"Silence before the storm is the cruelest deception of all."
The soldier's knock was accompanied by a panicked voice.
"Captain Tavon, Your Highness! We're under attack!"
Tavon moved swiftly, opening the carriage door. "Report!" he barked, his commanding tone making the soldier straighten instinctively.
"The Gehenna forces have blocked our path, Captain! Most of them are goblins, but there's a Goblin Lord among them!"
Tavon cursed under his breath before turning to me. "Your Highness, stay here. Do not leave the carriage until we've secured the situation."
I wanted to argue, but the words never left my lips. Even if I were out there, I would only be a burden to them. Tavon stepped out of the carriage, his massive sword in hand.
The sounds of battle erupted outside. The shrieks of goblins mingled with the battle cries of Midgaria's soldiers. I peeked through the small carriage window, catching glimpses of clashing swords and fireballs hurled by our mages.
In another carriage, Aarav sat with a bored expression as if the chaos outside had nothing to do with him. But then, a violent jolt rocked his carriage, followed by a swarm of small goblins clambering onto it, finally pushing his patience to its limit.
"They can't even let me sleep," he muttered, standing up lazily.
He pushed open the carriage door and stepped out, looking frustrated.
As soon as he did, a group of goblins charged at him. He eyed them with weary indifference before instinctively raising his hand.
A magic circle appeared beneath his feet, summoning his Arcana Codex, which floated around the astral voyager's head. The open pages emitted a faint glow, but all that emerged were tiny crystal sparks. The goblins burst into raspy laughter as if mocking him.
"Seriously?" Aarav cursed, trying to redraw the magic circle in the air. However, he moved too quickly, causing the symbols to appear unstable. A small explosion erupted, shattering the ground before him, but it failed to hit the goblins.
Nearby, Finnian smirked, his eyes gleaming with derision. "Don't tell me you forgot how to fight, Astral Voyager." He crossed his arms. "You nearly destroyed the entire temple when you first arrived. And now you're struggling against mere goblins?"
Aarav clicked his tongue in annoyance. "None of your business."
He attempted to create a sword using the metal from the ground with his Alchemy, but the result was nothing more than a twisted, shapeless rod. Finnian chuckled. "Truly pathetic."
Before Aarav could retort, one of the goblins leaped at him. He stumbled backward, hastily raising the warped metal rod and swinging it clumsily. His attack landed, though it looked utterly ridiculous.
From a distance, Tavon, who was battling a Goblin Lord, glanced in Aarav's direction. Seeing the young man struggling, he shouted, "Don't rush it, Aarav! Alchemy requires precision. Focus on one element at a time!"
Aarav let out a frustrated huff but tried to follow Tavon's advice. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before moving his hands with more control. Slowly, a small stone wall rose before him, blocking the next goblin's attack.
"Ha, I did it!" Aarav managed a faint smile, but it quickly faded when he saw more goblins surrounding him. He tried again, this time breaking the wall into sharp fragments that shot toward the enemies. Some pieces hit their targets, but most missed.
Finnian scoffed. "If you can't control your power, maybe you should just stay put."
Zura, who had been observing, finally stepped in, slicing down a goblin that tried to approach. "Aarav, calm down. If you keep forcing your magic while frustrated, it'll only become more chaotic."
Aarav exhaled sharply, but this time, he didn't argue. He tried to take a deep breath, though his expression remained tense.
Just then, another Goblin Lord stepped forward, letting out a low growl. This one was larger and more formidable than the rest. Aarav could feel the heat building in his hands, wild energy swirling uncontrollably, yet he still had no idea how to wield it properly.
Tavon, noticing the danger, swiftly cut down the Goblin Lord he was facing and attempted to rush over. However, a swarm of smaller goblins ambushed him from the side, forcing him to stop. "Damn it!" he growled, slashing through the relentless creatures.
Aarav stood frozen, watching as the Goblin Lord lifted its massive axe, ready to strike. The energy inside him surged even more violently, but he still didn't know how to release it. "Come on, do something!" he muttered in frustration, staring at his trembling hands, which began to glow faintly.
