One assassin had already fallen.
Three were locked in a deadly clash with Valon,
and one sprinted toward the outer walls carrying Princess Lina's body —
or what remained of it.
Kras faced the abomination alone.
The cold, dry wind cut through the ruined district.
Outside the walls, the thunder of Aurik's army clashing with the Black Order shook the ground.
The monster lunged.
Kras slid backward, boots scraping against the frozen wood.
Kras:
"Damn it...
That lunatic—Valon—killed one of my men like it was nothing...!"
The monster shrieked and charged again.
Kras leapt upward, flipping to gain distance.
Kras:
"I need to leave...
Jamih and the merchant need me.
I don't have time to waste on someone who doesn't even know what he's doing!"
The monster slammed into the wall, splintering it.
Kras steadied his spear.
---
BENEATH THE PALACE — THE DESCENT INTO THE CORRUPTED CAVE
Under Leona's palace, Jamih and Jaber sprinted deeper into the sacred tunnels.
Jaber:
"Listen—focus.
We might find the boy in the worst condition.
Prepare yourself."
Jamih:
"I know, you flattering merchant."
Jaber:
"Flattering?
Is that a compliment?!"
They reached the heart of the cave.
The sacred lake — once glowing blue —
was now a violet, corrupted pool, pulsing with dark energy.
Jamih scanned the area.
Jamih:
"It's quiet...
Are you sure this is the place?"
Jaber lifted his jeweled launcher.
Jaber:
"If the boy is anywhere...
it's here."
Jamih's eyes narrowed.
Something glimmered on the ground.
He knelt.
A wolf?fang pendant.
Jamih:
"...It's his.
He was here."
Jaber:
"The boy...?"
Footsteps echoed.
Dozens.
Jaber:
"Jamih...
you see what I see?"
Jamih:
"Yes.
A trap."
Black Order soldiers crawled from cracks and tunnels, surrounding them.
Jaber:
"I don't see the boy.
Do you?"
Jamih:
"No.
Fight."
Jaber's aura exploded —
a storm of blue energy.
He fired a massive beam, blasting soldiers into the walls.
Dust and rocks rained down.
Jaber:
"Move!!"
Jamih:
"You think we're running?"
Jaber:
"I promised you I'd bring the boy back.
Wasting strength on these pests is pointless.
Asser is coming.
Aurik's army is outside."
He pointed deeper into the cave.
Jaber:
"Our mission is to find him.
And get him out alive."
Jamih lowered his swords.
Then nodded.
They dashed into a narrow tunnel.
Jaber blasted the ceiling behind them, sealing the soldiers away.
THE DEEPER VEINS OF LEONA — THE SECRET OF THE LAND
They ran through glowing tunnels filled with crystals and enchanted herbs.
Jaber:
"You know, Jamih...
this cave is Leona's true wealth.
They have dozens like it.
Just like the gems in your sword."
Jamih said nothing.
Jaber:
"It explains their weapons, potions, medicine—
but here's the problem."
He raised his voice.
Jaber:
"They have NO water."
Jamih:
"What?"
Jaber:
"Unlike Aurik's desert —
where you dig deep and find water —
Leona has none.
If you dig here, you find herbs with strange powers...
and psychic gems.
But not a single drop of water."
Jamih:
"But their land is green.
Forests everywhere.
How do the plants survive?"
Jaber:
"Because Leona is magical.
Or cursed.
When it rains, the water disappears instantly —
absorbed by the herbs.
Swallowed by the earth."
Jamih lit a torch.
Expressionless.
Jaber:
"You're impossible to read.
Makes me want to stop telling you things."
He sighed.
Jaber:
"Anyway —
that's why the White Fox asked King Caesar for help."
He continued, excited.
Jaber:
"They found the Aflouza peaks —
the highest mountains.
Caesar struck the ice with his sword...
melted it...
and created a river that still flows today."
He pointed at the glowing water veins.
Jaber:
"It flows into the gorge carved by King Rabah of Lenovard...
and when the woman of the Luminous Tree touched the water —
it became healing."
He looked at Jamih.
Jaber:
"...Are you even listening?"
Jamih:
"No."
Jaber:
"WHAT?!"
They reached a massive opening.
A deeper cave.
Jaber:
"We might find something here."
Jamih:
"Let's see."
THE BATTLE FOR LEONA — VALON DESCENDS, THE STARLIGHT AWAKENS
Kras VS. THE EVOLVING ABOMINATION
Above the collapsing rooftops of Leona,
Kras fought the abomination in a brutal, freezing storm.
