When Kara had arrived at Yulia, she didn’t know what to expect. Certainly, she had known what she hoped for— a place that would offer her a reprieve from all the fighting she had been doing since the destruction of Alyona.

More than just fighting, she was exhausted from flying at all times. So she wanted to rest. And she thought that things would finally start going smoothly now that they were here in a Sanctuary City.

However, she must have forgotten what exactly came as a human who was arriving in a city of dark elves, orcs, trolls, minotaurs, dwarves, and other non-humans. Because—

“Kill the human.”

Kara heard the order. She saw the Dark Lady of Alyona conjure even more giant swords of ice as the guards in the room raised their weapons and started forward. Before Kara could even fully process what was going on, Aiza sent the volley of ice swords her way.

Leaping back, Kara barely managed to dodge the first few projectiles. But the rest were too quick for her to easily evade. They struck her, cutting her across her shoulders and her stomach as she cursed and fell out of the air.

“Fuck—”

Crashing into the ground, she saw the first of the guards charge her way. They raised their weapons as she gritted her teeth, ready to activate her Dragon’s Scales, but a large rock crashed into the guards.

“Angel?” Kara stared at the utlas bear as he roared. “Don’t—”

He slammed his staff onto the ground and began creating the statue of a familiar minotaur as Aiza narrowed her eyes. But before it could finish forming, she snapped her fingers, and the rocks crumbled into dust.

Angel blinked as Kara rose to her feet.

“Don’t hurt him!” she shouted and raised her hand.

But Aiza pointed at the utlas bear, and his lower body froze. He paused, looking down at himself as he couldn’t move. Kara’s eyes went wide as she thought the worst had happened for a brief moment, before sighing in relief when she realized he was still alive.

However, that distracted her long enough for the guards to reach her. She spun around just as she heard their shouts. They struck out with their spears as she braced herself—

“Eighteenth Core: Storm of Blades!” Hayder exclaimed and crashed into the guards on the back of his draken.

He took down a group of them with that single attack. But even more of them charged at the human. Tashia intercepted them with the other captains as she glanced back.

“Get out of here, Kara!”

“I…” Kara swept her gaze around the room, seeing the chaos break out.

Kurg led the orcs and the trolls to form a circle around her as the captains fended off the nearest guards. But even more began to pour into the throne room, and she pursed her lips. Her friends were fighting for her. Angel chipped away at the ice keeping him in place. Hayder fought off a trio of guards on his own. Tashia, Bushra, Kurg, and even Uzbug moved to hold off the charging guards. However, despite the fighting happening all around, it seemed like Aiza only wanted the human dead, leaving the others incapacitated.

The Dark Lady of Yulia pointed at Hayder, freezing his draken as he dove out of the way in the nick of time. Her fingers drifted over to Bushra, then a group of orcs, freezing everyone who moved to Kara’s aid. Only their lower bodies were covered in ice, just to prevent them from moving.

The human knew she needed to escape before she was killed, so her body was lit ablaze, before she spread her flaming wings wide. She saw her opening to escape through the double doorway. She shot forward straight for her only exit, but Aiza pointed.

A wall of stone shot up, blocking the doorway immediately. Kara crashed into it, thinking she could break through. But the wall must have been magically enhanced as she barely cracked its surface.

“Shit—” She fell back to the ground as her flames flickered.

But as she picked herself back up, she saw a bright light flashing from behind. Looking back, she saw Aiza raising her hands in the air, a magic circle forming above her head.

“What is that…?” Kara asked with round eyes.

She could sense the powerful magic emanating from the spell circle. It continued to shift, the patterns on its surface growing more and more complicated as it grew brighter. Kara bit her lower lip. Whatever it was, she knew she didn’t want to be here for when it went off.

But before she could figure out a plan of escape, and before the spell could be completed, an arrow shot straight for the Dark Lady of Yulia. Aiza’s eyes flickered as she brought a hand out to catch the arrow

And the spell circle vanished.

The room froze, the fighting coming to a halt as everyone turned to face the person who fired the arrow. Caius stood there as he lowered his bow, the Helmet of Alyona still held to his side.

“Dark Lady Aiza, I apologize for the language, but what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he exclaimed as he aimed his bow at her. “Why the fuck are you attacking us?”

Aiza narrowed her eyes at him. “I have not harmed a single one of your people, Dark Lord Caius. You, however, have made an attempt on my life.”

Kara shifted back as the guards in the room aimed their weapons at Caius. But the new Dark Lord of Alyona did not flinch.

