Leon's dagger slid slowly from Sofia's throat down to her chest, tearing through the fabric of her clothes as if marking his conquest. In that harrowing moment, Sofia's mind flashed with images—the determined faces of Mark, Elisa, Liliana, and Lily—and finally, Starmon. Tears welled and streamed down her cheeks as she managed only a whispered plea: "Please… help me, Starmon."
The scene shifted abruptly. In another corridor of the castle, Lily was fighting her way toward the King's room. Guards swarmed around her, their blades clashing with her own as she unleashed both magic and steel in a desperate bid to clear a path. With each fallen foe, she drew closer to her target.
At last, Lily reached the door of the King's chamber. In a burst of defiance, she slammed the door shut with her leg and pushed it open—but what met her eyes made her freeze. King Leon stood there, his presence dominating the threshold. But more importantly, he had his dagger pressed firmly against Sofia's throat, holding her as a hostage.
"Don't you think you should knock before entering?" he mocked, smirking as if amused by her intrusion.
Lily's gaze darted to Sofia, whose tear-streaked face mirrored both fear and silent pleading. That sorrow, mingled with desperate hope, hardened Lily's resolve. Leon's smirk widened. "So, you were that desperate to join us?" he sneered.
Sofia's soft, trembling voice broke through the tense air. "Lily… please, leave—save Mark, Elisa, and the others."
Lily's grip on her sword tightened, but she hesitated. Leon's tone shifted, feigning concern. "Won't you do what she says? Aww… sacrificing yourself for others." His expression turned cold as he ordered, "Drop your weapon."
Reluctantly, Lily let her sword clatter to the floor.
"Do you think I'm a fool? Slide it away," Leon commanded, and with a hesitant movement, Lily pushed her weapon aside with her foot.
A perverse joy lit Leon's eyes. "Good girl," he murmured before shoving Sofia aside. The moment his grip loosened on her, she gasped for breath, rubbing her sore neck. Leon, however, turned his full attention to Lily.
He advanced slowly, grabbing a handful of her hair, yanking her face upward so their eyes met. "I didn't know the Demon Army held such beauty," he whispered, his voice thick with amusement. Slowly, he moved his dagger from her exposed collarbone down to just below her neck, pressing the blade lightly so that a single drop of blood surfaced.
As Leon toyed with Lily, Sofia—summoning a spark of defiant courage—snatched a heavy pot from a nearby table and staggered toward him. With a desperate swing, she struck him. The blow landed hard, stunning both of them for a split second. But before Sofia could react, pain shot through her entire body. The slave collar activated, sending electric shocks coursing through her nerves. Her body convulsed, and she began to collapse onto the ground, gasping in agony.
Leon, regaining his composure, clutched his head where he had been struck and snarled, "What did you do, you insolent fool?!" His anger exploded into a vicious slap that sent Sofia sprawling across the floor.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Lily lunged for her fallen sword. But as she reached for it, an overwhelming weakness overtook her, and she stumbled, barely managing to lift the blade. Leon chuckled darkly. "What's the matter? Can't even hold your sword?"
Lily's mind reeled—her strength was fading rapidly, her limbs heavy. Leon lifted his dagger and twirled it between his fingers, his grin widening. "This isn't an ordinary blade. It's enchanted, designed to sap strength. Soon, you won't even be able to move."
Desperate, Lily attempted another swing, but Leon caught her wrist effortlessly. With a forceful twist, he wrenched the sword from her grip and flung it across the room. Her legs trembled as her vision blurred—her body was betraying her.
Clenching his teeth in a snarl, Leon spat, "You people have caused me too much trouble. It's time you pay for it."
Without warning, he delivered a brutal kick to Lily's stomach. She gasped, the air forced violently from her lungs. Before she could recover, another devastating punch crashed into her face, then another. Blood trickled from her lips as pain consumed her senses.
Leon grabbed her by the hair once more, forcing her battered face upward. Lily's swollen lips barely moved as she whispered in pain, "Astor…"
Leon's grin widened at her suffering. "Yes! Your lover, Astor, will be next!" he taunted before landing one final, crushing blow.
Lily crumpled to the floor, barely breathing, her body broken but her spirit refusing to shatter.
Leon lunged forward, reaching out to seize Lily. His left hand stretched toward her, but before he could grab hold, a knife came whirling through the air and pierced his hand.
"Ughhh!" Leon roared in pain, clutching his wounded palm. His furious gaze snapped toward the entrance, where a woman stood cloaked in a tattered robe.
