Vishernuk and Kae-Zêl continued their conversation in hushed tones, exchanging concerned glances. The implications were enormous, and Kae-Zêl's worry was evident.

"There's something else," Vishernuk added. "Magical anomalies have been detected in several regions, far from any human activity. The sages believe these disturbances could be connected to the ancient monsters."

Kae-Zêl rubbed his chin, his gaze thoughtful.

"If the ancient monsters are truly awakening, even an army won't stand a chance against them. We must prepare for everything… even a war."

A heavy silence settled between them. Then Kae-Zêl, in a grave tone, continued:

"I need to leave immediately. But before I go, we must ensure the village's safety. If one of those monsters wakes nearby, Autarcie could be wiped out in an instant."

Vishernuk nodded, understanding the urgency.

"We'll take steps to secure the village, Commander. But you know as well as I do that the ancient legends say there's only one way to stop these creatures…"

"I know," Kae-Zêl murmured. "And if it comes to that, I'll do whatever it takes."

After a final handshake, Kae-Zêl returned home to say farewell to his family. He embraced his son Keita, shared a few encouraging words with Lore and Aniche, and gave one last look to his eldest son, Theos. Then, with renewed determination and a mind heavy with uncertainty, he joined the Transcendent squadron to head for the capital, aware that he might soon be facing one of the greatest threats the world had ever known.

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With a final glance back at his home and family, Kae-Zêl took a deep breath and stepped away, his heart heavy with both duty and worry. As he joined the ranks of the Transcendent squadron, he felt the weight of his responsibility settling upon him like armor. His footsteps were resolute, each one carrying him further from his peaceful village and closer to the impending danger.

The squadron set off at dawn, the light of the rising sun casting long shadows across the village, as if foreshadowing the looming darkness they would soon confront. Kae-Zêl rode at the head of the group, his gaze fixed on the path ahead but his thoughts with his family—Aniche, Lore, Keita, and Theos—whom he had promised to protect at all costs.

The journey to the capital was long, and with each passing day, Kae-Zêl's resolve hardened. He knew that, despite the danger, he would do whatever was necessary to safeguard his loved ones and his homeland. The distant mountains where the capital lay rose on the horizon, shrouded in mist, as if hiding the secrets and threats that awaited.

It had been eight months since Theos's father had left for the capital, leaving Theos, his mother, his older sister, and his older brother behind in their village.

The distance between the capital and their village was immense, which made communication difficult and, above all, very slow. The last news they had received was from six months ago; they knew nothing of what was happening in the capital, nor of the consequences it might have for them, isolated and cut off from the rest of the world.

Now eight years old, the young boy continued his daily routine peacefully in his father's absence. He did not neglect his daily training, trying to strengthen himself as much as possible to surprise his father upon his return.

Then, unexpected events began to occur in the village. It all started with strange footprints found around the village, marks different from those of the animals that usually roamed the area.

One day, while walking with his mother, she, too, noticed the footprints and seemed troubled, as though trying to recall something important, but to no avail. Then, the village's livestock began to disappear. The adults, suspecting attacks from wild animals, reinforced the enclosures and set traps here and there.

Finally, one night, without warning, the village of Autarcie was attacked and set ablaze. It was neither bandits nor knights, but bipedal creatures with a hideous appearance, the size of a child.