Since entering Niram, Sohan felt as if he were walking in the remnants of a dream. The city wasn't large, but it was well-fortified, surrounded by walls that glowed with perpetual sunlight. The light in Niram didn't come from the sun alone, but from a massive core of light that towered above the city's center, made of rare crystal that existed before the second half of the sun disappeared.
The people of the city lived as if they'd lost everything… and then rebuilt it.
On the morning of the third day, dozens gathered at the training ground – a vast arena of ancient stones, with a huge wooden target engraved with a withered face, surrounded by circles of dried blood.
A harsh voice rose from the side of the arena:
"Survivors… For those who want to survive, luck is not enough. For those who want the light, they must hunt the darkness."
A huge man appeared, his eyes bearing ancient gray wounds, wearing black armor with glowing silver lines.
One of the soldiers said, "This is Ryder, the leader of the Withered Hunters of Niram."
Ryder stepped forward and continued, "Seven years ago, the Withered killed more than half the Earth... We are the remnant. But we are not weak. You are now part of the Core. The Core protects, fights, and reclaims what was stolen from the Sun."
He raised his hand, and a set of strange weapons was brought out.
"These are the Swords of the Ancient Dawn... Forged from the petrified blood of the Withered and the metal of the Black Moon. They don't just kill the Withered... They burn their very being."
Sohan stepped forward, his eyes scanning the swords. He had never felt such energy.
Ryder looked at him for a long time, then pointed.
"What is your name?"
Sohan then answered.
"Your face is not of Niram... but your eyes burn with the ash of hatred." You will be in the Third Division, the reconnaissance division."
Ryder began explaining the divisions:
First Division: Iron Division – Direct assault missions, led by the warrior Lyra.
Second Division: Shadow of Ash – Spy and travel between the Grey Cities, led by the young Valo.
Third Division: Eyes of Light – Reconnaissance and documentation of the Withered movements, temporarily led by Ryder.
Fourth Division: Core Guardians – Keep out of Niram, their mission is to protect the city's crystalline core.
---
That night, the Third Division met for the first time.
Five members, including Sohan, Erin, and a quiet young man named Kyle, an expert in trap-making.
Ryder handed out an old map, saying, "This is your first mission... Greyweed City, a huge trading center, fell at the beginning of the cataclysm. Strange signs have been appearing there... and we need someone to confirm."
Sohan was silent for a moment, then said, "Have you found any trace of my sister?" A girl… twelve years old, named Nayla."
Ryder looked at him for a long time, then said,
"Anyone lost outside of Niram… may be alive or lost. Don't cling to hope too much, boy… but don't extinguish it either."
Sohan closed his grip on his new sword.
From this night… he was no longer just a survivor.
He was a hunter… in the last army of light..