The night wind howled fiercely, carrying with it a steady drizzle that tapped against the rooftops of the village homes. The weather was grim, as if the sky itself was delivering a warning—an ominous premonition too vague to understand.
Inside a modest yet warm house, Alentiana Ashley Mahardika sat restlessly by a wooden table, her hands clutching the ends of the shawl draped over her shoulders. Her eyes never left the wall clock, its ticking slow and steady, marking the time at 11 p.m.
"Hmm... I'm worried about Louis," she murmured, her voice heavy with a worry she could no longer suppress.
The rain intensified, and the wind lashed against the windows, creating a rustling sound that added to the growing discomfort in her chest.
Ashley took a deep breath, lifting her gaze to the ceiling as she clutched a small teardrop-shaped pendant that hung from her neck.
"Please... protect Louis, Goddess Abundantia," she whispered, praying fervently to the goddess she believed had always watched over them.
Suddenly...
Knock... Knock... Knock...
The sound of knocking at the front door shattered the silence of the night.
Ashley jumped, but a small smile quickly appeared on her lips. It must be Louis. Her husband was finally home after a whole day of guarding the village.
Quickly, she stood up and walked to the door. "Finally, you're home," she said with relief as she opened it.
But...
The figure standing at the doorstep was not Louis.
Ashley's body froze instantly. Her breath caught in her throat.
Standing there was a terrifying creature—tall and massive, with dark, rough skin like stone, glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness, and in its hand, a huge black sword radiating an aura of death.
Before Ashley could react...
Click!
The demon's large hand clenched tightly around her neck.
"Ah…!" Ashley gasped, struggling to breathe, but the grip was too strong. She struggled, her hands trying to pull away the rough fingers choking her, but the demon only squeezed harder, cutting off her air.
"D… don't…" Her voice weakened.
Darkness began creeping into her consciousness.
---
In the Forest, Far from the Village
Amidst the swaying trees blown by the night wind, Louis Mahardika marched steadily, followed by five of his soldiers. They carried torches, but the yellow light seemed small against the dense darkness of the night.
Their steps stopped when they found something that shouldn't have been there.
A large tunnel.
Louis narrowed his eyes. "This is strange... As far as I remember, there was never a tunnel in this patrol area."
One of his soldiers, a muscular young man with curly hair named Bagil, swallowed hard. "Boss, this place… feels wrong. Maybe we should turn back."
But Louis's curiosity was too strong. "No. We go in and check it out."
They stepped into the tunnel, greeted by darkness and a piercing silence.
"Cast a fireball inside," Louis ordered.
Bagil nodded. He grasped the air in front of him, then formed a flame in his palm. "Fire Spell: Ignis Lux!" With a swift motion, the fireball shot into the darkness.
BOOM!
Light spread, revealing the shadows that cloaked the passage.
And there...
They saw something that made their blood run cold.
The tunnel walls were smeared with blood, mixed with strange black writings that pulsed as if alive. On the floor lay piles of human bones—some still wrapped in decaying flesh.
Louis gritted his teeth. "This... is no ordinary tunnel."
The wind blew fiercely from within the tunnel, carrying faint whispers mixed with soft laughter—a laughter that didn't belong to this world.
Bagil trembled. "Boss… we have to get out of here… NOW!"
But before they could turn around…
BOOM!!
A burst of black energy erupted from inside the tunnel, instantly snuffing out their torch flames.
And in the sudden darkness that enveloped them… something moved.
The blood dripping from the tunnel walls seemed to pulse, as if alive and watching everything unfold. Louis Mahardika stood with a sharp gaze, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. His soldiers—the ones who had fought alongside him—lay lifeless, their souls consumed by the terrifying figure before him.
That figure—Valevar—Zagan's right hand, the soul-devouring demon.
Towering tall, with skin as dark as a starless night, and a pair of curved horns atop his head, Valevar stared at Louis with glowing red eyes. A wicked smile stretched across his battle-scarred face.
"For Abundantia's sake..." Louis whispered, horror creeping into his bones.
Valevar turned to another side of the tunnel, his expression sharpening. "Hey… Why are you all here? You were never supposed to enter this tunnel." His voice echoed, filled with a chilling, evil power.
WHOOSH!
Without warning, Valevar lunged with unbelievable speed!
His eyes blazed in the darkness, and his massive sword—black as the darkness itself—sliced toward Louis in a deadly strike.
WHOOSH!
Without warning, Valevar charged with impossible speed!
His eyes burned bright in the darkness, and his massive sword—black as the shadows themselves—swept toward Louis in a deadly slash.
