Newfear

The battle was at its peak. Soldiers clashed in utter chaos, shouting and exchanging arrows, while swords collided with sharp echoes that reflected the struggle of life and death. Dust filled the air, and blood spilled onto the ground as bodies fell one after another. Amidst this hell, Aqua Nightover walked forward with calm steps, as if the world around him had frozen, granting him passage unnoticed.

The soldiers on both sides were consumed by fierce combat; none expected that someone could walk through the heart of this inferno undeterred. They faced death with courage, but Aqua knew that none of them possessed his kind of bravery.

Then, suddenly, in a strange moment of silence amidst the uproar, Aqua stopped. He slowly raised his head and unsheathed his sword in a swift motion. The blade gleamed under the dim moonlight, as if the next wave from his sword would strike down everyone in its path.

His once-calm gaze sharpened, his eyes filled with focus, as if they had been frozen in time at the moment of battle. With his first movement, his body glided between the soldiers like water, as if the ground beneath him offered no resistance. He moved with agility and smoothness, as though he had not been resting moments ago but was instead a killing machine.

He surged forward, like a tiger in the midst of the crowd. Swords clashed in the air with piercing sounds, and he was at their center, evading attacks with expert maneuvers, parrying blows effortlessly, as if the swords were nothing more than the wind to him. His blade sliced through the air before striking his opponent directly... heads fell to the ground, or weapons were stripped from enemies' hands in an instant.

In a blink, he faced a towering knight wielding a long sword, swinging it like a raging storm. Sir Darian stood at a distance, watching in stunned silence, while Sir Variss glanced around frantically, unable to believe that the calm figure who had entered the chaos moments ago had now become a combat monster.

"This is..." Darian whispered, watching as Aqua swung his sword, bringing down the knight before him in an instant.

Aqua moved between soldiers and knights with ease, stepping like a shadow. The soldiers couldn't comprehend how he was felling them one after another. Swords scattered through the air, bodies collapsed to the ground, unable to escape his cold, calculated blade.

Then, he approached the nearest knight who dared to challenge him. Aqua raised his sword high, and in a flash, his strike descended like an arrow. The blade cut through armor and steel as if they were nothing, and Aqua moved to the next opponent. One after another, swords dropped from their owners' hands in rapid succession, as if Aqua existed in a realm of his own... every move precise, every step bringing him closer to swift victory.

It seemed as if the entire battlefield had frozen, watching this astonishing solo combat. Aqua knew exactly what he was doing, and he knew that the soldiers before him stood no chance against the agility and grace he had chosen to wield against them. Before anyone could catch their breath, another knight fell, and there was Aqua, moving through the chaos of battle as if life had abandoned everyone else, leaving only him to continue forward without hesitation.

In a fleeting moment, Aqua suddenly stopped. His body began to sway as he spun around himself, as though he carried the weight of the world. He staggered, panting heavily, his breath cutting through the battlefield's silence. Each inhale burned like fire in his chest. This was no longer the deadly calm they knew from him... this time, he was on the verge of collapse. But something within him urged him forward.

He lowered slightly, as if his strength had faltered for a moment. But at that very instant, a knight ambushed him from an unexpected angle. Aqua reacted in a blink, shifting his body swiftly to the left, causing the knight to lose balance and crash onto the ground face-first... a pivotal moment.

Aqua would not grant the knight a second chance. With unnatural speed and fluidity, he leaped, delivering a final strike that severed the knight's head from his body. The corpse fell to the ground, swept away by the wind as if it had never existed.

A moment of sudden stillness followed, as Aqua dropped to one knee, gasping heavily, as if his body had begun to bear the weight of this battle. Yet, his hoarse breath shattered the eerie silence of the battlefield.

Darian: "Fall back and rest for a bit!... You fool, you weren't even prepared, were you?!"

Sir Darian shouted from afar, unable to contain his concern. His gaze was filled with anger and frustration, as if the boy before him had chosen to play the hero despite every warning.

Aqua panted, his breathing heavy in his chest, but his eyes burned with fury... an endless challenge. He knew Darian was right, but he couldn't stop now. He wouldn't.

Aqua stood up with determination, as if every step burned into his body. His legs tensed, his heart pumped more blood through his veins. He insisted on pressing forward, his anger rising just as his strength waned. He was fighting for something greater than himself, and he couldn't stop now.

Aqua: "Not yet…"

He whispered to himself, then looked at Sir Darian with defiance before continuing forward.

Aqua: "I won't stop until I bring down that arrogant ravens."

