The battlefield was silent. The fires still crackled, the scent of ash thick in the air. Liliana, who was held in Astor's arms, slowly began to revert to her original form. Her monstrous frame shrank, her claws retracted, and her wild golden eyes faded back to their usual state. Her breathing was weak, her body trembling from exhaustion. Her clothes were tattered, barely hanging onto her frame.
Astor, without hesitation, removed his robe and draped it over her.
Her eyes fluttered open. "Master... did we win?"
Astor gave a small smile and nodded. "Yes, we won. You did great." He patted her head gently. Liliana, comforted by his touch, let out a tired sigh and rested her head against his chest.
Not far away, Lily forced herself to her feet. Her body was still sore, but she pushed through the pain. She turned toward Mark, who was still kneeling on the ground, using his sword as support. His breathing was ragged. Another violent cough escaped his lips, and blood splattered onto the ground.
Lily's eyes narrowed. She could sense it—his ribs were broken.
She stepped forward and knelt before him. "Don't worry, this will be healed in no time… but it will hurt a little." Lily placed her hand gently against his chest and whispered, "Fire Heal."
A warm, golden flame erupted from her palm, wrapping around Mark's torso. Though it looked dangerous, the flames didn't burn—it mended.But the pain was unbearable.
Mark's body tensed as he let out a guttural yell, his hands gripping the dirt beneath him. His ribs were being forced back into place, the fire searing away the fractures and knitting the bones back together. The agony lasted mere seconds, but it felt like eternity.
Elisa asked. "Mark! Are you okay?!"
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the flames vanished. Mark gasped, taking in deep, shuddering breaths. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and slowly pushed himself up. "Yeah... I'm okay."
On the other side of the battlefield, Ryan stirred. His head throbbed, his body weak, but his first thought wasn't himself. It was Sofia. His eyes darted around until he found her—lying on Elisa's lap, unconscious.
His heart clenched. "Sofia!"
He tried to stand, but his body refused to cooperate. His legs buckled beneath him— Before he could hit the ground, Sylphie caught him.
"Don't worry!" she said, steadying him. "I'll help you."
Ryan exhaled shakily, nodding in gratitude. With Sylphie's support, he limped toward Sofia and knelt beside her. With a weak hand, he placed his palm over her forehead. A soft glow surrounded his fingertips.
Sofia stirred, her eyes barely opening. "Dad...?"
Ryan swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm here."
Sofia's voice was weak. "I'm sorry... I couldn't protect anyone." Ryan shook his head firmly. "No, Sofia. You saved us all."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she reached out, pulling him into an embrace. Ryan held her tightly. Father and daughter reunited, their pain momentarily forgotten in each other's warmth.
The scene softened—a rare moment of peace in the midst of devastation. Around them, the remaining warriors watched with small smiles, some wiping away tears.
But Astor stood still, surveying the battlefield. Watching the broken bodies, the wounded, the burning remnants of their home. He clenched his fists.
His mind drifted. "Sorry, Mary. I promised to save everyone… but I couldn't."
Then— A voice shattered his thoughts.
"Starmon!"
Before he could react, Alice crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Thank goodness! You're safe!"
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"
Elisa, hearing the commotion, turned and grinned. "He's fine, don't worry! But where's Uncle Steve? Is he still helping others?"
Sofia sighed. "Could be. Starmon's whole family is like that. They only care about others."
But Alice didn't respond. Her gaze fell to the ground, her hands trembling.
Then— A flashback.
The sky was black with smoke. Screams echoed through the streets.
Steve watched from the window of his home. His jaw clenched as he took in the sight of Zyra Duskbane leading her army, a massive dragon hovering above.
His grip on the window tightened. "Aetherium is under attack… She's Malakar's general."
Alice, standing behind him, gasped. "Attack? But Starmon and his friends haven't returned yet!"
Steve exhaled. "They will. I believe in them." Then, from the distance, he saw a group of soldiers moving toward their home.
"They're going to kill us all… I have to do something." He stepped forward, but— Alice grabbed his wrist. "Please, don't go!"
Steve looked down at her, his expression soft. "Alice, try to understand. Someone has to do something."
Alice's eyes filled with desperation. "Then let me do it!"
Steve shook his head. "I can't. It's up to a man to protect his family." Gently, he pulled away from her grasp and turned, walking toward the door.
