Neil, who was destined for the great good of his people, remained frozen in place. The area was utterly quiet, as if nature itself mourned the outcome.
"What's that strange feeling?" a soldier of Acroniya asked his comrades. "Yeah, it feels like something bad has happened," another replied.
One of them said, shaking, "I suddenly feel a fear." Another added, "Yes, I'm feeling the same—like cold chills that are shaking my will and motivation."
The first soldier, who had initiated the conversation, looked towards the mountain ranges. With narrowed eyes, he said, "This happened when that strange energy rushed from that area."
Zellto, on his way, suddenly felt his ride slow down. He turned towards the mountain range. "What was that feeling?" Zellto was about to continue when he stopped, looking back at the mountains. This time, his expression was a mix of curiosity, shock, and grief.
"Vice Commander, what happened?" his fellow Kazos asked. He remained silent for four or five minutes before ordering, "Move forward and don't look back. We are running out of time."
The Kazos roared in unison, and Zellto, the last to move, had tears welling in his eyes—tears too afraid to fall. The Kazos began talking amongst themselves. "I'm suddenly feeling chills, what about you?" "Same," another replied with a single word. A third added, "Maybe this is related to that strange energy that rushed out from the mountain ranges." "Perhaps," another casually replied as they continued towards their destination.
Andeer and Ilar, who were talking, suddenly felt cold. "What's happening? I'm feeling cold, and why now?" Ilar, rubbing his arms, said, "Wait, let me light a fire."
The royal army abruptly halted. Prince Aaveer August looked towards the mountain range and, in fear, said, "This is not good." A soldier asked, "What's wrong, sir? What happened?" He remained in that state for a moment, then ordered, "Warn every unit and the royal castle at once. Destruction waves will come from the mountain range."
The royal army quickly began preparing to send the message. "I feel like we've lost this fight, but..." The prince looked towards the mountain range in confusion, then slapped himself and continued, "There's no time, even for our grief. Many lives are counting on us. Where are you, Neil? Show yourself to the people; they are counting on you most of all."
All of Acroniya was enveloped in the same cold and fearful atmosphere. No one knew what had happened, but most of them consciously or unconsciously looked towards the mountain range.
In the elders' castle, "His energy has disappeared," Elder Hao said with a heavy heart. "No... no, this cannot be true... It's just like before—so low it can barely be felt. Right? RIGHT?" one of them said. Mirkan extended his arms and hugged him tightly. "No, Lirieon, calm down. You have to accept it. No one here wants to believe this, but..." Mirkan paused, then shouted to bring him back to his senses, "BUT THIS IS TRUE. HIS BLOODLINE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN."
Lirieon's eyes flickered, regaining a hint of life, and then he closed them again. Mirkan quickly wiped away his tears. All the elders' eyes were filled with tears, but they swiftly composed themselves. "Take him to his room," Elder Hao ordered the guards.
Leo looked towards the mountain range and shouted, "Get ready and rest for a moment. The next few hours will decide the future of Acroniya!"
Everyone roared, "For Acroniya!" Their spirit was so strong that they didn't feel the chills emanating from the mountain ranges. However, as the soldiers moved away, a tear fell from one soldier's eye. He looked back at the mountains, said nothing, and remained silent for a moment. "We will not fail you, Commander," he whispered.
Meanwhile, Julicious remained rooted in place, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He looked towards the mountain ranges and roared in pain. His eyes were bloodshot as he pierced a soldier's body with his bare hand, the soldier instantly turning into black smoke. Julicious roared again, shaking the entire region.
"How should we tell her?" Ruzaar asked the others. Everyone lowered their heads. Mirkan looked towards Lirieon's room and said in a worried tone, "I know this will be hard for everyone, especially for her..." He looked at the room for a moment, then turned to the elders. "But..." Unable to find a better way to break the news, he grabbed a piece of paper and a wooden pen, dipping the pen in ink. The ink dripped onto the ground, spoiling it. Ruzaar asked the guards to bring new ink, but Mirkan stopped him.
"No need. I'm almost finished." Mirkan stabbed his palm with the pen, and blood began to flow. The guards rushed towards Mirkan, but Ruzaar stopped them. "This is his choice, and we must accept it." Ruzaar felt terrible, but he knew that any interference would only worsen the situation.
After ten to fifteen minutes, Mirkan finished his letter. His palm bore eleven stab wounds. The work table was covered in red spots that would not easily fade, and the letter was written in a combination of ink and blood. The back of the letter also had a few spots, but Mirkan managed to save it from being ruined.
Ruzaar carefully entrusted the letter to a guard and said in a sad tone, "You know what to do." The guard nodded in sadness and began walking towards his destination. The elders took Mirkan to his room and called for the doctor.
The doctor, who had just finished checking on Lirieon, came to Mirkan's room and began treating him. The wounds were sealed with bandages, and herbal pastes were applied beneath them.
*A few minutes later, in a distant region of Acroniya:*
A beast began walking towards a house. The house's front yard was filled with small herbs, vegetables, flowers, and other items. As the beast approached, it saw that the entrance to the house was blocked by sky-piercing trees, standing tall without branches or leaves. The beast searched for another way in but had no luck. The house was completely fenced in, and the fences were special, which the beast quickly sensed.