The barrier shimmered faintly above Eterna, its oppressive weight pressing down on every monster within. To human eyes it was invisible, but to the residents of Eterna it felt suffocating—like unseen chains digging into their very souls.
Shion lay on the ground, bloodied and gasping. Shogo's blade dripped crimson. The woman who had always laughed the loudest, who had sworn to protect her lord's people, now struggled even to breathe.
"Shion-sama!!" Goblin riders and orc soldiers screamed, rushing to her side—only to be cut down mercilessly by Kyoya's sword.
And then—
"For the glory of God! For the cleansing of this blighted land!"
The chant rose from outside the gates.
Dozens, then hundreds, of armored knights and soldiers surged into Eterna like a tide of steel. Their banners bore the insignia of the Kingdom of Falmuth, yet their mouths echoed scripture drilled into them by Cardinal Nikolaus and the church.
"The monsters must be purged!"
"This is God's will!"
"Burn them all, root and stem!"
They advanced without hesitation—striking down goblin children, tearing into unarmed orcs, setting fire to the homes that had only recently been built with sweat and hope.
"Gyaaahhh!" A lizardman fell, a spear jutting through his chest.
"Mother! Nooo—!" a goblin child wailed—silenced by a soldier's blade.
Flames devoured the rooftops, smoke curling upward and blackening the night sky.
The peaceful city Atem had built—the fragile dream of coexistence—was torn apart in moments.
Hakuro's sword danced, cutting down soldiers with the precision of a master, but even he faltered under the barrier's crushing weight. His movements dulled, his breath grew heavier.
"Tch… so this is their trick," Hakuro muttered, parrying another strike, sweat stinging his eyes.
Beside him, Shuna spread her barrier, straining to counter Kiara's Bewilder. Her pale face was streaked with tears as the flood of terror and pain from Eterna's people echoed in her heart.
"Please… endure it. Everyone, please hold on!" she cried, voice breaking.
But the soldiers kept coming, endless and fanatical, emboldened by faith.
"The heretics fall today!"
"God's judgment is upon them!"
"Slaughter every last one of the fiends!"
The city square ran red. The cries of the wounded mingled with the triumphant roars of the invaders.
Shogo towered over Shion's broken body, laughter ringing out like madness.
"Pathetic! This is all your 'monster paradise' amounts to? You're nothing but fodder! I'll crush every last one of you before your precious Atem returns!"
Kyoya smirked as he carved through another orc captain.
"Weak. So weak. Not even worth my blade."
Kiara pressed her hands together in mock prayer, her sweet voice dripping with venom.
"Forgive us, Lord… for we are about to commit holy slaughter…"
Still, the people of Eterna resisted.
Goblins took up farming tools to defend their families. Orcs locked shields together, bracing against waves of steel. Lizardmen clawed and bit, even as their scales split under armored blades.
But no matter how bravely they fought, the barrier crushed their strength.
Hope began to fade. Fear spread like wildfire.
Above it all, smoke billowed like a funeral pyre, carrying the prayers of Eterna's people into the heavens—prayers that their lord, their beloved Atem-sama, would return before it was too late.
But Atem was still far away. Unaware.
The city of Eterna bled, its dream engulfed in fire and faith—the flames of a so-called holy war.
The forest thickened as Atem led the five children—Kenya, Ryota, Alice, Gale, and Chloe—through a narrow path winding between towering, ancient trees. A faint hum of magic vibrated through the air, and the leaves seemed to whisper secrets of long-forgotten times.
The group finally reached the entrance of the Labyrinth, a colossal door etched with runes that pulsed faintly with otherworldly light. The children clung together, nervous but excited, while Atem stood at the front, his cape flowing softly in the breeze.
"This place… it feels alive," Chloe murmured, eyes wide as she gazed at the glowing flora.
Just as he was about to push the door open, a booming voice echoed across the clearing:
"Intruders! You cannot enter unless you pass my trial!"
The ground trembled violently. From beneath the earth, a massive Golem burst forth—its body forged of jagged stone, glowing with runes like veins of fire. Each step shook the trees, birds scattering into the sky.
Kenya gasped, stepping back. "That thing's huge!"
"Stay behind me," Atem ordered calmly, his voice steady as steel. He raised his hand, his eyes glowing faintly with ancient power.
The Golem roared and swung its colossal arm downward. Atem sidestepped effortlessly, then struck once with a flash of light. The Golem's arm shattered into fragments. A second precise strike followed—a shockwave of energy radiated from Atem's palm, and the massive guardian crumbled into rubble, collapsing with a thunderous crash.
