It Might've Been a Nightmare

Despite the sharp cold of the air and the silence around them, the paths in the valley were being thoroughly scanned. Before long, one of the shadow soldiers spotted Nash in the distance. Nash appeared confidently, showing no signs of fleeing. The shadow soldiers captured him and brought him to Silhou.

Silhou greeted Nash with a harsh gaze. His eyes were filled with questions about Nash’s failure to complete his mission. He spoke in a cold yet authoritative tone:

“Nash, I expected you to fulfill your duty. Yet you returned empty-handed from Eclipse, which has gone missing entirely. As my knight, you found no trace and offer no explanation. And as you can see before you, Kaileth—one of my commanders—is dead. How do you intend to make up for this breach in security?”

Nash calmly withstood Silhou’s pressure. Bowing his head in respect, he responded,

“You’re right, Your Majesty. However, I am working with all my strength alongside the soldiers. I will do everything I can to find the trail of Eclipse Core.”

As Silhou continued questioning Nash, a group of golden-masked soldiers suddenly appeared from another part of the valley. They emerged from the darkness silently and launched a strategic attack to distract Silhou and his team. This group was composed of dangerous and deadly warriors from a dark organization.

Silhou swiftly warned his team,

“We’re under attack! Defensive positions!”

The ambush of the golden-masked soldiers threw the valley into chaos. Silhou, though unwilling, had to fight side by side with Nash. While Nash drew his sword to fend off the masked warriors’ attacks, Silhou maintained leadership and directed his soldiers.

As the battle raged on, one of the masked soldiers approached Silhou from behind, ready to strike a fatal blow. But Nash reacted quickly, blocking the attack with his sword. Silhou turned to Nash and spoke calmly:

“There’s no need for you to protect me. The medallion already covers my body. Think of it as a power shield.”

Nash listened to Silhou’s explanation and bowed respectfully.
“You’re right, Your Majesty.”

The medallion surrounding Silhou’s body radiated a bright energy. It absorbed enemy attacks and granted him great speed and power. It acted like an artificial intelligence, moving in sync with Silhou’s instincts. Every moment made it clearer that the medallion was enhancing his speed and deadliness in battle.

While the clash between the masked soldiers and the shadow forces continued, a blazing figure emerged before Silhou: Daxos. The fiery energy flowing from Daxos’s hands turned the darkness of the valley into a hellscape. The heat cracked the ground, and each step became more threatening. As the leader of the valley, Silhou accepted this challenge. The medallion's power was with him as he faced Daxos's fury.

Daxos raised his hands and unleashed a massive wave of flames. These waves devastated the battlefield and created a veil of smoke that limited Silhou’s vision. While Daxos’s flame shield strengthened his defenses, his burning strikes surged toward Silhou. Daxos’s sword had turned into a fiery death machine; every blow clashed against the medallion’s force field.

Standing amid Daxos’s manipulated flames, Silhou stayed calm and activated the medallion’s energy. The shield around him intensified, blocking the waves of fire while simultaneously boosting his speed.

The medallion moved perfectly in sync with Silhou’s instincts. Dodging left and right, Silhou searched for weaknesses in Daxos’s attacks. The medallion analyzed Daxos’s strikes, allowing Silhou to make the most effective counter-moves.

At one point, Daxos swung his sword and created a massive firestorm. As Silhou stood in its very center, the medallion’s full energy kicked in. It enveloped him, absorbed the searing blow, and transferred its energy back to Silhou. Using the acceleration effect of the medallion, Silhou broke free from the storm and launched an attack on Daxos.

Daxos resisted with his flame shield, but Silhou deactivated the medallion, gripped his sword, and channeled all his strength into it. With great speed, he delivered a crushing blow to Daxos’s shield.

The shield cracked, and a massive explosion engulfed the area in smoke. When the smoke began to clear, Daxos’s lifeless body lay on the ground, marked by a deep wound.

Upon seeing this, the masked soldiers began to retreat.

