The day was still young, but Ezra could already feel the weight of the world pressing down on him. The orb Merlin had given him burned in his palm, a steady pulse that matched the rhythm of his heart. The strange visions from it still lingered in his mind, as if something was reaching out, trying to make contact. The darkness he had glimpsed, the twisted figure lurking beyond Chaos—it was as if it were waiting for him, calling to him from a place he couldn't understand.
As the group gathered their things and prepared to leave, the air around them seemed to grow heavier. The world was changing, and they could all feel it. Ezra's mind raced, but there was no time for doubt or fear. The countdown was still ticking down, and there was only one way forward—toward Liones.
The journey was uneventful, the landscape passing in a blur of rolling hills and dense forests. Despite the calm outward appearance, the tension was palpable. Ezra had spent countless years in the shadows, hiding from enemies and dangers, but now the real threat was no longer a distant fear. It was real. And it was coming for them.
By midday, the group found themselves on the outskirts of Liones, the sight of the towering castle walls rising in the distance. It had always been a symbol of hope, the heart of the kingdom, but today it seemed more like a fortress of solitude, an unwelcoming bastion against the storm that was on the horizon.
Ezra's thoughts were interrupted by Ban, who had been unusually quiet for the last few hours. He walked up to Ezra, his face unreadable.
"You okay?" Ban asked, his voice softer than usual. "You've been zoning out all day."
Ezra looked at Ban, his eyes betraying the weight of his thoughts. "I'm fine. Just thinking about what comes next."
Ban gave a half-smile. "Yeah, well, we're all thinking about that. But no point in dwelling on it. We'll deal with whatever's ahead—together."
Ezra nodded, appreciating the sentiment. He had grown used to the constant pressure of being the one everyone relied on. But right now, he wasn't sure if he was ready for what awaited them in Liones. Still, there was no turning back.
As they approached the gates of the kingdom, the familiar sight of the Holy Knights stationed outside brought a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. It had been years since Ezra had walked these grounds, and so much had changed. The once peaceful and unified kingdom was now a place of uncertainty, the undercurrent of tension evident even in the way the soldiers stood guard.
A guard approached them, his face tense as he recognized the group. "Sirs, Lady Merlin, what brings you here?" he asked, bowing respectfully but with a hint of suspicion.
"We need to speak with King Bartra," Merlin replied, her tone steady but commanding. "It's urgent."
The guard hesitated, his gaze flickering between the group before he nodded. "Understood. Follow me."
As they were escorted through the familiar streets of Liones, Ezra couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The people were still going about their daily lives, but there was an air of tension hanging over the city like a dark cloud. Whispers passed between the citizens, and more than once, Ezra caught sight of suspicious glances.
They reached the castle gates, and the guard led them inside. The grand hall of Liones had always been a place of light and warmth, but now it felt cold, its towering walls casting long shadows across the stone floor. King Bartra, the once jovial and welcoming ruler, sat on his throne, his face weary and strained as he watched them approach.
"Merlin, Meliodas, Escanor, Ezra," King Bartra greeted them, his voice tinged with worry. "I've been expecting you."
Ezra's stomach tightened. He had known King Bartra for years, but there was something unsettling about the way he spoke. His eyes, once filled with wisdom and kindness, were now shadowed by a deeper concern.
"We need your help," Merlin said, stepping forward. "Something's happening, something that threatens not just Liones, but the entire world."
Bartra's eyes flickered to Ezra, and for a brief moment, it was as if time stood still. The king studied him, as if measuring the weight of the situation. "I've been hearing whispers, strange rumors. Dark forces stirring beneath the surface. But I never imagined it would come to this."
Ezra stepped forward, feeling the weight of the king's gaze. "It's not just whispers, Your Majesty. It's real. There's an entity behind all of this—something ancient, something more powerful than we've ever faced before."
Bartra sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I feared as much. The kingdom has been on edge for weeks. Demons, strange occurrences... it's all connected."
Merlin nodded. "That's why we need to act quickly. The system... Ezra's system... it's tied to all of this. Whatever force is manipulating things, it's using the system to its advantage."
Bartra's eyes widened. "You're saying the system is part of this? It's not just a tool for strength? It's something more?"
"It's more than we ever imagined," Ezra said. "And time is running out."
The king stood slowly, his expression a mixture of determination and fear. "Then we must prepare. We cannot wait any longer."
Ezra felt the countdown in the back of his mind, a constant reminder of the ticking clock.
[Countdown to the Main Story: 135,100 Hours.]
The battle ahead was inevitable. There was no turning back. And they would need every ounce of strength, every ally they could find, to face what was coming.
"We move tonight," Ezra said, his voice firm.
The path ahead was unclear, but one thing was certain: the heart of Liones would be the battleground for the next stage of their journey. And in the heart of that storm, they would face their greatest challenge yet.