The Throne Was Draped in Silence...
The throne room was cloaked in silence… save for the distant roar of fire, and the trembling breaths of the king as he lay unconscious.
Rio stood motionless, gazing at the scene of destruction through the open window. The sky was shrouded in darkness, smoke devouring the sunlight, while the cries of children rose from the shattered streets of the kingdom.
And black rain covered the ground.
Then… from above, a cold breeze swept in.
From within the shadows, Rin descended through the window as smoothly as a phantom. He landed behind Rio, his gaze calm. His clothes were still stained red with the marks of war, and his eyes looked as though they had been carved from the ice of hell.
Rin (in a chilling calm):
"…Are you finished?"
Rio did not turn to look at him. Instead, he answered in a low voice.
Rio:
"Yes."
They remained silent for a moment. Then they turned and walked out together from the dark throne hall.
The Fall of the Kingdom
The three of them stepped through the palace gates… into an open hell.
The city had collapsed. Buildings were wrapped in flames, the earth was cracking apart, the screams of children and women echoed across the horizon, and the sky wept ash.
Everyone who passed them bowed in instinctive terror… without even realizing it.
Yui walked behind them, her expression calm. Her hair fluttered in the wind, and blood still stained her shoulder, yet she did not complain.
She was afraid to speak even a single word.
They reached the hill overlooking the capital, where they could see everything from above.
Rin sat down on a rock, took an apple from his bag, and bit into it calmly.
Rin (while watching the smoke):
"…The kingdom has officially been declared fallen."
Rio (staring at the ashes):
"And all of this… because they came too close to my family."
Then… without another word, the three of them turned and began walking toward the west.
Their faces… innocent and beautiful. Their expressions calm, as though they were on a peaceful outing.
But behind every smile, a demon resided.
Behind every step, hell whispered.
Angelic faces… hiding intentions that time itself could never forgive.
The Next Kingdom — The Great Fire Kingdom
After two days of walking through forests and plains, the air gradually grew warmer… and the scent of sulfur filled the surroundings.
From afar, a massive gate appeared—made of black stone and molten lava—engraved with ancient symbols of flame.
This was… the Great Fire Kingdom.
Its ruler was known as Lord Infernus, the most powerful user of the fire element on the continent. Rumors said he could turn mountains into ash with a single roar.
But before entering… they spent a day filled with gentle moments.
Warm Moments on the Road
In one of the fields, Yui spotted a small rabbit struggling to escape from a net.
She ran toward it, freed it, then held it in her arms, smiling at it with rare warmth.
Yui (happily):
"Look, Rio! It looks like you when you're angry!"
Rio (awkwardly trying to look away):
"…I don't have ears."
Rin (with a teasing smile):
"No, but you jump on your enemies the same way."
They laughed together in the warm breeze… and anyone who saw them might think they were simply a family traveling on a peaceful outing.
But the clouds behind them… still carried the traces of blood.
To Be Continued…