step into the unknown

Riser entered the grand hall where his loyal followers were already assembled: Arrow, Yubelluna, Isabella, Chun-Li, and Mihwa stood at attention, waiting for his command. As Riser approached them, he spoke with confidence, "Everything has gone according to plan. Now, let's execute what we discussed beforehand."

His voice carried authority, and his followers responded in unison, "Yes, Riser-sama."

Riser nodded approvingly, his gaze sweeping across each of them. "You all have your tasks. Perform them as instructed, and ensure our success."

Just as his followers reaffirmed their commitment, the doors to the hall burst open, and Ravel, along with her peerage, came rushing in. Ravel's voice was loud, filled with worry. "Riser-oniichan, I heard you're leaving the household!"

Riser turned to face his sister, his expression serious. "Yes, that's correct."

Ravel and her peerage stood frozen, their shock evident. Karlamine, her voice shaky, asked, "Why are you doing this, Riser-sama?"

Ille and Nel, the mischievous duo, pleaded, "Riser-sama, don't go!"

Ravel, her voice cracking, asked, "Where will you go if not with us Oniichan?"

Riser's eyes hardened as he spoke, "Silence. Is this the way I taught you to behave, Ravel?"

Ravel and her peerage fell silent, their shock deepening as they realized how serious Riser was. They had never seen him this cold, this stern.

Ni and Li, the cat-girl sisters, tried to defend Ravel. "Riser-sama, they're just worried about you."

Riser's tone remained firm. "Is this how you speak to another King, hmm?"

The room was tense, and Ravel and her peerage were at a loss for words. This was the first time Riser had ever reprimanded them so harshly. His words cut deep, reminding them of their roles and responsibilities.

Riser continued, "What were you all thinking, barging in here without any manners? I may have been your King before, but you serve Ravel now. And you, Ravel, you'll be a King after your chess piece ceremony. You should behave better than this."

Tears welled up in Ravel's eyes, and she was on the verge of crying when she felt Riser's hand gently rest on her forehead. His voice softened, a contrast to his earlier sternness. "It's not like I'm leaving the clan forever. I'm just moving out to establish a place I can call my own, to make my mark on the world."

Ravel, still struggling with her emotions, asked, "But you'll be gone... Who will teach me things?"

Riser smiled gently. "You have to start learning on your own now. But don't worry, you can contact me anytime."

Ravel sniffled, trying to hold back her tears. "Okay..."

Riser stood tall, his decision final. "Now, I have to go. I have some appointments I need to attend to."

With that, Riser turned away, his followers falling in line behind him. Ravel watched him leave, knowing that her brother was stepping into a new chapter of his life, and that she, too, would have to grow and stand on her own. The room, once filled with tension, now held a quiet resolve as Ravel wiped her tears and prepared to embrace her new responsibilities.

----

Riser Phoenix trekked through the dense forest, his footsteps muffled by the thick foliage underfoot. The air was humid, and the trees towered above, their leaves casting dappled shadows on the ground. He turned to Chun-Li, who was studying a worn map with intense concentration.

"Are we on the right path, Chun-Li?" Riser asked, his tone light, though a hint of teasing slipped into his voice.

Chun-Li, not taking her eyes off the map, faced forward and replied, "Yes, Riser-sama, we'll be there shortly."

Riser couldn't resist a grin. "This is the tenth time you've said that, Chun-Li. Are you really sure this time?"

Chun-Li blushed slightly but kept her focus. "Yes, Riser-sama, I'm 100% sure this time. And don't tease me—it was just a mistake before."

Riser chuckled, the memory still fresh in his mind. "It was your ninth mistake, Chun-Li, and one of those mistakes led us to witness pandas mating. A rare sight indeed."

Chun-Li pouted, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink, but she pressed on, determined to prove herself. After a few more minutes of walking, they finally arrived at the entrance of a cave. Chun-Li's eyes lit up with excitement as she jumped in place, pointing to the dark opening.

"See, Riser! I was right!" she exclaimed triumphantly.

Riser stepped up behind her, smiling as he patted her head. "Yes, you were right this time."

He stood at the mouth of the cave, peering into the darkness within. As he gazed into the depths, his thoughts wandered. This world was different from the original in so many ways. There were rumors, tales of energies from the Dimensional Gap seeping through and opening portals—portals that could lead to different worlds or even dreams. Their true nature was a mystery, but one thing was certain: these portals were considered the most dangerous phenomena known, as only a few who ventured through had ever returned to tell the tale.

What kind of world lies beyond this cave? Riser wondered. And what challenges will we face? He knew that once they stepped inside, there was no turning back. The rules of the world beyond might strip them of their powers, leaving them vulnerable to whatever awaited.

"Are you ready, Chun-Li?" Riser asked, his voice steady despite the uncertainty.

Chun-Li looked up at him, her determination clear. "Yes, Riser-sama. Let's see what's waiting for us."

With a final glance at the world behind them, Riser took a deep breath and stepped into the cave, Chun-Li close beside him. The darkness swallowed them whole, and with each step deeper into the unknown.