Fort's breath hitched, his voice barely a whisper.
"The Grand... Heavenly Sword... Alden!"
Beside him, Rooks took a cautious step forward, his face a mix of shock and uncertainty.
"Why are you here? And... you're helping them?"
Alden turned slowly, his golden eyes sharp and unyielding. Without hesitation, he unsheathed his massive sword and leveled it at Rooks' face.
"I should be the one asking you that." His voice was cold, measured.
Rooks swallowed, standing his ground despite the chill that ran down his spine.
"We... we came to warn the villagers about the invasion. Flient's forces are moving."
Alden's sword remained steady.
"And why would you do that?"
Fort exhaled, stepping beside Rooks.
"Because we don't agree with what Ketergia is doing here. The people here don't deserve this."
Alden's gaze flickered with something unreadable before he slowly lowered his sword.
"You are mistaken," he said, voice laced with resignation.
"These are not the people of Oakhaven."
Fort frowned. "Oakhaven?"
Alden turned away, his expression unreadable.
"That's the village Flient is marching toward. It supplies most of the crops harvested."
Rooks glanced at the weary refugees behind Alden.
"Then who are these people?"
Alden's voice softened, a rare gentleness in his tone.
"These are my people. The ones who raised me. Oakhaven is done for. The best I can do is help the ones who haven't been invaded yet." He let out a slow breath.
"As bad as it sounds, I wouldn't stand a chance stopping Flient alone. This is all I can do... for now."
The weight of his words settled between them as they moved into a nearby cave for shelter. A small fire flickered, casting long shadows on the stone walls.
Alden sat across from them, arms crossed.
"You should return to Ketergia before anyone realizes you're gone."
Rooks hesitated.
"Alden, there's someone else on our side."
Fort nodded.
"His name is Youth. A Grade 2 knight who has the ability to temporarily ascend to Grade 3."
Alden's gaze darkened.
"I've heard of him. The one who supposedly murdered my former teammate in cold blood."
Silence hung heavy between them. Fort clenched his jaw, guilt flashing in his eyes.
Rooks met Alden's gaze, his voice unwavering.
"It's not that simple. Youth fights for the surface people, but he isn't perfect."
Alden stood, his expression hardened.
"He's no savior. If he seeks to unite the surface and the sky, it should not be through massacre."
Rooks exhaled.
"I agree. But what choice did he have at the time? Sarevsael was cruel to these people."
Alden's eyes clouded with something distant—memories of a time when he and Sarevsael stood side by side, pushing each other to new heights. They had been rivals, both striving to awaken as Grade 3 knights. They had fought together, dreamed together... until everything changed.
His voice was quiet, laced with regret.
"He wasn't always like that."
Now, Sarevsael is gone. And the one responsible was Youth.
Alden turned back to Rooks and Fort.
"Leave. Go back to Ketergia. This isn't your fight."
Rooks hesitated, then reached into his bag, pulling out a small drive. He held it out to Alden.
"Read what's in here. It might change your mind."
Alden stared at the device before taking it. The fire crackled, its light flickering in his golden eyes. As he held the drive in his palm, weighing its significance, he wondered if the path he had chosen was truly the only one left.