The New Border
Five years later.
A new wall stretched across the southern frontier.
Larger.
Stronger.
Better fortified.
Yet everyone knew the truth.
It existed only because the previous wall had fallen.
"Is that really her?"
A young recruit whispered.
"I think so."
"The Lady of Tecka."
"Princess Irene."
The recruits stared.
Upon the raised platform stood a woman wearing military attire.
Time had changed her.
The playful princess who once enjoyed teasing Henry still existed somewhere inside her.
But the battlefield had sharpened her into something greater.
Her presence alone commanded respect.
Silence spread as she spoke.
"The enemy is not mindless."
"Never underestimate a demonic beast."
"If you panic, you die."
"If your comrades panic, they die."
"Remember your training."
The recruits listened carefully.
Many of them had grown up hearing stories about her.
To see her in person felt unreal.
After finishing the lecture, Irene returned to her private chamber.
The moment the door closed, the commanding officer disappeared.
Only a tired woman remained.
She sat heavily upon the edge of her bed.
A stack of reports waited nearby.
She ignored them.
A shadow emerged from the corner.
"Has the Group of Dark been caught?"
"No, my lady."
Irene sighed.
Five years.
And still they remained.
Suddenly voices sounded outside.
"Young Master, you shouldn't enter!"
The door burst open.
A small boy rushed inside.
"Mommy!"
Irene's expression immediately softened.
"Will."
The boy jumped into her arms.
William Tecka grinned proudly.
"I found you."
Behind him stood a familiar woman.
Juliene.
Still wearing the uniform of the Shadow Guards.
Though years had passed, she remained much the same.
"Thank you, Juliene."
"It's no trouble, my lady."
Juliene smiled gently.
William had become the closest thing she had to family.
And perhaps, in her own way, she saw traces of Henry within him.
Another shadow guard entered.
"My lady."
"What is it?"
"The King requests your attendance at the capital."
Irene frowned immediately.
"For what?"
"The Memorial Day."
Silence filled the room.
Her expression darkened.
"Didn't I say not to invite me to those ceremonies?"
The guard lowered his head.
No reply came.
Irene closed her eyes.
For a moment, she looked exhausted.
Not angry.
Not sad.
Simply tired.
Five years had passed.
Yet hearing Henry's name still hurt.
Finally she sighed.
"Fine."
"Send word to His Majesty."
"I'll attend."
The guard bowed.
"As you wish."
Shadows Beneath the Kingdom
Far away from the frontier.
Deep within the capital.
A secret meeting was taking place.
"Were you followed?"
"No."
"Good."
The two figures moved through a dark alley before entering a hidden basement.
Inside, dozens of people waited.
Some emitted traces of demonic energy.
Others looked completely normal.
Merchants.
Citizens.
Soldiers.
Scholars.
The Group of Dark had evolved.
No longer merely experiments.
Now they were an organization.
A movement.
A disease spreading through society.
Before the meeting could begin—
The doors exploded inward.
A young man stepped through the dust.
Golden light surrounded him.
The room froze.
Lucian.
The members of Dark panicked.
Some reached for weapons.
Others attempted to flee.
None succeeded.
The fight ended almost before it began.
Within minutes the entire cell was captured.
Later that evening.
Lucian stood before Princess Irwin.
A stack of documents rested on her desk.
"Another cell destroyed."
"Good work."
Lucian nodded.
Then hesitated.
"Mother."
"Hm?"
"Can I go to the border now?"
Irwin looked up.
The same request again.
Lucian continued.
"I can help."
"I've become stronger."
"The soldiers need every fighter they can get."
For several moments she remained silent.
Then she finally nodded.
"Fine."
Lucian's eyes brightened immediately.
"But."
His smile vanished.
"You will return before the memorial."
"Understood?"
The tone left no room for negotiation.
Lucian sighed.
"Understood."
As he left the room, Irwin looked toward the window.
The setting sun painted the capital in shades of gold.
Soon the memorial would begin.
The fifth memorial.
The Memorial Ceremony of Henry Tecka.
Hero of Tecka.
Inventor.
Baron.
Savior of Verna.
The man who gave his life fighting the Group of Dark.
The entire kingdom would gather.
Kings.
Princesses.
Generals.
Merchants.
Adventurers.
Citizens.
All would come to honor the fallen hero.
And somewhere in the Country there was the group of Darks plotting something.