Chapter 1: The Lonely Knight
It had been two years since the wizard fell.
Two years since Strom buried his fists into vengeance, only to crawl out empty, hated, and alone.
The village no longer saw him as a savior. Whenever they noticed the faint Dragon Aura glowing in his eyes, whispers followed behind him like poison.
"That's no hero…"
"That's a monster wearing human skin."
So Strom lived in the forest now, far away from the village and even farther from people.
A broken shack stood near the edge of a cliff, surrounded by endless trees and cold wind. Strom called it "Horror House." Not because it looked scary, but because the roof leaked every time it rained.
That morning, the forest echoed with heavy impacts as Strom repeatedly punched a thick wooden log wrapped in rope. Splinters flew through the air every time his fist connected.
Strom (breathing heavily): "Come on, Mr. Wood. You survived worse yesterday."
Another punch cracked the center slightly.
Strom (grinning): "Damn man. You getting weaker?"
A voice suddenly came from behind him.
Sam: "If you keep that up, you might actually break your arm one day."
Strom turned around in surprise.
Strom (surprised): "Sam? What are you doing here?"
Sam walked closer carrying a small bag of food.
Sam: "Trying to save you from becoming the world's first angry forest goblin."
Strom: "Too late."
Sam (sighed while looking around the lonely clearing): "Seriously though… don't you get bored living out here alone?"
Strom: "I'm not alone."
Sam: "You are."
Strom pointed proudly at the damaged training log.
Strom: "Mr. Wood is here."
Sam (stared at the log silently): "The log you punch all day?"
Strom ignored the disrespect immediately.
Strom: "Then there's Miss Raven."
Almost perfectly timed, a black raven landed in the nearby tree.
Sam blinked.
Strom (pointing at the shack): "Horror House."
Sam: "That thing needs holy water."
Strom: "And Mr. Carrot with his family."
Near the cliffside, several badly grown carrots sat in a tiny garden.
Sam (looked genuinely concerned now): "You named the vegetables too?"
Strom (proudly): "Of course. They live here."
Sam opened his mouth to joke again, but Strom spoke first, quieter this time.
Strom (quiet): "See? I'm not alone. My friends just don't talk like humans. That's all."
The joke sounded light, but something beneath it hurt. Sam noticed. He always noticed.
Sam: "What about dating someone."
Strom: "What about you tell me why you come here and get the fuck off."
Instead of pushing further, Sam leaned against a tree and changed the topic.
Sam: "Fine then, you socially damaged dragon. Let me tell you why I actually came here."
Strom: "Finally. Speak, Mage."
Sam pulled out a folded report.
Sam: "A Red Hell Demon appeared near the lower marshes. Big one too. Violent. Body count's already rising."
Strom stretched his shoulders calmly. The faint Dragon Aura flickered once in his eyes.
Strom: "Alright. Give me a little time. I'll handle it."
Sam nodded without arguing. He already knew Strom's answer before asking.
A few minutes later, Sam left the forest and returned toward Slayer Tower.
The moment he entered the tower gates, a voice stopped him.
Golden Knight: "Where were you?"
Sam turned toward the armored knight standing near the entrance with several soldiers behind him.
Sam: "Went to meet a friend."
Golden knight (narrowed his eyes): "So the Dragon Knight is really hiding in the forest."
Sam (shrugged casually): "Strom? Come on. Everyone knows he died in Black Candlen."
Golden Knight: "I'm not a fool."
The Golden Knight turned sharply toward his men.
Golden Knight (commanding): "Prepare yourselves!"
Armor clanged loudly. Swords unsheathed instantly as a full squad of knights began marching toward the forest.
Sam watched them leave with complete disappointment.
Sam (shouting): "Please survive long enough to tell this story to your grandkids. I'm not attending your funeral."
Nobody listened. Or maybe they just ignored the warning.
Nearly two hours later, the gates of Slayer Tower slowly opened again.
The knights returned.
Broken armor.
Shattered weapons.