Then he stopped. His voice was calm, but heavy. "When Starmon returns… tell him his father loved him. And don't worry. I'll always be with him."
Alice's tears fell freely.
The soldiers barged in. Steve grabbed his brother Stephen's sword and, in one swift motion, cut them down. Their bodies hit the floor as he stepped over them and grabbed a nearby horse, mounting it with ease.
Then, he rode toward the village square saying "You want me? Then come. I don't fear you."
He cut through soldiers, clearing a path through the battlefield. But then— A curse user appeared before him. A massive blast of dark energy erupted.
Steve's horse collapsed, throwing him from its back. He hit the ground hard.
Lying there, he took one last, deep breath.
His lips curled into a small smile. "Alice… Starmon… Take care of yourself."
The screen faded to black and then flashback ended.
Astor snapped back to reality. A sinking feeling took over his chest. Without a word, he ran.
His boots pounded against the scorched ground as he pushed forward, weaving through the rubble and destruction. His breath came in sharp gasps, his heart hammering in his chest. He had to see it for himself.
Then he stopped. His body froze. His eyes widened in horror.
There—floating in the air, impaled by a spear through his chest—was Steve.
Astor's hands trembled. His vision blurred. He couldn't breathe. A memory surged through his mind—
Flashback – Years Ago
A darkened night. A quiet house. A seven-year-old Astor tiptoed through the hallways, careful not to make a sound. The moonlight streamed through the windows, casting long shadows.
He reached the main door, ready to slip outside— A hand rested on his shoulder.
Astor's entire body tensed. Slowly, he turned his head, his red eyes locking onto the familiar figure behind him.
Steve smiled gently. "Where is my little champ going at this time?"
Astor panicked. He couldn't tell him. "I… I couldn't sleep," Astor lied, forcing a nervous smile. "So I thought I'd go to the yard for a little."
Steve's expression softened. "It's not safe outside at night." He knelt to Astor's height and ruffled his hair. "Come with me. I'll tell you a story instead."
Astor hesitated. He didn't want to go. He had to train. But he couldn't refuse.With a reluctant nod, he followed.
Astor lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, while Steve sat beside him. His voice was warm, steady.
It's a story about a prince. A lazy prince," Steve began with a small chuckle. "He never trained, never helped with castle duties. His father always told him, 'Someday, you will be king. You must work for your people.' But the prince never listened."
Astor's eyes drooped slightly, but he kept listening.
"Then, one day… war came. His kingdom was attacked. His parents died in battle. He blamed himself. He locked himself away, drowning in regret. Days passed. Then weeks. Until one night, he had a dream." Steve smiled. "A dream that changed him."
He was about to continue but when he looked down— Astor had already fallen asleep.
Steve let out a soft chuckle. "Fell asleep already?"
He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Astor's forehead. "Goodnight, my son."
He stood up, silently leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
Lying in bed, Astor's red eyes fluttered open. His expression was blank. Empty.
He turned onto his side, staring at the wall. His mind drifted to his real parents, to their cold voices. "95%? Why 5% less? What happened to your perfection, Astor?"
Astor closed his eyes tightly. "Starmon, You're lucky, bro," Astor whispered to himself. "You got parents who love you."
Flashback Ends.
Astor stood frozen, staring at Steve's lifeless body. His chest tightened. His fingers curled into fists. His breath shook.
Behind him, the others arrived. The moment their eyes fell upon Steve— The weight of reality crashed down upon them.
Astor's body trembled for the first time. His hand, which reached toward Steve, shook violently. His breath was uneven, his heart hammering in his chest. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be real.
Then A voice cut through the silence.
"Isn't it looking familiar?"
Everyone froze. Astor's eyes widened as he slowly turned toward the voice.
Sofia. Her expression was cold, her gaze sharp as daggers.
"Remember when you started this?" she continued. "When you killed Zarek's guards… just like this?"
The moment she spoke those words, images flashed through Astor's mind. The blood. The lifeless bodies. The 'YT' he had written in his enemies' blood.
Sofia's voice felt like a blade. "Time always repeats itself." Ryan, confused and concerned, looked at her. "Sofia… what are you saying?"
Sofia clenched her fists. "Let me speak today!"
Before anyone could react, she marched up to Astor, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him forward.
