While the young warriors continued their intense training deep within the hidden valley, the world of AN was beginning to darken.

  A shadow spread across the sky, the earth... and the hearts.

  In Arcan, the Patriarch Shemihaza felt a growing unease. Although his original purpose was not personal but to safeguard the balance and report to the King, he had not received a single message or presence from His Majesty in over three hundred years.

  Doubt began to consume his mind. Was the King still on his throne? Was he truly alone?

  He then summoned two of the eighteen generals, the strongest among them: Asael and Ramael.

  —“You summoned us, sir?” Ramael asked upon arrival.

  —“I did,” Shemihaza replied gravely.

  —“What is troubling you, my lord?” Asael added.

  Shemihaza remained silent for a few seconds before speaking. Finally, he lowered his gaze, as if his words carried immense weight.

  —“I’ve failed in my duties as Patriarch,” he confessed. “An unknown force has penetrated this world, despite the protective barrier I forged with my magic.

  I want you to track it down. I need to know where it came from, how it entered, what form it took, and if anyone else is aware of it.”

  —“And what shall we do with that force? Do we destroy it?” Asael asked directly.

  —“Not yet,” the Patriarch answered. “I only want to understand its nature. It might not be visible to the naked eye, but with your skills… I trust you’ll have no problem.”

  —“Leave it to us,” Asael said.

  —“Indeed, sir. We’ll handle it right away,” Ramael added.

  —“Go. I expect to hear from you soon.”

  —“Yes, sir!” they both replied, vanishing at full speed.

  Shortly after, Shemihaza called for one of his guards.

  —“Send for Harmoni. Tell her to come at once.”

  Meanwhile, Asael and Ramael were flying toward the area where the energy felt strongest.

  —“Now we’ll find out what this is all about,” Asael said, intrigued.

  —“Tell me something, Asael…” Ramael asked. “Why are you so interested? I know you’ve already sensed something about this energy. I can tell.”

  Asael looked at her and, for once, chose to be honest.

  —“I want to know what or who managed to breach the barrier that the Patriarch himself created.

  That’s not something to take lightly.”

  —“I need to know too,” Ramael replied, growing more uneasy by the second.

  During their journey, they discovered a surprising place: an expansive habitat full of life and beauty, a natural reserve of AN. Ancient creatures walked peacefully. It was a sanctuary that could only have been preserved by something… or someone.

  —“What is this place? What are these creatures? I never imagined anything like this,” Ramael said in awe.

  —“I’ve heard of it,” Asael replied. “The Patriarch visits it sometimes to rest.

  He told me it belongs to no city. Only to the planet itself.”

  —“Wow…” she whispered.

  —“He also said these beings have existed since before us. It’s said their blood carries the knowledge of thousands of years… even immense power.”

  —“Are you serious?”

  —“More than you think. But now’s not the time. Orphes is rising, and we still have a ways to go. Let’s fly.”

  The closer they got to the origin of the rupture, the more powerful the energy became.

  It slowly wrapped around them, and rather than repel them, it awakened a growing desire… something deep and dark began to stir inside them.

  At last, they saw it:

  A massive hole in the sky. From it poured a powerful, uncontrollable force—dark and overwhelming—as if trying to devour the world.

  —“Incredible… Can you feel it, Ramael?”

  —“What… is this?” she whispered, stunned.

  —“It’s like it’s touching my spirit!” Asael exclaimed. “I can feel it flowing through me. It’s magnificent!”

  —“No! Step away from it, Asael! I’ll destroy it now!”

  —“Don’t even think about it! I’m fine… better than ever,” Asael said, his eyes glowing. “You have to try it. Don’t be afraid.”

  —“I’m not afraid of anything, Asael. Let me try…”

  Ramael reached out toward the rift.

  The darkness seeped into them completely. A sensation they had never felt before took hold of them.

  Their power multiplied.

  Their appearances began to change.

  And their thoughts… were no longer their own.

  The dark energy surrounded them. Asael and Ramael could feel their hearts filling with new thoughts… dangerously seductive ones.

  —“I don’t know what’s happening… but it’s incredible,” said Asael, his body burning with that corrupting power.