The creature had changed—
its movements sharper, faster, almost heroic in speed.
Every strike was a killing blow.
Kras blocked with perfect spearwork,
but every stab into the monster's flesh did nothing.
Kras:
"Ha?!
How is this thing not falling?!
Does it even HAVE a weak point?!"
The monster shrieked and lunged again.
Kras flipped backward, landing on a broken beam.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Kras:
"I need to leave...
Jamih and the merchant need me.
I don't have time for a mindless beast!"
But the monster didn't let him go.
---
VALON VS. THE FOUR ASSASSINS
Nearby, Valon fought the four assassins—
and for the first time, he looked... mildly impressed.
Valon:
"If this is the level of Aurik's fighters...
you will become a very annoying problem."
He vanished—
reappeared—
vanished again.
The assassins fought as one:
? One threw enchanted blades
? One detonated dust bombs
? One blinked behind Valon
? One attacked from above
A perfect rhythm.
Valon smiled.
Valon:
"Dais... you failure.
Your incompetence forces us to hurry.
Aurik must be destroyed quickly...
or they will become troublesome."
He flickered out of existence.
---
One assassin sprinted toward the outer walls,
carrying Princess Lina's body.
Valon appeared behind him.
Valon:
"Rot, you filthy insect."
He swung his scythe—
A green arrow slammed into the blade.
Valon turned.
General Sylvans walked toward him,
calm, emerald eyes glowing,
the battlefield raging behind her.
Assassin:
"General!
Thank you!
He's trying to take the princess!"
Sylvans:
"Go.
Get her to safety."
She raised her bow.
Valon smirked.
Valon:
"Oh...
a remnant of the Luminous Tree.
How pitiful.
I feel sorry for you."
Sylvans:
"Shut up, monster."
Valon flicked his hand.
His scythe pulsed with dark light—
souls screamed as they shot toward the assassin.
Aurik's mages blasted them with fireballs,
burning the souls mid?air.
Valon:
"How sad...
those were souls I harvested from your tribe."
Sylvans' eyes burned with fury.
Sylvans:
"You know nothing.
We sacrifice ourselves for a future worth living.
We won't let you destroy this world—
even if it costs our lives."
Valon laughed softly.
Behind him, the Black Order began to fall back.
Aurik's army surged forward.
Valon vanished.
Valon:
"I'll enjoy killing you later...
and taking your soul."
THE CAMP — THE WHITE FOX FINDS HIS SISTER
In the rear camp,
Lucas suddenly felt it.
Lucas:
"...Lina!
My sister!"
The assassin laid her gently on the ground.
Mages surrounded her.
Lucas knelt beside her, trembling.
Lucas:
"You're... empty.
Something is wrong..."
Mage:
"She's infected...
but her vital organs are frozen.
As if time stopped inside her."
Assassin:
"That scythe?wielding lunatic...
he chased us nonstop."
Lucas gripped her hand.
Lucas:
"I'm sorry...
Just wait a little longer...
I'll find a way."
---
THE GATE OF LEONA — THE CRIMSON ARMY ARRIVES
Sidney, Fuad, and Aurik's army reached the gate.
They looked to Sylvans.
Sylvans:
"FIRE!!"
Dozens of mages unleashed a unified blast—
melting the ice, shattering the gate,
sending snow and debris flying.
Fog rolled out.
Fuad:
"General! Look!"
Inside—
a small group of Leona soldiers fought desperately,
blood staining the snow.
Voices cried from the houses.
Sylvans:
"I hear breathing...
There are survivors."
She raised her voice.
Sylvans:
"Fight carefully!
Avoid the houses!"
Aurik's army roared and charged in.
People peeked from windows—
and saw golden armor, crimson cloaks.
Villagers:
"Aurik...!
They came for us!"
Lucas ran forward, sword in hand.
He saw Nizar fighting.
Lucas:
"That captain...
He's one of mine!
General! We must help them!"
Sylvans:
"Calm yourself.
We secure the area first.
There are traps everywhere."
A mage screamed.
Mage:
"General! A trap!"
A massive blue circle appeared under their feet.
Sylvans:
"Damn it—!"
Namiq laughed as he fought Nizar.
Namiq:
"You want to save these fools?!
Come, noble Aurik!
HAHAHAHA!"
Lucas pointed his sword.
Lucas:
"It's him...
