Chapter I – Darkness Falls Over the Port City
The wind carried the scent of salt and ash together.
Footsteps echoed along the cobbled streets of the Port City.
Two figures walked slowly through the mist —
one cloaked in shadows as deep as midnight,
the other armored in silver light, gleaming like the first dawn.
The Blade of Darkness, Dayv, and the Sword of Light, Artir —
the two legendary commanders of the Eastern Empire.
Dayv adjusted the black sword on his shoulder, glancing at the people on the street.
> Dayv: "Look at this city…
Bribery at every corner, smuggled goods on every dock.
This place has become the disgrace of the East."
Artir, his golden armor hidden beneath a white cloak, scanned the surroundings.
> Artir: "When rulers exploit hunger, darkness grows.
The governor seems to have forgotten his duty."
Dayv smirked, his tone sharp with mockery.
> Dayv: "Forgotten? No. He remembers all too well —
it just doesn't serve his profit.
Gold has replaced faith in this city."
Artir sighed, shaking his head.
> Artir: "That's why we're here.
We'll find out who brings in the magic stones — and who sells them."
> Dayv: "You think the governor doesn't know?"
> Artir: "If he doesn't, he's chosen not to. It makes no difference to us."
For a moment, silence.
Only the waves filled the air —
then the sound of a loose rope falling from a ship's mast.
Dayv broke the stillness.
> Dayv: "They say the Demon King's been seen here…
Do you think that's true?"
Artir stopped, his gaze fixed on the fog-covered horizon.
> Artir: "He's been silent for a century.
No wars. No touch upon mankind.
Just… waiting.
Why would he appear now?"
> Dayv: "Maybe he got bored?"
Artir: "Or maybe someone woke him."
Dayv chuckled quietly.
> Dayv: "You're getting scary when you talk like that.
But tell me, Artir — if the Demon King returns… who wins?"
Artir didn't answer.
He simply kept walking.
> Dayv: "Come on, answer me! The East… or the dark?"
Artir: "There are no winners. Only survivors."
Dayv: "Ah, those noble words again. No wonder even kings hate you."
Artir: "Not kings — cowards. Don't mix the two."
Dayv rolled his eyes, though for a heartbeat, his expression turned serious.
When they turned the corner toward the governor's mansion,
two armored guards stood watch at the gate. One stepped forward.
> Guard: "Halt! No visitors at this hour. The governor will not receive anyone."
Dayv stepped forward, smirk widening.
> Dayv: "Oh? Has the governor started rejecting Eastern commanders too?"
> Guard: "C-commanders? I'll need to see your documents—"
The faint whisper of steel cut through the air as Dayv touched his sword.
> Dayv: "Do you want papers… or your head?"
Artir intervened — calm, but sharp as a blade.
> Artir: "Enough, Dayv.
We're not here to accuse anyone.
We're here under orders from the Eastern Empire —
to investigate the trade of magic stones."
The guards exchanged glances; one stammered,
> Guard: "S-sir… I only follow orders."
Dayv leaned in close, whispering to the man's ear:
> Dayv: "Then a word of advice —
next time, question who gives them.
Stop the wrong man, and you'll die for it."
Terrified, the guard stepped aside.
The heavy iron gates creaked open.
Artir inclined his head slightly.
> Artir: "That threat was unnecessary."
Dayv: "But effective."
They stepped inside together.
As they walked down the dim corridor, Dayv muttered without turning back:
> Dayv: "If the rumors are true… this city trades more than just stones."
Artir's voice dropped to a whisper.
> Artir: "I know. Darkness always follows something — or someone."
As the doors closed behind them,
the sound of the wind faded away.
The city fell silent.
And at that moment —
unseen by any of them —
a pair of eyes watched from the shadows of the harbor.