“Good gods, don’t mess with me— you attacked Kara.” He pointed at the human.

“I simply wish to kill the intruder who has infiltrated the Sanctuary City of Yulia,” Aiza replied as she tilted her head. “Or are you telling me this human is a citizen of Alyona?”

“That’s…” Caius opened his mouth, before hesitating.

The Dark Lady of Yulia waited expectantly. “Go on. I will be able to know if you are lying, Dark Lord Caius.”

Caius closed his eyes as Kara glanced around, searching for another way to escape. There was none.

“Kara is not a citizen of Alyona,” the elf admitted.

And Kara felt her heart sink as the guards in the room readied themselves to apprehend her again.

“Thought so,” Aiza said as she raised her hand again, ready to continue casting that spell from before.

But Caius wasn’t finished. Before the fighting could resume, he spoke up and drew the attention from everyone in the room, making them pause to listen.

“However, Kara is more important to Alyona than any ordinary citizen…”

“Oh?” That piqued the Dark Lady’s interest. “Explain.”

The guards exchanged confused glances. Even Kara didn’t know where the elf was going with this.

“That’s right, Kara is more important to Alyona than any ordinary citizen because…”

It almost seemed like he was stalling. He glanced back towards the human as she bit her lower lip, hoping whatever this plan of his would work. Aiza looked like she was starting to lose her patience, and Caius nodded to himself.

He faced the Dark Lady of Yulia and spoke simply.

“Because Kara is the Guardian of Alyona. So if you kill her, you’d be making an enemy of all of Alyona.”

Aiza frowned at that. “Azad is the Guardian of Alyona. Not some human girl.”

“Azad is dead— destroyed by the Dreamers,” Caius countered as he crossed his arms. “Since then, Kara has become the Guardian of Alyona. She is the reason we were able to make it here without losing tens of thousands more lives. She is the reason why I’m even alive today.”

There was a long silence as Yulia’s guards looked at each other uncertainly. Kara hoped that the elf’s words were enough to persuade Aiza. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like it was enough.

“Ridiculous,” Aiza said as she shook her head. “Do you truly think I will believe such a blatant lie? The people of Alyona would never accept a human as their guardian.”

She brought her hand up as her guards immediately readied themselves to attack once more. Kara knew her only option was to fight back, so she began to conjure up a sphere of golden flames. But before the fighting could continue, a figure stepped up next to the human.

“Dark Lord Caius is telling the truth,” Hayder said as he stood tall next to Kara. “We have chosen this human to be the new Guardian of Alyona.”

Tashia and Bushra joined him. And the other captains followed a moment later. They stood in a circle around Kara as she blinked a few times.

Kurg nodded at his fellow orcs and they walked up to the human’s side too. “The orc clans of Alyona will die before we let you kill Kara. She saved my life. We owe her a great debt.”

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And the gathered trolls— none of which Kara recognized— joined in. “Hmph, we have seen what Kara has done for the people of Alyona. Not only that, we have been told that Kara is a friend to the Zuri Tribe. So we shall not let you harm her.”

That is right, a voice spoke in Kara’s mind. And these thoughts were conveyed to everyone else in the room. Uzbug strode up to the human as well, her mandibles clicking. As the Guardian of Alyona, Kara slew my queen to save thousands of lives. Killing her would be no different to making a declaration of war.

“You guys…”

Kara looked at all the people who were standing by her side. From those who were her friends, to those she didn’t even know. They stood in a protective circle around her, standing opposed to the Dark Lady of Yulia herself. Even though they were risking their lives, it didn’t matter. They were doing it for the human.

In return for everything she had done for them.

Her gaze finally landed on Angel. He had broken out of the ice and quickly joined her. Growling, he raised Zlo’tan’s staff and aimed at Aiza.

The Dark Lady of Yulia’s brows were creased as she saw this scene unfurl. And finally, Caius stepped up to the front of the group as he raised the Helmet of Alyona.

“As I told you, Kara is the Guardian of Alyona—” As he spoke, he donned the helmet on his head, before his voice boomed. “And we will not stand by idly as you threaten her life!”

The guards in the room backed up apprehensively. They turned to Aiza who was still standing on her elevated platform, but with her gaze darkened. She lowered her head and spoke in an icy voice.

“Do you not realize that putting yourself at odds with me will only hamper your chances of being let into my city?” Aiza said threateningly.

“We do not care,” Caius replied simply. “We will simply make our way to Tatania if you refuse to shelter us.”

