They stared deep into each other's souls, a silent challenge hanging thick in the air. The three commanders, new to their positions and unaccustomed to the weight of what lay before them, saw Luxorious for the first time. A presence that demanded respect, yet carried a cold menace beneath calm eyes.
With heavy, measured steps, Luxorious strode down the hall toward the table. He reached the ancient oak surface, pulled out a chair, and sat down with a calmness that bordered on arrogance.
Luxorious: "The mission you spoke of — I have already completed it. Now, tell me, what is it you wish to discuss, Trail?"
Trail stepped forward without hesitation, his boots barely making a sound as he approached the table. Without a word, he sat casually on the edge of it and motioned toward the door.
"Commanders," Trail said firmly, "leave us alone for a while."
The three commanders exchanged uneasy glances, then slowly began to leave the room. As the door closed behind them, Luxorious's eyes narrowed.
Luxorious: "What happened to your original choices? Are these the new commanders? How pathetic. I didn't know you'd settle for such worthless filth roaming the city like scavengers."
Trail shrugged slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Trail: "Government orders. I know they're arrogant and flawed — pieces of trash, if you ask me — but maybe, just maybe, they could prove useful to humanity in the future."
Luxorious: "I told you, you should have come with me. Only then would your life have had any true value. Compared to that miserable existence here, following the government's orders, you'd be a force to be reckoned with."
Trail chuckled softly. "It's not that miserable. But if I had gone with you, I would have lost manpower — allies. I'd be alone, and that would make me worthless."
Luxorious leaned back in his chair, an expression of bitterness crossing his face.
Luxorious: "Look at you now. These government puppets don't care about the lives of soldiers, or even high commanders like us. If you wanted, I could kill them all."
Trail shook his head, serious now.
Trail: "Not yet. I came to tell you something else. The Flames of Hope have sparked to life. The barrier that kept the darkness away has been broken. That means the darkness is coming here, and it could arrive any moment."
Luxorious's gaze hardened.
Luxorious: "So what do you want me to do? Protect this city? Not in my lifetime will I defend humanity — corrupt, selfish murderers."
Trail's voice softened but remained firm.
Trail: "I already have a plan for that. But there's something else — something I want to assign to you."
Luxorious raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Trail leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
Trail: "I want you to find the boy — and protect him. He is the only hope I can count on for humanity."
Luxorious laughed, disbelief clear in his voice.
Luxorious: "You've gone mad. That boy carries the Death Blade. Not even darkness can touch him."
Trail: "I know," Trail replied. "The blade protects him now. But as he grows, the blade will lower its shield, and he will be far more vulnerable. You and that boy share a connection — ancestral memories long forgotten. It's been two thousand years, and now humanity, and us, have a chance to banish darkness forever. To send it to the abyss from which it came."
Luxorious's expression softened for a moment, regret flickering in his eyes as he slowly repeated every word in his mind.
Luxorious: "You're mad," he said finally, standing up abruptly. "I'll try to find and protect that boy until he's ready to conquer. But what about the darkness that's coming?"
He turned to Trail sharply.
Trail: "That's why I need you. The darkness is sleeping deeply, but only two or three of his children have awakened. They will rise one by one."
Luxorious: "And who are these bastards?"
Trail: "I only know one — Lyoth. He's the strongest, an assassin who uses daggers just like you. But he won't come now. He will probably send others — the Black Dragon, the Golem. They're weak right now because their master's true power is broken. That's our chance to kill them."
Luxorious: "How do you know all this?"
Trail: "Only these three are awake right now. The rest can only be awakened by the power of their father, Xeudeus."
Luxorious: "Then what do you want me to do?"
Trail smiled grimly.
Trail: "Simple. I want you to fight the Black Reaper. He's a dangerous dragon. But you're the only one I can count on to destroy that piece of filth."
He pulled out a cigarette, lit it with a matchstick, and exhaled smoke slowly.
Luxorious: "Finally, a worthy challenge. I will complete both missions. But what about the Golem? It's like the size of a mountain."
Trail gave a thumbs-up with both hands.
Trail: "Don't worry, you can count on me too."
Luxorious smirked. "Whatever. I'll just complete my job."
The door shut quietly behind Trail, leaving Luxorious alone in the dim light. He knew about the daggers he carried — not ordinary weapons, but blades dipped in the light sword's power.
Elsewhere, near the sea...
A peaceful land stretched under a bright sky. A man casually carried vegetables across a fertile field where apple trees blossomed. It was a simple life, but beautiful. Three children played nearby: Maria, Kyle, and another boy whose name was yet unknown.
Kyle: "Haha! You can't catch me!" he teased, running from Maria, who was now able to walk and babble baby talk.
Maria cooed happily, her tiny feet chasing after Kyle.
The unknown boy sat quietly near the water's edge, gazing out at the sea. He held two stones in his hands — one white, one black — given to him by someone mysterious. He clutched them tightly.
Kyle: "Brother, hey! You've been quiet for too long. Come on, it's time to eat!"
"I'm not hungry," the boy replied softly.
Kyle laughed. "You're lying — I caught a liar single-handedly!"
The boy blushed. "Damn it. Okay, I'm hungry. Let's go eat before I starve."
As they walked toward the small house, Kyle asked, "By the way, what's your name?"
The boy looked up at the sky and whispered, "My name is Leon."
Kyle smiled. "Leon it is."
Together, they continued toward home, unaware of the darkness creeping closer to their peaceful world.
Elsewhere, atop a high castle...
Thunder rolled across the sky, lightning flashing with fierce intensity. Luxorious sat on his favorite spot atop the castle, watching the storm with cold eyes.
Suddenly, the Black Reaper appeared, soaring through the storm clouds. It stared down at Luxorious, its dark wings beating through the thunder's roar.
The thunder rumbled again — a warning. The darkness had reached Wingman City.