Rose: "As expected..."

  Marjan glanced at her, concern tightening his voice.

  Marjan: "He looks like he's... in pain."

  Rose: "He is. I considered using sleeping toxins or numbing poisons, but I'm afraid they might kill him. His condition is already terrible."

  Marjan hesitated, then stepped forward.

  Marjan: "I... I can help."

  Rose raised an eyebrow.

  Rose: "You? I never asked what your specialty was."

  Marjan smiled nervously.

  Marjan: "Ah—yes! I'm a healer."

  He looked between Rose and Klen, speaking inwardly to himself:

  They probably don't believe me... or they think I'm weak. Not enough. Just the smart one...

  Rose shattered his thoughts.

  Rose: "Good you look promising."

  Marjan blinked.

  Marjan: "I know... I'm sorry—wait. Did you say good?"

  Rose walked toward Klen, who was still restraining the creature.

  Rose: "What's your name?"

  The creature struggled to speak.

  Creature: "Sha... Shadi..."

  Rose: "Shadi? Alright. Marjan—heal him. Can you handle it?"

  Marjan stared at her, stunned.

  Marjan: "Back in the village... my companions handled the healing. They always watched me. I was considered talented only because I was smart... academic.

  We healers stay in the back. We're not allowed to hunt or explore.

  But these people... they're letting me.

  They trust me..."

  A gentle tap struck his back.

  He turned to find Amwaj smiling softly.

  Amwaj: "Go on. I know it's your first time. Don't ruin it.

  They're special people."

  Marjan: "Amwaj...?"

  He stepped forward, raising his hand.

  A soft green aura bloomed from his palm, flowing into Shadi's trembling body.

  Shadi's breathing steadied. His muscles relaxed.

  Klen: "He's not resisting."

  Rose: "Good. Having a healer in the team makes everything easier."

  Klen: "I agree completely, Miss Rose!"

  Shadi collapsed, unconscious. Klen lifted him onto his shoulder with ease.

  Rose turned to Marjan.

  Rose: "Well done."

  Marjan's eyes widened.

  Marjan: "Ha—thank you!"

  Rose blinked.

  Rose: "Thank you?"

  Marjan corrected himself quickly.

  Marjan: "I mean—sorry!"

  Klen puffed out his chest.

  Klen: "A noble, honorable, magnificent healer!"

  Amwaj walked beside Marjan.

  Amwaj: "You did well."

  Marjan looked at his hand, still glowing faintly, and smiled.

  Ahead of him, Rose and Klen walked together, arguing as usual.

  Rose: "Klen! Don't jump at me like that again! You almost broke my back!"

  Klen (dramatically): "Ha! The great Red Knight does not break the backs of ladies, Miss Rose!"

  Rose: "Silence!"

  Klein: "The Red Knight is wounded... in spirit!"

  Marjan chuckled softly.

  Amwaj glanced at him.

  Amwaj: "They really are remarkable people.

  Looks like we're going to enjoy this journey."

  They continued forward—until the valley opened before them.

  Bodies.

  Scattered across the snow.

  Klein stopped instantly.

  Rose's voice dropped to a whisper.

  Rose: "This... this is impossible."

  ---

  Rose walked forward, Klein beside her, both of them staring at the bodies scattered across the frozen sand.

  Rose: "They're... assassinated? What happened here?"

  Klein knelt beside one of the corpses, brushing snow from its armor.

  Klein: "Miss Rose... these bodies are fresh."

  Behind them, Amwaj froze.

  A blade—cold as ice—slid past her neck, slicing a lock of her hair as she leapt away in the last possible heartbeat.

  Rose: "Klen!"

  A knight stepped out of the drifting frost.

  His armor was encased in frozen plates, his massive sword dragging a trail of cold mist.

  Darkness filled his eyes, and when he spoke, his voice echoed with wind and hollow resonance.

  Marjan's breath caught.

  Marjan: "Wait—he's one of the VAA Knights?!"

  Rose turned sharply.

  Rose: "What do you mean?"

  Marjan: "Months ago, a group came to our village. They helped us build shelters and hunt in exchange for food and water under Mowj pact with their leader, they claimed they were from another world...called Elpha!"

