Chapter 1: The Dragon's Lore
It was a calm December evening. The wind whispered through the streets, and the faint smell of pies from the local shop filled the air. Astrid's birthday was tomorrow—December 18—but tonight, the quiet of the village belonged to someone else.
Dravyss, in her human form, wiped her hands on her apron, rubbing her sore shoulders. After a long day of running the pie shop and maintaining the house, her body ached in ways only someone who had once fought gods could feel.
Dravyss: "Okay… done for today," (she sighed, collapsing into a chair). "I don't know why, but I feel… tired."
Strom: "Mom, you work all day and don't ever complain, it's common to be tired."
Dravyss: "I literally fought gods, Strom. And now… I'm exhausted from house chores."
Strom: "You need a rest"
Dravyss: "If my planet had seen me like this, they would have died laughing. I was once the strongest guardian of dragons."
Strom ( asking ): "Mom… you told me the Dragon Council members are the strongest, but… I think you're the best."
Dravyss: "Listen, Strom. There are varieties of dragons in my world."
"Wizards—masters of magic."
"Assassins—with unmatched speed and the ability to shapeshift."
"Guardians like me—strong in physical power, slightly slower, and after ten thousand years on Earth, I learned to take human form."
"Brawlers—front-line tanks with more strength than most of us but… not much brain."
"And the Council members… they can rewrite reality itself. Calm, unshakable, untouchable."
Strom( jocking ): "Deep dragon lore unlock."
Dravyss ( smiled ) "And here I am—The strongest guardian knight of dragons, yet the weakest member of the Dragon Council."
Strom: "Mom… actually I need your help. Please… don't say no."
Dravyss ( eyes soften): "anything for my sweetie"
Strom: "Thanks, Mom, But… I need your tail scale. My spear—its design is boring, slow. I need to make it faster, stronger."
Dravyss nodded. "Tail scales? Alright… follow me."
Together, they left the village, heading to the near planes—an isolated stretch far from humans and animals. Dravyss transformed, scales gleaming in the moonlight, until she reached her massive dragon form. A breathtaking 500 feet of raw power and elegance.
"Here," she said, breaking off a piece of her tail. The scale alone was bigger than a house door. She handed it to Strom and then reverted back to her human form.
Dravyss ( asked ): "Is this enough?"
His eyes glowed with energy, sparks dancing across his hands as he held the scale.
Strom: "Thanks, Mom… this… this is perfect."
Dravyss: "Go then. But don't take too long."
Strom: "I'll be back later, don't wait for me. You get some rest."
As she left for home, Strom headed toward his cave-forge. The tail scale pulsed in his hands, energy humming through him. Tonight, a new spear would be born—a weapon worthy of the Dragon Knight.
And somewhere in the distance, the faint roar of demons reminded him… duty never sleeps.
Chapter 2: The Knight Forge
The cave forge roared with life. Sparks flew in every direction, catching the jagged walls like stars exploding in slow motion. Strom's muscles flexed with every hammer strike, sweat dripping down his face, as he hammered the old spear apart, separating the blade from the handle.
Strom: "Okay… one of the hardest parts,"
The real challenge wasn't just the hammering. It was shaping Dravyss' tail scale. The scale was infused with raw dragon energy—almost unbreakable. Last time, it had taken him days to polish it to a razor edge capable of cutting through anything.
This time, he was determined to do it faster. Using his old spear blade as a cutting tool, he chipped and shaped the scale into a leaf-like blade, grinding it razor-sharp with meticulous precision.
Next came the spear shaft. Strom melted down the old shaft made from Sifen's axe material, blending it with magical steel and the remaining fragments of Roni the Samurai's silver armor.
The molten mixture glowed an ethereal light in the furnace. Strom shaped the shaft and handle according to a design he had seen in a tattered book of ancient weapons. He had only the picture—no name, no instructions—but he could feel the weapon forming in his mind.
The result: New Dragon Spear.
A straight shaft with a V-shaped structure to hold the blade.
No blade at the end—maximum attack speed and safety in battle.
The V-shaped section could block attacks, combining offense and defense in perfect harmony.