At that moment, Sir Darian watched him with worried eyes, but at the same time, he knew that this stubborn boy would fight to his last breath.

Darian: "That stubborn boy is going to get himself killed!"

Sir Darian muttered, watching Aqua push forward, struggling but still moving through the heart of battle.

Eastern Lands of Varlom – At the Gates of a Dark, Isolated Castle

In a place completely secluded from everything, where the sun hid behind heavy clouds, Varlom Castle stood tall... dark, wrapped in an ancient mystery. Its walls were as black as if they had been crafted from the night itself, and its towering spires whispered secrets yet to be uncovered. Its massive gate stood open, but within it loomed a dense darkness, as if the castle called to those daring enough to enter.

Raymond Vanheim, with his composed demeanor and sharp eyes, arrived at the castle. He rode his black horse, which slowed to a stop at the grand entrance. He glanced at Liana beside him, whose eyes widened as she took in the vast surrounding lands. The horizon stretched over rolling hills, the land lush and green... radiating an indescribable beauty.

Raymond dismounted, then extended his hand gently to help Liana down. Her steps were slow, her eyes filled with awe as she gazed at the scene before her. When her feet touched the ground, she lifted her gaze toward the grand castle, then back to Raymond. Suddenly, she smiled... a radiant expression that seemed to light up her entire face.

Liana, in a quiet yet passionate voice: "I can't believe it! Are we really going to live here?!"

Raymond gave a faint, slightly sarcastic smile, as if he saw only the castle's mysteries.

Raymond: "That is… if you don't change your mind and decide to return home."

Liana playfully shoved him, laughing softly.

Liana: "Impossible!"

She said, beaming at him, then glanced around once more, her eyes absorbing the sight of the castle.

Liana: "I've always dreamed of this… but I never imagined I'd leave everything behind and come here for real… But I'm glad I did."

Before they could say anything else, their moment was interrupted by a familiar voice approaching in excitement.

"My lord… I can hardly believe it!"

Raymond turned immediately to find the head servant 'Rinus' rushing toward him, his face radiating joy as he clutched a letter in his hand.

The head servant, with a bright smile, his eyes filled with amazement and relief.

Rinus: "Welcome back, young master. When I received your letter saying you would return, I almost swore I was imagining things… but you're really here!"

Raymond nodded slightly, his voice calm but carrying a trace of warmth.

Raymond: Hello, Rinus. I apologize for the delay... I met my mother on the way here."

In that instant, Rinus's smile slowly faded, as if something unseen had drained the joy from his face. He took a deep breath, then silently extended the letter toward Raymond.

A black seal adorned the envelope.

Time paused for a brief but heavy moment. Raymond stared at the seal, hesitating to reach for it. Something deep inside him sensed misfortune... a strange feeling creeping into his chest like a cold breeze on a suffocating summer day. This was not normal.

Finally, he reached out, hesitantly breaking the seal. He unfolded the letter and began reading in silence.

The air grew unnervingly still.

Meanwhile, Liana was too captivated by the castle to notice. She explored the courtyard, admiring the plants, then tilted her head up, marveling at the towering spires, as if trying to take in the entire scene.

Breaking the silence, Rinus spoke again... his voice now quiet, but carrying a weight heavier than any scream.

Rinus: "The Battle of Draxul… began two hours ago."

Raymond's eyes froze on the letter, his mind refusing to process what he had just heard. He looked up at Rinus in shock, while the servant continued in a voice filled with deep concern.

Rinus : "The message arrived about half an hour ago... Our kingdom Arcadia faces the kingdom of Atheria... The families involved are the Solaris, Malacard, and Volmar."

Raymond continued reading the words in the letter, while his mind translated them slowly, as if each letter was a dagger piercing his chest.

Meanwhile, Liana had moved away from him slightly, wandering in the courtyard. Her eyes carefully examined the plants that had been nurtured along the edges of the stone paths. She was unaware of what was going through his mind, lost in her own moment, exploring the place that had now become her new home. She lifted her head to gaze at the tall towers, and felt a gaze directed at her. She suddenly turned to find Raymond staring at her.

Their eyes met for a few seconds. She couldn't understand what was going on inside him, but she immediately smiled at him, a warm and genuine smile. Then, she felt embarrassed and gently turned her face away, as if trying to hide the redness of her cheeks.

But Raymond did not return her smile. In fact, his eyes shone with that look of determination that preceded a decisive decision. He then began to breathe heavily. Slowly, he turned towards the horizon, the roads leading out of Varlom, to where the battle raged in Draxuol. The wind was light, but in his ears, it sounded like a call he couldn't ignore.

