The king took the scroll. As soon as he opened it, the owl dissolved into dust of light, vanishing in the air.
His once calm expression was overtaken by worry. The words written on the scroll weighed like a sentence.
— This is bad… — he murmured, frowning. Then he raised his voice, firm:
— Gather all warriors of Light Guardian rank and send them immediately to the Central Forest!
The guards struck their fists against their chests and rushed out. The king, still holding the scroll, continued down the palace corridors.
— Summon also the Elder Sages of our kingdom. — His voice echoed with gravity. — The time has come for a decisive meeting.
The sound of hurried boots echoed until it faded. The king advanced to a great council chamber: a vast room, lit by floating blue torches, with stone walls carved with ancient symbols and a long table of black wood at the center.
He handed the scroll to a guard.
— Take this to Luis Dinark, the First Sentinel of Light. Tell him it is urgent.
— Yes, my lord! — the guard replied, before departing.
---
Meanwhile, Luis walked alone along a path of the kingdom. His presence drew attention: a tall man, with a firm gaze, yet carrying a reflective silence.
As he entered the main streets, he saw in the distance dozens of warriors rushing toward the forest behind the train station.
He frowned.
— What's going on?
He grabbed the arm of a passing man, visibly agitated.
— Sir, can you tell me what happened?
The man swallowed hard and answered, uneasy:
— There are rumors that… a very powerful demon attacked a boy in the forest. They say the young man… died.
Luis slowly released the man.
— I see… thank you.
His heart raced. Without a second thought, he ran toward the forest.
A boy… could it be…?
When he arrived, the scene was desolate: burned trees, craters scattered across the ground, the smell of iron in the air. Warriors surrounded something at the center of the field.
Luis approached. Among them, he saw a blonde young woman of about twenty-two, long wavy hair and a serene expression, yet marked by the weight of the situation. Her delicate figure contrasted with the firmness in her eyes.
— Natasha… it's been a while. — said Luis, stepping closer.
She smiled briefly, though her voice carried sorrow.
— The same, Luis. But this isn't a time for memories…
He narrowed his eyes.
— Then tell me, what happened here?
Natasha sighed and looked at the black iron coffin guarded by warriors.
— This won't be easy to hear… but the body inside that coffin is Kevin, your cousin.
Luis staggered back, visibly shaken.
— What?! Are you certain?
Natasha met his gaze, serious, then let slip an enigmatic smile.
— Absolutely. I examined the body myself. Besides… noticing he was quite attractive… — she glanced away for a second — I found something strange. He no longer had his eyes. They were lying beside the corpse.
Luis clenched his fists, his expression hardening.
— Then it's true… but who would do this?
She glanced around, avoiding speaking among so many soldiers.
— I don't know. But I'm sure the king can explain more. I must take the body to the mortuary. We'll meet again later.
She extended her hand. Luis grasped it firmly — a gesture of mutual trust.
— Boys! — Natasha commanded, turning to the warriors. — Carry the coffin!
The procession moved toward the mortuary, while some soldiers remained examining the devastated forest. Luis stood watching in silence, before murmuring:
— I must go to the palace…
---
Later, the First Sentinel was already seated at the long council table. Alongside the king, three of the oldest and most respected Elder Sages were present. The atmosphere was heavy.
The king looked at them all, his gaze dark.
— The situation is critical. Let us begin the meeting.
---
Kevin slowly opened his eyes.
Everything around him seemed… unreal.
— Where am I?… Am I dead? — he muttered, confused.
The environment was a luminous bubble, as if the sky itself had closed into a sphere. At its center, a calm lagoon reflected a gentle glow, surrounded by colorful flowers releasing a sweet fragrance. With each step toward the water, Kevin felt his mind ease.
— Strange… for some reason, here I feel at peace. Almost… happy.
Suddenly, a sweet, feminine voice echoed in the air:
— I'm glad you like it. Welcome to my little home.
The lagoon water began to stir. From it emerged a translucent silhouette, shaping into the form of a young woman — delicate in appearance, yet with an imposing presence.
— You must have many questions. — she said, locking eyes with Kevin. — But before I answer, let me introduce myself. My name is Melissa. I am the entity that now resides within you.
Kevin stared at her.
