Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End
In the midst of a vast, silent plain stood a solitary, two-story house. Its ground floor was cloaked in shadow, while the upper windows glowed faintly, casting soft amber light into the night. Inside, a lone scientist gazed through a massive telescope, his face draining of colour with each passing second. He staggered back, eyes wide with disbelief, hands trembling violently.
He drew in a shaky breath, fighting to maintain composure.
“We must go to the capital…” he said, voice barely above a whisper.
From behind, the weary voice of an old woman echoed.
“Why?”
“To meet the king… at the palace,” the scientist replied, peering again through the telescope. “The stars… they’ve collided.”
A gasp rang out from behind.
“What… did you just say?”
The scene shifted.
A blood-red sky loomed above, heavy with dark clouds. The land beneath lay in ruin—corpses scattered across a battlefield, pierced by arrows, torn by blades. The stench of death hung thick in the air, smoke curling toward the heavens from charred remnants of war. Blood soaked the earth, mingling with ash and dirt.
At the heart of this carnage sat a man upon a large rock. His golden hair glimmered in the dying light, a thick mustache shading his stern mouth. Yellow eyes, sharp and unblinking, stared at the ground. His sword rested at his side, sheathed but ever close.
A woman stood beside him, her long green hair billowing softly in the wind. Her deep emerald eyes shimmered with worry. She laid a gentle hand upon his shoulder, whispering,
“It will end soon…”
Yet doubt lingered in her voice.
Before them lay the mangled corpses of two massive dragons, their blood steaming in the cold air. The man exhaled slowly, eyes never leaving the ground.
“Let’s see,” he murmured.
Suddenly, the distant thunder of hooves echoed across the horizon. The golden-haired man stiffened. In one swift motion, he rose and unsheathed his sword. Dust swirled in the air, veiling the approaching figure. He narrowed his eyes, trying to pierce the haze.
A lone rider emerged—clad in deep blue armor, seated atop a brilliant white steed. A red cape fluttered behind him, face obscured by a polished helmet.
“You startled me,” the golden-haired man muttered. “For a moment… I thought you were one of them.”
The rider dismounted and stepped forward, his voice calm, yet marked by urgency.
“I thought the same. There’s little time left before this battle ends, so let’s not waste words. I don’t see your unit. Where is the rest of the army? Are you unharmed? Reports mentioned mythical beasts attacking your flank—I came as fast as I could, but didn’t hear the full report.”
The golden-haired commander’s voice was hoarse, but steady.
“I’m alright… You’re throwing too many questions at once—slow down. But… thanks for your concern. As for the army, when these dragons struck, I ordered the troops to go west, where the main clash still rages.”
The soldier’s gaze shifted to the two colossal corpses behind him. Shock flared in his eyes.
“Commander… you killed these beasts? They’re still radiating power. Could this be… part of the enemy’s strategy?”
“Unlikely,” the commander replied, eyes narrowing. “They’ve lost more than we have. No, this wasn’t a calculated strike. The real question is: how did such creatures reach us? I think a third party is involved.”
The soldier’s expression darkened, fear flickering in his voice.
“On my way here… I saw one. Forty meters long, armored like a fortress. Hundreds of legs… it crawled beneath the ground like a nightmare. I couldn’t fight it.”
“You faced a beast, and so did I,” the commander said grimly. “It’s odd, isn’t it? The strongest among us… both ambushed. We need answers—but for now, we must stay alive.”
The woman turned away slightly, stepping a few paces from the two men. Her emerald gaze rose as a black crow descended from the stormy sky, cawing as it spiraled toward her. She extended an arm, and it landed, perching on her wrist.
A faint smile touched her lips as she stroked its feathers.
Then, without warning, the bird morphed into a swirling black orb. Her eyes widened—danger sensed too late. The orb shot toward the commander with deadly precision.
Reacting in a heartbeat, her right hand shimmered—misty green energy manifesting into a blade of translucent force. The same cloud-like energy surged across her body. She slashed through the orb with practiced speed.
It detonated with a thunderous explosion.
The shockwave hurled the commander and the soldier across the field, tumbling through bloodstained mud and ash.
