The road back to the Sapher household was quiet, filled with a mixture of nostalgia and unspoken words. The Raven Squad—Colerio Sapher, Damian Gothich, Darkin Vlen, Darius Borne, and Elara Moon—was finally reunited after so long. Each of them had walked their own paths, but now, they were heading back to where it all began.
The mansion loomed in the distance, its silhouette framed by the setting sun. It was once a place of warmth and family for Colerio, but now it felt like a reminder of the burdens he carried. His younger brother, Ron Sapher, now lord of the household, was waiting for him alongside the students who had been caught up in this whole mess.
Darius broke the silence with a grin. "Captain... It's been a while since all of us were together like this." he said, his voice carrying a note of bittersweet joy.
Colerio glanced over at him, his face as impassive as ever. But there was something beneath that cold exterior—something warmer, more human, even if it was buried deep. "Yeah, you're right." Colerio said, his eyes scanning the faces of his comrades. These were the people who had fought beside him, suffered with him, and shared victories and losses. There was comfort in that familiarity, even if he wouldn't admit it outright.
"We're almost there," Colerio added, shifting his gaze forward as the mansion drew closer.
Darkin Vlen, walking beside them, seemed more at ease now. "It feels strange to be heading back," he said quietly, his voice tinged with emotion. "But it's good to be back with all of you."
Damian gave a curt nod, his sharp eyes always scanning for threats. "Strange, maybe. But it's where we're needed."
Elara, who had always been the quietest among them, added in her usual calm tone, "Doesn't matter. As long as we have each other... after all we're stronger together."
As they approached the gates of the Sapher mansion, memories of their past missions and the bond they shared came flooding back. They were different now—hardened, more experienced, but also more burdened by the weight of their choices.
This was more than just a reunion. It was a return to the place where their stories had diverged, and now, where they would converge again. There were new threats to face, new battles to fight. But for now, as they stood together once more, it felt like a piece of what they had lost had finally been restored.
The Raven Squad was back. And whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
.........
Meanwhile Aro Lupe, the renowned magic teacher known for his unparalleled skills in both offensive and defensive combat magic, arrived back at Magux Academy only to be greeted by a horrifying scene. The academy, once filled with the vibrant energy of eager students, was now a battlefield littered with lifeless bodies. Teachers and students alike lay sprawled on the ground, blood staining the halls where laughter and learning used to echo. The stench of death hung heavy in the air.
Aro's heart raced as he took in the gruesome sight. His hands balled into fists, his fury barely contained. How could this happen in a place meant to nurture and protect?
Then, among the carnage, Aro spotted him—Ash Minse. Once the academy's beloved martial arts instructor, known for his warm smiles and encouraging words, Ash now stood like a twisted specter, a shadow of the man he once was. The same cheerful face remained, but it was now contorted in madness, eyes gleaming with sadistic joy. Blood dripped from his hands, and a wicked grin stretched across his face as he mercilessly cut down another pleading student.
"Ash!!!" Aro's voice thundered through the academy, filled with both anger and disbelief. He couldn't reconcile the image of this butcher with the kind-hearted teacher he once knew.
Ash slowly turned to face Aro, still holding the lifeless body of the student he had just slain. "It looks like you finally made it here." Ash said, his voice carrying a twisted amusement.
"You bastard! Explain this to me!" Aro's voice shook with rage as he stepped forward, his magic flaring around him, ready to be unleashed.
Ash let out a soft sigh, then suddenly burst into manic laughter, clutching his belly as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. The sound echoed hauntingly through the blood-soaked corridors.
Aro's eyes narrowed. "What's so funny, you lunatic?" he snapped, his patience wearing thin.
Ash struggled to stifle his laughter, wiping away tears as he straightened up. "Oh, sorry, sorry," he said, barely containing his mirth. "It's just… the irony of it all. You really think I was just that friendly teacher everyone loved?"
Aro's glare intensified. "What did you do?"
Ash's grin widened, but his eyes darkened, the playful facade dropping as he took on a more sinister tone. "You see, I had planned to play the part a little longer—be the kind, supportive mentor everyone admires. But I realized… we don't have time for some merely play anymore. So, I sped things up." He glanced around at the dead bodies with indifference. "These students, these teachers—they're just offerings. A gift for him."
"What? Explain yourself, you maniac! Who are you talking about?" Aro demanded, his voice now tinged with both confusion and dread.
Ash met Aro's gaze, his eyes now devoid of the warmth they once held. "Lord Athos," he whispered, almost reverently. "The one who will reshape this world. He needs vitality, power, and what better way to give it than by sacrificing those with the greatest potential? They were all doomed the moment they stepped into this academy."
Aro's stomach churned as he realized the depths of Ash's betrayal. The man he once called a colleague was now a monster, driven by some twisted devotion to a greater evil. This was no longer the man he once knew—this was a fanatic willing to slaughter innocents for the sake of power.
"You've lost your mind, Ash." Aro's voice was laced with grief. "You're nothing but a monster!!!"
Ash shrugged nonchalantly. "Call it what you want. But it's too late to save them, Aro. You're next."
Aro's eyes blazed with determination. "I won't let you get away with this!" With that, he prepared to unleash his full power, ready to put an end to the monster that Ash Minse had become.
........