Finally, the spear was complete. Strom inserted his old spear blade into the handle, now accompanied by hundreds of diamond-sharp knives—but only one true blade was forged from Dravyss' tail scale.
Then came the armor.
The Dragon Knight Armor:
Three shark-fin shaped blades embedded in the forearm bracelets, forged from Dravyss' tail scale. Perfect for blocking attacks or striking like a small knife..
Tail scale fragments placed strategically for both design and deadly functionality: horns in the helmet, shoulders, near the cape lock, and boots.
The armor glowed dark blue with faint blue fragments shimmering across it.
Strom's final touch: ten rings of pure magic steel for his hands. Gauntlets slowed him down, but the rings allowed for brutal, fast strikes. His blue fire punch ability was sacrificed for precision and speed—pure devastating force.
He polished the armor until it gleamed, donned every piece, wrapped his hands with white stripes, slipped the ten rings on, and gripped his Dragon Spear. Then he touched the Dragon Pendant, and all minor cracks in armor and weapon healed instantly.
Strom (whispered): "Perfect…"
The Dragon Knight's new look radiated lethal elegance: razor-sharp forearm blades, glowing tail scale fragments, hands wrapped in white with magic steel rings, and a spear made for lightning-fast strikes.
He went hunting, but the night was quiet. No demons, no chaos, just the cold wind against his armor.
Strom ( disappointed ): "Come on, man! New armor… no blood stains yet!"
Strom returned to the cave, carefully placing his spear and armor on the stand. He blocked the entrance with a massive stone and headed to the nearby river for a small bath. The new armor was heavy, but the weight only made him feel more alive.
After a refreshing bath, he returned to his house, only to find Dravyss asleep in a chair, waiting for him. The clock read almost 3 a.m.
Strom (muttered): "Ah… I told her not to wait… oh god,"
He scooped her gently, careful not to wake her, and carried her upstairs. Laying her in bed and covering her with a blanket, he glanced down at her sleeping.
Strom ( planning ): "Astrid's birthday is tomorrow… I need a gift,"
Chapter 3: The Two Horns
Next day, in the Valkyrie village, Wraith woke up and immediately ran to the hall to wish Astrid a happy birthday.
Wraith (hugging her tightly): "Happy birthday, sister!"
Astrid ( noticing something odd): "Thank you… but wait, what is this?"
Wraith touched her head. Astrid followed suit. Two dark blue horns were growing from Wraith's head. Not sharp, but big enough to freak her out.
Wraith ( staring at the mirror ): "I… I look ugly. Strom… he won't accept me like this,"
Astrid: "No, Wraith. You're still beautiful. Strom doesn't judge by looks."
Wraith (shook her head): "You've seen him judge people by their appearance…"
Astrid (firmly ): "They're villains. You're his love. Totally different,"
Wraith didn't answer. All she could feel was panic. She was sure Strom would make fun of her horns.
Astrid: "Okay… let's ask him,"
Later that afternoon, they arrived at Strom's house. He was tinkering with something, looking completely focused.
Astrid: "Yo, knight! What's going on?"
Strom ( grinning ): "Nothing… just making a gift for my… muscles mommy,"
Handing her a red ruby locket that perfectly matched her hair, eyes, and armor.
Astrid ( Happy ): "Thank you! You're the best,"
Strom ( asking ): "So… what's the plan?"
Astrid: "Wraith… her horns came out. She thinks you'll reject her."
Strom: "Come on!… that's not true. Horns can't change my love for her, I mean, I love making fun of her but I'm not that bad."
Astrid: "Wraith! We know you're hiding!, come out baby"
She shouted toward the pillar behind which Wraith was crouching.
No answer.
Strom: "Let me cook"
He walked to the pillar. Wraith panicked and covered her face with her hands, tears rolling down. Without a second thought, Strom pulled her into a tight hug.
Strom: "Hey… sweetie. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Wraith( tears in eyes ): "You're lying…"
Strom: "No it's true . My love is always beautiful. Horns or not, you're perfect,"
Astrid(annoyed): "Yo! lovebirds, If you're done, let's celebrate my birthday!"
Strom (asked): "Where's the rest of the team?"
