The next morning arrived with golden sunlight piercing through the thin veil of clouds, casting warmth upon the village.
A crowd had gathered. Goblins and villagers stood shoulder to shoulder—Zack, Sara, Balzock, Sheron, Gruk, Lili, Lyra, Niya, and Lia, all watching in silence as Leo prepared to depart.
Lia broke through the quiet, running forward with small, hurried steps. She hugged Leo tightly.
"Best of luck… and come back," she said, her voice trembling. "Don't forget our promise, alright?"
Leo smiled gently, ruffling her hair. "I won't. I promise."
He turned toward Balzock and Gruk, giving them a firm nod.
"Everything is in your hands now. Handle this village well… alright, guys?"
Both of them nodded back silently, their faces grave.
Before he could even speak, Lili waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah, I know. The cave. I'll handle it, don't worry."
Leo chuckled. "You're always there when I need you. Thanks, Lili."
He glanced around, catching sight of Lyra standing quietly with her head lowered. He walked up and gently patted her head.
"Come on. I'm just going on a mission, remember? I want to see you smile before I leave."
Lyra lifted her gaze, lips curling into a soft smile, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears.
Niya stepped forward and met Leo's eyes. Her calm nod was full of unspoken words. He understood—she would take care of Lia and Lyra in his absence.
Leo crouched in front of Lia. "Stay with Aunt Niya until I return, alright?"
She nodded obediently, her small hands clenching the hem of her dress.
Then, without warning, Leo snapped his fingers.
His clothes changed in an instant—his shirt turned a clean white, pants a calm grey. He reached for the mask Lili had gifted him, its pure white surface now resting over his face. The eye areas, lined with a dark black border, glinted under the sun.
But before leaving, he walked toward Zack.
Zack said nothing, his lips tightly sealed. But Leo leaned close and whispered, "I'm leaving the rest to you. Make sure to protect everyone… even if you're weak now, you've got time. Become strong enough to protect this village. I'm counting on you."
As Leo turned to go, Zack's voice cracked.
"Ah—Leo… I—I'll handle everything. Trust me."
Leo looked back over his shoulder. "I do trust you."
And with that, Leo's body lifted into the air.
Waves of farewell filled the air—"Bye, Leo!"—echoing in every direction. Leo waved back, smiling behind the mask. Then, in a blur of magic, he vanished into the sky.
Then
Wind howled across a mountain ridge as Leo reappeared.
He stood still. Before him were three gravestones—weathered, silent markers of a time long gone.
He stepped forward, kneeling in front of the first two.
Selene and Caden. His mother and father.
"Hey, Mom… Dad," Leo said softly. "I'm doing okay. Lia's grown up well. She's strong and kind. You'd be proud of her."
The breeze tugged at his clothes, but he didn't move.
"I wish… I could say everything's fine. But I'm heading toward another fight. A dangerous one. The Empire of Rustalia… there's something dark stirring there. I don't know what I'll face. But I'll keep going, like you both always did."
His eyes lingered on the gravestones. His fingers traced the worn names as if seeking a forgotten warmth.
Then he turned to the third grave.
"…Cario," he whispered, addressing Lyra's father. "You trusted me to protect them. I don't know if I'm worthy of that… but I'm trying. I'll watch over Lyra. I'll keep aunt niya and lyra safe. I promise."
Silence.
Leo stood slowly. The mountain wind calmed for a breath. As he turned to leave, he paused. Something made him stop.
Behind him—three figures. Faint, shimmering.
Caden. Selene. Cario.
They stood together, silent and proud, their presence more felt than seen.
Leo turned to face them fully. But in a blink, they were gone.
Only the whisper of the wind remained.
A smile tugged at his lips, though his eyes stung with emotion.
"Thank you," he whispered. "Now rest… I'll take it from here."
And with that, he vanished once more—carried by wind, magic, and fate toward the unknown.
The sound of footsteps filled the air—soft, steady, and unending.
Dozens of people moved together across the dirt road, their cloaks fluttering behind them. Caravans rolled by, merchants shouted from wagons, and travelers chattered with excitement. All of them moved toward a single destination.
At the edge of the horizon, nestled between lush fields and low forested hills, stood a village—larger than most. Wooden homes mixed with stone buildings, smoke drifting peacefully from chimneys. It was alive with color, movement, and sound.
But beyond that village… towering walls stretched across the land, tall and proud. Stone layered upon stone, polished and fortified—ancient yet intimidating. Just behind those walls, one could sense it—a pulse of energy, noise, and life.
A capital.
A kingdom's heart.
The Empire of Rustalia.
Then, a voice echoed faintly—not spoken aloud, but whispered through thought.
"Hmm… so this is the Empire of Rustalia."
The voice was calm. Young. Observant.
But no one could see its owner.
Not yet.
Suddenly, in the dense brush beside the road, the air shifted.
A gust stirred the leaves.
And in the blink of an eye, a figure stepped out from the bushes—graceful and silent.
His boots touched the dirt lightly.
Red strands of hair danced in the breeze, barely contained under a soft hood. A white mask covered his face, emotionless yet elegant, the black rings around the eyes catching the sunlight.
Leo had arrived.