King Henry sent his men to find Leo and bring him back to the city.
The Great Wizard had warned him—
a dangerous presence had entered the Land of Luminous Flame.
Something unhinged.
Dark.
Evil.
Leo and Rein were already on the run.
The king's men were closing in, their footsteps echoing through the forest.
Rein suddenly spoke, her voice quick but steady:
"There's a cave nearby. It's said to hold a gem—one that can forge my magic staff."
Leo didn't hesitate.
Adventure called—and he answered.
"Let's go."
They entered the cave.
It looked ordinary.
Too ordinary.
Neither of them noticed…
something was already inside.
Watching.
Waiting.
For over an hour, they wandered through twisting paths and narrow corridors.
Their footsteps echoed softly against cold stone walls.
The gem remained nowhere to be found.
But something else did.
A feeling.
A presence.
"Rein…" Leo whispered, his voice low.
"I think someone has been following us this whole time."
Rein nodded, her fingers trembling slightly as she raised her staff.
A soft blue glow spread around them.
And in that light—
They saw it.
A figure cloaked in deep purple, hiding within the shadows.
It looked weak.
Afraid.
Leo and Rein stepped back instinctively.
Then… they stepped forward.
Curiosity replaced fear.
The creature was injured.
Without hesitation, they helped it.
Carefully, they carried it out of the cave.
Rein knelt beside it, using gentle magic to mend its wounds, while Leo studied it closely—trying to understand what it was.
As Rein worked, something caught her eye.
A faint glimmer beneath the creature's cloak.
A gem.
Magical.
Valuable.
Tempting.
She hesitated.
Leo noticed immediately.
"No," he said firmly.
"That gem belongs to him."
Rein paused… then looked away.
The creature stirred.
"I… thank you," it said softly.
"I'm fine now."
Leo knelt beside it.
"Are you truly alright?"
"Yes."
Rein's eyes returned to the gem.
"What do you do with that gem?"
The creature hesitated.
"It's important to me… but I cannot explain further."
"My name is Helmond," it continued.
"An Enigma-type being."
It lowered its gaze.
"I remember nothing… except my name."
Together, they began heading back toward the city.
But they didn't get far.
King Henry's men found them.
"Leo," the soldiers called, urging him to return.
But their attention quickly shifted.
To Helmond.
Weapons were raised.
Leo stepped forward instantly.
Clang.
He blocked the attack.
"Stop!" he shouted.
"Helmond is harmless!"
Tension filled the air.
Slowly… the soldiers lowered their weapons.
But not without a condition.
"Return with us."
Reluctantly, Leo agreed.
Rein and Helmond came with him.
As they traveled—
It happened.
A presence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Then—
Attack.
A metal chain tore through the air.
At its end—
A ball.
With a single glaring eye.
It moved with horrifying precision, ripping through the king's men.
One by one… they fell.
The survivors charged.
But it didn't matter.
They were struck down just as quickly.
Then—
The Great Wizard appeared.
And with him, the truth.
"A malevolent being has entered this land," he declared.
"It seeks to devour every life… to grow stronger."
Leo's heart sank.
He had made a mistake.
Leaving the city.
Rein's voice trembled.
"I've never felt anything like this…"
Helmond shook his head.
"This is new… even to me."
They were trapped.
Hunted.
Outmatched.
Rein stepped forward.
"I have a plan."
They ran.
Toward the forest's edge.
Every step filled with tension.
Every breath heavy.
Then—
The air changed.
An overwhelming aura crushed down on them.
And from the darkness…
He appeared.
A man.
Wild.
Crazed.
In his hand—
A chain.
A metal ball.
A single, glaring eye.
"The Chainbound Lord…" he whispered.
"…is here to devour your soul."
Leo and Rein froze.
Fear rooted them in place.
Helmond was thrown aside—dismissed as weak.
The forest itself felt like it was closing in.
Then—
A flash.
A strike.
Eryndor.
The strongest warrior of Lucindor City.
He attacked with relentless force.
Steel clashed against madness.
Blow after blow—each strike filled with unyielding resolve.
"Run!" he commanded.
Leo and Rein didn't hesitate.
Eryndor fought alone.
His blade tore through the tyrant again and again.
His final strike aimed for the head—
But the Chainbound Lord…
Did not fall.
Still, he didn't pursue.
Not yet.
Not while Eryndor stood.
Eryndor carried Helmond to safety.
Leo and Rein followed.
Alive.
Barely.
"Thank you…" Leo said.
Without Eryndor—
They would have died.
Eryndor's expression hardened.
"You should never have left the city."
Leo lowered his head.
"I understand… I'll follow the king's orders. I'll train."
Eryndor looked back toward the forest.
"We will face him again."
Rein spoke quietly.
"Can we defeat him?"
Eryndor's answer was cold.
"Not even a thousand fighters could kill that bastard."
At dawn—
They returned.
King Henry stood at the gates.
Waiting.
Angry.
Leo bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry."
They were escorted to the castle.
Helmond was questioned.
"What is your race?"
He shook his head.
"I… don't know."
Eryndor called for a council.
At first, the officials laughed.
Until—
The Great Wizard confirmed it.
The threat was real.
Orders were given.
Prepare for war.
Later—
Leo turned to Helmond.
"Train me."
"I want to unlock my power."
Helmond nodded.
"I will."
And just like that—
A bond was formed.
Not just allies.
But brothers.
Rein returned home.
She left with a smile… and a playful gesture.
Leo stood quietly.
Thinking.
Grateful.
For Rein.
For Helmond.
And then—
Sol.
The elf lingered in his thoughts.
Kind.
Helpful.
But still…
Suspicious.