Sai stood at the academy gates, feeling a shiver run through his hands. The wind rustled softly among the trees, like a herald of something strange that he couldn't yet understand. Nox, coiled in his palm as a small black dragonet, whispered quietly, his wings trembling almost imperceptibly. He was alive, but Sai still didn't know just how dangerous this creature could be.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath. "Going to Grandad. Four days. That's it."
Nox let out a quiet sigh and pressed against Sai's hand, as if sensing his nerves.
Sai took a step towards the old car he'd rented from a local owner. The ancient vehicle, more like a relic from a past era, stood in the yard next to a garage. Rusty wheels, scratches on the body, the smell of gasoline and old upholstery—it all heightened the feeling that he was embarking on a journey that could change everything.
The car's owner, a sturdy, wrinkled man in his fifties, smirked when he saw Sai.
"Hey, kid, you sure you're going alone? This old 'Lada' is more about adventure than comfort."
Sai nodded.
"Yes. I need speed and reliability."
"Ha!" the man laughed. "Well, then, off you go. Just remember, the road to Holmgard... isn't exactly safe. The roads are half-empty there. People hardly travel them. Old highway, cracks, potholes... and no one to help."
Sai felt his heart beat faster.
"I'll manage," he replied, though he was trembling inside.
"Hmm..." The man looked at him intently. "Do you even know what's going on there? The city... well, they say strange things happen sometimes, but you're young, you wouldn't know. Fine, take the keys, check the car, pay what's due—and be on your way."
Sai nodded, took the keys, and got behind the wheel. Nox settled comfortably on the seat beside him, wings twitching slightly. He didn't yet understand what awaited them, but his energy felt Sai's anxiety.
The engine growled, the car vibrated, and Sai inhaled, smelling the gasoline and the leather of the interior. He turned on the headlights, looked at the map he'd printed beforehand, and set off.
---
The highway was almost empty. Fields stretched out to the left and right, distant forests, the remnants of old bridges. Everything seemed familiar, yet alien at the same time. Sai thought about his grandfather, about what could have happened, and with every kilometer, the feeling of anxiety grew.
"You think something's..." he muttered, but then fell silent, realizing Nox was listening to every word.
Nox turned his head, his eyes gleaming in the dim dashboard light, as if he understood more than Sai.
"Alright," Sai said to himself. "Don't panic. It's just a road. An old city. Four days."
After the first few kilometers, he noticed the road changing. The asphalt was collapsing in places, cracks appeared, wild grass grew at the edges, and sometimes there were wreckages of old cars.
"Perfect," he muttered, trying to stay calm. "Like a greeting from the world."
Nox snorted quietly, as if in agreement.
The wind hummed through the open window, mixing with the noise of the engine. Every turn of the car created a sense of danger. Sai gripped the steering wheel, his eyes glued to the road. He remembered all his lessons at the academy, all the training, all of Aella's blows—everything that was supposed to make him stronger, to handle a danger he didn't yet know.
At one point, the road led to an old bridge. The wooden planks creaked under the wheels, and the side railings looked flimsy. Sai held his breath, but Nox simply raised his wings and gave a slight shudder.
"It's fine," Sai muttered. "Everything's under control."
He crossed the bridge and delved into a wooded area. With every kilometer, it grew quieter around, the sounds of civilization almost gone. Only the wind and the crunch of the tires.
Nox raised his head, his eyes gleaming warily. Sai felt a slight tension in the air—something was wrong, though he couldn't tell what yet.
"Nonsense," he told himself. "Just anxiety, empty anxiety."
---
At one point, Sai pulled over to the side of the road. The car trembled slightly; he exhaled, looked at the map, and checked the direction. It matched. Nox perched beside him, his gaze fixed on the dark trees lining the road.
"Damn..." Sai muttered. "Something's off in the air."
He noticed faint shadows moving between the trees. For a moment he thought it was just the wind playing with the leaves. But something about those shadows made his heart beat faster.
"Nox... be ready," he said.
The dragon snorted quietly, his wings slightly unfurled, ready to react.
Sai started the car again and set off. His heart pounded, but he didn't stop. He understood: Holmgard was ahead, Grandad, and... the unknown.
