Yory’s journey continued as he rode the horse generously gifted by Captain Gon at the Gostave border. With each stride of the steed, Yory approached the border, his mind swirling in contemplation. The landscape around him was calm, a sharp contrast to the words that haunted his thoughts—a looming witch attack.

"The witch threatened of an impending assault," Yory reflected, his brows furrowed. *Yet, this place exudes tranquillity. Could it be the threat of a desperate witch acting alone? Or something more coordinated?* The unease gnawed at him. If the witch had been following orders, the danger might be closer than it seemed.

Ahead, a towering stone wall rose from the earth, separating the demon realm from the kingdom of Renolva. A guard patrolled the wall, his posture alert despite his youthful appearance. A long sword rested at his side, and enchanted scrolls fluttered lightly at his back, ready to be deployed in an instant—to summon help or signal his comrades in the face of danger.

As Yory neared the gates, the guard spotted him. In a flash, he unfurled one of his scrolls and held it high.

Boom! The sudden explosion broke the calm, sending shockwaves through the air. The guards on the wall sprang into action, bows drawn and aimed at Yory. Sorcerers raised their hands, preparing spells—focused not on causing harm, but on halting his advance, seeking answers from the stranger at their gates.

Yory brought his horse to a halt, surveying the scene before him with quiet admiration. “Ever vigilant,” he thought, “just as border guards should be.”

Beyond the gates, another unit of guards and sorcerers stood watch, ready to intervene only if a significant threat arose. Otherwise, they remained disciplined, holding their positions with practised patience.

The stillness that followed the initial alarm was broken only by the faint clink of armour. Soon, a figure emerged—Captain Thal. With a subtle gesture to one of the sorcerers, the captain issued a silent command. The sorcerer stepped forward, raising his hand and uttering, “Earth magic: pilləkənlər.”

From the massive stone wall, a staircase of solid rock materialized, stretching gracefully to the ground where Yory waited. Captain Thal, flanked by two guards and a sorcerer, descended the steps, his posture respectful. As he reached Yory, he bowed, and the three soldiers behind him followed suit. Above, the other guards returned to their posts.

Captain Thal's brow creased with concern as he noticed the fresh scars and burns marking Yory’s body. “Captain Thal, at your service, Honorable Yoranios Gyovani. We fought side by side at the Black River, where we defeated Valacorax, the white elf.”

Yory’s nodded with recognition, and he responded. “I remember you well. You searched tirelessly for my lost necklace after the battle. I still keep it in the castle, a cherished memento, thanks to your efforts.”

Thal, pleased by the recognition, and bowed once more. “It was an honour, sir. But if I may ask—what happened to you? And why not use teleportation magic?”

Yory raised the bloodied bag, his expression grave. "I was ambushed by a witch," he explained, "one of Reyanna’s daughters. But I managed to survive. Now, I seek answers from Reyanna, the Mother of Witches."

Captain Thal’s eyes widened in shock. "Esteemed Yoranios, that’s concerning. But after defeating the witch, couldn’t you simply invoke teleportation magic to return?"

Yory gave a thoughtful nod. "I tried, but something is blocking my magic from entering the kingdom. It could be that something unusual is happening, or perhaps my skill with teleportation isn’t as refined as I thought."

Captain Thal considered this, his concern deepening. "Sir, as far as we know, the kingdom is secure, and there have been no troubling reports. If you wish, we can teleport you to the castle. There, you can rest and see for yourself that all is well."

Yory nodded firmly. "Yes. Let’s do it now."

Captain Thal gave a respectful nod and led the way back up the stone stairs, Yory following closely behind, with the three soldiers trailing them. As they passed by, the guards stood in respectful silence, though their gazes inevitably drifted to the bloody bag Yory carried—the head of Azravene within. Whispers followed them, some murmuring about Yory’s changed appearance, while others were more concerned with the scars and burns visible on his body.

