The twilight light of the sunset bathed the tall grass of the prairies. The scent of freshly watered grass lingered in the air, a sign that it had rained recently. Crickets played their monotonous symphony across a landscape that seemed pulled from a painter's imagination. Everything appeared calm... yet what truly dominated the scene was the acrid stench of scorched flesh, mixed with the unmistakable stench of coagulated blood and exposed entrails. The thick, hot air caused the blend of smells to cling to the skin, making it unbearable for any nose unaccustomed to battlefields.
Not far away, the deceptive bucolic scenery gave way to a field of death. Dismembered corpses littered the earth, their armor shattered and weapons scattered across the blood-soaked ground. At first glance, it could be mistaken for yet another clash between rival armies—a common occurrence in this war-torn world. But something was different here.
The metallic clash of swords rang in the distance, broken by gasps and stifled cries. A handful of soldiers still fought, their bodies exhausted, their movements clumsy. They faced a single opponent: a hooded figure who danced among them with deadly precision.
The warrior moved with brutal economy. He deflected a thrust with the flat of his blade, spun on his axis, and drove his sword into the throat of his attacker. Another soldier tried to charge him from behind, but the hooded figure tilted his head and, with a simple upward slash, severed the head from the body.
The last two soldiers—the captains of both armies—remained standing, panting, sweat clinging to their bloodied foreheads. They couldn't allow this stranger to finish them off without resistance.
Without exchanging words, they made a decision: join forces against him, at least until he was dealt with. Then, the one left standing would settle the other.
But he wouldn't give them the chance.
Without warning, the hooded figure lunged forward with a burst of speed. His sword was already wrapped in a crimson glow, its edge vibrating with the burning energy coursing through it.
The captain on the right barely had time to raise his weapon before a diagonal slash tore through his torso. A spark of fire surged through the wound before he could react, turning his body into a human torch.The second tried to retreat, but the hooded one spun and struck him in the chest with an open palm. A torrent of prana burst from his hand, unleashing a blast of heat that pierced the armor like paper. His scream was swallowed by the flames as he collapsed, reduced to ashes in seconds.
Silence returned, broken only by the crackling of smoldering remains.
The hooded man exhaled, shaking his sword to clean the last remnants of fire that still danced along its blade. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away from the battlefield.
He stood still for a few seconds, letting the sepulchral silence settle over the scene. Then he sighed.
—Dealing with two entire battalions... was more annoying than I expected.
With a tired motion, he removed the white mask covering his face and let it fall into a puddle of blood at his feet. He took a deep breath, letting the cold air fill his lungs.He had been attacked without warning, just because his appearance matched that of a wanted criminal across several kingdoms. He had survived, but the effort weighed on his body. He needed to rest before the night beasts came out to hunt.
He took a step forward... and stopped.
Something was wrong.
His eyes narrowed as he scanned the horizon. The battle was over, but his instincts told him he was not alone.
═════════════════════════════════
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
—Ah.
A man with two swords gazed at the sky. In the twilight, a group of comets caught his eye.
—Well, well… This will be fun.
He vanished into the shadows.
═════════════════════════════════
The hooded one, on his part, looked at the sky. A series of comets crossed the heavens. It wasn't unusual, as they appeared every four years, but there were still two years left until the next expected event. He quickly realized these were different: they radiated divine energy. It meant the angels had descended to Earth! And with that amount of energy, it could only mean one thing: the arrival of new summoned ones.
A system notification appeared in front of him. A box in black and ochre colors.
Monitor the new summoned ones
That was strange. Normally, his superior had no interest in the newcomers. If he had given him a direct order this time, it meant some poor devil had caught his attention.
—Haa... —he let out an exasperated sigh.
He knew what the arrival of new summoned ones meant. Usually, they were people between fourteen and twenty-five years old who, by training in safe zones, weakened the monster ecosystem. If even one was left alive, it would grow stronger and gain experience. "Hatred phenomenon," he called it. And that meant more problems for him.
—Haa... I can't rest even five minutes…
He stepped into the underbrush, disappearing among the thick vegetation.
═════════════════════════════════
In the gloom of the night, a woman watched the stars with a smile. Her pink hair waved with the night breeze, and a small black crown with a transparent veil rested on her head. Her black cape, decorated with a pattern of white, sharp teeth, fluttered in the wind.
Beside her, a heavy flail rested on the table, while an imposing scythe with a heavenly glow hung from her back.
—Hahaha... —she laughed softly, eyes still fixed on the sky.
—What are you laughing at? —asked a short girl with light blue hair. Her large, bright blue eyes reflected the moonlight, and her elegant blue kimono, adorned with white details and wave patterns, enhanced her mischievous and enigmatic air.
The pink-haired woman smiled with excitement.
—Finally, something fun to do.A twisted smile formed on her face.
—Oh, come on —the girl replied indifferently—, I doubt they'll survive the first night. With luck, half will live.
The woman didn't flinch.
—Don't ruin my excitement. If we're lucky, we'll find a good toy.
The little one didn't respond immediately. She just smiled: the smile of a predator stalking its prey.
═════════════════════════════════
Meanwhile, somewhere where the light seemed devoured by shadows…
Silence ruled the vast hall, broken only by the crackling of a purple flame floating weightlessly in the darkness. Suddenly, the sphere of fire arced through the air and crashed into a stained-glass window, setting the heavy curtains ablaze. The fabric burned with a spectral glow, consumed in seconds and allowing moonlight to partially illuminate the room.
By the window, a figure stood motionless, calmly observing the sky. His silhouette remained hidden in the shadows, but his eyes gleamed sharply, reflecting a silent interest in the firmament.
—The Star of Rabo... —he murmured, almost to himself.
His gaze fixed on the horizon, where comets crossed the heavens like harbingers of imminent change.
—The pieces have begun to move...
He turned slightly, his voice taking a more severe tone.
—Send a small group to the Krain Forest. I want detailed information about the new summoned ones. Risks, anomalies… everything.
From the shadows, a voice responded firmly.
—Do you wish us to establish contact with them, my lord?
He smiled, though his expression held no warmth.
—Not yet. Just observe... but if any of them prove interesting… —he paused, eyes turning back to the heavens—. We'll see what to do with them.
—As you command, my lord.
The sound of footsteps faded into the darkness, leaving the baron alone with his thoughts. Outside, the comets continued their dance, heralding the chaos that was about to be unleashed.