Astrid's: "Violet and Zyphus went to their kingdoms. Sam and Nia are out gathering magical herbs—Sam needed them for an experiment."
Strom: "So… just us for now,"
They went to Astrid's house. Soon, Sam and Nia joined. All were present except Zyphus and Violet. They laughed, ate, and gossiped.
Sam: "Bro, I got a new case, A mysterious one."
Strom (replied): "That's my bro!"
Sam: "A queen is offering 500 nerions for this mission and One nerion equals 1,000 gold coins—but way more valuable than gold."
Strom ( shocked ): "Are you serious?"
Sam ( adding ): "Yes, but she wants no one to know about this. No weapons. Secret mission only."
Strom: "Come on, man! I just upgraded my armor to perfection! to let it rot
In the cave "
Sam: "It's your choice,"
Strom: "Bro… no weapons and no armor? Fine. But the price… it's insane. I'm doing it,"
Sam ( asking ): "What about the team?"
Strom (observing): "Wraith… she won't let humans see her horns. Astrid… your job. Mom? No, she's tired from work. A dragon who eats enemies, not suitable for this mission,"
Sam (grinned): "Then solo mission time for Strom. No Dragon Knight gear, just… you, hahaha."
Strom: "I hate you, little guy,"
Sam: "This mission… it's not for money. It's ego. A challenge for you to prove yourself without armour or weapons."
Strom ( confident ): "You're challenging me?"
Sam: "Yup. True challenge."
Strom ( determined ): "Fine… I'll complete this without my stuff … or I'm gay,"
Sam: "That's my man!,"
And so it began—not for gold, not for glory, but for pride, ego, and proving Strom's genius.
Chapter 4: The Mysterious Village
Next morning, Strom put on his dark blue shirt, black pants, and a dark coat. A steel bangle in his wrist, and the Dragon Pendant glowed faintly around his neck. He looked ready to solve any mystery—but the "no weapons" challenge was still burning his ego.
As he stepped out, Sam's words echoed in his head:
"There will be lots of people working on this mission, so you have to be faster, sharper… better than them, Strom. Prove yourself."
It took two days to reach the mysterious village. On arrival, everything seemed… normal. The villagers laughed, went about their work, and nothing felt suspicious.
Strom (muttered, already scanning for anything out of place): "Maybe at night…" .
He wandered through the village looking for a place to stay, but most places were either fully booked or ridiculously expensive—lots of hunters are here, all trying to prove their worth. Finally, he found a modest place that wouldn't drain his pockets.
"Five silver coins per night," the landlord said.
Strom: "Fine. That's affordable,"
"But… you'll have to share the room with someone."
Strom: "No problem,"
The landlord handed him the keys and showed him the way.
Walking to the room,
Strom (muttered under his breath): "Share a room with… who?"
When he opened the door, he froze. There was no human roommate. Instead… a cow. 🐮
"Mo…oooooo?"
"No..no..no… this can't be real," Strom whispered, pacing back and forth.
He checked every corner, behind furniture, even under the bed—nothing. The cow was the only roommate. And it chewed lazily, as if mocking him.
Strom: "Oh god… a cow as a roommate. What's next? A thief as my partner?"
"Moooooo!" the cow replied.
Strom ( snapping ): "Shut up!"
That evening, Strom sneaked around the village searching for clues. Nothing. Not a single hint of a mystery. The only lively place was a bar where hunters gathered—but even there, everyone acted clueless.
Returning to his inn, Strom noticed an old woman struggling with heavy bags under the moonlight.
Strom (called): "Grandma, let me help! Give me the bags,"
Old lady: "No, son. Just a few more steps. I can manage,"
Ignoring her protests, Strom took the bags and carried her home. Midnight had fallen, and it wasn't safe for an elderly lady to walk alone at night.
The old woman asked: "I haven't seen you in this village. Are you new here?"
Strom: "Yeah, here for a work,"
Old lady: "Work in this village?. Ha! This place feels… haunted. I don't think you'll find anything."
Strom: "I'll still try,"
Old lady: "Ah… hunting for clues, then?"