---
On the way, he remembered his grandfather. The lessons, the training, the conversations. Everything his grandfather had tried to instill in him to make him stronger.
"I have to be ready," Sai told himself. "I don't know what's waiting, but I have to be stronger."
Nox twitched quietly, his eyes glowing brightly in the dark. He felt the energy around them change. Sai didn't notice at first, but the air grew heavier.
"It's alright," he said aloud, though he doubted it himself. "Just shadows, just the wind."
The road gradually led to the outskirts of Holmgard. The city looked deserted, empty. Windows of houses were shattered, doors torn off. It seemed as if all the inhabitants had vanished, leaving only empty streets.
Sai gripped the steering wheel, looking at the destruction. Nox twitched his wings slightly.
"Damn..." Sai exhaled. "What happened here?"
He didn't yet understand that this was only the beginning.
And it was at that moment, as he drove into the city, that a faint noise came from an alley: a metallic screech, quiet cries he couldn't make out. Sai felt the blood freeze in his veins.
"Nox... be on guard," he said.
The dragon pressed against his hand, wings slightly spread. Their eyes met—an understanding that something truly dangerous lay ahead.
Sai took a breath. He couldn't turn back. Four days, Grandad, the unknown—and whatever was waiting ahead.
He pressed the gas and drove deeper into the city, ready to face whatever lay in wait.
---
The engine roared louder, echoing in his chest as Sai accelerated down the ruined street. The asphalt here was almost completely destroyed, potholes stretching for dozens of meters, and every press of the pedal required maximum concentration. He kept his eyes fixed on the road, while Nox's gaze, intently watching the shadows between the half-collapsed buildings, added to the sense of dread.
"It's fine," Sai muttered, though he felt his heart pounding as if it wanted to break free. "The city's just empty... empty..."
But the emptiness was deceptive. Dust and small debris rose with every movement of the car, creating strange, almost living silhouettes in the headlights' glare. The shadows from the buildings stretched and twisted, as if trying to catch up to him.
"Nox, stay alert," he said, slightly tightening his grip on the dragonet. "I don't know what could be here."
The dragonet snorted and pressed closer, his eyes glowing with a dull red light. He sensed foreign energy—not human, not animal. Something else.
Sai drove on, gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. After a few blocks, he saw a collapsed building ahead with blown-out windows. Debris lay on the sidewalk, as if someone had left in a hurry.
"Perfect..." he muttered. "As if the whole city is frozen, waiting... for what?"
He carefully turned onto a narrower street where trash almost completely blocked the road. The car creaked, the rear wheels skidded, but Sai skillfully kept control.
"Alright, old friend," he said to Nox. "We have to be careful. I don't know what might be waiting there."
It was then he heard the first human-like sounds. Distant, muffled shouts and the screech of metal. Sai stopped the car and listened.
"Is that... people?" he whispered. "Or... not..."
Nox tensed noticeably. His eyes flared brightly, and he let out a quiet hiss, his little wings flapping slightly.
"Alright, we're not afraid... for now," said Sai, though inside he could feel the fear growing.
He carefully moved forward, maneuvering around the debris and trying not to make noise. The car was old, it creaked on every bump, and any extra sound could attract attention.
After a few minutes, he spotted figures ahead. Not people. Their bodies were twisted, as if mutilated. Shadows danced around them, and each one emitted a quiet, piercing sound.
"Damn..." Sai exhaled. "What the..."
Nox hissed quietly, pressing against Sai's hand. The dragon sensed their nature. These were unusual creatures he'd never encountered before. Their energy was dark, like something born from the darkness itself.
Sai was about to let go of the wheel to check the revolver, but realized it wasn't time yet. He had to observe.
"Alright," he said aloud, trying to sound calmer than he felt. "Need to understand... what this is."
He slowly moved forward, keeping the car at a low speed. The shadows moved, as if reacting to his presence. But they didn't attack. They just watched.
"This is... strange," Sai muttered. "Are they waiting for something? Or for me?"
He noticed that with every moment, the road ahead grew darker. A gloom, like an impenetrable shroud, hung over the street. Nox twitched, his small claws digging into Sai's hand.
"It's alright," Sai said, though he knew it wasn't. "We'll just drive through. It's fine..."
