The morning was no different… but it wasn't normal either.
The sun rose over the coastal village, but its light seemed dim, as if piercing an invisible layer of fog.
People emerged cautiously from their homes, speaking in hushed tones, as if afraid something might overhear them.
News of the attack spread quickly.
"A creature emerged from the sea…"
"A youth fought it with a sword of light…"
"The island's curse has returned…"
Ryan sat on a rock near the shore, gazing at the horizon.
He hadn't slept all night.
Every time he closed his eyes… he saw the same thing:
The shadow…
The eyes…
And the voice that said: *"You are not like him…"*
He clenched his fist tightly.
"I don't want to be like him…"
"But you have become one."
Salim's voice came quietly.
Ryan didn't turn around.
"Did you have a choice?"
Salim was silent for a moment, then said:
"No."
"So… don't expect me to accept this easily."
The air suddenly fell silent.
Salim slowly raised his head.
"We're not alone."
At that very moment—
*An arrow* shot out from the trees at incredible speed.
Ryan didn't think… He moved.
The arrow whizzed past his head and slammed into the rock behind him.
He stood up quickly and grabbed his sword.
"Who's there?!"
Silence…
Then—
The sound of light footsteps.
A girl emerged from the trees.
She wore light, dark green armor, and her long hair was tied back.
Her eyes were sharp… watching everything.
She held a bow, an arrow ready.
"You're slower than I expected," she said quietly.
Ryan tightened his grip on the sword.
"And who are you?!"
She didn't answer directly.
Instead, she took a step closer.
"Are you the one who holds the light?"
Ryan didn't reply.
But the sword… flashed.
She smiled faintly.
"So…it's you."
Salim appeared beside Ryan, looking intently at her.
"The Forest Kingdom…"
The girl looked at him…but showed no surprise.
"So you're still here…"
Ryan was shocked:
"You can see it?!"
"I see more than you think," she said.
Then she aimed the arrow at him again.
"My name is Leora."
"And I'm here…either to kill you…or to join you."
Silence fell like a thunderbolt.
Ryan raised an eyebrow:
"That's the strangest offer I've ever heard."
Leora didn't smile.
"That's not an offer."
"That's a test."
"A test of what?!"
"Are you a threat…or a hope?"
Before he could reply—
The ground shook.
Everyone froze.
Salim said quickly,
"They're here!"
Ryan drew his sword.
"Who?!"
But the answer came quickly…
From the shadows.
Seven figures… appeared suddenly among the trees.
They had no voice.
They lacked a natural presence.
Their faces were pale… their eyes dark… as if they didn't belong to this world.
Liora took a step back and whispered,
"The Black Squad…"
Ryan looked at her.
"You know them?"
"Worse than you can imagine…"
One of them took a step forward.
He was the tallest… his face covered in old scars.
He said coldly,
"Finally… we found you."
Ryan raised his sword.
"Who are you?"
The man didn't answer.
He looked at Salim.
"And you…"
"You were harder."
The silence grew heavy.
Salim said quietly,
"Don't go near him."
The man smiled faintly.
"We didn't come for you…"
Then he looked at Ryan.
"For him."
And in an instant—
He vanished.
Then he reappeared right in front of Ryan.
A powerful blow—
Ryan barely blocked it with his sword, but the force of the impact sent him several meters back.
"So fast!"
Ryan yelled.
Liora shot an arrow—
But someone caught it… and broke it.
"This is bad…" she whispered.
Salim shouted,
"These aren't all human! Watch out!"
The attack began.
Two attacked Liora…
Three headed for Ryan…
And the rest… stood watching.
Ryan moved, dodged a blow, then retaliated with his sword.
But this time—
His opponents weren't like the previous creature.
They were smarter…
Faster…
And more dangerous.
One of them whispered as they fought him,
"The light… is weak."
"Shut up!" Ryan yelled.
Light exploded from his sword, slamming into the ground and forcing them to retreat.
But the scarred man… didn't move.
He just watched.
Then he said,
"It's not over yet…"
Ryan looked at him.
"What?"
"Your power."
Then he raised his hand—
And suddenly, the shadows around him shifted.
They transformed into black arms, which shot toward Ryan.
"Watch out!" Liora screamed.
But—
He was caught.
The arms completely immobilized him.
The sword fell from his hand.
The man approached slowly…
He stood before him…
Then he said,
"You are… just the beginning."
He raised his hand…
"But we are… the end."