At the far north, near the outskirts of the Holy City, where snow blankets the land, the roads were muddy, cold, exhausting the body and testing the will.
And along those paths, our heroes began their journey…
A journey toward a city whose secrets they did not know,
nor what they would lose or find there.
A journey into the unknown.
A guttural sound.
Riven spoke in a frustrated voice:
"I'm hungry… and I'm freezing. Master Eliora, why didn't you tell us the weather here is freezing?"
Eliora remained silent.
When everyone looked at him, it was clear that Eliora himself was frozen by the cold, shivering and suppressing his chills.
Kyle cut in excitedly:
"Everyone, look! We've arrived."
He pointed toward the horizon where the massive gate loomed.
"This is the Holy City."
Mia looked at the city in awe and said:
"Amazing… is this really the Holy City?"
She added, staring at the grandeur of the architecture,
"It's truly massive."
Riven, shivering from the cold, said:
"First, we need to find a way to deal with this cold."
Liora smiled lightly and said:
"Want me to light you up with my flames?"
Riven quickly replied, eyes wide:
"No, no! Spare me, spare me completely!"
Still shivering like a wet bird, while Mia tried to stifle her laughter.
As Kyle stared at the horizon of the Holy City, his gaze drifted for a moment…
As if something hidden inside him had begun to stir.
A familiar, heavy feeling with no name…
But his heart told him one thing:
"Something… is coming."
Liora looked carefully at the city and the unusual activity at its gate, then quietly said with caution:
"We must be careful… something doesn't feel right."
Kyle looked down, his voice lowering as if recalling a memory:
"This isn't the first time I've been here… I used to visit this place from time to time to exchange information."
He continued, a hint of suspicion creeping into his voice:
"So… I wouldn't be surprised if they've tightened security because of me."
Eliora finally looked at them, his voice still frozen:
"I told you… it's a tough journey…"
Then he turned to Kyle, his eyes flashing with a threatening look despite the cold, saying:
"You fool… why didn't you mention the weather here?"
Kyle shivered noticeably, then raised his hands in surrender, saying:
"I'm so sorry!"
Riven, voice trembling from cold, eyes half-closed:
"Don't worry… I'll kill you myself once we finish this."
Kyle quickly added, trying to ease the tension while rubbing his arms from the cold:
"Don't worry… once we're inside the city, the weather will change. Despite the snow, the atmosphere is warm because of the energy radiating from the church."
They all stopped at the checkpoint, soldiers thoroughly inspecting the entrants.
Liora quickly whispered seriously:
"Kyle, cover your head immediately!"
It was their turn for inspection, and one soldier scrutinized their features sharply.
He approached Kyle and slowly reached for his hood, but suddenly…
Another soldier shouted from afar:
"Hey! We need you here!"
The soldier hesitated for seconds, then retreated mumbling something, motioning them to pass.
Everyone sighed in relief and quietly passed through the gate into the Holy City without revealing their identities.
Riven stood, smiling enthusiastically:
"Finally… I don't feel cold!"
Suddenly, a loud voice echoed from the heart of the city, reverberating through alleys and squares:
"O citizens of the city, gather here… and listen to my words!
I am the greatest Saint!"
Passersby stopped, eyes turning, whispers spreading like wildfire…
The Saint raised his hands as if blessing the sky, his eyes shining with a strange madness as he shouted with an obsessed voice:
"Hear me, chosen ones…
The heavens spoke to me! Yes, I heard whispers within the clouds, and I saw the light burning inside my veins!
I am the greatest Saint… no ruler before me, no salvation after me!
You do not need freedom… you need protection!
And I… will protect you from pain, from thought, from yourselves!
I will plant peace in your hearts, even if I must tear them out with my own hands first!
No need to fear, for I have become the fear!
No need to question, for I am the answer…
And whoever dares to refuse? Let them be purified by my light!"
The Saint raised his right hand, revealing a black crystal glowing with faint red threads, then shouted in a booming voice as if delivering a divine revelation:
"For peace…
for the world…
for you to live a pure, untainted life from the filth of doubt and rebellion…
Send your energy to this crystal!
Let your inner light guide your path…
the path of obedience…
the path of salvation!"
As soon as the Saint finished his words, a strange silence prevailed for a moment…
Then the square in the city center erupted with thunderous cheers, like a wave of collective madness:
"For peace!"