When they reached the top of the wall, the sorcerer who had summoned the stairs began chanting, causing the stone to melt back into the wall. Captain Thal then turned his attention to the other sorcerers, instructing them to prepare for the teleportation.

Just as they were about to begin, a young guard hurried forward, bowing deeply before Yory. "Esteemed Yoranios, it’s an honour to meet you. I’ve heard many stories of your bravery and your brilliant strategies."

Yory’s expression softened, and he smiled as he replied, "Thank you, young one. It’s good to know that even after stepping down from the throne, I’m still remembered."

The young guard beamed, stepping back as the sorcerers completed their preparations for the teleportation.

The young guard lifted his head, beaming with joy. "Everyone here holds you in the highest regard."

As Yory glanced around, he saw the guards smiling, their faces glowing with pride and awe at meeting their former king in person. True to his reputation, Yory remained approachable.

Hesitant, a sorcerer raised his hand slightly, seeking permission to speak. Yory gave a nod of reassurance. "There’s no need to ask. Speak freely."

The sorcerer straightened and asked, "Esteemed Yoranios, what is in the bag you carry? I can help deliver it wherever you need."

Yory's expression grew serious. "No, the bag holds the head of one of Reyanna’s daughters who attacked me in the woods, I need it for political reasons."

A few guards exchanged shocked glances, while others remained stoic. Captain Thal, however, silently weighed the gravity of this situation and its implications for their fragile relations with the witches.

Just then, the sorcerers gathered, and Captain Thal turned to them. "Is the magic ready?"

One sorcerer, his voice laced with concern, responded, "Captain Thal, we can’t establish contact with the castles or the surrounding cities!"

Meanwhile, in the northern castle near the borders, the knights alongside Nearf, Fulik, and Fyona were cutting down every enemy within the barrier.

Approaching the sorcerers working to unlock the barrier’s secrets, Nearf was greeted with respectful bows. One of the sorcerers stepped forward. "My lord, I’m the commander of the sorcerer unit. Even our strongest spells couldn’t make a dent in the barrier. We poured our magic into it, yet it remains unyielding."

Surveying the barrier, Nearf's eyes fell upon two sorcerers. One lay lifeless, his face marked by exhaustion, drained by the barrier's insatiable hunger for magic and life force. The other, a younger sorcerer, lay unconscious nearby, spared for the moment.

Noticing the faint rise and fall of the young sorcerer’s chest, Nearf remarked, "He's still breathing."

The Commander's gaze followed Nearf's, landing on the unconscious figure. "That’s Jag, sir. He fought hard to save his comrade, but the barrier took his strength. His fate is sealed."

Without hesitation, Nearf cast his sword aside, his breaths calm and deliberate. Confused, the Commander asked, "Sir? What are you planning?"

Nearf paused briefly before replying in a steady tone, "Something stupid."

Meanwhile, on the road to the northern castle, Yory stood in a small tent surrounded by his army, lost in deep thought. Captain Thal entered swiftly, delivering his report. "Esteemed Yoranios! The sorcerers have failed to breach the barrier, sir! All castles except the capital have been affected by the attack. Your mother and father are safe, sir!"

Yory acknowledged the update and pressed, "At the northern castle, have the sorcerers identified who’s trapped inside?"

Captain Thal nodded. "Yes, sir, they already did. Lord Nearf is inside the barrier."

Yory nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "And have our forces completely surrounded the barriers?"

Captain Thal confirmed with a firm nod. "They have! No soul will enter or leave without your knowledge, sir."

Yory's gaze sharpened. "It’s not the souls we need to watch for, Captain Thal. It’s the living we must approach with caution."

Captain Thal gave a confirming nod as Yory commanded, "Instruct the army to divide: half will return to the borders, while the other half splits again. One group will travel to and guard all the barriers, ready to engage the enemy if they breach, and the other will head to the land of the Forest Children. I need their safety assured."

