Time was slipping through their fingers like sand. The moment the land expanded and the enemies appeared, every person present understood one thing clearly, this was no longer just a battle. It had become a war. A war where they could not afford defeat, even for a second. A war where losing focus could mean losing their lives. But above all… this was a war where the Obsidian Jewel must not fall into the wrong hands.
All over the battlefield, the tension rose. The air felt heavier with each breath. Everyone stood in their positions, ready to face either a powerful enemy or a horde of corrupted beasts. Sweat dripped, weapons tightened in their grip, eyes narrowed, hearts raced. They had fought many times before, but something about this moment felt far more dangerous.
Because this time, everything was on the line.
---
A long while ago
Zora's voice trembled slightly as he spoke to Arachna. It wasn't often that he let fear show, but this topic pierced deeper than any blade ever could.
Zora: "What would you have done in my place? No one knows the pain of losing a child better than you. I'm scared…"
Arachna looked at him silently at first, her many eyes calm, glowing faintly with an old sorrow she carried. She understood exactly what he meant, the fear of losing someone precious, the fear of making the wrong decision.
Arachna: "Deep inside you know what you must do, so do that. Think of who you truly are… And as for your daughter, she will understand."
Her voice was soft, but firm. The kind of tone that didn't push someone, but guided them.
Zora lowered his head slightly. He didn't want to admit it, but he knew she was right. And when those words settled inside him, a stream of memories rushed through his mind all at once.
He remembered the day he found baby Lila in the forest, small, fragile, crying softly, yet somehow reaching out to him as if she already trusted him. He remembered how she grabbed his finger, tiny and delicate, and how that simple touch changed his entire world in a single moment.
He remembered the chaos of trying to raise a human child. Him learning to cook just so Lila could eat properly. The first birthday when he somehow managed to make a small cake after several burnt attempts. Lila trying to lift a wooden sword for the first time, only to fall backward because it was too heavy for her. Her tiny footsteps as she followed a line of ants curiously, only to get bitten and cry until he lifted her up.
He remembered watching her grow bit by bit. Her finally strong enough to hold the wooden sword without falling. Her begging him to teach her how to fight. Her determination. Her bright smile.
And eventually… her turning seventeen. The day she told him she wanted to become an adventurer. The pride and worry that mixed inside him when she said she wanted to see the world and help people.
Now she fought with a real sword, stronger than ever, her smile still the same but her spirit sharper than steel.
These memories flashed before his eyes like a single long breath. And they pushed him toward a decision, a decision only he could make.
---
Back to the present
Tzarkhul stepped forward, a wide grin stretching across his monstrous face. "Finally the weaklings are gone," he growled, cracking his neck as he faced Caelus and Hugo.
Hugo groaned loudly. "Ughhh, why do I have to face him again now?"
But beside him, Caelus's expression didn't change. His eyes stayed completely locked onto Tzarkhul, unblinking and calm. "Don't think this will be as easy as you believe," Caelus said, voice steady.
Tzarkhul laughed darkly.
A distance away, Gor'Mak stomped forward, his massive frame shaking the ground. "Eliminate every obstacles," he commanded, eyes fixed on Alex and Clara.
Alex stepped in front of Clara without hesitation. "Clara, stay behind and don't let him hit you."
Clara nodded firmly, "Hmm," gripping her staff tightly. She knew Alex could handle himself, but she would support him every second she could.
On the other side of the battlefield, Lucien pointed his spear at Rynara. "Now you have nowhere to hide. You shall be slain by my spear soon."
Zhyra smirked. "Haa, getting cocky I see. It will be fun when I break that confidence of yours… alongside your bones." Her wings spread slightly, corrupted energy leaking into the air around her.
And a bit far from them, Rynara clicked her tongue in annoyance as she looked toward Movern. "Tch. Why do I have to face an old man? And all alone? Old man, get down on your knees, then I will let you live."
Movern didn't respond. He didn't even blink. He simply gripped the handle of his katana, eyes steady, staring straight back at Rynara without fear.
Farther away, Yera'el stood across from Deigo, her expression glowing with confidence. "Don't think you won just because you escaped my illusion. Call yourself blessed, for I will show you my true power now… and the fact that you will die by my hands."
Deigo didn't speak a single word.
He slowly pulled a bottle of alcohol from his pocket, uncorked it, and took a calm drink. His expression didn't shift even slightly, his eyes fixed on Yera'el. He wasn't showing anger, nor fear, only a cold readiness.
The rest of the group spread out to fight what seemed like endless waves of corrupted beasts. They crawled from the ground, dropped from the air, charged from every direction. No place was safe. One mistake could get anyone killed. But they fought anyway, tired, wounded, and still pushing forward.
The War in the Ruins had begun.