Strom (curious): "Yes. How did you know?"
Old lady: "My grandson hunts too. His name is Ron. He's the only one left for me now."
Strom: "I'd like to help him,"
Old lady (sadly ): "But I know his attitude. Since his parents died, I raised him… but he's busy. If you meet him, tell him to spend some time with his grandmother."
Strom: "Sure"
Old lady: " I'm Rose and you?,"
Strom: "Nice name… I'm Strom, the dra—uh, baker,"
Rose (chuckled and kissed his forehead): "Take care, son."
Strom left for his inn, exhausted.
Strom: "Okay… nothing for today,"
Cow: "Moooooo!"
Strom: "Oh god… that freak,"
Chapter 5: The New Partner
Sunlight spilled through the window as Strom cracked his knuckles and slipped on his coat.
Strom: "Alright… let's do this."
But before he could even step out, BAM! — he was flat on the ground.
The culprit? His lazy roommate — the cow — had kicked him for stepping on her food, the grass.
Strom: "You freakin' cow!"
Cow: "Moooo!"
Strom: "First rule — you don't hit me, got it?"
Cow: "Moooooo!"
Strom: "Why the hell am I arguing with a cow…"
He brushed himself off and headed toward the village, hoping to uncover any lead on the so-called "mystery." But once again, everything looked too normal.
Children laughed, shops opened, villagers smiled — it was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Strom: "I wonder what the queen has found…"
Meeting the Queen
After hours of convincing the guards (and a lot of patience), Strom finally stood before the Queen — tall, elegant, but clearly troubled.
Queen: "You must be a hunter."
Strom: "Yes, your highness."
Queen: "What do you wish to know?"
Strom: "Everything you've seen. Because right now… there's nothing to suspect."
The Queen sighed: "I've seen people going into the forest at night… but they weren't acting like humans. More like… puppets. I sent knights to investigate — but they also vanished. Now, no one dares to go near that forest. That's why I summoned hunters."
Strom: "No missing-person reports?"
Queen: "That's the strange part — not a single complaint."
Strom's eyes narrowed: "So… people disappear, yet their families stay silent?"
Queen: "Yes. I even visited one man's house. I swear I saw him walk into the forest… but when I arrived at his home, he was already there with his family."
Strom: "And your knights?"
Queen: "Gone. No bodies, no traces."
Strom: "Alright, I'll find out. Please take care of yourself, ma'am."
Queen: "you also take care, young hunter."
A Midnight Visitor
By nightfall, Strom returned home — tired, mind full of unanswered questions.
Cow: "Mooooo!"
Strom: "Yeah, yeah. Hello, friend."
He hung his coat and pendant on the wall and lay down on the grass floor.
He knew one thing — if he slept with the pendant, nightmares followed him.
As midnight struck, a shadow slipped through the window — silent and skilled. A young thief crept inside, eyes locking on the faint glow of Strom's dragon pendant.
Thief Girl (whispering): "Wow… handsome and rich. Lucky me."
She reached out, snatched the pendant—
—but froze when she saw Strom already awake, staring at her with calm, deadly eyes.
Strom: "Put it back… and get the hell out of here."
Thief Girl: "Not today, darling."
She dashed toward the window — fast, agile.
Strom: "Hey, look — a rat!"
Thief Girl: "Where?!"
WHAM!
A single clean punch to her face. The thief collapsed instantly.
Strom (grinning): "Works every time."
He picked up his pendant and kissed it.
Strom: "My sweetheart."
Morning After
Sunlight poured in. The thief girl slowly woke up — lying under a blanket on a bed of grass. Strom sat nearby, already dressed and fixing his coat.
Strom: "Morning, thief."
Thief Girl: "You didn't… turn me to the knights?"
Strom: "No. I already handled you."
Her eyes widened. She quickly turned here and there finding her bag — but everything was fine.
She sighed in relief.
Strom: "Relax. I just punched you for trying to steal my pendant."
Thief Girl: "So… you're letting me go?"
Strom: "Sure. Go."
Thief Girl: "Seriously? I tried to rob you, and you're letting me walk free? Who are you?"
Strom: "Name's Strom. And you?"
