Before leaving the royal palace, he encountered one of the four knights, who was Adrian, a man with dark hair and sharp eyes that reflected an unwavering determination. Adrian spoke first in a calm yet stern voice, "Where are you going at this hour?"
The atmosphere was filled with the cold night breeze, while the silvery moonlight cast pale shadows over the towering walls of the palace. The murmurs of the other knights and the sound of horse hooves filled the courtyard, adding an air of tense anticipation.
Falcon proceeded with steady steps without uttering a word, but Adrian's voice stopped him abruptly. In a tone calm yet full of confidence, he said, "Falcon, you are not alone, and it was not your fault back then. So, wipe that worried look off your face."
Falcon paused for a moment, feeling an unexpected pulse course through his chest. He turned slowly, his eyes glistening with a mix of confusion and hope, as though Adrian's words had touched something deep within him. Adrian caught that fleeting moment on his companion's face before Falcon resumed his path in silence, leaving behind a sense that the journey ahead would be more significant than imagined.
Falcon entered the enchanted Maze of Shadows, surrounded by a thick fog that coiled around him like invisible arms. Upon entering, he found scattered bodies of soldiers and defeated beasts, their faces frozen in expressions of terror and shock. He ran quickly, his heart pounding with deep concern for his friend, whom he hadn't heard from in a while.
As he neared the heart of the maze, he saw a terrifying scene: a colossal dragon of the disaster class, with glowing black scales and eyes blazing with fury, poised to strike. Before it stood a girl with tangled pink hair and fear-filled eyes, protected by the last soldier standing, who showed bravery despite his severe wounds.
Falcon gasped as he stared at the dragon, sensing an aura of lethal intent emanating from him. The dragon focused all its senses on Falcon, noticing that he had drawn attention away from the girl and the soldier. Falcon began to move toward the dragon, unsheathing his sword while muttering incantations. The blade of his sword changed color, and the inscriptions on it began to glow as it turned white, channeling Falcon's ice magic to save the girl and the last soldier. He raised his right hand, and the dragon exhaled flames—black in color. Falcon swiftly shifted from offense to defense, blocking the flames.
Falcon shouted, "What are you doing? Take the girl and leave here!" The soldier hesitated and tried to move the girl but was hindered by his injuries. The dragon looked at Falcon and spoke into his mind, "You dare worry about others while facing me, you pathetic creature?" Falcon was stunned but paid little attention, continuing to advance toward the dragon.
The dragon glared at Falcon, who vanished from its sight and reappeared beneath it, right in front of its arm. With a swift move, Falcon severed the dragon's arm. The dragon roared, and Falcon returned to his spot, saying, "How does it feel to lose an arm to a pathetic creature?"
... End of Chapter 2.