The skies burned crimson.
Thunder cracked through the clouds as destruction rained down upon a once-peaceful city. Towers crumbled. Streets were swallowed by flame. Screams pierced the air, only to be silenced by the roar of monstrous beasts.
Among the chaos, a lone figure stumbled through the ruins.
His silver armor was cracked, blood running down his arm. A broken sword dragged behind him, barely clutched in one trembling hand.
"Cromos…" he hissed, teeth clenched. "You'll pay for this."
This was Kris — the last surviving warrior of his realm.
His mind reeled with images of the past — of training with his mentor, of laughter, of peace. All of it consumed in moments. All of it… gone.
Flashback – Hours Earlier
"You have potential, Kris," his mentor had said, guiding his blade with a calm hand. "One day, you might stand among legends."
"I don't want to be a legend," Kris had replied with a small laugh. "I just want to protect what I care about."
But destiny didn't care for dreams.
Back to Present
From the cracked heavens descended a godlike figure — Cromos, cloaked in shadows, eyes glowing with crimson malice. With a single gesture, he summoned pillars of flame that incinerated entire districts.
"Let this be a reminder," Cromos declared, his voice echoing like thunder, "no realm stands against me."
With a roar, Kris charged, rage in his heart — only for Cromos to break his blade with a flick of his hand and toss him aside like a broken toy.
Darkness consumed Kris as the sounds of his home being obliterated faded into silence.
But then… a voice.
"This one... might survive," a soft, distant voice whispered in the void.
---
Kris awoke to warmth and candlelight.
He blinked, barely able to lift his head. A gentle hand touched his forehead.
"You're finally awake," said a girl, her tone kind yet firm. "We thought you wouldn't make it."
Kris stared, disoriented. "Where… am I?"
"You're in Solareth," she answered. "Our scouts found you at the border. I healed your wounds. I'm Jessica."
She had calm eyes and a subtle glow of magic around her hands. A healer — a kind one.
---
Meanwhile, in the royal chamber of Solareth...
"He claims Cromos destroyed his entire realm," reported a commander to the king.
The king's expression turned grim. "Then he came to us for a reason. Fate does not act without purpose."
---
That night, Kris stood beneath the stars of Solareth, a floating kingdom surrounded by clouds and sky.
Jessica joined him quietly.
"Still thinking about home?" she asked.
Kris didn't respond immediately.
Then, with quiet resolve, he said, "I wasn't strong enough. But I will be. I won't let anyone else I care about die."
Jessica nodded gently. "Then let's make sure you're never alone in the fight."
---
Far away...
In a dark citadel across dimensions, Cromos stared into a swirling portal.
Three shadowy figures — his commanders — stood at his side.
"Let them gather," Cromos murmured. "Let them hope. It makes their destruction... far more satisfying."
---
End of Chapter 1