Downtown Tokyo — Café Golden Monkey
The Café Golden Monkey feels like a relic from another time. Dark wood paneling lines the walls and fine gold details shimmer softly under the lamps. Between Victorian ornaments there's a hint of magic in the air.
Lucil and Mai have taken a seat by the window silently watching the bustling world outside.
"Are you making progress?" Lucil finally asks.
Mai nods.
"Yes, a little. Thank you for teaching me."
"You're not allowed to learn the family techniques." he reminds her. "That's why - rose arts."
"To be honest those brutal techniques are nothing compared to the roses you're showing me." Mai says quietly. "They feel thorny - and strong."
Lucil watches the people rushing past the window; Mai follows his gaze.
A few minutes later Silver and a silver-haired woman enter the café. Silver wears a light silver jacket and shirt with white trousers and silver-white dress shoes. At his side appears a beauty with light green eyes and flawless white-painted nails. Her loosely draped silver dress bears a moon engraving; her long hair is held back by a moon-shaped clip. White thigh-highs and silver heels complete the look.
They reach the table.
"You're late." Mai remarks.
Silver laughs.
"She had to glam up - looking sharp when meeting her arch-enemies."
Lucil raises an eyebrow.
"Cool. Does she still want to kill me?"
The girl—Ruin—cracks her knuckles, pulls her moon clip like a blade and holds it to Lucil's throat.
"Cool. Ruin, chill out." Lucil says calmly.
"Yeah beautiful day," Silver agrees.
Ruin exhales deeply as she puts the clip back in her hair and sits down beside Mai; Silver takes the seat next to Lucil.
Lucil pulls out a necklace with a rose emblem from one of his pockets. His eyes glow ruby red as he breathes in and out.
"Rose Illusion."
Petals dance across the table swirling tighter and tighter until they weave a subtle illusion barrier. To outsiders their table now appears empty - the world of mages remains hidden.
Mai, Silver, and Ruin watch the scene curiously.
"The Rose Mage," Silver murmurs.
The pendant in Lucil's hand flares to life.
"No one should notice our world," Lucil says.
"Hmm… so why meet here of all places?" Ruin asks.
Silver glances at her.
"It's almost time. Our clans want war."
"Yes and rightfully so!" Ruin snaps at him. She grabs a fork and points it at Lucil like an accusation.
The illusion of swirling rose petals encases the table like a fine silk bell. Only those sensitive to magic might sense it; for everyone else the spot remains empty. Between the scent of dark coffee and caramelized sugar the air shimmers like a summer afternoon.
Lucil rests his arm on the table studying Ruin through the edges of his eyelids.
"Why are you so ready to brawl? No, I'm definitely not eager for war. Same old blue-eyed propaganda - Silver could write a song about it."
Silver shrugs.
"They don't know the weight of war."
Mai giggles softly but her smile fades as tension returns to the group.
"We're the same age." Silver continues. "And we're friends—brothers. Why should we slaughter each other? It makes no sense."
Lucil leans forward.
"Give me one logical reason."
Ruin lifts her chin.
"The History. The supremacy of magic in Japan."
"And whoever wins the conflict gets a permanent seat in the Mage Tower - and unlimited resources." Mai adds.
Lucil laughs so loudly that heads outside the illusion turn toward the sound but they can't see him.
"That old tower still exists? Honestly, I can think of better things. Compared to the Tower Mages, my dad is pretty weak."
Silver nods.
"Our family isn't exactly all-powerful either."
Mai and Ruin stare at the boys in disbelief.
"W–what? Dad is - but when I look at you, Lucil… you defeated Father," Mai breathes.
"Same goes for you, Silver," Ruin adds.
The two boys bump fists in silent confirmation.
"We're not fighting," Silver says. "And neither are you two. Understood?"
Ruin opens her mouth to protest.
"But I —"
"Ruin, you're learning the Moon Arts from me. That's all you need. Create something of your own."
Silver's gaze is firm but gentle.
Ruin and Mai exchange a glance—a brief flicker of silent panic, as if they'd just glimpsed a crack in the world where truth leaks through.
Lucil claps his hands.
"Something to drink?"
Ruin nods and Mai too.
"Why not bro?" Silver smiles.