As Silhou and his team observed the masked soldiers seemingly withdrawing, they felt something strange. The enemy forces were dispersing with strategic precision, a quiet determination settling over each of them. Daxos’s body still lay motionless. But at that moment, one of the masked soldiers activated a device on his chest. Shortly after, the others followed.

Suddenly, the silence gave way to an eerie clicking sound. The soldiers had armed explosive devices. Realizing the trap, Silhou shouted to his team:

“Explosion incoming! Fall back!”

The masked soldiers gave themselves only a few seconds before detonation. They drew closer to Daxos’s body, ensuring his destruction. As Silhou and his team retreated rapidly, a terrifying explosion echoed through the valley. The force of the blast cloaked the area in dust and smoke. The ground shook, and flames rose to the sky.

When the dust began to settle, nothing remained of Daxos or the masked soldiers. They had annihilated themselves and their leader, leaving no trace behind. Standing among the wreckage, Silhou was overcome with fury.

Silhou shouted with rage:

“I want the identity of these traitors who threatened our lives uncovered immediately! Nash, we’ll speak again later. This mission is yours. You’re going to find out who these sons of bitches are. This is your first trial.”

Nash knelt before Silhou and said,
“As you command, Your Majesty.”

Lady Aria arrives at the Iron Kingdom.

As the first light of morning slowly brightened the sky, Lady Aria and her elite soldiers reached the grand gates of the Iron Kingdom. The rhythmic sound of their horses’ hooves echoed across the kingdom’s vast walls. Lady Aria’s elegant posture and the flawless formation of her soldiers clearly expressed the importance of this visit. At the kingdom’s entrance, Mask and his special forces stood waiting.

Mask stepped forward with his elite soldiers to welcome Lady Aria. With a graceful bow, he paid his respects to her.

“Honorable Lady Aria, welcome to the Iron Kingdom. It is an honor to host you here.”

Lady Aria responded with a gentle smile.
“Prince Mask, as I promised, I am here. Thank you for this warm welcome. I look forward to the day we celebrate the strength of our alliance.”

Mask replied politely.
“Please, follow me to the palace. A special celebration and diplomatic gathering has been prepared in your honor. It shall be a day of both business and friendship.”

Lady Aria led her soldiers inside the walls alongside Mask’s elite guards, heading toward the Iron Palace. The grand gates of the palace opened slowly, welcoming this important guest.

Upon arriving at the palace’s majestic dining hall, Lady Aria was greeted by the elegantly arranged setting prepared by Mask. Around the table sat Mask, Jorah, Thorn, Lady Aria, and Nyssa — gathered for a diplomatic conversation over a fine meal.

The table was adorned with the kingdom’s finest wines and exquisite dishes. Gold-embroidered plates and crystal glasses reflected the grandeur of the celebration. Before the guests lay masterfully prepared meats, assorted vegetables, and exotic delicacies.

Lady Aria began to speak, her voice carrying a diplomatic tone.
“This alliance between the Iron Kingdom and the Lake Kingdom is strong enough to shift the balance of the future. By working together, we will protect our kingdoms and stand firm against our enemies.”

Jorah responded with a firm nod.
“You are absolutely right, Lady Aria. This alliance is not just political — it carries deep meaning in terms of friendship. The Iron Kingdom will stand by the Lake Kingdom.”

Thorn added his voice from his seat.
“Acting as one will serve the interests of both kingdoms. This cooperation ensures the victories of the future.”

Mask turned to Lady Aria with a smile.
“I believe it’s only fitting to raise a glass to the power of this alliance. Let us toast to friendship and unity.”

Nyssa echoed the warmth at the table.

“This bond between the Lake Kingdom and the Iron Kingdom will be remembered throughout history. There’s no better time to celebrate it than today.”

As the warm conversations continued, Jorah cast a curious glance at Nyssa. Her face was unfamiliar to him. Having spent years within royal circles, he usually recognized everyone — but Nyssa was a mystery.

He leaned slightly forward and asked,

"May I ask who you are?”

