Dorana smiled, a look of satisfaction drawn across her lips.
— "So that's how it is..." she murmured.
As for Lilar, he sank into deep silence. His mind was struggling to grasp the coincidence that had brought Mihon, Youray, and Amis together at the same moment. Then he burst into laughter—a mad laugh laced with certainty:
— "It seems... a catastrophe is coming. A great catastrophe will befall this world."
At that moment, Mihon turned toward the king. His eyes were calm… but behind them raged an unseen storm.
— "Thank you… for taking care of one of our friends. My true gratitude? In the future, you can rely on that banner..." he raised his hand and pointed to the sky, "...instead of the one you follow now."
And suddenly… a thunderous explosion erupted in the middle of the square.
It was the same explosion that had occurred on the island where Mihon and Youray had been. A thick cloud of smoke rose, and from it, a massive banner began to take shape.
A blood-red banner, with a sun at its center, pierced by ten swords,
and within the sun—a demonic face.
It was Mihon's banner.
— "Youray, Amis, let's go," Mihon said, holding the skull.
White mist began to surge from Youray's body—or rather, from his bones—dense and swift, until it covered half the square.
And in the blink of an eye, they had all vanished into its heart.
All eyes were fixed on the banner.
No one noticed the mist—except Lilar, whose smile grew wider,
Dorana, who blinked slowly,
and one of her followers, who remained silent.
Suddenly, the king shouted:
— "They're escaping! After them!!"
His cry rang out like a bell,
snapping everyone from their trance—
but their bodies were shrouded in thick, white fog,
blinding everything in sight.
Mihon and the others were no longer there.
Confusion swept the square.
Madness crept into the king's eyes.
He stormed down from the stands,
running like a madman.
Dorana followed close behind,
instructing her followers to delay as many as they could.
The crash of collisions echoed,
and walls began to collapse...
The king could no longer see anything—
except for his lost legacy,
the family heritage that had been looted,
and the history that had been stolen.
Before him stood someone blocking his way—
and that was enough to drive him utterly insane.
Loren, too, tried to follow—
but one of Dorana's followers blocked his path.
— "Why don't you just leave? I don't want to bother fighting you," said the follower.
Loren was angry, frustrated, defeated.
On this day, three men lost more than anyone else:
The king—
lost his family's treasure,
his son who chose to leave,
and a seasoned knight of his own, Amis.
Even though he gained the island,
it could never compensate for what was taken.
Loren—
lost the island…
and he lost Amis.
But the one who lost more than them all was Felix.
He still stood frozen—
ever since Mihon had looked at him.
This loss was deeper than what the king or Lorin had suffered,
for the loss of oneself is something nothing can restore.
---
Then Loren turned to face his opponent—
and realized he had no chance.
— "Fine… I'll leave."
So did Lebran,
who had been surrounded by another of Dorana's followers.
He, too, didn't make a move.
Even the king, despite his outward bravery,
was powerless to do anything...
Kingdoms are built upon legacy,
and when the legacy is lost,
the kingdoms fall apart...
That was why madness overcame him.
---
Meanwhile, Mihon and the others were running toward the southern part of the city.
The city was immersed in silence...
Bodies lay scattered on the ground, unconscious—
even the soldiers on the walls, none had survived.
— "Amis, did you prepare that thing?" Mihon asked.
— "Yes, don't worry... it's outside the city."
— "Is it big?" Youray asked.
Amis chuckled softly, prompting Youray to ask:
— "What's so funny?"
Amis replied:
— "I missed you guys... it's been a long time...
I've been waiting for this moment for so long."
In the midst of their running, a girl suddenly appeared before them.
— "You, the mute one... run!" Mihon called out.
She began running alongside them.
They quickly reached a small door hidden in the wall,
covered by hanging plants that looked like arms guarding an ancient secret.
Few knew of it... it was a hidden door.
In front of the door stood a young man with a childlike face
and a sad smile that fought back tears.
Ramber... Amis's friend.
— "So... you're leaving?"
He knew what had happened at the festival from his commander,
and he knew Amis would come here.
Amis stopped, sighed, and replied:
— "Yes... the time to leave has come."
— "Why?" Ramber asked.
— "This day would have come eventually, even if delayed."
— "I will miss you, my friend."
— "And I will miss you too, Ramber...
You're the only one with whom I never felt alone...
Please, stay away from this kingdom,
from anything connected to the Union of Nations..."
Amis hugged him tightly...
a hug without words, without promises.
Then he walked on and opened the rusty iron door with a sorrowful creak.
Mihon, Youray, and the Mute followed, then Amis turned and said:
— "Take care of yourself, Ramber... and stay free."
Ramber slowly raised his hand, waving that last echo of their friendship.
The door closed.
The sound vanished.
The light disappeared.
Ramber remained standing... then whispered, as if only the wind could hear:
— "Farewell..."
But behind the door, Ramber's eyes still watched something coming from afar...
Then he muttered hoarsely to himself:
— "Go, Amis... live as you wish...
all I can give you as a friend is this moment."
— "Sorry I can't see you again..."
Amis had walked away...
but he did not know that the next meeting with Ramber...
would never be easy.