"Tch!"
Louis raised his sword quickly, blocking the strike just before the blade could pierce his chest!
CLANG!!
Their swords clashed, sparks flying, briefly illuminating the tunnel and revealing the horrors around them. But Valevar's strength was overwhelming!
BANG!
Louis was thrown backward, crashing hard against the tunnel wall as dust and debris filled the air.
As Louis struggled to stand, he heard agonized screams.
"Argh! Ah! Arghh!"
His eyes widened as he saw Valevar standing among his remaining soldiers. Valevar's dark hands pulsed, and from his palms, black mist enveloped their bodies, slowly draining their life essence.
The soldiers' bodies withered, their eyes turning blank, mouths opening in silent screams.
Valevar laughed, a sound too horrifying for any human to bear.
"Hehehe... Your souls are delicious! I truly enjoy feasting on souls, hehehe!"
Louis could only watch, a mixture of rage and fear burning inside him. His loyal soldiers were now lifeless corpses.
Finally, Valevar turned to him, his eyes glowing even brighter.
"You... You are the father of Leon Ashley Mahardika, aren't you?"
Louis froze. His heart pounded.
"H-How do you know that!?"
Valevar merely smirked, his eyes narrowing with mocking amusement. "That's none of your concern."
Louis clenched his fists, fury burning in his soul. "I won't let you lay a hand on my family!"
With a roar filled with determination, he charged at Valevar, swinging his sword with all his might.
"DIE, DEMON!!"
Valevar stood his ground, completely unfazed.
"Foolish…"
As Louis's sword came inches from Valevar's neck, the demon casually raised his own blade with one hand, blocking the attack as if it were nothing more than a breeze.
CLANG!!
The blow was fully stopped. Valevar didn't even flinch.
Louis's eyes widened. Just how strong was this demon!?
Then, with lightning speed, Valevar twisted and drove his sword straight into Louis's gut.
"GUH—!!"
Fresh blood burst into the air.
Louis's eyes went wide. A searing pain radiated from his stomach, flooding his body like poison.
Valevar looked down at him with a triumphant gaze.
"Look at you now, Mahardika… You're not even worthy of being called a knight."
He pushed the blade deeper, twisting it, making the pain all the more unbearable.
Louis coughed, blood dripping from the corner of his lips. His knees nearly gave out. But his will had not yet faded.
With the last of his strength, he tightened his grip on his sword and swung it in one final strike!
Valevar raised his arm to block, but a thin cut appeared on his cheek.
A single drop of black blood fell to the ground.
Valevar touched the wound, then… laughed.
"Hahaha… You can still fight back in this state? Interesting."
But Valevar had had enough.
With a swift movement, he kicked Louis square in the chest.
BOOM!!
Louis was sent flying, crashing into the wall with such force that his body could barely move anymore.
Valevar approached, his sword dripping blood. He looked down at the kneeling knight, barely clinging to life.
"Don't worry, Mahardika."
He grinned, staring into Louis's gasping eyes.
"Your family will be joining you in hell… very soon."
The scene shifted back to the village.
The night should have been quiet, yet the village was suffused with a dark, suffocating aura. A cold wind blew, carrying whispers of death that slithered through the shadows. Inside her home, Ashley Mahardika lay sprawled on the floor, her neck still aching from the demon's choke. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her hands trembling as she struggled to rise.
"Argh... Let me go!" she cried, her voice barely more than a rasp.
But the demon gripping her only sneered.
"Filthy wretch…" he muttered, before brutally hurling Ashley to the ground, her body crashing into the living room table.
CRASH!
Ashley collapsed, blood trickling from the corner of her lips.
Upstairs, Leon suddenly awoke.
"Ughh... What was that noise?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes, still heavy with sleep.
But the sounds of chaos below made his heart race. He quickly got out of bed and crept toward the door. As he peeked downstairs, his eyes widened in horror.
His mother… was being tortured by a demon!
Without hesitation, Leon grabbed the nearest broom and charged down the stairs, shouting with desperate courage.
"Hey! Stop it!"
With all his strength, he swung the broom at the towering demon, who was cloaked in a tattered black robe. But before the broom could make contact, the demon turned and casually raised a hand.
THUD!
Without being touched, Leon was thrown backward as if struck by an invisible wave.
The broom snapped in his hand.
"Tch. I have no time for such petty interference," the baritone voice echoed across the room.
Leon froze. His eyes widened as he realized who stood before him.
The Demon Commander—Zagan.
