The morning sun pierced thinly through the mists above Emerald Kingdom, but could not erase the anxiety in the hearts of its people. An orc army, numbering in the thousands, crept closer from the east. They carried tattered, dark red banners, a sign of their bloodlust that would not be satisfied until it devoured this city.
Amidst the sea of orc soldiers stood Fenrir, a giant wolf as tall as a tower, its fangs as large as a human spear. Its roar thundered, creating a terrifying vibration even from afar.
Inside the fortress walls of Emerald Kingdom, the Hunters and soldiers worked tirelessly to repair the walls, prepare magical cannons, and tend to wounds that had yet to fully heal. At the edge of the watchtower, Lucifer stood still, staring at that blackened horizon. His red eyes, once full of doubt, had now turned into embers of determination, reflecting in the pitch-black ring wrapped around his finger.
Fenrir… his heart pulsed with tension. If I'm not strong enough, everything will end.
Behind him, Kaela appeared with light steps, even though her battle wounds had not completely healed. Her long white hair blew in the wind, and her silver eyes shone firmly as they met Lucifer's gaze.
"You're just going to stand there?" she gently scolded. "Tomorrow, we might all die."
Lucifer turned slightly, looking at Kaela's calm yet resolute face. "I know. That's why I want to train more," he replied flatly, though there was clear sincerity in his tone.
Kaela gave a faint smile. "Good. Because if we face Fenrir and Azog's army, your current strength won't be enough."
Lucifer clenched his fists. "Teach me. Anything."
Kaela nodded softly, then raised her right hand. A silver-blue swirl of water appeared in her palm, spinning rapidly and radiating a chilling cold.
"This is high-level water magic, Azure Tides," Kaela explained. "It's not just ordinary water, but pure magic energy drawn from the eternal springs. It can freeze an enemy, neutralize poisons, and purify an area from dark magic."
Lucifer watched her every move, holding his breath.
"I've never used water magic," he admitted uncertainly.
"Exactly," Kaela looked deep into his eyes, "so we will start now."
---
They moved to the rear training yard of the fortress, where the hammering of workers and the shouts of soldiers still echoed faintly. Kaela stood before him, both hands channeling gentle mana like a flowing river, then releasing a stream of blue water that danced through the air.
"Feel it, Luci," she whispered. "Imagine water as life, not just an element. Water calms, heals — but it can also destroy."
Lucifer closed his eyes, trying to mimic her motions. The mana within his body shook violently — the energy from his black ring seemed to resist. But he did not give up. He recalled every pain he had felt, every failure, every fear… then focused his determination into one point:
I won't let them die because of my weakness.
Slowly, in his palm, a faint swirl of water formed. Still fragile, but beginning to shimmer with blue light like Kaela's.
"Good…" Kaela whispered, holding back an emotional smile. "Keep the flow steady. Don't let your emotions explode."
Lucifer gritted his teeth, bearing the sharp pain in his wrist. The water threatened to scatter, but he forced himself to refocus. Arthur, Kaela… everyone…
Once again, the blue swirl emerged, this time more stable. A cold mist drifted through the air around them.
---
The sun crept higher through the sky, but the tension inside the fortress did not ease in the slightest. Kaela kept guiding him — move after move, incantation after incantation. Sometimes Lucifer collapsed to the ground from chaotic mana, sometimes nearly losing consciousness, but Kaela always reached out her hand, helping him stand again.
"You're stubborn," Kaela chuckled at one point, "but maybe that's what will save us all."
Lucifer wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing hard, but his eyes burned sharper than ever. "I don't want to be a burden," he said firmly.
"And you're not a burden," Kaela answered. "You are another light you haven't realized yet."
Lucifer fell silent, staring at his palm, which was beginning to master Azure Tides.
---
As evening approached, a scout came rushing with new reports. "Sir Lucifer! Lady Kaela!" he shouted from a distance.
Kaela quickly turned. "What happened?"
"Fenrir has already reached the first hill! They're only one night away from the gates!"
Lucifer clenched his fist, then looked at Kaela. "In that case… we can't waste any more time."
Kaela nodded. "Let's continue your training. Until you can defeat Fenrir."