It was another dark and frigid night—so silent that even the breeze held its breath. A pale moonbeam was the only light shimmering on the horizon. The night was perfectly tranquil, but that peace was suddenly shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps darting past—swift, yet jarring. Moments later, countless other steps followed, ravaging the stillness of the forest like a spreading wildfire.
The intruders were clad in dark green leather suits, each wearing a thick helmet for protection.
"He can't be far. Find him!" the commander barked, prompting the soldiers to disperse swiftly. One soldier noticed a rustling behind the foliage and immediately raised the alarm.
"There he is!" he shouted, pointing at a dark patch in the woods. The others turned their attention to the spot—but it was empty, consumed by shadows.
"Don't play games now. You know how critical this mission is," the commander snapped. "We must capture the traitor and return him to the prison he belongs in—or else the king will take our heads in his place. Now move out! He must not escape." The order sent them scattering in all directions, determined to hunt him down.
Two soldiers patrolled one side of the forest, eyes scanning the terrain. Suddenly, from the darkness, one of them was snatched silently. His companion remained unaware—until he turned and realized he was alone. Before he could react, a blurry figure lunged and knocked him unconscious.
"I swear I saw him. He was moving insanely fast… But Commander Cane won't believe me. That's the problem," one soldier muttered nervously, trailing behind his partner.
"Just stay sharp. The guy we're chasing isn't ordinary—he's a monster. A one-man wrecking crew," the second warned.
"Are you trying to scare me with stories?" the first scoffed.
"Just saying what I've heard. Wouldn't be surprised if he rips us apart with his bare hands," the second replied grimly, then gestured for silence.
Sudden, blood curdling screams pierced the night. Both soldiers locked eyes, their expressions tense, then broke into a sprint toward the sound.
When they arrived, what they saw was horrific—motionless bodies of fellow soldiers lay scattered across the cold grass, blood soaking into the earth. One survivor was still alive—but barely. He was held hostage by a man draped in tattered rags, his blood-streaked face twisted in fury. His eyes blazed with bloodlust. Any wrong move would be fatal.
"Stand down, traitor! You're surrounded. Surrender now—any reckless act will cost you your life!" the commander shouted. Despite his authoritative tone, fear danced in his eyes as he stared at the man before him.
The captive soldier squirmed in vain, overpowered by the stranger's grip.
"Please… Commander… help me. I don't want to die," he sobbed, tears streaming down his face, paralyzed by terror.
"Silence!" Cane snapped coldly. "If you die, then die with honor. Sacrifices are necessary for the greater good." His heartless response left the others dumbfounded.
"I've heard enough of your nonsense," the man growled. He stretched forth his right hand towards the soldiers and energy constructed spears emerged from tin air, piecing through the defenseless ones.
It took the commander by surprise as he watched few of his soldiers dead on the floor with holes in them.
The commander turned a deadly glance at the man, but with a snap of his fingers, a glowing yellow portal opened behind labeled traitor. Without hesitation, he stepped through with his hostage, vanishing into the unknown.
The doors of the king's palace swung open, and the soldiers marched in with discipline. All eyes turned toward them. Upon reaching the throne, they bowed low in unison.
"Rise, Cane. I've been awaiting your report on your little expedition," King Ra'shal said, lounging on his throne with a wide, unsettling grin. "Tell me you've brought me good news. I'm in an excellent mood today—which is fortunate, wouldn't you agree, my people?" he asked, and the court responded with sycophantic smiles.
"My Lord, I... uh... the traitor... he…" Commander Cane stammered, struggling to articulate his failure.
"Oh, mighty Cane! When did you become a stammering fool?" the king mocked. Though his words dripped with sarcasm, none dared to laugh.
"The traitor escaped, my Lord," Cane finally confessed. The revelation made the king erupt with fury. King Ra'shal was notorious for his cruelty and violent temper—this news risked shaking the court.
"So now you're an incompetent disgrace, Commander Cane? Despite your poor results, you have the audacity to bring me this rotting excuse of a report?" the king bellowed.
"We had him, my Lord. He was right in our grasp—until we were betrayed... by one of our own," Cane said, trying to shift the blame.
The accusation enraged the king further.
"Who dared betray the crown? Bring the traitor here now!"
Moments later, other soldiers returned, dragging in one of their own and throwing him to the ground before the throne.
"Let go of me!" the accused cried, struggling.
"So… the young hero, huh?" the king sneered, his grin spreading wider—a grotesque, chilling sight.
"Forgive me, my Lord. I don't understand what I've done or what this is all about," the bewildered soldier pleaded.
"Don't lie. You're the reason he escaped!" Cane accused coldly.
"But I didn't! I pointed out his location before he vanished!" the soldier protested, his voice desperate—until the king silenced him with a sharp gesture.
"Get him out of my sight. Throw him into the dungeon. You're lucky I'm not in the mood for executions today, despite all the chaos you've caused," King Ra'shal declared. The guards dragged the young soldier away.
"And you…" the king pointed at Commander Cane, "clean up this disaster. Find him—dead or alive!" the king roared before dismissing him.
Commander Cane turned and exited, a wicked grin curling on his lips.