"Are you satisfied now?!" she yelled, her voice cracking with pain. "You got to kill another General of Malakar Veilgrave! but our home is destroyed—"
Then, her voice dropped into a whisper, her head lowering. "But why would you care?"
She tightened her grip on his collar. "You don't care about us. You only care about revenge."
Lily stepped forward, her expression distressed. "What are you saying?! Astor tried his best to protect us all! Remember when Lirion was killed? He told us to hurry up before it was too late!"
Sofia whirled around to face her."And you want to say we should have left those enslaved women in Whispers of Fear's grasp?!"
Lily hesitated. "No, I'm not saying that, but—"
"It should have never happened if he just never interfered in our lives, none of this would have happened!" Sofia's voice cracked, and tears finally spilled down her face. "Our lives were peaceful! Even if Zarek controlled us, forced us to obey him… we were ALIVE!"
She turned back to Astor, her tears dripping onto his shirt. "Do you even know what life means?!"
Her grip weakened. "Everyone here did what you said. They risked their lives for you… every single time."
Liliana stepped forward, shaking her head. "Master didn't do anything wrong. He even saved me—"
Sofia snapped toward her. "He didn't save you. He made you his slave."
Liliana flinched. "That's not true!"
Sofia's smile was painful. "If he really wanted to save you, he would have set you free already. But he didn't."
Astor tried to speak, his voice hoarse. "I… did it to save—"
"To save?" Sofia let out a bitter, painful laugh.
"You didn't save anyone!" she screamed, her tears falling freely now. "You killed everyone!" She shook her head, a broken, empty laugh escaping her lips. "You were right, Astor. You really are a monster. You don't have feelings in your heart—"
Her voice hardened. "No, you don't even have a heart." Then, she spat the final words like venom. "You're a murderer!"
Alice's voice cracked with emotion. "Why are you saying this to him?! This isn't his fault!"
Sofia whirled on her next. "He isn't your son, Starmon!"
Sofia's voice wavered with anger, grief, and sorrow. "He's someone who took over your son's body and does whatever he wants."
Then, she turned back to Astor and grabbed his collar again.
Her words came out in a trembling whisper. "He's the one who took our Starmon. A man who just Yearns to Triumph."
She shook him, but Astor remained still. Finally, Sofia's body gave out. She lost her grip and collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
"Why did you come into our lives?! Why did you ruin everything?!"
Then Alice spoke. "Who said he isn't our son?"
Everyone turned to her in shock.
Alice stepped forward, her voice soft but unwavering. "We already knew there was someone else in Starmon's body… but we didn't know who."
She reached up, cupping Astor's face gently. "Astor… right?"
Astor's body trembled violently. His eyes, filled with unspoken pain, glistened as though they would burst. But he remained silent.
Alice smiled sadly. "We knew from the very beginning. A man can lie, but his eyes can't. Parents know their children better than anyone." She continued, her voice laced with memory. "One day, I saw Starmon's eyes turn red… but his eyes were blue. I told Steve. That night, we followed him."
Her voice softened. "We saw him… feeding a demon girl in the forest. At first, we thought Starmon was possessed. But the next day, he was back to normal." She smiled through her tears. "I told Steve… that our Starmon had a brother to protect him."
Sofia laughed bitterly.
"Wonderful, Astor. You've already taken Starmon's place." Her lips curled into a hateful grin. "Now I know… Malakar didn't kill Mary."
Her eyes burned with fury. "You did."
Lily's eyes flared with anger. "Take that back, Sofia!"
Sofia glared. "Or what? He'll kill me? That's all he knows how to do."
Astor stood still. His eyes were wide, unblinking.Tears streamed down his face.
Lily panicked. "Astor, it's not what she meant!"
Astor's voice finally came, weak and broken. "I… killed…"
Sofia's eyes gleamed with pain. "Tears of a crocodile."
Elisa snapped. "STOP IT, SOFIA! JUST STOP!"
But the damage was done.
Sofia turned to Mark, her voice sharp. "Mark, this is the guy who killed your cousin Dex! Will you let him go that easily?"
Mark's body tensed. His mind flashed back to Moonveil—to Dex's lifeless body. The grief. The anger. The weight of loss. But then… another memory surfaced. Astor standing beside him after Marvia's victory. The way he fought. The way he protected.
Mark closed his eyes for a moment, then exhaled. "A leader should not let personal matters cloud his judgment." His voice was firm. "Calm down, Sofia."
