Shadows Within the Castle
The castle fell into an eerie silence as a voice echoed from the shadows.
Mysterious Voice:
"Hlo… Ziron. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Everyone turned sharply. A middle-aged man stepped out from the darkness, flanked by six others. The Arkhar team instinctively stepped back, tense. Confusion spread across their faces.
Bane (raising an eyebrow):
"Gramps… you know this guy?"
Ziron, the seasoned old man of the team, smiled faintly—his eyes reflecting a forgotten warmth.
Ziron:
"Yes. I do. Kaizer, my boy…"
The middle-aged man — Kaizer — smirked, his aura exuding calm confidence.
Kaizer:
"You've grown old, Ziron. Who are these youngsters you've brought with you?"
Ziron turned to his companions.
Ziron:
"This is Arkhar. That's Bane, the headstrong one. Kaein, the curious boy, and Eireal, our bright young fighter."
Ziron's eyes then scanned the six figures behind Kaizer.
Ziron:
"And who stands behind you?"
Kaizer:
"They are my team. Kevin, Berse, Levi, Gare, Jake… and Ceaser. They're warriors, like me."
The air stiffened as Arkhar took a bold step forward.
Arkhar:
"Then answer this—who is Keyokthai Shammroy?"
Kaizer's expression froze. He stepped closer, voice firm.
Kaizer:
"What did you say…? Keyokthai Shammroy? How do you know that name?"
Arkhar gave Bane a subtle nod. Bane produced the mysterious letter and handed it to Kaizer.
Kaizer examined the letter, his face slowly hardening. Ziron added quietly:
Ziron:
"There heard the name now… but we don't know his origin or where he is now."
Kaizer:
"I do."
(Pause.)
"A few days ago… Eldrin sent a message. He's on Earth."
Ziron's eyes widened, his breath catching in relief.
Ziron:
"Eldrin ? on Earth…?"
Kaizer (nodding):
"Not just him. Our King is there too."
Shock rippled through the team like a silent wave.
Ziron:
"Then we must go to Earth."
They began preparing immediately—but then a voice cut through their haste.
Kaein (confused):
"Wait! What are you all doing? I told you—I saw him… on the Zius battlefield!"
The group froze, turning sharply toward Kaein. Kaizer narrowed his eyes.
Kaizer:
"Then where is he now?"
Kevin (calmly):
"If he's as powerful as you say… then he must've defeated his opponent—Werner."
Eireal (smiling faintly):
"That means he's alive. He must be recovering."
A collective breath of relief passed through the group.
Bane (grinning):
"If he's alive… there's gotta be a party for him, right? As he was the only one who saves the zius . What's the most 'party-like' place on Zius?"
Kaein (lightbulb moment):
"The Palace of Zius!"
Everyone turned to him again.
Berse (firmly):
"Then let's not waste time. We check the palace."
And with that, the group left the castle—chasing the trail of their missing legend.
Dust and Secrets in the Library
Far from the group, in the grand library of a ruined realm, Vilgrim, cloaked and disguised, entered quietly with his silent knight.
The Sentinel, watching from the shadows, muttered to himself:
Sentinel (thoughts):
"Thairus… I've heard that name before..."
An old librarian greeted them with a weak smile.
Old Man:
"Ah, travelers. What brings you here?"
Vilgrim (disguised):
"We wish to learn about the ancient clans. Their origins. Their fate."
The librarian nodded, leading them deep into the archives.
Old Man:
"This galaxy was once ruled by many clans. The strongest made it into history. But… we lost most of the records in a fire. What remains is… scattered."
They reached a hidden chamber. Dust-covered racks stood like monuments of forgotten power.
Vilgrim (picking up a book):
"Why are some of these books… half-burnt?"
Old Man:
"We tried saving what we could. These are all that survived the accident."
Suddenly, Vilgrim found something. A tattered, ashed book titled in faded ink.
He sat at a stone table, flipping through pages—but the text was broken. Black-coated marks obscured everything.
Vilgrim (slamming the book shut):
"Where can I find the truth about them?!"
Old Man (pausing):
"About them? Who exactly are you looking for?"
The knight, stepping forward, answered solemnly:
Knight:
"The Kthai Clan."
The old man gasped. His eyes widened.
Old Man (softly):
"After him, no one dared speak their name. Now you… you ask for them too?"
Vilgrim:
"Him? Who do you mean?"
Old Man (whispering):
"I don't remember. It's been too long. But… the book might still be here."
He pointed toward another rack.
Sang's Visions and the Forgotten Name
Back at the palace…
Sang suddenly staggered away from Sylin. She reached out, concerned.
Sylin:
"Sang? What's wrong?"
But he didn't answer. He rushed away from her, his mind clouded.
Zoick, Rakhad, and Earian called after him.
Zoick:
"Sang! Wait!"
Rakhad (serious):
"What's going on?!"
But Sang said nothing. Sweat trickled down his brow. He pushed out of the palace doors, his breath shallow, heart racing. Strange visions flickered in his mind—disjointed, powerful, terrifying.
He walked forward and collapsed onto a bench outside the palace.
Nearby, a grandmother's voice wove through the breeze. She sat under a tree, telling a tale to a circle of children.
Grandmother (telling a story):
"And so… when the fire tore through the skies, the demon didn't flee. He stood. Alone. Unshaken…"
Sang's breathing slowed. But then—another vision—bright red, golden light, war, whispers.
Child (curiously):
"Grandma! Who was the hero of that story?"
The old woman smiled gently, but Sang's body tensed. His eyes widened.
The Revelation
At the same moment in the library, Vilgrim's fingers grazed a book—one final untouched relic.
He pulled it free, brushing away the ashes. He read the title aloud under his breath:
Vilgrim (whispers):
"Feared Clan: KTHAI CLAN…"
And across time, across worlds—Sang gasped, unknowingly connected to the revelation. His lips moved before his mind could comprehend.
Sang (whispering):
"…Shamm… roy…"
"Shammroy…"