Noah walked through the endless wilderness. The hours passed one after another, and the landscape around him remained unchanged. The sun had climbed high in the sky and then began to slowly sink toward the horizon. Only after a long trek did the dry, barren lands give way to the first clumps of grass. Soon, scattered trees appeared, and before Noah knew it, he found himself in the midst of a dense forest.
After many hours of walking, Noah finally stopped in the shade of one of the trees.
"It's been a long journey, but I'm almost there. Time for a break."
He sat down by the tree trunk and pulled out a leather wineskin. He unscrewed the stopper and took a sip of water, feeling his fatigue slowly fade away. The rustling of the leaves overhead was a pleasant change from the silence of the wilderness.
"Time to move on…" He stood up and continued on his way. After a short walk, he reached a small village hidden on the edge of the forest. As he passed between the wooden huts, he suddenly noticed a strange figure.
It was a white demon. It darted across the street at incredible speed, kicking up clouds of dust behind it, then ran toward the forest.
Noah furrowed his brow.
"What was that…?"
But he wasn't going to let it get away. Without a moment's hesitation, he set off in pursuit, disappearing among the trees. Soon, the sounds of the village faded behind him, and all that remained ahead was the trail of the mysterious demon.
Noah slowed his pace and stopped at the edge of a clearing. He cautiously peered out from behind a tree, not wanting to be spotted.
In the middle of the clearing stood the white demon he had been tracking from the village. But he was not alone.
He was surrounded by three other demons. Two of them held ordinary swords in their hands and looked like guards. The third stood out from the rest. He was much taller than the others, and his massive build was unsettling. He walked leaning forward, as if the weight of his own body meant nothing to him. In one hand, he dragged a huge axe along the ground, its blade leaving a deep furrow in the grass.
The screech of metal against stones echoed throughout the clearing.
Noah instinctively hid deeper in the shade of the trees. Something told him that this huge demon was far more dangerous than he appeared at first glance.
"Time to get rid of them." Noah stepped out from behind the trees and strode confidently into the clearing.
He stopped in the middle of it, never taking his eyes off the demons.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then all four demons turned their heads toward him at once. Their eyes immediately locked onto the unfamiliar intruder.
Two warriors gripped the hilts of their swords. The white demon took a step back, as if surprised by the human's appearance. The tall demon with the axe, however, slowly raised his head and regarded Noah with a cold stare.
A light breeze swept across the clearing.
Noah smiled slightly and assumed a fighting stance, and both his fists burst into flames.
"Come on. Show me what you've got. His demon arc glowed orange, and his fire intensified. "So this is the power of my Demon Arc…," he said, using his Explosion Boosting ability and launching himself forward, flying past and coming to a stop next to the white demon. Noah roared and struck it in the back, and the explosion sent the demon flying forward.
Noah activated Explosion Boosting again. The explosion beneath his feet hurled him backward, and a moment later, he bounced off the ground with another blast, gaining even more speed.
In the blink of an eye, he was above one of the sword-wielding demons.
The demon barely had time to raise his weapon.
"Too slow," Noah snapped.
Flames engulfed his hand and then consumed his opponent's entire body. A brief scream rang out, and the demon collapsed to the ground as a charred corpse.
The second demon reacted immediately. He extended his hand forward and fired a barrage of small energy projectiles.
Noah ducked instantly and grabbed the body of the opponent he had just defeated. He held it up in front of him like a shield.
The projectiles struck the dead demon one after another. The body twitched with each hit, absorbing the full force of the attack. When the barrage ceased, Noah tossed the corpse aside and looked straight at the remaining demons.
Noah sprinted straight toward the giant demon wielding an axe.
When he was within range, the demon roared and raised its massive weapon above its head. A moment later, it swung down with tremendous force.
Noah kept his cool. At the last moment, he stepped to the right. The axe blade slammed into the ground right next to him with a loud thud, sending clumps of dirt and stones flying in all directions.
Without wasting a second, Noah took advantage of his opponent's vulnerability. He spun around and kicked the demon squarely in the stomach. The force of the blow ripped the monster from the ground and sent it soaring high into the air.