Bruises covered their bodies, and fear sat visibly in their eyes. One knight was missing his helmet entirely while another could barely keep his hands from shaking.
Sam (looked up from the stairs): "Told you all."
Golden Knight (slowly removed his cracked helmet, shaken in fear): "He was terrifying…"
Sam gave a small tired nod.
Sam: "Yeah, I know."
A heavy silence spread through the tower before one knight finally spoke.
Knight (nervous): "He could've killed us…"
Another Knight swallowed hard: "But he didn't."
Nobody slept peacefully that night.
And by the next morning, the entire Slayer Tower woke to screams.
Hung by its horns above the black iron gate was the severed head of the Red Hell Demon. Its massive eyes remained frozen in terror while dark blood dripped slowly onto the stone floor below.
Silence swallowed the courtyard.
Then one of the knights from yesterday whispered shakily:
Knight (terrified): "When his eyes glow blue… even his shadow moves like a dragon."
Chapter 2: The Unknown Letter
The forest was quiet that evening.
Too quiet.
Strom leaned against the balcony rail of Horror House, staring into the endless black trees. Wind moved through the branches softly, but even that sound felt distant tonight.
Then suddenly—
THUNK!
A stone smacked directly into his chest.
Strom (annoyed): "Ow! What the hell?"
Something was tied around it.
A crumpled scrap of paper.
Strom picked it up carefully and unfolded it.
"You ugly monster.
You think you can hide from your sins?
I'm coming for you. Hahaha."
Strom stared at the letter for a few seconds.
Then—
Strom: "Prank maybe?"
He casually crumpled the paper, tossed it onto the table, blew out the lantern, and dropped onto his bed.
But sleep never came.
The words kept scratching inside his head like claws.
"I'm coming for you."
At first he ignored it.
Then another thought appeared.
What if this person goes after Sam instead?
Strom's eyes opened instantly.
He sat up slowly, fists tightening.
Strom (low): "Need to confirm this."
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
Rain began pouring moments later.
By the time lightning flashed through the forest, Strom was already sprinting between the trees toward Sam's house.
Branches snapped beneath his feet as cold rain soaked his clothes completely.
Another flash of lightning illuminated the village ahead.
Sam's home.
Warm light glowed through the windows.
Everything looked normal.
Safe.
Strom exhaled quietly in relief…
Until his Dragon Eyes noticed movement near the bushes.
A hooded figure stood motionless in the rain.
Watching the house.
Strom's expression sharpened instantly.
He stepped forward slowly.
Strom (cold): "Hey. You."
Lightning split the sky—
And in that single flash, the hooded figure vanished completely.
Like smoke.
Like it was never there.
Strom's instincts screamed something was wrong, but before he could move again—
BANG!
House front door suddenly opened.
Sam's Father (alert): "Who's there?!"
Strom immediately stepped backward into the darkness without answering.
A few seconds later, he disappeared silently into the rain.
Back at Horror House, Strom dropped onto his bed completely drenched.
Water dripped from his hair onto the wooden floor.
Strom: "Wow… that was close."
Thunder echoed again outside.
Hours passed before exhaustion finally dragged him into sleep.
But peace never came with it.
His dreams pulled him backward again.
Fire.
Screams.
Blood.
The wizard standing over his dead parents.
Chains of shadow wrapped around Strom's body while Angela cried for help in front of him.
He reached toward her desperately—
But couldn't move.
Couldn't save her.
Couldn't do anything.
Then came the sound he hated most.
Her scream.
Strom (snapping awake): "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
He shot upright violently, breathing heavily while sweat poured down his face.
His hands trembled.
Without thinking, he punched the wall beside him hard enough to crack the wood instantly.
Breathing unevenly, Strom staggered toward the water basin and splashed cold water across his face.
Then he froze.
In the reflection behind him—
A giant dragon-shaped shadow stood silently in the darkness.
Watching him.
Strom turned around instantly.
Nothing.
Only silence.