  —“We were blind before,” added Ramael, staring at her hands. “But now… now I see clearly.”

  Asael closed his eyes and murmured:

  —“Wait… there are traces of someone else here. Someone else has already been in contact with this energy.”

  —“What do we do?”

  —“We find him. And we eliminate him. No one must know what happened here. And for now… we won’t tell Shemihaza.”

  —“I agree.”

  —“The energy points in that direction. Toward Querb.”

  —“Querb? A cherub wandering around here?”

  —“I’m not surprised. Many of them possess great magic. Let’s hurry. Before he does something stupid.”

  Meanwhile, in Arcan, Shemihaza had also sensed the change. The presences of Asael and Ramael were no longer the same. But he didn’t seem alarmed. Instead, he summoned Harmoni—a loyal and powerful commander—to investigate whether this energy had affected other cities… especially Serf.

  Harmoni was special. Her ability to teleport and her telepathy made her one of the hardest to track.

  But deep down… she too had doubts. Shemihaza no longer seemed entirely transparent.

  So before carrying out her mission, she detoured to Serf to speak with a wise elder she deeply respected: Allcan.

  —“Good morning, Harmoni,” the elder greeted. “Did the Patriarch send you?”

  —“He did, Master Allcan. He sent me to investigate… though I suspected you’d already know something.”

  —“I feared it. But I see you didn’t follow his orders exactly, did you?”

  —“I have my reasons.”

  —“Then tell me… what troubles you?”

  —“Something terrible is happening on the planet. There are secrets in Arcan that many of us don’t know. And I feel like we’re being kept in the dark. I came here because I trust you.”

  Allcan nodded with sadness.

  —“I don’t know much, Harmoni, but I can tell you this: that force has been sensed in Serf. It’s growing… and we can’t stop it.”

  —“I can’t just stand by.”

  —“You were born here. You are a daughter of Serf, even if you now serve Arcan.

  And you know as well as I do that Shemihaza has stopped fulfilling the King’s mandate.

  Hard times are coming…”

  —“I know. I also know Asael and Ramael were sent to investigate the energy, but their presence has changed. Something’s happened to them. Are we going to end up fighting each other?”

  —“Perhaps. But that has already begun.

  They’ve already found the source… and they’re not alone.

  A cherub has also been there. And they’re going after him.”

  —“Where?”

  —“Querb. That’s where he is.”

  —“Then I must go at once. I have to bring him to the Patriarch.”

  —“Please, Harmoni… don’t take that risk.

  They no longer think like you. If you go… observe and return.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  —“I’m a commander of Arcan. I won’t fail my duty.

  Don’t worry, Master. I’ve been trained for this.”

  Allcan sighed deeply, resigned.

  —“Before you go… there’s something else you should know.

  A very powerful Arcanian is training a group of chosen young people in secret.”

  —“Who is it?”

  —“Daniel. Your old friend.”

  Harmoni was stunned. Then she smiled.

  —“I can’t believe it… That’s actually good news. So Shemihaza doesn’t know, does he?”

  —“He only knows Daniel lives in seclusion… nothing more.

  But he’s hidden himself in a secret valley, protected by a barrier.”

  —“Then I’ll go see him. I want to talk to him… and meet those young ones.

  After that, I’ll head to Querb. Don’t worry, Master. I’ll know how to find him.”

  —“Go in peace, child. And may the King’s will guide you.”

  Driven by hope and urgency, Harmoni contacted Daniel telepathically, piercing through his barrier.

  —Daniel, it's me—Harmoni. I'm speaking to you through the mind. I need to see you.

  While training his students, Daniel felt her presence.

  —Harmoni? Is that really you?

  —Yes, old friend. Allcan told me about you. I need to speak with you. It's urgent.

  —Very well. I’ll open a breach.

  The young warriors saw Daniel speaking to the sky without understanding what was happening.

  —“Is he talking to himself?” asked Rafael.

  —“Maybe he’s losing his mind…” Uriel joked.

  —“I don’t think so. It looks like… he’s communicating with someone,” said Miguel, observant.

  —“All right, Harmoni. You may enter,” said Daniel, looking to the sky.

  A thunderous boom broke the air, and a figure descended, wrapped in a radiant aura.