Behind a nearby tree, hidden in shadows, a man watched.
His face masked like an assassin’s, only his black eyes visible—burning with hatred.
“He survived…” he muttered through clenched teeth. “Only because of that damn woman. She’s more skilled than I expected… Who is she? Before the ord reached him, she sensed it… destroyed it.”
He stepped back, vanishing into the mist just as the explosion’s echo faded.The woman lay in a pool of her own blood. Her head was gashed, her body mangled beyond recognition. One arm… one leg—gone. Her wounds bled freely, soaking into the scorched battlefield.
The commander coughed harshly, shielding his mouth as dust and smoke choked the air. A few meters away, the soldier in blue armor struggled to rise, half-buried beneath rubble. Gritting his teeth, he called out:
“Commander—are you alright?”
“I’m fine…” the commander wheezed, coughing into his hand. His eyes darted, frantic. “Where is she? I don’t see her…”
He twisted around, scanning the wreckage with desperate eyes. Then—he froze.
Lying among shattered stones and torn earth… was the woman with green hair.
Unmoving. Drenched in blood.
“Honey!” he screamed, his voice shattering. From behind the blue armored rider came “Are you okay?! Answer me! What’s happening today?! First those monsters, now this blast?! Who did this?! I swear… whoever it was… they’re going to die.”
His words faltered.
Her skin was turning blue.
He trembled, breath hitching.
“Poison? No… no, no, no—her wounds are too severe. There are no doctors here. Damn it! The king… he didn’t even send medics?! She was the only healer… I will need to go to my home village.”
The young soldier stood silent, overwhelmed by the scene.
The commander turned toward him, panic thick in his voice.
“Can I use your horse?”
“Take it,” the soldier said without hesitation.
“Do you have rope or something to hold her?”
“In the side pouch.... to the Right,” the soldier replied. “But it’s not strong—might not hold well.”
“I’ll manage. You go—lead the army. I sent them west when the dragons came. Help them if they’re alive. If they’ve fallen… then hold the line until reinforcements arrive. You're my apprentice. I know you're strong. Go now!”
The soldier gave a firm nod.
“Leave it to me. I’ll handle things. You… take care of your wife.”
And with a final glance, he vanished westward in a blur of speed.
The commander tied his wife securely to his back, mounted the horse, and whispered:
“Hold on… please. Just hold on. Don’t leave me now. Not like this.”
The horse beneath him was no ordinary beast. It responded to his urgency, galloping faster than any natural steed—thundering toward salvation.
Far away, nestled between two rivers and beneath the watchful gaze of snow-capped mountains, a peaceful village bathed in the fading glow of the setting sun. The sky bled orange across the rooftops. Lanterns flickered to life. Laughter echoed in the streets as families prepared for a grand celebration.
At the village’s center stood a towering statue, draped in a heavy red cloth—its shape obscured. Around it, villagers hung streamers, carried baskets of fruits, and arranged tables for the evening’s festivities.
On the outskirts of the village, an elderly woman slowly made her way toward a quaint house. She wore a modest brown robe with faded floral patterns, wooden slippers tapping softly against the stone path, and a wide straw hat shielding her weathered face.
She raised her hand and knocked gently on the door.
Inside, a voice called out, muffled by distance and work.
“Who is it? Wait a minute—I’m a little busy—”
A moment later, the door creaked open.
A young woman stood there, dressed in a maid’s uniform. Her short black hair framed her face, one eye covered by a pirate-style patch. Her visible eye was dark, intense, yet kind.
“Oh, Miss…” she said with a gentle smile. “I told you—didn’t I? Even the doctor warned you. You shouldn’t walk too much. Why are you here then? Your son’s going to be furious if he finds out.”
The old woman sighed deeply.
“I was worried… He hasn’t come home, has he? I thought maybe… maybe he’d come here instead.”
The maid’s smile faded.
“No, he hasn’t.”
The old woman hesitated, then asked softly,
“Did he at least send decorations this year?”
The maid shook her head.
“Not even those. He always misses the event.”
