Alone, under the morning's sweltering sun, a child stood stoically with a heavy steel sword in his hand.

"Hyah, Hwh, Haa"

Since the sky was stained crimson, Mer's small body trembled as he swung his sword in precise arcs, his hands now bloodied and back steeped in sweat. The gardens rustling leaves could barely be heard over the boy's labored breathing.

"Hyah, Huh, Haar, Hoo"

Sharp but affectionate blue eyes followed the boy's forms.

"Let's end it here," came a deep and commanding voice.

Breathing heavily, the boy stopped and wiped his brow with his sleeve.

A handsome, well-built man pushed himself off the courtyard's marble railing and walked toward the boy, placing his large calloused hand on his shoulder.

"Well done, Mer. We bleed now so we don't die later. Go and get some breakfast before visiting your tutor."

"Certainly, I'm famished. Thank you," Mer replied, his voice laced with exhaustion.

The man opened his mouth, but before he could reply, a tremendous explosion shook the premises. Delicate ornaments, eardrums, and windows were all shattered.

The father's eyes widened as he looked toward the source of the sound, and then as his gaze turned toward his son, he grimaced. Mer was now sprawled on the ground, clutching his bloody ears.

'I'm sorry, son. I'm sorry your father is not strong enough,' he murmured as he crouched beside his son and rested his hand on the boy's head. Invisible tendrils of energy snaked from his hand, easing the boy's pain and repairing his perforated eardrums.

"Quickly, go to our residence and meet your siblings; your mother is probably also with them. Then, follow your brother and escape through the deeproads. Don't worry about us, just run and don't look back… I love you, son, and I'm proud of you." Saying this, Leonis turned around and ran towards the breach.

Tears filled Mer's eyes as he watched his father's firm back and long golden hair disappear around a corner. He knew he had to go, but his heart ached at the thought of leaving his father behind.

'I thought our walls were impenetrable… How could this happen? Were we betrayed? Will we be able to push them back? Will my father be alright? What will we do once we escape?'

Frozen, Mer sat in solitude in the center of the courtyard. Thousands of thoughts whirled through his head, but they did nothing to ease his worries. Instead, his breathing became more erratic, and his hands started to shake.

Isolated, a boy sat in a seemingly peaceful but battered courtyard. The scene's idyllic tranquility starkly juxtaposed the clamor of steel wails of death not far away.

Drawing a deep breath, Mer tried to analyze the situation.

'Whatever's happened, I lack the power to help… I should first find my siblings and pray my father can push the Sol-dier's back. Only the lady can save us now. Yivlä nobiscum.'

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Resolving himself, Mer fought against the tide of rushing soldiers and panicked ministers; his heart pounded with each step as he raced through the castle's twisting corridors. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and fear; clanging swords and screams of terror filled his ears.

Finally, he arrived at the massive stone door that marked his family's hidden sanctuary. It towered above him like a monolith. Mer placed his palm against its surface, feeling the cold, rough texture beneath his fingertips. As he did, the door's intricate runes glowed with ethereal blue light.

With a low, groaning sound, the door slowly creaked open, revealing Mer's mother, sister, and brother.

Before Mer could step beneath the towering baroque-stained glass windows to enter the colossal atrium, Selina ran forward to embrace her son. Her long silver locks danced beneath the dawning sun with each step, and against her slight bags, her resplendent golden eyes provided a sense of corrupted beauty.

"Mer, my wonderful son, you must be brave now and hurry to the hidden passageway with your siblings. I don't know how long our forces can hold, so I must join your father for our last stand."

"But... what about you? What if you don't make it?"

Selina's eyes softened as she pulled him close. "We'll be fine, Mer. Your father and I are strong, and we'll do everything to protect each other. Remember that we love you more than anything."

Mer's throat tightened as he hugged his mother, feeling her warmth and strength seep into his bones. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to leave you," he whispered, his voice choking.

An unseen tear slipped from Selina’s eye. "I know, my dear. But you have to be strong. I promise that your father and I will meet you in the capital soon."

"I will, Ma. I love you too." Despite his trembling body, Mer puffed out his chest in response.

At this moment, the smallest started to cry again. "*Sniffle* Ma, don’t go. What if Mer bullies me again?"

Discreetly wiping her eyes and turning around, Selina replied. "Don't worry, sweety, your brothers will look after you, and we'll all be together again before you know it."

Malriv placed his hand on Ema's shoulder, offering her further reassurance. "We'll be sure to take care of you, so don't worry."

Selina hugged each of her children one last time, holding them tightly, not wanting to let go. "Take care, my children," she said, her voice thick with unspoken emotion. "I love you all so much."

And then she was gone, disappearing in a burst of light as she teleported to her husband's side. Mer stared toward where his mother last stood, feeling a crushing sense of loss wash over him. He knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

"Okay, you two, stick close and follow me," Marliv exclaimed as he strode through the well-lit corridors of the keep. The siblings trailed behind him, their small footsteps echoing off the stone walls.

"Okay, Maly." Ema's response was soft and obedient, but Mer remained silent.

"Ema, for the millionth time, my name's not Maly… Do you think… Ah, we don't have time for this." Marlive muttered under his breath.

The two little ones followed their brother's deceptively confidant gate, walking deeper into the keep until they arrived at an extensive library.

"Are you ready for a cool magic trick?" Marliv turned to his siblings and flashed a mischievous grin.

"Umhmm," Ema replied, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Malriv ambled toward a shelf and took out an unassuming aged red leather book, opening it to the two-hundred and thirty-seventh page. Then, pulling a knife from his waist, he cut his thumb, allowing a few drops of blood to fall onto the opened page. From where the blood spilt, mesmerizing and increasingly intricate patterns spread until the page opened a bloody maw.

"Descendant of Lupus, it seems you have begotten upon troubled times. For what reason have you summoned me?" A guttural and phlegmy voice enquired.

"We seek safe passage to the outside," Marliv confidently replied.

"Hmmm, that can be arranged... but I'd like to request you take me with you, little ones. I am no longer needed here."

"Of course. We could always use your wisdom Krov."

"Goood. Without the castle's magic sustaining me, I will enter slumber until satiated. Safe travels, little ones. Oh, and remember, some things are better left unseen." the voice warned before swallowing the children whole, leaving the library tranquil once more.

Overcoming the darkness, yellow lights slowly flickered on, revealing an expansive chiseled quartzite passage. Ancient engravings of bloody battles and abominable beasts speckled the walls. Each carving oozed a chilling feeling of death; their gazes peered into the secrets of the children's souls, observing their every movement.

Clutching the grimoire and recalling its warning, Malriv turned to look at Mer and Ema.

"Don't stare at the sculptures… A barrier prevents anyone from leaving our keep with magic, so we'll have to travel on foot until we make it to Viscount Demeetry's. So stick tog… Mer, are you okay?"

Wiping the ebony liquid leaking from the corner of his mouth, Mer responded.

"I'm fine, don't…"

But before he could finish his sentence, Mer began wheezing and hysterically retching. Dropping to his knees, each cough caused his body to shudder as more putrid raven fluid spewed from his mouth.

Barely discerning his brother's frantic shouts and sister's wails, Mer's vision faded to black.