An entire kingdom was ablaze, a savage inferno consuming everything in its path.
Flames licked hungrily at homes, shops, and castles alike. Towering columns of smoke choked the night sky, blotting out stars and turning the air thick with ash and embers.
People screamed for help, but even the protectors joined in their cries. Some knights dropped their weapons, stumbling as they tried to shield others from the chaos, only to fall victim themselves.
The earth was littered with the bodies of knights, merchants, and commoners, scattered and bleeding.
It was pure horror.
The deafening roar of the flames, the agonized cries of the people, and the hollow crackling of homes and kingdoms slowly turning to cinders. Everything around was on the brink of collapse, with no refuge left to flee.
A girl, tiny and desperate, sprinted into the chaos, her eyes wild as she searched for her mother. She had slipped away from the knights who tried to drag her from the burning kingdom.
"Mother! Mother! Where are you?! Mother! Please, we have to go! Mother!!"
Through the smoke, she glimpsed a barn going up in flames, horses trapped inside, their bodies thrashing as the fire spread.
They broke free, stampeding blindly through the streets, their manes and tails ablaze.
They screamed—a horrifying sound that joined the wailing of the people—before collapsing, their bodies writhing as they succumbed to the flames.
The people behind the kid watched as she ran straight into the chaos. A knight broke from the ranks, sprinting after her.
"Kid, stop! You can't go there! The kingdom's falling apart! There's nothing we can do! It's the king's orders! Please, don't make this harder!"
The girl barely heard him, her eyes fixed on the castle, its mighty walls scorched and crumbling.
Nearby, a blacksmith's forge had been reduced to a smoldering wreck, molten metal oozing over the ground.
It was as if the kingdom itself were bleeding.
Crops lay blackened in the fields, an entire year's harvest gone in minutes. Livestock, once sheltered in barns, staggered in flames.
Their cries drowned by the crackling fire that enveloped them.
The knight caught up to her, grabbing her arm and pulling her back just as a nearby house collapsed in a shower of embers, sending waves of suffocating heat through the air.
"Let go of me! Let go! Now! My mother's in there, you see?! Mother! Mother! Please, let go! I have to see my moth—"
An arrow whistled through the air and struck the knight in the chest. He fell instantly, his hand loosening as he crumpled to the ground, his armor clanging, motionless amid the carnage.
The girl gasped, frozen in shock.
The knight who had just held her lay dead at her feet, surrounded by the bodies of the fallen, with the smell of burning flesh thick in the air.
She clutched her mouth, trembling, her wide eyes filling with tears as the horror of it all finally sank in.
"Ah— Ahhh!!"
Out of nowhere, a man appeared—so suddenly, staring at the girl, his presence felt almost inhuman.
He stood there, watching her, an eerie calm settling around him as the world around them crumbled.
His dark cloak billowed, unaffected by the scorching heat, and his eyes, cold and empty, seemed to drink in the chaos.
"Mi—Mister?"
The man said nothing, merely stared.
She looked back toward the flames, reminding herself of her mission.
"Mother! That's right, I have to—"
Before she could react, a horse on fire came galloping toward them, its frantic whinnies piercing the air.
The man stepped forward with unfeeling precision.
In a single, fluid motion, he drew a blade and sliced cleanly through the horse's neck.
The burning animal crashed to the ground beside her, headless, flames still crackling over its lifeless body.
"Th-thanks, mister."
Still, he remained silent, eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her stomach churn.
The girl stood, still clutching her arms as if they could protect her from the horror around them.
"Mister, are you, are you here to help us?"
"Help? That's one way to look at it. You're lost, aren't you?"
"I—yes, but I have to find my mother. She's still in there."
"You shouldn't be looking for anyone in there. It's no place for the living now."
"No! My mother isn't like them. She's good. She wouldn't stay if she didn't have to. I just need... please, you have to help me!"
"Good, you say? But you're here, aren't you? Abandoned by her in the chaos."
"No! She'd never abandon me. She's just—just listen! Please, you don't understand. I don't care who you are or what's happening. She's my mother, and I have to find her!"
The man took a step closer, his expression sharpening.
"Tell me—what is it you think you'll find? A mother who's waiting? Someone untouched by this place, by the king's control?"
"Yes! She's just—just caught up in this! She's not like the others. She wouldn't..."
"You still believe in her goodness, even now?"
"Yes. She—she wouldn't hurt anyone."
"Then you're a fool."
"You're wrong! You don't know her!"
"Do you really think you know her? That anyone in there is still 'good'? Look around you, child. These flames aren't just for show—they're a purge. Everyone touched by this kingdom's poison is tainted."
"No, no! That can't be true."
"Believe what you want, but this place, this is the kingdom's legacy. Your mother was part of that, whether you want to accept it or not."