The old woman frowned, clearly disappointed.
“Stupid boy. Doesn’t care about his family. Has no feelings for his own children?”
She stepped down from the porch, mumbling.
“When he arrives, tell me. I’ll teach him a lesson myself. Sorry for the trouble my son’s caused you.”
The maid chuckled faintly.
“I’ll tell you, don’t worry. But please—go home and rest. He asked me to keep an eye on you, remember? He’d be so upset if he found out you walked all the way here. The event’s starting soon—don’t party all night, okay? I’ll be watching.”
The old woman smiled reluctantly.
“Alright, alright. I’ll rest.”
The door shut softly behind her.
At the village’s gate stood a wooden watchtower, cobbled together with beams and ropes, a ladder running up its side. Three guards stood atop it, their armor iron-clad and worn. One carried a bow and wore a flamboyant yellow hat. Another—rounder in figure—had a sword strapped at his side. The last, a man with a bandaged eye and a cloth mask covering his mouth, held a long spear and watched the sky warily.
Thunderclouds churned in the distance, dark and ominous. The guards were watching dark clouds approaching the village from a far
Suddenly, a breathless voice rose from below.
Another guard stood at the base of the tower, panting, his face pale.
“Hey! We need to tell the village chief—another murder happened just now!”
The three guards above groaned in unison, peering down at him.
The fat one rolled his eyes and barked,
“Do you want to ruin the festival again with your paranoia?!”
The masked one spoke calmly.
“People are already afraid. These murders have been happening for days. But tonight, they’re smiling again. If you tell the mayor now, the panic will destroy everything. Let the people have peace… for one night.”
The archer grunted in frustration.
“We’ll investigate later. For now, go tell the other guards to keep searching. If not, you might lose your post.”
The guard at the bottom hesitated, conflicted.
They’re right, he thought. But still… the victims are all powerful. Guards… warriors… isn’t it suspicious something ’s wrong.
He finally nodded.
“Alright. You take care. I’m heading to the Holy Bridge kingdom.”
The guards on the tower stared down in disbelief.
“What? When?”
“Right now,” the man replied, determination in his voice. “I’ve saved enough money. I can finally afford my mother’s treatment. When the flying sail arrives tomorrow… I’ll leave. I’ll make it happen this time so good by.”
Before they could respond, he turned and disappeared down the road.
Scene: The Forest
The storm loomed heavier over the forest. Trees stretched high and dense, swaying under the weight of thick thunderclouds. Rain fell in cold sheets, and a dark purplish mist rose from the forest floor—unnatural and suffocating. It clung to the roots, thick like poison.
Deer grazed silently beneath the trees—then, without warning, bolted into the shadows as if something unseen had whispered death into their ears.
The air grew still.
From the sky, a single crow descended, wings slicing through the rain. It landed on a thick branch, eyes glowing with eerie light. It let out a low, guttural caw that echoed through the trees like a warning.
Then, it spoke.
Its voice was deep. Inhuman.
“He survived. You failed to kill him. Head east.”
With that, the crow beat its wings and vanished into the storm clouds. A streak of lightning carved the sky behind it.
In the distance, the sound of a galloping horse grew louder. The commander rode hard—his jaw clenched, his eyes fierce. Behind him, tied tightly to his back, his wife lay unconscious, her body barely clinging to life.
The rain drenched them, but he didn’t slow.
His voice was low, bitter.
“The king… that damned fool… Send thousands of soldiers and not a single healer? How do you expect the wounded to survive? No doctors for the refugee camps either. Once this war is over… I’m done. I won’t serve a donkey while being human.”
The forest darkened around him.
His instincts screamed.
Something was wrong.
Scene: Yuugan Appears
Above him, at the exact place the crow had disappeared into the clouds, the air began to shatter.
The sky tore open with a deafening crack.
A rift of light split the storm.
From it, a figure slowly descended.
The same masked figure that had once watched from the shadows. His cloak flowed as if moved by a wind of its own. His eyes—soulless, dead—looked down with cold calculation.
He hovered just above the trees, silent… watching.
