Everything had begun to fade. Aron saw it—the darkness. It was like water, slowly and steadily seeping into the ground, consuming everything in its path. The battlefield, once alive with sound, now lay silent, soaked and crumbling beneath the weight of sorrow. Ray, who had been the right hand of Aron's master, understood all too well what had happened to their home. He carried the broken boy on his back, shielding him with everything he had left. All of it… just to protect the young man on his back.
The atmosphere suddenly turned grim. The sky darkened as heavy, fluffy clouds rolled in and joined together, swallowing the last rays of the sun. The wind grew louder, and then—drop by drop—the rain began to fall. The sound echoed across the hills like the earth was weeping.
And then Aron saw something in the sky. A black, shadowy figure began to emerge from the clouds, its wings spread wide as it approached. His heart sank as the figure got closer and clearer. It was the same monstrous dragon that had slaughtered Bart. The memory of its roar still echoed in Aron's mind.
Ray: "Hold on tightly, Aron!" he shouted, changing direction in haste.
Ray darted out of the mountainside, heading straight for the forest ahead. It was dense, full of tall trees, and offered better shelter. But just as they neared the edge, a terrifying roar split the sky. The dragon was onto them.
Without wasting a moment, Ray used one of his spiritual powers—Binding Light. A brilliant flash of light erupted from his mouth, temporarily blinding the beast. It worked perfectly. While the dragon struggled, Ray vanished into the shadows of the forest with Aron still clutched to him.
But the cost was high. Ray felt drained. As a spirit who absorbed his energy from sunlight, the dark clouds made it harder for him to regain strength. The more he used his powers, the weaker he became. Now, with no sun and heavy rain soaking through his robes, he had to rely on sheer will.
After some time navigating through the thick woods and the harsh weather, they finally found a small clearing surrounded by massive boulders—safe, hidden, and dry. They set down their things and took shelter.
Ray: "Aron... I'm very weak right now. I need to turn myself into a light orb. This form will help me restore my strength. Just stay here and watch over us for a while."
Ray's body emitted a gentle glow, and in seconds, he transformed into a small, bright orb. It hovered near Aron, glowing softly, casting warm light over the rain-soaked leaves.
Aron sat still in silence. The pain of Kron's death stabbed deep into his heart like a dagger. He sat motionless as raindrops slid down his face, mixing with his tears. The water dripped from his soaked hair to the ground, disappearing into the earth just like the people he had lost. The sound of the rain, though heavy, was somehow peaceful… or maybe just indifferent to his grief.
His black eyes stared blankly into the shadows of the forest. The look on his face was a mixture of sorrow, anger, and numbness. The battlefield he had just left behind wasn't just a place of war—it had become a graveyard of friends, of children, of innocence. And all of it burned into his mind like a nightmare he couldn't escape.
Suddenly, his stomach growled painfully. He was starving.
He reached slowly toward his bag, his hands trembling and covered in mud. His fingers struggled with the straps, and when he opened it—there was nothing. The bag was empty. No bread. No fruit. Nothing.
He stared at the emptiness… and then he broke.
He dropped everything, fell to his knees, and began to sob uncontrollably.
Aron: "Maa… why did you die? I'm hungry… I want to eat lamb with Dad…"
His cries echoed with the sound of the falling rain. The forest seemed to cry with him, every drop like a tear from the sky. But after a while, the rain slowed… and then, it stopped. The clouds parted, and sunlight finally returned, shining gently through the leaves.
The light orb flickered and pulsed brighter—and then Ray reappeared, back in his human form. He looked stronger now, though concern filled his eyes as he looked at the broken boy.
Ray: "Young warrior… you managed all of this alone. I'm proud of you. You've held on. Are you hungry?"
Aron didn't speak. He simply nodded, his face still heavy with tears and dirt.
Without hesitation, Ray headed into the forest and hunted a deer. After a short while, they sat together by a small fire, roasting the meat. The flames danced in their eyes. The aroma filled the clearing, and for the first time in days, they ate.
It wasn't just food—it was life.
They shared that moment as companions, not just warrior and protector. Ray looked at Aron and said softly:
Ray: "Let's sleep here tonight. The dark soldiers will still be searching for us."
Aron nodded again. He was quiet, but Ray could see the storm in his heart. It had been a terrible beginning. A terrible journey. But perhaps… just perhaps… there might still be a good end.
The fire crackled until it turned to soft glowing coal. The forest was alive with the sounds of insects. Aron, exhausted, rested his head on Ray's shoulder and slowly drifted into sleep. Ray leaned back, turning into light once more to preserve energy and keep the boy warm.
The night passed peacefully.
Morning arrived with golden rays washing over the earth. The wind danced through the trees. The birds chirped freely under a now-clear sky. Nature seemed to breathe again.
Aron woke up, stretched his arms, and yawned. The pain in his body was still there, but he felt a little lighter. Ray returned to his form and smiled.
Ray: "Aron, take your bag. It's time. We must reach Wingman City. There are fruit trees near its edge. We'll eat there, alright?"
Aron: "Okay," he replied softly.
Together, they walked. Fields of grass and scattered flowers surrounded them. The sound of birds, the smell of fresh earth—it all felt like healing. They stopped by a crystal-clear lake, washed their faces, drank the refreshing water, and continued forward.
By dawn, they reached the edge of the fruit trees. Hungry, they plucked the sweetest, juiciest fruits they had ever tasted. The juice ran down their fingers, sticky and delightful. They devoured them with joy.
Eventually, they arrived at the Ancient Meadows—a legendary place known for its Flowers of Eternity. Dark blue blossoms stretched across the landscape like a carpet of dreams. Aron's eyes widened. He remembered a dream he had—of a mysterious man sitting in this very field during a duel. It sent chills down his spine, but he didn't say anything.
They moved forward until they reached a high vantage point. From there, they saw it—Wingman City. Grand, distant, and real.
Night fell again before they could arrive, so they built a shelter with branches and leaves. Ray transformed into his orb form once more, hovering over Aron like a star. That night was quiet, peaceful.
And so, their journey continued...