Shalo's desperate footsteps echoed through the dense forest.
Branches whipped across his face as he sprinted between towering trees, his breathing ragged.
"They're still following me...!"
Behind him...
A chorus of monstrous roars shook the forest.
Dozens of savage beasts burst through the undergrowth, their crimson eyes locked onto the fleeing elf.
Their claws tore through the earth.
Their fangs dripped with saliva.
Shalo pushed himself harder.
"I have to escape!"
Suddenly—
SNAP!
His foot caught on a thick tree root.
"Ah!"
He crashed onto the forest floor, rolling several times before coming to a painful stop.
The monsters slowly surrounded him.
One by one...
They closed in.
Shalo's heart pounded.
"...Is this... the end?"
A gigantic wolf-like monster growled before launching itself toward him.
Its jaws opened wide.
Just before its fangs reached him—
BOOM!
A massive clawed fist smashed into the beast's skull.
The monster's head exploded instantly.
Blood and shattered bone erupted through the air, painting the surrounding trees crimson.
Silence.
A towering figure stood between Shalo and the monsters.
Broad shoulders.
Long crimson hair.
Magnificent black horns.
Dragon scales glimmered beneath the sunlight.
Drakar.
Shalo's eyes widened.
"...Drakar."
"...You saved me."
Drakar didn't answer.
He merely glanced toward the approaching monsters.
Then...
He disappeared.
BOOM!
The ground exploded beneath his feet.
The nearest monster never even realized what happened.
Its entire upper body vanished beneath a single punch.
Another beast charged.
Drakar caught it by the throat.
CRACK!
Its neck shattered.
Without slowing down, he hurled the corpse through three more monsters.
Their bodies burst apart upon impact.
Blood rained across the battlefield.
A gigantic serpent lunged from the trees.
Drakar caught its mouth with one hand.
Slowly...
He forced the jaws farther apart.
The serpent struggled desperately.
Then—
RIIIP!
Its body was torn clean in half.
More monsters attacked together.
Claws.
Fangs.
Poison.
None of them reached him.
Drakar's dragon tail swept across the battlefield.
BOOOOM!
The forest shook violently.
Every monster struck by the tail exploded into clouds of flesh and blood.
The survivors hesitated.
Fear appeared in their eyes.
They tried to flee.
Drakar's crimson eyes narrowed.
"...Pathetic."
He raised a single hand.
A crimson beam erupted from his palm.
The forest lit up with blinding light.
The fleeing monsters disappeared instantly.
When the light faded...
Nothing remained.
No enemies.
No corpses.
Only scorched earth stained with blood.
The battle...
Had never truly been a battle.
It had been a slaughter.
Drakar calmly brushed a speck of blood from his shoulder before continuing to walk.
Shalo hurried after him.
"Drakar..."
"Where are we going anyway?"
Without looking back, Drakar replied,
"...Southwest."
"...To Frostalia."
...
Far above the clouds...
Within a magnificent throne room that overlooked countless stars...
Aureon knelt respectfully before a colossal throne.
The figure seated upon it remained hidden beneath endless light.
"My Lord," Aureon said respectfully.
"It has been eleven years since Kritos was reborn."
"Nothing significant has happened in Eryndor."
The Supreme God remained silent for a moment.
Then...
"Everything is unfolding exactly as I wrote."
"There is no need for concern."
Aureon lowered his head further.
"My Lord..."
"...then what remains?"
The Supreme God answered calmly.
"It is time to act."
"...Not in Eryndor."
"...On Earth."
Aureon's eyes widened.
"Earth?"
"My Lord... for millions of years, no Supreme God has interfered with Earth."
"Among all Eight Realms..."
"...Earth is the strongest."
The Supreme God asked quietly,
"...Why do you believe Earth is stronger?"
Aureon answered without hesitation.
"Because, my Lord..."
"...they became unimaginably powerful..."
"...without magic..."
"...and without your blessings."
A faint chuckle echoed through the throne room.
"...No."
"It is not power..."
"It is something far greater."
...
Deep beneath Eryndor...
Inside the forgotten underground kingdom of Darkain...
Prince Erek calmly sipped his tea.
Another violent tremor shook the cavern.
CRAAASH!