Then, softly—almost amused—he spoke:
“Ah. I’m a little late. But yes… he is the one.”
He watched the distant commander, rain streaking across his face.
“At such a young age, commanding the 37th strongest army? Impressive…”
He clapped slowly, mockingly.
“But now… let me help death find you. You are a threat to the perfect disaster to come.”
Without hesitation, Yuugan reached for his own hand.
He gripped his left hand—and tore it off.
Blood sprayed across the sky.
Yet no pain touched his face.
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The limb regrew immediately, flesh weaving back together like smoke returning to flame.
He raised his hand and called out to the heavens:
“Shizume no Kage… I summon you. Accept my sacrifice. Obey me!”
Red lightning erupted from the sky, screaming toward the forest below.
It struck with violent force—shaking the earth.
Smoke burst into the air. Trees cracked and split. The stench of burning rot filled the wind. Yuugan descended.
And then… something rose from the smoke.
Its form was monstrous.
A corpse of a creature, its body decayed, bones exposed, skin torn and sagging. It had only half a head—the mouth twisted and filled with sharp teeth, and from the broken side, black flames erupted, licking the air like a living shadow. Inside that fire, three floating eyes burned—one red, one blue, one golden-white.
The beast knelt before Yuugan.
Its voice growled like broken stone.
“Yuugan… Master. I accept your sacrifice. I am ready to obey your every command.”
It opened its jagged mouth and devoured Yuugan’s severed hand.
Yuugan nodded slowly.
“Good. Very good. The plan failed back there,” he said, gesturing in the direction the commander had gone. “He is wounded, but dangerous. Don’t let him reach the village. You know who he is.”
The creature—Shizu—grinned, licking its charred fangs.
“I know. I know. Killing him will be fun. If he survived that blast… he’s a fine prey.”
Yuugan narrowed his eyes, voice still calm.
“Hm. Clever of you. Deducing all that from the little I told you…”
Shizu rose, stepping toward a nearby tree. He touched it—and from the bark, a wooden sword formed. It looked light, but deadly. Blue flames curled around its edges. Lightning danced across its surface.
Shizu crouched low, ready to vanish into the dark.
But Yuugan raised a hand once more.
“One more thing… Kill him quickly. Don’t toy with him. He’s close to the village.”
“Yes,” Shizu hissed. “I will do as you command.”
And in a flash—he was gone.
Yuugan smiled, thin and cold.
“The event will begin now. Today… is the beginning of the end.”
His right hand ignited with violet flame, forming the outline of a glowing sword. With a single slash, he tore space open, and stepped through the rift without a backward glance.
Scene: The Commander and the Attack
The commander’s horse tore through the forest at impossible speed, hooves pounding the soaked earth.
But then—he saw it.
A shadow.
A blur in the bushes.
SLICE.
A glowing wooden sword flew with terrifying speed—cleanly decapitating the horse.
The beast fell instantly, its head sailing through the air.
The commander and his wife were hurled violently from its back.
He crashed hard, rolling through the mud and bloodied leaves.
He coughed, staggered to his knees.
“What? What was that? How could a wooden sword be better than an iron one?”.
His eyes searched wildly.
“Where is she?”
He spotted her—just the faint shape of her fingers behind the brush.
Then—
He felt it.
A monstrous pressure filled the air.
Shizume no Kage stepped from the shadows, laughter echoing like thunder.
The commander turned, heart hammering.
Shizu raised a hand.
His wooden sword, still glowing with energy, flew back into his grip.
He hadn’t even noticed the woman.
His glowing eyes fixed only on the commander.
“He is weak…” Shizu muttered. “This is the commander of the 37th strongest country? I can’t even feel his luni…”
The commander stood, blood dripping down his face, but his resolve hard as steel.
“I have work to do,” he growled. “And you… stand in my way. Do you even know who I am?”
Power surged from his feet. The ground cracked.
And in a blink—he vanished.
He reappeared directly before Shizu, sword raised to take his head.
This battle will be intense, he thought. I have to move him far away. If my wife is to live… this thing has to die.
Their blades met.