In the grand hall of King Rex Sugan, the air was thick with tension. The king, a stern yet charismatic figure with a commanding presence, sat upon his gilded throne. His steely eyes locked onto Marvus Borne, his fourth vassal, a man known for his strategic brilliance. At fifty years old, Marvus was a veteran of many battles, his sharp mind honed through years of leading troops against the ever-persistent Beastfolk threat.
King Rex's voice boomed with authority as he addressed his trusted vassal. "How's the situation, Marvus?"
Marvus, clad in a dignified military uniform that bore the scars of countless campaigns, bowed respectfully before responding. "As you can see, Your Majesty, Miss Rowena Lomius, our esteemed first vassal, continues to lead us to victory. Her prowess on the battlefield is unmatched—many of Beastfolk have fallen by her hand. Her power alone has turned the tide in our favor."
The king's lips curled into a satisfied smile, and a deep, resonant laugh echoed through the hall. "Good, good. It pleases me to hear that. Rowena's strength has always been a great asset to our kingdom."
As the two men continued discussing the ongoing war, the large oak doors of the hall swung open with a creak, interrupting their conversation. Jono Spera entered the room, his presence commanding attention. At forty-two, Jono was the living embodiment of hope and adventure, traits inherited from his legendary ancestor, also named Jono. Though his magical affinity, rated at three, was slightly weaker than Rowena's, his reputation for courage and quick thinking made him one of King Rex's trusted vassals.
King Rex turned his gaze toward the door. "Jono, you've arrived." he said, his tone carrying a note of
expectation.
Jono bowed deeply, his dark cloak brushing the floor. "Your Majesty."
With a wave of his hand, King Rex signaled Jono to rise. "Speak. What news do you bring?"
Jono straightened himself, his expression serious. "I have something urgent to report."
King Rex exchanged a glance with Marvus, both sensing the gravity in Jono's voice. "Go on." the king urged.
Jono took a step forward. "Rowena Lomius has informed me of a new threat—a monster, unlike any we've faced before."
King Rex's eyes narrowed. "A monster? What kind of monster?"
Jono's brow furrowed as he recalled Rowena's report. "She believes it bears a resemblance to Aurathos—the first calamity."
The name sent a chill through the room. Marvus's face twisted in disbelief as he scoffed. "That's preposterous! Aurathos is nothing more than a myth, a legend to frighten children. It can't be the same."
Jono held firm, his eyes meeting Marvus's. "I thought the same, but Rowena is convinced. She says the aura this creature emanates, its sheer presence… it's far too similar to be mere coincidence."
King Rex leaned back in his throne, deep in thought. The legend of Aurathos was ancient, a tale of a beast so powerful that its very existence threatened the world. It was said that only through the combined strength of the greatest heroes of old was the calamity demise. If something similar had emerged, it could spell disaster.
......
The towering gates of the Sapher household creaked open as Colerio and his Raven Squad approached. The servants, who had been eagerly awaiting their return, hurriedly bowed and ushered them in. The grandeur of the manor loomed ahead, its stone walls a testament to the family's long-standing power and influence.
Colerio, a stoic figure in his dark combat attire, glanced at his teammates—Damian Gothich, Darkin Vlen, Darius Borne, and Elara Moon—giving a slight nod. "Let's go." he commanded, his voice firm and steady.
In unison, they responded, "Yes, sir."
As they pushed open the heavy doors of the mansion, Colerio was greeted by familiar faces—ones he hadn't expected to see here. Petra Haws and Lerona Everdale stood in the main hall. Petra, a knowledgeable teacher well-versed in history and magic, and Lerona, a knight instructor known for her unyielding spirit, both wore expressions of unease. Lerona's arm was bandaged, evidence of recent injuries.
Colerio's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Petra Haws and Lerona Everdale? What are you two doing here?"
Petra's usually calm demeanor was laced with tension. "Colerio…"
Lerona, wincing as she held her side, nodded in acknowledgment. "Colerio."
The Raven Squad exchanged puzzled glances. Elara, a quick-witted strategist, voiced what everyone was thinking. "What's going on, Captain? Why are they here?"
Ignoring Elara's question for the moment, Colerio focused on the two unexpected guests. "What's happening? Did you come here to hunt me?"
Petra quickly shook her head, panic flashing across her face. "No, no! We're not here to hunt you. It's not like that…"
Before she could finish, another voice cut in from behind. "I invited them here, Brother."
Colerio turned to see his younger brother, Ron Sapher, entering the hall. Walking beside Ron was Bale Lomius, one of Colerio's most promising students. Both had serious expressions, heightening the tension in the room.
Colerio's tone was laced with suspicion. "Ron, what's going on? Why did you bring them here?"
Ron stepped forward, his gaze steady. "Ladies, I think my brother deserves an explanation."
Petra and Lerona exchanged nervous glances before Petra spoke up. "Colerio, it's about Ash Minse… he—"
Before she could continue, Lerona interrupted, her voice trembling. "Ash Minse betrayed us. He's no longer the man we knew. He's slaughtered students and teachers at the Magux Academy. It's a massacre."
Colerio looked shocked, his usual stoic expression cracking as disbelief flooded his eyes. He took a step closer, his voice tense with confusion. "What do you mean, Ash has slaughtered students?"
The room fell into a stunned silence. Colerio's expression darkened as the gravity of their words sank in. Ash Minse—a beloved figure in the academy—was now a murderer? It was unthinkable, yet the looks on Petra and Lerona's faces told him that they were telling the truth.
To be continue