Imperial awakens in a peaceful village after a brutal battle and spends days recovering among kind villagers, growing especially close to a young girl named Emi. Just as he leaves for his next destination, a sudden instinct drives him back—only to find the village engulfed in flames by royal soldiers. Emi awakens dark magic to defend herself, but Imperial arrives and massacres the attackers in a rage, decapitating even a Vice General. Though he saves Emi, her parents die in his arms, trusting him with her future. Heartbroken yet resolute, Imperial vows to protect Emi and sends her away with Erika while he remains amidst the ruined village.
Imperial stood motionless in the center of the burned village, the smell of smoke and charred wood thick in the air. His eyes traced the outlines of what had once been homes, workshops, and laughter-filled streets. He could almost hear the faint echoes of children's voices and the clatter of tools, now replaced by silence and ruin. His fingers twitched, as if trying to reach through the ashes for the warmth of memories, grasping for something that could no longer be held.
Ryne approached cautiously, each step soft against the rubble-strewn ground. "My lord… we're running late. Virelyn won't wait for us," he said, voice low.
Imperial didn't respond. He simply kept staring, eyes distant, as if the village itself had become a mirror of everything he had lost and everything he was determined to protect. Ryne sighed quietly, unwilling to push further, and stood a respectful distance away. The wind whistled softly through broken roofs, carrying the faint scent of smoke and ash, a reminder of lives interrupted.
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Scene Shift — Ari's Group Walking Through a Busy Street
Several days later, far to the south, Ari and her companions moved through a bustling street market. Stalls of every color and noise assaulted the senses—vendors shouting their prices, the smell of frying street food, the tang of spices, and the scent of animals crowded every corner.
Gray examined the map Ari held with quiet focus. "If the inscriptions are right… the final pillar shouldn't be too hard to find. It follows the same pattern you mapped out," he said.
Ari nodded, her eyes scanning the market. "Yeah. North, East, West, North again… the next point is obvious. The South region of the empire. It's forming a zig-zag, just like we suspected."
Tracey groaned dramatically, his hands flopping onto his knees. "Great… another desert. AND—my clothes are ruined! All burned in that library when I was fighting my evil clone!"
Dawn let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Honestly… we do need supplies—food, medicine, tents… and this market is perfect. Let's refill what we need for the journey."
Ari sighed, surveying the crowd. "Fine. We split up. Meet at the east gate in one hour. No excuses."
Tracey immediately launched himself toward a food stall, eyes wide with excitement. "Do you smell that? Dumplings! Fried! Crispy!"
Dawn groaned, catching his sleeve. "You're impossible. Just… help me pay for supplies, and leave the food for the children in the village."
Tracey whined but allowed himself to be dragged along, muttering under his breath about the injustice of paying for street food. Meanwhile, Gray carried a stack of supplies silently, his expression calm but eyes flicking over the crowd, noting every exit, every suspicious figure.
Market
The market was a cacophony of sounds. A vendor waved a knife to emphasize a price. Spices burned the air with acrid heat. Tracey jumped at every shout, pretending to be startled. "Everyone's trying to murder me with flavor!" he cried dramatically, holding a dumpling aloft as if it were a weapon.
Gray ignored him, methodically purchasing supplies. He lifted sacks of grain, checked the weight, and negotiated silently with a baker while keeping an eye on Tracey, who was now attempting to haggle for a second dumpling with dramatic flair.
Ari and Dawn disappeared into the crowd, weaving through narrow alleys and stalls, leaving a trail of faint magic behind. Tracey finally noticed the sudden absence. "Uh… where did they go?" he asked Gray, panic slowly creeping into his voice.
Gray smirked faintly. "Probably scouting ahead, as usual."
Suddenly, Tracey's communication crystal flared, the faint hum cutting through the market's noise. Ari's voice crackled through, shaky and urgent.
"Tracey! Emergency—we're trapped! Royal soldiers found us! We're locked inside a building! I… I left my sword in your bag… hurry!"