"For the world!"
"For pure life!"
"Long live the Saint!"
They raised their hands toward the crystal, shouting loudly, their broad smiles filling their faces… some with tears from deep emotion, others kneeling and murmuring strange prayers.
Even the children raised their small hands, repeating what the adults said without understanding…
And the energy… truly began to flow toward the crystal, as if something hidden was pulling it from them against their will.
Amidst the cheers and energy flowing to the crystal, the heroes watched the scene in disbelief…
Mia furrowed her brows and stepped forward whispering in shock:
"What on earth is this? Are these people… normal?"
Kyle stood beside her, his gaze hardened as he watched the faces of the people overwhelmed by awe:
"They've lost their minds for real… this isn't enthusiasm, it's… madness."
Eliora's voice came from behind them, low but filled with understanding:
"This isn't ordinary madness… these are the effects of a spell. Something has been cast upon them…
to enhance their power, to push them beyond their limits… even if it costs their lives."
Silence fell among them for a moment, while the crystal's glow intensified, as if it fed on more than just energy…
As if it was stealing something deeper… something irretrievable.
Amid the glowing light and passionate shouting, some bodies suddenly collapsed to the ground.
An old man fell to his knees, his face pale as if drained of life, followed by a young man who had been shouting enthusiastically seconds ago… now silently falling apart.
Liora screamed as she watched those collapsing one by one:
"Look there…! They're falling! Their magic has run out!"
Her words trembled in the air like a siren amid the delirium.
Mia clenched her fist, while Kyle looked around with clear concern.
"This is like a draining ritual… the crystal doesn't just glow… it's stealing from them."
Eliora narrowed his eyes and said in a heavy tone:
"If this continues… many will die. This is not peace…"
Liora quickly turned, watching the residents fall one by one, breathing rapidly, and shouted:
"Where… where is Riven?!
He was right beside me a moment ago!"
She looked around anxiously, searching among the confused faces, but there was no sign of him.
Mia suddenly lifted her head and said:
"There… look!"
At that moment…
Suddenly, from atop the stone altar steps where the "Saint" stood, appeared Riven!
His cloak billowing behind him, his face tense with anger, his golden eyes burning as if fire dwelled within them.
He shouted loudly across the square:
"Impostor!
What are you doing to these people?
You call this peace?
Stop… right now!"
Complete silence fell over the place, and the Saint slowly turned… while the crystal still glowed, and the bodies around it staggered.
The Saint smiled coldly, then looked at Riven with mysterious gleaming eyes and said challengingly:
"Who are you to dare interrupt me?"
He then gestured to the crowd around them, speaking arrogantly:
"You understand nothing…
Look at these people's faces, at the faith filling their hearts."
Slowly, Riven turned, his eyes moving among the faces.
He expected surprise, fear, or even gratitude…
But what he saw was completely different.
Their eyes… filled with anger.
Their brows furrowed, their features tense, as if seeing him as a defiling intruder to the "sacred" moment.
Riven stepped back unconsciously, his arm twitching beside his body.
Whispers began to rise, one shouted:
"He ruined the ritual!"
Another whispered:
"Omen of doom…"
The Saint continued in a booming voice, a faint smile on his lips:
"See? You brought evil to this place just because you didn't understand."
The Saint raised his hand, voice roaring with wild confidence:
"Seize this man!
He interrupted our moments of faith…
and that is an unforgivable sin!"
Suddenly, a crowd of followers moved toward him, their eyes blazing, sacred symbols glowing above their hands.
But before their hands could touch him—
a thick cloud of smoke exploded in the middle of the square!
Screams, confusion, and zero visibility.
A guard shouted:
"What's happening?!"
From behind one of the pillars, a quick whisper was heard:
"Now!"
It was Liora, who dashed into the smoke, grabbed Riven's hand, and pulled him forcefully:
"Come! We don't have time!"
Kyle's voice echoed from behind the smoke as he cast another spell:
"Silvan!"
A strong wind blew, temporarily pushing the guards aside, opening a path through the shadows, and the three fled before the smoke dissipated.
Through the narrow alleys behind the city square, the three ran until they reached a safe spot behind a crumbling stone wall, overlooking the square from afar.
Riven bent over, coughing harshly from the smoke, hand on his throat, voice broken:
"K-Kyle, Liora… you saved my life… thank you."
