Two millennia ago, the world was engulfed in chaos, a tempest of conflict known as the Last Holy War. The races that once thrived in harmony turned against one another, driven by hatred and a desperate thirst for power. They clashed on battlefields soaking in their enemies blood, each believing their own race to be the rightful heirs to the world.
In this maelstrom of conflict, the accumulated negative emotions awakened forces that should not have been awaken, remained deep in slumber. Yvraath, the Dragon God, emerged from his ancient rest. With scales that shimmered like the night sky and eyes glowing seeking for ruin.
Yvraath, the very personification of destruction. Like the god of death, he would tear apart all who are brave enough to dare stand in his way.
Yet amid this darkness, a flicker of hope began to emerge. The collective yearning for peace ignited the rise of a hero—one who would strive to end the wars that had ravaged the land for so long. This hero would shatter the chains of ambition and cry out for a return to harmony.
It was at this critical juncture that these two extremes met.
As Yvraath descended from the darkened sky, his massive wings cast ominous shadows over the battlefield, causing the earth to tremble beneath him. His roar reverberated through the hearts of all who heard it, striking fear into even the bravest of warriors. Amidst the chaos, armies halted, weapons trembling in hand, eyes wide with terror at the sight of the Dragon God. But one young man remained undaunted, his resolute gaze locked onto Yvraath's.
The two engaged in battle for seven days and seven nights. Exchanging blow after blow, until one was defeated.
For the first time in its long existence, Yvraath faced an opponent who could match its strength for such an extended period. The dragon reveled in the challenge, the battle it had long sought now unfolding before it. Yet every conflict must come to an end, and with their final clash, the fate of the world hung in the balance.
Yvraath unleashed his most powerful breath attack, a torrent of destruction that met the hero's radiant light.
The collision was cataclysmic, creating an explosion that rivaled the force of a nuclear bomb. The shockwave decimated the surrounding area, annihilating everything caught in its path, leaving nothing but silence and ruin in its wake—except for the Dragon God himself, who stood relatively unharmed amidst its battle against the hero. He truly deserved the title of the strongest.
The ground trembled, the air crackled with residual energy, and a thick cloud of dust and debris obscured the battlefield. As the dust settled, those who were lucky enough to survive the brunt of the massive explosion, watched in awe and terror, their hearts pounding with uncertainty.
In that moment, the very essence of their conflict hung in the balance. What have been they fighting for? What do they sacrifice their lives for? Was it for themselves? What was it again? No one can tell.But in that day, all wars had ended.
…
In the darkness of the night sky, something is blocking the view of the stars. Its sized, around one hundred meters from its head to the tip of its tail, gliding ever slowly. Its massive body, looked as if a black patch, a tear in the sky. Its eyes lock onto the two beast below its huge body. Its roar, incomparable to everything, transcending all earthly echoes, reverberating through the very marrow of the onlookers.
It roared once again, but this time the sound was different—more resonant, charged with palpable energy. As its chest glowed a deep, dark green, it was clear that the creature was preparing for a devastating attack, its very essence crackling with power. The air thickened with anticipation, and the battlefield seemed to hold its breath.
Below, the two beasts responded in kind. The minotaur's massive form shimmered as a golden hue enveloped it, arcs of golden lightning wrapping around its powerful body like a living tapestry of energy. Each pulse of light synchronized with the rhythm of its heart, radiating strength and determination, a clear indication that it was ready to unleash its own formidable power.
At the same time, the giant deer began to glow more intensely, an ethereal light radiating from its majestic antlers. Ice and flame swirled at its sides, the two elemental forces coiling around one another in a breathtaking display of magic. As they danced together, they slowly began to merge, forming a completely different attack—an intricate fusion of chill and heat that promised devastation.
The atmosphere crackled with energy as the three titanic beings prepared to unleash their might. The minotaur, with its golden lightning, stood resolute, while the deer, embodying the balance of ice and fire, focused its energy. Above, the creature's dark green glow intensified, signaling that the climax of their confrontation was at hand. The battlefield was charged with an electric tension, each participant poised on the edge of unleashing chaos, a maelstrom of destruction
…
Kazumi ran with every ounce of strength she had left, each stride taking her farther from the chaos and closer to safety. The initial thrill she had felt witnessing the battle between the minotaur and the giant deer was obliterated by the overwhelming fear of death as she caught sight of the massive dragon above.
Finally, she stopped to catch her breath, her lungs burning from exertion. She had been running for more than five minutes, her bag heavy with the few supplies she's carrying.
"I should be fine here," she murmured to herself, trying to calm the racing of her heart.
But just as she took a moment to collect herself, a massive shockwave rippled through the air. It hit her like a freight train, hurling her body through the air as if she were a mere rag doll. Her vision blurred, and pain shot through her limbs as she landed hard on the ground, aching all over as though she had been struck by a speeding truck. Blood oozing from her mouth and nose, evidence of a raptured organ.
The shockwave wasn't just confined to her; the entire surrounding area was caught in its violent grasp. Trees were uprooted from their roots, flying through the air like splinters, while boulders tumbled and crashed as if they were mere toys tossed in a child's playroom. The ground quaked beneath her, and the air crackled with a fierce energy that threatened to consume everything in its path.
While still conscious, Kazumi tried to stand, but pain shot through her body, a cruel reminder that most of her bones were likely broken from the impact. It was a miracle she was even awake after such devastation.
In her mind, a single thought played on repeat: 'I'm going to die'. The realization clawed at her, a dark shadow that threatened to swallow her whole. She fought against the urge to close her eyes, desperate to stave off the encroaching darkness, for she understood that the moment her consciousness faded was the moment she would be lost forever.
The fear of slipping away, never to wake up again, gripped her heart with icy fingers. She took a ragged breath, each inhalation a struggle against the pain that threatened to drown her in despair.
'I don't want to die… I don't want to die… I don't want to die…' The words echoed in her mind, a desperate plea against the encroaching darkness. Yet, no matter how many times she repeated it, she felt the weight of her reality bearing down on her. Fate was a relentless tide, and she could sense it pulling her under.
Her eyelids began to droop, heavy with exhaustion and pain. Each blink felt like a battle, and her blurry vision was further clouded by tears she couldn't even wipe away. The world around her shifted and blurred, shapes and colors bleeding together in a surreal haze.
Dread curled in her stomach as her eyes began to shut, plunging her world into complete blackness. This was the moment she had feared ever since that night in the cave—the moment she felt she would never escape.
'This is it, I guess,' she thought, her mind resigning to the cruel fate that loomed before her.
But a silhouette of a person intruded on her clouded vision. Was it a man or a woman? She didn't know.
"So it's that time again."
The last thing Kazumi heard before the darkness claimed her consciousness.