From his belt, Zagan drew his sword—a black blade shrouded in a dark aura that flared like smokeless fire. A deep violet hue enveloped the weapon, and every movement it made left a trail of shadowy mist that seeped into the air.
The aura of death radiating from the sword was terrifying.
Even the air grew colder, and the walls of the house trembled as if sensing the horror unfolding within.
Leon stood paralyzed, his body trembling violently—not from the cold, but from pure fear.
Zagan stared at him with glowing eyes and a twisted, demonic grin.
"Come with me, Leon…" Zagan said, his deep voice ringing like a funeral bell in Leon's mind.
"Whether you want to or not, you will come. You are to become the perfect vessel… for The Great Darkness."
WHOOSH!
Before Leon could react, Zagan vanished from sight!
In the blink of an eye, he was already behind him!
"What—!?"
GRAB!
Zagan seized Leon by the throat in a vice-like grip.
His body instantly lost balance. His breath caught, and his hands clawed at the iron grip tightening around his neck.
"Argh! I don't want this! Who are you people?!" Leon struggled with all his might, but it was useless.
Zagan's fingers felt like steel chains—unyielding and absolute.
Suddenly…
"Hey, you damn demon! Don't you dare lay a hand on my son!"
Ashley's voice echoed through the house.
Blood still dripped from the corner of her lips as she stood up with the last of her strength, her eyes blazing with the fierce courage of a mother ready to protect her child.
She grabbed a kitchen knife from the table and charged at Zagan without hesitation!
But…
Zagan only sneered.
He snapped his fingers.
"BlackFire Torrent."
FWOOSH!!
Black flames erupted from thin air and engulfed Ashley's body!
"AAAAAAARGH!!!"
Her screams pierced the night, her body consumed by violet fire that burned not just her flesh—but her very soul.
Leon thrashed in Zagan's grip with everything he had.
"NOOO!! MOOOOM!!"
But Zagan's hold was unbreakable.
Tears streamed from Leon's eyes as he watched his mother writhe in agony before him.
Ashley collapsed to the floor, her body still cloaked in dancing flames. Her once warm eyes were now filled with unbearable pain.
Zagan looked down at the broken boy with cruel satisfaction, then—
CLOMP.
He opened a pitch-black portal beside him—a gateway to another dimension so dark that even light seemed afraid to enter.
"Now… come with me, Leon."
Leon screamed, still struggling, but his body had no strength left.
Zagan pulled him into the portal, leaving behind the shattered remains of a home and the woman he had called "Mom."
In the next moment, Leon was gone.
The portal sealed shut, plunging the room into chilling silence.
Amidst the ruins of the house…
Ashley lay sprawled on the floor, her eyes open—but empty.
The dreadful night had become a night of ruin.
The darkness lingered. Only the flames licking the broken remains of the home offered any light amidst the devastation. The stench of burning flesh filled the air, mingling with the crackling sound of charred wood surrendering to the heat.
Amidst the blackened ruins and swirling dust, a teenage girl slowly opened her eyes. Hiori.
Her head throbbed, her body weak. But as her consciousness returned, her gaze locked onto a sight she was never meant to witness.
"Mom…?!"
Her heart felt like it was struck by a boulder.
The body of Ashley Mahardika, her mother, lay motionless on the ground—burned and broken. Small flickers of flame still licked at the torn, charred remains of her clothes. Her eyes were open, yet vacant—the soul that once warmed Hiori's world was no longer there.
"NOOOOO!!!"
With trembling steps, Hiori stumbled forward and collapsed beside her mother. Her shaking hands reached out, gently touching her mother's cold, stiff face.
"Oh, Abundantia…"
Her cry shattered the silence.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, falling onto her mother's lifeless skin. She embraced the scorched body, the pain in her heart far more searing than the fire that had consumed her mother.
But then—something made her skin crawl.
A sound.
Not her mother's voice.
Not the crackle of fire.
But the sound of destruction echoing across the village.
Hiori slowly turned her head. And at that moment, her breath caught.
Hellfire in the Village She Loved
Outside her home, the village was engulfed in flames.
The houses that once rang with laughter were now nothing but blackened skeletons. Corpses littered the streets, some still burning, crackling like meat on a spit.
"Oh Abundantia… where's the rest of my family…?" her voice trembled.
She was alone.
Her entire body weakened. She clutched at her own shirt, as if trying to grasp something—anything—in the storm of fear that consumed her.
But as she struggled to comprehend the hell that had overtaken her village, something even more terrifying appeared.
Footsteps.
Someone—or something—was walking toward her.
The Arrival of Valevar
"Oh…? So Commander Zagan left one human alive?"
