The scene opens with Astor in his real body sitting alone by a quiet lake, his arms wrapped around his knees. His clothes were torn, dirtied, and stained with bruises—evidence of another beating at the hands of bullies.
The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the lake's surface, but the warmth of the sunset did nothing to soothe his aching body. Then, from behind him, a gentle voice called out.
"Did they hurt you again?"
Astor slowly turned his head. Standing there was Mary.
Her long, chestnut hair danced slightly in the evening breeze, and her deep brown eyes held nothing but concern. She walked toward him, her expression soft with understanding.
Astor didn't respond. He simply stared at her, feeling an odd warmth in his chest—something that dulled the pain more than anything else could.
Mary didn't wait for an answer. She knelt down beside him, pulled out a small handkerchief, and gently pressed it against his fresh wounds.
Astor winced.
Mary frowned. "Does it hurt that much?"
Astor forced a small, bitter smile. "No. I think I'm getting used to it."
Mary's brows knitted together. "You shouldn't."
She dipped the handkerchief in the lake and continued dabbing at his cuts. "You need to stop them."
Astor let out a dry chuckle."I'm not strong enough, you know."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted beyond the lake—toward a passing soldier heading home after duty, his armor reflecting the last rays of sunlight.
Mary followed his eyes. "Do you like soldiers?"
Astor's expression darkened."I hate them."
Mary blinked in surprise. "Why?"
Astor looked down at the water. His voice was quiet but firm."Because they kill people. I don't like fighting."
Mary shook her head gently. "But they only kill bad people, Astor."
Astor exhaled sharply."Bad people?" His fingers clenched the damp earth beneath him. "No one is born bad. It's the world that makes them that way. Everyone has their own reasons. Who are we to call them evil?"
Mary sighed, tilting her head back to look at the sky. The first stars were beginning to appear, twinkling like distant dreams yet to be fulfilled.
"You're right," she admitted softly. "I just… wish this world could be peaceful. Where no one gets hurt, and no one has to fight."
Astor's heart ached at the sincerity in her words.
"I want that too," he murmured. "I want everyone to live peacefully. I just… wish there was a way to make that happen."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Then, Mary suddenly smiled and turned to him.
"What about you, Astor? What do you want to be?"
Astor hesitated, then smirked slightly."I haven't thought about it."
Mary giggled."That's just like you."
She placed her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels as she thought. Then, after a moment "You know! I want to be a doctor!" she said brightly. "I want to help every single person I can."
Astor looked at her, studying her determined expression. "You want to save everyone?"
Astor tilted his head. "But… what about you?"
For the first time, Mary paused. She seemed to think deeply about his question. Then, with a soft smile, she turned to him and said:
"You'll be here for me… won't you?"
Astor froze.
The way she looked at him—the trust, the warmth, the absolute certainty in her eyes—made his heart race.
She smiled brighter.
Astor swallowed, then clenched his fists. His eyes burned with newfound determination.
"Yes." Astor gritted his teeth and stood up. He looked straight into the horizon, his voice unwavering.
"I will protect you." His voice grew stronger. "I will make this entire universe a peaceful place. A world where everyone can live like a family. A world where no one will get hurt."
Mary's smile softened, filled with warmth.
Astor's resolve was absolute. And then—
The flashback ended.
Aetherium was burning. The once-thriving village was now a sea of fire, thick black smoke coiling into the sky as screams of agony echoed through the streets. Buildings collapsed under their own weight, the air filled with the stench of ash and death. Bodies lay scattered—some crushed beneath debris, some consumed by fire, and others desperately fleeing, only to be cut down by the curse users that roamed the streets, laughing amidst the destruction.
Astor and his group arrived at the outskirts, their eyes widening in horror. Sylphie took a shaky step forward. "What… happened here?" she whispered, unable to believe the devastation before her.
Astor's gaze darkened as he surveyed the burning remains of Aetherium. He clenched his fists. "It's too late," he muttered.
Without wasting another second, they rushed inside. Chaos surrounded them. People were crying out for help, their voices fading beneath the roar of flames and the howls of the curse users chasing them down. Then, in the center of it all, their eyes fell upon the village square. There, standing tall amidst the destruction, was Zyra Duskbane—one of Malakar's Generals.
