In a village far away from the empire stood.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
A bell rang four times, signaling that a threat was approaching. The man ringing it shouted, "Traitors! Traitors! They're coming from the west!"
A few people who had been casually strolling outside their homes panicked. They ran in all directions, bumping into one another in a desperate attempt to escape. But one boy remained unfazed by the alarm. Instead, he climbed on top of a house to get a better view of the approaching "traitors."
From his vantage point, the boy saw numerous men and women wielding swords and guns, slowly advancing toward the village. As they drew closer, they broke into a run, flailing their weapons wildly.
"The traitors have come," the boy whispered to himself. "They'll save us from the Royal Empire's shackles!"
"Tores! Get down here—now!" A woman, no older than thirty, called out with a worried expression. The boy didn't respond, still fixated on the incoming army.
Frustrated and panicked, the woman climbed the house and grabbed the boy. Only then did he realize it was his mother calling for him.
"Come now…" she said gently.
"Yes, yes, Mother," the boy replied, finally complying.
She quickly led him back home. As they walked, a loud horn echoed through the village.
"It's the Royal Army," the mother said with a small, relieved smile.
They soon reached their house. She unlocked the door, ushered him inside, then shut the door behind them. Grabbing a nearby chair, she sat down and exhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves.
"Can the traitors win this time?" the boy suddenly shouted. "I want to eat something other than the small rations the Royal Empire gives us!"
"Shush, boy. Be grateful we're eating at all."
"But the traitors can eat whatever they want!" the frail-looking boy argued, clutching a red ball tightly in his arms. Standing only about 4'4", Tores looked malnourished.
"They are evil!" his mother snapped.
"So is the Royal Empire, Mother Teresa! They keep saying what they're doing is for our good, but we know that's not true!" Even at just ten years old, Tores was already questioning the world he lived in—something that deeply worried his mother.
"Stop cursing, boy." She added sternly, "You only think that way because of your uncle—that damned traitor to the Empire."
"Uncle is the only reason this village isn't starving! Why do you still call him a monster?!"
Tores immediately covered his mouth, realizing he had shouted at his mother. Guilt and fear rushed in.
She let out a heavy sigh. "Because the food he gives us is stolen. He kills for it. Do you want to eat meat soaked in the blood of innocent people?!"
Though he had seen his mother lash out many times before, her anger still scared him. He hated making her upset over his ideals.
Seeing the boy nearly in tears, she sighed again and softened her voice. "Knowing he kills just to bring us food… how can you still admire him?"
"Because he's a strong....."
~~~***.....***.....***.....***~~~
Meanwhile, outside the village gates, the Royal Army waited for the traitors' arrival. Led by Captain Dalgogololo, the force was made up of 2,000 elite soldiers—some trained since childhood. To his right stood his Vice Captain, Morgan.
As minutes passed, the traitor army stopped about 500 yards from the Royal Army's position. Between the two forces, a crow stood alone, letting out a sharp caw.
Captain Dalgogololo stepped forward, eyeing the unusual bird. It faced roughly 45 degrees toward the Royal Army. Seeing the crow, the captain thought to himself:
Black Winged Dragon, Sapphire!
He approached cautiously, finally standing face-to-face with the red-eyed crow. Bowing slightly, he spoke:
"Black Winged Dragon, Sapphire. Do you still believe you can defeat us?"
The crow said nothing.
Sapphire was known for his ability to morph into a crow, so Dalgogololo assumed this was the man himself. But after several moments of silence, he grew suspicious.
"What are you doing?" came a voice.
The captain turned to see a shirtless man with black hair, wearing red-and-black shorts.
"Are you… talking to a bird?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow.
"…"
"Hah! Sorry. I told the crow to stay in the middle while I took a piss. Took me a while," the man said with a casual laugh.
"Ahem. Sapphire, you dare attack this village again?!" the captain bellowed.
"Yeah?" Sapphire replied nonchalantly.
"You're a fool. For someone with only the abilities to teleport and talk to crows," he said, sneering, "you're remarkably persistent."
"Teleporting is a great ability, you know?" Sapphire said, feigning anger before laughing again.
"You laugh even after failing twice before. You've already attacked this village and failed both times."
"Those two attacks were meant to weaken your men and memorize the terrain. This time—the village will be ours!" he declared boldly.
"Fool. Then we shall fight once more."
The two men turned and walked back to their respective armies.
"Let us end this battle once and for all," they said in unison.
Once back in position, Captain Dalgogololo stood before his army and shouted:
"Black Winged Dragon, Sapphire, you trully are a strong…"
"SOUL-BOUND TRAITOR!"