He stayed still for several seconds before slowly returning toward the balcony.
The soaked letter remained clenched tightly in his hand.
Rain continued falling beyond the trees.
Strom (low, dangerous): "I don't know who you are…"
(His grip tightened.)
Strom: "But stay away from the people I care about."
A long silence followed.
Then his glowing Dragon Eyes slowly pierced through the darkness.
Strom (cold): "Or you'll regret ever being born."
Thunder rolled across the forest.
Even the night itself seemed to shiver.
Chapter 3: The Phoenix That Left
The next morning, Strom walked deeper into the forest.
He wasn't searching for demons. Wasn't searching for food. Wasn't even searching for peace.
He was just… walking.
His boots pressed against the wet soil while the endless forest remained unnaturally quiet around him. Silence followed Strom everywhere now, like even nature itself feared standing too close to him.
Then—
A golden glow appeared between the trees.
Strom stopped instantly.
Golden feathers covered the grass ahead.
And in the center of them…
A phoenix.
Magnificent. Rare. Dying.
Its body was covered in burns, one wing twisted unnaturally while weak embers escaped its beak like fading stars.
The creature cried softly.
Strom rushed forward without hesitation.
The moment he lifted the phoenix into his arms, flames exploded across his skin. Fire bit into his hands hard enough to blister them instantly.
But Strom never flinched.
Not even once.
He simply adjusted his grip carefully and carried the creature home while the flames slowly burned through his skin the entire way.
Inside Horror House, Strom gently placed the phoenix near the fireplace.
Strom: "Hey Miss Raven… look."
The black raven sitting near the window tilted her head.
Strom (proudly): "I brought home a new friend."
The moment Miss Raven saw the phoenix—
She immediately flew away through the open window.
Strom watched her disappear.
Strom (quiet): "Don't like the new roommate?"
The phoenix weakly lifted its head before collapsing again.
For the next few weeks, Horror House became slightly less lonely.
Strom wrapped the phoenix's broken wing with rough bandages, fed it berries and meat, and stayed awake during cold nights just to keep the fire alive.
His burned hands healed badly.
He didn't care.
Sometimes he talked while changing the bandages.
Sometimes the phoenix stared at him silently like she was trying to understand him.
And sometimes Miss Raven returned only to sit on the roof and judge everyone equally.
Eventually…
The day finally came.
The phoenix slowly stood up near the balcony, golden flames reigniting across its feathers beautifully.
Its wings spread wide against the morning sky.
Healthy again.
Free again.
Strom leaned against the balcony rail quietly watching it.
The phoenix looked toward the horizon—
And flew away without making a sound.
No goodbye.
No final glance.
Nothing.
Within seconds, it disappeared beyond the clouds.
The balcony became empty again.
A long silence followed.
Then—
Strom (offended): "Selfish bird."
A sudden weight landed on his head.
Miss Raven.
She stared down at him proudly like she had won something.
Strom (looked upward carefully): "You came back?"
The raven nodded slightly.
Strom (smirked faintly): "Want seeds?"
Miss Raven instantly nodded harder.
Strom: "Greedy bird."
Later that afternoon, Strom entered a nearby village with an odd scarf wrapped tightly around his face.
He moved through crowded streets quietly, checking markets, alleys, rooftops… searching for any sign of the hooded figure from the letter.
Nothing.
No clues.
No traces.
Just normal people living normal lives.
As Strom turned to leave, a strong gust of wind suddenly pulled the scarf from his face.
Silence hit the street instantly.
Then came the whispers.
"It's him…"
"The Dragon Knight…"
"That monster is here!"
"Get the knights!"
Panic spread rapidly.
Villagers grabbed whatever they could find while two armored knights pushed through the crowd with weapons drawn.
Strom immediately raised his hands.
Strom: "Wait. I'm not here to hurt anyone."
But fear had already drowned reason.
The knights charged.
Then suddenly—
CAW!
CAW!
CAW!
A massive flock of crows descended from the rooftops violently, covering the entire street in black feathers and chaos.
