Keiss walked forward, his eyes scanning the area as he saw a few soldiers clashing among themselves.
"Come on!" he shouted. "Now's not the time to fight! Get your heads straight!"
He stepped closer and patted one of the soldiers on the shoulder.
"Focus… be quick."
The soldier nodded, stepping back, ashamed.
But suddenly—
Keiss noticed something.
A horse… riding fast toward them.
He narrowed his eyes and stared carefully.
It didn't take long for him to recognize the rider.
Aron.
The horse slowed as it reached the area, and Aron quickly dismounted.
"What is happening, Keiss?" Aron asked, his voice serious.
Keiss looked at him for a moment.
"The darkness is here," he said. "We are preparing for war."
He paused, then asked directly—
"Do you want to join?"
Aron didn't hesitate.
"Yes," he said. "I have made my decision. I will fight with you."
For a brief second, Keiss stared at him… then nodded.
"Good."
He pointed toward the inner section of the camp.
"Go to the knights' room. Tell them Keiss sent you. They will give you armor and a sword."
He turned slightly.
"After that, come back. We will discuss the plan."
Aron nodded and moved immediately.
All around them, the sound of sirens echoed through the land, hunting the ears of every human present. Some were frightened, their faces pale, while others stood still, not even knowing what the outcome would be.
Fear…
Uncertainty…
And war.
---
Aron rushed inside the building.
His steps were quick, his breathing steady.
"I was sent by Commander Keiss," he said to the man standing near the entrance. "I need armor and a sword."
The man didn't say much. He simply pointed toward a door.
Aron nodded and stepped inside.
The room was filled with weapons.
Swords, spears, shields, armor—everything a soldier could need stood arranged around him. The metallic scent filled the air, heavy and sharp.
Aron walked deeper inside.
He didn't waste time.
He picked up a set of armor and began wearing it. The metallic steel felt heavy at first, but as it settled around his body, it felt… different.
Stronger.
As if he had stepped into another world.
He grabbed a sword next, testing its weight in his hand.
"Excuse me!"
A voice came from behind.
Aron turned.
A young man stood there.
"Hello," he said nervously. "My name is Ernold. I am here to get equipment as well."
Aron observed him.
They were almost the same height, but Ernold seemed more reserved. Black hair, glasses, and a quiet presence.
Aron pointed toward the racks.
"Armor is there. The swords are hanging on that side."
Ernold nodded quickly.
"Thank you."
He rushed to get his equipment, slightly clumsy but determined.
After a few moments, he returned, now wearing armor.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"Aron," he replied.
He adjusted his gloves.
"Let's finish this and head outside."
Ernold nodded.
---
Meanwhile—
Trail and Luxorious walked along a straight path, their horses moving at a steady pace.
The road was quiet.
Too quiet.
Luxorious glanced at Trail, who walked ahead in silence, lost in his own thoughts.
Something felt off.
As they reached further ahead, a group of soldiers ran past them, moving quickly in the opposite direction.
They didn't stop.
But their words were clear.
"The war is starting—be quick!"
Trail slowed down.
Then he stopped.
His expression changed slightly.
He turned his head… looking back.
Something was calling him.
---
Back at the battlefield—
Aron stepped outside, now fully prepared.
Before him stood a massive number of soldiers.
At least a thousand.
Some were experienced.
Others… were barely more than teenagers.
Yet all of them stood there, facing what was coming.
Facing something they might not survive.
From afar—
A voice echoed.
"ARON!"
It was Keiss.
The wind was strong now, rushing violently across the land. Trees shook as if they too feared what was approaching.
Aron ran toward him.
As he reached, Keiss leaned closer and spoke in a lower tone.
"Join the left side," he said. "We will handle the center."
Aron nodded.
As he turned, he noticed Ernold standing nearby.
He gestured to him.
"Come with me."
Ernold followed without hesitation.
They moved toward the left side of the army, walking through the lines of soldiers. For Aron, this was his first time standing in something like this.
A battlefield.
It could be his greatest moment.
Or his last.
Fear and hope mixed within everyone.
No one spoke.
Not anymore.
Aron stepped into position.
From there, he could see the center clearly.
The king stood there… along with his commanders.
And then—
Silence.
A sudden, unnatural silence fell across the entire field.
The wind slowed.
The noise faded.
Aron closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, feeling the air around him… the presence of everything.
Then he opened them again.
The king stepped forward.
"My soldiers!" his voice roared across the land.
"Today… is the day we were waiting for!"
"The day we were born for!"
His words echoed deeply.
"Either we destroy them… or they destroy us!"
"I want you all to forget your fears!"
"Fight with everything you have!"
"We die every day… and we are born every day!"
"The darkness may rule this land…"
He raised his hand.
"But they will never rule our hearts!"
The soldiers began to react.
"They are afraid of us!" the king continued.
"They want us to perish… but we will not allow it!"
"We will fight till our last breath!"
"Even if your heart is pierced—keep fighting!"
"Dedicate your hearts!"
A roar erupted.
More than a thousand voices rose together, shaking the very air. Swords and spears clashed against armor, creating a metallic storm of sound.
The battlefield burned with energy.
War was no longer coming.
It was here.
---
Far in the distance—
The darkness kept moving closer.
Closer.
Its numbers were overwhelming.
Far greater than the human army.
And worse—
They could regenerate.
The sky turned chaotic.
Thunder roared, lighting the dark clouds for brief moments.
Yet within that darkness—
Something watched.
A figure.
A laughing face.
The thirteenth child of Xeudeus.
Red eyes glowing within the shadows.
Waiting.
---
Lilith stood on the other side.
(Thoughts)
Be real, Lilith…
This is your first war.
Everything you trained for… led you here.
His grip tightened.
Master Okasai…
I will show you.
I will show you why I deserve to carry that red sword.
His eyes flickered with determination.
He stood among the right side of the army, unaware—
That somewhere on the battlefield…
Not too far away…
Aron stood as well.
Both moving toward the same war.
The same fate.
But from different paths.