"Explosion Boost Attack!"
Fire erupted around Noah's fist as he shot upward like a rocket. In the next instant, his flaming punch struck the demon squarely in the torso. A massive explosion tore through the air. A wave of fire passed through the demon's body, and the monster itself was flung far backward like a rag doll.
Its massive body flew across the entire clearing, snapping several trees along the way, before crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud.
"So, only the mage remains…" Noah whispered.
The mage looked at Noah and roared. He extended his hand forward and began firing energy orbs.
Noah charged straight at him, dodging the incoming projectiles. He deflected one of the orbs with his hand, then accelerated sharply. He pulled his arm back and struck the mage in the stomach with all his might.
The demon flew several meters and crashed to the ground, his body charred.
A moment later, the bodies of the defeated demons began to crumble into dust, which the wind scattered across the clearing.
"It's over. I didn't even get tired," Noah said with a slight smile.
He looked around the clearing, then turned and continued on his way, leaving behind a trail of dust from the demons he had defeated.
After a long trek, Noah came upon an old campfire. The ashes were already cold, but it looked as though someone had been here recently.
"Someone must have been here. I'll take a look around."
He continued through the forest. After a few minutes, the trees began to thin out, until he finally emerged at the edge of a precipice where a river flowed.
He looked down and spotted an island in the middle of the current. Right in its center was a huge crater, as if something powerful had struck that spot.
Noah narrowed his eyes.
"So I'm close." A slight smile appeared on his face.
He kept going until he finally reached the edge of the chasm. He cautiously approached the edge and looked down.
Deep below him, a green portal floated. Its light illuminated the cliff walls, and the swirling energy created a mysterious glow around it.
Noah narrowed his eyes.
"I've finally found them."
Without a moment's hesitation, Noah jumped into the abyss.
The rush of air hit him in the face as he fell faster and faster toward the green portal.
The moment he touched the swirling energy, a bright flash blinded him.
For a brief moment, he felt his body being pulled by an unknown force.
Then everything vanished.
Noah passed through the portal.
After a moment, Noah felt solid ground beneath his feet. He opened his eyes and looked around. He was no longer by the abyss.
An unfamiliar city stretched out around him. The stone streets were crowded with people, and tall buildings rose on both sides. From a distance came the sounds of conversation, the clatter of wagon wheels, and the calls of merchants.
Noah furrowed his brow.
"So the portal brought me here…"
He adjusted his gear and set off, wanting to find out exactly where he was.
Noah approached one of the merchants standing by a stall.
Noah walked up to the merchant and stopped at his stall.
"Excuse me, have you seen two men and a woman?" he asked.
Then he raised his right hand, showing the Demon Arc ring.
"My companions had similar rings, just in different colors. Green, blue, and purple."
The merchant looked at the ring, then furrowed his brow as if trying to remember something.
"Hmm… Yes, I think I saw a woman with purple rings. She also had a scythe. She showed up here a while ago; she looked worried."
Noah immediately sat up straight.
"Really? Do you know where she went?"
"As far as I recall, she was heading toward the city center."
A glimmer of hope appeared on Noah's face. He'd finally found his first real clue about his companions.
The merchant scratched his chin and thought for a moment.
— Thank you, sir. — Noah said.
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a gold coin, then placed it on the stall.
The merchant looked at the coin in surprise.
"That's too much for that kind of information."
"Please keep it. You've helped me a lot."
The merchant smiled and nodded.
"In that case, I wish you luck in finding your friends."
Noah returned the nod, then turned and headed toward the town's central square, hoping to find his companions soon.
Meanwhile, Kael lay motionless on the cold ground. Emptiness reigned all around him, and the only source of light was a white silhouette standing a few steps in front of him.
He couldn't make out her face. The bright glow surrounding the figure effectively concealed every detail.
Suddenly, a calm, feminine voice broke the silence:
"Rise, my knight."
The words echoed in the void.
Kael's fingers twitched, and his eyelids slowly lifted. He didn't know where he was or who the mysterious woman was, but her voice seemed strangely familiar.
