The indoor training room at the Seraphim Military Compound was filled with the grunts of warriors, the clashing of weapons, and the sharp commands of instructors. Rows of soldiers moved in sync, practicing various forms, while others engaged in one-on-one sparring matches. Crystal lamps of all shapes and sizes glimmered on the walls. They cast a warm light across the room's assortment of weapons—crafted from metal, stone, and wood alike.
Kamari, Leon, and Eli stood together at one end of the room, dressed in their standard training gear: tight black IronSilk uniforms with gold accents and the proud emblem of the Seraphim displayed on their chests. Kamari and Leon had just finished a heated sparring match, and Kamari now lay flat on his back, panting as he stared up at the ceiling.
Leon grinned down at him, offering a hand.
"You've got to stop letting me throw you around like this."
Kamari groaned as he took Leon's hand. He slowly caught his breath.
"Yeah, yeah."
Eli lounged nearby. A mischievous smirk lined his lips as he watched the exchange.
"I wouldn't be able to take that many losses in a row. You're a better man than me."
Kamari shot him a glance—somewhat annoyed.
"I'm not just taking losses for fun, Eli. Yesterday— I didn't take the goblins down as quickly as I should've. So, I need to work on my techniques. I need to get better. And if it means getting my ass handed to me by Leon a few more times, so be it."
Leon chuckled as he clapped Kamari on the shoulder.
"It's great that you always push yourself, but being too hard on yourself can be just as bad as it is good. You were fine yesterday— everyone saw it."
"I know. But still— I need to be faster. Stronger. There's always room to improve."
Leon nodded. He then shifted his gaze to Eli, who was casually stretching on the floor with little to no care in the world.
"Speaking of which, you should take a page out of Kamari's book, Eli, and put in some effort for once instead of lying around all day."
Eli let out an exaggerated groan, threw his arms dramatically behind his head, and stretched out fully on his back, making no move to stand.
"Effort? Why, when I can sit here and enjoy watching Red get pummeled? It's way more entertaining."
Kamari rolled his eyes—though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"One day, Eli, it'll be me and you. We'll see who's getting tossed around then."
Eli waved a hand dismissively.
"Sure, sure. Maybe after I finish my nap, don't hold your breath, though."
Leon and Kamari exchanged an almost annoyed look.
Leon sighed.
"If he puts in as much effort into training as he does into lazing around, he could easily match his uncle's power. Such a waste of potential."
Kamari nudged the side of Leon's arm.
"Ignore him. Let's go again."
"You sure you're ready for round five already?"
Kamari nodded, but before they could start, Byron's familiar voice echoed through the training room. He immediately called out to them.
"Good to see you two putting in the work, as always."
The other warriors in the room straightened their posture slightly upon hearing his voice.
Eli suddenly sprang into action, blitzing into the push-up position so quickly that if Byron hadn't seen him lounging just moments earlier, he would never have known.
"And that makes one thousand!"
He grunted as he "struggled" through his final push-up. His smug expression remained as he glanced up at Byron.
Byron returned a knowing look, with his eyebrow raised, but chose not to call him out. Instead, he turned his attention to Kamari and Leon. He crossed his arms, and his face broke into a grin.
"I've got some great news! Your prayers have been answered. I've been tasked with the creation of a new Elite Squad, and you three will be a part of it."
Eli perked up immediately—still in his mock push-up position.
"Does this mean we're no longer going to be babysat by Stormfront?"
"Think of it more as an extension of Stormfront. You will still be reporting directly to me. One more member will be joining you—Imani A'ven. She's set to arrive by the end of the week."
Kamari's face lit up.
"Imani? I know her. We were close back when I was in Ahwahl."
Byron nodded before continuing.
"Imani is a combat prodigy. Her mastery over the Hydra Force is like no one I've seen at her age. You'll find her skills to be invaluable."
"That's Imani, alright."
Leon leaned in close to Kamari with a grin.
"An Ae'wa, huh? I look forward to meeting her."