Thief Girl: "Rose."
Strom: "You're kidding. Another Rose? I just met an old lady named Rose."
Rose (smirking): "It's a lovely name."
Strom: "Yeah, I noticed. So… you rob people every night?"
Rose: "Yeah almost every night."
Strom (In his head) : "If she's been around that long… maybe she's seen the people going into the forest."
Strom (Out loud) : "So… wanna hang out?"
Rose: "Wait—what? You're asking me out?"
Strom: "Yup."
Rose: "What if I run?"
Strom: "Then it'll be your fault for leaving behind 250 Nerions."
Rose: "250?! I think I just became your permanent roommate now."
Strom: "Good. Help me solve the mystery of this village, and we'll split the reward."
Rose: "Sounds interesting…"
And with that, Strom and Rose set off toward the forest —
where something dark… and inhuman… was waiting.
Chapter 6 — The Orphanage
They walked side by side toward the tree line. The forest smelled like wet earth and old secrets.
Rose: "I don't like this, Strom. I've seen people go into those trees at night…and they don't come back."
Strom: "Exactly why we check in the morning."
Rose: "If the weird stuff happens at night, then you should be looking at night."
Strom: "We'll check both. Don't die on me, okay?"
Rose: "I don't plan to. But I don't fancy being eaten by plants either."
They laughed nervously and kept going.
Halfway into the path a low, hungry rustle stopped Rose cold. A pitcher plant snapped a thick stem toward her like a living guillotine. She didn't see it until the stem split the air.
Strom moved before she finished blinking — a single leap, a clean crack: the stem split in two. The plant folded like a broken puppet. More greenery shuddered around them, growing faster than moss after rain.
Rose: "That was too close."
Strom: "And that was proof. Something here is speeding up growth — like it wants to eat anyone who gets near."
They backed out to the village at dusk. The streets were normal: lamps, laughter, market chatter. Nothing to tie to the haunted woods, nothing to explain the missing knights.
Rose: "So no coins tonight. I'm out."
Strom: "You really don't know anything, do you?"
Rose: "All I know is how to steal, no help for you bye."
Strom( angry ): "You have my mother's name and you're nothing like her. Why are you so.... Heartless?"
Rose shrugged and the smile fell from her face. For a moment the thief looked young, raw and broken.
Rose: "Rose isn't my name. I don't even know my real name."
Strom: "What?"
Rose: "My parents left me at an orphanage door. I grew up there. I liked roses — my friends called me Rose."
Strom: "I'm sorry. I.....I..didn't know."
Rose: "It's fine. People always left me. I figured I didn't deserve better."
Strom: "That's not true. You have friends. You have people who care."
Rose (laughed bitterly) : "Friends? Not mine. The orphanage… it wasn't what they told us. It was a front. They sold girls to rich men. I tried to tell others and run with them. I was the only one who escaped. They killed my best friend in front of me and threw her away like trash."
Strom felt cold anger braid itself with the familiar protective heat in his chest.
Strom( coldly ): "Where is that orphanage?"
Rose: "Don't. They're too strong. You'll die."
Strom ( holding her hand ): "Just tell me, Rose believe in me."
When night fell they returned to the orphanage under the cover of absence. The building was large and respectable from the outside — windows gleaming, lights warm — the kind of place parents would trust.
Rose: "See the guards?"
Strom: "Leave them to me."
He didn't take a run-up. Two steps, a pivot, two punch — and the nearest guard went down like a sack of grain. Strom moved through the courtyard like a gale: a punch here, a throw there.
He had no armor, no crafted spear — just raw speed and an animal calm. By the time Rose and he reached the service hall the two dozen men on watch were unconscious, sprawled or snoring in odd positions.
Strom (dusting his coat): "Let's go."
They opened doors and found rooms full of girls — scared, small, hollow-eyed. Chains were nowhere; there were keys, locked trunks, and plenty of silence where laughter should have been. The children blinked when the light hit them; hope is a fragile thing, and hope had been beaten thin.
Strom: "We will free them. All of them."