The voice slithered like a snake's hiss, thick with mockery.
Hiori turned and saw a figure approaching at a leisurely pace. He stood over two meters tall, lean and looming like a shadow twisting in the darkness. His eyes glowed crimson, like embers feeding on the sins of the world.
Valevar.
The Soul Eater.
Hiori felt her body freeze. Her hands clutched the dirt, her legs like stone planted in the earth.
"Who are you?! Stay away from me!!"
But Valevar only grinned, his fangs gleaming in the firelight behind him.
"Hehehe… Why would I care?"
Suddenly—
Valevar vanished.
"What—?!"
In the blink of an eye, he appeared right in front of Hiori!
His terrifyingly thin, clawed hand rose—ready to strike her down with inhuman speed.
But before the demon's claws could reach her—
CLANG!
A sword descended from the sky like a meteor. Golden light burst from its blade, piercing through the darkness that engulfed the village.
BOOM!!
A shockwave of divine light exploded from the sword, forcing Valevar back several steps.
For a moment, all was silent.
Then, amidst the fading glow, a figure emerged.
He stood tall, clad in radiant white armor etched with golden patterns. His long cloak billowed in the wind, and in his hand, he held the sacred sword that still blazed with divine energy.
Gamiel.
One of the commanders of the Templars of the Divine Light.
Without hesitation, he raised his sword, his eyes locked on Valevar.
"My troops, purge every demon still roaming this village. I'll handle this one."
Behind him, dozens of knights emerged, each bearing weapons that gleamed like stars in the midst of destruction.
"Yes, Commander!" they shouted in unison before charging into battle, clashing with the demons that still lingered in the ruins.
Yet amid the chaos, only one sound echoed clearly—
Laughter.
Valevar laughed.
"Hehehe! Gamiel…! I know you!"
His voice trembled with excitement.
"You're one of the finest commanders of the Templars of the Divine Light! How lucky I am to face you myself!"
Gamiel gave a slight smile.
"Oh yeah? Thanks for the compliment."
He raised his sword, and in an instant, divine light gathered around him, forming ancient magical circles in the air.
Valevar's grin widened.
"Hehehe… INTERESTING!!"
Without warning, he lunged forward with blinding speed!
Two figures collided in the night sky, bursts of light and shadow clashing with metallic strikes that shook the very air.
Gamiel and Valevar struck at each other, their swords clashing with force powerful enough to fracture the space around them.
"Hehehe! This is going to be so much fun!" Valevar cackled, his eyes glowing wildly in the dark.
He swung his blade at an inhuman speed, unleashing dark slashes that tore through the air, leaving deep scars in the earth far below.
However, Gamiel remained calm.
With elegance, he deflected every strike with flawless precision, like a maestro dancing in a symphony of battle.
"You're too wild, Valevar. Your attacks are emotional—undisciplined," Gamiel spoke coldly.
In a flash, he counterattacked.
The slash came down like lightning from the heavens, striking Valevar with unstoppable holy force.
"Ugh…!!"
Valevar was sent flying, his body crashing through the night clouds before halting himself mid-air.
But instead of panic, he laughed even louder.
"An aerial battle, is it? Fine! Let's see how long you can last!"
"Phantasmal Strike!"
Valevar vanished in an instant, reappearing around Gamiel with incredible speed.
His slashes rained down from every direction, so fast they pierced even the soul's defenses.
Gamiel felt something strange.
Each strike that landed on him slowly drained his life essence. His very soul was being chipped away by the darkness imbued in every one of Valevar's attacks.
But he endured.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Every swing from Valevar was parried with perfect timing, sending shockwaves rippling through the skies.
"Is that all the Templars of the Divine Light teach? How to block?" Valevar mocked.
Gamiel only offered a slight smile.
"No. I'm simply evaluating how worthy you are as an opponent."
Gamiel's eyes glowed, and in an instant—
"Blazing Radiance Slash!"
He swung his sword with incredible speed.
A holy flash shot forth from the blade, tearing across the sky in a blinding arc of light.
Valevar was forced to defend, but the divine energy scorched his demonic hand, making him wince—before laughing again.
"Hahaha! A worthless technique! Now it's my turn!"
"Requiem of Souls!"
Valevar raised his hand toward the sky, and in an instant, the air filled with the screams of a thousand tormented souls.
From the darkness emerged hundreds of wailing spirits, each one twisted in agony.
They were all souls Valevar had devoured—now risen as a deathly army meant to destroy Gamiel.
"Go! Tear him apart!!"