Sofia's face twisted in disbelief. "You've gone insane."
Ryan stepped forward, his tone sharper than ever. "No, Sofia. You're the one going insane!"
Sofia's breath hitched. She looked around, her eyes darting between everyone. "Look at everyone! They are Supporting you even when you are wrong!"
She turned back to Astor, her voice breaking. "Don't you have any pride?! Why don't you just leave us alone and get the hell out of our lives?!"
Then Astor, who had stood motionless all this time, finally spoke.
His voice was hollow. Empty. "Yes… you are right." Astor's expression darkened. His red eyes dimmed, as if the fire within them was flickering out.
"I was heartless," he admitted. "I had no emotions. From the moment I reincarnated into this world, I only cared about revenge."
Sofia's lips curled bitterly. "Really? You're accepting your crimes now?"
Astor continued, his voice distant. "I used Lily, Liliana, Sylphie… everyone here. I used them for my own benefit. I never cared about anyone—except Mary. Because she was everything to me." Astor took a slow breath. "But… I changed. I got parents who loved me. Friends who played with me. Comrades who fought beside me, who even sacrificed themselves for me."
His hands tightened into fists. "I realized Mary was never coming back… That's why I went to Marvia to save those enslaved women." His voice wavered. "When Malakar attacked my home, I wished for another chance. But now…"
His shoulders tensed. "Now, I regret ever wishing that."
His words shook the ground beneath them.
"For my revenge, I took someone's precious life. Someone who was kind, brave… someone loved by everyone."
His gaze fell to the ground. "The person I always wished I could be."
Sofia's eyes narrowed. "Now you realized how you made our life a living hell? If you really understand now… then why don't you give us our Starmon back?"
Lily stepped forward. "No, Astor, don't! We can still talk—"
Astor closed his eyes. "No… she's right." His voice was firm. "I don't belong here. I should leave."
The wind howled through the broken battlefield.
Then Astor took a step back. "I, Astor… with all my authority…"
Lily's eyes widened with horror. She whispered, "No… please…" Tears fell freely from her eyes.
Astor didn't stop. "Set Starmon free."
He let himself fall back. His arms spread wide. His eyes closed.
The world felt like it had stopped.
He collapsed. The impact sent a chill through everyone.
A sudden gasp.
Astor's body jerked. His chest rose sharply. His fingers trembled.
His eyes snapped open but they were blue.
A single, terrified scream broke the silence. "NO!"
It was Starmon.
Then screen faded to black and title card appeared:
"Chronicles of YT"
He shot up, his breath ragged, his body drenched in cold sweat. His heart pounded as he yelled in urgency, "Plan B failed! We have to save the rescue team! They're in danger!"
But his words hung in the air. He looked down at himself, his hands trembling. He clutched at his chest, expecting wounds, expecting pain… but there was nothing. His breath grew uneven. "They're not here…? Was it… a dream?"
His surroundings finally registered. The glow of fire. The suffocating scent of ash and death. The ruins of his home.
Starmon's eyes widened as he looked around in horror. "Where are we?! Is this Aetherium?! Why is it… burning?!"
Lily, who had been watching silently, fell to her knees. Her hands clutched at her chest, her eyes burning with grief. She whispered in agony, "Why? Why, Astor?"
Before Starmon could even process what was happening— Sofia lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him. Her grip was tight, desperate, shaking. "You're back."
That single sentence broke the floodgates. Tears burst forth From everyone who had held back their emotions.
Starmon, still in shock, stammered, "Back? What do you mean—?" His gaze darted around frantically, trying to find something—anything that made sense.
Then his eyes landed on Steve. His body froze.
His breath hitched. "...Is that… Dad?"
Starmon broke free from Sofia's grasp, stumbling forward. He dropped to his knees beside Steve, his hands hovering over him—hesitant, terrified.
"Dad…? Wake up!" His hands gripped Steve's limp ones. They were cold. "Dad…?"
His voice shook violently. He turned, desperation in his eyes. "What's wrong here?! What's happening?! Someone tell me!"
Mark took a deep breath, steadying himself. He could feel the grief clawing at his throat, but he forced himself to stay strong. "Let me tell you everything," Mark said solemnly. "It's a long and unbelievable story."
