The tension in the air was palpable as Fort, Rooks, and Soudios gathered in a quiet corner of Ketergia to discuss the growing crisis. Soudios stood with his arms crossed, his angelic wings folding tightly against his back, while Rooks leaned against the wall, his expression grim.
Soudios broke the silence.
"From what I've heard, the first wave of the attack has been assigned to Flient, one of the royal knights."
Rooks clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Tsk… this is going to be bad."
Soudios's expression remained calm but firm.
"We can't intervene, you know, if that's what you're planning."
"What do you mean?" Rooks asked, narrowing his eyes.
Soudios sighed.
"I know you want to help the people from below, but I reject the idea."
Fort stepped forward, his tone sharp. "Huh?! The hell are you saying, Soudios?"
"If we do this," Soudios said, his voice steady, "we'll be risking our lives. We'll be labeled as traitors and executed—not just us, but our families, too. Is that a price you're willing to pay?"
Fort clenched his fists, his anger simmering. He hated to admit it, but Soudios was right.
Rooks's gaze turned distant.
"The first battalion of ships will deploy in two days…"
Fort slammed his fist into a nearby pillar.
"Damn it! We can't just sit here and do nothing!"
That night, near the edge of Ketergia, a hooded figure moved through the shadows. Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, the figure leapt from the cloud kingdom, disappearing into the mist below.
The next day, the streets of Ketergia buzzed with activity as the knights prepared for their mission. Dozens of Grade 2 angel and human knights marched in formation, their pristine armor gleaming under the morning sun. At the head of the procession stood Flient, the Grade 3 royal knight leading the mission.
Beside him was Lieutenant Arthen, a Grade 2 knight with a sharp, focused demeanor. Arthen is the youngest sibling of Descorda, the strongest of the royal knight.
Fort and Rooks watched the procession from a distance. They had decided to act without the help of Tranquilia or Soudios.
Fort remembers in his head as he runs, Fort crossed his arms defiantly.
"Fine! We'll do this without you guys." Soudios shrugged, his tone cold.
"Good luck risking your lives."
Fort sprinted toward the deployment ship, muttering under his breath.
"That asshole really isn't going to help, huh?"
The two knights managed to sneak aboard the ship, their hearts pounding with nervous anticipation. As the ship's engines roared to life and it ascended from Ketergia, Fort and Rooks crept into the ventilation system.
"Don't make a sound," Rooks whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the ship.
Both knights held their breath as they crawled through the cramped vents, the sound of marching footsteps echoing below them. Sweat beaded on their foreheads as the fear of discovery loomed over them.
After what felt like an eternity, the ship landed in a dense forest on the surface. Fort and Rooks waited for the knights to disembark before slipping out of the ship and heading in the opposite direction.
"Based on the rumors," Rooks said, his voice low, "this village will be their first target."
"Then we'd better hurry," Fort replied.
As they moved through the forest, Fort spotted a group of people in the distance. "Rooks, look!" he whispered, pointing.
Rooks squinted. "Those people… they look like they're in a hurry."
"They're probably running away from the knights," Fort said.
The two knights followed the group discreetly, observing as a hooded figure led the frightened villagers toward a hidden cave.
"We should make sure they're safe," Fort said.
Rooks nodded, and they continued to shadow the group as night fell.
The hooded figure stopped suddenly, his movements deliberate and sharp. Fort and Rooks froze, sensing danger. Without warning, the figure launched toward them with incredible speed, his sword flashing in the moonlight.
Fort and Rooks barely had time to draw their weapons. The first swing from the hooded figure knocked Fort back, slamming him into a tree.
Rooks gritted his teeth, raising his blade as the figure turned to face him. The two squared off, their stances tense and ready. Rooks charged, but the figure was too fast, darting behind him in an instant.
"So fast…" Rooks muttered. "I could barely reac—"
A powerful kick from the figure sent Rooks sprawling to the ground.
Fort recovered and launched an attack from behind, his blade aimed at the figure's back. The hooded figure spun, blocking the strike with his sword. The force of the block sent Fort stumbling, and the hood slipped from the figure's head in the process.
Both knights froze, their eyes widening in shock.
The hooded figure stood before them, his sharp features illuminated by the moonlight. It was Alden—the Grand Heavenly Sword of Ketergia.