The next thing everyone knew, the battle was over. The aftermath of the overwhelming, one-sided match was engulfed in silence. All the witnesses eyes were focused on the person floating in the air—defeating the enemy without even breaking a sweat.
"He has finally returned!" screamed some of the citizens of the kingdom. Their voices, just like their eyes, were filled with happiness upon seeing their savior in flesh.
"Zero returned! The new hero!" screamed the people.
"The new hero?" Zero's voice echoed, filled with malice and arrogance. "I am no hero. I will never be one. I won't waste my time saving weaklings who can't even dare to fend for themselves!"
"Hail Zero!" screamed the people, their huge smiles showing on their faces.
"You all are nothing but ants in my eyes—be gone or I'll turn you into ashes!" Zero screamed with a sinister tone.
"Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!" The people screamed, ignoring his threat.
"Zero is finally here! Our savior!" Out of the crowd, Finel came out, holding Ilya's hand.
On the other hand, Hyuna stared at the scenery with confusion in her face. "Uhm... what is happening? Did I just discover that the people of Satirica are bunches of fanatics?"
"I heard that Zero is the most feared member of the hero's party. But it seems people love him," Vahili said, her eyes shivering as she marveled at the event unfolding in front of her.
"They say that the ones who only fear Zero are the ones who will face him—the ones who will face his bad side." Mikaela answered both of their questions. "But the ones watching in his back, behind his protection, will only see him as a fully pledged hero. It just that... The ones who feared him are louder than the ones who love him."
"Those who try to sway him—those who will stand against his intentions—those who are leading the others, for better or for worse—and those who will bring devastation onto others—those are the ones who fear Zero," Hyuna concluded, and she nodded. "Too bad, I fit some of those criteria. It seems I'm going to live the rest of my life with fear of Zero's wrath."
"There's a good reason why most kings fear him so much," Vahili commented with a smile.
"Now, now, stop talking already," Mikaela said. "Zero is about to make another overly dramatic speech."
"You really know him a lot, huh, Lady Mikaela?" Hyuna chuckled.
"Look at you, pitiful humans, at the brink of complete annihilation again—powerless and helpless. Pathetic. What a bunch of weaklings," Zero said, slowly raising his hands. "Another lowly fool is trying to dominate this world, my world. They haven't learned, haven't they?"
"Black Hole."
A massive black sphere appeared in the sky, making the entire scenery pure black and devouring all the lights coming from the full moon.
"This is my message to all the lowly inhabitants of this kingdom; spread my words... I, the legendary battle mage, Zero..." Zero's voice echoing throughout the place, powerful wind gushing in every direction. "Has returned, and I am in an awful thirst for the blood of anyone foolish enough to challenge me."
The black hole turned more massive, enveloping the entire area.
"And this is my message for the Heralds." The black hole pulsed. "You don't need to look for me. Because I am coming for you, and I will destroy you all."
An explosion occurred, and the roaring sound of Zero's power echoed throughout the kingdom. Everyone who heard it knew what it was—a declaration of war. Zero had finally taken the mantle and was now on his way to destroy the Heralds.
When the pitch-black surroundings returned to normal, Zero was no longer there. However, the smiles on the people's faces didn't falter; instead, they intensified—they raised their hands and jumped as they shouted in synchronicity; they were cheering for their savior.
In the midst of the cheering crowd, Killian rushed towards Ilya and Finel, who were currently celebrating with the other people.
"Ilya, Finel!" Killian called.
Immediately, Finel and Ilya looked in his direction. Finel, without hesitation, rushed towards Killian and hugged him, to which he responded by hugging back. On the other hand, Ilya stood a meter away from them; she was watching Killian with teary eyes.
"Ilya?" Killian asked with a gentle tone.
"Where have you been? You just disappeared!" Ilya couldn't hide her frustration.
"Yeah, I am sorry about that," Killian said, scratching the back of his head.
Ilya hid her teary eyes by looking down. "Not that I care or anything..."
Killian chuckled. "Come here."
Ilya rushed towards Killian and hugged him tightly, then Finel joined them. The three of them hugged together.
"Would you look at that. Vahili, look who's familiar face I just found here." Hyuna's voice sounded as she revealed herself from the crowd. She had a smile while watching the three, but her eyebrows were furrowing.
Vahili followed after her big sister and showed a face of surprise upon seeing what Hyuna was referring to. "Killian."
Ilya and Finel immediately looked in Hyuna and Vahili's direction. The two princesses crossed their arms, their eyes looking at Killian from head to toe.
Killian smiled and raised his hand for a greeting. "Yo."
"Uhm. You know each other?" Finel asked.
"The word 'know' is an understatement," Hyuna answered, a mischievous smile on her face.
"It seems you already found new companies with you. I mean, that should be expected of your caliber," Vahili said with amusement in her eyes.
"Vahili and Hyuna, we need to get back to the castle now. We need to report this immediately," Mikaela said as she approached them. "Is there a problem here?"
"Nothing, Lady Mikaela. We can go now," Hyuna said, returning her gaze to Killian. "We will meet again soon, Killian. And I mean it." She turned her knowing eyes to Vahili. "Right, sister?"
Vahili smiled. "Of course. No more escaping now."
Vahili and Hyuna walked away, meaningfully looking at each other with smiles on their faces. Leaving Ilya and Finel looking at each other with confusion, and Killian just silently giving his thanks to Mikaela, who saved him this time.
"I'll be going now, ladies, and..." Mikaela darted her eyes to Killian.
"Killian Ashler, Lady Mikaela," Killian said, acting like they didn't know each other.
Mikaela teasingly smiled. "Killian, those are two quite lovely ladies with you."
"Right, sure," Killian replied, then laughed.
Both Finel and Ilya stared at each other and laughed as well. Mikaela walked away, leaving the three behind.
Killian turned his back and walked out. "Ladies, let's go home."