The cloud of souls surged like a tidal wave, rushing at Gamiel from every direction!
But Gamiel did not flinch.
With divine technique, he danced in the sky, his sword flashing like lightning, cutting down the souls that tried to consume him.
"Heavenly Blade Dance!"
Gamiel spun through the air, his body becoming a blur of light that moved with impossible speed.
One by one, the tortured souls were obliterated in holy radiance!
Valevar tried to dodge, but—
"Slash!"
Gamiel's blade struck his shoulder, leaving behind a searing wound that sizzled with divine fire.
Valevar was stunned.
"Tch! You're incredible… No wonder you're one of their commanders!"
But Gamiel didn't give him time to recover.
He raised his sword high, divine energy gathering along its edge, radiating a light that could illuminate an entire kingdom.
"Playtime is over. Now, I'll end this."
Valevar felt danger—true danger.
"Solar Strike!"
Gamiel slashed forward, unleashing a holy beam like a celestial spear straight at Valevar!
"GAAAAAAAH!!"
Valevar struggled to resist, shouting—
"Ethereal Bind!"
Shadowy hands erupted from the darkness, trying to suppress the explosion of light.
But—
It wasn't enough.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted.
The light from Gamiel's sword detonated with a force surpassing the heat of the sun.
A wave of divine energy obliterated everything within a 12-kilometer radius, burning away the darkness and erasing the remnants of curses lingering in the air.
Amid the explosion, Valevar screamed in agony, his body struck by a power he could not fully withstand.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!"
The light gradually faded.
The aftermath of the blast left embers and debris scattered around them, but amidst the billowing black smoke, Valevar's laughter echoed.
"Ha ha ha… Fascinating! Let's continue to round two!"
Gamiel stared at him coldly from behind his helmet.
"You're still alive?" he asked, his tone nearly devoid of emotion.
Valevar grinned, the wounds on his body fading like illusions being wiped away. His soul was intact—he still had reserves of power yet to be unleashed.
"Of course! I've got plenty more tricks up my sleeve, Commander! Animi Penetrabilior Vulnus!"
With a swing of his sword, a spiraling wave of black energy surged outward, tearing through trees and shattering the earth beneath them.
Gamiel hadn't yet lowered his sword—and in an instant—
Valevar vanished!
Suddenly, he was right in front of Gamiel!
"You're too slow, Commander!"
In a blur of incomprehensible speed, Valevar flashed behind Gamiel, unleashing dozens of shadow slashes from all directions.
Gamiel tried to block, but Valevar's strikes were too fast.
Shhk! Shhk! Clang!
Gamiel's sacred armor began to scrape and splinter, even the metal plates started to crack.
"Phantasmal Stride!"
Valevar moved even faster. He wasn't just attacking—he was deceiving Gamiel with phantom shadows, making it seem like he was in multiple places at once.
"What… is happening?" Gamiel felt an overwhelming pressure, his eyes struggling to track Valevar's movements—but the more he tried, the more disoriented he became by the illusions.
Every time Gamiel struck, Valevar was already gone, leaving behind only a trail of black mist.
"You'll never catch me, Gamiel!"
Valevar shot forward again, ready to end the battle with his final slash.
But this time—
Gamiel vanished!
"WHAT!?"
BAGH!
Gamiel suddenly reappeared in front of Valevar and struck him with a powerful knee to the gut!
Valevar was sent flying through the air, blood spraying from his mouth.
"Impossible… You can see me?"
Gamiel raised his sword high.
"No matter how fast you move… light will always be faster."
"Photon Burst!" A wave of scorching light burst forth from his blade like a solar storm. Valevar tried to dodge, but the searing heat still grazed his skin. His body was thrown back, yet he only laughed as his wounds slowly began to regenerate.
"You nearly killed me, bastard!" Valevar shouted as he stood up, blood staining his grin.
"You're more stubborn than I thought," Gamiel replied coldly. He raised his sword even higher, and the light grew blinding—like a miniature sun in his grasp.
"Ancient Seal of the Heavens!" Gamiel plunged his sword into the ground, summoning ancient power. A massive magic circle emerged from the earth, sealing the surrounding area and locking space itself in a blazing field of sacred energy.
Valevar winced as the power burned into him. His body began to sear as the circle's energy seeped into him, but he only grinned. "In that case, I won't hold back either!"
Closing his eyes for a moment, Valevar summoned thick, dark energy with both hands. "Demon's Wrath!" he cried. A flood of dark mist surged into the air, swirling around Gamiel's magic circle and trying to consume it.
