Aleifr and Izkuldar fall on the battlefield. An unbearable pressure descends upon us as if an invisible force is crushing us to the ground. My body starts sweating cold, and every muscle screams for me to run away, but I can't.

The only one who manages to move amidst all this is Aurora. She runs towards Aleifr. However, the Penumbra creatures attack her. She fights against them, but their sheer number overwhelms her, and their claws and teeth inflict damage all over her body, tearing her skin.

Aurora lets out a scream of rage and ignores them in her path. She can continue with wounds all over her, but when she finally approaches Aleifr, he attacks her with his whip and sends her flying. She falls unconscious, and her wounds seem not to heal. The Penumbra heads towards her.

I clench my teeth and I activate Hoomul's Herencia and make my way to her. The creatures lunge at me and start biting me. I activate Amator's mark at the same time, hardening my skin, preventing them from sinking their teeth into my body, effectively combining both Herencias.

Izkuldar lets out a chilling laugh that makes my skin crawl. He stands there watching the mayhem unleashed by Aleifr.

Aleifr attacks everyone equally. Soon, he is surrounded by a sea of bodies. He directs his whip towards me, but then Mukasa arrives and strikes Aleifr, causing an explosion with her artifact and sending him flying.

At the same time, Roac arrives and kicks away the Penumbra that are on me. He looks at me, and without saying a word, I understand that he will take care of protecting Aurora.

I run to support Mukasa, but now Aleifr is grabbing Mukasa's neck. An ecstatic smile on his face. I freeze at the sight of this. Perhaps, as Lord Eru said, there was no other alternative but to kill him. If only I could show him that I understand his suffering. If only he could understand me.

I see my white mark and grab it tightly.

"I know what I must do."

I run at full speed towards Aleifr; he realizes my presence and prepares to attack me. I manage to dodge his attacks, but one of his attacks will be inevitable. An attack that will probably end my life.

Aleifr is about to strike with his sword, but then shots hit Aleifr's hand. He turns to see Lord Eru with his smoking gun, sitting on the ground with blood over him and a smug smile. This gives me enough time, and I manage to grab his wrist, but this time, instead of just touching his mark, I let him touch mine as well, using my other hand to make him touch it.

A shock of electricity and his memories assault me one by one.

...

"I want to be like you, brother, you're awesome!"

I laugh. My younger brother lies next to me. I stroke his platinum blond hair that shines like the sun.

"I've just started my training as a guardian. I still have to prove myself if I want to become a Krystal Knight."

"I can't wait to start my training to become a Krystal Knight! I'll make sure to join the Exploration Division! That way, I can go look for Mom and Dad. I know they must be out there, waiting for us," he says with a smile.

My eyes widen in surprise. My chest feels heavy. Just a few weeks ago, we were told that our parents were lost in an expedition outside. They probably will never come back.

But seeing his pure and optimistic smile reminds me that everything will be better. If two people were the same, but one had no hope and the other did, I would bet on the one with hope. Hope, if used right, it's a spear that helps you penetrate the darkness of the world. With it, at least we have the possibility of finding the light.

"Then I'll become the greatest Krystal Knight in the Incident Division's history!" I say as I stand up and triumphantly point to the sky with a smile.

My brother smiles, and his eyes shine.

From now on, I'll do everything I can to protect my brother. Protect people. Protect hope.

...

The images gradually fade away, and I regain consciousness. Gentle tears stream down my face.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Avnir, is you."

The blood enveloping him is gone, replaced by a golden-white glow surrounding his body. He smiles with a brightness that rivals the sun.

"It's good to see you, Altair," Avnir says, stroking my hair.

"Brother, I...," my words get stuck in my throat, and the rivers of tears intensify. I want to tell him so many things. I want to apologize. I want to thank him.

Avnir grabs my shoulder. "Don't worry. I saw everything. Believe me, I know. I'm very proud of you. Now let me help you as you have helped me and others."

I smile and wipe away my tears. Avnir nods and stands up, looking towards Izkuldar.

