The beauty of Sun Land faded the moment they reached the army camp.
What once looked like peace from afar now revealed its truth—tension, urgency, and the quiet weight of an approaching war.
Tents stretched across the plains in perfect rows. Soldiers sharpened weapons, repaired armor, and whispered among themselves. Messengers ran constantly between command posts.
The air felt heavy.
Not with fear—
But with preparation.
Sun and Yuki followed Ard into the central command tent.
Inside, several commanders stood around a large wooden table, a detailed map spread across it. Small markers represented troop positions, terrain, and possible enemy routes.
Ard stepped forward.
"They're here."
All eyes turned toward Sun and Yuki.
Some looked curious.
Some skeptical.
Others hopeful.
"These are the ones I told you about," Ard continued. "They will help us turn the tide."
A middle-aged commander stepped forward.
"We appreciate any help… but we must rely on strategy, not miracles."
Sun nodded calmly.
"Then let's talk strategy."
---
They gathered around the map.
Ard pointed at a large marked region.
"The Blackthorn army—estimated at eighty thousand soldiers—will approach from the west."
The commanders nodded.
"Our forces total thirty thousand," another added.
The room fell silent.
The difference was clear.
More than double.
Yuki leaned slightly forward, studying the map carefully.
"Fighting head-on would be a mistake," she said.
Sun nodded.
"We split them."
All eyes turned to him.
He pointed toward a narrow western region.
"Guide them here."
The commanders frowned slightly.
"That area is surrounded by hills," one said.
"Exactly," Sun replied.
"Use the terrain."
Yuki continued, understanding instantly.
"We divide our army into two hidden groups—northwest and southwest of that region."
Sun added, "We set traps across the center—explosive runes, collapse points, fire pits."
"And when the enemy enters…"
Yuki smiled slightly.
"…we attack from both sides."
Silence.
Then—
Murmurs.
The commanders exchanged looks.
One of them spoke slowly.
"It's risky… but…"
Another nodded.
"If it works, we can neutralize their numbers."
Ard crossed his arms.
"It will work."
Then he looked at Sun.
"You'll lead the central command."
Sun shook his head slightly.
"No."
Everyone looked surprised.
"I'll fight where needed."
Then he glanced at Yuki.
"And she will manage the medical division."
Yuki blinked.
"Me?"
Sun nodded.
"You're the best healer here."
She crossed her arms.
"I also like fighting."
"And I like you alive."
She stared at him for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
He smiled faintly.
"You'll be stationed at the northwest medical fort. Protected, but close enough to respond."
She nodded.
"Alright."
The commanders looked relieved.
The plan was accepted.
And just like that—
War had a shape.
---
The Day of War Arrived
Dawn arrived too quickly.
The sky was pale, almost too peaceful for what was about to happen.
Soldiers stood ready.
Armor secured.
Weapons drawn.
Sun stood at the western battlefield, watching the horizon.
Far away—
A dark line appeared.
Then—
It grew.
And grew.
An army.
The Blackthorn forces marched like a moving shadow across the land.
Dust rose behind them.
Their banners—black and crimson—fluttered in the wind.
Ard stood beside Sun.
"This is it."
Sun nodded.
"Hold your positions."
The army advanced.
Step by step.
Closer.
Closer.
Until—
They entered the trap.
---
The First Clash started
"Now," Sun whispered.
The signal was given.
Explosions erupted beneath the enemy's feet.
Fire burst from hidden pits.
The ground collapsed in sections, swallowing rows of soldiers.
Confusion spread instantly.
Then—
From both sides—
Sun Land's army attacked.
Arrows rained down.
Magic blasts cut through formations.
Soldiers charged from the hills.
The Blackthorn army was caught.
Surrounded.
Attacked from both sides.
The plan was working.
Sun moved through the battlefield like a storm.
Fire, water, and lightning struck in perfect rhythm.
Each movement precise.
Each attack lethal.
Ard fought nearby, meteors crashing into enemy lines, breaking formations.
The numbers didn't matter.
Not right now.
Not when chaos ruled.
Sun Land pushed forward.
Victory felt possible.
---
Then—
A voice echoed in Sun's mind.
Urgent.
Shaking.
"Sun!"
Yuki.
He froze for a split second.
"What happened?"
Her voice came again—fast, strained.
"Another army—huge—coming from the north!"
His expression darkened.
"How many?"
"…Seventy thousand."
Silence.
Then realization hit.
"…That's impossible."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"We were wrong, Sun… the total army isn't eighty thousand…"
A pause.
"…It's one hundred fifty thousand."
The battlefield noise faded in his ears.
Everything slowed.
This wasn't just a mistake.
It was a disaster.
The northwest—
Where Yuki was—
Had almost no combat force.
Only healers.
Injured soldiers.
Support units.
They wouldn't survive.
Not against seventy thousand.
"Hold on," Sun said sharply.
"I'm coming yuki."
---
He turned to Ard immediately.
"There's another army—northwest."
Ard's eyes widened.
"How many?"
"Seventy thousand."
"…What?"
"You handle this side," Sun said firmly. "I'm going there."
Ard hesitated for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Go."
Sun didn't waste another second.
He turned—
And ran.
---
The distance was massive.
Miles.
Too far.
Too slow.
His heart pounded violently.
Yuki.
He could feel her through their link.
Her fear.
Her determination.
Her strength.
But also—
Her danger.
He clenched his fists.
Faster.
He pushed his body harder.
Wind tore past him.
The ground blurred beneath his feet.
But it wasn't enough.
It still wasn't enough.
"I won't make it in time…"
His voice shook.
For the first time—
Panic.
Real panic.
He closed his eyes for a split second while running.
Think.
There has to be a way.
Something beyond this.
Something more.
Then—
Deep within him—
Something responded.
Not darkness.
Not rage.
Something else.
Cold.
Sharp.
Flowing.
His body reacted instantly.
Mana surged differently this time.
Not like Dead Lock.
Not destructive.
But overwhelming.
Blue energy wrapped around him.
His speed exploded.
The ground cracked beneath each step.
His clothes shifted—
Turning deep blue.
His hair followed—
Glowing faintly with the same color.
His eyes opened—
Now calm.
Focused.
Unreachable.
The wind no longer resisted him.
It followed him.
He moved—
Like a streak of light.
Faster than anything before.
Unstoppable.
Meanwhile—
At the northwest medical fort—
Chaos had begun.
Yuki stood at the front.
Behind her—healers and wounded soldiers.
Before her—
A massive approaching army.
Endless.
Blackthorn's second force.
She exhaled slowly.
"…So this is how it is."
Her hands trembled slightly.
Not from fear.
From pressure.
She looked back at the people behind her.
They couldn't fight.
They trusted her.
She smiled softly.
"It's okay."
Then turned forward again.
Her eyes hardened.
"I'll handle this."
Ice spread across the ground instantly.
Walls rose.
Barriers formed.
"Come."
The enemy charged.
And she met them—
Alone.
---
Back across the land—
A blue streak cut through the battlefield.
Too fast to see.
Too powerful to stop.
Sun—
No—
Something beyond Sun—
Was coming.
And this time—
He would not be late.