Luke and Alden returned to the capital as quickly as they could. The sight of the ruined village and the man with red eyes stayed fresh in Luke's mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something even worse was coming.
When they arrived, the palace was already busy. Messengers ran in and out, carrying news of other demon attacks across the kingdom. The air felt heavy with tension.
The king met them in the throne room. "You've seen it too," he said, his face grim. "The demons are no longer random. They're following a leader."
Luke stepped forward. "A man with red eyes. He was in the village we visited. He said this is just the beginning."
The king nodded. "Our spies have heard the same. This 'red-eyed man' is commanding the demons. He's gathering them for something bigger a full invasion."
Alden spoke next. "We need to act quickly. If we don't, the kingdom won't stand a chance."
The king's expression hardened. "Then it's time to prepare for war."
The War Council
The king summoned his advisors, generals, and knights to a meeting. Luke sat at the table with Alden, listening as the generals argued.
"The demons are attacking from all sides," one said. "Our forces are spread too thin."
"We should protect the capital first," another argued. "If it falls, the kingdom is lost."
Alden slammed his fist on the table. "We can't just defend! If we don't take the fight to them, they'll keep growing stronger."
The room fell silent. Then the king spoke. "Sir Alden is right. We must strike back. But we can't rush into this blindly. We need a plan."
He turned to Luke. "You've already proven yourself as a warrior. I'm sending you and Alden to the western mountains. The demons seem to be gathering there. Find out what they're planning—and stop it if you can."
Luke felt both fear and determination. "I won't let you down, Your Majesty."
A Farewell
Before they left, Luke took a walk through the capital. He thought about his family, his village, and Sophie. He wondered if she was safe in the country where she had gone to study.
He stopped at a blacksmith's shop and watched the smith hammering a sword. The sound reminded him of home. He remembered his father's words: A strong blade can only be made through fire and pressure. The same is true for people.
Luke clenched his fists. He didn't feel ready, but he knew he couldn't give up.
Alden found him near the city gates. "You're thinking too much," the knight said.
Luke smiled faintly. "I just want to be strong enough."
"You're stronger than you realize," Alden replied. "But strength comes from doing, not doubting. Let's go."
The Western Mountains
The journey to the western mountains was long and dangerous. As they climbed higher, the air grew colder and thinner. The mountains were dark and jagged, and every shadow seemed to hide danger.
One night, as they camped near a cliff, Alden woke Luke. "Get up. Something's coming."
Luke grabbed his sword and looked around. The air felt wrong, heavy and cold. Suddenly, a loud screech echoed through the mountains.
Out of the shadows came a pack of demons, their glowing eyes and sharp claws glinting in the moonlight.
"Stay close to me!" Alden shouted, drawing his blade.
The fight was brutal. The demons moved quickly, attacking from all sides. Luke swung his sword, blocking and striking, but they seemed endless.
"Focus!" Alden yelled. "Don't panic!"
Luke took a deep breath, remembering his training. He started to predict the demons' movements, striking them down one by one. Finally, the last demon fell, and silence returned.
Alden wiped his blade and looked at Luke. "You're learning. But we haven't seen the worst yet."
A Dark Discovery
The next day, they reached a hidden valley deep in the mountains. What they saw made Luke's blood run cold.
The valley was filled with demons, more than he could count. At the center stood the man with red eyes, surrounded by strange symbols carved into the ground. He seemed to be chanting, and the air around him shimmered with dark energy.
Alden pulled Luke back behind a rock. "That's him," Alden whispered. "The leader. Whatever he's doing, we need to stop it."
Luke's heart pounded. "How? There are too many of them."
"We need reinforcements," Alden said. "We'll return to the capital and tell the king what we've found."
As they turned to leave, the man with red eyes suddenly stopped chanting. His head snapped up, and his glowing eyes locked onto Luke.
"Run!" Alden shouted, pushing Luke ahead of him.
They ran as fast as they could, the sound of demons chasing them through the mountains. Luke's mind raced. The man with red eyes had seen him and now he knew they were coming.