Villagers screamed. Knights lost sight of everything.
And high above them—
Miss Raven flew directly over Strom's head.
Strom blinked once.
Then smirked.
Using the confusion, he disappeared into the alleys before anyone could catch him.
Safe once again.
That evening, Sam arrived at Horror House carrying a thick book under his arm.
The moment he entered, he looked furious.
Sam: "Who the hell told you to wander into a village?!"
Strom (sat casually near the balcony, grinning): "Just for fun."
Sam: "Fun? The entire village nearly declared war because of your face."
Strom: "Sounds dramatic."
Sam narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Sam: "And why were you near my house that night?"
Strom immediately pointed at himself innocently.
Strom: "Who? Me?"
Sam: "Don't fool me, Strom."
Strom placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
Strom (mock serious): "Fine. I went there to see if you still receive bedtime kisses from your mother."
Sam: "Gods… why are you even my best friend?"
Strom answered instantly with complete seriousness.
Strom: "Because you can't make new friends."
Sam: "Shut up."
Strom burst out laughing.
A few seconds later, Sam did too.
And for a short moment, inside that broken house above the cliff, the loneliness didn't feel so heavy anymore.
Chapter 4: The One More Letter
That night, Strom leaned quietly against the balcony rail of Horror House while cold wind moved through the trees below.
THUD!
A small rock smacked directly into his forehead.
Strom (clutching his head): "OW! What the fuck?! Again?!"
He looked down immediately.
Another note.
This time stained with dark red ink that looked disturbingly close to blood.
Strom unfolded it carefully.
"If you want to see your friends alive…
come to the Old Execution Ground."
Strom stared at the paper for a few seconds.
Then sighed deeply.
Strom (annoyed): "Come on, man… just go get some sleep."
Despite saying that, he immediately grabbed his sword and sprinted into the night.
The Old Execution Ground stood far beyond the village, abandoned for centuries.
Dark stains covered the cracked stone floor where blood had once flooded endlessly. Rusted shackles hung from broken posts while cold wind whispered through the empty ruins like trapped ghosts.
And standing in the middle of the courtyard—
Was a single man.
Black cloak. Massive execution blade. Face hidden beneath a hood.
The weapon itself pulsed faintly with unnatural magic, as if thousands of dying screams still lived inside the steel.
The hooded man slowly lifted his head.
Hooded Man (cold): "So… the monster finally arrives."
Strom immediately raised his blade (sharp): "Where is Sam?"
The man chuckled quietly.
Hooded Man: "Relax. Your little mage friend is sleeping safely in his home."
A wicked grin appeared beneath the hood.
Hooded Man: "This was simply a trick to lure you here… to your death."
Strom (tilted his head without concern): "Wow. My death? Sounds expensive."
(Then his eyes narrowed slightly)
Strom: "Who the Fuck are you?"
The man slowly removed his hood.
Sharp features. Burning eyes. Pure hatred.
Hooded Man: "My name is Jack."
His grip tightened around the execution blade.
Jack: "Son of the wizard who raised you… gave you power… and died because of your betrayal."
Strom stared at him for a moment.
Then—
Strom: "Damn. Like father, like son huh?"
(A small pause.)
Strom: "Ugly as hell."
Jack's eye twitched instantly.
Jack (furious): "You think you can mock me?! You worthless experiment!"
The word hit harder than expected.
Strom's expression darkened immediately.
Strom (cold): "Shut up."
Jack slowly pulled four glowing stones from beneath his cloak.
Red. Yellow. Green. Purple.
Fragments of the wizard's power.
Their energy illuminated the ruined courtyard with shifting colors while sparks crackled violently across the ground.
Jack smirked proudly.
Jack: "Want to see a magic trick?"
Strom (looked completely unimpressed): "Sure. But don't expect applause."
Jack: "I don't want applause."
The stones floated upward around him.
Jack: "I want your blood… and your tears."
