One night in Shilania, The Sky-Defiant Realm. The empire that stood proudly atop Lake Kahamu was holding a grand ancestral ceremony, involving all Scions of Nature and thousands of citizens from various realms.
This decennial ritual was held to honor their ancestor, The Nature's Paragon—a human blessed by nature itself, who once drove back The Fiend God, Ibris, to the Western Continent, far from civilization.
Before two colossal stepped pyramids, dozens of Shilania's finest Nature Knights stood in perfect formation.
"…and lastly, the youngest among all the knights: Rieglo Vagatecl, the Eagle Knight!"
The voice of the elder echoed across the plaza, followed by thunderous applause. People had flocked from neighboring realms merely to witness the descendants of the heroes they revered; Shilania was, after all, known as the realm that worshipped them above all else.
"Their existence as Will-Binders is an honor for us—fragile humans…"
The wind whispered softly, as if bowing before the sanctity of the ritual. The towering pyramids seemed dim under the night sky, illuminated only by moonlight and flickering torches.
"This generation of knights seems quite strong."
"Perhaps the entire Five Pillars will rise from among them."
"Don't be arrogant—remember the previous generation. Because of them, Ibris' foul miasma spread everywhere."
The citizens' whispers accompanied the silence of the night.
"May the will of nature grant you health and prosperity in this world—"
—BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!! —SSSHHHHH—
A massive explosion cut off the elder's words. From the southern gate of the capital, plumes of smoke rose, followed by dense crimson mist that rapidly crept toward the ceremonial grounds.
Screams erupted, turning the sacred night into unavoidable chaos.
They had arrived. The Envoys.
They were wielders of demonic power—forces incomprehensible to humanity, destructive to both nature and themselves. They were known by a single name: Sorcerers.
Amid the turmoil, Rieglo Vagatecl unfurled his wind-formed wings. He soared high, flying straight toward the southern gate—the source of the commotion. While the other knights mobilized their holy troops, Rieglo was already far ahead.
***
"Blegh! So annoying—every time I use Contamination, I have to lick the ground."
"If you don't, the price is your life, you know."
—SWIIIIING—BLAAARRRR—
When Rieglo landed at the heart of the chaos, he froze. Soldiers lay fallen, drenched in blood. Only two enemies stood before him—or so he thought. In truth, they were merely a fraction of the Envoys who had infiltrated the city.
"Stop!" Rieglo shouted, raising his spear. He stood tall in leather armor adorned with feathers, his helm shaped like an eagle's beak.
"Jackpot! A Scion of Nature walks right up to us!" one of them exclaimed.
"You can handle him, right? I'll go check something," said the other.
"Leave it to me."
One enemy vanished into the shadows—something even a Will-Binder could not do.
"Jraaaaaa!" Rieglo charged forward at the speed of the wind.
Battle was inevitable, yet the sorcerer showed no difficulty whatsoever. He evaded every strike with ease—and strangely, made no attempt to counterattack.
Punches, thrusts, sweeping spear blows— even Rieglo's wind power failed to scratch him.
With every move, Rieglo's mind echoed with the screams of citizens and explosions from deeper within the capital. Beyond the gate, the neighboring district lay in ruins. The metallic stench of blood tainted the night air.
"Naive!"
The sorcerer finally raised a finger toward Rieglo. From his index finger burst a sharp, desiccated root—so fast and precise it pierced Rieglo's leather armor from three meters away. The root continued to spread, impaling his organs before bursting out of his body.
"Khakk…!"
The sorcerer grinned in satisfaction. "With this, the candidates for the Five Pillars grow fewer! Thanks for delivering your life to us!"
"!"
Sensing danger, the sorcerer leapt away—
—JRAAAKK!
A crescent blade slammed into the stone ground where he had stood moments earlier. The impact rang with the clatter of chains connected to its hilt. At the end of those chains, descending calmly from the temple stairs, was a young man.
"Delivering your life, huh? By the way, that applies to you too, pal!"
He wore a red turban and robe that fluttered gently, a heavy supply box strapped to his back. With his left hand, he yanked the chain, pulling the blade back into his right.
Once he reached the ground, he set down the box and slowly pulled back his hood. Dark crimson hair flowed in the wind, glowing elegantly beneath the torchlight—reflected sharply in his red eyes.
"Y-you…" The sorcerer frowned, then grinned even wider.
"The Red Death! Rhea Saschie!"
Rhea smirked. "Oh? I'm that famous?" Without warning, he charged.
Rieglo, impaled by roots, could only watch helplessly as consciousness faded.
Rhea wielded his chained khopesh with a unique technique, leaving the sorcerer struggling to evade. A single slash carved across the sorcerer's cheek.
The sorcerer staggered back. "Excellent! Truly excellent, Red Death! Just as the rumors say! You've got great potential—how about joining us? Name's Juuko."
Rhea shrugged. "Huh? Why would I join terrorists like you? Besides, I exist to slaughter you. Also—I don't need your name, Mako."
"IDIOT! IT'S JUUKO, NOT MAKO!"
Both charged simultaneously. Midway, Rhea abruptly hurled his chained khopesh. Juuko reacted instantly—razor-sharp roots erupted from the ground beneath Rhea.
Fortunately, Rhea leapt the moment he threw his weapon. With Juuko entangled midair by the chain, Rhea yanked hard, slamming Juuko's head into the ground.
"!"
The instant Rhea landed, a chill ran down his spine. Acting on instinct, he released the chain and rolled aside.
A long sword cleaved through the space where he had been a second earlier.
"Funny. Even the Red Death can lose his blade," said the swordsman—Juuko's partner who had vanished earlier.
"So?"
Rhea reached into his heavy robe, packed with countless pouches. He pulled out a smoke bomb and slammed it down.
—PUFF!
White smoke mixed with the crimson mist, plunging the battlefield into chaos. The swordsman attempted to retreat into the shadows—but Rhea was faster.
—PUFF!
The bomb struck his face dead-on. He coughed blood as a searing pain burned his eyes. His technique failed; the shadow gate faded.
"Khuk! Khuk! Y-you bas—"
The swordsman collapsed unconscious.
Juuko, still struggling with the chain, was startled as Rhea burst through the smoke. With precise motion, Rhea drew a small dagger and slashed Juuko's throat deeply. Blood gushed forth.
"Don't mess with the vengeful, idiot!" Rhea spat, spitting on Juuko's convulsing face.
Suddenly, a powerful wind swept out from the heart of the capital, clearing Shilania of the crimson mist. Rhea looked skyward, watching dozens of sorcerer silhouettes retreat from the city.
As he prepared to pursue—
—TOOOOOOOOT!
"Stop! Raise your hands!" shouted the holy soldiers of Shilania as they surrounded him.
The Red Death remained indifferent. He calmly retrieved his supply box and said, "You should be thanking me. Without me, this eagle-helm guy would be dead. He's only unconscious—treat him quickly."
"Stop!" the soldier repeated firmly.
"Suit yourselves."
—PUFF!
Rhea slammed another smoke bomb and vanished. He sprinted toward the stone bridge gate of the capital—but just as he stepped through—
—DUAAKK!
A blow like solid stone crashed into his back. The impact was so powerful his ribs felt shattered.
"Khaakk—!"
Rhea coughed blood as he collapsed. When he lifted his head, dozens of spear points hovered inches from his chin.