Kael tried to make sense of the chaos around him. The air was heavy with tension and screams echoed from the distance. His eyes darted toward his mother and then to the old man standing beside him.
"Old man... Can you handle this?" Kael asked seriously, his voice firm but full of worry. "I think at least we should transport Mother and my people to safety."
Before Ramos could reply, Kael suddenly froze. A chill crept up his spine as an ominous presence washed over him. His instincts screamed danger, yet there was no attack.
Instead, a formation of armored soldiers marched into view.
"Black Lion Guards," Kael muttered, recognizing the dark insignia on their armor.
Rows upon rows of elite knights stood in perfect formation, their heavy black armor reflecting the faint crimson light of the burning horizon. Each carried a long halberd marked with the royal crest of the Empire.