But before a moment passed, a stern voice came from behind, followed by a light but painful tap on his head:
"Ughhh!"
It was Eliora, standing behind him, his face not without anger despite the clear worry in his eyes.
He said in a tense tone:
"Troublemaker… what were you thinking going into the middle of the ritual?! Trying to get yourself killed?"
Riven raised his hand to hold his head and replied with a sigh:
"I had to stop him… what he's doing isn't peace, it's blatant deception."
Before Riven could respond, a familiar voice came from the alley's edge, calm but dripping with sarcasm:
"Looks like the whole city turned upside down looking for you, silver-haired one."
They turned quickly, and there was Kyle leaning against the wall, his sword still hanging on his back, but his gaze serious.
He approached slowly and added with a sideways smile:
"To be honest? I liked your entrance, but next time, try not to get our names on the wanted list in three seconds."
Eliora stood in the middle of the alley, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes gleaming strangely, as if still sensing some trace in the air.
He said in a low but heavy tone:
"That Saint… wasn't just a saint. The remnants of his magic I felt weren't normal."
Mia raised her eyebrows in surprise:
"What do you mean? I didn't understand… the people seemed to truly love him."
Eliora slowly shook his head, mumbling as if he couldn't believe what he'd discovered:
"That magic… wasn't pure. There's a dark energy buried beneath it. Pure hearts can't summon this kind of power."
Liora stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Eliora, and said firmly:
"If that's the case… we have to stop him. We can't ignore what's happening."
But Eliora, without turning to her, responded quietly but firmly:
"Liora… that's not our goal now. We're here for the Corvina group, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves."
A tense silence fell… before Riven's sharp, angry voice broke it:
"So… will we just let all these people lose their power… and die slowly? Just like that?"
Everyone turned to him, but he continued louder, like a scream from his heart:
"I don't want that… I can't stand by and watch this injustice without doing anything. If that's the price of peace, I don't want it."
He placed his hand on his chest, voice trembling with emotion:
"Because that… is what it means to be a hero."
Liora smiled lightly, a challenging look shining in her eyes as she turned toward Eliora:
"I think so too… I can't ignore this."
Then she added with a sincere plea:
"Master, please… let us save these innocent people first."
Before Eliora could utter a word, Kyle stepped forward confidently and said:
"Excuse me… I think I should clarify something."
He looked at them all, then smiled faintly, a mix of bitterness and truth, and said quietly:
"That Saint…"
He paused, as if weighing his words, then continued in a tone that silenced everyone:
"…is the leader of the Corvina group."
Silence lasted for seconds, a mixture of shock and realization crossing everyone's faces…
Then suddenly, without agreement:
"Why didn't you say that from the start!!"
They all shouted in unison, looking at Kyle with half-angry, half-stunned faces.
Even Eliora raised an eyebrow and said coldly:
"Saving time is an important skill… did you know that?"
Kyle scratched his head with an embarrassed smile:
"Eh, I was trying not to shock you all suddenly."
Mia frowned at him:
"Oh, yeah, you definitely failed at that."
A short laugh escaped Riven despite the smoke, then he coughed immediately.
Suddenly, their conversation was cut off by the sound of fast-approaching footsteps…
A soldier shouted from the alleys:
"We found them! They're here!"
A whole line of Corvina soldiers appeared, their dark armor reflecting the blaze of fire in the streets, their faces emotionless, as if they were machines programmed for the hunt.
Kyle, who had been leaning against the wall looking slightly restless, slowly raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically:
"Damn… the fun's begun."
He dusted off his sword, a confident smile spreading on his lips, eyes fixed on the soldiers as if wishing for this moment since the start of the day.
Kyle stepped forward, raised his great sword with one hand, and struck the ground with force that shook the place!
A violent rock wave burst from beneath his feet, tearing the earth like an angry beast, striking the soldiers hard and throwing them into the air before they fell like torn leaves!
One soldier screamed, rolling on the ground:
"Retreat!!"
The others fled chaotically in the dust, shouting incomprehensible orders, while the heroes stood in the midst of the chaos with astonishing steadiness.
And here, while everyone was catching their breath…
Eliora dashed forward, his cloak billowing behind him, a blazing smile on his face for the first time:
"Looks like we don't have time to think of a plan!
Let's storm their headquarters recklessly… and set them ablaze!"