She held a man off the ground by his throat, gripping him with effortless strength. Ryan, Aetherium's greatest healer. He gasped for air, clawing at her iron grip. Zyra's crimson eyes burned with cruelty as she spoke, her voice a chilling mixture of mockery and menace. "Where is that YT?"
Sofia's heart stopped. Her entire body went cold at the sight of her father struggling in Zyra's grasp. Without hesitation, she ran. "No! Father!" she screamed.
Astor's eyes widened. "No! Stop!" he called, but she was already gone.
Mark cursed under his breath. "Sorry, man, but we Aetherians don't abandon our own!" he said before dashing after her.
Astor clenched his fists, inhaling deeply, forcing himself to think. "Cool down, Astor… think," he whispered. Then, he quickly reorganized the plan. "Lily, Liliana—you two prioritize saving the people! Sylphie, cover them from above. I'll back them up."
"Roger that!" they all responded before splitting up.
Just as Astor was about to move, a deafening roar echoed through the village. His head snapped to the side, his instincts flaring in warning. A massive dragon was descending upon him, its gleaming fangs ready to tear him apart. In an instant, the beast lunged, jaws wide open. Astor jumped, barely avoiding being swallowed whole, but the dragon's sheer force sent him tumbling mid-air. As it landed, its massive wings sent a gust of wind that shook the surrounding ruins. Astor rolled across the dirt before rising to his feet. He exhaled sharply. "Now what the hell is this?" The dragon let out another roar, its massive tail slamming against the ground.
Meanwhile, back in the square, Zyra's grip tightened around Ryan's throat. The healer gasped, his vision blurring from lack of oxygen. "How's your hero? Why is he hiding?" she taunted.
Ryan, despite his pain, forced out a response. "He… isn't hiding… He'll be here soon."
Before Zyra could respond, a voice cut through the chaos. "STOP!"
Zyra's red eyes flickered toward the sound. Sofia stood there, trembling with rage. Behind her, Mark and Elisa arrived. Zyra tilted her head slightly, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Oh? And who might you be?"
Sofia's hands balled into fists. "Let. My. Father. Go."
Zyra chuckled. "Ah… so you're the Aetherian warriors I've heard about."
Mark stepped forward. "We don't need introductions. Just release him, and we can talk."
Zyra smirked. "Alright." Without hesitation, she threw Ryan aside like discarded trash. His body crashed against a stone wall before slumping to the ground, motionless.
Sofia's breath caught in her throat. "FATHER!"
Zyra chuckled darkly. "There. Now we can talk."
But Sofia was done talking. With a furious cry, she charged, her sword gleaming as she swung at Zyra. Her blade was fast, powerful, fueled by rage—but it never landed.
The edge of Sofia's sword stopped mid-air—caught by a single finger. Sofia's breath hitched. Zyra was barehanded but now, on her left hand, a black armored glove had appeared.
"Interesting," Zyra mused. "So you want to talk like this?"
Sofia barely had time to react before Zyra's right hand also became encased in black armor. In an instant, she struck.
A brutal punch slammed into Sofia's stomach, driving the air from her lungs. Blood burst from her mouth. Before she could even stagger back, Zyra's palm struck her across the face with such force that she spun mid-air before crashing onto the ground.
Before she could even attempt to recover, Zyra kicked her full force in the ribs. Sofia was sent flying, her body colliding against Mark and Elisa. The two barely caught her in time.
"Sofia!" Elisa cried, holding her friend.
Sofia gasped for air, her entire body trembling from pain. Mark and Elisa quickly cast healing spells, but their magic was weak. The wounds barely closed.
Zyra grinned. "Oh my… did I go too hard on you?"
Mark's grip on his sword tightened. His breath came in slow, shaky bursts. His heart pounded, his blood burned.
Elisa saw it immediately. She reached for him. "Mark, don't… Don't fall into her trap!"
But Mark wasn't listening. He exhaled sharply, closed his eyes, and pulled his sword from its sheath. His heartbeat slowed, his mind cleared. When he reopened his eyes, they were filled with deadly focus.