A snap of Lucil's fingers and the rose necklace glows—the illusion fades.
The waitress looks elegant. Her dress is silky black-red, her eyes are a deep metallic blood-red and a rose-shaped clip ties her hair together.
She serves pancakes, black tea for Lucil, a latte macchiato for Mai, a cappuccino for Ruin and green tea for Silver. Then she leans in toward Lucil so only he can hear her words.
"Today is the day, Rose Mage," she whispers.
Lucil smiles faintly replying with a barely visible nod.
Ruin sips her cappuccino as the café slowly begins to empty, as if exhaling.
"Hey… Lucil." Mai begins,
"Your girlfriend Riel Wonnawoid has released a new single."
Ruin nearly chokes.
"W–wait, your girlfriend? You're dating Riel?"
"No," Lucil replies. "I've got other things on my mind right now."
Silver lifts his tea bowl.
"Understandable but before everything is decided, it's important to spend time with the people you love."
Lucil shakes his head.
"I want something stable, Silver—something that lasts. It would be a waste of time for my partner… if I couldn't be there afterward."
A disagreement unfolds between them—not hostile but friendly.
Silver sips his green tea.
"I get it… You really should try green tea sometime."
Lucil raises an eyebrow.
"Then you try black tea."
They slide over each other's cups. Both pretend that they like the unfamiliar taste but Mai and Ruin can immediately tell from their twisted expressions just how different their preferences are — and both grin mischievously.
"Ha-ha… I'll never get used to this." Silver groans in disgust at the taste.
"You two doing alright?" Lucil asks, glancing at the girls.
Mai pounds her chest contentedly as she bites into a piece of pancake; Ruin mirrors her. Both smile.
"Yes Mr. Wonnawoid!" Ruin calls cheekily.
"Don't call me that!" Lucil snaps.
Silver leans back.
"Dating an idol is a bad idea here in the East."
Lucil snorts.
"You too?"
Mai grins.
"And yet you're keeping it a secret."
Lucil sighs, gets up and strolls to the door. Silver shrugs and follows.
Outside the café, the city traffic rains past in endless streams of light.
Lucil flips open his cigarette case and holds one out to Silver.
"Want one?"
"No, I'm watching my health." Silver waves him off.
"I'm just adapting."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Lucil twirls the cigarette between his fingers.
"You're feeling awful because you don't know how to move forward with the whole girlfriend thing. So it fits perfectly if I go down with you, right?" Silver snorts.
"Don't get cocky, Mr. Rose Mage with pop idol Riel Wonnawoid... Shame, really—I was rooting for you two."
Lucil chuckles softly.
"I don't even like pop. Then suddenly she starts writing rock songs. Fascinating girl."
"Ugh, rock." Silver wrinkles his nose, then both laugh.
Their laughter fades as Silver's expression turns serious.
"You know what they're planning—to force us to fight."
Lucil stares through the door window into the rain and looks at Mai.
"Yeah."
"And you've made the preparations." – Silver.
Lucil's eyes flash ruby-red for a moment.
"All set. You?"
"I reached the negotiator—successfully."
Lucil smirks.
"Hey, bro… this'll be an adventure, right?"
Silver raises his hands as if to high-five the sky.
"At the very least it's better than Berlin… or Var'kath."
"We're both mages Silver."
Silver chuckles quietly.
"You've always been a warrior."
Lucil shakes his head as if trying to shake off an entire library.
"So many dead, so many dishonorable moves… I'm everything—but not a warrior. The blood sits too deep."
"Same goes for me." Silver lowers his shoulders
"She's wearing the clip?" Lucil asks.
"She is," Silver confirms. "And she's wearing yours too."
Lucil puts out the glowing cigarette, Silver pushes open the café door.
"We'll all make sacrifices", Lucil says.
"The vow stands." Silver replies.
Lucil and Silver step back into the café.
A little later they're all seated again by the window. Mai sniffs Lucil's jacket—no nicotine smell.
"How is that possible? You've been smoking for years and you don't smell like anything!"
"Gross!" Ruin exclaims clearly disgusted by smokers.
Lucil laughs but Silver gives him away with a grin:
"An illusionist after all. In reality he reeks of cigarettes and a bit of sweat. He didn't shower this morning.
Lucil points at Silver.