Moments later—
Starmon let out a sudden laugh. It was forced, uneasy. "Another guy in my body? Really? If this is a joke, let me tell you—it's not funny!"
Lily clenched her fists. "They're telling the truth!"
Starmon's smile faltered. Lily took a step forward, her voice filled with urgency. "Did you never wonder why you've never been awake at night? Not once in your entire life?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Did you never feel like you were missing time? Like pieces of your past were… missing?"
Starmon gripped his head. His breathing became ragged. Pain shot through his skull. "Why is this happening to me?! I didn't hurt anyone!"
Alice stepped forward and cupped his face with both hands, gently, lovingly.
Starmon's breath caught. His vision blurred. "Mom…"
Alice's eyes filled with tears. "It's really you, Starmon." She pulled him into a warm embrace.
Sofia stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We're always with you. Now, no one will interfere anymore."
Liliana watched, confused, and turned to Lily. "What happened to Master?"
Lily's body stiffened. Her red eyes burned with grief as she whispered, "He's not your Master. Your Master… won't be coming back."
Liliana's ears flattened. "Then… what do we do now?"
Lily exhaled shakily. She reached out, taking both Liliana and Sylphie's hands.
"Astor is gone. You're both free to go."
Sylphie's eyes widened. She looked at Lily, then at the ruins around them. Then—she shook her head. "I can't leave you alone." Sylphie continued, her voice unwavering. "You saved my life—twice. First from Whispers of Fear. Then in Marvia. We're family now. I won't leave you."
Liliana nodded, her golden eyes determined.
Lily bit her lip, swallowing a sob. "Thank you… both of you."
She turned away, leading them. "Let's go. These guys don't need us anymore."
And with that the three of them walked away. The others remained, still overwhelmed with grief.
Some time passed.
The Aetherians stood in silence, their hearts heavy. They had gathered in the field outside the ruins. One by one, they had buried their fallen. Grief hung thick in the air.
Then a murmur spread among the villagers. One of them stepped forward, looking to Mark. "Chief, our home is destroyed. Now where do we go?"
Mark's jaw tightened. He turned to face them, deep in thought. They needed a plan.
He asked "What's the plan Ast--?" then he realized that Astor is not here anymore.
Before he could speak, Starmon stepped forward. "Let's go to Moonveil."
Mark's eyes widened. The villagers turned toward him in surprise.
Starmon's expression was firm. His eyes were no longer confused. They were resolute. Determined. There was no hesitation.
The screen faded to black.
The Night Passed. Dawn Arrived. The first golden rays of sunlight kissed the horizon as the Aetherians arrived at Moonveil. The air was cool, crisp, and full of unfamiliar scents—fresh earth, blooming flowers, and the faint crackle of residual magic in the air. Aetherium's destruction still weighed heavy on their hearts, but for the first time in a long while, they saw hope. However, as they approached the kingdom's entrance, they were immediately met with hostility.
Guards stationed at the grand stone gates raised their long spears, their tips glowing faintly with enchantments. Their eyes narrowed, wary of the group. "Halt! State your business!" one of them demanded.
Mark raised his hands calmly. "We are not your enemies. We are Aetherians."
The moment he spoke, the guards exchanged glances, realization dawning upon them. Their stance softened. "The Aetherians? Forgive us! We were unaware!" One of the guards quickly gestured for the others to lower their weapons. "Please, enter with pleasure! We will inform the King of your arrival."
As the gates swung open, the Aetherians stepped into the city.The Aetherians gazed in awe at the towering structures, the vibrant energy in the air, and the sheer brilliance of the mage-dominated kingdom. Unlike their war-torn homeland, Moonveil was flourishing—glowing runes lined the streets, floating lanterns guided travelers, and markets bustled with people practicing magic openly.
But as amazed as they were, anxiety gnawed at them. They were strangers in this land—refugees in need of a home. Then A bright light illuminated the sky. From above, a powerful figure descended, standing upon a large glowing magical circle. His golden robes billowed in the morning wind, and his piercing gaze swept over the group.
King Albert Arc had arrived. He lowered himself gracefully, his presence commanding yet welcoming. His voice rang with confidence. "It is a pleasure to meet you again, Sir Astor!"
Starmon blinked in surprise. Albert extended his hand toward him in a formal greeting.
After a moment of hesitation, Starmon shook his hand. "It's my pleasure, but please… call me Starmon."
