Inside a grand cathedral, sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting pale colors across the marble floor. The silence was heavy… as if even breath was held in.
A tall man stood before the altar, his back to the door, his black coat trailing heavily on the ground.
The door creaked open quietly, and one of his followers stepped in with careful strides.
He spoke in a low voice:
"I have a report."
The man didn't respond immediately. A long pause followed, as if the words needed permission to be spoken.
Then finally, he spoke in a deep, calm voice:
"So… Zenfor has fallen."
He stepped forward slightly, unfazed by the news.
"He was arrogant in his power… but it no longer matters."
He slowly raised his hand, running his fingers along the edge of the altar, before whispering as though speaking to someone unseen:
"It seems… we must move."
The follower bowed in silence, then exited the hall with barely a sound.
Elsewhere in the kingdom, the five heroes — Leora, Raven, Kai, Kyle, and Mia — accompanied by Eli and Eliora, carried the weight of their recent victory against the Azarim.
Their steps were slow, burdened with exhaustion, yet filled with unyielding resolve. The forest surrounded them on all sides, its tall trees echoing a quiet welcome, even though the land still bore the scars of battle.
Eliora's old wooden cabin appeared in the distance — a small refuge embraced by nature, where they could regroup and gather their strength.
Eli flew lightly above them, her eyes full of care and quiet watchfulness, while Eliora walked beside them silently, his gaze heavy with the journey they had endured.
The group settled by the cabin, breathing in the calm forest air after the chaos of war.
Kyle looked at the trees and joked dryly:
"Ah… I've missed this filthy place."
Eliora quietly approached, grabbing Kyle by the collar with a glint in his eye.
He growled under his breath:
"Haa… what was that? Filthy place? Haa? Want to die?"
Raven crossed his arms smugly and chimed in:
"You deserve that."
Still holding Kyle's collar, Eliora suddenly looked at Raven sharply and shouted dramatically:
"Let me, Eliora! Let me beat this idiot senseless! Let me!"
Raven raised an eyebrow in mock challenge, leaning forward and waving him on:
"Go ahead… hit me if you can."
Leora appeared behind Raven and smacked him lightly on the head with her fist:
"Stop it, idiot."
Raven froze for a second, then turned to her slowly, holding his head:
"Seriously? You too?"
Kyle chuckled softly as Eliora finally let go, muttering something inaudible.
Suddenly, Eliora stood tall and turned toward the clearing where Kai stood beside Mia.
His voice returned to its serious tone, yet remained calm:
"Mia, Kai… step forward."
Mia and Kai exchanged a glance, then walked forward confidently while everyone watched in silence, awaiting the teacher's words.
Eliora smiled, rubbing his hands together with enthusiasm:
"Since it's your first time here… we're having a barbecue."
Kyle scoffed playfully:
"Oh no, what if your food is poisoned?"
Eliora reached for a branch and smirked:
"Quiet before I roast you first."
Kai smiled shyly, lowering his gaze:
"Alright…"
Leora laughed softly and whispered to Mia:
"Someone's scared of the teacher."
Mia smiled without replying, while Eliora began gathering firewood as if he hadn't heard… or perhaps, had chosen not to respond.
Evening fell with gentle grace. The sun's last rays slipped behind the trees, plunging the forest into a magical hush.
In a small clearing, a fire crackled to life, its red tongues dancing like ancient storytellers. The heroes gathered around it, some on rocks, others on chopped logs.
Kyle sat near the fire, warming his hands, and muttered:
"Finally, something worth it after all that trouble."
Raven smirked:
"Yeah, as long as you don't burn the food this time."
Eliora laughed while turning the meat on the grill:
"Relax… I'm still better than all of you combined."
Mia stared into the fire in thought. Kai sat quietly beside her, still adjusting to the warmth of the moment, his face tinted with modest shyness.
Leora watched them all, a calm smile gracing her lips, as if she were capturing the memory for safekeeping.
As the smell of grilled meat filled the air, Kai looked at the group and asked softly, but with genuine curiosity:
"So… what do you plan to do now?"
Leora raised her brows, feigning innocence:
"What do you mean?"
Kai brushed his hair from his eyes and replied:
"I mean… you've already defeated the Azarim. I doubt they'll stay quiet after that. They'll likely retaliate soon, and harder."
Silence fell briefly. The firelight flickered in their eyes, grounding them back into reality.
Raven grinned with bold confidence:
"Let them. All we have to do is beat them senseless."
Kyle added seriously:
"And we'll be ready… for anything."
