After 40 years, times and war had completely changed. It seemed as if the world was truly at peace and there was no danger.
"Oh no, Master ! You are pushing me way too hard!" Jim panted, wiping sweat from his brow. "You know I'm not at your level yet... at least have some mercy on my dignity!"
Before Jim could even finish his sentence, a devastating kick landed squarely on his back. Master Lucas, the legendary leader of the Rampage Kingdom's soldiers and a member of the elite Dark Fang clan, stood behind him with a smirk.
"Is that all, Jim? I haven't even started yet," Lucas teased, crossing his arms. "If you want to impress Sheena, you better score at least one point against me today."
"Lucas leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. "Otherwise... I might just tell her how you sleep with her picture every night. Should I go find her right now?"
Jim's face instantly turned a bright, burning red. He lunged forward, desperately grabbing Lucas's hand to stop him.
No, no, no! Please, Master! You wouldn't... you can't tell her that! I—I don't do that! Please, if she finds out, my reputation will be dragged through the mud!"
The Royal Summons
Jim and Lucas were still caught in their banter when two knights in heavy armor approached them, their footsteps echoing with urgency. They stopped and gave a crisp salute.
Sir Lucas! King Jorth has summoned you for an emergency council meeting. Everyone is gathering in the throne room; your presence is required immediately."
Lucas turned around, his brows furrowing in thought. "Hmm... Why would King Jorth call for an emergency meeting so suddenly? What has happened?"
"We don't have many details, Sir," the knights replied. "We were only told to ensure your immediate arrival."
"Fine," Lucas nodded, his playful mood completely gone. "I'll be there shortly. You may leave."
Yes, Sir!" The knights turned and marched away.
Without wasting a second, Lucas started walking toward the palace at a brisk pace. Jim, who was still lost in his thoughts about Sheena, suddenly realized his master was leaving him behind.
Wait! Master Lucas, wait for me!" Jim shouted, scrambling to catch up. "I'm coming too! Why are you walking so fast all of a sudden?"
Just keep walking and stay quiet," Lucas said, his eyes fixed on the towering spires of the castle. "I don't know why we've been summoned yet."
Suddenly, a small, confident smile played on Lucas's lips. "But then again, if the King is calling, it must be something... interesting."
Jim, on the other hand, had a forced, creepy smile on his face—the kind someone wears when they are trying to hide the fact that their soul is shaking with fear. He was desperately trying to look tough.
Master, you're always so ready for a fight," Jim stammered. "Just... please, don't go slicing anyone's head off in there, okay? Let's keep it civil!"
With their own contrasting thoughts, the mentor and the student made their way through the heart of the Rampage Kingdom. The streets were buzzing with life. People moved aside with deep respect as Lucas passed, and young children looked at him with wide, excited eyes, whispering about the legendary leader of the Dark Fang.
The kingdom was a masterpiece of power and order, but as they drew closer to the castle, the warmth of the sun seemed to fade, replaced by the cold, imposing shadow of the throne.
The Legend of the Dimensional Stone
Lucas and Jim stepped into the grand hall of the castle. As the heavy oak doors groaned open, they found the room filled with the kingdom's elite. Without uttering a single word, Lucas took his place to the side, his presence commanding respect
King Jorth sat on his throne, his face etched with deep worry. Beside him sat his daughter, Alina. With her flowing golden hair, fox ears, and piercing red eyes, she watched the crowd with a beauty that felt both ethereal and dangerous.
Breaking the heavy silence, Lucas spoke, "Forgive me, my King, but if there is a matter of such great concern, please, let us know."
Jorth snapped out of his trance. "My apologies, Lucas. I was lost in the past. During my father's reign, the Dark Dragon Knights were one of the most powerful forces across the realms. My father and their king, Hexagon, a legendary Dragon Warrior, were the closest of friends."
The King paused, his voice turning grim. "Hexagon's lineage was tied to a God who possessed the power to travel through time and dimensions. But then, Hexagon was mysteriously killed, and the Dimensional Stone—the key to that power—vanished."
Reports from the outskirts say there are six individuals," the King continued, his eyes darkening. "They are stealing artifacts of immense power and taking them into the past. Every kingdom they have touched has been reduced to ashes. My fear is... our people are next."
Just as Lucas was about to speak, a sharp, confident voice echoed from the grand entrance, cutting through the heavy silence.
Wait, wait, wait, wait! You said the Dragon Knight King is dead? But I always thought they had massive, legendary dragons at their command. How could they just... fall?"
Every head in the hall turned toward the gate. The tension was palpable.
Sarina. She was the daughter of the very Dragon Knight King they were discussing. But raised away from the chaos, she cared little for her clan's legacy. In fact, she had no idea about the true, terrifying extent of the power that ran through her veins.
Sarina it's you
Yes, King Jorth, it's me!" Sarina walked in with an effortless grace, a playful smirk on her face. "After all, who else could be the most beautiful and powerful girl in this entire kingdom? You were missing me, weren't you?"
The Princess and the Fang
King Jorth felt a wave of relief wash over him at Sarina's arrival. Knowing the legendary blood that flowed through her veins, he spoke with newfound hope.
"Your presence eases my worries, Sarina. I have a mission for you." He then gestured toward Lucas. "This is Lucas, the elite warrior of our kingdom, and his assistant, Jim."
"I want you all to travel to the neighboring kingdom secretly," the King commanded. "Monitor their borders. If those enemies attack, find out their true motive. We need to know what they are after."
Sarina turned her gaze toward Lucas, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "Oh... so you are Lucas? The heir of the Dark Fang clan? I've heard quite a lot about you."
Without warning, Sarina blurred into motion. She unsheathed her sword in a flash, launching a lightning-fast strike at Lucas. The air whistled as the blade descended.