Kael sat up and looked at the figure: "Who are you?"
"It's me, Luna Ichinase," said the woman.
"I see," replied Kael.
"Find Valdor and bring him back to my palace," said Luna. "I've healed your wounds," she added.
"Now go; your Arc Demon will lead you to Valdor."
"As you wish, Luna," Kael replied.
The figure began to dissolve into fine white dust. Her glow gradually faded, and the particles floating in the air vanished one by one.
A moment later, there was no trace of her left.
Kael got up from the ground and brushed the dust off his clothes.
He looked around for a moment, trying to figure out where he was, but he didn't see anything familiar.
"I guess I have no choice…," he muttered to himself.
He set off along the river, following the current. The sound of the water accompanied him as he walked, and the sun's rays glinted off the river's surface.
He didn't know where he was headed, but he had a feeling that the answers lay somewhere ahead of him.
After a long walk, Kael stopped for a moment and looked at his Demon Arc.
Suddenly, a small ball of energy shot out of the ring. At first it was completely black, but after a moment it glowed with a bright green light.
The ball hovered in front of Kael, floating gently in the air.
At that very moment, he remembered Luna's words: "Your Demon Arc will lead you to Valdor."
Kael stared at the green orb for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"So, this way…"
The orb began to move forward, and Kael followed it without hesitation.
After a moment, Kael noticed a wisp of smoke rising from behind the tall rocks.
At that very moment, the green orb began to glow even brighter, as if reacting to something in that direction.
Kael's eyes widened.
"It must be there."
Without a moment's hesitation, he broke into a run. He leaped over rocks and dodged protruding roots, never taking his eyes off the glowing orb floating ahead of him.
The closer he got to the source of the smoke, the brighter the glow became.
Finally, he ran out from behind the rocks and came to an abrupt halt.
What he saw before him made him freeze in his tracks.
Valdor's body lay behind the rocks.
A pool of blood spread around him, and the ground bore traces of a recent struggle.
"Valdor!" Kael cried out.
He immediately rushed over and dropped to his knees beside him.
Kael leaned over Valdor, trying to find any sign of life.
Suddenly, he noticed a massive wound in Valdor's torso.
His eyes widened in horror.
Valdor had been pierced right through. A huge, jagged hole ran through his chest, as if something powerful had pierced him with a single blow.
"No… that's impossible."
Kael took a step back, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Blood still covered the ground around the body, and the signs of a struggle indicated that Valdor had fought a fierce battle before his death.
Kael clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
"Who did this to you?" he whispered, staring at his friend's body.
"I have to take him to Luna…"
With trembling hands, Kael reached for Valdor's body, trying to lift it.
But the moment he touched it, something strange happened.
The body began to crumble into fine dust.
"What…?"
Kael pulled his hand back, watching in disbelief as his friend's remains scattered and were carried away by the wind.
Within seconds, there was nothing left of him.
Nothing… except for one object.
A lone Demon Arc Valdora lay on the bloodstained ground.
Kael picked it up carefully and clenched it in his hand.
For a moment, he stood in silence, staring at it.
After a while, Kael stood up, still clutching the Valdor Demon Arc.
Suddenly, a portal opened before him. Its silvery energy swirled calmly, as if inviting him inside.
Kael looked at it for a moment, then stepped forward without hesitation.
As he passed through the portal, a bright glow enveloped him.
A moment later, he found himself in a different place.
He was standing in the square in front of Luna's palace. Towering above him was a massive tree with silver leaves, whose glow illuminated the surroundings.
Two people were waiting beneath the tree.
Arwen and Luna.
Arwen was the first to notice Kael.
"Kael..."
Luna looked at Kael calmly, but when she saw the green Demon Arc in his hand, her expression turned serious.
"Good job, Kael," she said.
Kael clenched his fist.
"What do you mean, 'good job'?" he shouted. "Valdor is dead, and you say, 'Good job'?!"
Arwen covered her mouth with her hand.
"Valdor… is dead…"
Tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Luna, however, shook her head.
"Valdor isn't dead."
Kael and Arwen looked at her in disbelief.
