Luz arrived at Argos City, the nearest city to Biringan.
As he walked through the ruins, he saw a light soldier lying dead on the ground.
People were hiding in fear—their eyes filled with terror.
A small child stood alone, shaking.
Luz knelt down.
"What happened here? Did Den come here?"
The child didn't answer. He just shook his head.
Then—a strong gust of wind blew from behind Luz.
A powerful presence filled the air.
Luz stood up, gripping the Sword of Light tightly.
"Who are you, and why are you here?"
The child hid behind Luz, trembling.
Then, the man stepped forward.
---
"I am Kael," the man said.
His voice was calm, but filled with power.
"I am the one who killed your soldiers."
Luz's eyes narrowed.
"Did Den send you to destroy this city?"
Kael shook his head.
"Oh, are you accusing me of something I didn't do?" he asked.
Then, his tone darkened.
"You still don't get it, do you? Your war—Light versus Dark—destroyed this world."
Luz clenched his fist.
"We fight to protect Aetheris."
Kael's eyes burned with fury.
"Both sides are guilty!" he shouted.
"Because of your war, innocent people have suffered. This world will never be at peace as long as people like you and Den exist!"
Luz stepped forward.
"You're wrong. The Dark Side is the one bringing destruction. We only fight to stop them!"
Kael was not convinced.
---
Kael attacked first, striking at Luz with incredible speed.
Luz barely blocked the attack with his Sword of Light.
"I'm not here to fight you!" Luz said as their weapons clashed.
Kael scoffed.
"Then why do you fight at all?"
Luz dodged another strike.
"If you want peace, you should join the Light!"
Kael kicked Luz in the chest, sending him flying backward.
Luz crashed into the ground but quickly got up.
Kael pointed at the child.
"Look at that kid."
Luz turned his head slightly, seeing the child watching them in fear.
"Because of this war, his life was ruined."
Luz's grip on his sword tightened.
"We never wanted war. The Dark Side forced us to fight!"
Kael gritted his teeth.
Then, he suddenly turned away.
"This world will never be balanced… until people like you and Den are gone."
With that, Kael disappeared.
---
A New Threat
Luz knelt beside the child.
"Are you okay?"
The child nodded slowly.
The other villagers came out from their hiding places, relieved that the battle was over.
Luz stood up, deep in thought.
Who was this man? Why was he so powerful?
As he walked back to Biringan, his mind kept repeating one name.
Kael.
At the gates of Biringan, Munfa was waiting.
"What did you see, Luz?" he asked.
Luz's expression was serious.
"A strange man."
"Who?"
"His name is Kael."
Munfa's eyes narrowed.
"Kael?" he repeated.