The horses' steps rang heavily as they galloped across the hardened ground. The day was bright yet strangely muted, sunlight struggling through layers of drifting clouds. Dust and dander rose into the air with every stride, clearly visible to the naked eye, swirling like remnants of a forgotten past.
Far ahead, the ruined walls of the Kingdom of Thoms slowly emerged from the horizon. Once mighty, once proud—now shattered. Large sections of the walls had collapsed, vines and thorned plants crawling through the cracks like parasites feeding on decay. The stone itself had grown weak, chipped away by time and neglect. It felt as if this kingdom had been abandoned for millions of years, erased not only by war, but by history itself.
Trail watched the broken skyline in silence, but one question burned relentlessly in his mind.
Can he really find something about that boy?
Luxorious slowed his horse beside him, his sharp eyes scanning the devastation ahead.
Luxorious: "This place is completely ravaged," he said coldly. "What do you think,
Trail? Can we really find something about the boy here?"
Trail tightened his grip on the reins and replied hurriedly, as if afraid the thought might slip away.
Trail: "I hope so…"
Far from them, deep within the remains of the broken kingdom, darkness had already claimed its territory. The land was destroyed beyond recognition—structures collapsed, streets buried beneath rubble, and silence pressing heavily on the air. Yet despite its ruin, the place was far from empty. It was heavily manned by darkness.
Trail and Luxorious dismounted a little distance away, choosing to leave their horses hidden on the far side of the ruins. From there, they proceeded on foot, stepping cautiously into the heart of the fallen kingdom. As they advanced, shadows shifted between broken pillars and fractured homes. Dark soldiers patrolled the area methodically, their presence unnatural, as if they did not belong to this world.
Trail: "Looks like the place is heavily surrounded," he muttered, glancing toward Luxorious.
Luxorious: "I don't really care who's here," he replied with indifference. "Even if it's the boss himself. We'll clear the way and head straight for the castle."
Trail: "Yeah… exactly as you wish, Luxorious."
The weather changed as they walked deeper. The sun disappeared entirely, replaced by thick clouds rolling overhead. A cold wind swept through the ruins, whispering through broken corridors and shattered windows. At first, the dark soldiers simply stared, confused by the sudden appearance of two strangers walking calmly through their territory.
Then they charged.
Steel clashed, shadows shattered. Trail and Luxorious moved in perfect coordination, their blades flashing as they advanced without slowing. Conversations continued between strikes, heads turning slightly as if the battle around them was insignificant. One by one, the dark soldiers fell, unable to land even a single hit. Fear spread among them, but it came far too late.
Luxorious: "The place looks really messy," he remarked, stepping over fallen bodies. "How unfortunate for them."
Trail: "They were the second most powerful after the Norms," Trail said thoughtfully. "I wonder what made them lose so completely to the enemy."
The castle gates finally appeared before them—massive, broken, and hanging loosely from rusted hinges. They pushed their way inside.
The interior was no better. Torn carpets lay scattered across the floor, the throne cracked and overturned, walls blackened by fire and time. Everything that once symbolized authority and pride was now reduced to rubble. Trail's eyes flickered suddenly as something caught his attention—a golden cup, still faintly shining beneath layers of dust, reflecting fragments of light.
They moved deeper into the castle, entering room after room in search of anything useful. The ceilings were partially collapsed, debris everywhere. The silence felt heavy, almost accusing.
Was it truly a massacre?
One particular room stood out. As they entered, Trail froze.
Two beds stood side by side, each bearing a name carved into the wood.
Lily Thoms.
Lilith Thoms.
Trail: "These may be the real children of Yade Thoms," he said quietly. "We need to look for Leon."
They exited the room and continued searching until they came across another chamber. This one was different—smaller, colder. It appeared to be a room for orphans.
They stepped inside.
What they found was deeply disturbing.
Bodies lay scattered across the floor, completely decomposed, the air thick with decay. The smell alone was overwhelming, forcing even Luxorious to pause.
Trail crouched beside the remains, his expression darkening.
Trail: "Now we can't tell if one of these bodies belongs to Leon," he said grimly. "They're completely reduced to bones… How unfortunate. They couldn't even receive a proper funeral."
Luxorious observed the room carefully. His gaze stopped at the corner, near a shattered window. A small table stood there, barely intact. On it rested a diary—rusted, worn, but not entirely destroyed.
Luxorious: "Look, Trail."
Trail approached and picked it up carefully.
The cover creaked as he opened it. Despite the damage, the text inside was still visible.
The first page read:
"This is the property of Leon."
Trail's eyes narrowed, a faint glimmer of hope appearing within them. He turned the page.
Another blessed day.
The shining sun.
Even though most of these kids try to bully me, they always end up getting beaten.
I still don't know where I am, but Mother, it's really nice here.
Lady Nina always took care of us. She wanted us to be happy.
It's been a long time since she died, but still, I never let the kids touch me.
Your proudest son,
Leon.
Trail: "The boy recorded his experiences here," he murmured.
He flipped through the pages, each one describing daily life, small conflicts, brief joys—until he reached the final entry.
I'm in a hurry.
What a coincidence—there's a full-scale war with the darkness, yet no one knows.
I tried to warn the kids, but they wouldn't listen.
If something bad happens… this diary may be my last note.
The writing ended there.
Trail closed the diary slowly.
Trail: "The war between Thoms and the darkness… The kid knew everything."
He slipped the diary into his pocket.
Trail: "This may be useful in the future."
Luxorious leaned against the wall, clearly unimpressed.
Luxorious: "So all of this… for nothing. How pathetic."
Trail's gaze suddenly shifted. A drawer near the corner stood slightly open. A folded note peeked out, hastily hidden but poorly concealed.
Trail walked toward it and pulled the drawer open. The wood creaked loudly in the silence.
The note contained only a few words.
"I am going."
Trail's eyes narrowed sharply.
Trail: "No… we found something."
He looked up slowly.
Trail: "The boy is alive."
Outside, birds suddenly took flight, spreading their wings as the sky shifted once more. The sun began to descend while the moon quietly rose, casting pale light over the ruined kingdom.