A colossal boulder broke free from the ceiling and plummeted directly toward him.
Erek never moved.
Just before the rock could strike—
SHIIIIING!
A crimson beam pierced through the air.
BOOM!
The massive boulder exploded into countless tiny fragments that scattered harmlessly across the chamber.
Standing nearby...
Zox slowly lowered his hand.
"My Lord."
"The path is secure."
Erek gently placed his teacup upon the table.
His crimson eyes remained fixed upon the ancient kingdom stretching before him.
"Zox."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Gather every mage."
"Every swordsman."
"Protect Darkain."
"Immediately."
"Yes, My Lord."
Zox immediately disappeared.
Across the forgotten kingdom of Darkain...
Mages raised enormous barriers of shimmering mana while countless swordsmen guided the citizens toward safe shelters.
The violent earthquake continued to shake the underground kingdom.
Yet under the command of the Darkain Army...
Panic never spread.
Some times later...
The tremors finally came to an end.
Dust slowly settled over the silent streets.
Zox entered the chamber and bowed respectfully.
"My Lord."
"The earthquake has ended."
"There were..."
"...one hundred and fifty-three casualties."
Silence.
Erek slowly closed his eyes.
Then—
Cough!
A mouthful of blood spilled from his lips.
Crimson drops stained the floor.
Zox's expression changed instantly.
"My Lord!"
Erek calmly wiped the blood from his mouth.
"I have already received them..."
"...through the Revivis Altar."
Zox lowered his head.
"My Lord..."
"Please don't risk your body to save everyone."
"This burden should not fall upon you alone."
Erek quietly looked toward the kingdom outside the window.
"This pain..."
"...is insignificant."
"They devoted their lives to protecting Darkain."
"As their ruler..."
"I couldn't even protect them myself."
"I possess no magic."
"I am too weak."
"If this is the only thing I can do for them..."
"...then I shall bear the pain."
For several moments...
Zox remained silent.
Then he slowly bowed.
"...Yes, My Lord."
...
Soon...
Erek returned to the Frostalia Royal Palace.
As they walked through the magnificent corridors, Zox quietly spoke.
"It has already been four years since we began living here."
Erek sighed.
"And I hate every moment of it."
Zox looked toward him.
"Is it because of... those four?"
"...Yes."
"My elder brother..."
"...Alendro."
"His mother..."
"...Queen Glories."
"My elder sister..."
"...Shuna."
"And her mother..."
"...Queen Selene."
"They all despise me."
"They treat me..."
"...as though I don't belong to this family."
A dangerous smile appeared on Zox's face.
"My Lord..."
"Just give the order."
"I'll personally execute every one of them."
Erek shook his head.
"No."
"Death is too merciful."
"I'll make them suffer."
"But before that..."
"...I must awaken the Darkness within me."
Before he could continue—
"My Prince."
A young maid hurried toward them before respectfully bowing.
"His Highness Alendro wishes to see you."
Erek calmly nodded.
"I understand."
As he began walking, Zox followed behind him.
The maid immediately raised a hand.
"My apologies."
"His Highness specifically requested that Prince Erek come alone."
Zox frowned.
Erek glanced at him.
"Wait in my room."
"...As you wish, My Lord."
The orange-haired butler stopped where he stood.
The maid led Erek through several quiet corridors before stopping before a large wooden door.
She bowed.
"His Highness is waiting inside."
Erek gently pushed the door open.
Creeeak...
The room was spacious and elegantly decorated.
Tall windows allowed warm sunlight to pour across polished marble floors.
Standing beside one of the windows...
Was Alendro Frostalia.
Now fifteen years old...
He possessed neatly combed jet-black hair that framed a handsome, well-defined face. His piercing sapphire-blue eyes carried neither warmth nor anger—only a cold, unreadable calm. Dressed in an immaculate royal uniform embroidered with silver threads and Frostalia's crest, he stood with the flawless posture expected of the kingdom's First Prince. Though still young, he already carried the dignity and authority of a future king.
Erek stepped forward.
"Why did you call me, Big Broth—"
Before he could finish—
BAM!
Alendro's fist crashed into Erek's face.
The impact sent him stumbling backward.
Silence filled the room.