Eye for an Eye

Flashback: The First Armageddon War

The scene opens with the chaos of the First Armageddon War. Two Aetherians clash violently, their powers manifesting in brilliant yet deadly displays. One Aetherian, a member of the Voidtheris clan, unleashes his lethal red energy.

"You Voidtheris! You shall pay for what you've done! Everyone, attack at once!" a voice commands.

The Voidtheris soldier stands resigned, ready to accept his fate. But his death is not destined for today.

[BANG BANG]

[BANG]

"FK, ru-"

[BANG]

"You seem distracted, Lieutenant," says the Commander, calmly dispatching the enemies.

"I-I'm sorry, Commander," the lieutenant stammers.

"No, it's not a problem," the Commander replies as they march forward, leaving the dead Aetherians behind. The flashback fades.

Harith Awakens

The scene shifts to a campfire. Harith opens his eyes, but only halfway.

"A-aargh," he groans.

"Thank God you're awake," Hobs says, leaning against a tree beside him. Harith searches for his gun but can't find it. He has lost not only half his vision but also his freedom of movement.

"Searching for this?" Hobs holds up the gun.

"Hey, give it back! Aaargh," Harith tries to move, but pain shoots through his body.

"You still haven't recovered yet. You should rest," Hobs advises.

Harith knows running is useless and decides to change the topic.

"I had a dream. What is the Armageddon War?"

"It was a war between the Abyssal and the Aetherians that lasted for a hundred years, leading to the extermination of the Voidtheris clan."

"Voidtheris clan?"

"Yeah, it started as a civil war among the Aetherians. But it got worse. The Voidtheris were one of the Aetherian clans, but they were banished because of their greed for power and knowledge."

"I see."

"You should rest, and try not to run. And I'm sorry."

"You know, just an apology won't bring back the dead," Harith retorts.

Hobs pretends not to hear the last remark.

Zashchitnik and the Rangers

The scene shifts to Mr. Zashchitnik, who is receiving visitors—Hekal and other Rangers.

"Father, we've got a problem!" Hekal exclaims.

"Tell me."

"A carriage carrying supplies to the depot was attacked by bandits near Kareed Forest, and—"

Zashchitnik's eyes widen in fear. Kareed Forest is near Harith's route.

"And what?! Damn it, tell me! What happened to him!?"

"We couldn't find him, but we found this bag," Hekal says, holding up Harith's bag, covered in mud and blood.

Zashchitnik quickly prepares his equipment. "Maybe we should ask for their help."

"We are no longer part of them, Hekal."

"But Harith is in danger, and I'm coming with you."

Zashchitnik reluctantly agrees. "Fine, but I don't expect anything from them."

Hobs and Natan

Back at the bandits' camp, Hobs and Natan argue.

"I told you, he'd better be dead before he becomes a burden," Natan says.

"I know, but don't you find it strange?"

"What? That he's now a pirate? Hahahaha."

"That's the second. The main thing is, all our men he shot—each one a headshot. That precision and discipline in mana control remind me of someone. Even you struggle to use that gun."

"Yeah, yeah, it was just our luck he ran out of ammo," Natan shrugs.

Their conversation is interrupted by a bandit rushing into the tent. "Natan, we've got a problem. The kid is gone!"

"WHAT?"

Harith's Escape

The scene shifts to Harith, running through the woods with his gun in the dark. He doesn't realize he's heading toward the Mist Forest. Hobs checks his back and discovers Harith has taken his gun and used the opportunity to flee.

"Harith, no," Hobs mutters.

"Everyone, I want that kid's head!" Natan orders.

The bandits rush to find Harith, following the trail of blood. Harith, still weak and disoriented, hears footsteps closing in. He stumbles into the woods, his vision blurring and exhaustion overtaking him.

"I'm... tired. Help me," Harith whispers, following a black mist that seems to guide him. The mist leads him into a cave, but it turns out to be a dead end.

"What? No, no, no! You've got to be kidding me," Harith exclaims.

"This is our last chance," a whispering voice says, making Harith uneasy. He turns to see Natan approaching.

"Hahaha, looks like you're dead for real this time, kid."

"Natan... we trusted you," Harith says.

"Ugh, not this word again," Natan replies, shooting Harith in the stomach.

[AARGH!]

Natan walks slowly toward him and begins to choke him. Harith struggles but is too weak to resist. Flashbacks flood his mind.

[Don't die.]

[May your clan bless your journey.]

[We are the parasites of the Aetheria. Who will even remember us?]

[I will.]

[Thank you, Commander.]

[COMMANDER!!!]

As the flashbacks fade, Harith utters his last word, "Coward."

Natan chokes Harith to death and takes his gun, kicking the lifeless body against the wall.

"Harith, no! Harith!" Hobs shouts, punching Natan repeatedly. "Are you out of your mind? He was still a kid!"

"Yeah, so what?" Natan responds smugly.

Enraged, Hobs draws his sword. "You've gone too far this time, Natan. It ends here."

"Oh, come on. Don't pretend to be innocent. It's not like you've never killed anyone," Natan taunts.

Hobs realizes his own sins and decides to fight against what he hates the most. "There's no turning back. ARGH!"

He dashes toward Natan, but Natan blocks with his sword. "Already decided? Whatever. Kill him!" Natan orders the bandits.

The bandits charge at Hobs, who remains calm. "Stupid," he mutters, using his art to create a shockwave that knocks back his attackers.

[SHIING]

Hobs counterattacks, killing several bandits. "Today, it ends here, Natan."

"Hehehe, this is interesting," Natan says, taking out a serum. His body becomes stronger, and they engage in a fierce one-on-one battle. Hobs runs out of luck.

[ARRGH!]

Natan slices Hobs' throat, causing him to bleed profusely. Hobs collapses, looking at Harith's corpse, and thinks, [I'm sorry, Harith.]

Both Hobs and Harith die in the cave. The bandits leave their bodies to rot, unaware that a black creature is watching.

The Creature's Plan

"Ugh, this is not what I planned, but nevermind there still time. The Voidtheris shall wake up from their slumber," the creature mutters, creating three-bladed claws and stabbing the wall. The barrier reacts to the attack.

[THUUNG THUNGGG]

"Huh, just who will this thing alarm? I gotta make this quick," the creature says.

The Temple

Meanwhile, at a distant temple, a sphere begins to crack, but no one notices it yet