The sky bled red like the heavens had caught fire, casting a hellish glow over the town. A low, unearthly hum pulsed through the streets as the sound of Lumina energy ripped the town apart. Panic spread like wildfire: women screaming, men shouting for loved ones, and children being dragged from their homes as what was once a thriving town crumbled into chaos.

Smoke filled the air with terror, and buildings crackled and splintered with the force of red blasts. Houses buckled and crumbled, showering their debris on those still trying to get to safety. Some fled into the woods, attempting to outrun the destruction, while others cried futilely for help. Overhead, thick plumes of smoke billowed upward into the crimson sky, choking out what little daylight remained.

The ground shifted beneath my feet as another explosion ripped through the kingdom, the shockwave sending me stumbling. I pushed forward, coughing as I dodged falling beams.

A woman nearly crashed into me, dragging a crying child behind her. She didn’t notice as she barrelled, and I staggered to keep my balance.

“Renjiro!” someone shouted, but the voice was lost.

My heart pounded as I scanned the streets. Where was Satoshi? He had to be here somewhere.

A man tripped in front of me, sprawling onto the ground, his face streaked with ash. I reached out to help him, but he was already scrambling to his feet, disappearing into the smoke without glancing back.

I pressed on, weaving through the madness. My lungs burned with every breath, but I couldn’t stop. Not until I found him.

Then, through the shroud of smoke, I saw him.

“Kaelan!” I yelled, relief flooding through me as I sprinted toward him.

He turned, his face streaked with dirt, but his eyes lit up when he saw me. “Renjiro!”

We collided, grabbing each other by the shoulders and gasping for air. For a brief moment, the chaos around us seemed to fade.

“I thought—” Kaelan began, his voice shaking.

“I know,” I said quickly. “I thought the same.”

The ground rumbled beneath us again, and a nearby building collapsed with a deafening roar. The shockwave sent both of us stumbling, but we stayed upright.

“We can’t stay here,” I said, grabbing his arm. “We need to get to Satoshi. He’s still at the house.”

Together, Kaelan and I raced through the burning village, dodging falling debris from what had once been our peaceful home. The air was thick with smoke, and fires raged around us. The acrid taste of ash filled my lungs.

My heart pounded as we neared and headed towards my home, But then, suddenly, we saw an army of overseers and soldiers all rallying, preparing for something approaching the kingdom.

The snow fell in heavy sheets, muffling the villagers' cries as shadows emerged from the treeline. A line of figures clad in black armour trimmed with red accents marched, their glowing crimson eyes burning the haze like embers in the dark.

Villagers scattered before them, clutching their loved ones and pressing themselves against the walls of their homes. Mothers pulled their children close, trembling as the soldiers passed by. The Crimson soldiers didn’t look at the civilians—not a single glance. They didn’t speak, didn’t waver. They marched, focusing on the human soldiers who stood in their path.

One of the villagers dared to whisper, “Why aren’t they attacking us?”

The overseers gripped their weapons tighter, and their breaths were visible in the frigid air. One stepped forward as he barked, “Halt! Who are you, and what is your purpose here?”

The Crimson soldiers didn’t stop. Their leader, in black armour that pulsed faintly with crimson light, took a slow step forward.

Behind him, the other soldiers remained in no formation. The overseer raised his hand, signalling the archers and engineers to prepare their bows and canons: “Prepare to fire!”

The Crimson leader finally stopped his presence. Then, he spoke. “You have all been relieved of your duty.”

The human soldiers exchanged nervous glances, “We will give you a chance to surrender,” he continued, “Lay down your weapons, and you may leave with your lives. Refuse… and face the consequences.”

The soldiers remained frozen. Some turned their heads toward their comrades, and silent questions flashed in their eyes, some lowering their weapons slightly.

“Many of you have families. Wives. Children. Don’t die here today because of your foolish pride.”

The overseer captain stepped forward, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. “Hold the line!” he yelled, “Don’t listen to him!”

But the commander’s words had already taken root. The line faltered, the soldiers shifting uneasily as doubt crept into their ranks.

The Crimson soldiers remained still, staring at the humans with cold indifference. The commander's voice dropped lower, “This is your final warning. Surrender… or let your people watch you die!”

The overseer captain’s face twisted in anger as he gripped the hilt of his sword. “Enough of this!” he shouted, the veins bulging in his neck. “Draw bows! Load the cannons! We will show them what happens to those who threaten our kingdom!”

But as the archers raised their bows, a veteran stepped forward. His eyes were locked on the Crimson soldiers, and a deep unease settled. “Wait,” he muttered, "Look at them.”

The overseer captain turned sharply. “What are you doing?” he snapped.

“These aren’t like the other armies we’ve fought,” he said, “They’re just standing there. No fear. No formation. No shields, no defences.” He swallowed, his throat dry. “They’ don't even look human.”

The captain's eyes continued to burn with anger, but beneath them was a flicker of something else—uncertainty. He turned to his men and said, “We do not cower before invaders! Ready your weapons and fire!”

But there was only silence.

The overseer captain’s eyes widened as he turned back toward his men. The archers stood frozen, their hands trembling on their bows. The soldiers stationed at the cannons exchanged hesitant glances, sweat beading their brows despite the cold air. The entire front line had stalled.

“Did you hear me?”

Still, no one moved.

The Crimson soldiers remained motionless, staring at the terrified army before them.