Before the Goblin Lord's blade could strike, a wave of ice shot from a distance, freezing the creature's legs up to its knees. Aarav turned to see Zura moving closer, shielding him.
"Be careful, Aarav!" Zura called out, her bright blue eyes glowing with intensity. The air around her grew noticeably colder, and her silver hair billowed in the wind.
She readied her Arcana Codex, its pages flipping open to reveal the necessary incantations for an attack spell.
On the other side, Finnian scoffed. "Tsk, as expected. You always need someone else to save you."
Aarav ignored the jab. His breath was still ragged as Zura rushed to his side, keeping a safe distance from the struggling Goblin Lord.
Zura placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression filled with concern. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she asked gently, though her gaze remained wary of their surroundings.
Aarav shook his head, his jaw tightening. "I'm fine. It's just… I don't know what to do," he muttered in frustration.
Zura offered a small, reassuring smile. "You'll get the hang of it. Don't focus on the outcome—just pay attention to what you feel."
After clearing the goblins around him, Tavon finally regrouped with Zura, Aarav, and Finnian. Seeing him there sent a wave of panic through Zura as if she had only just realized his presence.
"Father! If you're here, then what about the Crown Prince?!" Zura exclaimed, startled at seeing her adoptive father fighting alongside them.
Tavon, still cutting down goblins, shot a glance at them. After slicing through the last enemy near him, he shouted, "His Highness Elenio is safe in the carriage. Focus on this battle, Zura! We don't have time to be distracted."
I watched everything unfold from a distance, hidden behind the abandoned carriage. My body was tense—not just because of the battle happening before my eyes but also because of the expression on Finnian's face as he spoke to Zura.
"You're always like this, Zura," he muttered, his voice laced with irritation. "Always worrying about Elenio, as if he's a helpless baby who can't take care of himself."
I tightened my grip on my cloak. That familiar discomfort crept in again—the one I always felt whenever Finnian spoke about me in that tone.
Zura let out a quiet sigh. I could see the hesitation in her eyes as if she herself didn't understand why Finnian reacted this way every time my name was mentioned. And I knew because I didn't understand it either.
I wanted to believe that this was simply part of Finnian's personality—that he had never truly liked me since the day we met. Sometimes, he seemed to forget his dislike, acting as if he had moved past it. But the moment Zura showed concern for me, everything would return to how it was. Every time he looked at Zura with that expression… I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper than mere frustration.
Finnian raised his massive shield—a heavy silver barrier adorned with intricate swirling wind patterns. Despite its thick and sturdy appearance, the design was sleek and aerodynamic, proving that it wasn't just a defensive tool but also a weapon in its own right. At the center of the shield was the emblem of Solstara, depicting a crown with two crossed swords behind it—the symbol of humanity under the Solaraine Kingdom.
In his other hand, he unsheathed a long sword, slightly heavier than a standard blade. The darkened steel of its edge shimmered with silver light under the glow of the battlefield. The hilt, wrapped in worn black leather, bore the marks of constant use. At the same time, a small carving of an eye rested at its base, giving the eerie impression that the weapon was always watching the battle.
A few moments after preparing his gear, Finnian closed his eyes and summoned his spellbook. A golden radiance enveloped both his shield and sword. The glow expanded, forming an even larger, more imposing barrier around his shield.
The Absolute Defense of a Paladin.
I swallowed hard. Even from a distance, I could see his sheer strength, the unwavering confidence in his every movement. It was nothing like me—I could only hide and watch from the sidelines.
I clenched my fists. This wasn't the first time I felt like a burden in situations like this. And I hated it.
Zura turned to Finnian, her expression still gentle. "Finni, I just want to make sure he's safe. It's not about treating him like a child," she replied in a calm yet slightly weary tone.
I felt a sharp sting in my chest the moment Finnian spoke again.
"Stop worrying about that cripple hiding in safety and focus on the battle."
My throat went dry. I should've been used to insults like this, yet every time someone said it so openly, it was like a dagger plunging straight into my heart. I tightened my fists, trying to ignore it, trying to suppress the urge to step out and prove that I was more than just that.
