Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Valor Manor – Celebration Hall}}

The party was in full swing. Music echoed through the grand halls, laughter filled the air, and nobles conversed over fine wine and delicacies. Kael remained near the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. The earlier encounter with Darius Ferden still lingered in his mind, but it was a minor distraction.

Kyle, standing beside him, smirked. "I have to admit, little brother, you handled that well."

Kael glanced at him. "Handling arrogant fools is nothing new."

Kyle chuckled, swirling his drink. "Still, it's rare to see you take center stage."

Kael shrugged. He never sought attention. He preferred to let his actions speak for him.

Before Kyle could say more, a deep, resounding [[GONG]] echoed through the town.

The hall fell silent.

Another [[GONG]] followed by hurried footsteps outside. Then, a bloodcurdling scream.

The alarm bells rang.

A knight burst through the entrance, panting. "Monsters! A horde is attacking the town gates!"

In an instant, the celebration turned to chaos. Nobles scrambled to gather their weapons, and knights rushed toward the armory. Cassian took immediate command, issuing orders with sharp precision.

Kyle cracked his knuckles, turning to Kael. "Maybe this is the perfect time to show you just how strong I've become."

He stepped forward, releasing his aura, a blazing Tier 7, a light red aura glow.

Kael exhaled, stepping beside him. "You tell me."

With a calm motion, his Light Red Aura flared to life.

Kyle's eyes widened in shock. "You—" He cut himself off, before grinning. "Heh. Guess I'm not the only one who improved."

Kael smirked. "We'll see who slays more."

The two brothers dashed toward the gates, Freya, Garrett, and Selene close behind.

{{Town Gates – Battlefield}}

The once-peaceful town had turned into a war zone. From the shadows of the forest, countless figures emerged, Goblins, Bloodfang Wolves, Razorfang Rabbits, and even Orcs.

Knights clashed with monsters, the air filled with the clash of steel and the roars of beasts.

Kael wasted no time. With precise, deadly movements, he dispatched a Goblin with a single stab, then sidestepped a charging Bloodfang Wolf, slashing its throat mid-air.

Kyle, not to be outdone, engaged an Orc head-on, his strikes forceful yet refined. "Come on, Kael! Try to keep up!"

Garrett and Freya fought side by side, their coordination impeccable. Selene, meanwhile, assisted the knights, her magic shielding the wounded.

The battle raged on, but something was wrong.

Kael's instincts flared.

From the treeline, a monstrous figure emerged, a towering beast, fur darker than the void, eyes glowing like embers.

A Shadowlord Bear.

The battlefield fell silent for a brief moment.

Kyle frowned. "That thing's Rank A… but why is it fighting alongside these monsters?"

Kael narrowed his eyes. Shadowlord Bears were known for preying on weaker creatures, not leading them.

The beast let out a deep, guttural growl, then disappeared, melting into the shadows.

"Damn it!" Kyle cursed. "Stay sharp! It could be anywhere!"

Kael's senses sharpened. He could hear his own heartbeat. He scanned the battlefield, but the beast had vanished.

Then...

Selene screamed.

Kael whipped around.

The Shadowlord Bear emerged from Selene's shadow, its massive claws descending toward her.

Everything slowed.

Kael's mind raced, his System activating, enhancing his perception. Every possible outcome flashed before him.

He moved.

Faster than thought.

CRASH!

Kael tackled Selene away, mere moments before the bear's claws slashed the ground where she had stood.

Kael's voice rang out. "Damn it! It can hide in shadows?!"

"Go now selene, we can handle this one"

Selene trembled but nodded. "I-I'll help the knights! You four handle this thing!"

Kael stood, his aura flaring. "Cassian trusted me to protect you. Go."

She hesitated but ultimately obeyed, retreating toward their mother.

The siblings now faced the Shadowlord Bear head-on.

Kyle clenched his fists. "Let's kill this thing."

{{Battlefield – The Turning Point}}

The battle dragged on. The Shadowlord Bear's thick hide deflected most attacks. Each time it vanished into the shadows, it struck from unpredictable angles.

Kyle was bleeding. Garrett's arm was slashed. Freya's breathing was ragged.

Kael gritted his teeth. They were getting exhausted.

The bear lunged again, Kael barely dodged, rolling to the side.

A strange sensation pulsed in his chest.

His mind clouded.

His breath hitched.

Darkness.

A voice.

A deep, ancient tone echoed through his mind.

"You promised... never to let them be hurt."

Kael gasped. Who was speaking?

He struggled to respond, but..

Darkness.

Then.

A surge of power.

{{Battlefield – Aftermath}}

Kael opened his eyes.

The Shadowlord Bear lay dead beneath him, its body torn apart.

Blood.

Everywhere.

His hands were drenched in crimson.

His siblings stared at him in fear.

Kyle, usually arrogant, took a step back.

Freya trembled.

Garrett's grip tightened around his weapon.

Kael swallowed.

The silence was deafening.

The town bells rang once more.. signaling victory.

But Kael didn't feel victorious.

He felt something else.

Something… wrong.

And for the first time in years, he saw something in his siblings' eyes that he had never wanted to see.

Fear.