"The Valgar Knights have returned!"
The excited voice of a teenager rang out as he leaned from the window of his elevated home, watching the live scene unfolding in the capital square. A massive crowd had gathered, cheering in thunderous unison amidst a festive atmosphere made even more dazzling by bursts of glowing colors and swirling supernatural abilities. It felt like a magical show in broad daylight.
Inside, a fourteen-year-old boy sat quietly at a simple wooden table, eating his breakfast. Beside him, his elderly father seemed more focused on the steaming cup of tea in his hands than the celebration outside.
The father spoke in a calm but firm tone:
— "Son, I hope you don't see those men as role models."
The boy raised his eyebrows in surprise.
— "What? Why not? They're the Valgar Knights — elite soldiers! Everyone wants to be like them. Just two months ago, they helped restore peace to the country!"
The father sighed and glanced out the window, where the sounds of cheering still echoed through the skies.
— "Yes, they helped… but think about it, son. Who are they really protecting us from?"
— "I don't understand what you mean, Dad."
— "On the other side of the country — in Auraya, in Bluestodia, and other kingdoms under our control… do you think they submitted through kind words and friendly talks?"
The boy hesitated. "Weren't they our enemies?"
The father gave a bitter smile and sipped his tea slowly.
— "Don't believe everything the ruler says. That man… he's no ordinary human. He's something else — an immortal being with an insatiable hunger for control. And those knights? They're just tools, seduced by status and power, easy to manipulate."
A heavy silence filled the room before the boy asked quietly:
— "But… what exactly do they do in those kingdoms?"
His father met his gaze with a grim look:
— "They kill the men, plunder the women and children, and take all property and treasures under the name of taxation. They believe they're favored by the gods — just because the ruler says so. It's pathetic."
The boy remained silent, staring out the window. He could still see the honor platform, and the seven figures he had once dreamed of joining. But now… that image began to blur.
---
Elsewhere...
In a side square within the border settlement of Auraya, with rays of sunlight peeking shyly through the clouds, Alex spotted his friend leaning against a stone wall, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the distant marketplace with a cold expression.
He approached casually, his usual playful energy on full display.
— "Yoo yoo yoo! Hello, my grumpy shadow!"
Harry turned slowly, offering a faint smile before extending a hand.
— "Hey, Alex…"
They exchanged a firm handshake, one that spoke of a strong friendship.
— "How's it going, mysterious copycat?" Alex grinned.
Harry crossed his arms and shrugged. "Fine… as long as I'm on leave."
— "What's wrong? Don't like it here? Isn't Auraya quiet enough for your taste?" Alex joked, glancing at the patrolling soldiers and the stationed Lumieran troops.
Harry exhaled slowly, voice low but clearly bitter.
— "You know I hate this assignment. Auraya? Of all places… we're stuck here like watchdogs! Guarding borders, collecting taxes, monitoring villagers' breaths. Meanwhile, the others? They're conquering kingdoms, fighting battles, expanding the empire."
— "What about Aron? Didn't he get stationed here from time to time too?" Alex asked, pretending not to care as he placed his hands behind his head.
Harry gave a crooked smile.
— "Aron? He's based in the capital. Him, Elissa, and Karl — they're always on combat missions, or diplomatic operations in foreign kingdoms. What they do can't be compared to our tasks. He lives a… bigger life. One with more honor."
Alex paused, then chuckled.
— "Guess I'll have to dye my hair white and speak in riddles to keep up with him!"
This time, Harry laughed genuinely.
— "Don't forget to wear a sage's cloak when you do."
— "They're probably having fun in their fancy headquarters right now…"
---
Inside the Valgar Knights' compound on the outskirts of the capital, the pale gray light of dawn crept through the tall windows, gently touching the cold stone floor.
At the long table in the center of the hall, Aron sat in full uniform, eating his breakfast silently.
Elissa entered, still rubbing sleep from her eyes and stretching.
— "Mmmh… Morning, Aron. Isn't it a beautiful day?" she said through a yawn, pulling out a chair to sit.
— "Yes, of course. A morning like any other," he replied calmly, not looking up from his plate.
— "So, what's for breakfast?"
— "The usual: dried meat with eggs, barley bread, and black coffee."
She glanced around the hall and then asked:
— "Where's Karl?"
A voice came from behind the long couch near the wall.
— "I'm here."
Karl rose lazily from where he had been lying down, half-hidden by the couch.
— "Oh good, I was about to assume you vanished dramatically as usual," Elissa said, sipping her coffee.
Suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the hall. The three exchanged wary glances.
Karl immediately got to his feet and opened the door cautiously.
Standing at the threshold was a young soldier bearing the seal of the Public Security Office. In his hands was a thick folder marked urgent.
— "Apologies for the disturbance, sir. This message is from High Command — sealed by the Security Office."
The soldier handed the folder over respectfully with both hands.
Karl gave a nod of thanks and closed the door carefully.
— "Well? What is it?" Aron asked without turning.
Karl opened the folder and scanned the contents briefly before reading aloud, his eyes moving steadily over the lines.
— "Urgent directive to the Valgar Knight Division regarding an unexplained massacre in the colony of Zarquan, southern region, near the city of Kalishko. All residents — including soldiers and guards — were found dead. Some bodies were mutilated, others missing entirely. Several local officers remain unaccounted for. The assailant is unknown. Date: two days ago."
A heavy silence followed.
Elissa broke it, her face now serious.
— "All that… and nothing was detected? No signals? No magic alerts?"
Karl shrugged and placed the folder on the table.
— "Nothing. As if the entire town was swallowed by shadows."
Aron finally looked up, his voice firm.
— "This isn't a normal incident… Whoever did this is either a rogue with immense power or backed by forces of a different kind — maybe remnants of the resisting kingdoms, or even creatures from the other side."
He rose from his seat and donned his heavy official cloak, his tone steady and commanding.
— "Whoever it is… it doesn't matter. What matters is that we move."
He looked at them both and added:
— "Get ready. We depart for Kalishko at sunset."