Gray's calm demeanor never faltered, but his eyes narrowed. Tracey, on the other hand, leaped into action like a panicked cat. "I knew this would happen! I felt trouble!"
Without hesitation, they pushed through the throng, Gray silently calculating every step, Tracey flailing and apologizing to startled vendors. They turned down alleys, darted across cobbled streets, until they reached a dilapidated abandoned house.
Tracey stopped, chest heaving. "Her magic… it's coming from inside there!"
Hooded figures in black coats stood guarding the door. Tracey cracked his knuckles, ready to charge, but Gray placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let me," he said softly. Then, in a blink, he vanished.
Thuds and muffled groans echoed from the shadows. Gray moved like a phantom, incapacitating guards with precision, every movement silent, deliberate. Tracey's mouth hung open in awe, muttering, "He's… he's not human."
In seconds, Gray reappeared beside him, brushing dust from his coat. "Let's go," he said, kicking open the door.
A massive water bubble erupted from inside the room, drenching Gray as Ari and Dawn shouted in unison: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRAY!!!"
Confetti made of ice crystals and sparks rained from the ceiling. Tracey barreled in behind Gray. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER!!!"
The hooded figures removed their cloaks—revealing Silver, Jack, Vince, and other CA members, all grinning.
"Happy Birthday, Gray!" they chorused.
Gray froze, expression unreadable. Then, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared.
"…You bunch of idiots," he muttered.
Silver chuckled. "A shy look on Mr. Warhawk? Didn't know you had it in you."
Dawn stepped forward, holding a small gift box. "Happy birthday, Gray. It's not expensive, but it's from me—from all of us."
Tracey slapped him on the back. "I didn't get you a gift, but my acting performance counts, right?"
Everyone laughed, the sound echoing warmly against the wooden walls.
Gray's mind drifted, memories surfacing like flickers of light through cracked glass.
He saw himself as a child, standing before his parents. "I don't want to join the Royal Army. I want to walk my own path… even if that path leads to shadows." His father's hand rested on his shoulder. "It's your life, Gray. Walk it proudly."
The memory shifted to his first assassination mission—blood on his blade, his only friend falling beside him.
Then the battlefield appeared, bright with lightning and roaring with battle cries. Imperial had stood before him, unwavering. Ari had been at his side, swords drawn without hesitation. Tracey had thrown himself into danger with reckless abandon. Dawn had knelt quietly after the fight, tending his wounds in silence.
Back in the present, Gray looked at his friends, one by one. His expression remained calm, but his voice was soft and honest.
"…Thank you. All of you. For giving me… something worth protecting. The friendship."
Evening — Departure
At dawn, the group walked toward the town's exit. A creaky wooden cart rattled along the road, old horses straining under the load.
The driver called out, "Heading south? There's room in the back. Free of charge."
Ari squinted. "We can walk."
The driver's smile was calm—too calm. "I insist. No payment necessary."
Tracey shrugged. "Free is free."
Gray observed the driver silently, noting the way his eyes lingered just a little too long on each of them. He said nothing, climbing aboard with the others.
The cart began moving, rocking over the uneven path. For hours, the four sat quietly, blending with other travelers.
Then a subtle wrongness prickled at Gray's senses—a pulse in the air, a shift in pressure, the faintest whiff of magical interference.
Ari's eyes narrowed. Tracey tried to stand, but Ari gently pressed his arm down, shaking her head. She rose alone, blade gleaming in the sunlight.
With a single swift motion—shing!—the cart's roof was sliced clean off, flying into the air and smashing onto the roadside. Dust billowed, and the horses whinnied.
Every passenger turned toward them, surrounding the group in tense silence, not in fear—but in deliberate, hostile attention.
Gray smirked faintly. "Knew something was off the moment we sat down. Too quiet. Too… coordinated."
Dawn stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Enough games. Who are you—and what exactly was your plan for us?"