A thunderous roar split the sky.
The stars, clear just a moment before, were swallowed by burning clouds glowing with an infernal red. A pillar of fire struck the edge of the Forest of Illusions, igniting ancient trees and fae creatures that hadn't even realized they were in danger.
"No…" whispered Ayame, her eyes turning gold. "It's beginning."
Yuri shot to her feet. The entire village was in turmoil: Kitsune in animal form ran to gather the elders, others conjured illusionary barriers to hide the young ones. But it was already clear—it wouldn't be enough.
Kayla turned toward the sky. A dark aura swirled around her like living smoke. "Him... Varkan. The Fire General. Tsk, he never holds back."
Alexander stood still, eyes fixed on the impact zone. No emotion showed on his face, but within, he felt a rising irritation. Idiot. Always with the fire and glory. And he still doesn't know who I am...
"He's coming here," Ayame announced. "He has no mercy. He never has."
Yuri swallowed hard. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Fear was suffocating her. But then, she felt a cold, firm hand rest on her shoulder.
Kayla looked at her with stern eyes—but not cruel ones.
"Yuri, listen closely. We can't both protect and fight. You will fight."
"Me?! But... I'm not ready! I—"
"You don't need to be ready. You need to be alive."
The witch stepped back, and a small circle of floating runes appeared between her hands.
"Absorb it, follow the flow—don't force it. Your power responds to what you feel. Anger. Courage. Fear. Use them."
Alexander drew his sword—a simple blade, stripped of its true nature.
"I'll hold the front. No need to risk blowing our cover."
Ayame positioned herself at the center of a protective circle she was drawing with her own blood.
"I'll keep the fire from reaching the village. But it will be unstable. We don't have much time."
A louder boom shook the ground. A winged shadow rose above the burning trees. The figure hovered in the air, suspended between fire and ash.
"Inhabitants of the Forest!"
Varkan's voice was a searing grip.
"Come out, or burn in your illusions! I am the end! I am the fire of the Demon King!"
Yuri stared at the creature in the sky—his long flaming hair, eyes burning like magma. Fear choked her breath. But then she remembered. Her grandmother's hands. Her words. "Always help those in need."
She stood up. A faint light shimmered in her eyes.
"Then I will fight."
Kayla smiled.
"And you will fight well."