Excitement crackled between Kamari and Leon as they locked eyes, and almost instinctively, the debate began.
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Kamari started with a playful smirk.
"So, who's going to lead? We all know I'm the more level-headed one."
Leon chuckled.
"You? Level-headed? You seem to have gotten yourself mixed up with someone else."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Oh, nothing. Besides—"
Byron interrupted—stepping in with a raised hand.
"All right, you two, calm down. We are not deciding on leadership today. I have a more immediate task for you."
Kamari's entire body jolted with excitement.
"A mission?"
"Correct. Your first mission as a squad will be to serve as a merchant escort to Zernel. It's low-level, but it'll give you a chance to figure out the new dynamic before anything major."
Eli sat up from his push-up position, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.
"Merchant escort? Sounds easy enough."
Byron's gaze narrowed.
"Don't underestimate the simplicity. Even small missions can go wrong if you're not careful."
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A few hours later, the trio rode through the dense forest, the narrow path winding like a serpent between towering trees. The forest was alive with sounds—branches rustling in the distance and the occasional growl echoing from the shadows. The eerie atmosphere loomed over them, but their hallions pressed forward, unbothered by the threat of the unknown.
Kamari's hallion, a majestic creature with a blazing mane and tail of fire, trotted confidently beside the caravan. Its hooves left tiny embers on the ground with each step. Leon's hallion, with a mane of flowing wind and a tail like soft clouds, moved as if the air itself propelled it forward. Riding at the rear was Eli on his hallion, with an electric blue mane crackling with sparks and a tail flickering with light. Each horse reflected its rider, adapting to their abilities and amplifying them—a trait unique to the hallions, favored by the Seraphim.
The caravan they escorted was a sturdy, well-crafted wagon led by an old man steering a hallion of his own. The old man's steed had a white mane and tail, softly glowing. He glanced at Kamari, riding to his right, then to Leon, keeping pace on the left.
"I'm truly grateful to you for escorting me through these woods. My granddaughter's birthday is coming up, and I don't want to miss it for the world."
Kamari smiled.
"It's our pleasure to help. We'll make sure you get to Zernel safely."
Leon nodded.
The old man chuckled softly as his stallion continued its steady pace down the path. Meanwhile, Kamari pressed a small crystal device embedded in his ear, activating the comms to check in with Eli.
"How's it going back there, Sparky?"
Eli's voice came back through the crystal.
"Oh, I'm having a blast watching the trees— and more trees. And I told you not to call me that."
Leon's chuckle echoed as he joined in.
"Just make sure you're keeping your eyes open for any lurking threats. No naps on the job."
Eli yawned.
"I'm wide awake back here. Super alert."
Kamari continued to scan the path ahead. The shadows of the forest seemed to close in on them as the trail narrowed. Then, something caught his eye—a large fallen tree, its massive trunk blocking the path. He tightened his grip on the reins.
"Leon."
Leon's gaze snapped to the fallen tree, and his instincts kicked in immediately. It was placed too perfectly. His eyes narrowed as he quickly assessed the situation before replying calmly.
"It's a trap."
Kamari pulled slightly ahead of the caravan and signaled for the old man to halt.
"Stay behind us!"
Leon pressed his comms.
"Eli, we have something ahead. Stay sharp."
Eli sighed dramatically before rolling his eyes.
"Great."
The trio peered into the dark forest but found nothing. The tension grew with each passing moment, and the stillness became almost suffocating.
The old man's hallion suddenly reared back, neighing uncontrollably. The old man struggled to calm it, his voice trembling.
"Easy girl! Easy."
Meanwhile, Kamari kept his gaze steady on the trees. A heavy silence followed, hanging in the air like a storm about to break. The world seemed to hold its breath, and for a moment, there was nothing but the rustling of leaves in the wind. Then, suddenly, the silence shattered.
From deep within the forest came the unmistakable sound of racing footsteps—hundreds of them—accompanied by the snapping of branches and the crashing of trees. With the sudden cacophony of growls, it became clear...
