In the heart of Leona, where crumbling towers lean against the wind and the streets are choked with beggars and disease, the death toll rises with each passing day.
Prince Lucas sat upon his fractured throne, clutching a trembling parchment. His voice cracked as he read aloud:
"They've returned...
The Luminous Tree Village has fallen.
I relied on them.
Now there are no mages left to heal my people."
His advisors stood in silence, the weight of the news pressing down like a storm.
One counselor bowed low.
"Terrible news, Your Highness.
Without their magic, we cannot contain the plague.
Our citizens are dying."
Another, arrogant and sharp-tongued, interjected:
"It's the villagers themselves.
They spread these diseases across Silva—
So we'd crawl back to them, begging."
A third advisor snapped:
"That's a dangerous accusation.
You can't speak so recklessly."
Prince Lucas rose, voice thunderous:
"Enough!"
A fourth advisor stepped forward, holding a glowing silver gem and a violet blossom.
"Your Highness...
Strangers came to us.
They claim to possess a cure for every affliction.
We tested it on the sleeping princess.
Her body responded positively.
Shall I summon them to discuss distributing the cure?"
The elder advisor, Aref, scoffed:
"This is madness.
You used an unproven remedy on the princess—
And now you want to spread it across the kingdom?"
Lucas pointed at him, fury in his eyes:
"You gave my sister a treatment without consulting me or the sages.
You would turn my people into test subjects?"
The advisor Nameq softened his tone, eyes shifting.
"Forgive me, Your Highness...
I acted out of grief.
I couldn't bear to see her suffer..."
Lucas cut him off:
"I will not allow this cure to be distributed without proof.
No source. No safety.
I will not let my people suffer more than they already do.
Leave me."
The advisor bowed, eyes burning with resentment.
"I'll prove to you...
She's the only hope," he whispered as he left.
—
Prince Lucas rode through the city, his cloak trailing behind him. The streets were lined with the sick and the starving. Children wore tattered clothes, barefoot in the dust. Coughs echoed from every alley.
He witnessed a theft—a boy stealing bread from a vendor.
"You! Stop!" Lucas shouted, drawing his sword.
He caught the boy, revealing a tear-streaked face.
"It's for my brothers..."
Lucas paid for the bread and handed it to him.
"Earn your meals, boy.
Your siblings look up to you."
"Yes, sir!" the boy cried, running off.
The baker bowed, trembling.
"Prince Lucas...
It's an honor.
They steal from me daily..."
Lucas noticed the man's yellowed eyes.
"You're infected?"
"I'm sorry...
I fight it as best I can."
Lucas gripped his hand firmly.
"Thank you."
There was a wooden cart with an old man juggling red balls while his dogs played around with the children. As he walked on, he passed a mother and her kids playing in the dirt. One child pointed and exclaimed, “It’s the prince!” They ran to him, smiling. “Who’ll win the game today?” Lucas asked. “Me!” one shouted. The old man stopped juggling, bowed, and said, “Your Highness, this is the only way we can fight this strange curse.” Prince Lucas looked puzzled. “What do you mean?” he asked.
A child called out, “Uncle Vitals said if we want to fight the disease and bad days, we have to smile and laugh through the pain!” The prince raised an eyebrow. “That’s one kind of fight,” he said, glancing at his trembling hand. “It might be harder than a real fight…” Prince Lucas smiled as the children and Vitals smiled back. Then one child shouted, “Glory to the White Fox!”
Vitals laugh hardly
Prince Lucas gave a faint smile. "White Fox, huh? It’s been ages since anyone called me that... even Bastet Never answers my calls."
I guess I'm just Fai..
Vitals start juggling again trying and laughing as the kids start to play with dogs
Vitals whispered as Prince Lucas left to check on their mother: they are trusting you... we are trusting you... if you feel you need support, maybe visit Aurik—they might be able to help.
Prince Lucas continues walking
But their mother could barely lift her head.
"Are you alright?" Lucas asked.
"Just... dying slowly," she whispered, coughing and smiling.
Lucas saw her eyes—yellowed. He checked the children. All infected.
His heart sank.
He mounted his horse and returned to the castle, trailed by desperate citizens begging for food, shelter, and healing. Children waved to him, unaware of the darkness closing in.
—
Inside the palace, sages worked tirelessly—grinding herbs, boiling water, mixing tinctures.
