Deep within the kingdom of Gothrez, inside the fortress of the "Sin of Greed," in a dark hall adorned with hanging iron chains and skulls, four of the most feared commanders—known as the "Sinborn Four"—had gathered.
"Veer" sat upon a stone throne that seemed forged in the mouth of a volcano. His thick black beard and charred face looked like they had once burned but refused to heal. His eyes dripped with malice and an unquenchable hunger.
Beside him stood "Thron," tall and alluring, a blend of temptation and hellfire. Her body resembled the divine, but her face bore the signs of a demon—small horns on her forehead and a smile devoid of mercy.
"Frijor," the red dwarf, bounced across the table, letting out shrill laughter. Blood still clung to the blade in his hand.
At the back, "Gladers" sat in silence—a giant three times the size of any man. His muscles were forged like steel. He rarely spoke, but when he did, the ground itself trembled.
Veer spoke in a gravelly tone:
— "Once Luthoria falls… the path to the heart of light will open."
Frijor cackled wickedly:
— "Let me be the first to enter. I want their blood… I want their eyes!"
Thron ran her hand along her glowing blade and said:
— "If they're anything like that weakling… Sherry… they won't last long."
Before anyone could continue, a soldier burst in from the shadows, collapsing to one knee with a hoarse voice:
— "My lords… we… we failed!"
Thron approached him with slow, deadly grace, mocking:
— "Failed? Sherry couldn't handle a few soldiers?"
The soldier trembled as he replied:
— "They weren't just soldiers… they were… different."
Veer stood, his tone heavy:
— "What do you mean?"
The soldier continued:
— "There was a man… incredibly powerful. And three others with him, fast, strong… like they weren't human."
Thron hissed, grinding her teeth:
— "Who were they?"
— "Commander Sherry had fought alongside them in Kraken. I believe their names were… Darin and Klaus… both part of the elite. With them was a man called Dreyvis… and the fourth… their leader… I think his name was Leo."
Veer fell silent for a moment, then muttered:
— "Leo? I've never heard that name before."
Frijor burst into delighted laughter:
— "A new name? Excellent! I love tearing strangers apart!"
Thron wiped her sword against her palm and said:
— "So Sherry didn't just fail… she betrayed us."
Then the deep, thunderous voice of Gladers echoed through the chamber:
— "Kill her… now!"
⸻
Elsewhere in Luthoria's camp, Leo stepped out of his tent, gazing at the sky. The air was cold, his face tense with concern.
He spotted Sherry standing alone near a glowing elven tree.
He approached her quietly and asked:
— "Sherry… why is Gothrez so cruel?"
She looked up, her eyes a mix of defiance and brokenness.
— "Gothrez is strong… Since I was a child, my father always told me we had to conquer the kingdoms… to show our greatness… then he died."
Leo asked softly:
— "How did he die?"
Sherry fell silent. Her eyes burned with an old memory—Veer tearing her father apart. She finally said:
— "That's none of your business."
Leo answered flatly:
— "Then I'll leave. But… if you need anything, tell Kruz."
The jinn appeared suddenly from the trees and said:
— "Yes, Master Leo."
Leo walked away, leaving Sherry watching him with unreadable eyes.
⸻
Inside the command tent, Darin was lounging with his feet on the table. Leo entered.
— "Darin. Get ready. We're heading to the palace with a group of soldiers."
— "Why? Are you playing commander now?"
Leo replied calmly:
— "There are things the king must hear directly. The future won't wait."
Darin muttered through clenched teeth:
— "That bastard… thinks he's in charge."
⸻
Inside the palace, Leo stood before King Deygar, who had already received the warning message.
Leo said:
— "Your Majesty… they will come again. But next time… they won't be so weak. Some of them are stronger than I am."
The king nodded calmly:
— "I know. The messenger arrived earlier. Thank you, Leo."
Then he added:
— "But now we need a plan. You'll rest tonight… in the morning, you'll lead who you must. We have two days at most."
Leo bowed:
— "As you command, sire."
⸻
As he walked to his quarters, Lita followed him quietly, her eyes full of worry.
— "What happened? Are you alright? Is my brother safe?"
Leo gave her a soft smile:
— "Everything's fine, Your Highness."
She looked at him intently and said:
— "But danger is coming… don't die, Leo. Protect my brother. He's reckless… arrogant, but he doesn't deserve to die."
Leo smiled as he opened the door:
— "I know… he's strong. He just needs someone to remind him life is bigger than pride."
Then he closed the door, leaving only silence behind.