Тhe Crimson Fall of Light" — The Destruction of Asterra's Four Temples
— Told first through Kraan's eyes, shifting between characters, ending as the city burns —
I. Kraan — Blood and Fire
The sky was not blue—it was red. Farella's blood had spread across the stone floor, while the fire consuming the Holy Scripture flickered across her pale face. Kraan's eyes weren't fixed on the flames or death, but frozen on a thought that suddenly bloomed within him:
"What is light? Who decided it couldn't be born from darkness?"
He whispered, "Some lights are born in darkness… Then why can't light be born from shadow itself?"
The fire devoured his black cloak like a dancing shadow. But this was not the end. Behind him, Sophia knelt, clutching a blood-soaked book torn from the remnants of divine incantations. Kraan turned to her.
"Go—to the city gates. Draven is waiting."
Sophia nodded and rose. Though her gaze was cold, a quiet fear stirred in her chest. As she ran toward the heart of the city, three grand temples still loomed in the distance.
Beside him, Casmir muttered:
"Three temples remain, Kraan. They're still guarding the royal palace."
Kraan drew a long breath. Inside, there was nothing left—only a black storm howling.
"Sephist. Nevan. They'll finish the rest," he said, turning toward the rising curtain of flame.
II. Sephist — Northern Temple
The northern temple was cold. Silent. Blood soaked the ground beneath Sephist's boots, and each step he took was slow, burdened. Deep inside, it felt like someone—his daughter, his past, his love—was crying out.
Inside the sacred hall, temple guardians in white armor stood waiting. He said nothing. With a single strike, their heads fell.
"You once carried light..." a weeping cleric called from behind.
Sephist didn't turn. He simply raised his hand.
"I lost my daughter. You… you only guarded your books."
Fire. Silence. Ice. He cast an ancient freezing curse upon the temple, leaving nothing but ash and frost behind.
III. Nevan — The Eastern Temple
Pillars of white stone crumbled. People screamed and ran. But Nevan did not walk with the fleeing. He moved straight into the heart of the temple—toward a saint who knelt in prayer, protected by divine shields.
The saint looked up and said, "You never understood our sins… You looked at me as a son would. I know it."
Nevan did not answer. No justice remained in his gaze—only death.
He clapped his hands. In the next breath, a dark dragon's flame fell from the heavens, engulfing the temple in a storm of fire and ruin.
IV. Sophia — At the Western Gate
Temples fell behind her. Children screamed, fires roared—but Sophia kept running, until at last she reached Draven. He stood with his black bow, shadow-forged weapons lined behind him.
"Are we too late?" he asked.
Breathless, she replied: "No… Kraan is destroying it from within. We take our positions outside."
Draven nodded. Kyrell stood beside him—silent as a ghost, eyes lit with fire.
"Three temples have fallen," Kyrell said.
Draven smiled faintly. "Then the palace is next."
V. Kraan — The Final Temple
Kraan reached the tallest, most sacred temple. A single armored figure barred his path—he knew the man: Erunas, last of the Holy Council.
"You still have a chance to turn back," Erunas said.
"That was never a choice I was given," Kraan replied, blood staining his smile.
There was no duel. Dark Moon Light flashed—a crimson shadow—and the temple split in two. The last light was extinguished.
VI. Asterra — The City Aflame
Smoke and flame fell from the skies. The city burned. By the time the palace collapsed, the temples had long turned to rubble.
Sophia, Draven, and Kyrell looked up to the heavens. A red shadow unfurled across the sky, draping the city in blood.
Kraan stood alone in the ruins.
"Light… Darkness…" he whispered. "If we survive this… which path will mankind choose?"
The wind howled. Shadows broke through the clouds. The fall of the Four Temples marked the death of the divine messengers.