Before Zura could respond, Tavon stepped forward with an air of authority. His voice rang out, shattering the tension between them.
"Enough!" he commanded, sharp and firm. "Zura, Finnian, Aarav needs your support now. Don't let your emotions interfere with your duty. You two take on the Goblin Lord together. Aarav is still learning to control his power, so protect him."
Finnian looked as though he wanted to argue, but in the end, he simply let out a huff and nodded. "Fine," he muttered, though his voice still carried a hint of frustration.
I saw Zura glance at Aarav, offering him a reassuring smile. But I knew, beneath that calm demeanor, worry still lingered in her mind. "We'll protect you, Aarav. Don't worry," she said softly before turning to Finnian with a brief nod.
I watched as they stepped forward, preparing to face the Goblin Lord, who was still struggling against the chains of ice. Zura raised her hand, and the air around her grew colder. The pages of her Arcana Codex flipped rapidly before an icy surge shot forward, reinforcing the frozen restraints on the creature. Finnian, on the other hand, charged in with his sword, his movements sharp and precise, like a warrior who had never known fear.
My breath quickened as the sounds of battle filled my ears. From where I was hiding, I could see Tavon fighting relentlessly, holding off the goblins trying to approach my carriage. I should have felt relieved knowing that he was here—that there were people far stronger than me protecting this battlefield. But that relief was short-lived, replaced by a sudden tension when a deep, booming voice cut through the air.
Duke Thalgar Wildfang.
I swallowed hard. Of course, he was here. Greenreach was a village within Savaranth, his domain—the land of the Beast. It made sense that he would join the battlefield as one of the high-ranking nobles under the Beast King's rule. But that also meant he knew I was here… and he would not stand idly by while I remained in hiding.
Thalgar marched toward Tavon, his face flushed red with barely restrained fury. "This has gone on long enough, Tavon! My soldiers are falling, and yet you let His Highness the Crown Prince cower inside a carriage like a coward!" he bellowed, jabbing a large finger toward Tavon.
I stiffened. I knew. I knew I wasn't a warrior. I knew I couldn't fight like them. But hearing that word—the coward—spoken so loudly in the middle of a battlefield made my chest tighten unbearably.
Tavon glanced at me briefly, his movements unwavering as he parried an oncoming goblin's strike. "His Highness Elenio is not a coward. He was never trained for battles like this," he retorted sharply. I knew he was trying to defend me, but his voice remained firm and absolute as if that fact alone was enough to end the argument.
But Thalgar was not having it. He growled, stepping closer until his face was nearly pressed against Tavon's. "Not trained? He is the crown prince, Tavon! The responsibility to lead rests on his shoulders, and he doesn't even have the decency to show up and give his troops the courage they need!" His voice was like thunder crashing against my chest.
My fingers clenched the fabric of my robe. I wanted to say something—to defend myself—but my lips felt sealed shut. What could I possibly say? That I wanted to help but couldn't? That even if I went to the battlefield, I wouldn't know what to do?
Before Tavon could reply, Thalgar had already shifted his attention to Aarav, who stood a few steps behind Zura and Finnian. His sharp eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Aarav as if he were a child who had just made a grave mistake.
"And you! The so-called Astral Voyager, our supposed hope?" he sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. "You don't even know how to use your own powers! When you first arrived, you destroyed half the temple just because you didn't want to be separated from your world. Where is that strength now? Was it all just a child's tantrum?"
Aarav tensed, his jaw clenching. For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of fury in his eyes, something raw and untamed that he struggled to suppress.
I didn't know which was worse—being me, the one deemed useless, or being Aarav, the one forced into a role he wasn't ready to accept.
Aarav's fists clenched, his face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation that was impossible to hide. I could feel the tension radiating from him—I knew Thalgar's words had cut deep.
"I'm trying!" Aarav snapped, his voice trembling with restrained emotion.
Thalgar, with his towering frame and predator-like gaze, merely let out a derisive laugh. He crossed his arms, revealing sharp canines as he smirked. "Trying? This world has no place for those who merely 'try,'" he said, his voice low and cutting. "We need people who act! If you can't do that, then you're better off leaving before you become a burden to all of us."
