Night had fallen. Liven sat alone in the courtyard, the only light coming from the distant stars. Hours had passed since he was named captain, yet the whispers in his mind refused to fade.
"Am I truly a captain now?"
"What if that dark aura… takes me over?"
"If I fail to control this power, I'll become a demon myself."
Footsteps echoed softly behind him.
Elya approached with quiet grace.
"Liven…" she said gently.
"Are you alright?"
He lowered his head. "I don't know."
Without another word, Elya sat down beside him, her gaze calm yet piercing.
"You've changed," she whispered. "But sometimes… the thing you fear most is the very thing you can control. As long as you're not afraid to face what's inside."
The next morning, Harven gathered the group.
"No more waiting. Your first mission begins now."
He revealed a wooden board, covered with maps, monster reports, and pinned notices.
"You'll form teams for this. But captains… the choice is yours."
Dozens of eyes turned to Liven. His chest tightened. This was his first true decision as captain.
Who should he trust?
Loyalty? Strength? Intelligence?
He thought carefully.
Elya – quiet, yet profound.
Kael – determined, strategic.
Yurei – cold and swift.
Tamar – strong, but fiercely loyal.
"These four will come with me," Liven declared.
Their first mission was written clearly:
"Investigate and eliminate the creatures appearing in the Misty Forest."
Harven's tone darkened. "Be cautious. This is no ordinary hunt. Some of these monsters may carry curses."
Liven clenched his fists. "The voice may return… the demon may call to me again. But this time—I won't give in."
And so, the group set out.
Through the shifting shadows, unseen eyes followed.
Fate itself had begun to move.
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