The bright sun poured through the windows of the main hall, casting golden lines across the wooden floor. Birds chirped in the distance, and the village slowly woke to a peaceful dawn.
Inside the hall, Lili's voice echoed.
"Hey Leo," she groaned, half-asleep and rubbing her eyes, "Why did you call us here so early? Out of nowhere, too."
Balzock stood beside her, leaning on his cane, expression curious.
Leo stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, back to them—silent.
Then he turned, eyes sharp with resolve.
"I'm going," he said. "To the Empire of Rustalia."
Balzock's eyes widened. "What?"
He took a step forward. "Young man, are you serious? Don't you think that's too dangerous? We still don't know their true intentions. You already told them to wait."
Lili frowned, arms crossed. "He's right. You saw how that Arvaris guy spoke. It could all be a trap—to take over this village, or worse… that cave. Where the Holy Empire of Luminael once tried to seize that mysterious power."
Leo smiled, calm but confident. "I have a plan."
Balzock narrowed his eyes. "Let's hear it."
Leo nodded. "I'll go to Rustalia—but not as myself. I'll create a new appearance. A different identity. Arvaris seemed to sense my aura… but even if he can feel energy, that doesn't mean he knows the full extent of it. There must be a limit to his detection."
Lili thought for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. Every skill or sense has a range… even if he's trained, it can't be limitless. But… we don't know his limit. That makes it risky. Shouldn't you learn how to suppress your mana first?"
Leo shook his head. "We don't have time. And honestly… we can't afford to waste it on small things. We need to think bigger."
He stepped forward.
"I'm more worried about what the Holy Empire is planning next. If Rustalia becomes an ally, that's one less empire we have to fear—and a powerful one at that."
Balzock's voice suddenly rose, cutting through. "And what if they turn on us? What if Rustalia becomes another enemy?"
A heavy silence filled the hall.
Leo closed his eyes.
And then, slowly, he opened them—his eyes burning with determination.
"Then we fight."
His voice was calm, resolute. "We fight until we win."
He turned, walking past them toward the hall's exit. "I'll avoid Arvaris and stay on my guard. If they question me, I'll tell them the truth—that I came to understand their true motives."
Lili's eyes widened. "Leo… that's dangerous. They'll—"
Leo interrupted, smiling gently.
"I know it's risky. But if their king is truly interested in me… then I don't think they'll harm me immediately."
Lili clenched her teeth. "You're… betting the lives of innocent people. Your family. Everything we've built."
Leo stopped at the doorway and looked back.
His smile didn't fade, but behind it, there was fire.
"No matter what anyone says… even if it looks like I'm gambling with their lives—I'll save them. All of them. I believe in that. I believe in me."
Lili and Balzock stood speechless.
There was something in Leo's voice that hadn't been there before. Not just courage.
Conviction.
Passion.
A weight no ten-year-old should carry—yet he did, with pride.
After a pause, Balzock let out a breath, then smiled. "Well then… as you wish, Leo."
Lili smirked slightly. "Stubborn idiot. But fine. We'll follow your lead."
Leo grinned and nodded.
Balzock asked, "When are you leaving?"
Leo looked outside. The sunlight poured through the trees.
"Tomorrow morning."
He turned back toward them. "But today… I'll do everything I can to prepare. I'll leave this village protected—food storage, defensive traps, standing warriors, emergency signals."
He clenched a fist.
"We'll prepare for the worst… and hope for the best."
He opened the door wide.
"Follow me."
The light behind him was blinding.
Balzock adjusted his cane. Lili tightened her cloak.
And together, the three walked out—into the sun, into their village.
The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting golden patterns on the ground. The village had come alive with the rustle of preparation, the clinking of tools, and the hum of chatter as Leo stepped out with purpose.
"Zack! Zack, where are you?" Leo called out, his voice echoing across the village's open path.
From behind one of the tents, Zack emerged, brushing off dust from his cloak. "Yeah, what's up?"
