In the throne hall, everyone stood in neat rows before the imposing King Ethan, his right hand pressed thoughtfully against his cheek as he gazed at his companions who had just returned from the Battle of the Black Gate. A heavy silence settled over the chamber for several minutes before the king slowly rose and, his voice echoing through the hall with the gravitas of one who has known war, spoke:
― And now… tell me what happened. You look shaken.
Ren stepped forward, posture humble yet determined to speak the truth:
― My lord, we faced a night we will never forget. It was more than a mere skirmish: the Black Gate opened in the sky, and legions of winged demonic beasts—tongues of fire flickering, eyes aglow—rushed upon our villages without mercy. Their roars shook the earth beneath our feet, and we feared that this was our end.
In a steady but firm voice, Ren recounted every detail of the conflict: how the enemy coalesced into spinning black vortices, how the ground split and trembled, and how at dawn's pale light they escaped with their lives by a miracle.
King Ethan's gaze darkened with sorrow. He sighed and said:
― I was relieved when you returned unharmed. I feared you would not come back alive...
With that, he gestured to his attendants to prepare a lavish feast. As the audience was dismissed, the companions bowed deeply and withdrew, offering their gratitude to His Majesty.
---
In the Companions' Wing
Only a few words passed between Ren, Leon, and Eirenor before fatigue drove them toward rest. Still, Ren raised his voice one last time:
― Last night was but one chapter of our ongoing struggle. We must gather our strength anew.
A heavy silence filled the room as each lowered their head to the floor. Leon broke the tension, voice firm:
― Ren is right. Yesterday is gone, and the present is ours to shape. Let us work together to build a brighter future.
Aritha, with a hopeful smile, added:
― There is no room for despair. The past is behind us—now is the time to write our own days.
Then Selene spoke, her voice soft but resolute:
― Though I lost my father, and pain is all I brought… I refuse to surrender. We will move forward, together.
They all returned her smile—everyone except Oran, whose face remained hidden in the shadows. His silence spoke of betrayal and guilt carved deeply into his heart.
---
Oran's Walk through the Alley
Oran could no longer remain in the castle's relative warmth. He slipped away along the back corridors, scaled the outer wall, and found himself in an empty city alley. Moonlight spilled softly across the cold stones; the only sound was the pounding of his weary heart.
For the first time in days, he walked without direction, as though seeking an outburst to release his inner anguish. His steps carried him beyond the city's limits, down the road toward the desolate lands where the demonic beasts dwelled—those fiery winged serpents that had razed his village and claimed the lives of all he held dear.
He stood there for a long while, staring into the blackness that swallowed the horizon. Finally, he drew the sword at his side, its blade scarred by blood and stolen power. In his chest echoed a whisper: "You broke your promise, Oran… you vowed to protect Théron as his father did, and you failed." In the distance, a scream reverberated like an echo, unleashing a roar of grief and rage within him.
---
The Search
The next morning, Ren woke to find that Oran's bed was empty. A knot of dread formed in his stomach. Leon's voice rose with concern:
― Where is Oran? He's not in his room.
Aritha replied, uneasily:
― Where could he have gone?
Quickly, the three gathered their belongings and set out through the castle toward the northern gate. They scoured the city square and the shadowed backstreets—but there was no sign of him.
Selene, gazing at the sky, murmured:
― Perhaps he tried to slip past the walls…
Ren exchanged a determined look with Leon:
― We must find him before it's too late. He cannot face those beasts alone.
---
On the heights of the city's sandstone walls, they found him standing, staring out over the rugged terrain. They measured the distance to where the winged serpents alighted—far enough for a day's march, or half a day if one could defeat them swiftly.
Ren approached as Leon stood beside him and Eirenor hovered behind. Oran sighed heavily:
― I broke my promise… I promised Théron I would protect him, just as his father did—but he's gone.
Leon placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder:
― Oran, don't blame yourself. You don't know exactly what happened. He may have slipped away in a moment of distraction.
Aritha added gently:
― We're here to stand by you. What happened yesterday doesn't define who you are.
Oran's voice quavered:
― Let me handle this on my own. I will hunt down those winged serpents, gather whatever power remains, and return.
Ren drew in a breath, eyes blazing with resolve:
― You will not go alone. We do not fight apart. We are brothers—whatever battle we face, we face it together.
A sad silence fell, and Oran sank into thought. After a moment, he whispered:
― Tomorrow… I will tell you everything. My past, the pain behind my heart. Then you will understand why it weighs so heavily.
He trailed off as Leon looped an arm around him, wordlessly promising he was not alone.
---
Together, the companions descended from the walls into the city, the sky painted with the rosy hues of dawn, urging them toward their next adventure. In that soft light, each realized that their war against the demonic beasts was more than a mission—it was a test of their loyalty and resolve.
This was not the end of their trials, but the beginning of a new chapter. Tomorrow, Oran would begin to unlock the secrets of
his tortured past, and their world—and their bonds—would be changed forever.
(End of chapter; to be continued)*