Rose led him through back corridors until they reached the private wing — silk curtains, wine stains, expensive trinkets. The couple who ran the orphanage lounged on a raised bed as if the world owed them comfort. They looked decadent and bored.
Strom smashed the door open. The man at the head of the room barely had time to rise before Strom was across the floor. A single throw, a fast twist — both owners were face-down and groaning on Persian rugs before they could reach for weapons.
Strom: "You monsters."
He hauled them to their feet and with Rose's help dragged them to the courtyard. The freed girls gathered on the steps like a tide, watching. No one looked away now.
Strom (to the crowd): "They stole your childhood. They sell your body to men who think women are toys. What do you want us to do with the monsters like that?"
For a heartbeat the rescued stared at the broken couple. Then the rage came, honest and hungry. They swarmed forward — not with knives or axes, but with what they had: fists, fingernails, words that had been burning like coals inside them for years. They pulled at hair, they shouted, they beat at the smug faces that had ruled their lives.
Strom watched, and then stepped back. He had given them the chance to reclaim their power. The couple was stripped of dignity and authority; they begged and then quiet.
When it ended, the girls cried. Some wept for the friends who were gone. Some laughed shallow, breathless laughs — the kind that comes when you find your feet again.
Rose didn't speak at first. Then she moved to Strom and hugged him so hard he thought his ribs might crack.
Rose (half laughing, half sobbing): "You really do this for me, I don't have words because thank you is so small."
Strom: "You helped. Don't pretend you didn't."
She pressed close, eyes shining, blushing.
Rose ( she hesitated ): "Thank you so much Strom ."( kisses on cheek )
Strom: "If my girlfriend finds this out then I'm done."
Rose : "just don't tell her"
Strom looked at the saved faces, the small hands clutching each other, and felt something settle into him — heavier and truer than pride.
Strom: "Let's take them somewhere safe"
Rose nodded. For the first time since he'd met her, she looked like someone who might let the world be kinder.
They left the orphanage at dawn with the rescued tucked into safe places the Queen would provide. The forest still loomed, the mystery still pulsed — but a piece of it had been burned away. The next step would be the forest itself.
Chapter 7 — The Truth of Ron
The next evening, Strom and Rose were still searching for clues to uncover the mystery.
But now, something had changed — Rose knew Strom was not just a man… he was something far beyond ordinary.
Rose: "Strom, thank you so much for not judging me for my past life, you give me love that no one ever pretended to me."
Strom: "It's okay Rose."
Rose: "I thought you were like the others — but you're different. You actually listen to me you understand my pain , you don't treat me like a thief."
Strom: "You helped me too. You're the real hero here, not me."
They walked through the quiet path, laughing a bit to ease the tension. But then, Strom's eyes caught something that froze him in place — a grave.
He was about to pass by when the name engraved on the stone made his blood run cold.
"Ron."
Strom (whispers): "…How the hell is this even possible."
Rose: "What?"
Strom: "The old woman told me her grandson's name was Ron… but his grave is right here."
A thick silence fell. The birds had gone quiet, and even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Rose: "So… what's the plan now?"
Strom: "I need your scarf."
Without hesitation, Rose handed over her red scarf. Strom removed his coat, wrapped the scarf over his face — and in the pale moonlight, he looked like a shadow.
Rose (grinning): "So, you've become me now? A thief in the night?"
Strom: "Exactly. Follow me."
They reached the house of the old lady. Strom kicked the door open, stepping inside with silent fury.
Old Woman (smiling): "Oh, a guest… you must be the lost man from the golden streets."
Strom( calm and cold ) : "Yeah. Lost… my patience."
Without warning, Strom punched the woman so hard that she flew back and collapsed against the wall.
Rose( shocked ): "What's wrong with you, Strom? Who does this to an old woman."
She ran forward, shaking the woman's body — and froze.
The skin began to crack. Beneath it, brown roots twisted and crumbled. There was no flesh, no life. Just dried wood and hollow vines.
Rose: "Wha… what the hell?"
Strom: "You really think someone welcomes strangers breaking into their house?"
Rose: "How did you even know?"
Strom: "Because something's wrong here. These people — they're not real.
They vanish in the dark… and when they come back, they're not humans anymore. They're puppets."