Raymond, still holding the letter, felt his breath grow heavy. He wasn't breathing smoothly, as though his heart was waging an internal battle before his feet even touched the battlefield. He looked away, towards the horizon that led to Draxuol's lands, to a war he perhaps didn't want to return to, but the blood running through his veins wouldn't let him stand idly by.

Then, in a quiet voice, as if testing his decision before uttering it aloud, he asked.

Raymond: "How long will it take to ride at full speed from here to Draxul?"

Rinus felt a chill run through his body, his gaze deep with concern. He stammered as he replied.

Rinus: "M... My lord... Are you planning to go?

Raymond raised his eyes to him, his look filled with agitation he couldn't hide. It wasn't a simple matter. He was at a crossroads, with two choices before him, each one meaning the sacrifice of something important.

He had finally found the life he had dreamed of, a life he could take care of, build with Liana... But at the same time, how could he turn his back on a battle that might change the fate of everything?

He knew the answer, but he wasn't ready to say it yet.

Raymond stood, his eyes fixed on the horizon, his thoughts wrestling inside him. Then he turned sharply towards Rinus and asked in a low voice, yet filled with concern.

Raymond: "How many men do we have on our side?"

Rinus hesitated for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words before answering in a quiet voice.

Rinus: "The Arcadian families involved are... the Starkov, Windsword, Blackmirth, and... Nightover."

At the mention of the last name, Raymond's expression froze for a moment, as if his entire body had stopped moving. He stared at him in shock, then suddenly, he turned quickly and rushed toward his horse, his steps fast as if racing against time.

Rinus: "My lord... My lord!, what's wrong?"

Rinus called out as he ran after him, concern evident on his face.

Raymond leapt onto his horse with swift motion, gripping the reins tightly. Then, he whispered to himself in a barely audible voice.

Raymond: "Nightover... They're involved in this war with only one man they rely on."

As soon as he finished his words, he struck the horse's reins, and it shot off at incredible speed, releasing a loud neigh that echoed throughout the palace, as if signaling the beginning of a race with no return.

At that moment, Liana was still wandering in the courtyard, enjoying the beauty of the place, when she heard the sudden sound. She turned quickly, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Raymond speeding away, as if racing the wind. She felt a strange tightening in her chest, something she didn't understand, but it made her run immediately toward Rinus, who was silently watching the scene.

Liana: "What's happening?! Where did he go?"

She asked in a voice full of concern, while Rinus glanced at her for a moment before replying with a false tone of reassurance.

Rinus: "He's gone somewhere... He'll be back."

But Liana didn't fully believe that. She stared at the path where he had disappeared, a sense of unease creeping into her heart, as though something was wrong, something she shouldn't ignore...

Dreamcrown – In the royal garden of the palace.

The royal garden was a masterpiece of beauty and luxury, with stone pathways winding through vibrant green spaces dotted with rare flowers in vivid colors. Gentle fountains whispered softly, reflecting the sunlight that filtered through the blooming branches of trees, while small birds danced among the limbs, singing peaceful tunes. Elegant marble benches were scattered throughout, and kiosks draped in silky curtains provided shade for visitors. The entire place exuded an elegance befitting the masters of the royal court.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the stone-paved path.

Viscountess 'Talia Vanheim', twenty years old, walked calmly under the faint moonlight that cast silvery shadows across the garden. Her short red hair shimmered under the glow of the hanging lanterns, appearing like a crown of fire framing her slender face. Her wide, calm gray eyes held a deep gaze, as if reflecting secrets she chose not to reveal. Her features were delicate and elegant, with a straight nose and softly rosy cheeks, giving her an appearance that blended strength and grace.

She wore a long white dress, simple in design yet retaining elegant details that reflected her high status. The soft fabric flowed with her movements, while the long sleeves, adorned with subtle silver thread embroidery, added a touch of sophistication without excess. Around her waist, a silk sash accentuated her slenderness, and the folds of the dress swayed gracefully with every step she took.

Talia did not wear much jewelry... only a simple silver ring on her finger and small pearl earrings that glimmered in her ears. Her steps were quick and decisive, as though she were trying to avoid any unwanted conversations.

But a voice called her name.

"Lady Talia?"

She paused for a moment, exhaled softly, then slowly turned. She walked toward the table with steady steps, although she could already hear hushed whispers and muffled laughter before she reached them.