Faris opened his eyes to the morning sun rays filtering through the curtains. He rose from bed and stepped onto the balcony, savoring the peace and the tranquil view of the city. It felt as if the world was on the verge of a new era, as if catastrophe and danger had been left far behind, merely hinted at by the towering stone bastions.

The city bustled with life, as though nothing had happened. Carts clattered along the streets, merchants shouted their offers, and in the distance, the cheerful voices of children echoed.

Faris was lost in thought when the door to the room burst open, and Liriana appeared before him, full of energy.

Faris, Faris! Her voice was joyful, though a flicker of unease hid in her eyes. Let's go for a walk through the city. I heard the market's open—artifacts for sale, monster jewelry, and all sorts of curiosities found beyond the walls.

She laughed, pulling him along. Faris smiled faintly, though he felt a sense of unease deep inside.

Don't be so tense!" Liriana teased him. Even Rinor gave us some money, so we can afford a little craziness today. Let's spend it all!" She laughed again, and for a brief moment, her laughter lifted his doubts.

When they arrived at the new market, Faris was taken aback by the array of goods. Stalls selling weapons, armor, and artifacts were everywhere. Necklaces made of monster teeth, glowing crystals, and even strange gloves emitting a magical aura—it all seemed so magical and unfamiliar.

Where did all this come from? Faris asked, trying to grasp the scale of what was happening.

We don't just sit behind the walls, explained Walys, Rinor's apprentice and artifact master, who approached them. We send expeditions into the ruins. These artifacts—we haven't figured them all out yet, but mages, alchemists, and even scientists are trying to understand how they work. Some are dangerous, but there are ones that are useful in combat.

Useful in combat? Faris's interest was piqued.

Walys showed him a pair of gloves. Take these, for example—they block magical attacks. Quite handy, especially against swordsmen who enhance their strikes with spells.

Faris examined the artifacts but didn't buy anything. That strange feeling of unease from the morning still lingered.

They wandered the city until late evening. Liriana told cheerful stories and laughed, but something in her behavior seemed off to Faris. On one of the city walls, under the full moonlight, he noticed her smile had faded, and her eyes stared into the distance with a tinge of sadness.

Is something bothering you? he asked.

No, everything's fine, Liriana replied, but her voice lacked confidence. She turned to him, and for a moment, her eyes seemed to lose their usual brightness. Then, unexpectedly, she kissed him. It was a quiet kiss, but in it, Faris felt an underlying desperation that frightened him.

Everything will be fine, she whispered. I swear, I'll stay with you until the end. Under this moon, tonight... always.

Faris wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come. He simply hugged her tighter, hoping it would dispel her fears.

When they returned, they found Caldrion practicing magic in the center of the room.

Magic isn't just about destruction, he said. It's also about creation. With it, you can build, change, heal. The key is control.

Just then, Arianna walked down the hallway with a basket of vegetables. Suddenly, water spilled from the ceiling, followed by a falling bucket.

Weren't you just talking about control? Faris smirked.

Caldrion flushed, embarrassed by the sight of a drenched Arianna, and mumbled, "Alright, I'll go practice with the sword instead."

But Lian, who had been practicing levitation, chuckled at the scene. Liriana merely glanced at him, and before he could say anything, she sent him into a gentle flight.

Faris laughed, though he felt Liriana's jealous gaze upon him. He quickly gathered himself and shouted, Lian, I hope you survived because I think I'm next!

Several days passed, and Faris began to notice that the city was becoming more isolated. They were forbidden from leaving the walls, and Faris grew suspicious that something important was being hidden.

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He decided to speak with Kaidjil. At first, they talked about magic and training, but then Faris shifted to more pressing matters.

Kaidjil, why aren't we allowed outside the walls? he asked as Kaidjil finished his mug of honeyed ale.

Kaidjil's face darkened. He set his mug aside and frowned.

It's too dangerous out there, Faris. The world beyond the walls has changed. The twisted ones... they're not what they used to be. They're smarter, stronger. And there are... other threats.

Faris looked at Kaidjil in confusion. "What other threats?"

There are creatures that don't just kill. They... He hesitated, as if unsure whether to continue. They hunt souls. And not just humans, but mages as well.

Kaidjil suddenly fell silent, then stood up and left without saying goodbye.

As Faris returned to his room, his mind was filled with thoughts. His thoughts centered on Rinor and the unsettling feelings that had been gnawing at him. The mysteries surrounding his old friend had become too obvious to ignore. He couldn't shake the feeling that Rinor was hiding something important, something that could change everything. His musings were suddenly interrupted—Lian appeared before him, floating in the air, seemingly having mastered levitation magic.