  Klen drew his sword. Flames erupted along the blade as he faced the frozen knight.

  Velonti: "So... you're a knight as well. How convenient. I'll enjoy tearing you apart today."

  Klen pointed his blazing sword at him.

  Klen: "Silence, you rotting corpse. I can see it in your shattered armor and your open wounds... your body is empty inside."

  Rose stepped closer, tension rising.

  Rose: "Be careful, Klen. He's strong... I can feel a strange aura around him."

  Klen steadied his stance.

  Marjan swallowed hard.

  Marjan: "Be cautious... the assassinated bodies—something's wrong with them!"

  Rose: "What do you mean?"

  Marjan: "Their wounds aren't fatal. They shouldn't have died from these cuts. Something else killed them."

  Amwaj drew her sword.

  A white aura burst from her, her blade glowing with purifying light.

  Amwaj: "If he's cursed... I'll cleanse him."

  Rose's eyes widened.

  Rose: "Klen! There are more!"

  Five additional knights emerged from the frost, each radiating the same dark aura, wielding massive weapons.

  Rose: "Prepare yourselves!"

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Outside the Walls of Aurik

  Liam clashed with Dais, their blows shaking the ground.

  It was less a battle and more a display of raw, terrifying power.

  Dais: "Do you think you killed the VAA Knights?"

  Liam blocked a spear strike.

  Liam: "Yes. I killed them."

  Dais clapped slowly.

  Dais: "Well done."

  Suddenly, the towers of Aurik ignited—flames erupting skyward.

  Dais's expression shifted.

  Dais: "Damn it... what are they doing?"

  The towers blazed brighter, and the walls of Aurik ignited in volcanic fire, incinerating anything that approached.

  Dais narrowed his eyes.

  Dais: "This spell... two hundred years ago, the Queen of Aurik used it to keep us out.

  They managed to recreate it? Interesting."

  He smirked.

  Dais: "But it's pointless. Your strength means nothing after the Luminous Tree is destroyed."

  He stepped toward the walls—only for Liam to leap at him again.

  Dais dodged effortlessly.

  Dais: "You're annoying, foolish knight. You serve your master without even knowing it. Did you know that?"

  Liam frowned.

  Liam: "What?"

  Dais: "The knights you killed... they transformed. They're under Valon's control now."

  Liam: "Impossible."

  Dais chuckled darkly.

  Dais: "Do you think you're a rebel? A disruptor of our plans?"

  He walked forward, spear in hand, black aura swirling around him as cold winds howled.

  Dais: "You're nothing but a chess piece... on a board far bigger than you'll ever understand. Hahahaha!"

  Liam stared at his trembling hand, then at Dais.

  Liam: "If that's true... then I admit defeat. I ruined everything I wanted to do.

  But I know one thing..."

  Dais approached the walls, where Shalt and Muhannad fought fiercely.

  Dais: "Good. Withdraw. I promised Azalor that—"

  Liam attacked again.

  Dais snapped—veins bulging on his forehead.

  Dais: "You stupid wretch!"

  He hurled his spear.

  Dais: "Behemoth Strike!"

  Liam slammed his sword into the ground, releasing a thick fog that swallowed the battlefield.

  Dais stepped into the mist.

  Dais: "What now? Hide? Run? Or stab me from behind?"

  Liam darted behind him—silent as a shadow.

  Dais spun—nothing.

  Dais: "You're testing my patience, boy. Get out of my sight or—"

  He turned—

  Liam appeared in front of him.

  Dais: "Back off!"

  A blast of dark energy erupted from Dais's palm.

  Liam vanished into the fog.

  Dais: "A clone...? He's toying with me.

  Buying time?"

  ---

  Back in the Valley of Wonders

  Klen clashed with Velonti, the impact shaking the dunes.

  Velonti's dark magic forced Klein backward with every strike.

  Klen: "The noble strike of the Red Knight!"

  His sword blazed brighter, colliding with Velonti's frozen blade.

  But Klen noticed something horrifying.

  His flames were dying.