Leo moved to him, eyes sharp with resolve. "I need you. And Sara too. Will you both come with me?"
Zack blinked, taken aback by the sudden request. "I'll come, you know that. But Sara... you'll have to ask her yourself."
Leo glanced around. "Where is she anyway? And what about Gruk and his goblins?"
Zack scratched his head with a sheepish smile. "Well... you know how we've got more hands than weapons right now? Not just for us, but for the goblins too. So Sara took Gruk and the others into the forest. They're collecting materials, monster bones, whatever they can find to forge weapons. Sara went along just in case they ran into anything dangerous."
Leo nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Makes sense. We need gear, and she's the best shot we've got."
Zack added, "They should be deep in the west forest by now. Not too far, but not too close either. You want to find them?"
"Yeah. Can you lead the way?"
Zack gave a confident nod. "Alright then, follow me."
With that, the two set off past the edge of the village. The peaceful rustle of leaves above them danced with the occasional chirp of birds, but Leo's mind was racing with plans. The empire, the alliances, the traps, the people counting on him—there was no room for hesitation now.
The path narrowed as they made their way into the forest, soft earth crunching underfoot. Sunlight flickered between the branches, and the deeper they went, the more the hum of distant activity reached their ears—the sound of goblins chattering, wood cracking, and steel clinking faintly in the distance.
Leo narrowed his eyes. Almost there.
As they stepped into the clearing, the sounds of work filled the air. Goblins were hammering bones, sharpening sticks, and even trying to shape scraps of iron they'd scavenged. Sara stood at the center, supervising with arms crossed and bow slung on her back. Gruk barked out instructions in goblin tongue, his eyes lighting up as he noticed Leo and Zack approaching.
Leo raised a hand. "Gruk, can you spare a few of your goblins? I've got something important. And Sara—can you come with me?"
Sara glanced up, a bit surprised. "Come with you? We're still working on these weapons. It's important."
Leo nodded. "I know. But this is more important. Just for a while."
Sara frowned, but the seriousness in Leo's eyes made her nod. "Alright... Where are we going?"
Leo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to Gruk. "Hey. Take half the goblins and head back to the village. Balzock will go with you."
Balzock, who had arrived shortly after, tilted his head. "Huh? What about you then? Where are you going?"
Leo's gaze sharpened. "To the mysterious cave."
Balzock's eyes widened. "The one where those Holy Knights came from?"
Leo nodded.
Balzock stepped forward, concern on his face. "Then I should come too. If the Holy Empire sent knights there, it's not some random hole in the ground. That place is dangerous."
"I know," Leo said calmly. "But I'll handle it. We can't leave the village defenseless. You're one of the strongest left here—if something happens, I need you to be the wall between them and danger."
Balzock paused, then slowly nodded. "Alright, kid. I'll trust you. But if you don't come back by nightfall, I'm kicking that cave's door open myself."
Leo smirked. "Deal."
Gruk grunted, gesturing to a group of goblins who quickly fell into line behind him. Together with Balzock, they turned and began the trek back to the village.
Leo took a deep breath. His hand moved through the air, drawing an arc glowing with violet light. A swirling portal crackled open before them, the faint hum of magic pulsing from its edges.
He glanced back at Sara and Zack, who were both ready behind him.
"Come," Leo said, his voice steady.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped through.
Inside the Mysterious Cave...
As the group stepped deeper into the cave, the atmosphere began to shift.
Leo led the way, followed by Lili, Zack, and Sara. The deeper they went, the more the energy inside the cave intensified—growing so thick that it almost felt like the air itself was pressing against their skin.
Leo raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"Guys, be on your guard. We don't know what this cave holds."
Lili casually replied, "Yeah, yeah... I've got my eyes open."
At first, everything seemed manageable, but as they ventured further, the energy became overwhelming. The cave pulsed with a strange pressure. Soon, Zack and Sara began to struggle—both breathing heavily, their steps unsteady.