He's the one..."
Sylvans:
"Him?"
Lucas:
"The cause of Leona's fall!
The poison!
The lies!
I'll never forgive you, Namiq!"
Sylvans grabbed him.
Sylvans:
"Stop.
You're in a trap.
We all are."
She fired arrows upward—
but they shattered instantly.
Dark mages lined the walls.
Sylvans:
"They're caging us..."
Namiq:
"Rot!
Just like Leona rotted!
HAHAHAHA!"
Sylvans raised her hand.
Aurik's mages launched fireballs upward,
forcing the dark mages to defend.
Sylvans:
"Grandmother...
Mowj...
My people...
Watch me."
She shouted:
Sylvans:
"Protect the prince!"
Aurik's army formed a massive circle around Lucas.
Sylvans sprinted across rooftops.
Namiq tried to stop her—
but Nizar stabbed his hand.
Namiq:
"You bastard!!"
He blasted Nizar with dark smoke,
sending him crashing to the ground.
Lucas:
"Nizar!!!"
Sylvans leapt—
firing arrows that sprouted vines,
leaping from plant to plant
until she reached the top of the wall.
She unleashed a barrage.
Sylvans:
"Wrath of Nature!"
Arrows glowed emerald and gold,
striking mage after mage.
Only one remained.
She aimed—
Valon appeared in front of her.
His scythe grazed her throat.
Valon:
"Not so fast, forest girl."
Sylvans drew a golden arrow.
Valon summoned screaming souls.
Valon:
"Come to me...
child of the forest."
Below, Kras and the assassins fought the monster.
Assassin:
"Captain!
The princess made it!"
Kras:
"Good!
Now we just need to—"
Aurik's army exploded through the gate.
Kras:
"Whoa...
That general...
Does she enjoy making an entrance?!"
The monster tore through magical nets.
Kras:
"No use!
It's too strong!"
He looked up—
Sylvans vs. Valon.
Kras:
"Damn that arrogant reaper!"
He shouted:
Kras:
"Men!
Kill the last mage!"
The assassins vanished.
Valon blocked Sylvans' arrows—
souls swirling around him.
Sylvans countered with spinning shots.
Aurik's soldiers watched in awe.
Soldiers:
"The general...
She's fighting him!"
Sylvans unleashed her golden arrow—
charged for minutes.
Sylvans:
"Take this!!
HAAA!!"
Valon tried to block—
but the arrow curved, twisted, returned,
forcing him to dodge repeatedly.
Valon:
"Of course...
the Luminous Tribe...
always with the tricks."
Sylvans smirked.
Sylvans:
"Tricks?
You win your battles with tricks too."
Valon laughed.
Valon:
"Show me more."
Below, the last dark mage was overwhelmed—
hit by four assassins and a fireball.
The blue trap circle vanished.
Aurik Soldiers:
"We did it!"
Sylvans:
"Advance!"
Valon shattered her arrows
and teleported into the sky.
Everyone looked up.
Kras:
"What is he planning?!"
Valon raised his scythe.
Valon:
"Massacre of Souls."
A storm of ice and screaming spirits
rushed toward the army and Lucas.
Sylvans leapt, firing a glowing arrow into the ground—
vines erupted, launching her upward.
She drew a final arrow—
gold and green, draining her life.
Sylvans:
"Starlight Flash!!!"
The arrow ignited—
a blazing comet of emerald and gold.
Valon's attack collided with it.
A massive explosion tore through the sky—
snow blasting in all directions.
Namiq was thrown back, fleeing.
Shahrazad and her brother watched from a window.
Shahrazad:
"They... came...
Look, brother...
the prince...
he came for us."
THE WHITE FOX'S GRIEF — THE BATTLE TURNS
Lucas sprinted through the snow?covered battlefield,
dodging spells and falling debris,
until he reached Captain Nizar lying motionless on the ground.
He dropped to his knees.
Lucas:
"Captain!
Nizar!
Are you alright?!"
He removed the blood?stained helmet,
lifting Nizar's head gently.
Lucas:
"Hey...
You'll be fine...
I can feel it..."
Behind him, Sylvans wiped the blood from her lips, barely standing.
Soldier:
"General!
Are you alright?!"
Sylvans nodded weakly, scanning the rooftops.
Valon was gone.
Lucas:
"He's watching us...
He could appear at any moment..."
Sylvans raised her voice.
Sylvans:
"Hold this position!
Nothing gets through!
We clear the path for the king!"