Albert raised an eyebrow. "Starmon?"
Sofia stepped forward. "It's his real name."
Albert tilted his head slightly. "Real name?"
Mark cleared his throat. "You could say 'Astor' is his heroic name."
Albert's eyes widened slightly in understanding. "Oh! Now I understand. Then, Sir Starmon, how can I assist you?"
Starmon chuckled nervously. "Sir?" he thought to himself. He quickly composed himself and explained everything—Aetherium's destruction, their people's suffering, and their desperate need for a place to stay.
Albert listened carefully, his expression unreadable. Then The King smiled and said "Of course! We are in your debt. Please, let us help you in whatever way we can. Feel free to live here. Moonveil will be your home until Aetherium is rebuilt!"
The Aetherians exhaled in relief.For the first time in a long while, they had hope. Starmon bowed slightly, grateful. "Thank you so much, Mr. King!"
Albert let out a hearty laugh. "Please, Sir Starmon! Don't embarrass me. Just call me Albert."
Starmon scratched his head nervously. "I don't think that would be proper… 'Albert' feels too friendly."
Later That Day
The Aetherians had found places to stay, finally able to rest. But even as exhaustion took over, one person stood awake, watching the sky. Starmon stood atop the castle's highest tower, gazing out at the vast landscape below. Sofia joined him, her eyes soft.
They stood in silence for a moment before Starmon spoke. "It's started." Sofia turned to him. "What do you mean?"
Starmon's expression darkened. "She was right. Soon, Malakar will send his army. I don't know if my decision to bring us here was the right one or not…"
Sofia reached out and gently held his hand. "Don't worry. Everything will be alright." Her voice was steady. "If this is truly our end… then I would rather spend my last breath with my people—with all of you."
Starmon exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "No. It won't end like this. We just started living peacefully again. I won't allow anyone to ruin our lives again. I will fight until my last breath."
Sofia's grip on his hand tightened. She studied his face—his determination, his unwavering resolve. Her heart clenched. "He's talking like Astor… Is Astor still inside? Or is it just my imagination?" She swallowed her doubts and whispered, "Promise me… you won't risk your life recklessly. Promise me you'll protect yourself first."
Starmon's expression wavered. He thought seriously about it. But before he could respond—A deafening crash shattered the silence.
Starmon's head snapped toward the sound. "What was that?!" A cloud of dust rose in the distance. The sound of walls breaking echoed across the kingdom.
Sofia's eyes widened in horror. "Those are… Giant Stone Golems!" The two immediately rushed down from the tower. As they reached the main gate, they found King Albert Arc already present with his troops. Mark and Elisa also arrived, their weapons drawn.
Mark looked around frantically. "What's happening?!"
Albert's expression darkened. "We are under attack! But don't worry… we will stop them!"
A massive tremor shook Moonveil. Dust and debris rained down as the once-sturdy walls cracked under immense force. The sound of stone grinding against stone echoed like thunder.
The Aetherians and Moonveil's troops looked up in horror.
Five towering Giant Stone Golems loomed over the walls, their massive hands smashing against the fortress, trying to break through. Their bodies glowed with dark engravings, pulsing with an eerie energy.
Albert Arc's cloak billowed as he raised his staff. "All archers, fire at will! Soldiers, hold the line! Do not let them break through!"
Arrows rained down, striking the Golems' stone bodies. The sharp tips shattered upon impact. Swordsmen charged forward, hacking at their legs, but their blades barely left a scratch. The Golems roared. With a single sweeping motion, one of them swatted away soldiers like insects, sending them flying.
Starmon gritted his teeth. "Why aren't they going down?!"
Mark swung his sword at a Golem's leg, but the impact barely chipped the stone. "They're too strong! Our weapons are useless!"
Elisa stood firm, gripping her staff tightly. "We need magic! Why aren't we using Any?!"
Starmon snapped his head toward Albert. "Why aren't you using mages?!"
Albert's face darkened. "Because we don't have enough!" Albert sighed, dodging a falling piece of debris. "Our old mages were imprisoned for years. The new ones… they're not strong enough to handle enemies like this."
Starmon's eyes narrowed. "Then we need a strategy. We can't win with brute force alone."
Elisa's gaze flickered toward him. "Do you have a plan?"
