The night was supposed to be for rest.
Inside the healing tent, the air was calm, filled only with the faint groans of recovering soldiers. But outside—chaos had unfolded.
A massacre.
The Kedel family—one of the oldest bloodlines in Argos City—wiped out completely.
Not a single survivor.
Inside the tent, Bin stood at the entrance, talking to a soldier cloaked in black armor, a stranger to most.
"Did you wipe them all?" Bin asked, his voice low and unshaken.
"Yes, sir," the soldier replied, kneeling.
Bin nodded silently, his expression unreadable.
---
Back inside the tent, a different atmosphere lingered.
Liu strolled over to where Den was resting. She leaned down, a teasing smile on her lips.
"What do you want from me, girl?" Den asked coldly, without even looking up.
"Oh come on," Liu chuckled, tapping his forehead lightly. "You're always so serious. Smile a little bit, will you?"
Den scoffed and turned his face away, ignoring her playful presence.
---
On the other side of the tent, Elena spotted someone unfamiliar.
Luz.
Their eyes met for the first time.
A strange, warm feeling bloomed in both of their chests, silent and sudden.
Elena approached shyly, holding a small glowing pill.
"Here," she said softly, handing it to him. "A healing pill."
Luz blinked in surprise but accepted it, their fingers brushing for a second.
Both of them blushed.
From a few beds away, Ino grinned mischievously.
"Ooooh, what's this?" he teased loudly.
Elena's face turned crimson. Flustered, she hurried out of the tent without saying another word.
---
Far away, in a kingdom drowned in shadows, Malakar sat on a dark throne, an ancient crown of bone resting upon his head.
Beside him stood his two trusted generals—Julius on the right and Rigor on the left.
A figure cloaked in robes knelt before Malakar.
"Rise," Malakar commanded.
The man stood.
"Soon, we will launch our assault," Malakar declared, his voice echoing across the stone halls. "We will take over Aetheris! And when I kill Bin… my own brother… there will be no one left to stop me!"
The darkness around him pulsed with power.
---
Back in Biringan, peace returned.
For now.
Den, Jed, and Luz were healing well.
The sun shone bright over the city walls.
Inside the training yard, Luz was finally given permission to leave the tent. Eager and clumsy, he sprinted toward the exit—only to crash into someone.
Both tumbled to the ground.
Luz opened his eyes and found Elena lying beside him.
Panic hit him instantly.
"Oh no, no, I'm so sorry!" he cried, helping her up.
Their hands touched again. That strange warmth returned.
Their eyes locked—and again, their faces flushed red.
Elena quickly ran off, hiding her embarrassment.
From the corner, Jed and Den watched and burst into laughter.
"Hey! Stop it, both of you!" Luz shouted, his face as red as a tomato.
---
Hours passed.
Night fell.
In their respective quarters, the soldiers of Biringan finally allowed themselves to rest.
Luz lay on his bed, staring at the wooden ceiling, thoughts swirling in his mind.
When will this war end? he wondered.
Since the birth of Aetheris, Light and Dark have clashed. Descendants died fighting… and still, the war continues.
But no—Bin is different.
Bin might be the last one… the one to finally stop it.
He closed his eyes, gripping the necklace his father had given him.
Then—
DONG! DONG! DONG!
The bells of Biringan rang violently.
Shouts filled the air.
"TO ARMS! TO ARMS! TALIYAS CITY IS UNDER ATTACK!"
The city closest to the Dark Army's base.
The most vulnerable.
One by one, everyone in the camp woke up.
Den tightened his armor.
Ino strapped his gloves.
Elena packed healing kits.
Marcus assembled his gear.
And Luz—his heart pounding in his chest—grabbed his newly blade.
This was no drill.
This was his first real mission.
Without hesitation, they assembled at the city gates.
They rode out, the banners of Biringan waving behind them.
Into the darkness.
Into war.