The castle was half ruined, dust and broken stone everywhere.
Niro had gathered all his friends into a secret room below the castle. Roju, Kirya, and Nayor were treated completely by a masked, middle-aged man. But Ren lay apart from them, still gravely wounded and untreated.
Niro's eyes were clouded with worry as he sat beside his friends.
"Vario, is Ren alright? How long will it take for him to wake up?" Niro's voice was heavy with concern.
Vario shook his head, his tone grave. "The three of them are going to be fine, BUT I'm not sure about the leader. Ren's wounds are deep—his body is damaged inside and out."
"Please, you have to save him no matter what!" Niro cried, desperation in his voice.
Vario just looked away, frustrated. "I'm trying everything, but my healing power isn't enough. The wound is too deep, and something inside him… I just can't heal it."
Niro pressed, "Is it because of his new power?"
"New power?" Vario looked up, surprised. "Can you tell me more about it?"
"I don't know much," Niro admitted, "but Ren said he got those powers when he was completely defeated."
Vario froze, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "No way… Zone? If it's because of Zone then… we can't heal it. Using Zone costs more than you gain. The damage you take while using Zone can't be treated."
Niro started to sweat, panic rising. "What are you saying? If he doesn't get treatment, he'll die!"
Vario shook his head. "There are still chances. We just have to let him be. It's the only option."
"Leave him? In this state? Are you insane!" Niro grabbed Vario's collar, trembling.
"Yeah." Vario answered calmly, and Niro let go, defeated.
"We're leaving this place—and this country," Niro said quietly, staring at the ground.
Vario nodded, voice low. "I understand, but won't the prince be angry? We'll be traitors for leaving the royal family with no alliance."
Niro replied coldly, "I don't care about them. When will these three wake up?"
"They should be awake, or maybe they already have been."
Roju stood, determined. "Understood. We leave right away."
Kirya spoke up softly, "If it's for the captain, we'll do anything."
Nayor agreed, "Yeah."
—
Scene shift: Arion in the meeting room with the king.
The king sat at the head of the ornate table, a middle-aged man with a little beard and coal-black hair. He wore red robes adorned with gold trim and green diamonds; a single green gem gleamed on his crown. This was King Arayon, ruler of For, one of the fifteen ki kingdoms.
"So the insect lost?" the king's voice hung heavy in the tense air.
Arion knelt before him. "Yes, Father. Those five were useless in the end, and our army betrayed us."
"The entire kingdom has taken the wrong path—they'll label us as rebels who betrayed their master." The king sighed and asked, "What did they say?"
"There's no response from them yet, Father," Arion replied.
"What!? Did they betray us too?" the king shouted, fury coloring his words.
He paused, thinking. "Then we will take our stand on the battlefield," the king announced.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Arion replied, rising and leaving the room.
Outside, Arion muttered, "Do they really think they can take us down?"
"Sir! They've responded!" a guard announced, rushing to his side