After days of travel, they finally entered the forest — the battlefield.
The moment they crossed into it, the atmosphere shifted.
The air felt heavier, almost suffocating, as if the forest itself was aware of the countless battles that had taken place within it. The usual sounds of nature were faint, distant… replaced by an uneasy silence.
Even the soldiers noticed.
Some tightened their grips on their weapons.Others looked around cautiously.
Poul walked at the front, his expression calm… but his mind was elsewhere.
Then—
A distant tremor.
Another.
And another.
Branches shook.
Leaves fell.
Something was coming.
A massive figure emerged from between the trees.
A giant.
The moment its glowing eyes locked onto the humans, it charged without hesitation.
Each step made the ground tremble.
"Formation!" one of the soldiers shouted.
But Poul was already moving.
His thoughts vanished.
His instincts took over.
In a single motion, a blade of ice formed in his hand — sharp, clear, and cold enough to distort the air around it.
He dashed forward.
The giant raised its arm, preparing to strike—
Poul jumped.
Midair, his blade shattered into dozens of fragments, scattering like frozen shards of glass.
They struck the giant's body and attached themselves to its clothes and skin.
In the next instant—
The blade reformed in his hand.
He twisted his body and drove the weapon forward with precision.
The attack landed cleanly.
The giant staggered.
Its momentum broke.
A deep, heavy sound echoed as it struggled to remain standing.
Poul landed silently.
His gaze remained fixed on the creature.
'How many more…?'
The giant slowly collapsed.
Its glowing eyes dimmed, fading little by little.
For a brief moment… it almost looked peaceful.
Poul stepped forward.
No hesitation.
He ended the fight.
Silence followed.
The soldiers stood still.
Some stared at Poul with admiration.
Others couldn't hide their unease.
It wasn't just his strength.
It was the way he fought.
Cold. Efficient. Almost detached.
Poul didn't acknowledge them.
He simply turned his back and kept walking.
From that moment on, everything changed.
There was no more calm.
No more quiet marches.
Only battle.
Day after day, giants appeared.
Day after day, weapons clashed.
Day after day… people fell.
After another encounter, Poul finally stopped for a brief moment.
His breathing was steady.
His body showed no sign of exhaustion.
But his mind…
Was restless.
Then—
A soft sound reached him.
A bird.
Singing.
He turned slightly, following the sound.
For a moment, the battlefield disappeared.
There was no war.
No death.
Just a small, fragile piece of life… continuing despite everything.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Then it faded.
The ice blade dissolved in his hand.
And he walked back toward the camp.
The camp was alive with activity.
Metal clashing.Voices calling.Fire crackling.
Poul entered his tent quietly and sat down.
He leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee, his hand covering part of his face.
'Jay…'
His expression softened.
'Luis… Mary… Kyrai…'
He lay back slowly.
The tension in his body eased.
A small, almost tired smile appeared.
'When I get back… I'll bring him something.'
A short breath escaped him.
'He'll like it.'
Night came quickly.
Darkness spread across the forest, broken only by firelight and the pale glow of the moon.
The soldiers gathered, eating and talking in low voices.
Trying to hold on to some sense of normalcy.
But Poul stayed apart.
Watching.
Always watching.
The moonlight stretched across the ground.
'It helps me see…'
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'But it helps them too.'
He stood up and stretched his arms.
A yawn escaped him.
He clicked his tongue softly.
'This isn't the time to get tired.'
He sat again.
Focused.
But the exhaustion was stronger than he expected.
His vision grew heavier.
Slower.
Then—
Darkness.
He was sitting on a log.
The same place.
The same fire.
The same distance.
Everyone was there.
But not him.
— Just like before… you're still alone.
Poul turned instantly.
A blue figure stood nearby, calm, almost amused.
— Who are you?
— Relax. I'm not your enemy. I'm your ally.
Poul stared at him for a moment.
Then realization hit.
— You're… my elemental spirit?
The figure sighed.
— Finally.
Poul raised his middle finger without hesitation.
The spirit froze.
Then covered his face.
— Unbelievable.
Poul ignored him and sat down again.
Looking ahead.
Still "on watch."
— Are you stupid?
— Why?
— You're asleep. There's nothing to guard.
Poul didn't even look at him.
— Even so… why would I stop?
Silence filled the space.
Then—
The spirit laughed.
After a moment, Poul spoke again.
— When I use my power… something feels wrong.
— Of course it does.
The spirit's tone changed slightly.
— You're not fully elemental.
Poul's eyes widened.
— What does that mean?
But before he could get an answer—
Everything collapsed.
— Captain! Wake up!
Poul's eyes snapped open.
A soldier was shaking him.
— Your shift is over.
Poul blinked slowly.
— …Right. Thanks.
He stood up.
But something felt off.
His body felt heavier than before.
His steps were unstable.
His vision blurred slightly.
'…This isn't normal.'
A sharp discomfort spread through his head.
The world tilted.
His knees gave out.
He fell.
'What's happening…?'
He tried to speak.
Nothing came out.
A strange sensation spread through his body—
And everything went dark.
He walked through thick fog.
Each step felt slow.
Heavy.
Then—
A voice.
— Dad…
The fog cleared.
Jay.
On the ground.
Barely moving.
— Dad… help me…
Poul's heart stopped.
— JAY!!
He ran.
Faster than ever.
— I'M COMING!
But as he got closer—
The image broke apart.
Faded.
Disappeared.
Silence.
Poul dropped to his knees.
His hands trembled.
'…I failed again.'
A hollow laugh escaped him.
Then—
Warmth.
Someone embraced him from behind.
— Let it out…
His body froze.
— Maria…?
— Don't carry everything alone…
His voice shook.
— Maria…!
— You still have to keep going.
And then—
She was gone.
The ground cracked beneath him.
And he fell.
Poul opened his eyes.
His breathing was heavy.
The sounds of battle surrounded him instantly.
Explosions.
Shouts.
Impact.
He stood up without thinking.
Grabbed his weapon.
And moved.
Fast.
Precise.
Focused.
One giant.
Then another.
Then another.
No wasted movement.
No hesitation.
Only action.
Eventually…
Silence returned.
Poul stood still.
His chest rising and falling.
Then—
He saw it.
The gate.
Covered in vines and time.
His eyes locked onto it.
— The place where it all began…
His voice was quiet.
Almost distant.
— My homeland…
Memories flooded his mind.
Fire.
Screams.
Loss.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then opened them again.
A faint smile formed.
Cold.
Determined.
— This… is where my revenge truly begins.