Lucas entered the chamber of his sister, the sleeping princess. He took her hand, closed his eyes, and whispered:
"Sister...
What do I do?
I don't know anymore.
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Everyone depends on me.
They look at me like I'm hope itself...
But I'm lost."
A sage approached gently.
"Your Highness..."
Lucas turned.
"We've administered every known remedy.
We've slowed the disease.
But she remains trapped in sleep.
We use rare Felis herbs to keep her from pain...
But without a true cure, she'll never wake."
Lucas stepped forward.
"Do you want another expedition?
I'll send guards.
We'll seek help from Aurik. Or—"
The sage shook his head.
"We've searched every region.
You've funded every study.
We're grateful.
But Silva is unstable.
The fall of the Luminous Tree has thrown the world into imbalance.
The night sky is dangerous.
Strangers roam after dark.
We tried contacting the mages of the tree...
But the Valley of Wonders swallows all who enter.
No word.
No survivors.
Now we hear they've fallen.
Hope... may be gone."
Lucas gripped his sister's hand.
The sage continued:
"One advisor brought us a gem and a flower—unlike anything in our texts.
Her body responded.
Why not try?"
Lucas stared at him.
"You want me to approve this experiment?
Can you promise it will heal her?"
The sage crushed herbs slowly.
"No, Your Highness.
But we have no other choice."
Lucas stepped onto the balcony.
He looked out over his kingdom—broken, coughing, waiting.
Then he looked up.
Silva's sky was dark.
And the stars... were fading.
---
on the valley of wonders- the assassin's fortress
Where the assassins under assault by the Guardian.
Ledra drove her blade into the chest of the Guardian of Silva, forcing him back. Her body glowed with a blue aura, eyes blazing with magic. Across the battlefield, Mowj stood at the center, channeling waves of healing energy that pulsed through the wounded.
The assassins encircled the Guardian, casting enchanted nets. But he was swift—his movements unpredictable, his strikes precise.
"Damn you!" Ledra shouted, frustrated.
She raised her blade, now glowing with sapphire light.
"Hold still!"
A beam of Golden magic shot from her weapon, striking the Guardian as the nets tightened around him.
"We've got him!" one assassin cried.
Dozens of magical nets flew toward the Guardian, wrapping around his limbs.
Ledra and Mowj rushed forward.
But the Guardian roared, tearing through the bindings with unnatural strength.
"Bring the Net of Laajm!" one assassin shouted.
"On it!"
Ledra fired a blue arrow into the sky, illuminating the desert. The Guardian's movements slowed. She unleashed another beam, striking him again.
"Pathetic," the Guardian growled.
"You think you can bind me?"
"Mowj! Now!" Ledra cried.
Mowj held the green gem his aunt had given him. He closed his eyes.
"Radiance of the Quiet Night!"
His body erupted in green light. A circle of magic formed beneath the Guardian, locking him in place. A black aura spilled from the Guardian's body—whispers of screaming souls echoed across the battlefield.
An assassin threw the Net of Laajm, binding the Guardian tightly.
"Our commander once captured legendary beasts.
His tools still serve us!"
"Haaa!"
Then—
Reiz stepped forward, watching the scene unfold.
"So... you're sealing him?
Or trying to kill him?"
His eyes narrowed at Mowj.
"Ah... that's why Azalor sent me.
You want to purify the idiot Guardian."
Ledra stepped in front of Reiz, bow drawn. Assassins flanked her, shielding Mowj.
"The librarian?
What are you doing here?
Oh... right. We destroyed your sanctuary."
Reiz charged toward Mowj, blade glowing with dark energy.
Ledra intercepted him, coughing blood.
"This one's from Dais?
You're struggling.
What now?
Call Layla to save you?
Or these pathetic assassins?"
He looked around.
"No one dares attack me?
You've changed..."
He clashed with the assassins.
Ledra shouted:
"Don't kill him!
Rotate defense and offense—don't throw yourselves away!"
She fought Reiz, exchanging brutal blows.
Reiz leapt back, slammed his blade into the ground. Darkness spread beneath Ledra's feet.
She fired a blue arrow into the sky, reflecting light across the sand, and leapt away.
Reiz struck again.
Ledra blocked, blood dripping from her mouth.
Mowj continued his incantation.
The Guardian trembled—darkness pouring from his body.
