4 Months into Mole's Training
Mole's days had become routine, but never easy. Every morning, he sprinted from his house to the greenlands, raced up and down the jagged, rocky hill, and chased wild terregrims as part of his daily regimen. His legs ached, his lungs burned—but he pushed forward.
Each step echoed with the memory of his mother's final words:
"Never!! Never let Lloyd die... Protect him!"
He still didn't understand why she had said that. Why burden a child with such a heavy request?
"Mole, are you okay?" Zephyr's voice called out, calm but sharp with concern.
Mole nodded slowly, still catching his breath. "I'm fine."
A silence passed between them as they continued walking back toward the training grounds.
Then Mole finally asked, "Zephyr... did you ever meet my dad? Everyone keeps talking about him... they say he was a hero."
Zephyr's gaze shifted toward the horizon. "I never met your father, but I know his story. In fact, he was just like you—no elemental power. But he was a beast in battle, a swordsman unlike any other. Some even say... if he had elemental powers, he'd have been the strongest in the world."
Mole looked down at the ground. "I wish I could see my parents one more time..."
Tears began to silently roll down his cheeks.
Zephyr didn't try to stop them. Instead, he knelt down and placed a hand on Mole's shoulder. "I'm sure they'd want that too. But they're in a better place now. You've got to grow stronger, Mole—not just for yourself, but to fulfill what they no longer can."
Mole took a deep breath and wiped his face. Then, without another word, he resumed his training.
Meanwhile in Ignisia...
"Your Majesty, Prince Zane has arrived."
A royal messenger knelt before King Arin as the prince rode in on horseback, the wind fluttering the royal banner above him. At just 15, Zane had already earned a place among the Aces—Ignisia's elite protectors—having joined at the age of 14. He was also heir to the throne.
Zane dismounted and strode into the palace with purpose, heading straight for the throne room. Upon entering, he found King Arin and Queen Merriam seated, waiting for him.
He knelt before them respectfully. "My King. I've come to assist you in preparing for the King's Summit."
King Arin rose and smiled warmly. "Thank you, my son. I need all the help I can get. But for now—let's eat. Tonight, we celebrate your return."
He clapped his hands, calling for a banquet to be prepared in the royal hall.
Three Years Ago… The Day Thorn Village Was Born
It was a warm and sunny day. Joy echoed across Thorn Village as the townsfolk gathered to celebrate the birthday of their chief—Thorn. Laughter filled the streets. Tables overflowed with food and drinks. The people danced, sang, and toasted not only Thorn's life but also the birth of the village itself.
As evening approached and the sun painted the sky in hues of orange and gold, Thorn sat on his doorstep beside his wife, Rose.
"It's times like this... that make people see the beauty of love," he said gently.
Rose stared at the sunset and smiled. "Hosii... did you say something? Or are you talking to Lloyd again?"
He laughed. "You both have my attention. I love you all equally."
But the peace was short-lived.
Suddenly, a woman came running to their home, panic in her eyes. "Hosii! Hosii!!" she cried out, calling Thorn by his true name.
He rushed to meet her. "Calm down. Breathe. What happened?"
Between gasps, she managed, "I've been searching for my son for hours... I went outside the village—and I saw a creature holding him... and six other children."
Cries of panic soon echoed from nearby houses as more parents reported missing children.
"Which way?" Thorn demanded.
"Through the main gate, into the woods!"
Without hesitation, Thorn vanished with lightning speed.
But as soon as he left, the woman who had brought the warning began to transform. Her body morphed grotesquely into a towering creature with brown skin, a cloak as black as void, twisted nails, no shoes, and a staff shaped like a trident. It stood twice the size of an average man.
Rose, sensing danger, grabbed Lloyd and moved just in time—the creature's attack slammed into the front door, splintering it. She was struck in the back and fell to the floor.
Mole and Shawn watched in horror as their mother collapsed.
"Grab Lloyd and run!!" she screamed.
Shawn didn't hesitate. He lifted two-year-old Lloyd, grabbed Mole's hand, and sprinted for the back door.
The creature stepped inside. Its voice was guttural, ancient:
"Zyvek rutys shkos akdon?"
Rose's eyes widened. She understood it.
"Give us the child of chaos," it had said.
"You will not have my child!!" she roared, lunging at the creature, grabbing its cloak and holding on as it tried to chase the children.
"RUN!!!" she cried.
Suddenly, a glowing green aura surrounded Rose and the creature, forming a circular shield.
"Live… survive this age, my children. A shadow of darkness is coming. Never!! Never let Lloyd die… Protect him!"
And then—
Rose was killed.
Meanwhile… In the Woods
Pow! Pow! Boom!
Thorn fought like a god among mortals. Echoflayers surrounded him, but he showed no fear. One he uppercut into the sky. Another he slammed into the earth, cracking it beneath him. His rage burned like fire.
Then he saw it—a green light pulsing from the village. His heart sank.
"Rose!!" he shouted, dashing toward it.
Along the way, he passed villagers—frozen in fear, their eyes wide, bodies paralyzed.
By the time he arrived, the green light had vanished.
"Rose..." he whispered, cradling her broken body.
She opened her eyes one last time. "It's after the children... Don't let them take the key... Save them, Thorn..."
Her last breath left her lips as she called his name.
He laid her down gently and covered her with his coat.
"I'll honor your words, Rose. I swear it."
He sensed the creature's presence heading toward the forest—and toward his children. Thorn exploded forward with terrifying speed.
The Final Chase
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Rain fell. Feet pounded the earth. Shawn held Lloyd tightly and dragged Mole through the muddy forest.
Then—footsteps behind them.
He turned. The creature was closing in.
"Mole, take him!" Shawn shouted, tossing Lloyd into his brother's arms.
The creature grabbed Shawn by the back of his shirt. In desperation, he stabbed a stick into its eye.
"GO!!" he shouted, right before being slammed into a tree, blood streaming from his head. Yet—he smiled.
"You're brave, Shawn." Thorn's voice boomed through the forest.
He flew in like a comet.
"Total Concentration: Astro Kick!!!"
BOOM!
The kick landed square into the creature's chest, sending it crashing through the woods with a shockwave that shook the ground.
"Shawn... go. Run back to the village. Protect your brothers. Never stop."
Shawn, eyes wide, tears falling, obeyed.
"Take care of my land, son."
He vanished into the trees.
Thorn turned to face the creature. Its eye was bleeding. Its trident pulsed with dark energy.
Thorn took his stance.
"Now... it's time to eliminate you."
The creature roared, and the two charged toward each other.
The battle for the ages begins. Will Thorn prevail, or will he meet the same fate as Rose?
To be continued…