In the hall, the group of students looked around, confused, not knowing what had happened or where they were at that moment. The queen, noticing their confusion, rose from her throne and approached them, intending to clarify their doubts.
"This world needs your help," she explained, almost pleading. "Lucifer wants to invade it, to rule and corrupt it with his infernal evil."
***
The city was drowning in panic. Rubble, blood, and horror painted the city that was once clean and pure. Every step the titan-sized monster took made the nightmare even darker.
***
The students, now paying attention to the queen's words, felt as if they were in a dream, something unreal that would fade as soon as they woke up.
"Since the ancient times of civilization, Lucifer has tried to corrupt our world."
The queen observed the group intently as she delivered her speech.
"Since then, God has helped us by bringing forth defenders blessed by His divine grace. Many legendary warriors from your world have protected us with their courage."
***
Amid a white sea of snow that beautifully blanketed the forests of the mountain, the sound of footsteps echoed in the vast silence. A large man with red hair and beard walked, draped in garments made of fur. His stride halted before a strange sight.
"Hmm?" he murmured, confused.
Before him lay the body of an unconscious boy, perhaps dead, sprawled in a pool of blood that stained the snow red, a grim testament to recent violence.
***
Winter, though necessary, turned mountains like this into hostile places, where survival became a true challenge. Against the relentless assault of the cruel, icy cold, Bjorn and I found refuge in the cozy warmth emanating from the fire.
"Bjorn," I said, catching his attention, "I always wonder… why did you take me in? I know you said you could use the help, but I can't shake the feeling there's more to it."
Bjorn looked into my eyes with confidence, and a smile spread across his face. He and I had spent enough time together that this man felt like a father to me.
"The truth is… every time I look at you, I can't help but see my brother in you."
***
The snowstorm raged with greater ferocity than usual, but at this moment, that hardly seemed to matter. Before me, large and in all its glory, the bear had appeared. Its fur was black as night, its eyes red, and a great scar ran across its back.
In the face of its immense presence, I slowly unsheathed my sword, but instead of pointing it at the beast, I drove it into the ground with a swift and smooth motion.
"In this battle, I'll use my sword only to finish it," I explained, fully aware the bear couldn't understand my words. "My body alone will be enough to defeat you."
Though it couldn't comprehend human language, the bear, now standing on its hind legs, seemed to grasp my intent.
"ROAR!"
***
The galloping of my horse alongside the burning inferno was the only thing my panicked mind could process as I sped through the village streets.
Corpses of the sick littered the ground in horrific scenes, but my thoughts were focused on one person.
***
A gigantic creature made of mist roared with a terrifying bellow. From its body emanated a sinister gaseous fog that began to envelop the entire city.
***
The cave echoed with the sound of my footsteps. Before me lay mountains of gold, jewels, and all sorts of treasures. A movement on the ceiling caught my attention. There, a figure crawled along the wall with an unsettling presence.
Large and serpentine in form, its scales were brown, and its wings were sinister. Its eyes bore into me with ferocious hostility.
***
I couldn't shake my confusion. I looked at the forests around me, disoriented, as my mind lingered in a state between consciousness and subconsciousness. With curiosity and surprise, I noticed a glow appearing on the path. Slowly, a strange procession drew near.
A large number of spirits walked, carrying various religious instruments and chanting eerie prayers as they passed. At the front, carrying a banner, walked a living man with vacant eyes.
I didn't dare move a muscle as the spirits passed before me, carrying out their procession.
***
With anger, I tightened my grip on my sword's hilt, my teeth clenched in fury as I refused to take my eyes off him. The repugnant creature, with a mocking expression on its face, began to walk toward me.
An abomination, a being somewhere between human and sheep, dressed in an elegant white suit and hat. With every step it took, the plants withered in its presence.
***
"ROOOOOOOAAAAAARRRR!!!"
With a roar that could shake the very earth, the seven-headed creature fixed its intimidating gaze on me.
Its gigantic form, terrifying wings, lifeless gray scales, sharp teeth, and blood-red eyes—a dragon summoned straight from the depths of hell.
***
Darkness and fear shrouded the city, once vibrant with life, like a veil of malevolence. The people cried out for help in a situation that seemed to lead only to an end filled with suffering.
Without warning, a red glow emerged in the center of the ruined city.
From it, a thunderous pillar of crimson energy with black streaks burst forth, fierce and powerful, rising continuously toward the sky. The force of its appearance caused strong waves of wind, mercilessly lifting dust. Despite its sinister appearance, the people gazed at it in wonder, a sense of hope embracing their hearts.
***
In a dark room, a king who, though human, bore features befitting a demon, knelt immediately. His forehead dripped with sweat, and his body trembled in fear for his life. Despite the terror gripping his chest, the king greeted with immense respect the figure before him.
"It is an honor to have you with us, commander of the armies of hell and Lucifer's right hand… Lord Akerbeltz."
***
The night was calm, and the sky blessed me with the breathtaking view of a beautiful mantle of shining stars. In the night's darkness, the fire and its crackling were my only companions. My eyes wandered aimlessly toward the horizon, simply embracing the rest I could afford alongside the comforting fire.