A shockwave rippled through the trees, scattering leaves and shaking the earth. Sparks erupted as steel clashed with ghostfire wood. The commander pressed forward, teeth clenched, pouring all his strength into each blow.
Shizu grinned, parrying each strike with twisted joy.
“You want to fight a demon?” he hissed. “Now this… this is exciting.”
The commander didn’t answer.
His movements were sharp—measured. Each strike drove Shizu back, inch by inch, just as planned.
If I can push him far enough… she’ll be out of range and then i can use my true power. I just need to keep him focused on me.
“You’re strong,” the commander muttered through gritted teeth, blocking another swipe. I can guide him further—slowly—by keeping the pressure up.
Their duel stormed through the trees, slashing paths into the forest. Shizu’s laughter grew louder with each blow.
Then—
SLASH.
The commander’s blade tore through Shizu’s arm, severing it cleanly.
It hit the ground with a sickening thud.
And then—
The rotting flesh pulsed, knitting back into bone and skin as if it had never been lost.
Shizu leapt backward, laughing wildly.
“So many attacks in so little time!” he shouted. “This is fun!”
He launched forward, fangs bared, inches from the commander’s throat.
The commander ducked, sliding beneath his legs, spinning behind him with a fierce upward slash.
Shizu reacted fast—too fast.
He twisted midair, pushing off the commander’s sword as if it were a platform, flinging himself into the sky. Up there, suspended in the storm, he raised both hands.
A sphere of fire bloomed in one palm.
A sphere of water in the other.
And then—he clapped before hitting the ground.
The elements collided. Shizu gave an evil smile
BOOM.
A massive wall of scalding steam exploded outward, engulfing the forest in a suffocating fog.
The commander’s vision blurred.
Heat suffocated his lungs. Sweat rolled down his temple, mixing with blood.
Then—
SLASH.
A sharp pain tore across his cheek.
He swung wildly, roaring as he charged his sword with raw power. The blade glowed golden, and with a mighty slash—he parted the mist.
“You think this will kill me?!” he roared. “Never!”
But behind him…
A whisper.
“Looks like the answer… is yes.”
Fangs sank deep into the commander’s side.
Blood erupted from the wound.
The sword dropped from his hand.
He gasped, breath stolen from his lungs.
Shizu’s voice slithered like venom.
“Because of the mist… I got behind you.”
The demon pulled away, letting the blood spray freely in the rain.
“So weak,” Shizu mocked. “I thought I’d enjoy this more…”
And then he turned—vanishing into the trees, his laughter echoing like the toll of a funeral bell.
The forest fell silent.
Rain continued to fall.
Somewhere nearby, the commander’s wife fingers moved slightly.
Her body—broken, bleeding—lay still in the mud. One hand gone. One leg severed. Her green hair clung to her face, soaked and matted.
A flicker of green light danced across her skin. Healing magic sparked to life—but it was faint. Slow. Her limbs would not return.
She opened her eyes. Pain hit her all at once.
Where am I...? Why… does it hurt so much…?
She tried to move, but her body refused to obey. In desperation, her eyes scanned her surroundings until they landed on a branch of a nearby tree. She reached out, gripping it tightly, and attempted to rise to her feet. But as she put her weight on it, the branch snapped, unable to bear the strain.
“Damn it…”
With what strength she had, she dragged herself forward, crawling with one hand and one leg. Another branch gave way. She gritted her teeth.
What the hell happened here…? Where are they?
Rain pelted her face. Images flashed in her mind—her husband, the explosion… that cursed crow.
Everything after… was a blur.
And then she saw him.
The commander.
His body lay twisted, unmoving.
Her heart froze.
“No…”
She crawled toward him, sobbing. Her weight collapsed again, but she pushed on. Every movement screamed in agony.
She reached his chest.
No rise. No breath.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“He tried to save me… But what could’ve hurt him like this?”
She leaned in, trembling.
“You’re strong… How could this happen…? If the enemy was that powerful… you should’ve run... leaving me…”
Her voice cracked.
“Please… wake up… or I’ll…”
She knew.
He was dying.
And they had no time left.
“Stupid… stupid… stupid…” she whispered.
