Kaylor ran
The war between the elves and vampires had come to a reluctant pause. Elf Royal Guards and Vampire Modern Soldiers rested uneasily, their bodies battered and souls weary after the relentless night of battle. As the sun rose over the blood-stained fields, the silence in the Elf Kingdom signified a temporary truce between Sirloin, the Elf King, and Emperor Athan, the Vampire King.
But in the Baja Ausha region, peace was a distant dream. As evening descended, war rules dictated that both sides retreat to their camps, yet sleep remained elusive. Explosions echoed through the air, and the ground quaked with ominous force.
Inside the royal camp, a tense meeting unfolded among notable leaders: Kaylor, the 13th Division Captain; Jack, the 14th Division Captain; Andro, the 3rd Division Captain; Min Joon, the 19th Division Captain; Prime Minister Deviant Charlotte; War Minister Abuld Pegasus; Royal Minister William Gray; and Junior Minister Aristide Stain. They sat in uneasy silence until Abuld spoke, breaking the tension.
"Leo has been fighting since dawn, and still, he continues," Abuld said gravely.
"Shouldn't we help him?" Aristide asked, his voice laced with concern.
The ground trembled again, shaking the camp.
"Do you really think we can help?" Charlotte replied, stroking his white beard. "Leo fights on a level beyond us. Interfering would only invite the Demon Lords."
William nodded solemnly. "He's right. If we move, the Demon Lords will surely intervene. Leo fights his battle alone."
Outside, a blinding flash of light lit up the sky, followed by a deafening roar. Nature itself seemed to be in turmoil as Leo and Dons clashed in an earth-shattering duel, their powers reshaping the battlefield with each strike.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the battlefield in hues of crimson and gold, Leo observed Dons with an unrelenting focus. He couldn't ignore the chilling realization—Dons was only using a fraction of his mana, no more than 10%.
"You some kind of demigod or something?" Leo asked, his tone laced with both curiosity and sarcasm, all the while scanning for the perfect opening to strike.
"Demi-god? Leo, we demons don't believe in your gods," Dons replied coldly. "That's why we're fighting—to prove who is superior."
Leo chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Oh, how could I forget that, Dons? Silly me." Without wasting a moment, Leo stabbed Balha into the ground. The blade resonated with a golden hum, and thousands of magical spears materialized in the air. With a swift gesture, Leo unleashed the barrage toward Dons.
"Yeah, you're stupid," Dons said, his voice dripping with disdain as he disappeared into a flashstep, reappearing behind Leo. His crimson sword glowed ominously as he thrust it toward Leo's back.
But Balha wasn't just a weapon—it was alive, an extension of Leo himself. Sensing the impending danger, the sword morphed into a thick golden shield, intercepting the strike. The clash of red and gold sent sparks flying, and a burst of red lightning illuminated the battlefield.
The ground trembled beneath them, and both combatants locked eyes, each waiting for the next move in their deadly dance.
Leo stepped back, assessing Dons with sharp determination. Without hesitation, he hurled Balha toward Dons, the golden sword spiraling with raw energy. Simultaneously, Leo placed both hands on the ground, channeling his power. In a flash, several golden figures emerged—shadowy knights made entirely of radiant gold. They bore no resemblance to Leo but radiated his aura.
Dons, unfazed, smirked and threw his crimson sword to intercept Balha. The two weapons collided midair, releasing a deafening explosion that shook the battlefield. As the dust settled, Dons noticed the approaching golden knights.
"Impressive," Dons chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery. He extended his arm, conjuring a massive shadow axe. The weapon towered over the golden knights, who seemed like mere pests in its presence. With a single swing, Dons obliterated the clones, his axe cutting deep into the earth as though slicing through butter.
"Leo! Congratulations, but your clones were pathetic," Dons taunted, the smirk never leaving his face.
Leo smirked back, unbothered. "Exactly as I expected."
In the blink of an eye, Leo created two additional golden arms and lunged toward Dons. All four fists pummeled against Dons's hastily erected barrier, each punch reverberating like thunder. From Dons's left hand, liquid shadows dripped onto the wasteland, spreading like a living tide. Within moments, the ground beneath them transformed into a sea of shadows, writhing and pulling, attempting to drag Leo into the abyss.
"Shadow Sync, huh?" Leo said, a wry smile tugging at his lips as his golden aura repelled the dark tendrils. "That's a basic spell. But the way you wield it, it looks like something legendary."
Dons's grin widened. "Well, Leo, unlike you, I always plan for the future."
The battlefield trembled under their clash, a chaotic blend of light and darkness, as both warriors prepared for their next moves.
The clash between Leo and Dons sent powerful shockwaves across the battlefield, their duel altering the very fabric of the region. In the midst of the chaos, Kaylor and the other high-ranking officers had just concluded their war council. While most returned to their posts, Kaylor had a different agenda. The Emperor himself had entrusted him with a secret mission—one critical to the survival of his family and another key figure.