Reiz deflected Ledra's beam, leapt high.
Ledra fired a red arrow.
Reiz shattered it mid-air.
An assassin intercepted his strike—thrown aside.
"Annoying pests," Reiz muttered.
"Did she seduce you, librarian?
Read you love poems?
Cast a charm to make you her pets?"
Ledra shouted:
"Are you insane? Are you alright?"
"Just scratches!" Othman replied.
"Use the healing scrolls!"
She turned to Reiz.
"Seduced them?
Like Dais seduced you?"
Reiz's eyes flared. He charged, unleashing a wave of shadow.
"Fall back!" Ledra cried.
She fired a radiant arrow into the ground. A tree erupted, lifting her skyward.
"A trunk? Really?"
Reiz leapt, clashing with her mid-air. Ledra blocked, barely holding her ground.
Mowj screamed:
"Ledra! Just a little longer!"
Reiz heard him.
"A little longer until she dies, you mean!"
He unleashed a blast of dark fire. Ledra fell, crashing into the sand.
"Miss!" an assassin cried, rushing to her.
He carried her toward the stronghold.
Reiz advanced on Mowj, darkness spreading.
The assassins formed a wall.
One of Reiz's followers charged the assassin carrying Ledra—only to be intercepted by a stranger in a silver cloak bearing the mark of Korta's tunnels.
"Who are you?" the assassins asked.
"No time for introductions.
Let's just say I'm terrified."
He fought Reiz's men with swift, precise strikes.
Reiz sneered.
"Korta? Didn't we kill your leader, Delyn?
What a surprise..."
"I'll kill you after I kill the healer."
He unleashed a wave of shadow, scattering the assassins.
Mowj closed his eyes, tears falling.
Then—
The clash of blades.
Mowj opened his eyes.
The Guardian of Silva stood before him, sword locked with Reiz.
"You regained consciousness?" Reiz hissed.
"Azalor should've used stronger spells."
They fought.
Mowj couldn't see—only hear the clash, see sparks flying across the dunes.
He collapsed, gasping.
"Clarity... of the sky..."
His body glowed green.
A comet blazed overhead.
The wounded glowed. Their injuries vanished.
They rose.
Mowj stood in the center, barely breathing, surrounded by green light.
Ledra's body began to heal.
The stranger smiled.
"Beautiful...
He struck down one of Reiz's men. Another fled.
Reiz staggered.
Before him stood the full force of Silva's will.
A figure in black robes, blade reflecting Silva's stars.
Reiz whispered:
"I'll kill the healer and leave.
That's my mission."
He vanished in violet smoke—reappearing above Mowj.
"Judgment of Lucifer!"
His sword unleashed a violet inferno.
Mowj opened his eyes.
The assassins surrounded him.
Ledra emerged, barely walking.
"Fall back!"
"Wait! Don't!" Mowj cried.
Then—
The Guardian appeared.
He blocked the blast.
Everyone stared.
Ledra gasped.
"It's..."
Reiz landed.
The Guardian had absorbed the attack.
One of Reiz's men coughed.
"Damn... that boy... he pulled me out..."
The sky darkened.
Stars vanished.
Reiz grabbed the coughing man.
"Azalor... you did what you could.
Next time, we'll use stronger seals."
He smirked.
"Your commander failed."
"Shut up!" the assassins roared.
Mowj wept, trembling.
"Boy, calm down," one said.
Ledra looked up.
"They... they got to her..."
She clutched her chest.
"This can't be..."
Reiz laughed.
"The boy knows what happened."
A portal opened.
He vanished.
The Guardian turned to Mowj.
"I'm sorry...
They got to me..."
He began to fade.
The assassins watched in shock.
Ledra covered her mouth.
"I failed Silva...
The tree... the elder...
I failed everyone..."
·
Mowj stepped forward, tears falling.
The guardian continue in deep tone :
"You're strong...
You freed me..."
"Azalor...
He attacked me a year ago.
They poisoned the waters flowing to Leona..."
The boy...
The sword..
"Forgive me...
Tell the village...the seed..
The Luminous Tree has fallen."
He vanished beneath Silva's dark sky.
The Messenger from Korta's Tunnels
A cloaked stranger in a gray mantle stepped toward Ledra, his boots silent on the stone floor. One of the assassins supported her as she leaned, blood trailing from her mouth.
Ledra blinked, wary.