"Izkuldar, I don't know what your plans are, but I can't allow you to exterminate the people of the cave. That will only encourage more violence, and this will never end. If we join forces, both of us can bring true peace and order. Even if it's not perfect."

Izkuldar remains silent, looking at Avnir. But then, a mass of dark water begins to gush from him and surround him. An abyssal pressure presses on my chest.

Avnir sighs and puts his hand on his weapon. It glows. Suddenly, it causes a similar effect, but instead of being a pressure that crushes, it's a pressure that helps me stand up.

I barely blink, and Avnir is already by Izkuldar's side. Both exchange blows with their weapons at high speed, their thunderous noises resonating in my chest and body.

For the first time, I see Izkuldar being overwhelmed by the fury of attacks. Receiving blows and cuts all over his body.

A golden Krystal armor forms around Avnir. He moves at great speed, using walls and rocks to bounce and resume his attacks. Eventually, Avnir manages to cut off the arm holding Izkuldar's weapon and make a cut to his chest.

Izkuldar tries to call his weapon, but it doesn't respond to him and dissolves into dark water. His arm seems unable to regenerate. It's as if he has lost control of his mark.

Izkuldar lets out a chilling laugh.

"I expected nothing less from you."

Avnir rushes to deliver the final blow, but from the sky comes a kind of giant Penumbra bat-like creature. It grabs Izkuldar and carries him away. Avnir tries to prevent it, but the bat emits an ultrasonic sound that stuns us all.

When I regain control of my body, Izkuldar is gone. The Penumbra remaining take the opportunity to escape as well.

Avnir turns towards me and smiles before collapsing to the ground.

I run to him and hold him.

"Avnir!"

"It seems I'm a bit rusty," he says, laughing.

Tears stream down my face. Mukasa arrives by my side along with the other red wolves. Lobo and Hoomul in their normal form stand beside him. Avnir pets them both.

"Dad, I...," Mukasa says, trembling.

Avnir smiles and picks up a red flower from the ground and puts it behind Mukasa's ear.

"You look just as beautiful as your mother."

Mukasa turns away, letting out tears.

"Thank you for reminding me who I am," Avnir grabs my arm. "I don't know what path awaits you now. But whatever you choose, don't lose hope. Fear can make people believe that darkness is all there is in the world. And if that’s the case that’s what will ever see."

Avnir looks toward the unconscious Aurora.

"That's why, sharpen it. Sharpen your hope. That's the weapon of a true knight, a true hero. Keep doing it continuously. Especially when you think it doesn't exist. So you know how to use it. That way, you can face the ugliness of the world with a smile."

He says with a smile brighter than the sun and putting his fist on my chest.

"Have faith. Just aim in that direction. And so, every step, no matter how small, you'll have won. And If you have trouble, don’t forget you can rely on others."

Avnir's hand falls to the ground and he closes his eyes with a smile. I cry and cry. River of tears flood my face, rendering me unable to speak.

What should I do now? What is the point? That creatures might return and I might not be able to fight them. It just feels impossible.

“In that case let’s put that hope to test,” A voice says.

I look towards the voice and see the old man that I saw back at the Gray Lake walking towards us, the one that helped me and gave me bandages.

“Old Romu, what are you doing here.” Mukasa barely manages to say while also being flooded with tears.

“Is that how you treat me after I taught you everything you know about artifacts?.” the old man says with a grunt.

Mukasa seems to want to say something back, but the sadness and tears seem stronger. The old man sights and pats Mukasa's head.

“Do you know him Mukasa?” I say confused and not knowing how to feel.

“There is a way,” the old man says looking at me “There is a way we can save Aleifr, Emru, and the people of the cave.”

I look at him in shock and confusion, not knowing what to say. But then I see his face and I know he is serious.

“You will need to go to the surface. To where the artifacts come from. You know what I’m talking about right?”

I open my eyes in surprise, being flooded with questions, but then I sharpen my eyes. I remember Avnir's words. I stand up and wipe my tears away.

“Let’s do it, let’s find that light,” I say with a smile.