Aiza’s brows snapped together. “I see.”

For a long moment, Kara wondered what was going to happen. If the Dark Lady of Yulia still wanted her dead, then everyone was going to die. They stood no chance of escaping the palace, considering how many guards she had seen.

But after what seemed to be a long moment of silent deliberation, Aiza acquiesced.

“Very well,” she said as she spun around. “That human— the Guardian of Alyona— will be treated no differently to the rest of your citizens when she is within the premises of my Sanctuary City.”

Kara and her friends let out a collective sigh of relief. But the Dark Lady of Yulia raised a hand as she settled back into her throne.

“However, understand this: I am not pleased with this arrangement, Dark Lord Caius. And while I will still give your people shelter Yulia, I will not offer you the same comfort and priority I have given the people of Vera. You will receive the same treatment as the refugees that come from outside the Sanctuary Cities. That is the consequences of your actions here today.”

Caius shrugged in response. “Anything is better than sleeping in the mud, I guess.”

Aiza didn’t seem amused by his quip. She simply continued to explain their arrangement as Kara found her shoulders sagging without even realizing it.

—--

Once Aiza finished her explanation of what would happen to the refugees of Alyona, she dismissed them, not wanting a human to be in her sight for a moment longer. The group was escorted out of the palace as Caius recounted what was explained.

“Five thousand of us will be let into Yulia each day. But we will only be allowed to live in the Hakyr District of Yulia…” the elf murmured.

“Which is the poorest and largest section of the city,” Hayder added.

“Right.” Caius sighed. “Meanwhile, the refugees from Vera were all given priority entry straight into the Yastra District. Which is the arrangement we would have been given if not for what happened.”

And Kara scratched the back of her head as she followed behind them. “Sorry about that…”

She still felt bad about what happened. Not because anyone was killed— there were a few injuries, but fortunately, everyone came out alive. But still, she should have foreseen her being a human causing at least some complications to the meeting. However, she had just been so accustomed to being around the people of Alyona, she forgot how they acted when she had arrived for the first time.

Perhaps Caius was also partially to blame for stringing her along to this meeting. But a situation similar to this would have inadvertently happened anyways, since she would eventually step foot inside of the Sanctuary City of Yulia. But it seemed that dealing with this issue right now of all times resulted in the worst possible outcome for everyone.

So Kara apologized as the group stepped out of the palace. Caius turned back to face her as she came to a halt. Angel paused with her, while Hayder and the rest of the group continued on.

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have to deal with this. And if things had escalated…” Kara pursed her lips, imagining the worst that could have happened.

But Caius just waved a hand off dismissively. “Things wouldn’t have escalated. I know Dark Lady Aiza. She wouldn’t make an enemy out of an entire Sanctuary City.”

“Still, we’re now stuck in a shitty situation because she’s racist towards me,” Kara said as she shot a quick glance back to the palace. Angel nodded vehemently, shooting a glare in the vague direction where the throne room would probably be.

“I don’t think wanting to kill you on sight qualifies as just racist, Kara,” Caius chuckled.

Kara harrumphed. “Yeah, because racist isn’t the right word for it. It’s speciesist. But saying that ‘she’s speciesist’ doesn’t quite roll off the tongue in the same way.”

Caius smiled as he stared at her, then he turned towards the sprawling Sanctuary City of Yulia spreading out before them. An orange glow was cast over the colorful buildings, a stark difference to the dull-gray colors of Alyona.

The three of them stood before this scene of their new home as Caius turned back to face the human.

“Kara.”

She tilted her head at him. “Yes?”

“I know that I was pretty much making up whatever excuse on the spot I could to save your life, but I meant everything that I said.” Caius held her gaze. “I consider you my friend, and without you, I wouldn’t be here today— in more ways than just one.”

Her eyes went wide when she heard what he said. But he wasn’t finished.

“You’re my… friend,” the elf continued as he placed a hand on his chest. “So I don’t want to lose you too.”

Kara lowered her head. And she felt her cheeks tugging at her lips.

“You’re my friend too, Caius,” she finally said as she looked up at him. “Even if you did give me a lot more responsibility now, by making me the Guardian of Alyona.”

Caius blinked, then he smiled too. “Calling you the Guardian of Alyona now won’t really make much of a difference, considering what you’ve been doing for the last few weeks. We’re just making things official now with the title.”

And Kara grinned at him. “Oh, really? Does that also come with a salary?”

“Well… I hear that friendship is priceless?” He gave her a half-hearted shrug.

