Closoria!

✦ Shadows Stir in Closoria ✦

(The mages of Alexia's legion, a fool's arrogance, and a ripple felt far beyond…)

✦ In the heart of Alexia's dominion

The continent was divided into powerful legions — mighty academies whose very names rang out like banners across the land.

Alexia was one of the foremost, its Himwarry Academy a shining jewel that churned out the strongest mages and fiercest protectors.

Beyond its walls lay many smaller lands. Among them was Closoria, a lush, lightly populated stretch known for its wildflowers and gentle rivers. But lately, that calm beauty had been marred by a creeping menace. Reports whispered of monster activity — growing bolder, clustering in unnatural packs.

And if left unchecked, there was always the dire risk:

Boss monsters.

Terrifying creatures that typically only crawled from the depths of shadowed dungeons — unless drawn out by long-festering corruption on the surface.

The people of Closoria had sent pleas for aid. The Magic Association answered swiftly, as they always tried to do. A specialized squad of trained mages was dispatched from Alexia's ranks — the so-called peace protectors, whose entire lives revolved around driving back these monstrous tides.

✦ Enter Marcus and the squad

They arrived in neat columns, thirty mages in all, clad in layered travel cloaks, staves and blades strapped to their backs. At their head marched Marcus Libreria, a captain known for his calm eyes and disciplined bearing.

As they approached the outskirts of Closoria's woodlands, Marcus lifted a hand. The squad slowed to a halt. He turned, his dark blue cloak shifting with the movement.

"Everyone, remember — even if these are low-grade monsters, we do not drop our guard. I will not have reckless pride turn today into a funeral march. Positions, now!"

"Yes, Captain!" the chorus rang out.

They quickly spread out, defensive lines forming almost by instinct. Healers clustered in the center, shielded by runecasters and swordmages, while scouts fanned ahead, eyes bright with concentration as they searched for magical signatures.

✦ Mighty Klaus: a flaw within

Of course, in every disciplined unit, there lurked the inevitable crack.

A tall, broad-shouldered man with an arrogant smirk leaned against a tree instead of taking formation. His name was Greek Klaus, though he proudly insisted everyone call him Mighty Klaus.

He snorted, loud enough that nearby mages winced.

"Captain, why so tense? These monsters out here are jokes — we've slaughtered dozens like them. You act like we're diving into a drake nest."

Marcus didn't turn around, merely called out evenly:

"Klaus, save your swagger for tavern girls. Stay vigilant. I'd rather take scolding from an Elder for over-preparing than write letters of condolence to your family."

Klaus rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath.

"Tch. Over-preparing, my ass. Keep bossing us around all you like, Marcus… soon enough, everyone will see who the true leader ought to be."

✦ The first assault

As they pressed deeper into Closoria's green heart, they finally found their quarry. Packs of low-grade monsters — twisted hounds with scales in place of fur, hunch-backed goblins with overgrown claws — slithered and prowled among the trees.

Marcus raised his hand. "Engage."

The woods erupted in dazzling arcs of light. Fireballs hissed through the air, slicing through swarms of goblins. Lightning danced along sword edges as rune-etched steel bit into scaled hides. Healers stood calmly at their posts, staffs aglow with readiness, though so far they had little to do.

It was — just as Klaus smugly insisted — almost too easy.

✦ The critical mistake

After half an hour, they stood amidst steaming heaps of monster corpses. Some mages even laughed, loosening tense shoulders.

"See, Captain? Boring as a practice yard," Klaus jeered, kicking a goblin aside.

But then a scout stepped forward, breathless.

"Captain Marcus — there's a dungeon entrance nearby. Some of the monsters were retreating inside."

Marcus's eyes narrowed. "A dungeon… That changes things. Everyone, regroup. We'll proceed carefully—"

But Klaus was already swaggering ahead, cracking his neck.

"Haha! You lot keep hiding behind formations. I'll show you how a real mage handles things. Watch closely — next time you'll be bowing to Captain Klaus!"

"KLAUS! That's an order — stand down!"

Too late. Klaus was already stomping into the dungeon mouth, blade drawn, ego blazing brighter than any enchanted torch.

✦ Klaus' pride meets grim reality

✦ Mighty Klaus' POV

Hah! Look at them fuss. Over low-tier monsters? Marcus can't even breathe without issuing some pompous command. Today I'll prove once and for all who's better.

