"Do you know... what is the highest peak in this world we live in?"
A man's voice echoed faintly, distant, as if carried from behind a veil of mist.
His shadowed figure sat nearby, an open book resting in his hands. The pages fluttered softly in the night breeze. The two of them sat together, gazing at a sky filled with stars.
"The stars?" he asked uncertainly.
The man smiled faintly. "Hmm... that's right."
He grinned wide, joy swelling in his chest for having answered correctly. But the man continued in a calm tone, "Yet perhaps in a thousand years... only then will mankind truly be able to reach the stars."
His smile slowly faded. "So... my answer was wrong?"
The man gently ruffled his hair, as though to reassure him. "For this one peak... there is no one who can ever reach it."
His eyes widened, thrilled by those words. "Ooh... does such a peak really exist?" His small hand instinctively clutched the man's leg, eager to know more.
"Do you want to know?" the man asked, eyes fixed upon the shining stars.
"Yes! Yes!" he replied quickly.
"That peak is..."
The man's lips moved, yet his voice was lost to the night wind. Only the shadow of his mouth formed words, soundless.
_____
Time spent with the people I love... those were the days I wished would never end days I hoped would keep turning, without anyone taking them away.
_____
The Ancient City of Xeno
"Hey, watch out!"
A sharp voice split the air, snapping him back to reality-yet it was already too late.
A pig-faced Zions beast appeared from nowhere. With a massive club in its hand, it struck Averroes hard on his right side. His body was hurled through the air, smashing through three layers of ancient walls before crashing onto the dusty ground nearly twenty meters away.
"Averroes!!" a man in his thirties shouted. He rushed forward, but his path was quickly blocked by three ape-faced Zions, their hulking figures barring the way.
Slowly, Averroes forced himself up. Warm blood streamed down his head, throbbing pain crackling like lightning through his nerves. His breath came in short gasps, but his hand found the grip of his massive sword once more.
With what strength remained, he charged at the pig-faced beast. His colossal blade nearly struck the creature's neck-but the Zions bent backward, dodging just in time.
Sraaak!
Averroes' foot slipped on rubble. He stumbled, barely catching himself.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, he drew a deep breath, searching for a strategy. But suddenly, a fierce roar erupted from where the man in his thirties had stood.
The three ape-faced Zions now lay in pieces. Their bodies, cut into six parts, drenched the ancient walls and the once-clean ground in thick blood.
Incredible... Averroes thought, awestruck. His gaze froze on the man's skill, who had ended the fight as if it were nothing more than a game.
"Oi, pig! Over here!" the man bellowed, drawing the beast's attention.
The pig-faced Zions turned. The man raised his blade, his lips whispering: "Ozh Slash."
The sword gleamed, radiating golden ancient sigils. In the blink of an eye, the man vanished. Only the sound of air splitting could be heard, like a cane swung with impossible speed.
"Come on, let's head back. Uncle Herman and the others are waiting."
The voice rang out suddenly beside Averroes. The man was already there, extending a hand.
Averroes blinked in shock. "Eh... but what about the beast?"
He turned quickly. The pig Zions still stood tall. Yet within three heartbeats, blood burst from its neck, arms, torso, and legs. Its body split into six parts, collapsing lifelessly into the dirt.
____
Outside the Ancient City of Xeno
"Gather the Nova Crystals here!"
A booming voice rang out. The man was broad-shouldered, clad in armor and shield, his golden-blond hair marred by a scar that ran from cheek to chin.
"Yes, Sir Herman!" replied a group of similarly dressed men, hurrying off to carry out the order.
"Ferrando," Herman called again.
The others looked his way, but Herman waved them off. "The rest of you, keep working."
A dark-skinned man with an afro approached. "Yes, Sir. Is there something I can help with?"
Herman smirked. "Come on, drop the formalities. Makes my skin crawl. We've been working together four years now, right? Just call me Leopold."
Ferrando nodded slightly. Herman asked, "Have Alistair and Averroes returned yet?"
"Not yet," Ferrando replied.
"Hmm... usually by now they'd be back." Herman frowned in thought.
Ferrando lowered his gaze, then spoke. "May I suggest something?"
"What is it?" Herman asked quickly.
"We should seal one layer of the city gate. To prevent any Zions from suddenly breaking out... and to keep the city's magical waves from leaking."