Nyssa replied with a polite and composed smile. Her voice was soft, yet professional.
“Of course, Your Grace. I am Nyssa, the Queen’s Hand. I was recently appointed, which is likely why I’m not well known yet. But it is an honor to be here.”

Jorah listened carefully and nodded in approval. Then, with a warm but serious smile, he added:

“To serve the Queen is a great responsibility. Your presence here strengthens the bond between our kingdoms. We’re glad to have you with us.”

As the meal continued, the conversation turned deeper, delving into past conflicts and the hopes this new alliance had inspired. Lady Aria spoke of the enemies they had once faced, and the promise of peace that now lay ahead. One by one, Mask, Jorah, Thorn, and Nyssa shared their thoughts on the importance of unity. Glasses were raised often, each time toasting the value of cooperation and camaraderie.

At the end of the night, Lady Aria took her leave with the same grace she had arrived. She had fulfilled her duty as Queen and departed with respect.

Lordhair’s Dream: Beneath the Black Sun

The endless tortures of the God Prison had worn down Lordhair’s mind and body. Lying beneath a starlit floor, he drifted into sleep.

He found himself beneath a black sun. The sky was blood red, and the horizon spoke of an ominous fate, devoid of salvation. At the center of a massive iron arena, Lordhair stood. The ground bore stains of dried blood and shattered armor — the scars of past battles. The air reeked of cold steel.

In the center, a lion and two hyenas stood. The lion, majestic and powerful, radiated leadership. One of the hyenas stood beside the lion in harmony — an ally prepared to fight at its side. But the other hyena stood at a distance, menace gleaming in its eyes.

Suddenly, the distant hyena lunged. The allied hyena fought bravely with the lion, holding back the assault. For a time, their unity gave them the upper hand.

Then something changed.

The allied hyena’s eyes shifted — cold and treacherous. Slowly, it circled behind the lion. Lordhair noticed the sinister gaze. In a heartbeat, the hyena leapt at the lion’s neck, sinking its teeth deep into its flesh. The lion struggled furiously, trying to shake it off — but the betrayal was complete.

The arena fell silent.

Lordhair’s fury and shock clashed within him as he watched. The black sun’s eerie glow only deepened the horror. The hyena’s laughter echoed off the arena walls.

Suddenly, Lordhair’s eyes snapped open.

His breath was heavy. Sweat ran down his brow. Staring into the starry prison floor, he shouted in anger:

“What the fuck is going on?!"

As Lordhair sat on the starlit ground, burdened by the nightmare, a wave of light broke the silence. From the depths of the prison, energy swirled and formed into Attila — his expression calm, his eyes filled with wisdom.

Without hesitation, Attila spoke.

“Have you been reading the books I brought you, Lordhair?”

Lordhair paused, then smiled slightly.

“I have, but they feel like the fantasy novels I read as a child. There's something... strange about them.”

Attila nodded with understanding.
“In time, all things will fall into place. Use this time to become a wise Veyrhan.”

Lordhair tried to suppress his inner turmoil. But Attila had more to offer.

“I cannot undo your punishments… but I can make them easier. You’ve noticed, haven’t you? You cannot feel hunger or thirst here. But today, I’ve brought something special — a dish from your own world.”

Attila presented a plate to Lordhair. On it was a perfectly prepared Adana kebab. Even within the abstract realm of the prison, its aroma broke through like a whisper from reality.

Lordhair took the plate with surprise, his eyes lighting up. One bite was enough — memories of the world he’d left behind flooded him with warmth.

After finishing, he spoke with sincere gratitude.
“Thank you, Attila. That brought my world back, even if just for a moment.”

Attila bowed slightly, his calm smile unwavering.
“If things grow difficult, summon Chronos from the Alter. His wisdom will guide you. Remember that. Now… I must go.”

With that, Attila faded into the waves of light. Lordhair remained seated on the starlit floor, pondering his words and the comfort the meal had brought. The restlessness within him eased — but the questions still lingered in his mind.