the wall in the shadows, simply nodded. His presence alone was reassuring to the gathered hunters.

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As the teams digested their assignments, the reality of the mission set in. Fixing the monuments and resealing the wraiths would test their strength, coordination, and resolve.

Marcus smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Looks like we’ve got the desert. Fear doesn’t work on us.”

Kael’s expression remained calm. “The forest will be tricky. Umbra manipulates shadows—it’ll be like fighting ourselves.”

Viktor, leader of Team 3, glanced at Noir, his Nokorii. “The volcano will be dangerous, but fire can be outmaneuvered.”

Cain turned to Thorne. “You and your team will learn fast in the wastelands. Mortis drains everything around it—don’t let it overwhelm you.”

Thorne nodded. “We’ll follow your lead.”

Jase, ever the optimist, clapped his hands together. “Sounds like we’re getting the cold treatment. Don’t worry, Darius and I will keep things cool.”

Verra sighed but smiled faintly. “Let’s hope your jokes are as sharp as your sword.”

Renji raised a hand, quieting the room. “Prepare yourselves. You leave at first light. Fix the cracks, re-seal the wraiths, and return to the Sanctuary. Time is not on our side.”

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As the teams dispersed to make their preparations, Renji remained behind with the Advisors. His expression was grim.

“Do you think they can do it?” one of the Advisors asked.

“They have to,” Renji replied. “If we fail to reseal the monuments, the wraiths will escape fully, and their destruction will be unimaginable.”

Another Advisor, an older man with a long staff, frowned. “What if the seals aren’t enough? The void always has a way of slipping through cracks.”

Renji’s jaw tightened. “It’s a risk we have to take. The hunters don’t need to know, but even if the monuments are sealed, the void’s influence may still linger.”

“And if it does?” the Advisor pressed.

Renji’s eyes darkened. “Then we’ll face whatever comes next. That’s why Dante stays behind. If the void retaliates, he’ll be ready.”

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As dawn broke over the Sanctuary, the hunters gathered at the gates, their weapons ready, their Nokorii close by their sides. Each team exchanged nods of encouragement, the weight of their mission clear in their eyes.

Renji watched them leave, his heart heavy. The void’s power was awakening, and he could only hope the seals would hold. Unbeknownst to him, deep within the cursed zones, fragments of the wraiths already stirred, waiting for their moment to strike.

The battle against the void had only just begun.