"It's a leader's duty to protect his people," he murmured. Then, in a calm, determined voice, he declared, "Now, I'm going to give my all."
A villager sprinted through the burning streets, his breath ragged, his legs barely carrying him forward. Behind him, a curse user pursued, moving like a predator hunting its prey. The villager's foot caught on debris, and he tumbled to the ground, scraping his hands against the dirt. Terror consumed him as he turned to see the curse user standing over him, a dark, swirling energy forming in his palm.
"P-Please! Spare me!" the villager pleaded, his voice trembling. "I have a wife and three children… I beg you!"
The curse user did not falter. His hand lowered, the black energy crackling, ready to strike.
Blood splattered across the ground.
The villager flinched—only to realize it wasn't his blood. The curse user's head had been severed cleanly from his body. The lifeless corpse fell to the ground with a dull thud.
Behind him, Lily lowered her blade, her fiery eyes gleaming. "Are you okay?" she asked, offering her hand.
The villager nodded frantically, grasping her hand. "M-My family… Please! They're inside that house!" He pointed toward a half-collapsed structure, flames creeping along its wooden beams.
Without hesitation, Lily dashed toward the house. Liliana arrived beside her, clenched her fist, and drove it into the wooden door, shattering it with a single punch.
"Everyone, come out!" Lily called.
From inside, a woman and her three children stumbled out, their faces covered in soot and fear. Lily turned to the villager. "Take your family and head to the open plains outside Aetherium. Don't stop for anything!"
The villager gathered his family and ran. As they moved through the smoke-filled streets, a group of enemy soldiers emerged to block their path.
Arrows rained down from above, striking the soldiers with deadly precision.
The camera panned up to reveal Sylphie, standing atop the remains of a collapsed house. Her bow was already drawn again, her piercing gaze locked onto another group of enemies.
From the left, Liliana let out a deep growl before charging forward, her claws slicing through the soldiers in her path. Their screams were drowned by the chaos of battle.
Then, from the opposite side, a large group of curse users advanced toward them.
Lily's eyes burned with anger. "You should have stayed at home."
Her breath turned to fire.
She dashed forward, leaped into the air, and roared, "FIRE BLAST!"
Swinging her sword downward, she unleashed a massive fireball. It streaked through the air before colliding into the advancing curse users, consuming them in flames. Within seconds, the entire group was reduced to ash.
Lily landed smoothly, exhaled sharply, and tightened her grip on her sword. Her heart pounded in her chest, but there was no time to rest. The battle was far from over.
She took one last breath and then rushed forward into the chaos.
Astor stood firm, facing the massive dragon before him. The beast let out a deafening roar, its glowing eyes locked onto him with pure hostility. Astor pulled out his sword and smirked. "Let's do it."
Without hesitation, he sprinted forward. The dragon reared back and unleashed a torrent of fire, the flames roaring toward him with deadly intensity. Astor barely dodged, dashing in a curved path, weaving through the burning debris. The dragon growled in frustration, unable to track his erratic movement.
Reaching its underside, Astor swung his sword with full force—only to feel it bounce off the dragon's armored hide. The impact sent a jolt through his arm. "Damn… too hard to pierce," he muttered, stepping back.
The dragon felt the strike and lifted its massive foot to crush him. Astor reacted instantly, flipping backward just in time as the ground shook violently beneath the beast's stomp.
"There has to be a vital spot," he thought, scanning the dragon's body. Before he could act, the dragon's tail lashed out, striking him in the back.
Astor was sent flying.
He crashed into a nearby house, breaking through its weakened walls. Coughing, he pushed himself up, holding his head. "I let my guard down…" he muttered before stepping back out.
The dragon wasted no time. It unleashed another burst of fire, its flames surging toward him. Astor quickly broke into a sprint, dodging as the beast adjusted its head, trying to keep up with his movements. Then he vanished.
The dragon paused, confused. Its fire attack ceased as it lifted its head, scanning the battlefield. Where did he go?
Astor was hidden behind the razed remains of a collapsed building. Pressing his back against the stone, he thought fast. "The dragon is fighting alongside the curse users. If they're cursed beings, then this must be a curse-bound creature too. I can nullify it… but how do I reach it?"