Eliora remained quiet, then nodded with a calm smile:
"But not tonight. Tonight… we eat."
He laughed and handed Kai a piece of meat.
After the meal, they sat once more around the fire. The only sound was the soft cracking of wood beneath the flames.
Eliora looked up at their weary faces and spoke with quiet seriousness:
"Alright… let's discuss the real matter."
Everyone nodded in silence.
Eliora continued:
"You did well, all of you, defeating the Azarim… but your real journey begins now. The Azarim were only a small part of a larger organization."
His gaze settled on Leora:
"It seems… they've begun to move, especially since they learned about the one who carries crimson blood."
Leora furrowed her brows, then asked:
"What do you mean, I'm an heir?"
Eliora gave a faint, somber smile:
"Three hundred years ago, there existed a clan called the Children of Crimson Blood. They were known for their red eyes, vast magical power, and an overwhelming aura."
He took a deep breath and continued:
"They perished in the First Great War. Their powers were coveted and stolen, or so the world thought. But they sealed their magic away in an unknown location, one no one could find."
Leora stared at him in awe as he added:
"It seems that power was hidden in Moraliska… and you, Leora, have been chosen as its heir."
Leora lowered her gaze and whispered:
"That's… horrible."
Eliora stepped forward gently and said:
"You are not alone, Leora."
She slowly raised her head to see everyone looking at her — with hope, resolve, and unwavering trust.
She smiled, a fire in her eyes:
"We will crush every obstacle in our path… and every evil that defiles this land."
Raven grinned:
"Of course. Together, we'll do it."
Kai stepped forward and spoke hesitantly:
"But… I think they'll come for me too, since I was once with the Azarim."
Kyle looked at him with firm eyes:
"Let them. We'll stop them, and we won't let them take you."
Mia added with a warm smile:
"You're one of us now. We protect our own."
Kai looked at everyone, feeling a surge of emotion… and then, a single tear rolled down his cheek.
"Thank you… truly, thank you, all of you."
Kyle pointed and laughed:
"Ha! He cried!"
He nudged Mia toward Kai and joked:
"Do something about it!"
Mia, blushing, shouted:
"You airheaded idiot!"
Kai looked at them all and burst into laughter:
"I think… I'll be okay."
Leora smiled playfully:
"He laughed!"
Then Kai cupped his face with his hands and muttered:
"Idiots…"
Eliora suddenly barked like a drill sergeant:
"You useless fools! Go to sleep! You've got a long journey ahead!"
Then his tone shifted into something mockingly dark as he stared at Kyle:
"Kyle… behave."
Kyle shivered:
"I… I feel like running right now."
Eliora smirked:
"Then go fetch firewood first."
Kyle groaned and muttered:
"You really are annoying."
Morning arrived, sunlight dripping through the trees, bathing the world in gold. Birds chirped softly, the air crisp and cool — a perfect day to continue the journey.
Eliora shouted in a commanding voice:
"Where are you, idiots?! Assemble now!"
Raven stumbled out of the cabin, rubbing his ear:
"Alright, alright… stop yelling. My ear hurts."
The others followed, sitting around Eliora who stood with his usual intensity.
Kyle looked at him and teased:
"You really won't go easy on us, will you?"
Eliora gave a calm smile:
"No time for mercy. I have news."
He stepped forward:
"I went scouting… and learned about your next enemies."
Mia asked in surprise:
"Really?!"
Eliora nodded:
"Yes. They're in the Holy City. They call themselves the Covina Order. Their base is the Grand Cathedral, but their numbers are still unknown."
Kai averted his eyes, his voice uncertain:
"N-no… not at all."
Suddenly, Eli appeared out of nowhere and cheerfully announced:
"Everyone~! Am I late?"
The group turned to her. Raven smirked:
"Nope. We didn't even notice you were gone."
Eli pouted:
"Oh, you dumb Raven!"
Then she declared:
"I'm coming with you."
Eliora smiled:
"That would be for the best."
Their journey toward the Holy City began at dawn. Golden light filtered through thick forest branches, the earth cool beneath their feet, but their hearts warm with determination.
The road ahead was mysterious, surrounded by dense trees adorned with warm autumn colors. In the distance, the Holy City shimmered on the horizon — a fortress of light and shadow.
The sky was clear, birdsong echoing faintly — nature itself seemed to watch them, waiting for what fate they would bring.
Each step brought them closer to confrontation, to truth…
and to the enemies awaiting them within the sacred walls.