Silence. Dust hung in the air. The children stared, mouths agape.
Then—
"Whaaaaaaat the heeellllll?!"
A shrill voice rang out, almost comical after the tense battle. From above, a tiny pixie zipped into view, her golden wings fluttering furiously. She was no taller than a child's forearm, her hair glowing faintly, her face red with outrage.
She jabbed her finger at Atem. "Why did you destroy my Golem?! Do you have any idea how long it takes me to make one of those?! Do you know the precision, the craftsmanship, the artistry?! And you just—BOOM—two moves, and it's gone!"
Atem crossed his arms, unbothered by her tantrum. "We heard a voice declare a trial. Then this Golem appeared and attacked us. I had to protect myself—and the children."
"'Had to protect'—he says it like it's no big deal!" Ramiris shrieked, spinning mid-air in frustration. "Do you think Golems grow on trees?! Do you know how many sleepless nights I spent crafting that beauty?!"
The children huddled behind Atem, whispering nervously. Alice tugged Gale's sleeve. "She's… kind of scary."
Before Atem could respond, a calm voice resonated in his mind.
<
Atem smirked faintly. "Snacks, huh? That does sound like good advice."
With a casual flick of his hand, Atem summoned a small assortment of sweets from his special stomach—a colorful spread of candies, biscuits, and cakes appeared in midair, neatly arranged as if on an invisible tray.
Ramiris froze mid-yell, her wings fluttering weakly as her eyes widened. "S-s-snaaaacks?!" She zipped closer, her nose twitching as the sweet aroma filled the air. "Are those… for me?"
Atem extended his hand. "Help yourself."
"Don't mind if I dooooo!" Ramiris squealed, snatching up a cookie nearly half her size and munching furiously. "Mmm—ohhh this is so good! Crunchy and sweet—just the right texture! Ooooh, are those cream puffs?!" She dove into the pile like a squirrel into a nut stash, her earlier outrage completely forgotten.
The children blinked in disbelief. Ryota whispered, "Did… did snacks just defeat her?"
As Ramiris stuffed her cheeks, she suddenly paused, crumbs falling from her lips. She eyed Atem curiously. "Wait… who are you, anyway? You don't look like just some random adventurer barging into my labyrinth."
Atem stood tall, his gaze unwavering. "I am Atem, of Eterna."
For a moment, Ramiris went rigid. Her eyes widened, and she nearly choked on her cookie. "Atem? The Atem?!" She zipped in frantic circles, her wings buzzing loudly. "No way—no way no way no way! Milim told me about you! She said she met this super-strong guy who even beat her in a fight! I didn't think she was serious—but here you are in my labyrinth eating snacks with me!"
Ramiris hovered in front of Atem, eyes sparkling with excitement now instead of anger. "Well, aren't you full of surprises! Guess I should introduce myself too!" She puffed out her tiny chest and struck a dramatic pose mid-air. "I am Ramiris! The Queen of the Fairies, and ruler of this Labyrinth! Also, uh, a Demon Lord. Yep. Big deal, huge deal, very impressive!"
The children tilted their heads, whispering. Gale muttered, "She doesn't look very… scary."
Ramiris spun on him instantly. "HEY! Don't underestimate me, kid! I might be small, but I'm super powerful! And smart! And beautiful! And—"
Atem raised his hand, cutting off her rant with calm authority. "Ramiris, I came here for a reason. These children need to form contracts with elemental spirits. Their magicules are unstable—without guidance, it could end in disaster. I need your help before the worst happens."
Ramiris blinked, floating silently for a moment. Then her mischievous grin returned. "Ooooh, so that's what this is about, huh? Well, you came to the right place! This labyrinth is home to the Dwelling of the Spirits—perfect for what you're asking."
She rubbed her hands together, her eyes gleaming. "But first, you'll have to listen to my rules, and my riddles, and maaaybe endure a few more of my totally harmless trials! Hehehehe!"
The children groaned in unison.
Atem, unbothered, simply looked at her with a faint smile. "As long as they remain unharmed, I'll endure your games."
Ramiris clapped her hands, wings scattering sparks of light. "Excellent! Then let's begin! Follow me, and try not to break everything this time, Mister Atem-of-Eterna."
She zipped ahead, happily munching on another cream puff, while Atem and the children followed into the shimmering entrance of the Labyrinth—toward the Dwelling of the Spirits, where their true trials would begin.