  —“Hello, Daniel.”

  —“Hello, Harmoni. It's been a long time...”

  —“So this is the place Allcan told me about...” said Harmoni, gazing at the valley in awe. “I never imagined you’d be here… and even less that you’d take up your role as teacher again.”

  —“Everything had to remain a secret,” Daniel replied. “But now… it's no longer secret from you.”

  Turning to his students, he called out:

  —“Come here, everyone. I want to introduce you to an old friend.

  This is Harmoni, commander of Arcan. Like Remeiel and Rauel, she is a descendant of Serf.”

  —“No need to be so formal,” she laughed. “Hello, everyone.

  This is incredible, Daniel. It brings back so many memories.

  But that’s not why I came. I need you to listen.”

  —“Very well,” Daniel nodded. “You continue training,” he told the students.

  “Harmoni, come with me. We can talk over some tea.”

  But she shook her head.

  —“Forgive me, friend. There’s no time for that.

  What I have to say also concerns them.

  Listen carefully, everyone.”

  The students stopped their training, fully attentive.

  A strong aura radiated from Harmoni’s body—imposing, yet calm.

  —“Something terrible is happening on AN,” she said, her voice grave.

  “A powerful force has entered our world and is changing everything.

  The Patriarch has strayed from his path, and there are many things he hasn’t told us.

  He sent Asael and Ramael to investigate the source of that energy…

  but I heard he ordered them to do nothing.”

  —“And what happened?” asked Miguel.

  —“They came into contact with that force… and now they are no longer the same.

  They’re heading to Querb.”

  —“Querb? What’s there?” asked Gabriel.

  —“I’m not certain. I only know a cherub is involved,

  and I must find him to bring him before the Patriarch.”

  Daniel clenched his fists in concern.

  —“A cherub…? This is more serious than I imagined…”

  —“At first, I was deeply worried,” said Harmoni. “But after seeing these children… I now feel hope.

  Daniel, you must continue training them. Perhaps they are the key.”

  —“Let me go with you,” said Daniel. “I can’t let you face this alone.”

  —“No. You must stay.

  These young ones need you.

  I’ll be fine. Trust me.”

  —“Very well… but promise me you’ll come back. And tell me everything.”

  —“I promise,” she smiled. “I’ll come back.”

  Remeiel stepped forward:

  —“When we’re ready, ma’am, we’ll go with you to solve whatever needs solving.”

  —“I’m sure you will,” Harmoni replied. “But for now, keep training.

  Daniel… take care of them.”

  —“I will give everything I have to make sure they’re prepared.”

  Harmoni departed. Her figure vanished in a beam of light.

  —“Please, Harmoni… don’t die,” Daniel whispered, eyes fixed on the sky.

  A deep silence fell over the valley. They all felt it.

  Meanwhile, in Querb… the storm was just beginning.

  High above the city of Querb, Asael and Ramael hovered in silence, watching.

  —"That cherub is here," said Asael. "His energy is unmistakable."

  The trail led them to a great temple at the city's center. Inside, hundreds of followers sang and prayed. At the altar, a cherub played a sacred instrument.

  —"That’s him," Asael confirmed.

  —"Strange… He doesn’t look like an ordinary cherub," added Ramael.

  —"And all these followers… he’s clearly a leader."

  As they approached the altar, the temple guards quickly surrounded them, radiating hostility.

  —"Doesn’t look like we’re welcome," Ramael smirked, raising an eyebrow.

  —"Hey, you at the altar!" Asael shouted. "We want a word. Or are you going to let blood spill for nothing?"

  —"They're only doing their duty," the cherub replied calmly.

  "Who are you? And what do you want?"

  —"We just want to talk," said Asael, stepping forward.

  "Especially… about your visit to a certain special place."

  The cherub stiffened. He gave a signal, and his followers respectfully exited the temple.

  Once the temple was empty, they stepped closer.

  —"Thank you," Ramael said. "You're clearly a respected leader. What’s your name?"

  —"I am Luzbel, and I rule this city. And you?"

  —"I’m Ramael. This is Asael.

  We are commanders of Arcan."

  —"What brings you here?"