Clang!
Lucas didn't even flinch. He blocked the strike effortlessly with just one hand, his expression remains calm and stoic. Beside him, Jim let out a yelp and covered his head with his hands, trembling in fear.
"What is the meaning of this?!" King Jorth stood up, shocked by the sudden outburst.
Sarina retracted her blade with a playful shrug. "Oh, I was just checking if he's actually skilled or just another handsome face. You know how it is these days... many knights carry swords but lack the spine to use them."
She turned back to the King, completely ignoring the tension she just created. "Come now, King Jorth. We still have much to discuss!"
As the council meeting came to an end, Lucas stood there with a bewildered expression, trying to process the whirlwind that was Sarina. Just before she left the hall, she looked back at Lucas and gave him a lingering, teasing smile.
The Calm Before the Storm
After Sarina left, Lucas and Jim stood there, frozen in disbelief. Lucas's face was a mask of confusion and annoyance as he muttered to the empty air.
"What... what was that? My entire day and my brain... both are officially ruined. Come on, Jim, let's get out of here."
"Hey, you two! Listen up!
They both spun around to see Alina, King Jorth's daughter, walking towards them. Her red eyes were burning with annoyance. "Keep a close eye on that strange girl. I don't know who she thinks she is, acting like she owns the place!" Without waiting for a response, she turned and stormed off in a huff.
Jim gulped, looking at the door where both girls had vanished.
"Master... I think a massive war is about to break out. Dealing with enemies is one thing, but a fight between girls? That's like fire fighting fire!"
Lucas sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're right about that. Understanding women is harder than mastering the Dark Fang style. And I didn't even realize how the entire day slipped by."
As Lucas and Jim stepped out of the castle, the atmosphere suddenly shifted. The air felt heavy, and a strange, unnatural chill began to settle over the kingdom. Lucas stopped in his tracks, his eyes darting around, scanning the shadows.
Jim noticed the sudden change in his master's demeanor. "Master? What's wrong? Why are you looking like that?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately. Instead, he signaled a nearby knight with urgent authority. "You! Listen carefully. Go and tell everyone—no one is to step foot outside the kingdom. Order everyone into their homes immediately. Shut down the main entry gates. Now!"
The knight, sensing the gravity of the situation, saluted and ran to carry out the orders.
Lucas tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes fixed on the darkening horizon. Something is coming, he thought to himself. And it's
While the tension was high at the castle grounds, a completely different story was unfolding within the castle walls. Rose, King Jorth's youngest daughter, had no interest in duels or dark pasts today. She had a plan of her own.
Below her balcony, hidden in the shadows of the stone pillars, stood Michael He looked up, waving his hand urgently to get her attention
Hurry up, Rose!"Michael whispered, his eyes darting around the courtyard. "Someone will see us!"
Rose peered over the edge of the window, her voice hushed but excited. "Just have a little patience! I'm coming right now."
Inside her room, she moved with practiced speed. She cast aside her royal attire and pulled on a simple, oversized blue hoodie to hide her identity. Slipping out of her chambers, she moved like a shadow, expertly dodging the gazes of the castle guards who patrolled the corridors.
The moment she stepped into the cool night air, Michael grabbed her hand. With a shared look of thrill, the two of them took a synchronized, high leap, scaling the massive perimeter wall in one fluid motion. They vanished into the darkness beyond, leaving the weight of the kingdom behind them for a few stolen moments of freedom.
The Temple of the Ancient Seal
They walked deeper into the woods until they reached a clearing. There, standing amidst the shadows, was a structure Rose had never seen before—a temple so old that moss and vines seemed to be the only thing holding it together.
This temple... it looks ancient," Rose whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Michael didn't let go of her hand. Instead, he led her toward the dark entrance. "It is. This is where the secrets of the Rampage Kingdom and the Dragon Knights are buried. This is the place where the legend of the Dimensional Stone began."
Once inside, the air felt cold and heavy with the scent of old stone and magic.Mihael pointed toward a massive circular wall carved with intricate, glowing symbols. It looked like a gate that had been sealed for eternity.
Legends say that the God who gave the Dimensional Stone to the King of the Dragon Knights came through this very seal," Mical explained, his voice echoing in the hollow chamber. "This is the gateway to other worlds."
Rose's eyes sparkled with wonder. She stepped forward, drawn to the ancient energy, and gently placed her hand on the cold surface of the seal. "Wow... the history here is so powerful. I can almost feel it."
The Red-Eyed Shadow
Michael gently took both of Rose's hands in his. Rose looked away for a moment, her heart fluttering. "So... what are your intentions now?" she whispered playfully.
Michael gazed into her eyes and began to lean in. Rose closed her eyes, moving closer to him. The world around them seemed to disappear as they were about to share a kiss.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion ripped through the temple. The ancient seal shattered into a million pieces, sending a shockwave that rocked the entire forest. Fire and thick, black smoke filled the chamber instantly.
The blast threw them apart. Rose fell to the cold floor, coughing through the dust. "Michael !Mihaelwhere are you?" she screamed, her voice trembling
Miyhael had been thrown violently against the stone wall. His head struck the jagged surface, and a trail of blood began to flow as he slipped into unconsciousness.
Michael! Please, answer me!" Rose scrambled through the smoke, her eyes stinging.
Suddenly, she felt a heavy, cold hand rest on her shoulder.
Michael? Is that you? M... Mi... cal...?" Her voice died in her throat.
Rose froze. The air around her turned ice-cold. She slowly turned her head and saw it—not Mical, but a figure cloaked in darkness with piercing red eyes glowing through the smoke.
Her heart stopped. Her mind went completely blank. Fear, cold and absolute, paralyzed her entire body. She couldn't scream; she couldn't even breathe.
Chapter end!