With a scowl, Leon yanked the knife free and flung it aside—the blade skidding across the floor until it came to rest near Lily.
"What have you done, you worthless slave?" Leon spat, seething. "You should have stayed in your cell."
The robed woman pulled another dagger from her belt, assuming an aggressive stance with both blades glinting in the dim candlelight.
Leon's eyes burned with fury. "So you want to play like this? Fine. Let's play."
Tensing, he widened his stance, clutching his injured hand while gripping his dagger tightly in the other.
Meanwhile, at the castle entrance, Astor faced Kelvin—now an abomination of strength and fury.
Kelvin's monstrous form loomed, his jagged blade-arm glinting. "Look at me!" he roared. "Look at what you made me!"
Astor, sword raised in a combat stance, narrowed his eyes. "I made you?"
Kelvin bared his teeth. "You slaughtered my comrades without knowing the truth!"
Astor scoffed. "Why should I care about your plans?"
Kelvin's voice twisted with bitterness. "You think you're some kind of hero for rescuing those women? They had a worse fate waiting here! If I had sold them, they would have been living a better life than the hell this kingdom provides! The King of this land is more terrifying than you can imagine!"
Astor's sword lowered slightly, his head dipping. "So I did wrong?" His voice softened, an unusual hesitation creeping into his tone. "We killed your comrades when you were only following orders…"
Kelvin's lips curled into a smirk. He let his guard down. What a fool. Now's my chance.
Before he could lunge, Astor suddenly lifted his head—his expression shifting into a wicked grin. "You think I care?"
Kelvin flinched, confusion flashing across his face. "What? What's wrong with this guy? He was just—"
"I don't care who did what," Astor interrupted coldly. "But remember this: anyone who fights me or stands in my way will share the same fate as your comrades."
With that, Astor repositioned himself into an aggressive stance. Kelvin's fury ignited. "You bastard!" he bellowed, charging forward, leaping into the air, and swinging his bladed arm down toward Astor.
Astor dodged in an instant, rolling to the side and countering with a precise sword swing. Kelvin, however, was unnaturally fast—his blade clashed against Astor's. Astor thought, His speed has increased. This is something new. He exhaled sharply before muttering, "Sorry, man, but I have to finish you quickly. I have more troublesome enemies to deal with than you."
Without hesitation, Astor dashed forward at full speed, his movements blurring as he struck Kelvin multiple times—his blade slicing across Kelvin's arms, back, and torso in rapid succession. Kelvin roared in pain, but he couldn't track Astor's movements.
In a fierce parry, sending a shockwave through the air. The force of the parry sent Astor flying backward, crashing into the stone wall with a heavy thud.
Kelvin wasted no time. With a roar, he charged toward Astor, intent on finishing him off. As his blade-arm swung downward, Astor narrowly evaded the attack by leaping to the side. Kelvin's strike landed on the wall instead, shattering the stone and leaving a gaping hole.
Astor landed on one knee, catching his breath as dust and debris filled the air. His eyes darted toward Kelvin, who turned to face him once more, his wounds beginning to mend themselves at an unnatural speed.
At that moment, Liliana, Elisa, Mark, and the others arrived. They took in the sight before them—Astor kneeling after his last evasive maneuver, Kelvin standing ominously, his body healing itself.
Kelvin spread his arms. "This is the power I was given! Now, let me thank you."
Astor smirked. "Yeah, you should be thanking me."
With renewed fury, both warriors charged at each other once more. Kelvin swung his massive blade, but Astor slid beneath the attack, rolled back, and used the momentum to leap onto Kelvin's back.
Kelvin reacted swiftly, attempting to shake him off, but not fast enough. Astor reared back and delivered a brutal punch to Kelvin's face, snapping his head to the side. But before Kelvin could retaliate, Astor drew his sword and thrust it deep into Kelvin's stomach.
Tension thickened in the air. The onlookers held their breath then—
Kelvin smirked. "That's all you've got?"
Before Astor could react, Kelvin landed a crushing blow with his monstrous fist, forcing Astor to leap away at the last moment. Kelvin then grabbed Astor's sword, yanked it from his own body, and flung it aside as his wounds began to seal shut once again.
Kelvin's gaze shifted toward Liliana. A wicked smile spread across his face.
Astor's mind raced. My attacks aren't doing enough damage. I need to find another way. His eyes scanned the battlefield and settled on Elisa.
"Mark, get everyone out of here!" Astor commanded. "Liliana, Elisa—be ready!"
