In the middle of the dark night in the state of Darkova, the werewolf Akira stepped out of Terrakula's castle, walking slowly through one of the villages. In his right hand, he held a rope used to bind his target. He took a deep breath and stared into the darkness, glancing at the buildings around him—every window was tightly shut, every door sealed with chains. All humans in Darkova feared the terrifying Crimson Duchess, and no one dared leave a child outside after midnight.
Akira stopped in front of an old wooden house where a dim light glowed from inside. Through the room's window, he saw a small child with black hair sleeping in a simple bed under a worn blanket. Akira watched the child breathe steadily, unaware of the monster standing behind the wall.
He gripped the rope tighter in his hands. This wasn't the first time he had been assigned such a task—but he hated it more than anything. And this time, the hesitation in his movements was obvious.
Akira stood still for a moment, closed his eyes, and his fingers trembled as he clenched the leather rope. He could turn around and go back to the castle. He could tell Terrakula the mission failed. He could lie… make up any excuse. But it seemed he feared her more than anything else.
He opened his eyes again and stared at the sleeping child. The boy looked weak… peaceful. He had done nothing wrong, except be born in the wrong place… under the wrong rule.
Akira (to himself): "Damn it… damn it, damn it, damn it!!!"
He didn't give himself more time to hesitate. He stepped back a few paces, then leapt high with the agility of a werewolf. He slammed his arm down, shattering the window with full force. The crash echoed throughout the village as shards flew all over the room.
The child awoke in terror, his small golden eyes staring in horror at the dark figure before him. There was no time to comprehend. All he saw was a powerful hand with sharp claws reaching for him—fast! Akira grabbed him in an instant.
Child (trembling): "No… no! Mama…!"
There was no time to listen to his pleas. Akira wrapped the rope around the child's body, refusing to look into his tearful eyes.
The child struggled to escape, but Akira held him tightly and muttered quietly:
Akira (coldly): "Don't resist…"
The child tried to scream, but Akira slapped tape over his mouth to silence him.
The next morning, the wagon carrying Akio and his companions approached the gates leading into Darkova, where massive iron walls stood guarded by a squad of Makia's soldiers. Ann sat inside, reading from the forbidden ninja scroll.
Ann (thinking): "I've tried so many times to use the scroll's techniques, but nothing's worked. Maybe they'll activate when I enter a real battle…"
The black and white flag of the Valorian States fluttered beside the gothic, ominous flag of Darkova. Armed guards in traditional green military uniforms stood by the gate, eyes stern as they examined every passerby.
The driver halted the wagon at the checkpoint. One of the officers stepped forward to inspect their documents.
Officer (dryly): "What is the purpose of your visit to Darkova?"
Akio (excitedly): "We came to crush that old hag Tera—"
Ann smacked him on the head angrily before he could finish his stupid sentence, glaring at him with an exaggerated expression.
Ann: "You idiot! Do you want to get us kicked out before we even get in?!"
Driver (calmly): "These travelers are here for tourism."
A soldier began inspecting the wagon carefully, opening bags and crates, checking for anything illegal. Things seemed normal until one of the soldiers noticed Akio's sword strapped to his waist.
Soldier 1: "Sir, we have a problem here."
Another soldier looked into Ken's bag, narrowing his eyes when he saw Ken's second sword inside.
Soldier 2 (coldly, staring at Ken and Akio): "Didn't anyone tell you the law here? Carrying swords is forbidden in all of Valoria's states."
Akio (shocked): "What?! Why?!"
Soldier 1 (firmly): "This law was passed when Makia took power. Anyone carrying a sword within the borders of Makia's states will have their weapon confiscated immediately."
Ken didn't say anything but placed his hand on the sword's handle inside the bag, his expression slightly tense.
Akio: "But we came from Fawila, and we had our swords with us the whole time! Isn't Fawila under Makia too?!"
Soldier 1: "What?! How did no one notice that?!"
Ann (nervously): "But swords are part of their fighting style. Can't you make an exception?"
Soldier 2 (mockingly): "You think we allow exceptions? Everyone who enters Darkova does so without a sword—or not at all."
Akio (gripping his sword defiantly): "I won't give up my sword that easily!"
The guards reached for their weapons, staring at Akio with sharp focus. The tension grew—until Ken suddenly raised his hand and calmly pulled out his sword, handing it to the officer.
Ken (coldly): "There's no point in resisting. We'll manage without swords… just this once."
Akio's eyes widened in surprise. He exhaled in frustration, then reluctantly surrendered his sword.
The guards placed the weapons in a locked metal chest. The officer gave them a final look.
Soldier 2: "Fine, you can enter now. But a little advice? Don't cause trouble here… or you'll regret it."