Don't you have anything better to do? Faris quipped, raising an eyebrow.

Lian sheepishly landed and, in almost a childish voice, said, Sorry, I'm just bored... Liriana and Arianna are mad at me. You've got to protect me! he added with exaggerated pleading, hiding behind Faris.

Faris sighed heavily, noting the playful glint in Lian's eyes. He couldn't help but smile.

Alright, let's go. Just try not to make them angrier.

Later, they gathered in a cozy sitting room. Faris pulled out a bottle of wine and some sweets he'd been saving for moments like this. The atmosphere gradually lightened, and Liriana, with a sweet smile, offered a truce.

Alright, you're forgiven, but next time, we're turning you into house cats.

It was an accident! We didn't mean to! Lian exclaimed dramatically, hiding behind Faris.

Just then, Caldrion entered the room, covered in scratches and cuts, as if he'd just come from a battle.

I'm exhausted, he muttered, collapsing into the nearest chair.

Lian couldn't resist teasing him, You're only 28, and you're already complaining! You're not old!

However, with unexpected agility, Caldrian grabbed his hand and, lifting him slightly, replied with a smirk:

Come on, let's head to training if you're so young and full of energy!

Faris watched with a faint smile, happy that for a moment, their world seemed to return to its familiar rhythm. But the calm didn't last long.

Night swallowed the city, and Faris was on the verge of sleep when a loud crash from outside woke him. He jumped out of bed, grabbing his sword. Through the windows of his room, he saw a sea of flames raging and heard the screams of people echoing through the streets.

Rushing into the common room, he saw the others already alert—everyone except Lirianna.

Where is she?! What's happening?! Panic gripped Faris, his heart pounding in his chest.

We don't know, Kaidjil replied, already battle-ready. I was outside—the northern wall has fallen, the barrier's broken.

Faris wasted no time. He dashed outside, instantly feeling the heat of battle and the chaos consuming the city. Explosive waves of energy from the mages mixed with the cries of the wounded and the sound of buildings collapsing. As he ran, memories of his last moments with Lirianna flashed through his mind—how she had stood on the wall, gazing at the horizon, her eyes filled with sorrow and longing.

Why there? What am I missing? The thoughts tormented him.

At last, he reached the northern wall, where the Corrupted were pouring into the city. Their monstrous forms were even more grotesque than he remembered, with huge claws and blood-red eyes carrying a force of pure destruction. The barrier that once held them at bay was now nothing but a memory.

Kaidjil was fighting desperately, surrounded by mages. On the rooftops, figures in cloaks stood, their eyes glowing, faces disfigured by scars in the shape of five fingers. These mages skillfully wielded destructive spells, only slightly weaker than Kaidjil in strength.

Faris clenched his teeth, holding back his fury.

Where the hell is Rinor? Why isn't he here at a time like this?

He didn't have time to finish the thought when he heard a scream—Lirianna. His heart sank. He sprinted toward the sound, cutting through the Corrupted. His sword sang a deadly tune, slicing enemies into pieces.

He finally reached the spot where Lirianna was surrounded. One of the cloaked mages blocked Faris' path, his laughter echoing through the air:

The blood of children is the best way to gain power.

Faris felt nothing but rage. With each strike, his movements grew more ruthless. The Corrupted fell before him one by one, their large, twisted bodies unable to withstand his assault. He didn't stop—he plowed forward, cutting down anyone who stood in his way.

When a mage stepped forward and knocked him back, declaring his name was Veron, Lirianna encased herself in a magical barrier, shielding herself from the attackers. But a strange, ethereal creature slipped through her defenses, unaffected by her magic, heading straight for her. In a single moment, it reached her and seemed to pierce her chest.

Faris froze. The world around him slowed, and all he saw were her eyes. Moments ago, so full of life, they now stared at him with pain and sorrow. Slowly, she closed them, and it broke him.

Magic erupted within Faris, tearing through his body. Rage consumed him, filling every muscle. The veins in his arms bulged, and his eyes filled with blood. He no longer felt pain, only fury. With a primal scream, he charged into battle, tearing enemies apart. Veron didn't even have time to speak before he lost his head. Faris thought of nothing except the need to destroy those who dared to touch Lirianna.

He was nearly at her side when a powerful blow struck him in the side, sending his body flying several meters until he crashed into a wall.

From the shadows, stepping into the light, came Rinor. His face was calm, but the glint of a victorious smirk danced in his eyes.

Looks like I arrived just in time, he said, looking at the exhausted Faris.