Gamiel narrowed his eyes. "Reckless courage will only lead to your destruction."
Suddenly, Valevar's black mist clashed with the holy energy from Gamiel's circle, erupting in a deafening shockwave. The air grew heavy, soaked in the collision of dark and light energies. The black fog coiled toward Gamiel like serpents, trying to swallow the sacred light.
And then, from within the shadows, a sharp, chilling laugh echoed.
"This fight is far too entertaining to ignore," said a voice—cold, bitter, full of hate. From the darkness emerged a towering figure with horns protruding from his forehead, wielding a gleaming violet sword. It was Zagan, the 13th Demon Commander.
"Gamiel, did you really think you could hold off both of us alone?" Zagan stared intensely, his eyes radiating a darkness far more potent than Valevar's.
Gamiel stood firm, his gaze fixed on the two demons. "I don't need help to defeat you. Darkness will never triumph over light," he said, icy and resolute.
Zagan laughed mockingly. "Fool. Light is meaningless without darkness."
With blinding speed, Zagan lunged at Gamiel. Their blades collided with a thunderous crash, the dark aura on Zagan's sword clashing against Gamiel's holy radiance. Each strike unleashed shockwaves that toppled trees around them.
Valevar took the opportunity to move through the battlefield like a shadow, darting around Gamiel and launching surprise attacks. He was nearly invisible, a blur of motion circling their enemy, increasing the pressure.
Gamiel struggled to parry both Zagan and Valevar. He channeled his energy, calling upon the light to fortify his defense.
"Radiant Fortress!"
A shield of light surrounded him, deflecting their attacks. But the two demons relentlessly battered the barrier, cracks beginning to spread across it.
"Phantasmal Dash!" Valevar moved with uncanny speed, slipping through a gap in the barrier. His body flickered like a phantom, appearing and vanishing as he unleashed dozens of rapid slashes that forced Gamiel onto the defensive.
At the same moment, Zagan struck from the front with full force.
"Abyssal Strike!"
He slashed his darkness-infused blade, shattering Gamiel's shield. The holy knight staggered backward, trying to regain his stance.
"I won't fall so easily!" Gamiel roared, raising his sword to the sky.
"Divine Punishment!"
Beams of light rained down like sacred fire upon Zagan and Valevar. Each bolt exploded on contact, incinerating everything in its path, even burning through Zagan's protective aura.
"You still have that much power left?" Zagan muttered with a twisted smirk. "But I'm far from done."
He clasped both hands together and summoned a swirling vortex of darkness above him.
"Voidstorm!"
He hurled the vortex toward Gamiel, who was instantly caught in the pull of the dark spiral. Light drained from his surroundings, and his body began to weaken. But Gamiel, with unyielding resolve, summoned every last ounce of his holy power.
"Eternal light will not fade!" he shouted, unleashing a radiant burst from within.
Gamiel surged out of the dark vortex, his entire body glowing with divine light.
"Solar Radiance!"
His sword exploded with blinding energy, striking both Zagan and Valevar simultaneously. The force was immense—Zagan stumbled back, his expression shaken for the first time.
Valevar, behind Zagan, tried to shield himself with his mist, but the blast shattered it. He staggered, gasping for breath, new wounds spreading across his body.
"You're unbelievably persistent, Gamiel," Zagan hissed, irritated. "But this isn't over!"
He raised his hand toward the sky, summoning an even greater power. Storm clouds darkened the heavens, and bolts of violet lightning cracked through the sky.
Gamiel narrowed his eyes, bracing himself. "If this is the end, then I'll make sure both of you are destroyed!" he declared with unwavering resolve, readying his final attack.
With a roar of determination, the three clashed, unleashing every ounce of strength they had left. The ground trembled, the darkened sky split open by flashes of light and shadow colliding in a magnificent storm. The battle between light and darkness was so intense, it left all who witnessed it in awe and fear.
Gamiel stood tall, his breathing ragged after sealing Valevar within an ancient magic circle. The circle radiated powerful holy energy, as if allowing no room for darkness to survive.
Yet Zagan, seeing his comrade trapped, stepped forward with a cold gaze. "Gamiel, your bravery will only lead you to ruin," he said flatly, raising his hand and filling the air with a dark aura. Without giving Gamiel a moment to prepare, Zagan unleashed his spell.
"Chains of Despair!" From the surrounding shadows, spectral chains burst forth, darting toward Gamiel with blinding speed. They coiled around him, pinning him to the ground.
Gamiel struggled, but the chains were alive, tightening each time he moved. Valevar, still trapped in the magic circle, only laughed. "It's over, Gamiel. Prepare to be annihilated!"
