The battlefield was quiet.
Too quiet.
Where chaos once roared, only silence remained.
Burnt houses stood like broken memories. Smoke still rose slowly into the sky. The ground was stained with blood, claw marks, and shattered weapons.
The village… was no more.
Survivors moved in a slow line, guided by soldiers of the Wolfden Kingdom. Some carried the wounded. Some walked in silence. Some… didn't even have the strength to look back.
General Rony stood at a distance.
Watching.
His armor was damaged. His face tired. But his eyes… were sharp as ever.
A soldier approached him.
"General… the evacuation is almost complete."
He looked toward the destroyed village again.
"This wasn't normal."
The soldier stayed silent.
Rony continued, his voice low but firm,
"A coordinated attack… multiple species… and that evolution…"
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…This was planned."
The wind passed through the ruins.
Carrying with it the weight of loss…
And the beginning of something far worse.
Far to the north…
Within the territory of Stormvale Kingdom… A different scene unfolded.
Tall stone walls surrounded the entrance of a dungeon carved deep into a mountain. Cold wind flowed through the area, carrying a sharp, metallic scent.
Three figures stood before the entrance.
Selva…Darian…Torian….
All prepared for battle.
Selva stood at the front, her white hair moving slightly with the wind. She wore her red dress layered with silver armor, her sword resting calmly at her side.
Her eyes were focused.
Sharp...
Determined…..
Behind her, Darian stretched his arms slightly.
"Finally… something interesting."
Tauran adjusted his grip on his weapon.
"…Don't underestimate it."
Selva stepped forward
"This dungeon wasn't marked for nothing."
Her voice was calm.
"But the request was clear."
She looked toward the dark entrance.
"A high level beast is hiding inside."
Silence followed. Then, "…We clear it."
Darian smirked
"That's what we're here for."
Torian nodded
"No mistakes."
For a moment…
Selva's gaze shifted. As if she felt something. Something distant.
Something… unknown.
"…Strange."
Darian raised an eyebrow
"What?"
Selva shook her head
"…Nothing."
But deep inside a faint unease remained. Without another word the three stepped forward. And entered the darkness.
Deep within unknown lands…
A quiet chamber….
No windows…..
No light except for a single dim flame.
Cloaked figures stood in silence. Their identities hidden. Their presence… heavy…..
One of them spoke
"…The shipment failed."
Another responded,
"…As expected."
A third voice followed,
"The Marsh test… is incomplete."
Silence returned. Then,
"…We will proceed as planned."
A pause
"…No delays."
The flame flickered. Their shadows moved across the walls like something waiting…Something growing…
In the dark.....
Inside the capital of Brightshore Kingdom…
A private chamber….Luxurious, yet tense…..
The King sat at the head of a long table.
Beside him stood Commander Arthur, the air was serious. Heavy with purpose. The King spoke first.
"This… Aragorn."
Arthur remained calm
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The King's eyes narrowed slightly,
"He is no ordinary individual."
Arthur nodded
"Agreed."
The King leaned forward
"If the reports are true…"
"…Then he holds value beyond rank."
A pause
"…Political."
"…Strategic."
"…And dangerous."
Arthur spoke quietly,
"We must locate him."
The King nodded
"As soon as possible."
His voice hardened
"If others reach him first…"
"…we lose control."
Silence filled the room
Arthur stepped forward slightly
"I will handle it."
The King looked at him
"…Do not fail."
Arthur's eyes didn't waver
"I won't…..."
Far beyond the known lands…
In the dark reaches of Moonreach Kingdom…
A throne room bathed in darkness.
Black flames burned along the walls.
A figure knelt on the cold stone floor.
A demon….
Tall....
Covered in dark armor. Eyes glowing faintly. Before him a presence.
Unseen…..
But overwhelming. The demon spoke.
"…The operation at Grimfang… has failed."
Silence…..
"The Buffalo King…"
"…has fallen."
The air grew heavier
"…A shadow interfered."
A pause
Then a voice echoed through the chamber…..
Low...
Ancient...
"…So…"
"…Noir's will still lingers."
The demon lowered his head further,
"…What are your orders?"
The voice replied,
Cold….Calm…Final...
"Prepare the next phase."
A faint pause
"…The game…"
"…has only just begun."
Darkness swallowed the room.....
Somewhere deep within a hidden forest… Inside a vast, shadow covered chamber…
A room unlike any other.
Dark….
Yet luxurious...
A massive bed stood at the center.
Decorated with fine materials.
Soft light flickered from enchanted lamps.
On a chair beside the bed, Jessy sat…..
Asleep…..
Her head slightly lowered
Exhausted....
Peaceful… for the first time in days.
On the bed Aragorn lay still.
Unmoving….
Silent...
For a long moment nothing happened.
Then,
A breath…..Slow….Heavy...
His fingers twitched slightly. And then his eyes opened. Darkness reflected within them.
But something else…
Something deeper…
Awakened...
The air around him felt different,
Changed…Quiet…Yet powerful…..
He stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Confused….Alive....
The journey was not over. It had only just begun...…..
(Stay Tuned....!!)