"As long as we have his Demon Arc, he's still alive."
Luna pointed to the green ring on Kael's hand.
"The Demon Arc is bound to its owner's soul. If Valdor had truly died, his ring would have crumbled along with him."
Arwen wiped away her tears and looked at the green gem with a glimmer of hope.
"So… can he be saved?"
"Yes. Place the Demon Arc under that tree," said Luna, pointing to the enormous tree towering over the square.
Kael looked at the green ring in his hand, then walked over to the tree without a word.
He knelt down and carefully placed the Demon Arc among the massive roots.
Luna clasped her hands in prayer and closed her eyes.
Silence fell over the square, and the silver leaves of the great tree rustled gently in the wind.
The green Demon Arc glowed with an intense light.
Energy began to flow through the tree's roots, and swirling specks of green light appeared around the ring.
Arwen and Kael watched with bated breath.
Suddenly, the light gathered in one spot, forming the outline of a figure. With each passing moment, it became clearer.
Valdor's figure slowly took shape before the tree.
Luna slowly lower
ed her hands and opened her eyes, ending her prayer.
The green light around the tree began to fade until it finally disappeared completely.
Silence fell over the clearing.
After a moment, Kael noticed something beneath the tree's roots.
"Luna…"
Arwen looked in the same direction and froze.
Before them, on the soft grass, lay Valdor — unharmed.
"Valdor!" Arwen cried out.
She rushed over to him and knelt down beside him.
Valdor moved his hand, then slowly opened his eyes.
"Where am I…?" he mumbled.
Kael sighed with relief and smiled for the first time in a long while.
"Welcome back, you idiot."
Luna watched them in silence. A gentle smile appeared on her face.
Her warrior had returned.
Meanwhile, Arthur returned to Azrok and headed straight for the throne room.
At the far end of the vast chamber, Nathan sat on a black throne.
Arthur knelt before him.
"I killed Valdor, as ordered."
Nathan rested his head in his hand and looked at him with a cold gaze.
"Where is his Demon Arc?"
Arthur froze.
"What…?"
He looked at Nathan, surprised.
Nathan sighed heavily. "Don't tell me you left it behind."
Arthur clenched his teeth.
"His body disintegrated before I could do anything."
A shadow of irritation crossed Nathan's face.
"You fool!"
Silence fell over the throne room.
"As long as the Demon Arc exists, so does his soul. If someone finds the ring, they can bring him back."
Arthur's eyes widened.
"You mean..."
Nathan slowly rose from the throne.
"Yes. Luna can revive Valdor." A disturbing gleam flashed in his eyes. "And if that's the case, you've just made a very costly mistake."
"I'm sorry... I... I didn't know," Arthur stammered, lowering his head.
Nathan looked at him for a long moment.
"That's exactly why you shouldn't act recklessly."
Arthur clenched his fists.
"Give me one more chance. I'll find the Demon Arc and complete the mission."
Nathan slowly descended the stairs leading to the throne.
"Too late."
Arthur looked up.
"What?"
"If the Demon Arc is no longer at the site of Valdor's death, that means someone has found it. And if someone has found it… there's a good chance Valdor has already returned."
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
Nathan stopped right in front of Arthur.
"Your mistake could cost us more than you realize."
Arthur swallowed hard.
"What should I do?"
Nathan turned toward the large window behind the throne.
"Nothing for now."
His voice was icy calm.
"If Valdor has indeed come back to life, sooner or later he'll come to us on his own."
Nathan smiled slightly.
"And then I'll make sure myself that he doesn't get a second chance."
In a corner of the throne room, away from the light streaming in through the windows, stood one more person.
Leo.
He had remained silent the whole time, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Silence fell over Azrok's throne room.
Nathan stood by the window, Arthur knelt with his head bowed, and Leo continued to smile in the shadows.
Meanwhile, far from there, beneath the Tree of Life in Luna's palace, Valdor came back to life.
Fate had reunited the separated companions once more, but ever darker clouds were gathering overhead.
Nathan already knew that his plan had failed.
END OF VOLUME 4
VOLUME 5 — Eternal Conflict