With the divine power they had recently obtained, Zanto, Kyro, and Elara continued their journey, leaving the grand sacred temple behind them. They descended the mountain, their steps filled with determination and their hearts filled with hope. The darkness threatening Aethelgard was still out there, but now, they possessed the strength to fight it.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, they found themselves at a crossroads. The road split into three, each path stretching toward a different direction.
"Where do we go now?" Elara asked, looking to Zanto and Kyro for guidance.
Zanto closed his eyes and focused, attempting to sense where the darkness pulsed the strongest. He could feel an evil energy throbbing somewhere in the distance, yet he couldn't tell which path led to it.
"I don't know," Zanto said, opening his eyes with a troubled expression. "I can sense the darkness, but I can't tell which way it lies."
Kyro stepped forward and placed his hand on the ground, attempting to read the whispers of the earth. Faint vibrations traveled through the soil—an energy flow, subtle yet present.
"I feel something," Kyro said, lifting his head with a serious look. "There's a strong energy coming from the west. I think we should go that way."
"But what if the darkness lies in another direction?" Elara asked. "What if we make the wrong choice?"
"We can't know for sure," Zanto replied. "We just have to trust our instincts and hope it's the right one."
"I agree with Kyro," Elara said after a moment of reflection. "I feel something pulling me toward the west as well. I believe that's where we must go."
"Alright," Zanto said. "West it is."
Zanto, Kyro, and Elara began walking west, following the winding road through hills and forests. As they journeyed, they saw signs of corruption spreading—trees withered and dead, animals fleeing, and the air thick with fear and despair.
"The darkness is getting closer," Elara whispered, her voice trembling. "I can feel it."
"We must be ready for whatever lies ahead," Kyro said, clenching his fist.
When they rounded a bend, they suddenly found themselves before a village. It was eerily quiet, devoid of any sign of life.
"Hello?" Zanto called out, wings raised cautiously. "Is anyone here?"
No answer. Only silence.
The three entered the village carefully, every sense on alert. They walked through empty streets, their eyes scanning every window and shadow. Signs of battle were everywhere—broken doors, scattered furniture, dark blood stains on the ground.
"Something terrible happened here," Kyro growled, anger boiling beneath his voice. "Who could do something like this?"
Suddenly, a faint sound reached their ears—a soft, pained sob, coming from one of the huts.
"Did you hear that?" Elara gasped, eyes widening. "Someone's still alive!"
Zanto, Kyro, and Elara rushed to the hut and gently pushed the door open. Inside, they found a young woman curled in a corner, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Who are you?" the young woman asked, raising her head with terror-filled eyes. "Did you come to hurt me?"
"No. We won't hurt you," Zanto said, approaching slowly. "We came to help. Tell us what happened here."
The young woman took a shaky breath and began to speak. She told them of how the darkness arrived days earlier, twisting the villagers into monstrous abominations. The creatures slaughtered and destroyed until nothing remained but death and ruin.
"I'm the only one left," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Everyone I loved is gone. I'm alone in this world."
Zanto, Kyro, and Elara exchanged solemn looks, their hearts heavy with sorrow and fury. The darkness had reached this place… and left devastation behind.
"We will help you," Zanto said firmly, taking her hand. "We will defeat those monsters and avenge those who were lost."
The young woman stared at Zanto, hope flickering in her eyes. "You will? You truly will help me?"
"We will," Zanto said with unwavering resolve. "We promise."
"My name is Lyra," the young woman said softly. "Thank you… for saving me."
"Let's go," Kyro growled, fists clenched. "Let's find those monsters and end their terror."
Zanto, Kyro, and Elara led Lyra out of the hut and began searching the village for the creatures. They did not have to search long