Just as despair began to creep in, the sound of swift footsteps echoed across the battlefield. A shadowy figure approached—an elegant woman radiating a mysterious aura, her chained sickle swinging by her side.
"Panavia…" Gamiel whispered, his eyes wide with relief.
Panavia twirled her sickle gracefully, the long chain swirling around her like a serpent. With a swift motion, she hurled the weapon directly at the shadowy chains binding Gamiel. "Fate will not favor you today, Zagan," she said with unwavering confidence. The sickle struck the chains, and with a flash of light and a shattering crack, they broke apart, freeing Gamiel.
Turning her gaze to Valevar and Zagan, Panavia declared, "If you thought you could take on Gamiel alone, you were gravely mistaken."
Valevar sneered. "Panavia… So you finally show yourself. I've been waiting for the chance to test your strength," he said, stepping forward, unleashing an even more oppressive dark aura.
Panavia remained unshaken. She spun her sickle once more, the chain coiling protectively around her. Then, with swift precision, she lunged at Zagan. "Celestial Twist!" she cried, hurling the weapon with all her might.
The sickle shot forward at an incredible speed, its chain slithering through the air like ripples of fate, bending time itself. Zagan attempted to block, but the weapon moved unpredictably, shifting direction mid-flight as though guided by countless unseen possibilities. Just as he was about to intercept it, the sickle swerved sharply and sliced into his shoulder, forcing him back.
"You underestimated me, Zagan," Panavia said coldly, her eyes sharp.
Valevar, sensing an opening, lunged at Panavia with tremendous speed. But Panavia calmly stepped aside, subtly manipulating the flow of fate to slow his movements for just a moment. At that exact instant, Gamiel seized the opportunity and launched a counterattack.
"Solar Strike!" Gamiel swung his sword, unleashing a searing beam of light that shot straight toward Valevar. Slowed by Panavia's influence, Valevar couldn't evade in time. A massive explosion erupted, shaking the earth and hurling Valevar through the air.
Now standing side by side, Gamiel gave Panavia a firm nod. "We fight together."
Panavia gave a faint smile, then stepped forward, her chained sickle still spinning—ready to twist the fate of this battle.
A dark mist slowly crept through the forest, its chill biting to the bone. Within the fog, two glowing red eyes emerged, locking onto Gamiel and Panavia with an indescribable menace. Even the air seemed to grow heavier under their gaze.
"Zagan. Valevar," a deep, echoing voice rang out—authoritative and overwhelming, "your task here is finished. Do not waste your time. Return."
Zagan and Valevar, who had been ready to attack, suddenly froze. The aura radiating from the being behind the fog was paralyzing. Gamiel and Panavia stood motionless, their eyes fixed on the shadowed figure.
"This aura…" Gamiel whispered, gripping his sword tighter. "It's unlike anything I've ever felt."
Panavia, usually brimming with confidence, now looked serious, her eyes narrowing. "Gamiel," she said slowly, her voice heavy, "this creature… it's not bound by fate."
Gamiel glanced at her, brow furrowed. "Not bound by fate? What do you mean?"
Panavia nodded, her gaze never leaving the figure in the mist. "I mean… it's like a god. It transcends space, time—even fate itself. Everything we've done, every choice we've made, means nothing to a being like that."
As they spoke, the figure moved closer. Its steps made no sound, but each one felt like a thunderclap in their souls. Its crimson eyes shifted from Zagan and Valevar to Gamiel and Panavia. Then, a voice echoed—not through the air, but directly into their minds, heavy with threat and authority.
"You humans… will die when true darkness awakens."
The words seemed to shake the very world around them. Even the ground beneath their feet trembled. Gamiel struggled to keep his fear in check, while Panavia stared at the creature with unwavering caution.
"Gamiel," Panavia whispered, "those words… maybe he was talking about something far greater than this war."
Before Gamiel could respond, the creature raised a shadowy hand from within the mist. Zagan and Valevar were pulled toward it, their bodies fading into shadows before vanishing completely with the fog. In an instant, only Gamiel and Panavia remained in the now-silent battlefield.
Gamiel took a deep breath, trying to comprehend what had just happened. "What did he mean, Panavia? The true darkness?"
Panavia shook her head, her face grim. "I don't know. But one thing's certain… that creature isn't something we can fight. If this 'true darkness' really exists, then it's far bigger than our conflict with Valevar and Zagan."
Gamiel gave a slow nod, his eyes still fixed on where the creature had vanished. "We need to return to the village. There might still be survivors."