I held my breath. My stomach twisted painfully. Those words… weren't just meant for Aarav. I knew that. I could feel it in every sharp glance Thalgar had thrown my way from the very beginning.
I knew I wasn't wanted here.
Tavon finally lost his patience. "I said that's enough!" he barked, his voice carrying an authority that instantly silenced the argument. His eyes locked onto Thalgar's, a clear warning flashing in them—he wouldn't let this situation spiral out of control. "This isn't the time for blame. If we don't stand together, we will all die here!"
Thalgar let out a low growl, his expression still filled with displeasure, but at last, he stepped back. Unlike most noblemen who only knew how to talk, Thalgar was a true war leader. He wouldn't make reckless decisions that could endanger his troops.
Tavon then turned to Aarav, his tone softer now. "Aarav, focus. Don't let his words get to you. You're stronger than you think."
Aarav still looked tense, but I saw his jaw tighten. He swallowed his anger and averted his gaze without responding.
Zura, who had been silent all this time, finally turned to Thalgar. Her icy blue eyes were piercing, like daggers made of frost. "Duke. His Highness Elenio is where he should be—safe—because we have to protect him," she said, her voice still gentle yet laced with an undeniable firmness. "If you don't like the way we fight, then you are free to lead the charge yourself."
I stared at her, feeling a strange warmth spread through my chest.
Zura was always like this. She always stood between me and the world that despised me. But for some reason, every time someone spoke ill of me, it felt like another piece of me cracked.
I gripped my robe tightly. I didn't know how much longer I could keep going like this.
Thalgar let out a harsh scoff but didn't argue further. Instead, he turned away and returned to his troops, venting his anger on the goblins that drew near with savage swings of his blade.
I exhaled deeply, but the air felt heavy in my lungs. His words still echoed in my mind, lodged deep like thorns that refused to be removed. I knew I had no place on this battlefield.
From the corner of my eye, inside the carriage, I saw Aarav standing still, his expression tight. Thalgar's words must have shaken him, too. But unlike me, who could only stand frozen, Aarav clenched his fists. His jaw tensed, his eyes burning with an anger he could no longer contain.
Without warning, he let out a fierce yell. He charged straight toward the cluster of goblins and a goblin lord still trapped within Zura's ice, leaving behind the safety of his position.
"Aarav, wait!" Tavon shouted, his voice laced with urgency.
But Aarav didn't care. Or maybe he didn't hear him.
"Damn it! That idiot let himself get provoked!" Finnian cursed, frustration evident in his voice. But he had no time to stop Aarav—other goblins were already lunging toward him.
Zura, seeing Aarav recklessly charging forward, immediately reacted. She sprinted through the battlefield, weaving between soldiers locked in combat, trying to catch up to him. "Aarav, stop! That's too dangerous!" she cried, panic lacing her voice. But Aarav had already thrown himself into the heart of the fight as if he had something to prove to himself.
I could only watch, my body rigid.
Why… why couldn't I do the same?
Aarav came face-to-face with one of the goblins that rushed at him first. His sword was small compared to the weapons wielded by the seasoned warriors around him, and its shape was still unstable due to his imperfect magic. But with every swing, there was power—power that was beginning to awaken within him. His strikes weren't perfect—rushed and reckless—but something was changing.
I could feel it.
When his sword struck the enemy, there was a strange vibration in the air—a ripple unseen yet felt, like a wild surge of energy. The goblins around him were pushed back as if a great force radiated from his body.
Aarav panted heavily, but his eyes widened. "This… this is it," he murmured, almost in disbelief.
I recognized that expression.
I had seen it before, back in the temple, when he first arrived in this world.
And now, that power was awakening again.
Thalgar stood frozen for a moment, his brow lifting. "Hmph, so he can do something after all, despite all his whining," he muttered sarcastically. But despite the mockery in his tone, I caught a glimmer of surprise in his expression.
I was surprised, too.