The dragon sniffed the air, slowly turning toward his hiding spot. It had caught his scent. Each heavy step brought it closer to the crumbling structure.
As it raised its foot to crush the building—
An arrow struck its leg.
The dragon recoiled slightly, lowering its foot. It turned its massive head toward the direction of the attack.
High above, Sylphie stood atop the ruins of a broken house. With a sharp breath, she nocked three arrows and fired them directly at the dragon's face. The arrows struck its forehead and snout, but they barely left a scratch.
The dragon roared, its head snapping toward her. With a deep inhale, it unleashed a fiery breath in her direction.
Sylphie leaped from the peak, sliding down the remains of the wall, narrowly escaping the fire. The flames engulfed where she once stood, reducing the structure to melted rubble.
Meanwhile, the dragon turned back toward the building where Astor had hidden— Only to find him gone. Its eyes darted up—just in time to see Astor leaping from above.
As he descended, his mind was sharp. "You let your guard down."
Astor landed directly onto the dragon's head. Without hesitation, he slammed his palm onto its scales and called out—
"NULL!"
Nothing happened.
Astor's heart skipped a beat."What?!" His mind raced. "Why isn't it working? Is this dragon… real?"
His instincts screamed at him—move! The dragon jerked its head, sending him flying again. He tumbled through the air before landing hard against the ground.
The dragon let out another furious roar. Astor gritted his teeth. "If it's real, then… " His sharp gaze moved along its body, analyzing.
Then, he saw it. A collar but it wasn't a slave collar— a glowing crystal embedded in it.
Astor narrowed his eyes. "It's hypnotized." He exhaled, gripping his sword tightly. I have to break it. His crimson eyes gleamed against the firelit battlefield.
The screen faded to black. And then—The title card appeared.
"Chronicles of YT"
The scene shifted back to the heart of the battlefield—Zyra Duskbane stood, her crimson eyes locked onto Mark and Elisa. The smirk on her face remained unwavering, taunting.
Mark exhaled slowly, adjusting his grip on his sword. He turned the blade straight, pointing it toward the sky. His voice was firm, filled with unwavering resolve. "Thousand Strikes!"
Immediately, the sky darkened. Bolts of lightning cracked across the heavens, illuminating the battlefield in blinding flashes. Mark swung his sword downward, pointing directly at Zyra.
The lightning obeyed.
A torrent of bolts rained down from the sky, striking her in a relentless storm of destruction. The sheer force sent shockwaves through the ground, shattering the earth beneath her feet. Smoke and dust erupted, engulfing Zyra in a blinding cloud.
Elisa clenched her staff. "Did that—"
Before she could finish, a sinister presence radiated from within the smoke.
As the dust cleared, their eyes widened. A thick barrier of black, twisted roots had emerged from the ground, shielding Zyra completely. The corrupted tendrils slowly receded back into the earth, disappearing as if they had never been there.
Zyra stood in the center of the destruction, completely unharmed. She tilted her head. "Not bad. But is that all?"
Mark gritted his teeth. "Damn it."
Without hesitation, he dashed forward, his sword igniting in blue flames. Zyra's smirk widened as she raised a single black-gloved hand, ready to intercept him.
Mark attacked first.
His sword swung at unnatural speed, slicing toward her with devastating precision. Zyra leaned back, dodging it with ease, her movements fluid like a shadow. Mark twisted his wrist, flipping his blade in a reverse grip. "Blazing Arc!"
The air ignited as he swung his sword upward, unleashing a crescent wave of fire. Zyra lifted her arm and punched through the flames, dispersing them instantly. But Mark was already moving, teleporting behind her.
"Thunder Step."
He reappeared at her flank, sword crackling with lightning. "Storm Fang!" He slashed downward, lightning bursting from his blade.
Zyra's eyes gleamed. She lifted a hand and caught his sword mid-swing with her cursed glove.
The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, but Zyra didn't even flinch.
Mark's eyes widened. "Impossible."
Zyra smirked. "My turn."
She twisted her wrist, yanking his sword forward and launching a devastating knee into his ribs. Mark's breath left his lungs in a violent gasp. Before he could react, Zyra drove her elbow into his back, sending him crashing into the dirt.