  Every time he ignited them—Velonti's sword extinguished them instantly.

  Klen: "What sorcery is this? Is it designed to counter me?"

  He slammed his sword into the ground, reigniting it.

  Klen: "The Great Red Knight's Strike!"

  The flames vanished the moment their swords met.

  Rose: "Klen! He's your counter! His weapon is designed to fight you!"

  The five knights charged Amwaj and Marjan.

  Rose slammed her staff into the ground, releasing a cloud of green smoke.

  Rose: "Marjan! Amwaj! Cover your noses!"

  Marjan: "No need!"

  He placed a hand over Amwaj's nose and his own.

  A green aura burst from his palm.

  Marjan: "Orange Peel Enhancement!"

  (Writer's note: My sister chose the name. I'm sorry... XD)

  Marjan: "We can move through your toxins, Rose! Don't hold back!"

  Rose's eyes widened.

  Rose: "Excellent! Try casting it on Klein!"

  Marjan sprinted toward Klein through the poisonous mist.

  Amwaj dashed between the knights, dodging their massive, deadly strikes with razor?sharp precision.

  The Hand that Crafts the Storm

  Rose raised her staff sharply.

  Rose: "Venom of Death!"

  A beam of toxic green light shot toward one of the knights—

  but he lifted his frozen shield and absorbed the strike, advancing without slowing.

  Another knight spun his massive spear with terrifying speed, releasing a burst of icy blue mist that swept through the air and dispersed Rose's poison entirely.

  Rose: "Damn it!"

  Klen fought fiercely, but a sudden slash tore across his shoulder—Velonti's blade cutting deep.

  Klen staggered back, breath sharp—

  then felt something strange.

  The bleeding... stopped.

  He turned.

  Marjan stood behind him, hand extended, green aura swirling around him.

  Marjan: "Hemorrhage halt! I'll heal you fully once we're done!"

  Klen straightened, fire returning to his eyes.

  Klen: "You are noble and honorable, Marjan... well done."

  He reignited his sword, flames roaring to life.

  He glared at Velonti's frost?covered blade, the cold aura swirling around it like a curse.

  Then he charged—

  a red aura erupting around his body—

  and clashed with Velonti once more.

  The flames vanished instantly.

  Marjan: "Damn it! He's canceling your ability, Red Knight!"

  Velonti raised his sword, unleashing a wave of freezing wind.

  Klen braced himself, pushing forward through the storm.

  Klen (to himself): "My body... my armor... they're freezing.

  If I can just ignite the flames again—"

  Marjan slammed his palm onto the ground, sending a green aura rushing toward Klein.

  Klen: "I still can't move..."

  Marjan: "I'm trying! This ability is new to me... I've never seen anyone who could do this!"

  Klen: "Call Miss Rose—now!"

  Marjan turned to run—

  —but a massive knight dropped from above, landing directly in his path.

  Marjan's eyes widened.

  

  ·

  Far Away — Across Silva's Seas

  Azalor leapt across the deck of a ship, Wasim beside him.

  Behind them, Reiz sat casually, eating, his muscular chest wrapped in enchanted cloth that absorbed damage as he chewed.

  Azalor smiled faintly.

  Azalor: "Valon is... returning the favor."

  Reiz paused mid?bite.

  Reiz: "What do you mean?"

  Azalor looked at Wasim.

  Azalor: "Dais intended to kill Varun—even after Valon intervened.

  Valon came to me, asking for mediation.

  I agreed... but with conditions."

  Reiz narrowed his eyes.

  Reiz: "Azalor..."

  Azalor flipped through a floating book, its pages glowing with shifting runes.

  Azalor: "Dais wanted the VAA Knights for himself—to use them.

  But one of my conditions... was that he leave them to me."

  He closed the book.

  Azalor: "And now they're doing their job well."

  Reiz scoffed.

  Reiz: "You released those idiots? They're like immortal wild bears."

  Azalor chuckled.

  Azalor: "You know Dais is dear to us."

  Reiz's face flushed red.

  Reiz: "Of course! He's—he's my friend!"

  He choked on his food, coughing violently.