Aarav, who had done nothing but yell and complain until now, was finally syncing with the battlefield. He wasn't just fighting—he was proving something. And he was succeeding, at least to some extent.
But I could see it clearly from behind the carriage window.
He wanted more.
Aarav charged into the battlefield, screaming like a madman as if his rage alone could defeat the entire goblin horde. I held my breath, my fingers gripping the window frame tightly. If he was reckless like this, he would die. And Midgaria would lose the hope Grandpa had fought so hard to protect.
"That idiot is charging in alone?!" Finnian cursed from outside, his shield protecting both himself and Zura from incoming goblin attacks.
Zura moved from behind Finnian, trying to reach Aarav. "Aarav, stop! It's too dangerous!" she called out desperately. But Aarav didn't hear her—or perhaps he deliberately ignored her.
I bit my lip, my heart pounding erratically. I knew Aarav was stubborn. I knew he was angry. But this wasn't the place to prove anything.
Then, I saw it.
Aarav raised his hand, and the air around him began to tremble. A great force surged from within him, spiraling out of control. A faint glow enveloped his hands, the temperature on the battlefield spiking suddenly, forcing some goblins to retreat in hesitation.
But I knew this wasn't a good sign.
He wasn't controlling it.
He was losing control.
I wanted to yell, to tell him to stop, but my voice caught in my throat.
Zura realized the danger, too. She quickened her pace, but before she could reach him, a goblin lunged at her from the side. I watched as she chanted a spell, freezing the creature instantly before dashing toward Aarav again.
But it was too late.
A massive explosion rocked the battlefield.
I gasped as the entire carriage shook violently. The deafening blast filled my ears, the shockwave slamming into me even though I was still inside. I collapsed onto the floor, my breathing ragged. Through the dust-covered window, I saw towering flames engulfing the spot where Aarav had stood.
Zura's chest rose and fell rapidly, her hands trembling. The air around her grew unnaturally cold—so cold that frost began forming on the ground beneath her feet. That was Zura's emotions—fear, anxiety, and a fit of anger barely restrained.
In the distance, Finnian rushed toward the scene, his jaw clenched. "Damn you, you reckless Astral Voyager!" he growled.
Aarav lay on the ground, his body covered in burns and dust. The explosion had wiped out many goblins, even killing the goblin lord from earlier. Still, it had also nearly killed everyone around him. Smoke still billowed in the air, and the ground where he had stood was now a massive, charred crater.
In the distance, Thalgar stood still, his expression a mix of rage and astonishment. His jaw tightened as if struggling to contain his emotions. "Look at what he's done! That kid almost killed us all!" he snarled, his voice filled with anger—but beneath it, I heard a hint of disbelief. "And yet… he also obliterated so many goblins with a single blast."
Tavon, standing nearby, turned sharply. "This isn't the time for analysis! We need to make sure he survives!" he commanded. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, signaling the soldiers to retreat and reorganize their formation.
I bit my lip, my fingers gripping the edge of the carriage seat. My body felt frozen as I watched Zura sprint toward Aarav. Her breaths were ragged, her face filled with panic. Without wasting time, she knelt beside him, reaching for something in the small leather pouch at her waist—a bag filled with potions and medicine she always carried.
"Aarav, hold on. I'll heal you," she whispered, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her fear.
Finnian stood close, his shield and sword still drawn. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, his jaw tightening. "Hurry, Zura! This place is too exposed!" he urged, his voice tense but steady.
I watched them from inside the carriage, my chest tightening. I wanted to rush out, to do something, but my legs felt heavy.
I wasn't a fighter. I didn't even have magic. I could only watch.
Then, I saw it.
The massive figure that should have been dead slowly began to rise from the ruins.
My blood ran cold.
The goblin lord was still alive.
His towering form stirred, his muscles tensing as he gripped his enormous sword, now shrouded in a dark aura. His eyes, burning red like embers, glared at us with unbridled fury. His breath was ragged, his teeth grinding together as he let out a low, menacing growl.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.
"The goblin lord…" I whispered, barely believing what I was seeing. "He's still alive…"
And this time, he looked angrier than ever.