Elisa's eyes widened. "Mark!"
Mark coughed, blood staining his lips. But he wasn't done yet. He pressed his hand against the ground. "Earth's Embrace!"
The ground beneath Zyra erupted, stone pillars bursting upward to trap her. At the same time, vines snaked around her legs and arms, constricting tightly.
Mark staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth. He raised his sword, blue flames intensifying. "Final Judg—"
SNAP!
The curse roots burst from the ground again, shattering the stone pillars and vines as if they were paper. Zyra ripped free effortlessly, stepping forward with calm, deliberate steps.
Then she vanished.
Mark's instincts screamed at him. He tried to react, but—
A fist struck his stomach with monstrous force.
Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body bent forward in agony. Before he could even fall, Zyra grabbed his collar and slammed her knee into his chest. His ribs cracked on impact.
Mark gasped, barely able to remain conscious.
Zyra leaned in close. "Did you really think you could win?"
She pulled back her fist. A devastating punch sent Mark flying. His body skidded across the battlefield, landing near Elisa.
Mark struggled, pushing himself up onto one knee. His sword remained in his grasp, its tip buried into the ground, keeping him from collapsing entirely. Blood dripped from his mouth, staining the dirt beneath him.
Elisa rushed to his side. "Mark, stop! You're going to die if you keep going!"
Mark gritted his teeth, his grip on his sword tightening. His legs trembled, his vision blurred, but still, he refused to fall. His body broken, but his spirit unyielding.
The dragon let out an earth-shaking roar and lunged at Astor, its massive claws slicing through the air. Astor darted to the side, barely evading the devastating strike. The force of the impact shattered the ground where he once stood. Without missing a beat, the dragon swung its tail, aiming to crush him. Astor flipped backward, narrowly avoiding it, but the sheer wind pressure sent him skidding across the dirt.
The beast wasn't done.
With a deep inhale, the dragon's throat glowed ominously. Astor's eyes widened as he recognized the imminent attack. Fire Breath.
Flames erupted from the dragon's mouth, a wave of searing destruction rushing toward him. Astor dashed at full speed, weaving through the flames, barely escaping the inferno. The dragon, unable to keep up with his erratic movement, snarled in frustration.
Spotting an opening, Astor thought "Now!" He leaped forward and threw his sword with all his strength. The blade cut through the air toward its intended target—the crystal on the dragon's collar.
But luck was on the beast's side.
At the last moment, the dragon tilted its head. The sword narrowly missed the collar, instead striking the ground far behind it, embedding itself deep into the earth.
Astor gritted his teeth "Damn it."
The dragon didn't waste the opportunity. It lunged forward, jaws open wide to tear him apart. Astor jumped onto its snout, grabbing hold before the teeth could close around him. The dragon thrashed violently, trying to shake him off, but Astor clung to its rough scales.
It bucked, twisting its body, wings flaring as it took to the skies. The wind pressure increased, pulling at Astor as he struggled to keep his grip.
Then, the dragon rolled mid-air and Astor's fingers slipped.
For a brief moment, he was weightless, soaring above the dragon in the night sky. The city burned below, nothing but a sea of flames and destruction. His eyes widened—it was a perfect opening to destroy the collar. But he had no sword.
Realizing this, Astor's mind raced. There was only one person who could help him now.
"SYLPHIE!"
The scene shifted to Sylphie, Astor's sword, still embedded in the ground. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward it, sliding to a stop as she gripped the hilt. She took a deep breath. This was her shot.
Focusing, she drew the sword back like an arrow, her muscles coiled with tension. Then, with perfect precision, she fired.
The sword cut through the air, spinning like a deadly projectile. Astor extended his hand. The sword closed in fast.
With split-second timing, he caught it mid-air, flipping his body into position. His crimson eyes locked onto the collar's crystal. Now or never.
Thunder rumbled in the sky.
With all his strength, he drove the blade downward.
CRACK!
The sword pierced through the crystal, shattering it instantly. A shockwave erupted, and a deep, guttural roar echoed through the night.
The dragon's eyes, once clouded with rage, flashed with clarity. Its wings faltered as it plummeted toward the ground—but at the last moment, it regained control, pulling up just before impact. With a powerful flap, it soared into the sky, breaking free from Aetherium.
