Aethelos Pain and Blood

The trio reached the Vindicari Royal House and stopped in the middle of the wreckage. · Walls down. Black smoke. Bodies of guards and civilians scattered across the ground. The smell of blood and burned stone filled the air. Aethelos had seen attacks before — but this was different. This was a statement. · Joseph appeared through the smoke, his face serious, his eyes tired. Beneath the discipline, there was guilt. A guilt he still could not name out loud. · “We have to give an answer. · We made an oath. We cannot fail.” · Brock looked at the destruction and then at the tutor. · “What’s the plan? Destroy Aldiana?” · The name cut through Nayb like a blade. Memories of the nursery, of the 173 babies, of little Lygar newborn. · “We can’t do that. · Aldiana has children. It has babies. They cannot pay for this.” · Violeta turned to him, her voice hard. · “And the children who were in the park also didn’t deserve to pay for what they think is right.” · Joseph raised his hand. The gesture cut the argument. · “Nayb… · The just pay for the sinners.” · Something inside Nayb broke. · Without answering, he turned and ran. · He found her in the destroyed park — the same place where everything had begun to change. Eliana was standing among the ruins, alone. · “Eliana! · You attacked the Vindicari Royal House? Why?!” · She lifted her head, confused. · “Nayb, we didn’t do any of that. What would be the purpose? · You’ve already seen Jonas Dorp’s method. He doesn’t act like that.” · “Eliana, they want to destroy Aldiana. · Run. Now.” · She shook her head, firm. · “You know we won’t do that. And I even less.” · Nayb grabbed her hands, his voice trembling between command and plea. · “I’m begging you. Leave.” · “Never, Nayb. · I want my child to be born in Aldiana… · Our child.” · The world stopped for a second. · Nayb lost his breath. Her words sank in too late and too deep. Before he could answer, voices cut through the air. · “Eliana! Get away from the enemy! · He’s using you!” · Lysander and Zakrom appeared among the wreckage, auras ready. At the same moment, Brock burst in from the other side, finger pointed at them. · “They’re here! The ones who attacked the Vindicari Royal House!” · Violeta appeared right behind, eyes shining with built-up electricity. · “Let’s end this. · Ultimate Storm!” · The sky turned gray in seconds. The first lightning bolt struck Lysander. The impact forced him back, his arm smoking. · Zakrom’s eyes widened, darkness exploding around him. · “So it’s for real… then it’ll be for real. · Darkness Explosion!” · Brock smiled, cold, and raised his hand. · “Meteor Blast!” · The park trembled again. Eliana and Nayb looked at each other in the middle of the chaos. She squeezed his wrist. · “I’ll stop mine… if you stop yours.” · Nayb nodded. · “Violeta! Brock! Look at the civilians!” · “Lysander!” Eliana shouted. “Open a portal! We have to leave!” · Lysander dodged the lightning, his face tense, blood running from his shoulder. · “Yes! Come on!!” · He raised his remaining hand with effort. · “Tele Shadow!” · The black portal opened. Zakrom and Eliana jumped first. Lysander was last. · The moment his body crossed the shadow, Violeta smiled. · ZAAAS. · A precise lightning bolt struck Lysander’s arm. · The portal closed. · On the ground of the destroyed park remained only the severed arm, still smoking, and the heavy silence of those who knew the war had no way back. · Nayb fell to his knees. · In his chest, a single sentence still echoed, stronger than any explosion: · Our child.