— I see… I hope we can get along. But tell me: am I dead?
Melissa approached slowly. Her fingers ran through his hair in a gentle caress, then touched his neck, making him shiver.
— Sit. I'll explain.
He obeyed, sitting on the soft grass.
— You're not dead. Only unconscious. — Melissa explained. — I had to stop your heartbeat for a few moments, so the demon Ray would believe he had killed you. I brought you here… to propose a pact.
Kevin narrowed his eyes.
— A pact? And… can you see everything I do?
Melissa's tone grew serious, almost threatening.
— Yes. I can. The pact is simple: I will lend you my Celestial Aura and restore your life. In return, I want freedom to take over your body whenever I wish. Don't worry — I won't kill your allies, nor harm you.
Kevin grabbed her arm, firmly.
— Fine. I accept. But don't stall me… let me return.
Melissa smiled, extending her hand. A hole of light opened beneath Kevin, swallowing him in an instant.
---
He woke suddenly.
— Huh?… But I was in the forest. Why am I in a bed? And this weight over me is…?
Raising his head, he saw a young woman with long, golden, wavy hair, her bright eyes glowing under candlelight above him. Her flushed cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
— D-don't judge me… I never imagined you'd come back to life just like that… — she said, stammering.
Kevin grinned mischievously, wrapping an arm around her waist.
— Relax. I won't tell anyone. But if you really want this… the time is now.
Her cheeks grew even redder. With a playful smile, she leaned closer.
— Seems your little friend woke up before you, boy…
And then she kissed him on the lips — intense.
---
Meanwhile, in the royal palace, the most important meeting of the kingdom was underway.
At the table of black stone, five figures had gathered: the king, three Elder Sages, and Luis Dinark, the First Sentinel of Light. The atmosphere was heavy, as though each word could decide the future.
The king broke the silence.
— As you read in the letter, Luis, your cousin did not fight to win… but to gather information.
The sage to the king's right added:
— And the information Kevin left us confirms something dreadful. The enemy is Ray. The First and Only Sentinel of Darkness.
— The question is: what, or who, is he seeking? — the king added.
Luis frowned.
— I still don't understand. Why does everyone fear this Ray so much? And… why call him a Sentinel of Darkness?
The sage to the left sighed, as one carrying ancient memories.
— Because, many eras ago, in the Great Golden Age, a devastating quartet arose: Ray, Azazel, Melissa, and Anarak. They destroyed kingdoms, massacred without mercy. No one could stop them.
He continued, his voice echoing heavy:
— They were called "Sentinels of Darkness," because they left people without safety. Seven thousand warriors were sent against them. Only a hundred survived. The four who delivered the final blow to the quartet proclaimed themselves the new Sentinels of Light. But some say Ray and the others only fell because their bodies could not endure their own power… transforming them into demons.
Silence filled the room.
Luis crossed his arms with a bitter smile.
— Interesting… but in the end, I'm stronger.
The oldest sage lifted his eyes.
— If I'm not mistaken, Azazel is the entity that possesses the boy who killed your family… correct?
The king nodded.
— Sebastián Vargas. But… why do you ask?
— Think, Majesty. — the old man said solemnly. — What if Ray is trying to reunite the Sentinels of Darkness once more? Only now, as demons, without the limits of Aura…
The sage on the right completed:
— It makes sense. It would be the dawn of a new era of chaos.
The king slammed his fist on the table.
— In that case, Sebastián must be placed under extreme supervision. And we must send our best warriors to track Ray immediately.
All agreed. But another sage reminded:
— Sebastián is currently on a mission far from here with his squad. He must be brought back.
Luis rose, his gaze firm.
— I already lost my whole family. I will not accept losing anyone else to him. Let me go bring Sebastián back safely.
The sages exchanged looks. The king took a deep breath.
— It's decided. Go, Luis. Bring Sebastián back. In the meantime, we will prepare the search force.
Luis smirked sideways and left the room. His steps echoed strong, each carrying power… and regret.
---
On a hill covered in purple flowers, beneath the crimson sky of dusk, a shadow watched.
Ray.
His eyes gleamed, fixed on three young warriors returning to the kingdom after completing a mission.
He smiled, patient.
— The time has come.