The kingdom marched.
Torches flickered through the forest.
Footsteps and metal echoed.
King Sable's soldiers swept the land like hunting dogs.
Sable walked with the Dreaded Knight.
"Find them," he growled.
"They are mine."
The hunt was getting closer.
Closer than the Eclipsed Order realized.
Haruto's Visions Darken
Back at the hideout, Haruto stumbled in the middle of the day, clutching his head.
Flashes hit him like lightning:
Fire.
Chains.
A bleeding sky.
The silhouette of the Demon King Arkhamis whispering:
"Your family will bleed before the dawn."
Haruto gasped and fell to his knees.
Lira grabbed him.
"Haruto! Again?!"
He forced a shaky breath.
"I'm fine… I'm fine…"
But he wasn't.
And the mark on his palm glowed brighter.
Sataro & Nova's Quiet Moment
That night, while the kids slept, Nova and Sataro sat beside the dim fire.
Sataro leaned back on his hands.
Nova hugged her big stuffed wolf, acting like she wasn't totally obsessed with it.
Sataro watched quietly.
"Not going to sleep?"
Nova smirked.
"You sound like a dad."
He rolled his eyes.
"And you sound like a child."
Nova grinned.
"A sexy child."
Sataro choked.
"That— that's not— That's HORRIBLE wording—"
Nova burst laughing.
"Oh relax, it's a joke!"
Sataro rubbed his forehead.
"This is what I get for trying to be nice."
Nova leaned in slightly, suddenly softer.
"You are nice. Sometimes.
When you're not being a controlling, bossy, dramatic piece of stone."
"…Never mind," Sataro said, turning away.
Nova tilted her head.
"Aww, did I ruin your big emotional moment?"
"Yes."
Nova smirked.
"Good."
Sataro glared.
"You're impossible."
Nova leaned her forehead to his.
"Shut up."
Sataro blinked—
and then—
She kissed him.
Soft.
Strong.
Full of emotion she'd been hiding for months.
Sataro didn't move.
Then he kissed her back.
It felt like the world slowed.
Everything was quiet.
Everything was—
Haruto's Scream
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
Haruto's scream ripped through the cave.
Nova jerked back, eyes wide.
"What—?!"
Sataro shot to his feet, grabbing his sword.
Outside, more screams:
"BJORN!! NO— BJORN!!"
"HELP!"
"HE'S BLEEDING!"
Sataro sprinted out of the cave—
Nova right behind him.
The Attack
Outside the hideout entrance—
Dozens of soldiers surrounded the area.
Torches.
Arrows.
Swords drawn.
The kids were in chaos.
Haruto was on the ground holding Bjorn's head.
Bjorn lay there…
…with an arrow THROUGH his chest.
Haruto screamed,
"They shot at me! Bjorn jumped in front— he saved me—"
Nova gasped, dropping to her knees.
Lira sobbed and shook Bjorn's arm.
"BJORN!! STAY WITH US!!"
Bjorn's eyes were barely open.
He coughed blood.
"Haha… don't cry… mom… I'm fine…"
Nova broke.
Sataro's eyes went dead, cold, and lethal.
He stepped forward, sword glowing in the firelight.
"WHO SHOT THAT ARROW?!"
A captain pointed.
"That boy is wanted alive.
Kill the rest."
Sataro stepped in front of the children.
His voice dropped to a terrifying whisper.
"Nova."
She snapped out of her shock.
"Yes—?!"
"Get the kids inside.
NOW."
Nova grabbed Haruto.
"Come on— MOVE!"
Ren lifted Lira.
Lira held Bjorn's hand as Nova dragged them inside.
Bjorn whispered, barely conscious,
"Dad… gonna… smash them… for me…"
Sataro didn't turn around.
He just lowered his sword into a battle stance.
"…I will."
The soldiers drew their blades.
Sataro inhaled once—
Then vanished into movement