Goblins.
A massive horde emerged from the shadows. Their twisted forms barreled toward them with reckless abandon, charging from both sides of the path. A primal hunger was present in their crimson glares.
"Look alive!" Leon shouted.
Kamari turned to the old man whose face had long since drained of color.
"Get inside the caravan and stay there!"
The old man quickly nodded before scrambling back into the safety of the caravan.
Meanwhile, Leon scanned the encroaching horde.
"Just goblins, nothing we can't handle. You're up, Eli. Take care of the right flank. Kamari and I will handle the left."
Eli dismounted from his hallion with an exaggerated sigh. Sparks crackled around him upon hitting the ground.
"Why can't a mission just go smoothly for once?"
He stretched his shoulders, cracked his neck, and then glanced at Kamari with a playful grin.
"Try not to burn down the forest, Red."
Kamari shot him a look as he slid off his hallion.
"Hilarious."
Leon couldn't help but laugh as he dismounted as well.
"He's got a point, though. I'd prefer not to leave Zernel wondering where their forest went."
"Come on, guys. Please don't insult me. It's time to focus."
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After a few minutes of battling, the squad had already defeated dozens of goblins each. However, it was becoming evident that they were not making much progress against the seemingly never-ending horde. For every goblin they took down, many more appeared, charging at them with relentless fury from the shadows of the forest. The situation was quickly turning dire.
Leon's wind blades were slicing through the green-scaled creatures with ease. Each swing of his arms sent gusts of air tearing through their ranks, but even so—they just kept on coming.
Eli fared better. His crackling lightning electrocuted entire groups of goblins, leaving smoking piles of charred corpses scattered across the forest floor. Every time he unleashed his power, blue arcs of electricity danced from tree to tree, lighting up the shadows with flashes of light. But, yet again—the goblins persisted.
Kamari struggled the most, as he had to engage in close combat. His fire abilities posed a risk of causing a forest fire, so he refrained from using large fire attacks. Instead, he incorporated quick bursts of flame into his punches and kicks, creating small explosions. However, the hand-to-hand combat began to take its toll on him. After about ten minutes, his arms were slick with sweat, and his energy had begun to wane.
Leon's voice crackled over the crystal comms.
"This is useless! We need to find and eliminate the source!"
Kamari dodged another goblin swipe and delivered a flaming punch that exploded the creature into ash.
"I agree, but—"
He grunted, dispatching another two goblins with a fiery kick.
"—we're surrounded. It's hard to focus on anything else when we're drowning in these things!"
Eli chimed in over the comms—barely winded.
"What exactly are we dealing with here?"
Before anyone could answer, a sudden surge of Nether Energy filled the air, sending a chill down Kamari's spine. The goblins' assault faltered for just a moment. Then, without warning, a massive ball of shadowy energy hurtled toward Kamari, whistling through the air.
He barely had time to react. Instinctively, he hardened his arms with Enre, coating them in a shimmering silver aura just as the shadow ball slammed into him. The force of the attack pushed him back. His boots dragged through the dirt as he braced against the impact. He gritted his teeth as the dark energy seared against his Enre-coated arms for a moment before finally dissipating into the air.
Kamari lowered his arms, panting—his eyes wide. He had recognized that aura.
And then he saw it.
Emerging from the shadows of the forest, cloaked in Nether energy, was a figure Kamari knew all too well. Though it appeared human, it was far from that—a demon masquerading as a man. Two jagged horns jutted from its forehead, and its pitch-black eyes were locked on Kamari.
It was Zaire—the Angel of Death.
Kamari's breath caught in his throat as his blood turned to ice. He was face to face with the figure from his nightmares—the one that haunted his darkest memories. His body refused to move, frozen in the same fear he had felt back then.
Zaire's face remained expressionless as he took deliberate steps toward Kamari, his black wings unfurling behind him like the embodiment of death itself. His voice was smooth and dark, like poisoned honey.
"We finally meet again, Young Phoenix."