And suddenly, one of the silhouettes took a step. Sai froze. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst. But the shadow, surprisingly, just stopped. Didn't attack. Only watched.
"What the hell..." Sai muttered, his voice trembling. "Why aren't they... attacking?"
Nox hissed quietly and flapped his wings slightly, his eyes glowing red as if warning of approaching danger.
Sai continued moving, trying to keep the car steady. He understood: the further he went, the more dangerous it became. And yet, something compelled him to drive forward. Grandad. Four days. Holmgard.
A few minutes later, he spotted a faint light ahead. It was a street where one building was still standing intact. Sai gritted his teeth and sighed:
"Alright... almost there."
But as he approached, something darted sharply from the edge of the road towards the car. Sai yanked the steering wheel. The car screeched, almost tipping over, but Nox hissed and, raising his wings, almost shielded them both.
"Damn..." Sai clenched his teeth. "Alright... we'll manage."
He hit the gas again, swerving around the obstacle. His heart raced, every nerve preparing for surprises.
And it was at that moment, as they rounded the last ruined intersection before the city center, that Sai saw a figure ahead, standing on a bridge. Tall, clad in black, its eyes glowing with a dull light. He froze, peering.
"Is that..." Sai muttered, "who is that?"
Nox twitched, his wings spreading. The little dragon felt an immense power in that figure.
Sai exhaled, gripping the steering wheel tightly. The car slowly came to a stop before the bridge. He understood: Holmgard was ahead. Grandad. And an unknown full of danger.
And when he looked at Nox, the dragon hissed quietly, preparing for something Sai didn't yet understand.
"Alright..." Sai said to himself, "ahead, we'll find out what this city is about."
And the car slowly moved forward again, entering the center of Holmgard, where the first signs of real threat were beginning to show.
---
The car slid over the broken asphalt, kicking up clouds of dust, the air thick with the smell of soot and damp earth. Every building they passed was either destroyed or maimed, as if a giant hand had overturned the city in a rage. Sai saw shattered windows, doors hanging by a single hinge, fragments of furniture in the streets.
Nox twitched on his arm, sensing a multitude of foreign energies—dark, sharp, aggressive. The dragon perched on his arm, intently tracking every sound, every movement.
Sai held the wheel tightly, driving past the first group of demons. Their skin was dark, almost black, eyes glowed red, claws and teeth gleamed in the headlights. They moved not chaotically—they were clearly hunting, fanning out through the streets. He saw one of them pick up a piece of rubble, as if to throw it, but he immediately understood: they were tracking his movement, calculating his trajectory.
"This is..." Sai thought, his heart tightening. "Too many..."
He swerved sharply, bypassing the demon group, and went through a destroyed intersection. Ahead was the house he was rushing to. His family's house... though he had long understood his relatives weren't there. But his heart clung to the hope—that maybe something was still left.
He drove closer. Rubble, smoke, the smell of burnt wood. The walls were completely collapsed, the roof caved in, windows blown out, pieces of furniture and curtains hung from the balcony. The ground was littered with bodies, though Sai didn't stop. He saw the demons had multiplied—dozens at least. Their movements were coordinated, as if acting on a signal.
Nox hissed, his small wings spreading, glowing red. He felt these weren't ordinary beasts—these were creatures with power surpassing anyone Sai had faced before.
Sai exhaled, clenched his teeth, and opened the window. He held the revolver in his hand, not even thinking about the possible consequences.
"Nox, be ready," he said quietly. "We'll get through this."
The dragon nodded, sensing his determination. Sai stepped out of the car, freezing for a moment as he grasped the scale of destruction. Shadows from the buildings stretched long, like living tentacles, and the demons began to notice his presence.
"Hmm..." one of the demons muttered, its distorted face twisting into a malicious grin. "A human..."
The other demons turned their heads, their eyes igniting like predators spotting prey.
Sai took his first step, and Nox leaped from his arm, soaring into the air. The little dragon glowed with a dull red light, preparing to attack or defend.
"Nox, watch me!" Sai said, beginning to advance cautiously. He understood that if they attacked simultaneously, his chances were slim.