Astor, meanwhile, fell. His boots hit the dirt, the impact kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
As the dust settled, a single figure emerged. Astor stood tall, his piercing red eyes glowing in the night.
Zyra Duskbane towered over Mark, Sofia, and Elisa, her crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Their bodies were battered, their strength nearly drained. Mark still knelt in front of Elisa, using his sword to keep himself upright, blood dripping from his mouth. Sofia struggled to move, and Elisa barely had the energy to stand.
Zyra raised her cursed fist, the dark armor crackling with energy. "It's over," she said, stepping forward, ready to deliver the final blow.
Across the battlefield, Liliana saw it.
Her golden eyes widened in horror. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Without hesitation, she sprang forward. But before she could take another step, Lily's hand gripped her wrist.
"Stop!" Lily snapped. "Astor didn't order that!"
Liliana snarled, her claws twitching. "Then tell Master I'm sorry."
She ripped free from Lily's grasp and bolted forward.
At first, she ran on two legs, her speed increasing with each step. But as the air rushed past her, she dropped to all fours, her beastly instincts taking over.
The world blurred around her. Memories flashed through her mind—
Moonveil. Marvia. The days she spent with them. "I have to save them!"
Her thoughts turned into a growl. Her claws dug into the dirt as she propelled herself forward.
Zyra's smirk widened. Even without looking, she sensed someone approaching fast.
"Heh." She exhaled, turning just as Liliana closed in.
But at that exact moment— Liliana's body shifted.
Her muscles expanded, her bones cracked and reshaped, fur spread along her limbs. Her golden eyes turned completely wild. She wasn't just fast anymore—She was a beast.
Fully transformed, she lunged at Zyra with savage force, her claws tearing through the air.
Liliana speed was overwhelming, her attacks relentless. She forced Zyra to dodge, counter, and react. Mark, Elisa, and Sofia watched in shock—they had never seen Liliana fight like this.
But then Zyra stopped holding back.
She caught Liliana's wrist mid-swipe. The beast girl snarled, trying to yank free, but Zyra's grip was unshakable. Zyra chuckled. "Not bad. But not good enough."
And then She struck back. A fist slammed into Liliana's stomach.
Her eyes widened as the force sent her skidding back, her claws desperately trying to find footing. But Zyra was already moving.
Before Liliana could react, a brutal backhand smashed against her face. The beast girl spun mid-air, crashing into the dirt.
Zyra didn't stop. She grabbed Liliana by the throat and lifted her off the ground. Liliana growled, struggling, but Zyra's grip only tightened.
Crack..
Zyra grinned. "Still have left?"
Liliana tried to swipe at her, but Zyra twisted her body and hurled her.
Liliana soared through the air, crashing into the dirt and rolling violently. Her body bounced before finally skidding to a painful stop.
She coughed, blood dripping onto the ground. Her vision blurred. Then Something stopped her from rolling further.
She gasped as strong hands caught her. She blinked. It was Astor.
She barely had the strength to speak. "S-Sorry, Master… I didn't follow your order…"
Astor exhaled, his voice calm yet firm. "Sorry won't do anything."
He lifted her slightly, placing her down gently. "You have to stay alive to receive your punishment."
Then, with silent fury, he stepped forward. His sword gleamed under the moonlight. His red eyes burned as he faced Zyra Duskbane. The air around them grew heavy.
Zyra Duskbane smirked, tilting her head slightly as she examined Astor's piercing red eyes. "Now… who are you?" she mused.
Astor's expression was ice-cold. He lowered his head slightly, his voice sharp as a blade. "Shut up… and just die already."
Zyra chuckled. "Oh? Why so cold? Don't you know how to talk to a woman?" She gave a mocking bow. "I'm Zyra Duskbane, and I'm here to kill someone named YT."
Then, her tone shifted—twisted. "No, no, no… it's not like I'm evil," she cooed playfully. Then, in an instant, her voice hardened, filled with malice. "It's because he killed my little brother."
Astor didn't flinch. His voice was steady, emotionless. "That's not happening."
Zyra narrowed her eyes. "Huh?"