The execution blade began glowing with multiple colors as the stones circled faster and faster around Jack's body.
Energy exploded through the courtyard.
The ground trembled.
Strom sighed.
Strom: "Are you done aura farming or should I leave and come back later?"
Jack ignored him completely and swallowed all powers when stones became a necklace.
Instantly, his veins began glowing violently beneath his skin.
His body trembled.
Blood burst from his arms.
The air itself became heavy.
Strom crossed his arms impatiently.
Strom: "Come on… power ups shouldn't take this long."
Then suddenly—
He froze.
Because the person standing before him was no longer Jack.
It was her.
Angela...
Her face. Her voice. Her tears.
Angela (softly): "Why didn't you save me, Strom?"
Everything inside him stopped.
The sword in his hand suddenly felt heavier than the world itself.
Angela slowly stepped closer.
Angela (crying): "You promised to protect me…"
Memories crashed into him instantly.
Her smile. Her laugh. The night she died.
Strom stepped backward shakily.
Strom (broken): "No… no… you're not her…"
Angela: "He killed my family, Strom…"
Her voice cracked painfully.
Angela: "And you still left me alone."
Strom's breathing became uneven.
Strom: "Please… don't come closer…"
Angela: "I screamed for help."
(Another step)
Angela: "But you never came."
Strom's hands trembled violently around his sword.
Strom: "Angela… please…"
Angela (eyes filled with tears): "He chased me through the house while I begged him to stop."
Strom: "Please no…"
Angela: "He slammed my head against the wall again and again."
(Her voice became quieter)
Angela: "And when I cried… his blade started cutting into my skin."
Strom stumbled backward again like each word physically hurt him.
Strom (shaking): "Forgive me… I wasn't strong enough…"
Angela: "He didn't stop until my body became unrecognizable."
Silence.
Then—
Angela: "Why didn't you save me?"
CRASH!
She attacked instantly.
The execution blade slammed directly into Strom's sword hard enough to send sparks exploding across the courtyard.
Strom barely blocked it.
Another strike came immediately after.
Then another.
And another.
But the real damage wasn't the blade.
It was her voice.
Every time Strom raised his sword, he saw Angela crying in front of him.
He couldn't fight back.
Couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Strom (screaming): "GO AWAY! PLEASE! NOT HER!"
Angela's blade tore across his left arm deeply.
Blood splashed across the ground.
Strom collapsed onto one knee.
Angela slowly approached him again.
Angela (quiet): "I begged for mercy while he cut my throa—"
CLANG!!!
The sentence never finished.
This time Strom blocked the attack completely.
Perfectly.
Slowly… he lifted his head.
His glowing Dragon Eyes stared directly at her.
Strom (cold): "You should know something about Angela."
A long silence followed.
Then—
Strom: "She knew how to dodge."
Before the illusion could react, Strom kicked directly into her knee and drove a punch through her face hard enough to shatter the illusion instantly.
The fake Angela exploded into fragments of light.
Jack crashed backward violently while the glowing stones scattered across the ground.
He desperately reached toward them—
CRUNCH.
Strom stepped directly onto the stones, crushing them beneath his boots.
Jack screamed as Strom crushed his hand too.
Strom (stared down at him with pure hatred): "She wasn't even real, you bitch."
Another kick slammed into Jack's ribs hard enough to send him rammed the execution blade straight through Jack's leg.
The blade pierced deep into the stone beneath him.
Jack screamed loud enough to echo across the ruins, and his blood started glowing in the cracks of ground.
Strom (calm): "Consider this mercy... For not killing you."
Jack (choking): "YOU'LL REGRET THIS!"
Strom leaned closer slowly.
Eyes glowing like a beast inside darkness.
Then he pushed the blade even deeper.
Jack's scream broke instantly into raw agony. His entire body trembled in pain and rage.
Then—
A twisted smirk appeared on his face.
Strom (low): "Thank you."
And just like that—
He walked away.
Leaving Jack pinned alone in the ruins with nothing except pain, fear, and the sound of distant thunder.
