Somewhere
Deep in the mountains, in an ominous old wooden hut, dimly lit by a single candle, an elderly man awaits his time of death...
He sits on his worn-out chair, eroded by time...
A carrier pigeon arrives, carrying a message from a distant land...
The message reads:
"The fifth heir has awakened within the sea of blood and the cursed lands."
Old Man: "I've waited for so long. He has finally awakened. I can die in peace at last."
He turns toward the darkness in one corner of the hut, smiles, and says:
"It is time for you to let me go so I may die alone."
A being emerges from within that darkness, smiling before vanishing...
---
Above the Wall
After the man appeared, stopping the beast and tying up Okays and his friends, the beast immediately knelt before him, begging for mercy...
Beast: (with a fearful look) "I'm sorry, my lord. I didn't mean to trouble you. I tried to stop him, but he insisted on fighting me. I am truly sorry, Lord White."
White: (coldly staring at him) "Are you this weak? You couldn't kill a boy this feeble?"
Beast: "I am sorry, Lord White. I truly am."
White: "Your work here is done."
White pulled out a spear forged from his own blood, pitch black in color, and stabbed the beast in its heart, killing it.
Okays lost consciousness due to exhaustion and the blow he received from White.
Kalira: (shouting) "Who are you?! What do you want?! Let us go! Leave us alone!"
Thaurance: (whispering) "You should calm down if you want to stay alive."
White: (glancing at Kalira with disdain) "Shut up, girl, unless you want to lose your head."
Then, he captured Okays, grabbed Thaurance and Kalira, and threw them off the wall after tying up Thaurance so he couldn't fly. He then took Okays with him and disappeared.
---
The Castle
Okays slowly opened his eyes, every part of his body aching. He began to look around and found himself inside a grand hall, surrounded by many guards.
Before him sat a man whose mere presence instilled fear, and all four elite guards, along with the highest-ranking individuals in the castle, were present.
Okays: (muttering to himself) "Where am I? What happened to me? What is this place? Did I leave the walls? I can't remember what happened after that person rushed toward me..."
Okays slowly turned his gaze toward the man sitting in front of him and spoke in a voice filled with tension:
"Where am I?"
He attempted to stand, but one of the guards behind him struck his knees, causing him to collapse onto the ground, leaving him with no choice but to kneel before the man in front of him.
White: "Your Majesty, this is the parasite who attempted to escape over the walls. He is now at your mercy."
Minalost: (with a cold face and a sharp voice) "Lift your head, boy."
Okays raised his head and looked at Minalost, seeing a man with a massive build, dressed entirely in black, with a crown upon his head. At that moment, Okays realized he was a king, and upon noticing the horns on his head, he knew he was the King of Beasts.
Minalost: (commanding tone) "Remove your mask. Let me see the face of the one who dared to defy my laws and attempt to cross the wall."
Okays removed his mask, and the moment he did, whispers of astonishment spread through the room upon seeing his hybrid nature.
Minalost: "If I hear another whisper from any of you, I will tear your mouths apart." (Then, turning to Okays) "So, hybrid, tell me—why did you attempt to cross the walls?"
Okays: (standing again and gathering his courage to speak) "Is that really a question, Your Majesty? Do you truly not know what is happening outside? No one sleeps peacefully at night because of the screams, and no one feels safe sending their family outside! And you ask me why I want to leave these walls? Every home loses someone every day to hunger and war, and you ask me why I want to leave?"
White: "Silence, you insolent brat! Show some respect when addressing the king!"
White swiftly approached Okays and placed his sword against his neck.
Minalost: "White, if you act without my command again, you will never see the light of day."
White: "I apologize, Your Majesty."
Minalost: (smirks and looks at Okays) "You are bold for a hybrid. But you say you want to leave because of the war? Do you want to know who started this war? You humans! You do whatever suits your interests and see others as soulless beings, unworthy of freedom like you. This war will not end until the strongest stands above all."
"And you... a filthy creature caught between both sides. Half-human, half-beast—you belong neither here nor there. You should simply die."
"That is all. Also, for violating the law, you will be executed in seven days."
"Take him away from my sight..."
To be continued...