Light's voice shook as he went on.
"I ran toward the battlefield, desperate to find my father and grandfather. My legs wouldn't stop—my heart was racing. I had to see them."
At last, I caught sight of my grandfather. He was locked in a furious clash, striking down enemies left and right.
'Light?! What is he doing here?!' he shouted when he noticed me. That single moment of distraction cost him. One of the soldiers lunged forward and stabbed him deep with his sword.
But even stabbed, my grandfather didn't fall. With the same hand that the enemy had used to pierce him, he grabbed the man's wrist, held it tight, and with a surge of rage dragged his blade across the enemy's throat.
"Grandfather!" I screamed, my voice breaking as tears blurred my eyes. Blood poured from his wound, but still he fought, still he stood.
The enemy soldiers quickly realized who I was—his grandson. One of them raised a bow, taking aim at me. My body froze.
In the next instant, my grandfather appeared. He stepped in front of me just as the arrow flew. It struck him instead. My heart sank.
Even so, my father didn't yield. He clenched his teeth, scooped me into his arms, and with every ounce of strength he had left, unleashed his Voltra. In a flash of speed, he tore through the battlefield, carrying me far from the enemies.
We hid beneath a rocky cliff, the chaos of battle echoing above us. My grandfather leaned against the stone, his breathing heavy, blood running from his wound.
"Light… what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice rough with pain.
Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed, "I–I was worried about you and Father… so I came here…"
He winced, clutching his side, but still managed a faint smile. "Don't cry, little one… it's okay…"
"But… but because of me, you got stabbed…" my voice broke, choked with sobs.
I screamed, tears breaking through, "Is anyone there? Please—help us!"
I turned to my grandfather, voice shaking. "Grandpa, please hold on. I'll call someone to help us. I won't let anything happen to you."
He gripped my shoulder weakly and shook his head. "There's no use, Light. Enemies are everywhere. They outnumber us now. Everyone is trying to save themselves… no one will come."
I kept crying, desperate.
"Stop crying," he snapped, softer this time. "I don't want to see you like this in my last moments. Let me die in peace, you cheeky brat."
He glanced down at his sword, then pushed it toward me. My hands trembled as I reached for it.
"What are you doing, Grandpa?" I blurted.
"From this day, this sword is yours," he said, voice thin but sure.
"But… this is Zerek's sword — the first Voltra being's blade. Why are you giving it to me? A king should have this, not a child."
"Listen closely, Light. This sword will one day defeat the Dark—those were the words of Zerek when he passed it down."
Light: "Defeat the Dark? Who is that?"
Grandfather: "I don't know… They say it's a prophecy. Zerek once had a dream. He saw the silhouette of a king from the Central Kingdom—someone who would unite all the other kingdoms, and in his hand was this very sword. But no one knew when this would happen. That's why, before his death, Zerek gave this sword to the king of Central, telling him: 'Until the day he comes, and until the Dark is defeated, keep passing this blade down to the next king.'"
Light frowned. "Then why is it with you? Shouldn't King Leo have it?"
Grandfather gave a heavy sigh. "A thousand years have passed, and still the Dark hasn't appeared. The Draekors began to think it was just some ordinary dream, nothing more. Instead of uniting the five kingdoms, they sought to conquer them. Hatred grew between the realms, leading to countless wars. To King Leo, that prophecy was nothing but a lie. When he took the throne, he received this sword—but he had no interest in it. So, he gave it to your father, because they were close friends."
Light's voice trembled. "Then… how did it come to you?"
Grandfather's eyes darkened. "Your father kept the sword for a few years. But about four years ago… something changed. I don't know why, but he too began to see the prophecy as nonsense. And his behavior… it shifted. He was no longer the man I once knew."
Grandfather choked on his words. "So he gave this sword to me," he rasped. Blood pooled under his hand; his breath grew shallow. "And now… my time has come. I give it to you, Light. I believe—one day—you might defeat the Dark and make the world a better place. But if you cannot, then pass this sword to someone you trust."
His eyes fluttered as he struggled to stay conscious. "Now go. Leave this place without making a sound. Get away from the enemies—this place is not safe."
"No—I won't leave you," I cried.
"Go, Light," he whispered, each word thin and forced. "You have to live."
His eyelids drooped. I screamed and sobbed, "Grandpa, please don't die! Grandpa—wake up! Don't leave me!"
His hand fell limp. The life left him.
Light screamed, his voice breaking as he cried out, "Grandpaaaaa!!!" Tears streamed down his face as he clutched the sword tightly in his small hands and ran through the chaos.
Jugram was locked in combat with several enemies when he suddenly spotted Light running toward him, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Light?!" Jugram shouted, cutting down an enemy before sprinting to him. "What are you doing here? Why are you crying?"
Through his tears, Light stammered, "Grandpa… sob… sob… grandpa… he—he died while protecting me… He died because of me!"
Jugram froze, his expression twisting in shock. "What? Dad… Dad is dead?" His grip on his blade tightened. "Listen, Light—it's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself!"
Light shook his head, crying harder. "But I shouldn't have come here! I was with Mom when the war started… I just wanted to find you and Grandpa. But because of me, this happened!"
Jugram clenched his teeth, anger and grief flashing in his eyes. He glanced over Light's shoulder—and noticed something strange. The enemy soldiers who had been pressing forward suddenly began to step back.
"What the…? Why are they retreating?" Jugram muttered under his breath. His instincts screamed. Something's wrong. I need to get back to the King.
Without another thought, Jugram scooped Light into his arms. "Hold on tight!"
Then, with one hand gripping his blade and the other holding Light, Jugram unleashed his Voltra. His body blurred into speed, slicing through enemies like shadows on his path. Every strike was merciless, and with every slash, he carved a path back toward the King—while Light clung to him, still sobbing into his chest.