Elisa hesitated, fear creeping into her voice. "But I can't use magic because of this slave collar!"
Mark stepped forward. "I'll fight."
Astor's gaze hardened. "Didn't you promise to escort them safely? Do as I say."
Mark and Elisa exchanged looks before nodding in reluctant agreement. Mark turned to the prisoners. "Everyone, come with me! We're getting out of here!"
The crowd fled, following Mark out of the castle.
Kelvin snarled. "Don't ignore me!" He lunged, swinging a massive fist, but Astor ducked at the last moment, backflipping away and delivering a sharp kick to Kelvin's face mid-air.
Kelvin stumbled but didn't fall. His healing factor was keeping him alive—but for how long?
Liliana unsheathed her claws, taking a battle stance. Elisa, trembling, steeled herself and prepared to fight despite her limitations.
Astor raised his sword once more, his gaze locked onto Kelvin. His lips curled into a smirk.
"YTs…" he muttered. "It's time for a showdown."
Scene shifts to the king's room where Leon was about to fight the robed woman.
The robed woman charged at Leon, swinging both her daggers in rapid succession. Leon dodged her strikes effortlessly, weaving through her attacks with practiced ease. She pressed forward, her blades flashing, but to no avail—he avoided every attempt to land a hit.
With a fierce snarl, she curved her hand and thrust a dagger toward his chest. Leon sidestepped and caught her wrist mid-strike. "Stay within your limits," he sneered before driving the blunt end of his dagger into her stomach.
She gasped, staggering as her hood slipped off, revealing long, pointed ears. Leon smirked. "An elf?... You think you're the only fighter here?"
The elf girl glared at him, fury burning in her eyes. "You killed my parents and imprisoned me in this cursed place! I'll make you pay!"
Leon chuckled darkly. "Pay? Oh, I will. One night should be enough for you."
Her anger flared, and she launched another attack, her blades cutting through the air. Leon backstepped smoothly, dodging each strike while retreating. Finally, she executed a cross attack, swinging both daggers at him in unison.
Leon anticipated the move. He raised his dagger, stopping both blades at the center, then twisted them away, disrupting her balance. Before she could recover, he grabbed both her hands, squeezing them until she lost her grip. The daggers clattered to the floor.
Without warning, he delivered a brutal headbutt to her forehead. She reeled backward, struggling to stay upright.
Leon smirked, twirling his dagger. "You still have some fight left, huh? Let's see how long you last."
The elf clenched her fists and rushed at him again. She swung hard, but Leon countered each blow with precision. Then, in one swift motion, he struck her arm with enough force to make her recoil in pain. "Did I hurt you, my dear?" he mocked.
Meanwhile, Lily, still weak, reached toward a fallen dagger.
Leon's smirk faded. His grip turned cold as he seized the elf by the throat, lifting her off the ground. "Don't assume that because I use soldiers, I'm weak," he said icily. "I use them because I don't want to stain my hands with the blood of weaklings like you."
With a forceful toss, he hurled her across the room. She gasped for breath, coughing as she hit the ground. As she landed, her eyes darted toward one of her fallen daggers nearby. Desperation fueled her movements as she lunged for it.
But Leon was faster. He kicked the dagger away just before her fingers could grasp it.
"Looking for this?" he taunted. "Go ahead. Pick it up." She glared at him with seething rage.
Leon smirked and delivered a vicious kick to her face. "Didn't I tell you to pick it up?" he sneered as she tumbled across the floor.
The elf lay still, dazed. Leon's gaze swept over her, and a smug expression crossed his face. She weakly pushed herself back using her trembling arms.
From behind, Lily lunged with the dagger, her strength nearly gone.
But Leon was ready. Without even looking, he caught her wrist in mid-air, stopping her attack with ease. "Not so fast," he muttered, turning his head toward her.
Lily's breath was shaky. Using the last of her strength, she whispered, "Now." She let go of the dagger and collapsed to the ground.
Leon's eyes widened as realization dawned too late. He had fallen into a trap. Spinning back toward the elf, he barely had time to react before she delivered a powerful kick to his chest, forcing him off balance. In one swift motion, she snatched up his dagger.
Before he could recover, she drove the blade deep into his chest.
Blood splattered across the floor as Leon gasped, his eyes wide with shock. "It… can't be…" he choked, blood trickling from his mouth as his body collapsed.
The elf girl didn't waste a second. She rushed to Lily's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
Lily managed a weak smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "You… did great."