Ferrando's face tensed. His right hand clenched, trembling as memories flooded back-of four years ago, when Justice's army under Orovera attacked Elyon. His aunt, who had raised him after his parents disappeared, was slain.
Herman noticed. He chuckled softly, patting his friend's back. "Hahaha, what's got you so sentimental, Ferrando? You rarely show emotion. Usually you're like a wall. Damn, I'm tired from laughing."
"Shut up. Don't make comments about my face," Ferrando muttered, his anger shifting to embarrassment.
Herman grinned, squeezing his shoulder. "But don't worry. I'm certain-every deed will be repaid... And one day, the World Alliance and the Five Divine Emperors will fall!"
"With my own hands," Ferrando added, his eyes blazing. "I'll sever Orovera's head from his body."
Herman went quiet, staring beyond the Ancient City of Xeno. The Ferrando he had known four years ago was a far cry from the man before him now.
Then, a voice rang out.
"Oii, Leopold!"
Alistair and Averroes were sprinting toward the gate. Behind them, hundreds of Zions thundered in pursuit, the ground shaking with every monstrous step.
"You two, get ready!" Alistair shouted.
"Right!" Herman and Ferrando answered in unison.
They shut their eyes, chanting the sealing incantation. Aura gathered thickly around them.
But suddenly, Alistair skidded to a halt. His left foot dragged against the earth, leaving a harsh scrape. He seized Averroes' hand tightly.
"Eh?! What are you-" Averroes yelped, but before he could finish, he was hurled into the air.
"Wooooiii!!" Averroes screamed, flailing as he soared straight toward Herman and Ferrando.
Herman, mid-chant, cracked an eye open-just in time to see Averroes crash into them. DUMM!
The three tumbled together.
Alistair, now facing the horde of Zions, glanced back. With a straight face, he shouted:
"Oi! When I said get ready, I meant get ready to CATCH Averroes!"
Herman leapt up, his face red with fury. "NEXT TIME, say it properly, idiot!"
"Not my fault! You guys weren't paying attention!" Alistair snapped back.
Pinned under Averroes' weight, Ferrando groaned. "Ughh... I swear, if I've got broken ribs, you're paying my medical bills, Alistair..."
The chaos turned absurd, as if for a moment they had forgotten the hundreds of Zions still closing in. Yet one of the beasts had already appeared directly behind Alistair.
"Hey, behind you!" Averroes shouted as he scrambled up.
Alistair froze at the warning. But it was clear-he wasn't paralyzed by fear.
Averroes glanced at Herman and Ferrando, confused why they hadn't moved to help. Instead, he saw faint smiles tugging at their lips.
"Ozh Tan Chap," Alistair intoned calmly.
Vwooomm!
The air vibrated. Before the Zions could swing its club, a massive golden sword manifested, impaling its belly and pinning it to the ground.
The beast roared in agony, still struggling.
"Finish it."
Alistair raised his finger, pointing to its neck.
Shraaakkk!
Another blade of light pierced from behind, slicing through its throat. Thick black blood sprayed as its body collapsed lifelessly.
In an instant, screams and roars echoed from all sides. Averroes froze. The hundreds of Zions chasing them had all fallen the same way-each impaled by golden swords that appeared out of nowhere, one after another.
Alistair turned toward Averroes, smiling with full confidence. "Behold... your amazing father." He struck a macho pose, flicking back his sweat-dampened hair.
"What a poser," Herman interjected dryly with a chuckle. "See, Averroes? Your dad just loves to show off."
"...Father?" Averroes stammered, eyes wide.
But before he could process the words, pain surged through his body. The earlier blow had bled more than he realized. His breaths grew shallow and ragged.
His vision blurred. Herman and Ferrando's voices grew faint.
"Hei, Averroes! You're bleeding badly!" Herman shouted, panic in his voice.
Ferrando quickly lowered him to the ground. "Alistair, if you want to act cool, save it for later! This kid's about to collapse!"
"Tch... troublesome," Alistair muttered, scratching his head, though worry flickered in his eyes. "Relax, your father's strong... don't fall so soon."
Averroes tried to reply, but only a faint whisper slipped from his lips. His vision dimmed, his body lightened.
And finally, he collapsed unconscious in Ferrando's arms.