The forest was still. Only the faint rustle of leaves broke the silence as Kouga walked, barefoot, his armor dim and silent. The war was over — Pallas and Saturn were gone. Yet, peace felt... hollow.

He breathed slowly, feeling the cold air fill his lungs. The world should’ve been calm, but something was wrong. A strange pulse brushed against his senses — faint, distant, but unmistakably dark.

His head turned toward the horizon. Far away, beyond the clouds, he could sense the direction of Sanctuary. And from that sacred land... came a whisper of corruption.

“No way…” Kouga murmured, his heartbeat quickening. His Cosmo flickered instinctively, faint trails of light dancing around his fists.

A cold wind swept through the trees. The mist grew heavier. Then — rustle.

Something moved in the bushes behind him.

Kouga stopped breathing. His body tensed. The forest fell silent.

He turned slowly, the faint glow of his Cosmo illuminating the dense shadows. Leaves trembled. The air seemed to shiver.

Then, from within the dark green brush… …something stepped out.