"Why are you saying this?"
"Because it's the truth. Your mother, like the rest, was part of a broken system. The corruption runs through them all. And those who cling to it, they are lost."
"No! My mother isn't lost—she's just stuck, that's all! I can save her!"
"There is no saving them. Only release."
"You... you killed her, didn't you?"
"I freed her. What you would call saving, is nothing but prolonging suffering."
"How could you say that like it's mercy? Like you're helping people by... by doing that?"
"There is no mercy in lies. The sooner you understand that, the stronger you'll become. And one day, perhaps, you'll see this as a gift."
"A gift?! You took everything!"
"No. I gave you freedom from it. This world is collapsing, and only those who can let go of the old will survive."
"Wh—What even are you?"
The man paused, his silhouette framed by the flickering flames that danced behind him.
"I am Zach, the leader of the Renaissance band. We are the architects of this rebirth. We come to tear down the kingdoms that have rotted from within, kingdoms like yours, ruled by kings who wield their power as poison. I kill kings, and in their death, I free those who have been corrupted by them. Those who have lost their way, like your mother. You see, what I do is not merely an act of violence; it is a cleansing fire. A necessary evil, if you will."
The girl trembled, caught between the terror of his presence and the reality of her world collapsing around her.
"I do not seek your forgiveness, nor do I expect you to understand. But know this: your mother's suffering ended with my hand. And you, you stand at the threshold of a new world, a world that will rise from these ashes."
He straightened, the weight of his gaze unyielding.
"Run, while you still can. This is the storm before the dawn, and some will never see the sunrise."
He continued.
"This kingdom will be reduced to ashes, just like the three kingdoms before this. Soon enough, this kingdom will follow along with Elysium, Aetheria, and Sun Ridge."
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With that, he turned away, leaving her to grapple with the weight of his words and the destruction around them, his form fading into the shadows cast by the flames.
△▼△▼△▼△
A King is pacing nervously, surrounded by his anxious knights.
His eyes darted around, filled with fear as he tried to maintain control.
"We can't let them destroy everything! Gather the knights! We need to rescue the people trapped inside the kingdom before it's too late!"
His knights exchanged worried glances, their uncertainty palpable.
"But, my king, the chaos outside is spreading. It's dangerous! How can we protect them?"
Ybael's voice quivered with panic as he snapped back.
"I don't care about the risks! Those people are useful to me—they can still serve my rule! We need to mobilize the guards and secure the escape routes. I won't let Zach take my power away!"
"But what if you get hurt, my king? Your safety is paramount!"
Ybael turned, his fear boiling over into desperation.
"My safety?! Do you think I want to end up like those weaklings outside?! If I go down, who will rule this kingdom?! We need those people! They are nothing without me! Now go! Hurry! We need to act before it's too late!"
The knights nodded, a mix of concern and loyalty driving them as they rushed to prepare for the rescue. Ybael watched them leave, his heart racing, terrified at the thought of losing control over his kingdom and the people he saw merely as pawns in his game.
Ybael clenched his fists, frustration boiling over.
"Zach, damn you! You just won't back down, will you? I swear, with all my power, I will crush your rebellion!"
Sentinel stepped forward, urgency in his tone.
"Ybael, we need a plan for our escape if he catches us. I know for sure that without a solid plan, we're done for. Their movements are inhuman—they're incredibly fast and agile, like nothing I've ever seen. It's almost like we're fighting against the man who brought down the Kingdom of Solaria."
Ybael waved a hand dismissively, though his eyes betrayed his anxiety.
"We won't fall like Solaria and the other kingdoms. I'm always thinking two steps ahead of him. Just give me some time. Besides, I already have a strategy brewing, which involves to pull the strings."
Sentinel nodded, determination flickering in his eyes.
"Hmm, alright then! But make it quick. We can't afford to be caught off guard."
△▼△▼△▼△
The streets were alive with the sounds of battle—clashing swords, the shouts of knights, and the heart-wrenching cries of desperate citizens filled the air.
Flames licked at the edges of buildings, casting eerie shadows as they devoured everything in their path.
A group of terrified citizens surged forward, their faces pale with fear. Mothers clutched their children tightly. While the elderly leaned on one another for support as they stumbled through the choking smoke.
Their eyes wide with terror.
"We have to get to the east gate! It's our only chance!"
But chaos reigned, and the path was littered with debris and fallen knights.
A young man, his face streaked with ash and blood, turned to the others, desperation in his eyes.
"We can't go that way! They'll trap us! We have to find another route!"
Suddenly, a piercing howl cut through the chaos—a small dog, frightened and lost, dashed past the crowd. The boy's heart sank as he recognized his beloved pet.