Then her eyes widened.
She remembered something—
Ancient Magic: Life Exchange – Light and Darkness
Scene: The Spiritual world
Silence.
Not just the absence of noise—but complete, boundless stillness.
Above, the sky shimmered a vibrant blue. Clouds floated like soft marble. A crystal river wound through golden grass, its surface reflecting the heavens with perfect clarity.
Here… time did not move.
In the center of it all stood the commander, confused. His eyes darted across the unfamiliar peace.
“What is this place…?” he whispered. “Am I dead?”
A familiar voice answered.
Her voice.
He turned.
And there she was.
His wife—whole, glowing, smiling gently. The pain that haunted her in the real world was gone.
He stepped toward her, stunned.
“What happened to you?”
She smiled. “I could ask you the same.”
Her fingers touched his forehead.
And in an instant—memories flooded him.
Not his own.
Hers.
He saw everything: the pain, the decision, the incantation. The moment she chose to give up her life for him.
His eyes filled with tears.
“You… gave your life… to save me.”
She smiled again, soft and sad.
“I saw your memories too. That monster… it was too strong. You held back. You could’ve unleashed your full power… but you didn’t. You stayed… for me.”
She reached up, brushing away one of his tears.
“Time is short,” she said. “Please… protect our love.”
He grabbed her shoulders, trembling.
“Don’t leave me. Please. Why do you always make these decisions alone? There has to be another way!”
She shook her head, eyes glassy.
“It’s your birthday today too, remember?”
She laughed gently.
“Happy birthday. You saved me once… now it’s my turn to save you. This… is my gift.”
Her smile broke with pain. Still, she closed her eyes.
All around her, tiny particles of light began to rise from her skin—floating into the air like glowing snow.
A dark flame—gentle, not cruel—began to burn across her body.
She chuckled, as if remembering something far away.
The memory of herself as a child… sitting under a tree, crying. Boys had bullied her. She’d felt helpless.
Then—a golden-haired boy arrived. Alone. Outnumbered. Unafraid.
He fought them off. Not for reward. Not for glory. Just for her.
Now, as she faded, she smiled at him one last time.
Her body began to shatter into stardust.
The glowing fragments spiraled around the commander, fusing with him—melding light and warmth into his very soul.
He reached to hold her—
But his hands passed through her fading form.
He collapsed to his knees, sobbing into the stillness.
“This gift… it’s too expensive. I don’t deserve it…”
Her voice echoed one final time, tender as the wind.
“You do deserve it. You saved me, again and again. There’s no going back now. If you want to repay me… take care of our children.”
“I love you. Sorry… there’s no time left.”
“Bye-bye.”
Scene Shift: Reality
The commander’s chest rose with a sudden gasp.
His eyes flew open.
A golden shockwave burst from his body—ripping through the forest like a divine pulse. Trees bent. Rain froze midair. The clouds above split open.
Far away, Shizu staggered, his head snapping up.
“What… is this?!”
Then he saw it.
The commander.
Alive.
Glowing with divine energy.
Charging.
Their clash came like a thunderstorm crashing into a mountain.
Fists collided. Blades screamed. The air burned.
The commander bellowed, radiant with golden light.
“I will kill you!”
Shizu tried to brace himself, but the force behind the commander was inhuman.
His strikes came like lightning—blinding and unrelenting. The forest cracked beneath their feet. Every blow sent tremors through the earth.
Shizu snarled, trying to leap backward—buy time—cast a spell—
But the commander’s voice cut through the storm.
“It won’t work twice.”
His shattered sword still lay in the mud—useless. But the commander lunged anyway, grabbing it.
With a roar, he charged, slamming into Shizu midair.
Their weapons collided one final time.
CRACK.
Both blades shattered.
Both bodies fell.
Shizu hit the ground, hard.
He didn’t get up.
The commander stood over him, trembling, his face twisted with emotion.
Shizu’s severed half head, still grinning, let out a final, rattling laugh.
“I had to kill you before you reached the village… It was a command.”
The commander’s eyes widened.
“Who gave the command?!”