"What is this?"
The stranger removed his hood, revealing a weathered face and sharp eyes.
"I was sent by Commander Delyn before his death.
He entrusted me with a message—meant for Commander Jamih.
Where is he?"
Ledra steadied herself.
"He's gone... far.
I doubt he'll return soon.
You can give it to me.
I'll hold it until he does."
The man hesitated, then nodded.
"It must be done.
Aurik is suffering.
The ones we fought now roam its alleys freely.
I heard the boy Delyn protected was taken—his capture led to Delyn's death.
And the man who stood beside him..."
He looked directly at Ledra.
"Fuad.
He's imprisoned in a cell sealed with magical wards.
I believe they were crafted by the Black Order."
The assassins gathered, murmuring.
"Fuad is alive?
The commander will be thrilled!"
Ledra took the message.
The stranger leaned close, whispering:
"This is the heart of it—
Delyn wants Jamih to rescue Fuad...
And the child.
A war may erupt in Aurik at any moment.
We don't know who will be there...
Or what will remain."
Ledra's eyes narrowed.
"You... what's your name?"
The man pulled his hood back over his face and turned away.
"Names end missions.
Just call me a friend of the assassins."
He chuckled softly and vanished into the night.
---
Under Silva's Dark Sky
Ledra limped toward Mowj, who knelt in silence before the place where the Guardian of Silva had vanished. Two assassins supported her, concern etched on their faces.
"You need rest.
You're bleeding again."
She ignored them, lowered herself beside Mowj.
He wept quietly.
Ledra placed a trembling hand on his head.
"Hard times, huh?
The village fell.
Our magic is weaker than ever..."
Mowj spoke through tears.
"Grandmother... she sent me away because she knew.
If I'd known the Guardian when they brought me...
Maybe none of this would've happened."
Ledra lifted his chin gently.
"Look at me, Mowj.
There's no room for 'if.'
You did what she asked.
You freed the Guardian.
And we defeated the Black Order."
The assassins exchanged glances, realization dawning.
"We... we won?
We defeated the Black Order?"
One shouted:
"We did!
For the first time!"
Cheers erupted. They rushed to prepare food and drink inside the stronghold.
Ledra and Mowj remained beneath Silva's dark sky.
She whispered:
"Don't grieve.
I know your grandmother is proud.
This isn't the end."
Tears welled in her eyes.
"You were brave.
I thought we'd die...
But you did the impossible.
Your aunt... your grandmother...
We're proud to have you with us."
Mowj looked up. Ledra's eyes shimmered, refusing to let tears fall. Her lips trembled.
She continued:
"You know... I lost something too.
I destroyed my own library—so they wouldn't use it against Silva.
Against our people.
Against our world."
She smiled faintly.
"You're not alone.
We're here... not because we chose to be.
But because this is the only place that welcomes us."
Mowj broke down, embracing her.
Ledra looked to the sky.
A green comet blazed across Silva's heavens, trailing stardust through the night.
"Fuad...
You're alive, you idiot.
I missed you.
You and that little boy..."
She closed her eyes.
"Sister...
Are you still out there?"
---
The Feast
An assassin poked his head from the stronghold.
"Ledra! Mowj!
Food's ready!"
He spotted them and grinned.
"Got your fill of hugs, Mowj?"
Laughter echoed from the doorway.
Mowj pulled back, flustered.
"No! It's not what you think—I..."
Ledra smiled.
"Come on.
I need you to cast your healing spell again.
I fought too hard today."
Mowj scrambled after her.
"Right! Of course!"
One assassin nudged another.
"Looks like you're excited to heal her, huh?"
Mowj blushed.
"No! That's not—"
He sat at the table, staring at the food in silence.
Another assassin raised a cup.
"To Mowj and Ledra!
For freeing the Guardian of Silva!"
"Haaa!" the assassins roared, clinking cups.
They served meat, bread, and drink.
Ledra ate, smiling.
Mowj took a bite—his eyes widened.
"Delicious..."
An assassin laughed.
"Told you!"
Mowj's eyes filled with tears.
He remembered his aunt.
His grandmother.
His village.
He whispered to himself:
"Thank you...
Grandmother... Aunt... Guardian...
I promise I'll give everything I have."
Outside the stronghold, beneath Silva's dark sky, the green comet shimmered—leaving behind a trail of stardust that glowed in the night.
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