The sounds of battle were drawing closer...
The roars of monsters, the screams of soldiers, and the sound of the sky itself tearing apart above the village.
Nero moved swiftly through the ruins, carrying Kartithia in his arms.
Aether followed silently behind him, his face covered in tears he refused to let fall.
A section of the house collapsed behind them, sending clouds of dust through the air.
Nero stopped for a moment.
He looked back at the two children and spoke calmly:
> "Follow me... The gate leading to the kingdom isn't far, but it's guarded now... by them."
Aether asked in a quiet voice:
> "Who do you mean by 'them'...?"
Nero looked toward the sky, where the portal of darkness remained open.
> "The second wave of monsters..."
His expression darkened.
> "The stronger ones."
They left the ruined house.
What awaited them outside was horrifying.
The village had become a battlefield.
Kingdom soldiers were retreating toward the central square, desperately trying to protect the remaining civilians.
Bodies were scattered across the streets.
Smoke covered the sky.
Then Aether saw him.
In the distance stood his father, Mark.
He could barely remain standing.
Yet he continued fighting with one hand, surrounded by soldiers desperately trying to protect him.
Aether's eyes widened.
> "DAD!!!"
He tried to run toward him.
But Nero immediately extended his arm, stopping him.
> "Don't go near him."
Aether froze.
Nero's voice became firm.
> "If you approach him now, no one will survive."
Aether wanted to run anyway.
But Kartithia, despite her fear, reached out and grabbed the edge of his shirt.
Her trembling eyes seemed to say only one thing:
"Don't leave me."
Aether hesitated.
He looked at his father.
Then at his little sister.
Finally, he closed his eyes and continued walking behind Nero.
Their path toward the gate was filled with danger.
Suddenly—
From their right—
SCREEECH!
A winged monster fell from the sky and dove straight toward them.
Nero spun around instantly.
He raised his spear.
WHOOSH!
A violent vortex of wind erupted from the weapon and tore through the creature.
The monster was sliced cleanly in half.
Nero didn't stop.
He didn't even look back.
They continued toward the massive gate separating the village from the road leading to the capital.
But just as they were getting closer...
Someone appeared before them.
A humanoid monster.
It was unnaturally tall, wearing a black cloak that concealed most of its face.
Only its glowing purple eyes were visible.
The sight alone was enough to send a chill through Aether's body.
Nero immediately stopped.
He took one step backward.
His expression became serious.
> "This isn't an ordinary monster..."
His grip tightened around his spear.
> "It's a direct servant of one of the sons of the Dark King."
The creature slowly raised its head.
Then it spoke.
Its voice was quiet...
Yet every word was unmistakably clear.
> "The child..."
Its glowing eyes shifted toward Kartithia.
> "Give me the girl who carries the light."
Aether immediately stepped in front of Kartithia.
His small body trembled.
His fists clenched.
But despite his fear...
His eyes remained fixed on the monster.
> "Come closer..."
His voice was weak.
But something unfamiliar burned beneath it.
Rage.
> "And I'll kill you!"
The monster stared at him.
Then smiled.
A mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth emerged from beneath the hood.
> "Interesting..."
Its smile widened.
> "So you intend to fight, little broken light."
Nero didn't wait another second.
BOOM!
He launched himself forward at full speed, spear leading the attack.
The monster raised its arm to block.
CLANG!
The impact shook the ground beneath them.
Wind and darkness collided.
The battle had begun.
And the gate...
Was only a few steps away.
But one question remained—
Would they make it through alive?