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Captain Thal nodded once more. "Yes, Esteemed Yoranios!"

Yory stepped out of the tent and called, "General Gij! You're in charge here. I'm heading to the western castle to aid my sister!"

General Gij stood at attention, replying, "Yes, sir! Three special forces will accompany you, Esteemed Yoranios!"

Yoranios mounted a demon horse provided by the army, his gaze settling on the three warriors assigned to him. Two were female, armoured in sleek black, each wielding twin swords. The first, tall and with short black hair, bore a stern expression, her gloved hands ready for battle. The second woman, with slightly longer brown hair, carried a crystal-adorned sword, marking her as a magic swordswoman. A scar traced her lips, curving into a faint smile.

Beside them stood a man of average height, his face unmarred. He wielded a heavy mace, and like the others, was dressed in black armor, reinforced with enchantments. His expression was unreadable, a mask of stoicism.

Yory studied them before commanding, "With me, Black Death!"

They nodded in unison, activating their teleportation magic. In an instant, Yory and the special forces materialized in the western city.

Back at camp, General Gij stared intently at the barrier before him, deep in thought. Captain Thal approached and asked, "Sir, all of Esteemed Yoranios's orders are being carried out. What's our next move?"

General Gij nodded solemnly. "We await Lord Nearf, as Gyovani commanded."

Captain Thal frowned. "But, sir, Lord Nearf is trapped within the barrier. Shouldn't we focus on breaking it instead of waiting?"

Gij's voice remained steady. "This was the previous king's decree, and we will uphold it to the end."

"Understood, General," Captain Thal replied, though his unease lingered.

Within the barrier, Nearf prepared himself, but the Sorcerer Commander urgently warned, "Sir, you can't rescue that sorcerer! Even if you reach him, the barrier will absorb your magic, leaving you powerless and draining your life force!"

Nearf's smile remained calm and unwavering. "It won't come to that. I have speed and an advantage, Commander."

Meanwhile, in the western castle, Yoranios was greeted warmly by the city and castle guards. General Kerifan bowed, his tone laced with grim humour. "Esteemed Yoranios, welcome to this damn barrier, sir!"

Dismounting, Yoranios offered a steady reassurance. "Patience. Nearf will find a way through."

General Kerifan was perplexed, knowing that Lord Nearf was trapped within the barrier of the northern castle, but he brushed the thought aside, nodding resolutely. "Understood, sir," he said. He then added, "Esteemed Yoranios, there is a tent nearby for your convenience."

Yoranios entered the tent, settling into a chair, his mind turning to the events that had led them here. Jane’s voice echoed in his thoughts, a vow from long ago: *Yoranios, your talent is truly exceptional!*

Nearly three centuries earlier, amidst a desolate battlefield littered with corpses and the sound of cawing crows, demon soldiers tended to their fallen. Yoranios and Jane, their armour once finely crafted, were now caked with blood and grime. Jane’s hair, a tangled mix of red, brown, and black, was filthy—untouched by water save for what little they had for drinking.

Nearf lay nearby, his face streaked with blood and exhaustion. His slumber was restless, his body burdened by the violence that surrounded them.

Yoranios surveyed the battlefield, his voice tinged with bitterness. "He threw us into this war like animals, nothing more. Our youth was no brighter when he cast us into that damned pit."

Jane turned to him, her eyes sharp. "We are the elite, Yoranios. Remember what the human soldiers whispered when they saw us? 'The Black Death.'"

Yoranios shifted his focus to Jane, fatigue evident in his eyes. "Yes, but I long for an end to this conflict. Too many brave souls have died for nothing. I must bring this to a close, and soon."

Jane smiled warmly, her tone laced with relief. "Indeed, but you nearly gave me a heart attack yesterday. When you and Nearf appeared out of nowhere, I was this close to striking you down! I thought the camp had been infiltrated!"