"You're one to talk Mister 'ten layers of gel, empty a bottle of perfume, and hide it all with illusion magic.'"
Ruin blinks.
"How does he know that?"
Mai giggles.
Lucil presses his fingertips together.
"Illusions are powerful. When body and mind accept them as reality, everything—scent, clothing, even an injury—reflects as real."
Silver nods.
"Useful. But when the illusion breaks, you see the reality."
The two friends lean in toward each other, inspecting closely.
"Go shower!" Lucil commands.
"Bro, you stink!" Silver snaps back.
They scuffle playfully while Mai and Ruin are nearly doubled over with laughter.
"I don't want to fight." Ruin whispers.
"Me neither… somehow." Mai agrees.
"And you won't." Lucil promises.
Silver adds,
"This ends without any of us dying."
Mai and Ruin nod firmly.
They empty their plates and cups; Lucil reluctantly slurps the last sip of green tea while Silver forces down the black tea. Both grimacing in disgust.
Silver stands.
"We're heading out."
"Lucil we need to go too," Mai reminds him.
Lucil snaps his fingers and a blood-red rose appears. Mai, Ruin and Silver rise to their feet. He gently places the bloom behind Mai's ear.
"See you. Go straight to the station, okay?"
Mai nods.
"See you Lucil," Ruin says softly.
"Later, bro," Silver adds.
The café door swings open, the group steps out into the dense city air—and behind them the rose pendant in Lucil's hand fractures with a soft crystalline crack.
"These catalyst costs are ridiculous."
At that moment the waitress appears behind him. Her black dress reflects deep red light.
Lucil barely turns.
"Seria Goldblood."
"You're leaving Japan soon." she replies with a smile — but farewell lingers in her glassy eyes.
"Rose Illusion." Lucil.
With a whisper the red veil blooms anew. Rose petals swirl and thorny vines slide like fine veins across the walls of the sphere. The shattered catalyst disintegrates completely into dust.
Seria snaps her fingers and a scarlet scarf materializes in her hand; her smile is joyful, yet tinged with sorrow.
"Here, my hero."
Lucil takes the scarf and puts it over his shoulders.
"My catalysts…?"
Seria unbuttons the top of her dress. Three chains lie on her skin; she pulls out two—one bearing a rose symbol, the other a dragon head.
"Jerone gave the remaining necklaces to Silver last week."
Lucil nods and puts on the jewelry. His ruby-red eyes flare briefly as the illusion thickens, the roses glow deeper and horns coil even tighter along the illusion's borders.
Tears glimmer in Seria's eyes as she hugs him.
"You're not coming back anymore, do you?"
"No." he says quietly.
"That was the last time."
He gestures toward his neck.
Seria's canines lengthen; with vampiric grace, she sinks them into Lucil's neck.
"The ring still helps you, right?"
Seria nods, pulling back her canines a bit later—though her arms still hold him tight.
"It hurts every time you die again. Decades pass… you're my oldest friend."
"This time the cycle ends." Lucil strokes her back.
"You did everything right, Seria."
She wipes her cheek.
"You solved the mystery about me…"
"Sorry about Berlin." Lucil says regretfully.
"No need to." She places a hand on his cheek.
"England's tense right now. Be careful there."
Lucil takes a deep breath.
"The first step to breaking the cycle still awaits."
Seria gives a crooked smile.
"Your swords—you're carrying one, aren't you?"
"Yeah?" he asks.
"Your cloaks and your swords are in Edinburgh."
Her voice sounds like distant bells as the rose illusion flares up one last time and fades away in a quiet shimmer.
Seria releases the embrace and steps back.
Lucil closes his eyes… and instantly sees a battlefield.
He sits amidst a sea of corpses with blood-red roses blooming from their chests. In his right hand rests a white-red sword; a long cloak blows over gleaming armor. Above him the full moon slowly turns crimson as if the sky itself were bleeding.
"I won't give up, Seria—I promise." he murmurs, his eyes locked on the vision.
Seria smiles, tears glistening in her eyes.
"There he is… the legendary Rose Mage Lucil, Master of the rose dragon."
A soft snap. A brief flicker of a smile.
Then Lucil's figure scatters like a handful of rose petals in the wind, the illusion slowly dissolving around Seria.