The gates slowly creaked open, and the wagon rolled through. Akio looked back bitterly, watching the Makia soldiers confiscate their swords.
Akio (annoyed, then excited): "This is ridiculous… how are we supposed to fight now?! Next time I'll have two swords! I've always wanted to use dual-wielding—especially once I get my hands on Sanguinis and Rinka!"
Ann: "How ironic—they ban swords here, yet their duchess owns one herself!"
Ken: "In this world, the nobles and authorities are given every right… and all the people get is injustice."
After the heroes left the wagon, they immediately felt a shift in the atmosphere. The air was thick with moisture and fog. The city was full of narrow alleys, dim lamps, and an eerie silence even among its people.
They walked quietly until they neared one of the local markets.
Ann: "This is Darkova's street market."
Akio jumped around excitedly, inspecting everything, ignoring the stunned looks from the townsfolk.
Akio: "Woooah! This is the first time I've seen a village straight out of a fantasy tale!"
Ann (mumbling, covering her face): "Oh god… we're doomed."
Scene shifts to Terrakula's gothic castle.
In the dungeon, the kidnapped child sat on the cold floor, tears in his eyes, hugging himself in fear. The sound of dripping water from the ceiling was the only thing breaking the silence. He was cold, hungry, and terrified… he didn't know why he was there, but he knew one thing—he wanted to go back to his mother.
The iron door creaked open. Terrakula entered, followed by Akira, Nyoro, and Steve. She stood before the child, holding a glass filled with thick red blood. She sipped from it and watched him with glowing red eyes.
Terrakula (cold smile): "Oh, look at this little one… how adorable."
Child (trembling): "P-please… let me go back to my mom…"
Terrakula (mocking laugh, to Akira): "Oh, Akira dear, why did you choose such a cowardly child? I expected someone stronger."
Akira said nothing, his eyes fixed on the ground. He refused to meet the child's eyes.
Terrakula slowly turned to Akira, stared at him for a long moment, then spoke with a quiet but commanding tone:
Terrakula: "Akira… I want you to kill him."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Akira (frozen): "…What?"
Terrakula (gently smiling): "You brought him here… so finish the job yourself."
Akira felt intense pressure and dread. His eyes slowly turned to the child, who was now sobbing hysterically.
Child: "Please! Don't do it!"
Terrakula (whispering beside him): "Are you getting soft, my dear? I saved you from death. I gave you a new life. And now you hesitate to do something so simple?"
She touched his chin lightly with her cold hand. Akira flinched.
Akira: "B-but Terrakula-sama… I've killed people before… but never a child…"
Terrakula (sharp tone): "If you can't follow orders… maybe I don't need you anymore."
Akira slowly raised his hand… grabbed his dagger… and stepped toward the child.
Child (screaming): "Mom! Where are you?! Mom!!"
Akira stood over him… raised his dagger… Terrakula watched calmly with quiet excitement—but his hand stopped midair.
Akira (quiet but firm): "I… don't kill children."
Terrakula smiled, took another sip, and replied playfully:
Terrakula: "Remember, Akira—you're not human. Not fully wolf either. You're a monster. So act like one."
She turned away, walking slowly out of the cell. Then she paused and said with subtle menace:
Terrakula: "Take the child to the upper prison… I'll decide what to do with him later."
She left. Akira remained, while the child continued to cry softly.
Nyoro (mocking): "You're such a softie, Akira."
Steve said nothing, but his eyes followed Akira carefully. Akira didn't look at either of them—he just took the child's hand and led him up the stairs without a word.
They reached the upper floor. Akira walked slowly, holding the child's trembling hand. He said nothing the whole way, never looked at the boy—who could barely walk from fear. They arrived at the prison gate. The child couldn't take it anymore.
Child (shaky voice): "Please… please don't leave me there… I don't want to die…"
Akira stopped for a second… then suddenly, the child pulled his hand free and tried to run! He sprinted through the corridor, desperate to find a way out!
Akira didn't move quickly—he just sighed… and vanished.
Before the boy could reach the end, a firm grip snatched him from behind and lifted him off the ground.
The child screamed, struggling violently, hitting Akira's arm with his tiny fists—but he was too weak.
Child (crying): "Please! My mom's waiting… don't leave me here!"
Then something unexpected happened… tears began to fall from Akira's eyes. He didn't sob, but faint gasps escaped him. When the boy saw this, he froze… stopped crying… his eyes wide with surprise. He never expected his captor to cry.
Akira tried to collect himself. He picked up the boy gently and walked to the iron door. He gave one last look… then placed him quietly inside the cell and shut the door.
The child didn't cry this time… he just sat in the corner, eyes locked on Akira's—something had changed between them.
To be continued…