And it was at that moment Sai saw the entrance to the house. It was practically destroyed, but still standing, barely. Through the rubble, a dark energy was visible. Sai froze—inside, among the ruins, something was glowing.
"Is that..." he muttered. "What's in there?"
He moved further, sniffing the air, feeling every gust of wind. Nox flew beside him, occasionally emitting quiet spikes of energy when he noticed demon movement nearby.
Inside the house, the situation was even more horrific. The floor was completely destroyed, the ceiling collapsed, parts of the furniture were burnt, and the air smelled of soot and something inhuman. Demons were everywhere—they were inspecting the area, searching for something, and Sai understood: they weren't just destroying, they were looking for a target.
"Nox, be on guard," he whispered. "We need to see what's left..."
Sai stepped onto the interior grounds of the house, carefully moving through the debris. His eyes moved quickly, analyzing every corner, every shadow. He saw the demons moving through the room, their movements coordinated, as if they were acting on a signal.
Nox leaped forward, releasing a small wave of red light that forced one of the demons to retreat. Sai used that moment to run to the center of the room.
There he saw... nothing. Only destruction. Dust, smoke, rubble. But the feeling was eerie—as if someone or something was watching him.
"Where are they?" Sai muttered. "They should have been here..."
And suddenly, a sound came from the corner—quiet but sharp, like claws on wood. Sai spun around sharply. His eyes widened, his heart beat faster.
There stood a creature, small, with stark black skin and eyes sparkling red. It watched him, and though its form was small, the energy emanating from it was huge, threatening.
"What..." Sai muttered. "Where did you come from..."
Nox took flight, hissing, flapping his wings. The little dragon felt the creature's power—a mix of darkness and fury.
Sai gripped the revolver, understanding it wasn't just a weapon. It was a key.
"Nox, be ready," he said quietly. "If it attacks, we..."
The creature didn't even move. It watched. Its red eyes pierced the darkness, and its body, shimmering in the faint light, seemed alive, almost like a shadow possessing intelligence.
Sai slowly took a step forward, gripping the revolver's handle. The little dragon beside him prepared to attack or defend; time seemed to freeze.
He understood: ahead lay night, chaos, and the unknown. And only he and his small ally were ready to face what lurked in the destroyed house.
And it was at that moment, as he looked up at the creature, that it slightly moved its head, as if acknowledging his presence, and Sai felt a surge of cold horror for the first time—mixed with the realization that he was now face to face with something he had never encountered before.
The dragonet on his arm hissed quietly, preparing for the first real test of his master's strength.
Sai clenched his teeth, holding the revolver, and said to himself:
"I'll manage."
And in that same second, the creature vanished into the shadows, leaving behind only cold air and a sense of impending danger. Sai froze in place, unable to move. His eyes widened as a head flew out from behind the rubble of the house—and his heart clenched when he recognized it. Grandad. His grandfather. Lifeless, breathless, lying among the ruins, his face distorted by the horror of his final moments.
"No... no..." Sai rasped, unable to believe it. "How... how..."
He stumbled over a wooden beam and nearly fell, but Nox immediately slid to him, his small wings spreading, his body glowing a dull red, as if protecting his master.
"Nox..." Sai whispered through sobs, "how... how did you learn to separate from the revolver and... join back? It's... it's incomprehensible... you... you're special..."
The dragon hissed quietly, nudging him forward, as if understanding that he had to act now.
Sai sat on the ground, clutching the revolver with both hands, sobs wracking him more and more frequently. Dusty, torn, he looked at his grandfather's body, at the destroyed house, and at the crowd of demons slowly approaching. They rose from the rubble, broke down doors, smashed walls—and in every movement, a thirst for blood was evident.
"I... I can't..." Sai muttered, feeling the strength inside him tremble, as if preparing to flare up. But it wasn't the familiar sensation of darkness; it was a mixture of horror, despair, and rage.
The demons, noticing him, suddenly leaped forward, and Sai felt the ground shake under their weight. They fell upon him in a crowd, claws scraping the earth, teeth gleaming in the light of flames still smoldering from the burnt structures.
"Nox!" Sai shouted, barely getting to his feet. The dragon leaped forward, releasing a stream of red light that reflected off the claws of the nearest demons, creating a small flash. It wasn't an attack, more of a warning, a "stay back" signal.