Yoranios chuckled. "Your expression was priceless! I apologize; I won’t do it again... unless it’s on the battlefield."

Jane laughed with him and praised, "You truly have a gift, Yoranios! How did you manage to hide your magic so well? It was flawless!"

Grinning, Yoranios shared, "Just a little trick I learned some time ago."

Jane beamed, then added, "With that and your spell, Ölümcül Boşluq, you’re unstoppable!"

Yoranios nodded. "It’s what one needs to survive. But you, Jane, are even stronger. You killed one of the greatest sorcerers from the Renolva Kingdom. You’re already the most powerful demon in our realm!"

Jane smiled. "Thank you, Yoranios, but—"

Her words were cut short by the Commander’s urgent shout, "Soldiers, move out!"

Jane gently roused Nearf, helping him to his feet before turning to Yoranios. "We’ll talk more later."

A few steps away, she glanced back and asked, "But how did you teach Nearf to hide his magic? Isn’t he usually not that talented with it?"

Yoranios smiled slyly. "That’s the secret."

In the present, Nearf stood poised to sprint. The Sorcerer Commander observed with concern as veins bulged on Nearf’s neck, pulsing ominously. His eyes travelled to Nearf’s face, where the strain of veins was visibly coursing through him as if he might burst at any moment.

"My Lord?" the Commander called out, a note of alarm in his voice.

Simultaneously, Yoranios murmured to himself, as though speaking to his sister from that day, That’s the secret. His magical power is non-existent. He relies solely on his physical strength, sister.

Suddenly, Nearf's eyes locked onto the barrier, a predatory grin creeping across his face like a beast closing in on its prey. His muscles bulged grotesquely, and in a flash, he lunged forward!

In the blink of an eye, Nearf breached the barrier, taking the sorcerers and the Commander by complete surprise. His eyes zeroed in on the unconscious young sorcerer, and in swift, deliberate movements, he scooped him up, returning to the Commander’s side in mere moments.

Cradling the young sorcerer, the Commander exclaimed, "He’s breathing, Lord Nearf!"

Nearf’s laughter erupted, cold and chilling, sending tremors of fear through the sorcerers behind him. Without hesitation, he darted back toward the barrier, moving like a blur.

With a single, devastating blow, Nearf struck the cursed barrier. It trembled beneath the force of his strike, yet held firm. In retaliation, the barrier sent forth a bolt of lightning, crackling as it arced toward him.

The lightning scorched Nearf’s face, but he pressed on, unflinching, his expression unyielding as if immune to the pain. He struck the barrier again, harder this time, provoking another surge of lightning as the barrier fought back. But Nearf persisted, his fury fueling each strike, seemingly unstoppable.

As he glared at the barrier, his face now marred by the burn marks, Nearf saw a sizable crack splinter across its surface.

His grin twisted into something darker, more sinister, as he roared triumphantly, "I GOT YOU!!!"

Nearf exerted every ounce of strength, his fingers crushed against the barrier until, with a final shattering blow, it crumbled. General Gij, witnessing the triumph, exclaimed, "Curse the Gyovani! Lord Nearf did it!"

Nearf’s laughter morphed into something eerie, as though he had lost all sanity—a relentless, unsettling sound that seemed to defy the approach of tomorrow. Through the chaos, General Gij’s voice cut through, barking orders to the sorcerers: "Esteemed Yoranios's orders! Teleport Lord Nearf to the western castle!"

The sorcerers, stunned by the sight of Nearf’s charred, smoke-blackened form, hesitated, questioning why he was being teleported instead of treated. His manic laughter only deepened their concern.

Simultaneously, near the western castle, Yoranios received word through his crystal that Nearf had obliterated the barrier and escaped, though his condition was unfit for combat.

"General Gij, is Nearf... laughing?" Yoranios asked, his voice calm yet troubled.

"Yes, sir! Right now, as the healers try to tend to him," General Gij confirmed.