Leo turned and glanced at them, concerned.
In his thoughts:
It seems only Lili and I can endure this level of energy...
He stopped and addressed them.
"Zack, Sara—go back to the entrance of the cave. Wait for us there."
Zack tried to protest, even as he dropped to one knee. "We can keep going... it's just—"
Lili interrupted in her usual playful tone, though her expression was serious.
"Okay, little kitty. Leo's right this time. You both can't handle this energy. If you push any further, it might actually kill you."
Zack grit his teeth. "But..."
Sara, who was breathing hard herself, came to his side. "Zack, they're right... we can't go on."
Zack clenched his fists, frustrated.
Tch... If only I was stronger...
Sara placed his arm around her shoulder and began to guide him back. Before leaving, she glanced over at Leo. "I'm sorry. We couldn't help."
Leo smiled warmly. "You came this far with me. That's more than enough. Go rest."
Sara smiled faintly and helped Zack back toward the entrance.
Leo turned to Lili. She gave him a nod.
Together, the two continued deeper into the cave.
At the End of the Cave…
The energy now had substance—dense and visible like mist glowing with an eerie hue.
A swirling portal stood before them, emitting waves of thick, ancient power.
Leo narrowed his eyes.
"…Lili, do you know anything about this portal?"
Lili stared at it in silence, lips tight.
"Lili?" Leo repeated.
She blinked, suddenly pulled from her thoughts. "Ah, yes? Yeah… I know."
"You okay?" Leo asked, noticing her nervous tone.
She hesitated. "Yes, I'm fine."
In her thoughts:
Why is this portal open here…? This isn't right. I have to tell—
(She cuts herself off mentally, keeping the rest secret.)
Lili turned toward Leo and continued, forcing a casual tone.
"About your question... I know a little. That's a portal connected to a realm of beings called Zycrist."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Zycrist?"
She nodded. "They're higher-dimensional beings. Ancient. Usually, these portals shouldn't even activate. According to old stories, books, or philosophies... the Zycrist were all long dead."
"This doesn't sound good."
"It isn't," Lili said bluntly.
Leo asked, "So... are the Zycrist friend or foe?"
She smiled faintly, back to her playful self. "Well, I don't know. Like I said, they're ancient—probably older than me. Some were said to be good, some evil. But they weren't made to destroy... originally, they were created to guide humanity."
"Guide?" Leo echoed.
"Yep. Wherever there's deep history, there's usually a Zycrist realm portal nearby. Most of them were either killed... or sealed in their own realm with their gateway. But this?" She pointed to the portal. "This portal wasn't here before. I'm sure it just opened recently."
Leo frowned. "So, is it dangerous?"
Lili's tone grew serious again. "This one? Maybe not yet. But if more portals like this start opening... the raw energy alone will be enough to destroy weaker beings. Eventually, it could devastate everything around it."
Her eyes sharpened. "Even you and me."
Leo gulped. "Then... what should we do? What's the reason behind this?"
She smirked. "Who do you think I am, huh?"
Leo gave a nervous chuckle. "Right... sorry."
He looked back at the swirling portal. "But seriously... why is it here? Does that mean this place is connected to the Zycrist somehow?"
Lili answered calmly. "This isn't the place where the Zycrist were sealed. It's just a gate—a connection between their realm and ours. The main portal—the one that's supposed to be sealed—is somewhere else."
Leo nodded slowly. "So... what should we do with this one?"
"We should tighten security around here. I'll handle the rest—study the energy, the portal, and the history behind it. You focus on your responsibilities."
"Got it," Leo replied. "Should we head back now?"
Lili shook her head. "You go. I'll stay for a while. I've got a bit more to look into. Don't worry—I'll return before nightfall."
Leo nodded and took a final glance at the portal before turning away, leaving Lili alone at the cave's mysterious end.