Only The Light can defeat The Darkness

Eldrida, Border with Nefaria

Fifteen people in white robes galloped their horses towards the cliffs surrounding Eldrida. The horses' mouths were foaming from being driven for several hours.

When they reached the edge of the hill, they saw a black horse and a pair of black-haired men and white-haired women standing beside the horse.

The man stood in front of the woman, the cape of his black jacket fluttering in the wind.

One of the horsemen dismounted, his shoulder-length white hair remained still despite the wind. He was tall and looked very dignified. The other fourteen horsemen also dismounted.

Severus stepped carefully towards the two people. He could feel an immense power coming from the red-eyed young man.

"We don't need to fight. You can hand the girl over to us, and we won't bother you anymore," he said in a loud voice.

The young man just looked at them with a cold gaze, then he drew his sword.

All the mages who were behind Severus, raised their staffs and pointed them at the young man.

Severus raised his left hand, which was not holding the wand, and called out, "Hold still."

"Lady Camelia, your father must miss you very much. I'll take you to him," Severus changed his strategy, he started to persuade Camelia.

Camelia shook her head and hid behind Atherion.

"There is no need for a lot of nonsense. Leave us alone and never disturb us," said Atherion.

Severus gritted his teeth.

"In that case, we will have to act harshly," he lowered his left hand.

The mages behind him immediately cast their spells and from the tips of their staff, colorful rays came out. The rays shot towards Atherion at a very fast speed.

Atherion pushed Camelia back, then he put his sword in front of his chest. When the rays hit his sword, he released his inner strength.

A dazzling white light swallowed the rays. The impact was so strong that it felt like a bomb had exploded around Atherion. Dust and smoke rose, making it hard to see anything. The force of the blast sent debris flying in all directions.

When the dust and smoke began to clear, Atherion's eyes had turned vertical, and he immediately jumped towards the mages who were attacking him.

Severus immediately pointed his staff at Atherion. His staff emitted a white beam that hit Atherion's body.

Atherion fell, but then got up again without a single injury.

"Is this the strength of the head of the Mage Tower?" he said in a mocking tone.

He immediately attacked Severus, who was frantically trying to cast a spell at Atherion. The wind immediately spun violently, lifting Atherion into the air.

Atherion just laughed hoarsely, showing his long canine teeth, and jumped out of the vortex.

He then headed towards Severus' men who had been shooting beams from their staff without injuring him.

His sword flashed, but none of them were injured; only their staff were cut.

He turned back towards Severus as fast as a flash. Severus gasped to find Atherion's face right in front of him. Atherion chuckled, grabbed Severus' forehead, then released his inner strength, making Severus faint on the spot.

Atherion then stepped towards Camelia, then turned his head to the trembling mages and said, "You are lucky, Camelia asked me not to kill you."

He whistled, and Storm came, carrying Camelia on his back. Then Atherion jumped to sit behind Camelia, and spoke a word in a very strange language, "Zhra'khor, shaynara!"

Then from Storm's body, a pair of bat-like wings emerged. They immediately flew over the high cliff, leaving Eldrida behind.

***

Storm's transformation made Camelia's jaw drop. She never thought that Atherion's loyal horse could also change form.

"Cool!" she laughed.

In astonishment, Atherion asked, "You really aren't afraid of us?"

Camelia said with a laugh, "Not at all. You two are cool."

Seeing Camelia like that, Atherion had difficulty holding back his desire to kiss Camelia's blushing cheek.

Suddenly, a strong cold snowy wind ambushed them.

Camelia immediately shivered, and Atherion hugged her. 

Storm descended slowly and landed in deep snow. His wings disappeared like mist, and he walked away, carrying Camelia and Atherion on his back.

"I-it's so cold," Camelia whispered in Atherion's arms.

"Nefaria is like this," said Atherion. Even though Camelia had worn thick clothes before they crossed this cliff, she was still cold.

Atherion took a blanket from his bag and wrapped it around Camelia. Then he hugged her.

"How can people grow crops or raise livestock in this cold weather," Camelia muttered.

"They don't need to. Decades ago, the Nefaria Kingdom was called Malakar, and the place was very fertile, like other countries such as Eldrida, Calonia, and Valthoria. However, since Queen Nefaria took over, this country suddenly changed to what it is today," explained Atherion.

"How come?" Camelia asked, confused.

Atherion hugged Camelia tighter and answered, "Because Queen Nefaria is a demon, and the humans of Malakar are prey to her troops. So, there are no more humans in Malakar."

Camelia raised her head, and looked into Atherion's eyes, "Demon? So you will fight demons?"

Atherion nodded.

"Queen Nefaria is very strong. So maybe I could lose. She is one of the eight Demon Lords in this world," said Atherion.

Camelia quickly grabbed Atherion by the collar, causing the blanket to fall from her shoulders.

"You can't fight her then." Camelia said with a serious expression.

Atherion chuckled. Camelia's face was so cute with that expression.

"Stay calm. In the prophecy, a Darkness would not be defeated by a lowly demon lord like her."

"Are you sure you're that strong?" asked Camelia.

"I don't know. The power within me seems limitless. I don't know how far it will develop," answered Atherion.

Camelia sullenly rested her head on Atherion's chest. Atherion pulled the blanket back and covered Camelia's body.

They walked slowly through the snowy field. Camelia began to fall asleep in Atherion's arms.

"Only The Light can defeat The Darkness," whispered Atherion.