Yoranios paused for a moment before giving his next command, "Hold the crystal near his face."

General Gij rushed to where the healers were tending to Nearf, placing the crystal close to him. Nearf’s laughter continued, unbroken, until his gaze fell upon the crystal and Yoranios’s face appeared.

The laughter abruptly stopped. Nearf’s eyes locked on Yoranios with an unrecognizable look, as if staring at a stranger.

Yoranios, though concerned, spoke with the calm familiarity of a brother, "Nearf, it’s me. Jane is in danger, and I need you to breach the barrier. Can you do that for me?"

For a brief moment, there was only silence. Then, Nearf’s laughter resumed, this time tinged with a dark, malevolent edge. Yoranios met his crazed gaze with a knowing smile, sensing a flicker of recognition, even through Nearf's madness.

With a roar, Nearf bellowed, "WHERE! WHERE!"

Yoranios grinned and commanded, "Lads! Teleport this rascal!"

General Gij rallied the sorcerers. "Sorcerers! Begin the teleportation! The destination is the Western castle!"

Just as the teleportation began, Yoranios’s attention shifted sharply to the woods near his tent. A sense of foreboding crept over him, an instinctive warning. He narrowed his gaze, sharpening his senses to detect the source of this unease.

Shortly after, a cacophony of beastly roars echoed through the sky and the city, sending tremors beneath every soldier's feet. Yoranios bolted towards the army, his voice booming, "THEY'RE ADVANCING! DEFEND THE CITY!"

A monstrous horde, ranging from enchanted bears to colossal wolves and tigers, surged forward like an unstoppable tide. Yoranios roared, "FIND THE WHORES RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS! CUT THEM DOWN!"

His crystal pulsed with urgent messages. General Yu, stationed at the southern castle, frantically reported, "Respected Yoranios! Beasts are attacking! We must protect the people, sir!"

Simultaneously, General Pil from the eastern castle added, "Lord Yoranios! Creatures are materializing from thin air! We're doing everything to defend the civilians!"

Clutching the crystal, Yoranios declared, "Defend the city! Slay every beast! Spare none but our cursed foes!"

In the western city, knights and civilians worked side by side to evacuate the people, while some armed themselves to join the ranks of the army for the upcoming battle.

Moments later, the earth trembled beneath the stampede of the approaching beasts. Their roars filled the air as they charged, but Yoranios and General Kerifan stood at the forefront, ready to meet the assault head-on.

A massive wolf lunged at Yoranios, only to be cleaved in two by his blade. Yoranios's voice rang out like thunder, "FORWARD! FIGHT!"

With that cry, the army, led by Yoranios and General Kerifan, surged forward, clashing fiercely with the monstrous horde.

Meanwhile, the special forces, who had been trailing Yoranios earlier, discreetly slipped into the woods. Their mission: is to find and eliminate the witches responsible for summoning the beasts. Ending the witch would end the spell.

At the same time, Nearf waited as the sorcerers chanted the spell to transport him to the western castle. Unnoticed by Nearf, General Gij quietly joined him. The sorcerers exchanged uncertain glances, to which Gij responded, "The beasts are closing in, and I won't leave him unprotected. Kill those creatures! Commence the incantation, now!"

Far above the battlefield, a lone witch soared across the sky on her broom, a serene smile on her face as she glided towards her destination. Her eyes scanned the lands below, just catching a glimpse of the southern castle. In a voice both calm and hauntingly beautiful, she murmured, "My family awaits. I shall be there soon."

Before the chaos, before the bloodshed, and before Azravene’s assault on the Renolva's land, Jane stood tall, facing Reyanna after Olwyn had left to deal with the treacherous demons.

Reyanna’s gaze was sharp as she offered, "Surrender, and I will end your life swiftly, sparing you from needless suffering."

Jane's eyes held firm, her regal aura unshaken as Mahin stood by her side. "Never," she declared, pride radiating from her. "We will die fighting!"