The scene shifts to the battlefield.
Astor tightened his grip on his sword, lowering his stance into an attacking position. His eyes locked onto Kelvin's monstrous form, unwavering. With a sharp command, he called out, "Liliana." Liliana nodded in understanding. "Gotcha, Master."
Without looking back, Astor gave his next order. "Elisa, start casting the biggest explosion spell you can."
Elisa hesitated, uncertainty flickering across her face. But she trusted Astor. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and began chanting, her staff pulsing with magical energy.
At that moment, both Astor and Liliana charged toward Kelvin. The monstrous warrior roared and sprinted toward them in return.
Astor leaped into the air, his blade gleaming as he brought it down toward Kelvin. CLANG! Kelvin raised his massive blade-arm, intercepting the strike. Their weapons clashed, sparks flying as both warriors locked in a struggle of strength.
Kelvin sneered. "No matter what you do, your attacks won't affect me."
Astor's lips curled into a smirk. "Is that so?"
Suddenly, from behind Astor, Liliana appeared in a blur of motion. She darted past him and delivered a devastating punch to Kelvin's side, striking his kidney. The impact forced a grunt from Kelvin, and before he could react, Liliana jumped, slamming her fist into his face.
Kelvin was sent flying backward.
Astor lowered his sword. "What about her?"
Kelvin growled in frustration, rage overtaking his expression. He picked himself up and let out a furious roar before charging at them once more.
The battle resumed.
Astor skillfully kept Kelvin's arms busy, parrying his attacks, while Liliana tore into him with her claws. She moved swiftly, slashing at his flesh while Astor expertly dodged and blocked Kelvin's wild strikes.
Kelvin roared in pain as Liliana's relentless claws sliced across his body. But no matter how much he yelled, Astor was always one step ahead, evading and countering his every move.
Astor's sharp eyes noticed Elisa's spell was almost complete.
"Liliana, it's up to you!" he commanded before abruptly pulling back, retreating toward Elisa.
Kelvin's eyes widened in confusion. "What is he doing? Why is he running toward her? I have to stop him!"
Kelvin lunged forward to chase Astor down, but Liliana swiftly intercepted him. She struck him again, forcing him to halt.
Kelvin snarled in frustration. He swung at her with brute force, trying to knock her away, but Liliana was too agile. She dodged with ease, using her beastly reflexes to slide under his attacks and leap over his swings.
Enraged, Kelvin swung his sword in a wide arc. Liliana jumped back just in time.
Kelvin saw his opening. He ignored Liliana and rushed toward Astor.
Slow motion.
Elisa's spell reached completion.
Astor ran past her and, with a swift motion, touched her slave collar.
"NULL."
The collar shattered.
Elisa's eyes shot open. "Mega Explosion!"
A colossal fireball erupted from her staff, hurtling toward Kelvin.
BOOM!
The impact sent a massive shockwave through the castle, shaking its very foundation. The walls trembled, cracks spreading across the stone. Fire consumed everything in its path.
When the flames finally died down, Astor, Liliana, and Elisa looked up to see Kelvin lying in the rubble, unconscious and severely injured.
Debris began to fall from above.
Astor turned to them. "Both of you, get out of here quickly. I'll go back for Lily and Sofia."
Liliana and Elisa hesitated but nodded before running outside.
Astor turned and sprinted toward the King's chamber.
Meanwhile, in the collapsing castle…
The elf girl knelt beside Lily, casting a healing spell. A warm light enveloped her, restoring her strength and washing away the weakness.
Lily slowly opened her eyes, feeling the energy return to her body.
The elf girl hoisted both Lily and Sofia onto her shoulders. Sofia was still unconscious, her breathing faint.
Suddenly, the castle began to crumble.
Lily coughed, barely able to speak. "Go… take Sofia and get out of here."
The elf girl shook her head. "I can't leave you alone here!"
Lily forced a weak smile. "This castle is falling. You both should leave. Don't die because of me."
The elf hesitated, her heart torn. She didn't want to abandon Lily.
Just then, Astor arrived.
"What's the situation?" he asked, urgency in his tone.
The elf turned to him. "Mrs. Sofia is still unconscious, and Mrs. Lily is weakened."
Astor didn't waste time. He swiftly lifted Sofia into his arms.
"Let's go."
The three of them dashed toward the castle gates, dodging falling debris.