But before the monster could answer—the head crumbled to ash.
Gone.
The commander fell to his knees, blood pouring from his side. He clutched his stomach.
“Shit… you son of a—”
His voice broke into a scream—raw and full of agony. Veins bulged beneath his skin. His whole body trembled violently.
He coughed hard—vomiting blood.
And then… his skin began to change.
Blue.
His body collapsed to the ground, twitching once.
Unmoving.
Far above, near the village, the night sky cracked again.
A tear in reality peeled open—and from it stepped Yuugan, calm as ever, hovering silently over a mountaintop.
He looked down upon the village with dead eyes.
“He’s dead…” he whispered. “I can’t sense him anymore.”
He exhaled slowly, conjuring a bottle of wine from the air.
He took a sip, then smiled faintly.
“Pity he won’t witness what comes next. The event… will begin very soon.”
Yuugan smiled as the scene shifts to the village up close
Warm golden lights glowed across the village. Laughter echoed through the streets as people danced, cooked, and decorated their homes. Lanterns floated in the air like gentle fireflies. Music drifted from windows. The sky had cleared above the rooftops, painted in hues of violet and orange.
At the center of it all stood the shrouded statue, still covered in its heavy red cloth, waiting for its grand reveal.
Inside a nearby house, an old woman sat by the window, her hands folded in her lap. She gazed at the stars with quiet concern.
“Son… where are you? I just hope you’re alright…”
Outside, two drunk men leaned against a tan house, laughing and swaying with half-empty bottles in hand.
Suddenly—
A scream echoed from a nearby window.
They turned lazily.
“Someone’s having too much fun!” one of them joked, slurring a chuckle.
But inside that house… something horrific had begun.
Inside the house, a boy stood in the center of a room, trembling violently.
His body twitched.
His eyes glowed red.
He clawed at his face, groaning.
“It hurts… It hurts too much…”
He held a young maid by the neck.
She screamed, thrashing.
“Please—please let me live!”
But there was no mercy in his eyes.
With a monstrous roar, the boy ripped her head clean off.
Blood sprayed across the walls.
Her body spasmed, twitching—then collapsed.
He bent over her chest, tearing it open—devouring her still-beating heart.
The boy’s back arched. His spine cracked audibly. Horns burst from his skull. His skin began to shift—hardening, darkening. Claws erupted from his fingers. The claws were sharp long.
He stumbled toward the window, still groaning.
“No… make it stop… it hurts…!”
Outside, the two drunk men stood shocked, stunned by the scene unfolding in front of them.
They never saw it coming.
SLASH.
Their heads flew into the air, eyes wide with confusion.
Then—
The boy—no, the monster—let out a scream so loud, so deep, it shattered windows.
BOOM.
The house exploded in a storm of flames and splinters.
The music stopped.
The festival halted.
People turned in confusion—then terror.
Screams erupted as the monster charged into the crowd.
He spun—his claws tearing through flesh and bone like paper. Limbs flew. Faces were split open. Blood painted the streets.
He roared again, releasing a blast of flame from his mouth—engulfing an entire home.
Children cried. Mothers screamed.
The statue shattered as chaos consumed the village.
A woman grabbed her children, shielding them—
But the claws came again.
All were torn apart.
Inside a home, the old woman remained still, watching the fire grow from her window. Her face was calm. Quiet.
“Son… wherever you are… I’m glad you aren’t here.”
She closed her eyes.
The monster slowly walked to her house.
His claws burst through the window, ripping through wood and bone alike.
The house collapsed into fire and ash.
Everything burned.
As the village burned, the air was thick with the smell of smoke and the cries of the monster echoed through the night. Its massive head was contorted with anguish, eyes as large as plates, filled with tears that dripped down its rough, weathered skin. The creature screamed in agony, its voice trembling with pain.
“It hurts so much! Mommy, Daddy, help me! Someone, please help me—or kill me! I can’t bear this pain!” The monster’s cries reverberated through the destroyed village landscape, desperate and filled with hopelessness.