Aurik Army:
"For the King of Aurik!
For the Crimson Crown!"
But the alleys trembled.
From every shadow,
massive dark knights emerged,
and new portals opened—
pouring out endless Black Order soldiers.
Sylvans:
"Engage!!
Sidney—your surprise attacks!
Cover the gaps when the mages tire!"
Sidney:
"On it!"
Sylvans:
"Fuad!
Stay with the prince!"
Fuad:
"Understood!"
Fire spells erupted.
Swords clashed.
Leona's remaining soldiers fought desperately around Lucas.
Nizar's eyes fluttered open.
Leona's soldiers rushed to their prince.
Soldier:
"Your Majesty...
we thought we'd lost everything..."
Nizar coughed.
Lucas clenched his fist,
his white eyes glowing faintly.
Lucas:
"I... am sorry.
Truly...
my men..."
He turned his head toward the ruined homes,
the shattered streets,
the frozen bodies.
Lucas:
"I cannot see the city...
but I can feel it.
Sick bodies lying in the snow...
others hiding in fear...
and no trace of General Basil..."
Nizar smiled weakly.
Nizar:
"Your Majesty..."
Lucas:
"Nizar!!"
Nizar:
"Don't say that...
You feel everything around you...
You brought an entire army to save us...
We believed in you...
until the very last breath..."
He smiled again, faintly.
Nizar:
"Your people...
waited for you...
and they still do...
So please...
be the prince you always were..."
Lucas trembled.
Lucas:
"Don't...
don't talk like that..."
Nizar's body grew still.
---
THE BATTLE INTENSIFIES — THE SKY BURNS
Sylvans unleashed a storm of arrows,
cutting down dark knights and mages to protect her troops.
Sylvans:
"Push forward!
Show them who we are!"
Aurik's soldiers roared,
but many fell—
some frozen,
others collapsing from exhaustion.
Swords clashed violently.
Aurik Soldiers:
"For Aurik!
For Leona!"
Sylvans shouted:
Sylvans:
"Cover the flanks!
Mages—focus on airborne targets!"
From the portals,
bat?like creatures swarmed the sky,
diving at soldiers' necks.
Mages launched fireballs.
Archers shot them down mid?air.
Sylvans gritted her teeth.
Sylvans (whispering):
"They're pressing us too hard..."
Kras VS. THE ABOMINATION — THE TRUTH REVEALED
Elsewhere,
Kras was thrown back again.
For the twentieth time.
He stood, panting.
Kras:
"Damn it!"
He noticed something—
a grotesque eye pulsing on the monster's back.
Kras:
"What in the—
You're uglier than the beasts of the Abyssal Valley!"
He lunged,
but the monster covered its back.
Kras:
"So...
that eye...
that's the weak point!"
He dashed around the hut,
bouncing off walls,
moving faster and faster.
Kras:
"Come on...
get dizzy...
get dizzy...
NOW!"
He struck—
the monster grabbed the spear.
Kras:
"I knew you'd do that!"
He threw a magical bomb at the eye.
A burst of light.
The monster collapsed—
but still alive, crawling toward another room.
The assassins arrived.
Kras:
"Finally."
They followed the creature.
Inside the room—
a family lay unconscious,
frozen by Laika's spell.
Assassin:
"Captain...
a whole family...
asleep."
Kras froze.
Kras:
"No...
children?
A woman?
Don't tell me—"
The monster crawled toward a small bed,
dragging itself painfully.
It reached a sleeping child,
rested its head beside her,
and began to dissolve.
Assassin:
"Should we kill it?"
Kras lowered his spear.
Kras:
"He thanked us earlier...
Maybe he regained some awareness..."
The assassin handed him a locket.
Inside—
a smiling man with his family.
Kras tightened his grip on the spear.
Assassin:
"His family..."
Kras stared at the dissolving creature.
Kras (quietly):
"Damn you...
Black Order...
I never cared about anything when I joined Korta's tunnels.
Gold, missions, secrets—
none of it mattered.
But this...
this makes me sick...
and furious...
and I don't even know why."
He turned.
Kras:
"Mark the place.
They'll need help."
The assassins placed a dagger wrapped in crimson and gold cloth.
Kras:
"Let's go.
Jamih and that foolish merchant need us."
They left the hut behind—
the monster dissolving peacefully beside the child it once protected.
It had tied them down...
so they wouldn't transform before him.
So he would turn first.
So they wouldn't suffer.