Rose: "Then I'm with you at any cost, what is the plan?"
Strom: "We go back to that forest. Whatever's happening here — that's where it begins."
And so, they walked again into the forest — the same forest that had nearly killed them before. But this time, the air was heavier, colder… and only the moonlight dared to guide them toward the faint, flickering orange glow deep inside the dark.
Chapter 8 — The Truth of the Village
Strom and Rose reached the heart of the forest.
A massive pit glowed ahead — a burning fire, surrounded by countless people hanging like lifeless dolls.
Strom: "We need to free them."
Rose: "okay"
Before they could move, a thick green vine lashed out, knocking both of them to the ground.
Then, a soft, chilling laugh echoed through the forest.
Vernessa: "So the Dragon Knight has finally come to die."
Strom: "Who the hell are you?"
Vernessa: "I'm your death."
Strom: "Rose, move!"
But Rose didn't move.
She stood frozen — her face pale. Strom's eyes darted around… and then he saw something that froze him too.
The villagers. The knights.The girls from the orphanage and The Queen. Everyone he'd helped or met — all standing there.
But there was one horrifying detail that took his soul out.....
None of them had shadows.
Not even Rose.
Vernessa (smirking): "No one's real, Knight. They're all mine — roots and wood crafted just to fool you."
Strom: "...Rose?"
Strom ( steeping close to her ): "Rose.... please you are not like them"
Rose's eyes turned empty and faces twisted. She lunged at him.
Strom barely dodged, spun, and — with a single strike — sent her crashing into the fire pit.( He doesn't want to kill her, it's an accident)
Vernessa (laughing wildly): "Ohhh! You actually killed her! Hahaha!"
Strom ( shocked ): "No.. no I never wanted that."
She snapped her fingers. Two plant-made puppets dragged out a large mirror, covered by a red cloth.
When it was unveiled, Strom's eyes widened —
The Demon Lord, still imprisoned, stared through the mirror — his burning grin spreading wide.
Demon Lord: "Ready to die, Strom?"
Vernessa: "The village was a trap. You walked into it for money, you greedy fool."
Strom glared, surrounded by hundreds of puppets — knights, villagers, even the girls he'd once saved — all fake, all attacking him at once, no chance to dodge.
They struck him again and again until Vernessa raised her hand to stop them.
Vernessa: "So, Dragon Knight… any plan to survive this?"
Strom (cracking a bloody grin): "Yeah… are your plants fireproof?"
Vernessa: "What—"
Before she could react, Strom sprinted, grabbing nearby rocks and hurling them high into the air.
Vernessa: "Your aim is pathetic!"
Strom (raising his hand): "Bye-bye, bitch…...FIRE STRIKE!"
In an instant, the sky split apart — a rain of burning meteors crashed down.
Flames devoured the forest. Screams echoed.
The vines burned. The puppets turned to ash.
Vernessa's beauty melted into horror as the inferno swallowed her alive.
When silence returned, Strom walked through the flames, eyes fixed on the one thing left unharmed — the mirror.
Demon Lord (grinning faintly): "You are still alive, kid…"
Strom: "Nothing can kill me, freak."
Demon Lord ( challenging ): "My servants will hunt you and when I return… you'll wish you hadn't."
Strom ( coldly ): "Then I'll be waiting, Demon Lord."
With one brutal punch, Strom shattered the mirror, its shards glowing red before fading to dust.
He walked away, coat torn, blood dripping, but confidence cold as ice.
When he returned to the village, he saw the truth —
The entire town was in ruins.
No queen.
No Rose.
No life.
Only silence and the scent of burnt lies.
But then — a soft moo broke the stillness.
Strom turned and smiled faintly.
The cow stood there — alive, unharmed, staring at him.
Strom (quietly): "Oh god I'm so happy to see you cow!."
Cow: "Mooooo!"
And for the first time that night…
Strom actually laughed and reached her to touch her head.
But then the cow also vanished into ash then Strom fell in knees and realised the truth that it's all a trap to kill him, even Sam's words telling him about the village was already planned by The Demon Lord.
"The village didn't die… it pretended to live."