The sun sat low at noon, throwing long shadows over the dusty road. Alan and Nat walked toward the big gates of Atlas. They were tired, their steps heavy, but seeing the city made Alan feel a bit of hope. "We made it… at last," Alan said, breathing hard as he looked at the gates. "The heroes can help us."
Their short rest stopped when the ground shook a little. They turned to the horizon. A huge group of soldiers came into view. Golden banners of Atlas waved above them, and war drums beat loud and steady.
Alan frowned, confused. "What's happening? Why are they leaving the city?" Nat watched, worried. "This looks bad. Why would Atlas send so many out?" She grabbed a soldier's arm as he passed. "What's going on?"
The soldier pulled away fast. "No time for that!" he snapped, then joined the others. Alan and Nat looked at each other, uneasy, then went through the gates. Townsfolk stood around, watching the soldiers leave. Two merchants talked nearby, their voices low but clear. "They say monsters are attacking the Antonia Empire's capital," one said darkly. "Hordes of them." The other shook his head. "The emperor's sending help. Atlas hasn't fought a war in years."
Alan held Theo's bag tighter, his heart dropping. "Monsters?" he asked, stepping closer. "What kind?" One merchant shrugged. "No one knows. Maybe beasts from the north. Or sorcery like the demon towers."
Nat's face went white. "Could it be Reapers?" The merchant laughed. "Reapers? That's just stories for kids. It's something else." Alan's hands balled into fists. "We need the heroes," he said, sure. "They're our only chance."
Nat nodded. They moved through the busy streets toward the castle. At the gates, knights in heavy armor blocked the way. "Stop!" one shouted. "The palace is closed. Only soldiers get in."
Alan stepped up, his voice full of need. "Please, I have to see the heroes. My brother's in danger!" The guard paused, his hard face softening a bit. "The heroes are gone," he said. "They left with the first soldiers. They're heading to Antonia."
Alan's hope sank. "If they're going to Antonia," he said firmly, "we'll follow them. They can help us find Theo." Nat looked unsure, glancing around. "Alan, this is big. If war's starting, it's dangerous. Maybe we should—"
"No," Alan cut in, strong. "Theo can't wait. I'll face anything to save him."
Nat looked at him, then sighed. "Fine. Let's find a way to go after them." The gates opened again, and more soldiers marched out, their boots loud. Alan and Nat stepped aside, looking for a path into the city, unsure but determined.
Later, the sun glowed warm over Atlas. The streets were full of soldiers, merchants, and townsfolk, all busy getting ready for war. People whispered about monsters and ruin, the air thick with fear.
Alan looked around. "If the heroes are gone, we need to know more. Someone must have news from Antonia." Nat nodded. "Let's ask. There's a tavern by the barracks where soldiers go. They might know something."
They walked through twisted streets to an old wooden tavern. It sat quiet in the noisy market, its dim windows glowing faintly. Inside, it smelled of old ale and smoke. Soldiers talked low or laughed. In a corner, a man sat alone. His face was pale, his hands shaky as he held a mug.
Nat leaned close to Alan. "That's him. The scout from Antonia." Alan nodded and walked over slowly. The man looked up, his eyes narrowing.
"Excuse me," Alan said softly. "Are you the scout from Antonia?" The man didn't answer right away. His grip tightened on the mug. He looked down, then spoke, his voice rough. "If you want answers, you won't like them."
Nat sat next to him. "Please, anything helps. We need to know what's out there." The scout paused, then leaned in, whispering. "It's not just monsters. It's something worse."
He stopped, like it hurt to talk. "I've seen beasts, but these… they weren't alive." Alan frowned. "Not alive? What do you mean?"
The scout's face went tight. "And then there was him…" He shook, putting the mug down. "A figure in darkness. So heavy, it crushed the air."
Alan and Nat looked at each other, more worried. "Who was he?" Nat asked, tense. "Did anyone fight him?" The scout shook his head. "No one could. The capital's gone. Those things are spreading fast. I barely got out."
Alan's chest hurt. "What about survivors?" he asked, desperate. The scout laughed, but it wasn't funny. "Maybe some. But it's over for Antonia."
Alan's jaw clenched. "Thank you," he said, teeth gritted. "We'll stop this." Nat pulled him aside. "Alan, if it's this bad, we can't just run in. We need a plan."
The tavern door creaked open. Soldiers walked in, looking around. One pointed at Alan and Nat. "You two!" he yelled. "No civilians here in wartime. Get out, or we'll drag you!"
Alan and Nat nodded to the scout and left fast. Outside, Atlas was loud, but Alan's mind raced. "We're out of time," he said to Nat. "We have to follow the heroes." Nat sighed, watching the soldiers. "How?"
Alan's eyes narrowed. "We'll find a way. I won't give up on Theo." They moved into the crowd, set on the dangerous road ahead, hoping the heroes could save Theo and stop the darkness.
Far off, in a thick forest, a figure walked alone. His steps were quiet on the leaves and twigs. After a long time, he reached a cliff. He stopped, looking out. The sun was low, casting shadows. Below, Antonia's outline stretched across the land. It looked calm, not knowing what was coming.
A slow, dark smile grew on his face. "Well, well," KARMA said, voice low and mean. "Hello, Antonia." His eyes shone with cold fun. "Wait a bit, and you'll be ashes."
He turned, cloak flapping, and faded into the forest shadows. Danger grew closer, and Antonia's fate hung thin.