"Agreed," Panavia replied, still gripping her chained sickle tightly, alert for any new threats.
They walked in silence, their footsteps the only sound breaking the eerie stillness. Gamiel kept his head down, his expression somber, his eyes distant—as if lost in thoughts far beyond the present. He was haunted by the memory of the mysterious entity, still feeling the weight of its oppressive power.
Panavia glanced at Gamiel from the side, noticing the unrest on his face. Her heart stirred with the urge to dispel the shadows clouding her comrade's mind. She gave a small smile, attempting to pierce the heavy silence.
"Hey..." Panavia gently tapped Gamiel's arm, causing him to flinch slightly and turn his gaze to her. "When you were fighting those two demons, why did you look so overwhelmed?" Her smile widened playfully, trying to reignite the fire in his eyes. "Normally, you're not one to lose that easily."
Gamiel exhaled and looked straight ahead. "They… they were strong, Panavia," he said quietly, as if speaking to himself. "Their power was different from anything we've faced. Especially Zagan. There was something in his dark magic… it made my body slow, like I was trapped in his shadow."
Panavia nodded, listening attentively. "But you're still here. You made it to the end. And besides," she added with a playful smirk, twirling her sickle chain with flair, "you've got a partner, remember?"
Gamiel turned to her, and for the first time, a small smile appeared on his lips. "Yeah, you're right, Panavia. If you hadn't shown up at the right moment, I might not be standing here now." He chuckled lightly. "After all, who else could match demons arriving like a storm, if not you?"
Panavia laughed, her eyes gleaming with joy. "So you're saying I'm stronger than you, huh?"
Gamiel shrugged, his smile growing wider. "I won't admit that so easily, but... maybe between the two of us, you're better at reshaping fate."
"Well, I have to be. Otherwise, how could I keep up with a stubborn fighter like you?" Panavia replied with a meaningful grin. "But seriously, Gamiel, don't let that encounter crush your courage. That creature may be powerful, but this isn't over. It's just part of our journey. We keep moving forward."
Her words reignited something inside Gamiel. The fear and doubt that had lingered began to fade, replaced by a renewed determination. He looked at Panavia with deep gratitude, as if seeing a new light in the darkness.
"Thank you, Panavia," he said softly. "You're right. It's not over. Whatever awaits us, I'll face it. With you."
Panavia nodded, her steps steady beside him. They walked side by side—not in oppressive silence, but with a newfound sense of purpose. Two comrades ready to face whatever destiny held in store.
Unbeknownst to them, their steps brought them back to the village they had fought to protect. The village lay quiet, broken by the sound of wind carrying the scent of death. Demon corpses littered the ground, mingled with the ruins of homes and the bodies of villagers who had perished in the battle.
Gamiel surveyed the scene, a proud expression flickering on his face. "The demon army's been wiped out? My men really came through," he said with satisfaction, though his eyes continued to scan the area for any lingering threats.
Panavia walked beside him, but her attention was drawn to a young girl sitting silently near the body of a woman. The girl stared blankly ahead, as if her soul had left along with the ones she loved.
"She must've gone through hell," Panavia thought, her gaze softening. She stopped and gestured for Gamiel to come over.
Gamiel approached the girl and knelt before her. "Hey, kid," he said gently, his tone no longer proud, but filled with empathy. "Are you alright?"
The girl—her face streaked with tears—slowly looked up. Her red, swollen eyes met his. "M-my family… my friends… all of them!" she screamed, her voice cracking with anguish.
Gamiel paused, then removed his helmet without hesitation. His face was now fully visible: deep ocean-blue eyes, sharp yet sincere, and messy white hair that revealed a more human, vulnerable side rarely seen.
"It's okay…" he whispered softly, his voice warm and soothing. "I'm here now." Gently, he wrapped the girl in a comforting embrace. He knew words alone couldn't ease her pain, but the warmth of that hug offered her a flicker of solace.
Panavia, watching from the side, approached carefully and knelt beside the girl. She looked at her gently. "You're lucky," Panavia said calmly. "You're the only one who survived this destruction. What's your name?"
"Hiori… Hiori Ashley Mahardika," the girl replied between sobs, her tears still flowing.
Gamiel looked at her with concern. "It's okay, Hiori," he said, lightly patting her shoulder. "I'll help you. No matter what happens, I promise—I'll protect you."
Hiori continued to cry, but amidst the sorrow, she felt the sincerity in Gamiel and Panavia's presence. For the first time since the tragedy, a faint spark of hope flickered in her heart, even as the weight of loss still clung to her soul.