The captain’s rage boiled over. “You cowards! I said fire!”

Cannon fire roared across the battlefield, shattering the stillness. The blasts rippled through the air, sending flames and splintered earth flying everywhere. Arrows rained down in a storm of sharpened death. The entire front of the village lit up as fire consumed the ground. The force of the explosions shook homes, shattering windows and sending terrified villagers cowering behind doors.

The thick smoke choked the air, obscuring everything. The soldiers braced themselves, peering into the distance, waiting to see what remained.

And then the smoke cleared.

The Crimson soldiers stood precisely where they had before, untouched—no cracks, no wounds, and no sign that they had even acknowledged the attack.

The human soldiers stared in horror.

Had they… provoked them?

A cold sweat dripped down the overseer captain’s temple. His lips trembled, his fingers slowly loosening around his blade. The metal clattered as he slowly stepped back. “how...” he whispered.

Some of the soldiers began to weep. Quiet, stifled sobs as the weight of what stood before them finally settled in. Others could barely hold their weapons anymore, their grips too weak, their arms trembling.

Inside their homes, civilians held to one another. Some turned away, unable to watch what was coming next. Wives clutched their children, hands over their mouths to silence their cries as some called for their fathers. Some pressed their heads against the walls, mourning and praying to gods who would not answer.

Then, the Crimson commander slowly lifted his gaze in the thick of that dreadful silence and sighed.

“My condolences.”

The captain froze. His breath hitched as his pupils shrank in terror.

The Crimson commander turned to his men and gave them a slight nod.

The Crimson soldiers moved, and chaos followed. They blitzed through the human ranks with impossible speed, their black blades trailing streaks of glowing red energy that crackled and hissed. Soldiers barely had time to raise their weapons before they were cut down, their cries of pain swallowed by the relentless assault. Pools of blood spread across the snow, staining the pristine white with crimson streaks.

From the palace above, the kingdom's rulers watched in horror. The once-strong line of defenders was now a slaughterhouse, bright flashes of red light illuminating the carnage below. One of the lords stepped back from the balcony and whispered, “Crimson Dynasty…”

Another ruler, shaking with panic, shouted, “Alert Azeron! Call for their aid!”

Messengers scrambled to follow the command, but the devastation unfolding below was already too far gone. The Crimson commander stood at the heart of the chaos, his glowing red eyes surveying the battlefield with cold detachment. He raised his hand, and another wave of energy erupted from his soldiers. Their strikes sent destructive blasts that tore through what little resistance remained.

The dying screams echoed through the air, mingling with the crackle of red energy and the clash of steel. From the distance where Kaelan and I watched, the entire scene unfolded like a nightmare.

The Crimson commander turned on his heel and walked away as his black cloak trailed through the snow.

One of his soldiers, a younger warrior with glowing red eyes dimmer than his commander’s, took a hesitant step forward. “Sir… where are you going?”

The commander didn’t stop. “He’s almost here.”

The younger soldier tilted his head, confused. "But why there isn't any threat here."

The commander paused briefly, turning his head just enough for the glow of his crimson eyes to catch the light. “He said he was bored. He’ll want to have his fun,” he said, “Follow protocol.”

We darted through the wreckage, our feet pounding against the dirt as we made for my home. The fires blazed brighter, and the heat seared against my skin, but I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

My stomach twisted at the sight before me when we entered the house. Satoshi and the Luminarian soldier were locked in battle with another Crimson warrior. The clash of metal rang through the air as Satoshi swung his hammer with everything he had, parrying brutal strikes from the enemy.

“Satoshi!” I yelled.

But he didn’t turn. He was too focused, his brow furrowed with concentration, sweat dripping down his face as he fought to hold his ground.

The entire house shook as another explosion rocked the village. The walls groaned under the pressure, and with a deafening crash, part of the ceiling gave way.

I turned just in time to see Kaelan caught beneath the falling debris.

“Kaelan!” I cried, rushing to his side.

“I’m stuck!” he gasped, his voice tight with pain as he struggled to free himself. His legs were pinned beneath the heavy rubble, and no matter how hard he pushed, it wouldn’t budge.

I dropped to my knees, grabbing at the debris and pulling with all my strength. My arms shook, my breath coming in ragged gasps, but it was useless. The weight wouldn’t budge.

“Satoshi!” I shouted, my voice cracking with desperation.

But he didn’t turn. He couldn’t. His hammer clashed against the enemy’s blade as red energy crackled between them. “Run, Renjiro!” he shouted through gritted teeth. “Get out of here! Go!”

His words sent a pang through my chest. How could I leave him? How could I abandon both of them?

My mind raced between protecting my loved people and the terrifying truth that we were outmatched.

Before I could act, the air shifted. It grew thick, heavy, and suffocating, as if the world held its breath. The ground beneath us trembled violently, and cracks splintered through the earth.

A low, rumbling growl rose from the depths of the ground, shaking the very foundation of what little remained.

I looked up, my heart stopping as the sky seemed to tear open above us.

Then, with a thunderous crash, something massive descended. The earth buckled beneath its landing, and the shockwave sent me stumbling back. Debris scattered everywhere, and I barely managed to stay upright.

When the dust cleared, I saw him.

The soldier’s voice trembled, filled with dread. “No… anyone but him. Why did they send him?”

General Calo had arrived.