Kaylor activated the teleportation device, the hum of its energy barely masking the instability caused by the Hero and Demon King's relentless battle. Sparks of mana surged unpredictably, but there was no turning back. With a deep breath, he stepped onto the device and was instantly transported back to the Ausha Empire capital.
The mission was clear: retrieve a vital figure and escape the Ausha Empire with his family.
Upon arrival, Kaylor moved swiftly toward the castle under the cover of dusk. The security was strangely sparse—too light for the royal palace. Suspicion gnawed at him, but he stayed focused. The halls were eerily quiet, void of the usual bustle of royal maids and servants.
"This doesn't feel right," he thought but pressed on.
Finally, he reached Emperor Leo's private chambers. Closing the door behind him, Kaylor froze. Lying on the bed was Vaeloria, her body motionless, her appearance like that of a broken doll.
Kaylor's chest tightened as he whispered to himself, "Lord Leo, is it true? Did you experiment on her? Whatever you did, there must be a reason. I trust you, my Emperor, more than the gods themselves."
Recalling the Emperor's instructions, Kaylor quickly referred to the letter. It outlined the steps he needed to take, including the use of a special bag designed to transport Vaeloria safely. He carefully packed her into the bag, astonished by how light it was despite its size.
With the first part of the mission complete, Kaylor began his descent toward the castle's basement. He planned to use the secret tunnels for his escape.
But as he entered the lower levels, a grim sight awaited him. The lifeless bodies of maids and servants were strewn across the floor, their blood staining the stone walls. In the dim light, Kaylor saw a woman standing at the tunnel's entrance, a bloody knife clutched in her hand. Her eyes were wild, and she seemed to be guarding the exit.
Kaylor's instincts took over. He quickly retreated, returning to the Emperor's room. Searching frantically, he found a rope and made his escape from the castle through a high window.
Once outside, Kaylor regrouped with his family, who immediately sensed the gravity of the situation. Without a word of protest, they gathered their belongings and began their arduous journey to the Elf Kingdom, carrying Vaeloria and the Emperor's hopes with them.
The task was clear for Lola: her time in the Ausha Empire had reached its conclusion, and it was time to move on. Dressed in her signature old-fashioned black attire, complete with a wide-brimmed hat that added to her mysterious aura, she stood outside her wooden shop for the final time. With deliberate movements, she turned the key, locking the door with an air of finality.
Her expression remained calm, detached, as though the burdens of the world around her held no significance. The bustling streets and chatter of passersby barely registered in her mind. To her, this was just another chapter closing, nothing more.
With one last glance at the shop she had called her sanctuary, she adjusted her hat and began walking toward the empire's main gate. Her steps were steady, unhurried, as though she had all the time in the world.
Quietly, she muttered to herself, "There's nothing left here. The person I cared for is gone. Can't blame him for that—humans are fleeting creatures, after all."
Her voice carried no trace of regret, only a matter-of-fact acceptance. But before she could vanish into the crowd, a voice called out to her from behind.
"Witch from Origin, are you leaving now?"
Lola paused, her calm demeanor replaced by a flicker of annoyance. Without turning, she replied in a clipped tone, "Yes, I'm leaving. My purpose here is fulfilled."
The voice persisted, tinged with curiosity and suspicion. "So, no more prophecies? Just like that?"
Turning slowly, Lola found herself facing Hazara, the head archbishop. His presence was as imposing as ever, his robes pristine and his expression unreadable.
"How many times must I tell you, Hazara? Don't call me from behind," she said, her voice sharp.
Hazara offered her a mock bow. "My apologies, Lady Witch. But you can't leave without my permission."
Lola laughed softly, her amusement tinged with disdain. "Oh? And what makes you think you can stop me, child? That's adorable."
Before Hazara could respond, five men emerged from the crowd, each armed with daggers and positioned strategically around her. One aimed for her head, another her back. The others targeted her stomach, throat, and eyes.
"So, this is your grand plan?" Lola remarked dryly, her gaze sweeping over the men. "Tell me, Hazara, what do you really want from me?"
Hazara stepped closer, his voice calm yet threatening. "It's simple, Lady Witch. We'd prefer if you stayed. Your insight is... invaluable."
Her smirk deepened, her tone mocking. "Ah, a veiled threat. How impressive."
Before anyone could react, the five men collapsed simultaneously, their bodies hitting the ground with dull thuds. Hazara's calm façade faltered as he crouched to inspect one of them.
"Don't bother," Lola said, turning her back on him. "They're dead. Now, do yourself a favor and stick to your role."
She began walking away, but Hazara's voice stopped her again.
"The ancient dagger—are you certain it will work on Leo? Will it weaken him?"
Lola paused mid-step, her silhouette framed by the fading sunlight. Without turning, she replied, "Of course it will. It sealed Nyx, didn't it? Do you think Leo is stronger than Nyx? Hardly. Now, stop wasting my time. Speaking of which, Nyx is free from her seal. Good luck with that."
With those final words, Lola resumed walking, vanishing into the crowd.
Hazara stood in stunned silence, the weight of her revelations pressing heavily on him. As the witch disappeared, her enigmatic presence left a lingering unease that even the devout archbishop couldn't shake.