My eyes locked onto the massive creature as it slowly rose from the rubble, its massive sword swinging through the air, radiating an oppressive, suffocating darkness. I wanted to move, to do something, but my legs felt like they were made of lead.
Then, Tavon's voice cut through the chaos.
"Zura, Finnian! Move!" he shouted from the distance.
The massive sword was already swinging toward them.
Without thinking, I leaped out of the carriage. My heart pounded so loudly that I could hear nothing else. I knew I didn't have Aarav's power or Tavon's combat skills, but I couldn't just stand by and watch.
My hands moved quickly, reaching into my robe's pocket, searching—finding something. A small vial filled with a bright, orange-red liquid. A highly flammable alchemical concoction I had made for experiments.
With every ounce of courage I had left, I hurled the vial toward the goblin lord. It shattered upon impact, coating his chest in a thick, pungent substance.
My trembling fingers pulled out a small magic flint from inside my robe—a simple tool of steel and stone, but enough to create a spark. I made sure the liquid had spread properly over the monster's body.
Then, with a flick of my wrist, I struck the flint.
I struck the lighter with a swift motion.
Sparks danced in the air.
Flames roared to life, surging rapidly across the Goblin Lord's body.
The creature let out a deafening roar, its voice reverberating like rolling thunder. The fire consumed its thick skin, turning it black as it crackled and burned. I stood frozen, breathless, watching the flames dance in the darkness of the night.
"Elenio! Are you insane?!" Finnian shouted, his eyes wide with shock at what I had done.
I wanted to answer, but the words caught in my throat. Then, the fire reached something within the Goblin Lord's body.
Boom!
A small explosion erupted, forcing the monster to stagger backward. The flames flared even higher, engulfing it completely. With a final, agonized growl, the Goblin Lord collapsed. Its massive body crashed onto the ground with a thunderous impact—this time, truly lifeless.
I clutched my knees, trying to steady my breathing. My entire body felt drained, exhausted from the chase earlier. I had always known I was weak, but I never thought I was capable of something this incredible.
Zura rushed to my side, her face a mixture of relief and concern. "Elenio…" her voice trembled.
I met her gaze and tried to smile, though my hands were still shaking. "I just… I was afraid it would hurt you," I murmured.
Zura shook her head, inhaling shakily. "You're an idiot," she whispered, but her warm hand grasped my arm as if to confirm that I was still here, still breathing.
Heavy footsteps approached, and Finnian appeared beside us, his sword still in his grip. "You almost burned yourself alive, you fool!" he snapped. But beneath his anger, I could sense something else—a concern he refused to acknowledge.
I only nodded, too exhausted to argue. My gaze shifted to Aarav, who was still lying on the ground, breathing heavily. "How is he?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
Zura knelt beside Aarav, applying a bright green salve to his wounds. "He's strong… He'll survive," she said with a faint smile.
The sound of approaching footsteps drew our attention. Tavon appeared, his face tense, while Thalgar stood a short distance away, his jaw clenched as he surveyed the battlefield.
"We're not safe yet, Your Highness," Tavon said grimly. "Aarav's attack took down many goblins, but it also wounded a lot of our soldiers. Many are gravely injured, and those still standing are busy evacuating and tending to the wounded."
Thalgar grunted, his tone edged with frustration. "And the goblin forces are still everywhere. They just keep coming. We're running out of strength and time."
I furrowed my brows, scanning the battlefield. The air was thick with tension, like an ominous fog hanging over us. I knew we didn't have enough power left to face another wave of attacks.
Then, a thought struck me—the abandoned mine to the west.
When I was younger, I often trained near the ruins of Kael'thar—an ancient city now reduced to mere echoes of its former glory. Not far from there lay an old mine, long abandoned. I knew about it not just from my training but also from the stories my grandpa and grandma used to tell me. They spoke of its narrow tunnels that could swallow anyone who got lost, its toxic air that deterred even the bravest souls, and its massive pit leading to a fragile bridge.
Now, that mine might be our only chance.
A plan started to take shape in my mind.
Maybe… just maybe, this could be our salvation.