To Save the Light

The battlefield was chaos given form. Steel clashed against steel, arrows streaked overhead, and the air was thick with the stench of smoke and blood. Flames from shattered homes danced in the wind as the sky darkened beneath a storm of ash.

Humans and demons fell side by side, neither side yielding. Spells burst like fireworks across the field — jets of fire from the King's soldiers, jagged shards of earth from Sir Galen, spinning gusts from the twins, and waves of shimmering water from Lady Meris that drowned clusters of foes.

Ardent's eyes swept the burning battlefield. "Where is he?" he demanded. "The commander — I can't see him. He's gone."

Kazuki fought in the thick of it. Every shared magic he had learned flowed through him: barriers of shadow to block incoming spears, razor-like dark projectiles to force back enemies, tendrils of void to drag allies out of danger, and crushing waves of oppressive force to scatter charging foes.

Weapon enhancement was impossible; Zephyr's light magic clashed against the darkness in him, canceling out its effect.

A demon lunged at him from the side — Kazuki pivoted, sweeping the legs out from under it and stabbing it through the chest in one motion. Another came from behind, and with a thought, he unleashed a cone of pure shadow, swallowing the creature in choking darkness until it fell.

Through the din, a voice roared.

"KAZUKI!"

He turned. The King strode forward clad in golden lion armor that gleamed even in the smoke-filled light. A crimson cloak billowed behind him, and in his hand was a massive greatsword wreathed in gold flame.

Alaric's eyes locked onto him. "Fall back!"

Kazuki ran toward him, cutting down two demons in his path.

The King didn't waste words. "I've had word from my men — Zephyr has left the castle. She's headed east to aid the defenders there. I've sent soldiers after her, but the flank is thin. I will hold your post."

Kazuki's breath caught. "You want me to—?"

"Go. Save my daughter." The King's voice was iron. "I'll take the front."

For a moment Kazuki hesitated, glancing at the surging demon horde. But then Alaric lifted his sword, and the air itself seemed to tremble.

"I don't unleash my power often," the King said, eyes narrowing. "But when I do…"

With a single swing, the greatsword ignited into a blazing arc of gold. A shockwave of fire ripped through the nearest line of demons, blasting them into the air like leaves in a storm. "It is… absolute."

Kazuki didn't need to be told twice. He turned and sprinted toward the eastern quarter, his legs pounding against cobblestones as the roar of the battle faded behind him.

The east side of the city was worse. Bodies littered the streets, homes burned unchecked, and the cries of the living mingled with the silence of the dead.

Zephyr stood amid the chaos, her face pale but her eyes sharp. Though her body was weakened from three days of enchanting every weapon in the army, she fought like a cornered lioness. Her blade moved with precision, slicing through demon after demon while her light magic burst in controlled flashes — blinding one enemy, burning another.

Then, she saw them — a boy and girl, no older than ten, huddled together in a narrow alley, shaking.

Her heart clenched. Without thinking, she pushed toward them.

But the shadows shifted, and from them emerged a towering figure she had never seen before. The commander. 

Even without his armor, he would have dwarfed her. His blackened steel caught the light projectile, and the talisman hanging from his neck seemed to pulse faintly with an unnatural glow.

"So," his voice rolled like distant thunder, "the princess leaves her walls."

Zephyr tightened her grip on her sword. "If you think I'll let you near them, you're mistaken."

His lip curled. "Bold words for a prey."

They clashed — steel ringing on steel. Zephyr's strikes were swift and precise, but Vaerik's strength was overwhelming. Each blow rattled her bones, forcing her to step back just to keep balance.

Seeing an opening, she unleashed a burst of light magic, aiming straight for his chest — but the glow fizzled against an invisible barrier, vanishing harmlessly.

Vaerik tapped the talisman at his neck. "I was prepared for you, child of light."

Before she could react, his clawed gauntlet shot forward, seizing her arm in a grip like iron. She twisted, pulled, but couldn't break free.

Her eyes flicked past him — to the children. "Run!" she shouted. "Run, now!"

The boy grabbed his sister's hand, and they bolted down the alley as Vaerik's shadow fell over Zephyr.

Kazuki sprinted through the smoke-choked streets, heart pounding like war drums in his chest. I can't mess this up, he told himself. Not when people are relying on me.

The memory of Kael's letter burned in his mind — the words, the trust, the unspoken promise he had made. He swore to himself he wouldn't break it. Not now. Not ever.

He rounded a corner… and froze.

There she was — Zephyr — dangling helplessly by her arm in the iron grip of the demon commander. Around them lay the broken forms of the King's soldiers, their armor cracked.

The commander's gaze shifted toward him. A slow, predatory smile crept across his face, like a wolf spotting a wounded deer.

"What do you want, boy?" His voice was low, cruel.

"Go, Kazuki!" Zephyr's voice cracked with urgency. "He's too strong!"

Kazuki's teeth clenched. "Let her go!"

The commander tilted his head mockingly. "And if I don't? What will you do, little hero?"

Kazuki's answer was steel and fury. He lunged forward, sword raised — but with his free hand, the commander caught the blade mid-swing. There was a snap, like that of a bone breaking — Kazuki's sword shattered in two. A heartbeat later, the commander's fist slammed into his chest, hurling him backward into a wall with bone-rattling force.

The demon stepped toward him, voice dripping venom.

"I like the look of anger in your eyes. It makes me… euphoric. The way you moved, the desperation in your attack — you care about her."

Kazuki forced his head up, reaching a trembling hand toward Zephyr.

The commander's grin widened. "How does it feel… to be powerless to protect the one you care about?" He turned back to Zephyr, lifting her higher, so her feet dangled above the ground.

"I think I'll play with her a little more… right in front of you."

Zephyr struggled, panic flashing across her face. The demon leaned in close, his breath cold and rancid against her skin. His claw traced a thin line along her cheek.

Something inside Kazuki snapped.

Rage — pure, blinding rage — consumed him to his core. His chest relic flared to life, glowing and pulsing as if in rhythm with his heartbeat. The air grew heavy.

A cold, deathly aura rolled off him in waves. Thick, black smoke bled from his skin, swirling around him like a living shadow.

Both the commander and Zephyr felt it — the sudden, suffocating pressure.

Kazuki rose to his feet, broken sword still gripped tight in his hand. He lifted his head.

His eyes burned — an unholy, glowing red.

"Kazuki…?" Zephyr's voice wavered —shock and fear tangled in a single breath.