Soon they'll beg me to lead them. To stop ordering me around like I'm his clueless grandkid. Hah!

His boots echoed into the darkness, torchlight flickering wildly on damp stone. He found another small cluster of monsters and cut them down easily, laughing.

"See? Pathetic! All that caution for—"

Then the shadows shifted. Eyes opened in the dark — not yellow, like goblins. Not red, like forest wargs. But an eerie, bottomless black.

Something enormous moved, too fast. He barely registered it. Then — white-hot pain.

✦ The scream

Outside, Marcus was just coordinating the secondary formation when they all heard it.

"AAAAAAAHHH! H-HELP! SOMEBODY HELP MEEE—!"

It was Klaus. Marcus didn't hesitate.

"Inside! Go! Protect the healers — shields up, keep tight ranks!"

They rushed in. Spells already crackled on palms, swords hummed with mana.

When they found Klaus, he was sprawled across the stone floor, a pool of blood widening beneath him. His breaths came in wet, rattling gasps. He tried to lift his hand — as if to reach for someone — but it only twitched and fell.

"C-captain…"

His eyes were wide with terrified clarity now. "It seems… I was too naive…"

Then the light left them.

✦ Marcus' dark realization

Marcus stood frozen for one heartbeat, then snapped back.

"Healers, NOW!"

But they were too late. Even as warm light flooded over Klaus's wounds, it was clear he was gone. A tense, grim silence fell.

Marcus clenched a fist.

How…? These were supposed to be low-grade monsters. Even reckless, Klaus should have lasted longer. Are we seeing the start of some new mutation? Or something worse?

Then the silence shattered. The monsters struck like living shadows, dropping from walls, from the ceiling — moving far faster than anything outside had. A mage on the flank barely screamed before a claw tore through him.

"Fall BACK! Everyone retreat to the entrance — protect the wounded!" Marcus bellowed.

Panic and blood followed them out of the dungeon's throat. Six didn't make it, their bodies borne by grief-stricken comrades. When they finally stumbled into daylight, Marcus looked back. The monsters had stopped at the dungeon mouth. Watching. Waiting.

There's something inside that's changing them, Marcus realized.

And we're nowhere near prepared.

✦ A retreat…and ominous thoughts

Marcus ordered an immediate withdrawal from Closoria. They needed to report to the Magic Association — urgently. Reinforcements from the Elders' own elite squads might be necessary.

As they rode, carrying the bodies of the fallen, Marcus' thoughts churned darkly.

The world shifts under our feet. If low-grade monsters start evolving, none of the legions will be safe. Not Alexia. Not Pantrixia or Sanxcities or Yenturies. Something deeper is stirring…

✦ Far away, a faint echo reaches Aether

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles off in Himwarry Academy's training yard, Aether Ryens was struggling not to drop his wooden practice sword as Teacher Rune circled him like a hungry hawk.

"Aether! Footwork — tighten it up or you'll collapse under pressure. Like this—" she struck lightly at his guard, sending him stumbling.

He blinked, suddenly feeling a strange cold rush up his spine. A faint shimmer crawled across his skin — like the brush of distant, ominous magic.

"Huh? What was that feeling…?"

"HEY! Hey, Aether, don't you dare zone out on me!"

WHACK.

"ACK! Sorry, sorry! Not on purpose!"

He clutched his head, eyes wide.

Rune grinned, twirling her practice sword.

"Quit daydreaming or I'll spank you till tomorrow. Again."

"Ehehe… mercy?"

"No mercy in my class. Now — square your stance. Ready?"

✦ The oblivious peace before storms

So Aether laughed and trained. Teacher Rune whacked him a dozen more times that day, scolding with bright eyes that hid her genuine concern. From the outside, it all looked like harmless academy life — awkward swings, embarrassed grins, playful threats.

But somewhere deep inside Aether's core, his Stairway of Heaven magic gave a tiny tremor. As if it, too, sensed that the balance of the world was tipping.

✦ The author's cheeky note

Hey, hey! Don't go telling everyone about Aether getting spanked so often, alright? Haha… poor guy needs SOME dignity left.

Anyway, that's where we'll leave it for today — monsters stirring in dark dungeons, mages falling where they once stood secure, and one clueless mechanism-tinkering boy about to get swept up in it all. Stay tuned, because the shadows aren't done yet…