The two of them stared at each other for a long moment as Angel glanced between them. And they broke out into laughter. Kara, Angel, and Caius began to catch up with the rest of the group as they headed out of Yulia.

“I’m glad we finally made it here,” Kara said as she stared into the undulating mountains in the distance. “I just want to take a long nap in a comfy bed already.”

Caius pursed his lips, following her gaze. “We’re not safe yet. The Dreamers could reach Yulia at any moment. So we should be prepared for anything.”

Kara rolled her eyes at him. “We aren’t safe, but for today, we can rest. And that’s what matters.”

Turning to the utlas bear walking next to her, she raised a brow.

“Isn’t that right, Angel?”

In response, Angel made a sound of affirmation.

“And then we can prepare for any threats to come,” Kara said, looking back at Caius.

He stared at the shadowed shape of the mountains in the far-off distance, their figures painted black because of the backdrop of the sun. And while his face clearly showed the warring of emotions within him— the uncertainty he must have felt. He chose not to acknowledge it for now, instead choosing to agree with Kara.

“Right,” Caius said as his eyes closed. “Let’s rest, for now.”

—--

And far away from the Sanctuary City of Yulia, amongst the remains of Alyona, a single eye snapped open as it took in the light of day.

Adam had almost forgotten what sunlight looked like. It made him want to recoil in disgust. But he continued to pull himself out of the rubble, before glancing back. He saw the two figures following after him.

They looked like children. However, they were unlike any other kind of children that existed in this world. One of them resembled the figure of an elf, but when she opened her eyes or a mouth, there was only darkness within. And the other barely even wore the appearance of a child, wearing the night sky on his skin.

They were Eve and Abel, and they were both Adam’s creations. He stepped out of the ruins of Alyona, making way for them to follow.

“Come on Abel, let’s play outside!” Eve exclaimed as she pulled her brother along with her.

Abel didn’t look too enthused. He tried to turn around and return down the hole into the darkness. But Eve yanked him up, ignoring his wishes.

“Now, now, Eve. Do not be too rough with your brother,” Adam said, watching the two children as they stepped out and bathed in the sun’s rays. “You must remember, he is still a newborn. The world is alien to him, and he needs some time to acclimate to it, just as you did.”

“Of course, Adam. I understand that.” Eve rolled her eyes as she dragged Abel along with her, despite his clear discontent.

Adam watched as the two children walked over the rubble that had been both Alyona and the mountain that had collapsed into the Sanctuary City. And he stepped forward as a deluge of nightmares erupted from the hole behind him.

“Now—” he started, looking up.

He saw the tens of thousands of nightmares he had created over the last few weeks. While he had been trapped in the lower tunnels of Alyona, he hadn’t been idle. There had been numerous nests of varying sizes of giant centipedes down there, all of which he had slaughtered and turned into a brand new army.

An army that would take down the remaining Sanctuary Cities.

Adam smiled as he walked up to his two children.

“Let us find your brother,” he finished simply

And the three Dreamers began to make their way through the Xor-In Mountains once more, accompanied by the swarm of nightmares behind them.

—--

But that wasn’t the only army that was making their way through the Xor-In Mountains. A different kind of army arrived at the very edges of the mountain range, dismantling the encampment they had set up for the night.

“So these are the Xor-In Mountains,” a knight said as he swept his gaze over the sprawling landscape of hills and mountains that stretched as far as he could see. “I have to say, I’m not impressed. It doesn’t seem nearly as dangerous as it is made out to be.”

Next to him, a man dressed in an ordinary suit and tie sighed, “Gracious System— Apprentice Jacob, I have explained this to you numerous times, but the real dangers of the Xor-In Mountains lie even further within. It is said that even those who have reached Level 100 struggle to survive the perilous terrain in the very heart of the mountain range.”

“Damn the divine— why are we even wasting our time here then?” Jacob said as he drew back. “Didn’t you say the dragon we’re hunting is way deep within too? Let’s get going!”

Jacob marched straight back to the camp as the man in the suit rubbed his temples. He watched as the knight continued to go.

“Come on, Darius!” Jacob gleaned back briefly and called out.

“I’m on my way, Apprentice Jacob.” Darius nodded as he started forward. And under his breath, he murmured, “Master Arden, your son is really quite the troublesome man.”

And the two of them made their way back to the camp, gathering their army to make their way further into the Xor-In Mountains. But this army was different from most armies that made their way through these lands.

Because it was an army of humans.

End of Kara Book One