  —"We want to know what you were doing at the site of the black rift," said Asael.

  "Don’t lie. This city is soaked in that energy."

  —"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Luzbel replied, feigning innocence.

  —"Don’t play dumb," Asael growled. "What do you plan to do with the power you gained?"

  —"My plans… are none of your business," Luzbel said coldly.

  "I only wish to serve the King."

  —"Ah, how patriotic. So touching," Ramael mocked.

  —"Let me make you an offer," Asael said. "We want to help you."

  Luzbel narrowed his eyes.

  —"Help me? Why?"

  —"Our reasons don’t concern you. Just obey us.

  Your so-called ‘great war’ won’t begin until we say so."

  —"Wait? A king doesn’t wait for his throne..."

  —"But you will," Asael snapped. "Unless you want this city turned to ash."

  Luzbel lowered his gaze. Then… he smiled.

  —"Very well. I’ll do as you say."

  But deep inside, he was burning with fury:

  "Damn them... I won’t forget this."

  Just then, a new voice thundered through the temple:

  —"What is this…? Traitors! I won’t allow it!"

  Harmoni had arrived.

  Engulfed in fury, she drew her sword.

  —"You will face judgment before the Patriarch right now!"

  —"Harmoni… you shouldn’t be here," Asael sneered. "Leave while you can."

  —"Are you threatening me? I’m a commander of Arcan! I won’t let you destroy this world!"

  Without hesitation, she charged at them.

  But she didn’t see Ramael already behind her.

  With a swift and lethal movement, Ramael pierced her chest—straight through her heart.

  With her other hand, she gripped Harmoni’s face.

  —"Wrong time to show up, sweetheart," she whispered cruelly.

  "Seems your famous telepathy didn’t help much after all.

  This… is your end."

  Harmoni fell. Her light faded.

  And with tears of rage and helplessness in her eyes… she died.

  Far across the land, deep within the valley, Daniel felt it.

  A violent tremor surged through his body.

  His eyes widened with a mix of rage and sorrow.

  An immense energy burst from within him, shaking the entire valley.

  For the first time, his students witnessed their master unleash a glimpse of his true power.

  —"Wh-what was that?" Rafael asked, frightened.

  —"Look at his eyes… He’s… crying," Gabriel said quietly.

  Miguel stepped forward.

  —"Something terrible has happened."

  Uriel clenched her fists.

  —"I don’t like this… I feel like… we just lost someone important."

  Daniel remained silent, eyes lost in the horizon, heart shattered.

  Harmoni was gone.

  A familiar voice echoed softly but firmly in his mind.

  —"Daniel… stop.

  If you go now, all your efforts will be in vain.

  Don’t leave these children alone. Don’t let hatred consume you.

  Harmoni knew the risk. And you… you have a mission to fulfill."

  It was the voice of the sage Allcan.

  His words pulled Daniel back from the edge.

  Daniel closed his eyes tightly, holding back the anguish.

  —"Damn it...

  I swear… whoever did this… will pay."

  Sensing his pain, the young ones gathered around him. They didn’t speak—

  they just stood beside him.

  And Daniel, returning to his role as their guide, took a deep breath and said:

  —"There is no time to waste.

  We must keep moving forward."

  Meanwhile, in Querb, Harmoni’s lifeless body lay on the temple floor.

  Silence.

  Ramael glanced at Asael, unfazed.

  —"So… what do we do with this? We can’t take the body back to Arcan."

  —"She was a meddler," Asael muttered. "She should’ve stayed out of this."

  —"Lift her. I have an idea."

  Then, turning to Luzbel:

  —"Cherub… if you don’t want to end up like her, you’ll do exactly as we say.

  You will wait for our signal."

  Luzbel stared at them, eyes narrow.

  —"Very well," he answered calmly.

  But within, a fire burned:

  "One day… you will pay for this."

  And so, the first pact of betrayal was sealed.

  Darkness had crept into the hearts of once-protectors.

  And the first great loss marked the beginning of an inevitable war.

  Deep in the hidden valley, Daniel called his disciples together.

  He didn’t tell them everything.

  But in their souls, they knew:

  The world had changed.

  And soon…

  They would be called to fight.