The moon was high and cold, hanging like a silver blade in the black sky.
The battle was over, but the air still smelled of smoke, burnt mana, and the copper scent of blood. After the brutal and bloody clash in the forest, Fude was finally captured by Kaza.
He was not just tied with ordinary ropes, but bound by the ancient and terrifying Anti-Mana Chains. These chains were cursed artifacts of the Guild; they pulsed with a parasitic, sickly gold light, working tirelessly to consume the very magic power of their victims.
Every time Fude tried to breathe, he felt his life force being sucked into the cold iron, leaving his veins feeling like they were filled with ice.
Kaza sat atop his horse, his breathing heavy and ragged. He watched the bound King, thinking to himself: Finally, I have finished my work. This monster is caught.
Now Fude's life is in my hands, and very soon, he will die under the blade of justice. But even in his victory, Kaza felt a hollow,
aching chill in his chest. He remembered the warning King Felko had shouted at him—that he would regret this forever. "Why am I not getting happiness?" Kaza whispered to the night wind, his voice trembling.
He looked up at the moon and saw the innocent face of his daughter, Aki, in the shadows of the craters. "My child... your father has taken your mother's revenge. I am coming for you, my daughter. I have ended the evil."
Beside him, Zen looked at the prisoner, noticing how the metal was biting into the skin. "Leader Kaza... I think these chains are hurting him too much. They are digging into his bones."
Kaza's eyes were like shards of glass. "This chain is doing its job. It is consuming his whole mana power. Look at him... he was a King, but now he is just a hopeless dog."
Kaza leaned toward Fude, his voice a cruel, raspy growl. "Don't worry, Fude. I will not stop here. I will kill the rest of your people, every last monster and subject, and then you can meet them in the fires of hell."
Fude didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a loud, haunting roar of a laugh that echoed through the dark trees. "Kaza... you are a fool. You think you can easily kill us? You are an idiot who is burning his own graveyard with his own hands! My subjects are more powerful than me! You are opening a door you can never close."
"Shut up!" Kaza snapped, his anger boiling over. "You are captured! You are nothing! I can kill you right now on this road. Got it?"
Fude looked him in the eye, his gaze piercing through Kaza's soul despite the blood dripping down his face.
"You can't do it. You are nothing but a puppet of your owner. You move when they pull the strings. And remember... your owner will pay in blood. If I ever release from these chains, I will become Death itself for you and every knight in the Guild. You are now in my target book, Kaza. I will never forget your face."
Kaza sneered, though a cold shiver ran down his spine. "I am not afraid of the threats of a dead man. You can't do anything against me."
Tora interrupted the tension, looking at the horizon where the sky was turning a dark grey. "Kaza, should we stop or keep walking? The horses are tired."
"No! We must keep moving," Kaza ordered. "We must reach the Wellko Kingdom gates by the time the sun rises. The world needs to see him in chains. Move forward!"
The Shelter of the Elves
Far away from the captured King, the survivors finally reached the Elko Tribe. Welfcone burst through the sacred gates, his majestic fur matted with thick, running blood.
The Elven soldiers, usually calm and stoic, stood back in total shock and horror.
Welfcone ignored the pain of his own wounds. He looked at Ongo and Dazzley, his breath coming in short, pained gasps.
"Dazzley... Ongo... take care of the subjects here. Protect them with your lives. I am going back! I am going to save our King!"
A soldier rushed to the royal tent of King Zelkaro. "My King! My King! Fude's commander, Welfcone, is here! He is covered in blood! The fur is red! And the subjects... their condition is terrible! They look like they have walked through a massacre!"
Zelkaro bolted out of his tent, his face pale. "What are you saying, you idiot?! Where is King Fude?! Did he not come with them?" He ran to the gates and saw the carnage. "Welfcone! What happened? Why is your pack decimated? Why are the people crying?"
A heavy silence fell over the tribe. Finally, Dazzley stepped forward, her eyes red and swollen. She began to sob uncontrollably. "Our King... he gave us orders to leave. The Guild Knights attacked with the light of heaven.
