Chapter 121: A Mysterious Warning
Scene: After completing their training of the recruits in the East Holy Nation, the heroes have returned to the South Nation. They sit together in the peaceful village of Elaria, enjoying a much-needed break. The atmosphere is calm, with the sound of birds chirping and the smell of freshly cooked food wafting through the air.
Narrator: The heroes of the South Nation—Eren, Rylan, Aria, and Asher—are finally able to enjoy some peace after weeks of training the new recruits. But amid the tranquility of the village, a strange question lingers in Rylan's mind, one that has been bothering him since their last training session.
The group sits around a wooden table outside Eren's family home, sharing a meal and reminiscing about their time spent training the recruits. Eren seems especially relaxed, his usual intense expression softened by the calmness of the village. But Rylan, seated across from him, notices something he can no longer ignore.
Rylan: (curious) Eren… I've been meaning to ask you something. Back when we were training the recruits, I noticed your mana. It was… different. Not yellow, but red. Why is that?
Eren, mid-bite, pauses. He looks at Rylan, surprised by the observation. He raises his hand, letting his mana flow into his palm. To his shock, the familiar yellow glow is gone, replaced by a fiery red.
Eren: (surprised) Red? How did I not notice this?
Eren examines the red mana swirling in his hand, his brow furrowing in concentration as he tries to understand the change. Asher and Aria look over, equally curious.
Asher: (seriously) Could it have something to do with your High Elf transformation?
Eren lowers his hand and leans back in his chair, deep in thought. His High Elf form, unlocked during the battle with Zarek, was unlike anything he had experienced before. The raw power, the altered physical form—it had felt like a different version of himself.
Eren: (thoughtfully) It must be. That transformation… it changed something inside me. My mana isn't just stronger—it's different now. Red instead of yellow.
Rylan nods, satisfied that the mystery has been solved. But he offers Eren a small smile of reassurance.
Rylan: (grinning) At least it's more powerful. Good thing I noticed. Who knows how long you would've gone without realizing.
Eren: (chuckling) Yeah, thanks for that. I'll need to get used to this new mana, but I think I can handle it.
Narrator: As the group laughs and relaxes, a sense of peace washes over them. But the quiet is shattered when, out of nowhere, a figure cloaked in shadow appears before them—seemingly materializing from thin air.
The cloaked figure, his face hidden in shadow, stands still as the heroes jump to their feet in alarm. Eren's hand immediately glows red with mana, and Rylan reacts just as fast, his Black Arrow ready to fire.
Eren: (demanding) Who are you?
Before the cloaked figure can answer, Eren fires a Mana Burst, while Rylan releases his Black Arrow. Both attacks shoot toward the figure with incredible speed, but the figure moves faster, dodging with inhuman precision. He lands silently a few feet away, untouched.
The heroes stand on guard, their eyes locked on the stranger, waiting for an explanation. The figure speaks, his voice low and echoing with an eerie calmness.
Cloaked Figure: (calmly) I didn't come to fight. I came to warn you.
Eren narrows his eyes, lowering his hand but still ready to react. Rylan keeps his bow drawn, but there's curiosity in his expression now.
Eren: (seriously) A warning? About what?
The figure's head tilts slightly, his cloak shifting as he speaks.
Cloaked Figure: (grimly) A threat is coming—one far beyond the borders of the Four Great Nations. A civilization of dark entities known as The Aquarians. They are destroying lands far beyond your reach, outside of the safety of these nations. Soon, they will come here.
The heroes exchange uneasy glances, the gravity of the stranger's words sinking in. Eren steps forward, his tone urgent.
Eren: (demanding) Who are you? And why should we believe anything you say?
The cloaked figure remains silent for a moment, as if considering whether to reveal more. Finally, he speaks, but offers no name.
Cloaked Figure: (mysterious) My name is not important. What matters is that you prepare. The Aquarians are unlike any enemy you've faced before. If you want answers—if you want to stop them—you'll need to find me.
The figure takes a step back, his cloak billowing slightly in the wind.
Cloaked Figure: (calmly) You'll find me in a land called Zisteria, across the world, beyond the South Nation. Only then will you understand the true threat.
With that, the figure vanishes, fading into thin air just as he had appeared. Eren and Rylan stand frozen, trying to process what they just heard.
Narrator: The stranger's sudden warning leaves the heroes shaken. The Aquarians, an unknown enemy, threaten not just their land but the world beyond the Four Great Nations. Eren and Rylan, filled with a mix of curiosity and concern, waste no time—they must inform King Thalanor of what has just happened.
Without hesitation, Eren and Rylan rush to the South Nation's castle, their minds racing with questions. They reach the throne room, where King Thalanor sits with his advisors, discussing routine matters of state.
Eren and Rylan enter, their faces serious, and Thalanor immediately notices their urgency.
King Thalanor: (concerned) What is it? What's happened?
Eren steps forward, his voice steady but filled with concern.
Eren: (seriously) A cloaked figure appeared in the village. He warned us about a civilization of dark entities called the Aquarians—he said they're destroying lands beyond the Four Great Nations. And they're coming here.
The room falls into a tense silence as the gravity of the news sinks in. Thalanor's expression darkens, his hand gripping the armrest of his throne.
King Thalanor: (grimly) The Aquarians… and you said this figure didn't reveal his name?
Rylan: (shaking his head) No, but he told us to find him in a place called Zisteria, on another continent. He said we'll find answers there.
Narrator: The urgency of the situation is clear. King Thalanor, understanding the potential threat, moves swiftly. He must gather his allies, for this is not a threat they can face alone.
King Thalanor rises from his throne, issuing orders with calm authority.
King Thalanor: (firmly) This is too important to ignore. Eren, Rylan—thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll send for Commander Elara immediately. She must pause the recruits' training and return to the castle.
The King turns to a nearby scout, his voice sharp and direct.
King Thalanor: (commanding) Go to Commander Elara. Tell her to come to the castle without delay.
The scout bows and rushes off to deliver the message. Thalanor's gaze then turns northward, his expression hardening.
King Thalanor: (seriously) I'll send another scout to the North Nation. King Ragnar must join us for this meeting. We'll need his counsel and strength.
Narrator: The chapter draws to a close as King Thalanor sets his plan in motion. Commander Elara will return from the recruits' training, and King Ragnar will be summoned to the South Nation. The threat of the Aquarians looms over the Four Great Nations, and the heroes, along with their leaders, must now prepare for whatever lies ahead.
The final scene shows the South Nation's scouts riding out—one heading to the outskirts to retrieve Commander Elara, and the other northward, bound for King Ragnar's court. In the castle, King Thalanor, Eren, and Rylan stand ready, awaiting the meeting that will decide the fate of their world.