"No! Benny! Come back!"
He took off, weaving through the throng, dodging fallen debris and the terrified faces of others.
Around him, the air was thick with anguish.
A mother cradled her child, weeping softly as she rocked them back and forth the realization of their lost home heavy in her heart.
"I'm so sorry, my love. I'm so sorry. I should have protected you!"
A father knelt beside a fallen knight, tears streaming down his face as he desperately searched for a sign of life.
"Please, no! Not you too! You were supposed to come home!"
The cries of the lost echoed through the streets, a haunting chorus of grief and despair.
"Mother! Father! Brother! Where are you? Please, don't leave me!"
The woman, hearing the child's cries, pushed through the crowd, her heart pounding with fear for her own child.
△▼△▼△▼△
The chaos raged in the distance, but Haerak held his daughter, Aina, close, shielding her from the turmoil.
The world outside was filled with the sounds of destruction, but in this moment, all that mattered was the softness of her hair against his cheek, and the warmth of her small body nestled against him.
"Daddy, are we going to be okay?"
Haerak knelt down to her level, looking into her wide, innocent eyes that mirrored the fear and uncertainty swirling around them.
He took a deep breath, forcing a reassuring smile onto his face.
"Of course, sweetheart. As long as I'm here, nothing can hurt you. I promise."
Aina's small hands gripped his shirt tightly, and he could feel her trembling.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, well-worn teddy bear, its fur slightly matted but still recognizable.
"Look what I have for you."
He handed her the teddy bear, her eyes lighting up with surprise and delight.
"My bear! Mama made this, didn't she?"
Her voice was a mixture of joy and sorrow, and Haerak felt a pang in his heart.
The bear was a reminder of their life together before everything changed.
"Yes, she did. Every stitch is filled with love, just like everything she made for you."
Aina hugged the teddy bear tightly, her little face buried into its soft fabric.
"I miss Mama."
Haerak's chest tightened at her words, a wave of grief washing over him. He brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb.
"I know, my love. I miss her too. But she's always with us, watching over you. Remember how she used to sing you to sleep? She wanted you to be brave."
Aina nodded, her grip on the bear tightening as if it could somehow bridge the gap between them and her mother.
"Do you think she's proud of us?"
Haerak felt a lump form in his throat. How could he answer that without shattering the fragile hope in her eyes?
"Absolutely. She'd be proud of how strong you are. And she'd want us to keep fighting, to keep loving each other, no matter what. Until then, we have each other, and that's what matters most."
Aina's gaze flickered to the chaos outside, then back to him, seeking reassurance.
"If anything ever happened to you, I'd tear this world apart to bring you back. I would do anything."
Aina looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise, and then she burst into laughter, her voice ringing like the chime of a bell.
"Daddy! You're so silly! You can't tear the world apart! That would be too messy!"
"You're right, my little warrior. It would be very messy. But I mean it. You're everything to me. We'll go home, soon."
They clung to each other, the teddy bear nestled safely between them, as Haerak felt a flicker of hope ignite within him.
△▼△▼△▼△
Zach murmured as he reads the texts from the tome.
"Zach scared the girl away, making her run for her life after just talking with him. Zach is ruthless. Zach is cold. Zach is emotionless. But he only does what is necessary. For the people. For the innocent. For the world. For the kingdom."
He added.
"She was scared? But all I did was reveal the truth about the corruption of their king."
Suddenly, several figures approached.
They bore tattoos on their foreheads—an eye surrounded by symmetrical shapes. Clearly, their abilities weren't human.
Each of them held dangerous weapons, their bodies covered in intimidating armor.
Their eyes carried a look that could freeze anyone in their tracks—eyes hardened by too many years of war.
Eyes that warned you they were not the kind of people you'd want to cross. Yet, one of them stood out.
Different from the rest.
She didn't carry the same dangerous aura. No intimidating weapon or armor. Her eyes, though still fierce, held something softer, something more human beneath the surface.
"CAPTAIN ZACH! I TOOK DOWN ALL THE GUARDS INSIDE THE CASTLE, BUT I DIDN'T FIND THAT RAT YBAEL ANYWHERE! WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?!"
"As for me, Captain, I handled it. I shot the knight that was holding the girl's hand. Easy work. As for the others, Master is still out there with Nert, Qarek, Andhur, and Jiighual, killing those who stand in the way."
"Hehehe. Zachy, what's the next plan?"
Zach glanced up from his book, his expression unchanged.
"The plan remains. We uproot corruption, one kingdom at a time."
"Look for Ybael around here. He should still be nearby. We can't let him escape. As for the others, just take down the knights and guards."
The figures nodded and quickly left the scene, leaving only one girl behind.
