The ruins of Qanbarash loomed under the ashen sky, jagged stones and crumbling pillars whispering of forgotten wars. At the heart of the ruins sat Drango, his hulking figure coiled in arrogance, the fire of madness burning in his eyes.
Two massive wolves held Shiro captive, their fangs sunk deep into his frail arms. The boy whimpered, his small frame trembling as blood dripped onto the cracked stone floor. His cries echoed through the ruins like the voice of despair itself.
"Stop this!" Michi's voice thundered as he and Canberas stepped into the chamber. His face darkened with fury. "Drango, you've sunk to a new low."
Drango tilted his head lazily, stroking the handle of his hatchet. "New low? Hah. I call it entertainment. The more the brat screams, the more desperate Rishdania becomes. And desperate soldiers… are obedient ones."
"Monster!" Canberas shouted, charging forward. But before he could reach Drango, the chamber shook as dozens of wolves poured in from hidden passages, surrounding them like an ocean of snapping jaws.
"Go ahead," Drango sneered. "Let's see if you can even get to me."
The first wolf lunged. Michi whipped a dagger from beneath his cloak, slashing across its throat. Blood sprayed across the ancient stones. Another wolf came from behind, but Michi spun, his dagger flashing in the dim light, stabbing straight through its eye.
Beside him, Canberas swung his sword in wide arcs, cleaving wolves in half, each strike echoing his desperation to reach Drango. "Out of my way!" he roared, wings flaring. But suddenly three wolves pounced at once, tearing into his wings with brutal precision.
"Arghh!" Canberas staggered back, blood trailing from his feathers.
"Canberas!" Michi parried another bite and shoved him back. "Stay here, you're wounded. I'll deal with Drango."
"But—"
"No arguments!" Michi barked, his eyes blazing. He stepped past the encircling wolves, each movement sharp with fury. His voice rang out across the ruin. "Drango! You use a child—manipulating his sister just to break her spirit. How far are you willing to sink?!"
Drango smirked, his teeth flashing like a predator's. "How far? As far as I please. Rishdania fights your friends as we speak. Maybe by now… her claymore has split one of their spines."
Michi's jaw clenched. His anger trembled at the edge of control. "You'll pay for every word, every scar you've left."
Far from Michi's confrontation, chaos engulfed the village streets. Lior, Kael, Junia, Tieu, Zyara, Siniadal, and Reres fought side by side as waves of dark wolves continued to spill from alleys and forests.
"Damn it, they just keep coming!" Kael growled, cleaving through a wolf with his halberd.
"Stay focused!" Lior called, blocking a lunge with his shield. His eyes swept the battlefield. "These numbers… it's deliberate. They want us here, away from Michi."
"Then we cut through them faster!" Zyara spun, her blades carving arcs of steel as two wolves collapsed in front of her.
"Solar Burst!" Junia unleashed another radiant strike, blinding the beasts temporarily. Tieu followed with a swift crescent slash of moonlight, finishing them off.
But then—an immense shadow fell across them. A figure emerged from the smoke, dragging a massive claymore across the ground. Rishdania.
Her face was streaked with tears, though her voice rang out in fury as she swung at Lior. "Stay away!!"
Their blades clashed, sparks scattering like fireflies. Lior grunted, barely holding his stance. "Rishdania… why?!"
She cried as she pressed forward. "I don't want to fight you! But Drango… he's forcing me. Thessa—Drango—they'll kill Shiro if I disobey!"
Lior pushed back with a roar, their weapons grinding. "Then break his chains, Rishdania! Fight him, not us!"
Her sobs echoed as she pulled away, swinging wildly, torn between duty and despair.
At Kael's back, two wolves leapt—yet before they could strike, venomous snakes shot from the shadows, sinking fangs into the beasts. The wolves writhed, collapsing.
Kael turned in shock. "Snakes—?!" His eyes widened. "Tiana!"
From the smoke, Tiana appeared, her serpents coiling protectively at her side. "You're welcome, Kael. Now fight!"
Kael, however, smiled with relief. "You came… I knew you'd—"
Before he could finish, Tiana's hand smacked him hard on the head. "Idiot! This isn't the time for sweet words!"
"Ow!" Kael staggered, rubbing his head. "Still worth it…"
Despite the chaos, a flicker of warmth broke through the bloodshed. Then they all turned back, the wolves closing again, and the clash of steel and fang resumed.
Meanwhile, outside the Arklight Guild, Noah stood at the head of his guild warriors. His calm but stern voice carried authority as they surrounded the remnants of Arklight's young fighters.
Luo, Escor, and Rulius stood tense, but the exhaustion in their eyes betrayed their will to keep fighting.
Noah raised his hand. "Enough. There's no need for more bloodshed. Surrender, and you'll walk away. Resist, and the king himself will hunt you."
The boys exchanged glances. Slowly, Luo dropped his daggers. Escor followed, sighing heavily. Finally, Rulius growled, but lowered his weapon.
Kripton, standing nearby with Veynar and Veylika, gave a small nod. "It's over. Better to live than die for Drango's madness."
The group was escorted inside, where Sylvia waited. Noah met her eyes firmly. "We're not here to chain you. But your guild leaves this city, today. No more contracts, no more blood."
Sylvia hesitated, then finally bowed her head. "Understood. We'll withdraw."
Relief settled like a thin veil, but the war was far from over.
Back at the ruins, high above on a shattered arch, Thessa watched the confrontation below. Her eyes gleamed with cruel delight.
"Perfect…" she whispered, lips curling into a smirk. "Sister Death did well reviving these pawns. Let's see how our dear Michi fares. If Drango doesn't kill him…" Her gaze sharpened like a dagger. "…then despair will."
The shadows seemed to ripple around her as she turned her eyes fully on the battlefield—waiting to watch Michi either triumph… or perish.