Starmon gripped his sword tightly, inhaling deeply. "I do. But we need to work together!" "Listen up!" Starmon called out, standing in the middle of the battlefield. "If we keep attacking blindly, we'll lose! But Golems are slow, and they have weak points!"
He pointed toward their glowing engravings. "They're absorbing attacks and reinforcing themselves. But if we target those weak points—" he gestured toward Elisa "—with fire magic, we can overload them!"
Albert nodded. "But our mages aren't strong enough—" "They don't have to be!" Starmon interrupted. "We just need them to weaken the Golems! Elisa and Mages can do the rest!"
Elisa's eyes widened. "Me?"
Starmon grinned. "You know fire magic better than anyone! If you focus on their weak points, you can break them down!"
Albert turned toward his troops. "All mages, gather! Support Elisa! Focus all fire magic on the engravings!" The mages rushed forward, chanting spells. Streams of fire erupted toward the Golems' weak points. The engravings flickered, turning unstable.
Elisa took a deep breath. She gripped her staff, fire swirling around her hands.
She raised her staff high. "Infernal Wave!" A massive surge of fire shot forward, engulfing the nearest Golem. Its stone sizzled, cracked—then exploded into pieces. One down.
Starmon ran toward another Golem. As the Golem swung its massive arm down at him, Starmon rolled aside, barely dodging the impact. The ground shattered from the force. His breathing was erratic. His arms trembled. But he gritted his teeth and charged.
"You might be stronger than me, but I don't need strength to win!"
He jumped onto the Golem's arm, using it as a platform. The Golem tried to shake him off, but Starmon held on, climbing toward its chest.
"Elisa, now!"
Elisa thrust her staff forward. "Flame Spear!" A piercing lance of fire shot forward, striking the weak engraving. The Golem groaned, cracks forming across its chest.
Starmon took the chance. He raised his sword anddrove it deep into the cracks. A brilliant burst of energy exploded outward. The Golem staggered, then collapsed into rubble.
Two down.
Mark, Sofia and Albert's troops pushed forward, taking down another Golem. Archers provided cover fire, their arrows piercing deep into fractures Elisa, now fully in sync with the mages, unleashed wave after wave of scorching fire. The third and fourth Golem cracked apart and collapsed.
Only one remained. And it was coming straight for Starmon. He was exhausted, panting, sword trembling in his grip. He knew—one wrong move and he was dead.
The Golem raised its massive fist, aiming to crush him. Starmon braced himself.
Then— A blinding surge of flames erupted from the side.
Elisa's final attack. "Infernal Judgment!" A pillar of fire engulfed the last Golem, reducing it to nothing but charred stone.
The last of the Giant Stone Golems crumbled, their massive bodies reduced to nothing but broken rubble. The dust settled, and the exhausted warriors of Moonveil and Aetherium stood victorious. The once-mighty invaders lay in ruins.
Mark wiped sweat from his brow. "That was insane… but we did it."
Elisa leaned on her staff, catching her breath. "I haven't used that much magic in ages… but yeah. We actually won."
The Aetherians and Moonveil's forces stood still for a moment, catching their breath. Then— A loud cheer erupted. Albert grinned, placing a hand on Starmon's shoulder. "What a strategy , Sir Starmon."
Starmon let out a deep sigh of relief. "That was way too close…" Starmon stood still, his sword trembling in his grip. He exhaled slowly, his body aching.
Then— A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the air.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Every soldier on the battlefield turned sharply, their bodies tensing. From atop a massive, broken stone, a lone figure sat casually, one leg hanging over the edge, watching them with amusement.
A tall man clad in a long, black coat sat comfortably on the rubble. His long black hair was tied into a ponytail, and a jagged scar ran down his face. His piercing dark eyes gleamed with intrigue. "What a strategy." His deep, smooth voice carried through the silent battlefield. "Simply… amazing."
A chill ran down everyone's spine. The warriors of Moonveil and Aetherium instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons.
The man let out a low chuckle and stood up, stretching slightly, as if he had just woken up from a nap. Then, with a smooth motion, he placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly.
"Apologies for my rudeness. I haven't introduced myself."
He raised his head, his smirk widening.
"I am Gorath Maldir."
His voice dropped into a slow, ominous tone.
"The Destroyer."
A tense silence hung in the air.
Episode Ends.
"Chronicles of YT"
Episode Title: Lost Someone