Astor shifted into an attacking stance."Because I'm Astor YT— and I'm sending you to your brother." With that, he dashed forward, sword raised. His blade came down with devastating force but just before it could land—
Zyra caught it with one hand.
"Are you sure about that?" she taunted, a wicked grin spreading across her face. Astor's eyes widened.
CRACK.
Before he could react, she snapped his sword in half.
Astor barely had time to register the shock before her fist shot forward. He lifted his broken sword to block—just in time. The impact sent him skidding backward, but he managed to stay on his feet.
Lily appeared behind Zyra, sword drawn, ready to strike but Zyra simply lifted her hand.
From the ground, cursed roots erupted, twisting around Lily's arms, then slowly slithering toward her neck.
Lily struggled, gasping as the cursed vines squeezed tighter. "No!" Astor shouted, rushing forward.
Zyra smirked. "Stay put." She thrust her hand downward, and even more roots erupted from the earth, surging toward Astor but Astor didn't stop.
Instead, he jumped onto the incoming roots, whispering 'NULL' with every step.
One by one, the cursed tendrils disintegrated beneath him.
Zyra's eyes narrowed. "Persistent little—" Astor leaped.
Just before he could reach her, Zyra conjured a curse shield, blocking him but Astor slammed his fist into it, roaring—"NULL!"
The shield shattered.
His punch connected with Zyra's face, sending her stumbling back. For the first time, her grin faltered.
Lily collapsed as the roots lost their grip.
Zyra wiped the blood from her lips. "Tch… that actually hurt."
The battle resumed—fiercer than before.
Lily, regaining her breath, unleashed her demon magic.Dark flames erupted from her sword
Astor rushed forward, aiming a powerful punch at her ribs. Zyra sidestepped, but Lily took the opening, spinning her blade and releasing a wave of dark energy.
Zyra ducked, rolling to the side. The blast scorched the ground where she once stood. As she came up, she retaliated immediately— a burst of curse energy lashed out at Lily.
Lily barely dodged, the shockwave sending her stumbling back. Zyra closed in—
Astor struck.
With blinding speed, he appeared beside Zyra and delivered a devastating blow to her side. The impact sent shockwaves through her body.
Zyra gasped. For a split second, her body locked up.
Lily took the chance. She jumped, spinning mid-air, and slammed her sword down. Zyra raised her arms to blocks.
But then Zyra smirked.
With terrifying speed, she twisted her body and drove an elbow into Lily's gut. Lily coughed blood as she was sent flying backward.
Astor reacted instantly—But Zyra was faster.Her palm struck his chest.
A massive shockwave erupted, sending Astor soaring through the air. He landed hard, but rolled back onto his feet, breathing heavily.
Lily was on the ground, unmoving.
Zyra stood tall, brushing dust off her cursed gloves. "You two really thought you had me?"
Then A monstrous growl.
Liliana had returned. With a feral roar, she lunged at Zyra.
This wasn't a fight anymore—this was a mauling.
Liliana's claws tore through Zyra's defenses, her speed and power far beyond before. She didn't let up—strike after strike, Zyra was forced back.
For the first time Zyra was losing. Yet, despite the overwhelming assault, she laughed.
Blood dripped from her lips as she chuckled. "It's useless. Killing me will change nothing."
She smirked, eyes wild. "You can't face Lord Malakar. Soon, Gorath or Drogath will arrive… and you will all be dead. Pray for your lives."
Liliana snarled.
She drove her claws into Zyra's stomach and, with one last, earth-shaking roar, she hurled her into the sky.
Zyra was still laughing mid-air. Then A shadow loomed over her.
A massive set of jaws snapped shut.
The Dragon from before devoured her whole.
Its wings flapped, and it disappeared into the night sky. The battlefield was silent.
Liliana, her energy drained, collapsed. But before she could hit the ground—Astor held her.
He exhaled heavily. "You never listen, do you?"
Liliana didn't respond. She had already fallen asleep.
Astor tilted his head back, staring at the sky where Zyra had vanished. He took a slow, deep breath.
The flames of Aetherium flickered around him.
The battle was over.
Episode Ends.
"Chronicles of YT"
Episode Title: Too Late