The scene shifted to the dense forest, where the commander was, his body in a strange, blue colour. For a moment, his body moved, then gradually returned to its normal state. The commander, now standing tall again, his eyes clear and steady, scanned the sky above him. His gaze widened in realization, and he turned swiftly to his right. A golden light burst from him, even more brilliant than before, illuminating the area around him with an otherworldly glow.
With a sudden flash, the commander surged forward, moving at an unimaginable speed, heading straight toward a place.
Meanwhile, the monster boy, still crying, remained in the ruins of the village. His sobs were heartbreaking, as he clutched his head in torment. Then, through the thick smoke, a golden light appeared, streaking across the sky at a speed no mortal could match. Yuugan, watching from above, smiled in satisfaction. He took a sip from his wine, savoring the moment.
“This is so much fun,” he murmured, his voice filled with glee. “I love it—it’s absolutely amazing.”
The golden light grew nearer, and in an instant, the commander appeared before the monster, his form outlined by the brilliant glow surrounding him. The monster, startled, froze in place. The commander’s face was filled with sorrow as he raised his weapon which was a sword but almost transparent, emitting an golden light. He let out a quiet, sorrowful breath, a single tear slipping from his eye as he prepared to strike.
“Sorry...my love”, he thought bitterly. “I couldn’t keep my promise. I failed you, but I will be with you soon”.
With a swift motion, the commander slashed at the monster. The two forces clashed in a flurry of sparks and rage. The monster, using its long, sword-like claws, retaliated, grabbing the commander and throwing him forcefully into the air. But the commander was relentless. He charged again, eyes burning with determination.
The monster opened its mouth wide, and an orb began to form, swirling with dark energy. It grew rapidly, its power building at an alarming rate. The ground trembled as the orb reached its full size, ready to unleash destruction. As we see the commander charging at the monster again.
The scene shifts
The sun began to rise on the horizon, casting a soft, golden light over the chaotic scene. Yuugan took another sip from his wine, watching with growing satisfaction. “This was amazing. Now... it’s time for me to leave.”
With that, he opened a rift in space, going in as the rift closes.
In the end, the monster and the commander lay still in the scorched ruins of the village. Their bodies, once filled with life and fury, were now nothing but charred remains, their battle was tragic.
The beautiful village was gone.
Three Days Later
The sky wept.
Rain had not stopped since the day the village was burned to ash. The winds whispered through broken trees, over cracked earth, and across the collapsed remnants of what had once been a place of celebration, love, and life.
A lone carriage approached the ruins—its wheels creaking softly over the muddied path.
Inside were two figures: the scientist… and an old woman, still wrapped in the sorrow of silence.
As the carriage slowed to a halt at the edge of the destruction, both stepped down.
Their eyes scanned what was left.
Charred buildings. Blackened bones. Ashes scattered by the wind.
Mountains in the distance bore scars—split, as if cut by something divine.
The earth itself looked like it had cried out in pain.
The scientist whispered, unable to process what he saw.
“What… what could’ve caused this level of destruction…?”
Then—
They saw him.
A boy.
Lying in the dirt—half-buried, filthy, starved. His skin clung to his bones. His breathing was shallow, lips dry and cracked. He wore nothing but sky blue and black striped underwear.
But he was alive.
Clutched in his hand was something strange—a white-golden orb, held tightly even in unconsciousness.
As they approached, the boy stirred. His voice was hoarse.
“Give me food…” he murmured. “I need food… save me…”
The scientist immediately knelt beside him, placing fingers on the boy’s wrist.
“We’ll give you food,” he said gently. “Just hang on.”
The boy passed out.
The scientist carefully lifted him.
“His pulse is weak. He’s dying. We need to move—now.”
They placed the boy inside the carriage.
The scientist turned to the driver, urgency in his voice.
“We’ll take him to the capital. It’s the nearest place with real help.”
The old woman’s hands glowed faintly as she leaned in over the boy.
“I’ll do what I can to keep him alive. I can’t hold him long… Drive. Now.”
The carriage doors slammed shut.
The wheels turned.
And as the rain continued to fall upon the ruined village, the last survivor was carried away…
Toward whatever fate awaited next.