The moment they burst through the exit…
A brilliant light filled the sky and title card appears:
"Chronicles of YT"
Sofia slowly awakened, her body feeling light yet exhausted. As her vision cleared, she found herself lying in a simple bed inside a small wooden house. Sunlight seeped through the cracks of the window, casting warm glows across the walls.
She pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to recall everything.
"I was unconscious… due to the shock—"
A sudden thought struck her.
Her hands immediately reached for her neck, searching frantically. But to her relief, the slave collar was gone.
"Where did it go? And… where am I?"
Before she could sit up, the door creaked open.
Astor entered, carrying a bowl of hot soup and a fresh loaf of bread. He glanced at her with a smirk.
"Woke up already? You Aetherians are so like this—always sacrificing your own lives for strangers."
Sofia sat up, rubbing her arms. "We are like this. We don't leave behind those who can't save themselves."
Astor chuckled. "You can't be changed." He pulled up a chair beside her bed, sitting down with a calm expression.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked.
Sofia blinked in surprise."Huh? The great Astor is asking me so kindly? Am I still dreaming?"
Astor shrugged. "Didn't you tell me I should be kinder to others?"
"Yes, I did, but…"
Astor leaned back slightly. "That night, you asked Lily about me. So let me tell you something."
Sofia sat still, intrigued.
Astor exhaled, then began.
"It was the story of a boy who never received the love he deserved from his parents. A boy who was always bullied by his comrades. A boy who helped others but never received help in return. But… he had a beautiful friend."
His gaze darkened slightly.
"When the whole world was against him, only she was with him. She saved him, supported him, cared about him. Her name was Mary. Time passed, and even though he was alone in the world, he remained happy because he had her. But one day, everything changed. The one and only person he loved… died before his eyes."
Sofia's heart clenched.
"He had promised to protect her from everything. But he failed. And so, in his despair… he died too."
Astor sighed.
"Some say he was reincarnated because of his desire for revenge. Some say it was because his love for her was too strong. Who knows? But that day, the boy lost his emotions."
Sofia stayed silent, listening.
"He was reborn in a magical land where people had different magical abilities. There, he received the love of a family—but it wasn't meant for him. It wasn't from his real parents. He was granted a rare ability called 'NULL,' which could only nullify cursed magic and objects. He tried to learn other spells… but he couldn't. Perhaps, nature itself was telling him he was meant to be an Anti-Curse user. His new life was a curse in itself. He could only exist when the original owner of the body was asleep."
Sofia's eyes widened.
Astor continued.
**"At the age of six, he ventured into the forest for combat training, which he always did alone. One day, he found a young demon girl surrounded by monsters. He saved her, took her to a cave, and gave her shelter. She only knew her name but had no memory of her parents. Over time, he trained her in combat and magic—things he himself couldn't use.
Years passed, and he waited for the day he could take revenge on those who destroyed his world. At long last, after ten years… he got his first opportunity. He killed one of the Curse Users."**
Astor paused for a moment.
Then, in a softer tone, he said, "This is the story of someone with a limited lifetime. His existence would end only when all the Curse Users were eradicated. That's why he must kill Malakar Veilgrave and his forces—to finally rest in peace."
Sofia's eyes welled up with tears.
Astor frowned. "What's wrong? I told you, it's just a story. No need to cry."
Sofia quickly wiped her tears."I-I'm not crying, stupid!"
Astor smirked. "You just woke up, and I already hit you with a sad story. Now, eat before your soup gets cold."
He scooped a spoonful of soup, blew on it, then held it toward her.
Sofia blushed. "I can eat by myself!"
Astor raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you can. You can do everything. But right now, just eat."
With embarrassment, she reluctantly opened her mouth as Astor fed her.
As she chewed, Astor chuckled. "You're imagining that Starmon is feeding you, aren't you?"
Sofia's face turned red."W-Why would I think that?!"
Before she could argue further, Astor suddenly spoke louder.
"As for you four—don't you know not to eavesdrop?"
From outside the window, Mark, Lily, Liliana, and Elisa immediately panicked and ran away.
Sofia burst into laughter.
Astor sighed. "They act like children."
As Astor stepped outside, he spotted the Elf girl standing among the rescued villagers. She stared at them quietly.
Astor approached her. "You've done a lot for us. You didn't just save Sofia, but Lily too."
The Elf shook her head. "No… it was because of them. Without their help, I would've died."
Astor's eyes narrowed. "If you knew about that corrupt king, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
The Elf lowered her gaze. "Because my people were still imprisoned. I couldn't risk their lives. When you saved us from the bandits in the forest, I took the opportunity to sneak away and prepare for the right moment."