  Members of the Black Organization and the shadow knights watched silently.

  Azalor sighed.

  Azalor: "Know your place, Reiz. Don't ruin my villainous monologue by choking on an apple."

  Wasim snorted with laughter.

  Azalor turned to him.

  Azalor: "You... you're not even afraid anymore.

  It seems the control has fully settled. Breaking it is nearly impossible now."

  Wasim sat calmly.

  Wasim: "It's fine. I'm alright."

  Reiz raised an eyebrow.

  Reiz: "Who is this? That's not the child..."

  Azalor shot him a look.

  Reiz returned to eating.

  Azalor gazed toward the horizon, toward the burning comet.

  Azalor: "We will help Dais.

  We will stop reinforcements from reaching Aurik... until he tightens his grip.

  I've already sent Shalt for him."

  Reiz groaned.

  Reiz: "Shalt?

  I'll pray for Aurik, then..."

  Azalor smiled darkly.

  Azalor: "Wait for me, boy.

  I'll take you... and craft a masterpiece out of you.

  A better one than that giant fool... MacVerdin."

  Wasim stood and pointed ahead.

  Wasim: "We've arrived."

  The Threshold of Valina

  The throne of Valina rested deep within a submerged temple—

  a silent monument hidden beneath turquoise waters.

  Azalor stepped toward a circular pool of still, unmoving liquid glowing with an eerie aquamarine light.

  He smiled.

  Azalor: "Reiz... prepare yourself. The fun part begins now."

  Reiz rose to his feet, drawing his sword as gray flames curled around the blade.

  Reiz: "Then let's begin."

  Azalor lifted a small glass vial.

  Azalor: "It's impossible to enter the depths without the key we obtained from the old man... Falcon."

  He crushed the vial in his hand.

  A dark blue aura burst forth, swirling around them like a living mist.

  Reiz looked down at his body, disgust twisting his expression.

  Reiz: "Ugh... relying on their filthy, revolting power. This is humiliating."

  Azalor: "Calm yourself."

  The entire ship became enveloped in the blue aura—

  and began to sink gracefully, like a feather drifting downward.

  Azalor's smile widened.

  Azalor: "Valina... we are coming."

  ---

  Elsewhere — Sailing Toward the Unknown

  Lainas sailed across the waters with Flinz at his side.

  Behind them stood a mixed crew—

  guards of the Luminous Tree, assassins, pirates, sailors...

  and others.

  Lainas frowned at a barrel that had been shaking since they left port.

  Lainas: "This is impossible. I thought it was seasickness... but that crate has been moving since we set sail."

  Flinz clenched his fist.

  Lainas raised a hand quickly.

  Lainas: "Wait—no, no, no. Forget it. I'll check it myself."

  He approached cautiously—

  and found someone wedged inside.

  Lainas: "Looks like it's a bit cramped in there, pirate."

  Aseel, stuck and furious, shouted:

  Aseel: "Get me out—now!"

  Flinz smashed the barrel with a single strike.

  Aseel stumbled out, gasping for air.

  The crew gathered around.

  Pirates: "Captain Aseel?! You came?!"

  Lainas: "So... even you decided to join us.

  Very well. I won't complain."

  Aseel: "I don't need your approval."

  Lainas: "You—"

  A splash cut him off.

  Someone leapt from the water—

  Nawal—soaked, trembling, terrified.

  Lainas rushed to her.

  Lainas: "Nawal?! What happened?!"

  Nawal collapsed to her knees.

  Nawal: "It's them... they've arrived..."

  Lainas's expression hardened.

  Lainas: "Men—move!"

  The crew sprang into action.

  Flinz leapt into the air, striking with his palm—

  a controlled blast of wind surged forward, propelling the ship faster without tearing it apart.

  Lainas: "Well done! I was afraid you'd break the ship."

  He turned to Nawal.

  Lainas: "How close are we?"

  Nawal breathed heavily.

  Nawal: "Five minutes... and we'll reach them."

  Lainas drew his sword, eyes fixed on the horizon.

  https://on.soundcloud.com/YmMdvbOZ2KuBIqTXeM