In the Dark Circular Chamber
The dim glow of rusted chains holding flickering torches cast eerie shadows across the round table where ten figures sat in heavy silence. The air itself seemed to hesitate.
Maya stepped forward, her long black robe trailing, silver hair strands dancing in the phantom breeze. She stood at the head of the table and spoke in a voice both soft and penetrating:
"I called you because the Round Table has changed. A new member joins us... by the direct order of the Demon King himself."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the room before fading as Maya raised her hand.
"Remove your masks."
One by one, the masks fell—until only one remained.
Slowly... the last figure lifted his hand and removed his disguise.
Maya froze for a second, her left eyelid twitching.
One of the commanders smirked:
"Welcome, Eleventh Leader... What's your name?"
The man replied in a calm yet blade-sharp voice:
"My name is King Fiend... but His Majesty granted me a new title: Dragon."
Another scoffed:
"Isn't this the former leader of Beryon's Blue Squadron?"
A tense silence gripped the chamber before an enraged voice boomed:
"From Beryon?! Are you mocking us?!"
Another sneered:
"Now we let Beryon's dogs sit among us? We don't trust them—not on the battlefield, not behind our backs."
Maya's voice cut through like steel:
"Dragon isn't here to ask for your trust. It was given to him by the Demon King himself. To doubt him is to doubt His Majesty's will."
A commander growled in protest:
"But Beryon's forces are our enemies—"
"Enough," Maya snapped. "This discussion is over."
Then, turning to Dragon, she commanded:
"You will lead the troops in Beryon and relay the Demon King's orders. The rest of you—leave. He stays with me."
---
Whispers in the Shadows
The chamber emptied, leaving only Dragon standing, his eyes holding an abyssal darkness—as if they had witnessed something unforgettable.
Maya spoke softly:
"Why did you choose this path, King?"
He stared blankly at the table:
"Because His Majesty made me see the truth. This wretched world..."
She studied him carefully:
"And your loyalty?"
A faint smile touched his lips:
"To whoever is worth fighting for."
Maya's voice turned cryptic:
"Though I don't fully grasp the Demon King's thoughts... I see him, in some way, as this world's hope. Is that not true, Dragon?"
King gave a slow nod:
"Yes, Maya... I see it too."
But the words were cold—as if they came not from his heart.
---
Beryon City – The Battle Cry
Beryon's sky burned crimson—not from sunset, but from flames and smoke. The ground was ash, the air thick with screams.
In one corner, Denko of the Blue Squad roared, waving a bloodied sword:
"Call Grind! Or King! We need reinforcements NOW!"
Olivia, struggling to contain her panic, shouted back:
"I'm trying! No one's responding! Where the hell are they?!"
Suddenly, a scout's voice cut through:
"Listen! Grind reached the Green Squad! He slaughtered dozens alone—hold on! He's coming!"
---
The Stone Halls – Grind's Orders
In a narrow palace corridor, Grind sat on the edge of a stone stair, eating with one hand, his sword beside him—still wet with blood.
Without looking up, he commanded:
"Gran—take ten men to the Red Squad.
Negros—use your blood arts. It's time for fun. Go to the Black Squad.
Zeus—"
Zeus, a being of living shadow and lightning, stepped forward and knelt.
Grind continued:
"Go to the White Squad. Your undead soldiers and lightning... they need it now. Send some forces to back up the Greens too. And Gran—leave a few men to guard the king."
His voice turned icy:
"As for me... I'll handle the Blue Squad myself."
Zeus bowed deeply:
"Your will be done, my leader."
---
The Western Front – The Green Squad's Resolve
Dust choked the battlefield, where Grind's monstrous allies stood silently, awaiting orders.
A soldier gasped:
"Those... those are the new hero's beasts—Grind's!"
Another cried excitedly:
"Does this mean the battle's ours?!"
A young warrior snarled:
"Fools! Will we let his monsters steal our glory?!
We became hunters to protect humanity—and Grind... he fights for them too!
Are we not the same?!"
A female fighter teased:
"Jealous of Grind, Ulysses?"
Ulysses flushed, biting his lip:
"We don't envy... we fight."
Raising his sword, he bellowed:
"Fight to the last breath!"
The soldiers roared in unison:
"CHARGE!"
One of Zeus's shadowy beasts chuckled, its voice thunderous:
"Leader Grind has worthy friends... This'll be fun."
---
The White Squad – Zeus Arrives
Zeus descended like a black meteor, slamming his fist into the ground with a voice that shook the earth:
"I am Zeus. I've come to protect my leader's allies.
Fall back, Whites... I'll keep you alive."
A commander shouted:
"Thank you, Zeus! But—can you stop that reckless kid from fighting?!"
A wild-haired youth grinned from behind rubble, eyes blazing.
Zeus glared:
"Step back. You'll die."
The boy laughed defiantly:
"So Grind sends his monsters to 'protect' us? We fight till our blood runs dry!
That black-haired idiot won't steal my share!"
Turning to his comrades, he yelled:
"What are you waiting for?! FIGHT!"
---
The Royal Chambers – Kings' Discourse
Deep in the palace, Craydon stood beside his brother Fainhar, watching the battle unfold from the window.
Craydon murmured:
"In every squad... someone starts acting like Grind. Don't they?"
Fainhar smiled, his gaze distant:
"These youths... see him as their ideal.
Grind ignited in them the will to fight to the end.
You're lucky, Craydon... to have a knight named Grind."
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