Chapter 6 - The Last Meeting
The sun rose slowly, painting the sky in faint gold.
Strom sat quietly on a massive stone near the forest cliff, his arm still bleeding from the battle with Jack. His body ached, but the wound inside him was far deeper than flesh.
His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon while memories replayed one after another.
Angela laughing.
Angela running through the rain.
Angela smiling at him like he was still human.
The only warmth that ever made the Dragon Knight feel alive.
Strom (whispering): "I should forget her."
For a moment, silence answered him.
Then he stood.
Even with countless wounds covering his body, his spirit still refused to break.
He sprinted through the forest toward his shack, boots crushing leaves beneath him as cold wind rushed past his face.
When he finally reached home, he walked straight into his room, ready to throw his sword back into the old wooden chest forever.
But then…
His eyes stopped on something hanging beside the window.
Angela's scarf.
The dried blood still stained the fabric. The last thing he had from her.
Slowly, Strom picked it up.
And suddenly…
A memory returned.
That night.
That voice.
Angela (memory): "You don't have to be the blade for every cut…"
Strom froze.
Back then, he ignored those words. Back then, he thought surviving meant carrying every pain alone.
But now…
Now he finally understood.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Not happiness.
Just peace.
After that, Strom quietly walked outside.
He grabbed a bucket of water and poured it carefully over the carrots growing beside the shack.
Strom (softly): "Drink properly, Mr. Carrot."
Then he scattered seeds across the balcony railing.
Miss Raven instantly landed nearby, staring at him proudly like she owned the house.
Strom (faint smile): "Yeah, yeah. Your breakfast is here."
After that, he walked toward the training area and punched Mr. Wooden Log one last time.
CRACK!
The entire log shook violently.
Strom (nodding): "Still standing. Good job."
The forest wind moved gently around him.
For the first time in years…
Strom didn't feel angry.
Strom (quietly): "Take care, everyone."
Later that day, Strom entered the village again, his face hidden beneath Angela's scarf.
People still moved away when they saw him.
Fear followed him like a shadow.
Near the center of the village, Sam sat alone on a wooden bench reading a book.
Strom walked over and tapped his shoulder.
Strom: "Thanks, Sam… for believing in me."
Sam looked up and immediately froze after seeing Strom's condition.
Sam (shocked): "What happened to you?! Why are you covered in blood?"
Before Strom could answer, nearby villagers noticed him.
And panic spread instantly.
Villager: "Monster!"
Another villager: "Kill him before he curses us all!"
Knights rushed forward with weapons drawn.
Sam immediately stepped in front of Strom.
Sam (angry): "Stop! He didn't do anything!"
But Strom slowly raised his hand, stopping him.
His eyes were calm now.
Not angry.
Not hateful.
Just tired.
Then he turned and started running.
The villagers chased after him through the narrow streets while armored knights followed behind like hunting dogs.
Strom kept moving until he finally reached the edge of the giant cliff outside the village.
Dead end.
The crowd surrounded him from behind.
Some villagers looked afraid. Some looked relieved.
None of them looked at him like a person.
Wind roared across the cliffside as Strom slowly turned toward them one final time.
His scarf moved gently in the air.
And somehow…
He smiled.
Strom: "Wish me luck."
Then he stepped backward.
The crowd gasped as the Dragon Knight disappeared into the endless ravine below.
Some villagers cheered.
Others sighed in relief.
The monster was finally gone.
But far beneath the darkness…
Strom never hit the ground.
The dragon aura pendant around his neck suddenly glowed bright blue, surrounding his body with protective energy and slowing his fall.
He landed softly within the shadows below.
For a moment, he stayed there silently.
Then a quiet laugh escaped him.
Strom (faint smile): "My Angel was always right."
Above him, the village celebrated the death of the Dragon Knight.
But hidden beneath the world that hated him…
Strom was still alive.
And somewhere in the silence beyond the cliff…
hope was alive too.