The house was drowning in deep shadows, filled with the stench of blood and debris.
Kartithia's screams echoed throughout the room, while the sound of her rapid breathing pierced the heavy silence.
Six-year-old Aether knelt beside his mother's body, his cold eyes fixed upon her lifeless face.
Drops of blood still stained the corner of her mouth.
Yet her final smile remained.
As if she were still trying to reassure him...
Even in death.
Then—
THUD...
Heavy footsteps slowly approached across the shattered floor.
The monster had not left.
It was not satisfied.
Its enormous head emerged through the hole in the destroyed wall, its glowing dark-purple eyes searching for the little girl.
It growled.
Then launched its massive body toward her.
And just before its claws could reach Kartithia—
"WHOOOOOOOOSH!!!"
A violent gust of wind tore through the silence.
A silver flash sliced through the air.
A mysterious man suddenly appeared between the monster and the children.
He wore a dark robe, while his silver hair flowed wildly in the wind.
In his hands was a long spear, surrounded by a spiraling vortex of air.
His voice was sharp and cold.
"You will not touch them... you bastard."
The man's spear shot forward.
THRUST!
The attack struck the monster's neck with deadly precision.
A violent explosion of wind followed, blasting the monster's charred body backward.
BOOM!
It crashed into the wall and collapsed onto the ground.
Dead.
Aether stepped backward in shock.
The mysterious man approached him and briefly studied the boy.
Then he lowered himself onto one knee.
"My name is Nero... I'm an old friend of your father. He sent me to protect you."
Nero's face carried both restrained anger and calm determination.
His eyes shifted toward Luna's lifeless body.
He closed them for a moment in silent respect.
Then he gently picked up Kartithia.
"We have to leave. The village is collapsing, and the portal hasn't been closed yet."
Aether didn't move.
He continued staring at his mother's face.
His mind refused to accept what he was seeing.
Nero approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"She fought until the very end... for you."
He paused.
"Now it's time to run."
Nero looked directly into Aether's eyes.
"Live... and become strong."
Aether finally closed his eyes.
A single tear rolled down his cheek.
Outside the House...
The sky remained torn apart.
The purple portal continued pouring armies of monsters into the village.
The kingdom's soldiers fought desperately to hold the line, but their numbers were rapidly dwindling.
Their screams grew louder.
Far away, Mark was on one knee, clutching his wounded shoulder.
His broken sword trembled between his fingers.
A gigantic monster slowly approached him.
Its eyes burned with hatred.
Yet Mark smiled despite the pain.
He whispered:
"I won't die... before I see my son safe."
He slowly rose.
He raised his broken sword one final time.
The last flames of his power flickered around his body.
And with everything he had left...
Mark faced the monster.