Sai understood: if he stayed put, the demons would literally tear him apart. He gripped the revolver and took a step forward. Every step was difficult—his body shook with fear and fatigue, but something burned in his chest.
"I... I'll do this for you, Grandad..." he whispered, weeping, "for you and for everyone they killed..."
The demons leaped simultaneously. Sai instinctively raised the revolver, and Nox screeched, emitting a light that momentarily created a protective field around him. The demons' claws hit the invisible barrier with a dull thud, throwing them back.
"Nox..." Sai felt a surge of power. His hands stopped shaking, his breathing evened out, his heart still pounded, but fear was gradually giving way to anger. "It's time."
He took a step forward, trying to maintain balance. The little dragon flew above him, the light from his body reflected in the demons' eyes. Sai understood: their power was immense, but he had a weapon and determination.
"I won't let them take anyone else!" he yelled, and his voice, full of pain and anger, echoed through the destroyed city.
The demons leaped again, but now Sai was ready. He moved precisely, quickly, calculating every movement. The revolver in his hands felt alive, transferring energy into his palms, connecting him with Nox. The dragon, as if understanding his master's intentions, leaped forward and struck first—a small flash of light and darkness simultaneously, which threw back the nearest enemies.
"I... I'll manage..." Sai muttered through tears. He saw one demon slow its movement, another turned its head slightly—and it gave him a chance.
But the demons were too many. They leaped from all sides, in a crowd, claws whistling. Sai retreated, simultaneously fending off attacks with Nox's help. His body was covered in scratches and bruises, but his mind remained clear. He saw his grandfather—lifeless—and understood that this was everything he had to fight for.
"Not now... not now..." he thought. "I have to survive..."
Nox, spreading his wings, leaped forward, creating a red vortex that threw several demons back. Sai felt a surge of energy—not magical, but internal. That very anger and pain, mixed with the desire to protect everything that remained.
"I... I... can't be weak!" Sai shouted, and at that moment the revolver seemed to come alive. The metal barrel gleamed, the grip warmed, transferring heat into his hand.
The demons stopped for a moment, as if sensing a change in him. Sai raised his hands, clenched the revolver, and the light emanating from Nox merged with the weapon, creating a shining cocoon around him.
"This is..." he muttered. "What... what's happening?"
But there was no time to think. The demons leaped again, but now Sai was ready. Every movement was precise, calculated. He parried attacks, avoided claws and teeth, and the light from Nox reflected in the demons' eyes, blinding them.
"Nox... we'll do this together!" he shouted, and the little dragon, as if understanding his words, intensified his glow, preparing for the next attack.
Sai took a step forward and saw his grandfather's body again. Sobs were interrupted by shouts, but anger filled him, turning fear into a weapon. He raised the revolver and aimed it directly at the approaching demons.
"I won't let them kill anyone else!" he cried, and fired.
A flash of light blinded him, and Nox instantly slid beside him, creating a protective ring. The demons screamed, were thrown back, some vanished in flames, others simply recoiled.
Sai stood, breathing heavily, watching as the darkness gradually receded, but the destroyed square still surrounded him. He looked at his grandfather's body, his heart breaking, tears streaming down his cheeks, but he understood: he had to survive.
"Grandad..." he whispered. "I... I will become strong... for you."
Nox settled beside him, hissing quietly, as if confirming his words. Sai gripped the revolver, feeling that it was no longer just a weapon—it was a part of him now.
The demons withdrew, but their energy still hung in the air. Sai understood this was only the first wave, and more dangerous opponents awaited ahead. He looked around the destroyed city, at the remnants of the house, at the empty streets, and the pain still burned in his chest, mixed with resolve.
He clenched his teeth, weeping, but with a feeling that the strength inside him was awakening, that Nox and the revolver weren't just tools, but a link between him and the world that now needed protecting.
"I'll manage..." he repeated quietly. "I will become strong."
And it was at that moment Sai understood that everything had changed. The world he knew was gone. Grandad was gone. Demons had taken what remained. But he had survived, and that meant he was now the only one who could change something.
His heart pounded, his breath came in gasps, his hands trembled—but Sai was ready.