Chapter 09 Order of the Crown

Rein was on his knees, barely holding on. His body was shaking. Blood dripped from his mouth. He couldn’t hear anything—not the wind, not the crackle of fire, not the cries of anyone left alive. Just the sharp, high ringing in his ears.

His hands were burnt, felt like lead, clothes torn, and scorched. It hurt to breathe.

He looked ahead through blurry eyes.

The blast he had fired… it had hit. A huge crater smoldered where the colossus once stood. For a moment, just a moment, he thought—

Then a loud roar shook the air. Then the smoke was blown away. The monster was still there.

The Maulgor Colossus stood tall. Its chest plate had cracked. Lava poured out between glowing fissures in its black, rocky body. But it was still alive. Still strong. Still angry.

Rein’s heart nearly stopped.

“I… I didn’t even scratch it…”

He tried to stand. His legs gave out. He tried to lift his ruined sword. His fingers wouldn’t move.

“I… I can’t… I can’t move…”

Pain shot through his side. His body was broken. He had pushed too far. Used too much magic. Something inside him was tearing apart. His head dropped. He couldn’t feel anything but heat and pain.

Then—boom… boom…

The ground trembled. He looked up, barely able to lift his chin. The colossus was coming. Its shadow fell over him. A single claw rose above his head. So huge, it blocked out the fire-lit sky. One swing would crush him. He couldn’t run. He couldn’t fight.

“God damn it! Is this it…? Couldn't even avenge my parents, damn it!”

Then—

A sound.

A sharp crack, like thunder being split in half. Silver flashed through the smoke, like lightning made of steel. One—two—three—ten flashes of a blade.

The colossus stopped. It stood still for a second. Then—BOOM!

Its body exploded outward. Lava burst from deep cuts all over its chest and sides. Chunks of glowing rock flew through the air.

And from the smoke—

A figure shot out like a bullet.

She landed in front of Rein. Her sword was half-melted, glowing hot. Her cloak burned off her back. Her arm was scorched.

It was Aura.

She had cuts on her face. Her legs were shaking. Her skin was red from burns. But her eyes were clear. 

She dropped to her knees next to Rein, grabbed his shoulders, and looked into his eyes.

“You’re alive. Thank God, I got here just in time.”

Rein’s eyes open wide. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“A-Aura… my parents... I couldn't protect them...” 

She hugged him softly and said, “I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Rein. I should’ve run faster. I should’ve gotten here sooner. If I had—Your parents… the others… I couldn’t save them.”

Her voice trembled. She smiled, just a little, like she was holding back tears.

“I’m not going to let you die. Not today.”

Rein wanted to laugh in despair. Or cry. Or say thank you. Instead, she leaned in and pressed her forehead to his, her hair brushing his face.

“You’re not alone, Rein. You still have me.”

His eyes finally closed. A single tear slid down his cheek.

“I’ll stay. As long as you need. I’m here.”

 Rein was on his knees, bloodied and hollow-eyed, staring at the place where his parents had just stood.

Gone.

His fingers trembled over the dirt, reaching for something that wasn’t there. His lips parted to speak, but the words broke before they could rise. Nothing came out—just air and pain. 

Aura looked away for a moment. She couldn’t cry. Not now. The monsters hadn’t stopped.

From beyond the broken homes and fires, they came. The last of the horde. Burned and wounded, but still hungry.

She gritted her teeth and stood. Her hand, gripping the ruined hilt of her half-melted sword, trembled. But she stood anyway.

The monsters growled and advanced. Aura raised her sword.

Then—shouts. From down the road. Metal boots slamming into dirt. The sound of knights.

“By order of the crown, charge! Kill the monsters!”

A formation of knights in shining armor burst through the smoke, shields raised and lances ready to strike. Their presence crashed into the village like a divine wave—too late to save it, but just in time to avenge it.

Leading the army were two figures:

A tall man with dark hair tied back. His armor was scratched but shining, his cloak trailing behind him. At his hip, a curved saber that hadn’t yet left its sheath.

Commander Kael.

And beside him, a young woman in elegant but practical robes, her golden braid bouncing against her back as she marched. Her eyes found Aura and Rein in seconds—sharp, worried, and narrowed with concern.

Liora.

“Prince Rein! Are you alright?” she called, rushing forward.

Aura flinched, she didn't know Rein was a prince, but she did not react, only had a thought. 

"A prince...? I see, Rein... is a prince. I knew he was different. He always had nicer clothes than the other kids, and when he talked, it was like he’d read a thousand books I’d never even seen. But a prince? Royal blood? No. I never imagined that.

I always thought… maybe his parents were just rich, maybe his family was just important. Nobles, maybe. I never really asked. And he never treated me like I should.

He sat next to me in class when others wouldn’t. Talked to me when I didn’t know what to say back. Asked if I was okay when he could’ve just walked past. Treated me like… like equals. Me. A girl from the orphanage.

But a prince?

He’s… someone who’s supposed to marry important people. Wear crowns. Lead armies. Make speeches. Someone who belongs in a palace, not sitting under a tree helping me study words I barely understood.

Was I too stupid not to see it? Or did he just never care to bring it up? Does it even matter? 

He’s still Rein. The one who protected me that first time. The one who never looked down on me. The one who just fought to save everyone he cared about… even when he was breaking apart. The one I couldn’t save in time.

...Even if he is a prince. To me… he’s just Rein."

Liora knelt beside the boy, checking his pulse with gentle fingers. She spoke to him, but he didn’t respond. His eyes were open, but empty.

“He’s in shock. Too much trauma. He shouldn’t be awake. Mana shock… deep lacerations… broken leg, maybe more.”

She spoke softly, mostly to herself, eyes scanning the damage.

Across from her stood Aura with a broken blade hanging from her grip. Dirt streaked her cheeks. Her arms were blistered, wrapped in char and crusted blood. But her stance was straight. Unmoving. Not a word said.

Liora glanced up at her, briefly.

Her eyes lingered—not in suspicion, not yet—but in curiosity. 

"Who is this girl? How did she survive?"

Her gaze caught the ruined sword, the way it had been nearly melted in half. She noticed the burns, the way the girl stood protectively in front of Rein.

“Little girl, you’re injured. Are you going to be alright?”

Aura’s voice was quiet as she answered, “I’ll be fine. Rein needs the help more than I do right now.”