She bore no tattoos, nor did she wear any dangerous armor or wield weapons.
"Zach, th—these actions are all necessary, right?"
Zach turned to her, his expression serious.
"Yes, Ruby. Don't forget, I don't do this for fun. I don't enjoy any of it. I do it because it needs to be done. It's my purpose. Our purpose. And even if the whole world sees us as monsters, we still have to follow through. If we don't, no one else will."
Ruby took a deep breath, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
"But Zach, what if we're just becoming what we fight against? What if we're lost in this darkness? I want to believe in our purpose, but sometimes it feels like we're just spreading more pain."
Zach looked at her, his expression softening for a moment.
"I understand your fear, Ruby. It's hard to see the bigger picture when we're in the middle of this chaos. But we're not the ones who started this fight. We're trying to end it, to free those trapped under the kings' control. We have to stay strong, even when it hurts."
"I want to believe that, I really do. But it's so hard to see the light when everything around us is so dark."
Zach nodded, determination in his eyes.
"Then let's be the light, Ruby. Let's make sure their sacrifices aren't in vain. We fight so that one day, others won't have to suffer like we have."
Ruby watched him for a moment, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Zach, can I ask you something? Why do you always hold that book and read it? Does it really help you with all this?"
Zach glanced down at the book, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face.
"It reminds me of why we fight and the lives we aim to save. Each page tells a story of struggle and hope. I read it to keep my focus, to remind myself that we're part of something bigger than just this chaos."
The air crackled with tension as Zach stood in the chaos, the cries of the innocent piercing through the haze of smoke.
A fleeting moment of doubt gripped him as he glanced at the little girl, her tears mirroring the pain he had witnessed countless times.
"I know it seems dark now, but every sacrifice we make brings us closer to freeing those trapped in this nightmare."
But Ruby shook her head, her voice trembling.
"But at what cost? Every life lost is another weight on our conscience. How many more must suffer for us to achieve this 'freedom'?"
She added.
"Every life lost, another weight on our conscience. I thought I could bear this burden alone... but what if the true path to salvation doesn't lie in destruction?"
The flames flickered in the distance, casting shadows that danced around him, almost whispering the possibility of a different future—a future without bloodshed.
Zach said.
"Maybe, just maybe, there's another way. To build a new world, we must first learn to let go of the old."
With that thought lingering in the air, he realized that the journey ahead might not just be about tearing down kingdoms but about creating something new in their place—something that didn't require death.
The sounds of the fire crackled faintly... growing louder.
And louder.
And louder.
Until.
△▼△▼△▼△
A year has passed since the Renaissance band went into hiding.
The kingdoms they sought to overthrow remain in power, but their influence has lessened. Every day, Zach and his group evade capture, waiting for the right moment to strike again.
Ruby kneels beside Zach, gently shaking his shoulder.
"Zach, wake up. It's time."
Zach's eyes flutter open, groggy at first, but soon they focus on Ruby's familiar face. He takes a deep breath, pushing himself up from the cot. The small hideout is cluttered with gear, food supplies, and maps—evidence of a year spent hiding, planning, and surviving.
Zach glances around, the weight of the past year heavy in his gaze.
The vision of the "new world" he had once envisioned seems further away now. Blurred by the relentless chase and the passage of time.
"A year and we're still waiting."
Ruby looks at him, sympathy in her eyes.
"We've made it this far. That's worth something."
"Is it?"
He stands, stretching his sore muscles, the fatigue of a year on the run etched into his every movement.
He walks to the nearby window, peeking through the cracks to see the thick forest outside—still shielding them from the eyes of the kingdom.
"We can't keep hiding forever."
Ruby follows his gaze, her voice soft yet firm.
"Za—Zach, all of the pain we've caused, do you ever question it?"
Her voice is steady, but a shadow of doubt lingers in her eyes.
"Question it? No, Ruby, I dissect it. Every action, every life weighed. But you know as well as I do that hesitation is a path back to the chains we've broken free from. I don't let doubt sway me; I let it sharpen my resolve."
Ruby lowers her gaze, as if considering his words.
Zach sees it—the lingering sympathy, the hesitance that risks splintering their unity.
"The world we're tearing down? It was never built for people like us. If you want to hesitate, remember who put us here, and who's paid the price. I won't leave room for sympathy in this fight—not until there's a world worthy of it. What's broken must be rebuilt, even if it starts in fire."
Ruby nodded slowly, understanding that behind his words was a truth she couldn't ignore.
"We're here to cut down not the branches, but its roots. I'll think about our attack once more on Drakonium. For now, let's rest here."
Zach nods, though the weight of his earlier thoughts lingers.A year spent in hiding has blurred the lines between the old world and the new.
But even in his doubt, he knows they must keep moving.