Astor sighed. "That was risky. What if we hadn't come?"
She looked at him with unwavering resolve. "I believed you would."
Then, to Astor's surprise, she knelt before him.
"I would like to join your army."
Astor raised an eyebrow. "Join me? Why?"
The Elf smirked. "Back in the forest, I was impressed by how you stood your ground while your beast girl and demon ally cut down the bandits around you."
Astor folded his arms. "What's your specialty?"
She stood tall."I am an archer."
At that moment, Mark approached. "So, you're the Elf warrior who killed King Leon and saved everyone? Thank you!"
The Elf smiled. "I should introduce myself. My name is Sylphie."
Astor nodded. "I have an idea. Let's test your skills."
Astor placed an apple on Mark's head.
Mark's eyes widened in horror."WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Sylphie stood far away, bow in hand. She tied a blindfold around her eyes.
Mark froze in terror."WHY IS SHE BLINDFOLDED?!"
Astor smirked. "Relax. Didn't you want to thank her? Be a proper target."
SWOOSH!
The arrow pierced through the apple, knocking it cleanly off Mark's head.
Mark fell to his knees, sweating."AM I DEAD?!"Astor held up the pierced apple."Not yet."
Liliana clapped. "That was amazing!" Sylphie removed her blindfold and walked toward them.
Astor folded his arms. "Your precision is excellent. But our enemies aren't ordinary. They're psychopaths."
Sylphie grinned. "Then I look forward to fighting them."
Astor smirked. "If that's the matter then you are one of YT now."
Liliana's eyes lit up."Master! I want to try it too!"
Before Astor could respond, Mark jumped to his feet."NO! NO MORE TARGETS!"
He bolted away. Liliana chased after him, laughing."Come back! Let me just try once!"
Astor and Sylphie both watched them with amusement.
From a distance, Sofia and Lily stood by the window, watching the group.
Lily smiled softly. "It's my first time seeing Astor having fun and laughing normally."
They both smiled as the sun began to set.
As evening fell, Astor and his group prepared to leave. The rescued villagers and freed prisoners gathered their things, preparing to return home.
Astor stood at the front, watching as his team prepared to depart.
Mark was excitedly telling Sylphie and Sofia the dramatic tale of how he rescued everyone from prison. Liliana and Elisa walked together, talking about their next adventure.
Lily fell into step beside Astor."What do you think is waiting for us next?"
Astor's gaze was distant. "I don't know. But whatever it is… we'll face it together."
The group moved forward, leaving the ruins of Marvia behind.
The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the dense forest. General Melos sat near a large campfire, a barrel mug in his hand and his soldiers continued their search for Astor. The sound of crackling flames and the occasional rustling of leaves filled the air.
Suddenly, footsteps approached in a hurry. A soldier ran toward him, breathing heavily, urgency in his eyes."General! It's terrible news!"
Melos stopped drinking mid-gulp, his grip tightening around the mug. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the soldier, his expression dark and unreadable..
The soldier swallowed hard before delivering the message. "King Leon and Kelvin… they're dead."
For a moment, silence fell over the camp. The other soldiers nearby froze, waiting for their General's reaction.
Melos's fingers clenched around the wooden mug. With a sickening crack, he crushed it to pieces in his bare hand, sending splinters flying. He stood up abruptly, his massive frame casting an imposing figure against the firelight.
His fury burned like an inferno."Who did this?" he growled.
The soldier stammered. "A person named Astor… He arrived at the castle shortly after you left. He was the one who did it."
General Melos's eyes flared with pure rage. His teeth clenched, his body trembling with barely restrained fury. He took a step forward, his boots sinking into the dirt as his fists tightened.
"ASTOR!!" he roared, his voice echoing through the forest. "I will kill you! Even if I have to hunt you down into the depths of HELL—I WILL!!!"
The flames of the campfire flared violently as if mirroring his rage, while his soldiers stood frozen, witnessing the terrifying wrath of General Melos.
As Astor and everyone walked, a strange tension filled the air. Something wasn't right.
When they finally reached Aetherium…Their home was in flames.
The sky glowed red as smoke filled the air. The once-peaceful kingdom was burning.
And in the center of the destruction… A massive dragon stood, roaring into the night.
In the village square, a terrifying woman with dark purple hair and piercing eyes held Ryan by the throat. Her voice was cold and merciless. "Where is YT?"
The episode ends.
"Chronicles of YT"
Episode Title: Marvia's Arc II