He stayed behind to save us... he stood alone so we could run. He didn't come back, Zelkaro... he was surrounded. And our brothers... so many were killed by the knights. The wolf-pack is broken."
Zelkaro's face darkened with a grief so deep it felt like the earth itself was shaking. "This is the worst news... I feared this day would come when the Guild turned their eyes toward him. But listen to me! Do not worry. You are in my tribe now. No one can touch you here. We will sacrifice our lives for Fude and for you. We are brothers now.
" He turned to his men, shouting orders. "Provide them with homes! Give them food! Make them comfortable! Make sure they feel the peace of the forest! Go now!"
Zelkaro looked at Dazzley with confusion. "But why? Why is the Guild so thirsty for Fude's blood? What do they want from a man who only wanted peace?"
"I don't know," Dazzley cried, hiding her face in her hands. "If I knew why they hated us so much, I would tell you. We did nothing wrong!"
Welfcone turned his massive head toward the forest. "Zelkaro... close your tribe gates after I leave. Create the strongest protective shield you have. Be ready for battle. I am sure the knights will come here next to finish the job."
As Welfcone sped away into the night, Zelkaro ordered every Elven mage to stand in a circle. They began to chant, creating a massive Protective Shield of shimmering green and gold light. As the dome covered the tribe, Zelkaro looked at the sky. Fude, I hope you are okay. If they do anything wrong to you... if they hurt a single hair on your head... then I am taking a slogan. I will vanish the Guild Leader and every person who stood against you.
The Walk of Shame
As the first light of the sun began to rise, turning the sky a sickly pale yellow, Kaza and his troop arrived at the massive gates of the Wellko Kingdom. The soldiers on the walls began to shout down to the streets below: "People of Wellko! Wake up! Our hero, the great knight Kaza, has been successful! He has captured the Demon King Fude! Come out! Come out and see the monster in chains!"
The citizens flooded the streets, a sea of angry and confused faces. Some people, fueled by the lies of the Guild, rushed forward and began throwing stones at Fude. "Monster!" they yelled. "Now your judgment will be done by our King!"
But among the crowd, many people were frozen in shock. They remembered the Fude who had helped them, the King who was kind. They thought he was innocent, but no one had the courage to raise their voice. In this world, to defend a demon was to be labeled a traitor to the Guild and the Gods. It was a curse that would follow your family for generations.
An Old Woman, her face lined with deep wrinkles of grief, rushed through the guards. She began beating Fude's chest with her weak fists, crying out in agony. "Why?! Why did you do it?! My child was a priest at that church! You killed him! What did he ever do wrong to you? Why did you take my son?!"
Fude said nothing. He didn't even look at her. It felt as if every cell in his body was dying, one by one, turning to cold ash. He accepted the blows in total silence.
"Please, mother, go back," Kaza told her, his voice softening. "He is too dangerous even in chains. Today, your child gets his justice. Thank the Gods that we caught him."
The old woman looked at Kaza with tears of gratitude. "God bless you, Kaza. You are a true hero. May you never face problems in your life."
Watching from a high balcony was Keo Duro. He had been in the kingdom the whole time, disobeying the orders of King Leobarko to protect Fude.
He watched the scene with a twisted smile. You deserve this, Fude, he thought. You are the victim of my brother Leo Duro's death. You thought I would help you? Never. I always wanted to kill you with my own hands... but seeing you humiliated like this is even better.
The Cell of Blood
Commander Geo stood by as the guards dragged Fude into the Anti-Mana Cell. This was no ordinary dungeon; the walls were stained a permanent, deep red—a magic stone that showed the victim the "crimes" they were accused of. Geo saw Fude's broken condition, the blood ruining his royal clothes, the bruises on his face. Geo began to cry silently.
I am so sorry, King Fude, Geo thought, his heart breaking. Please forgive me. I know you are innocent. I know the Guild is targeting you for no reason. But I am telling you now... you will come out of this. I will find a way.
Geo hurried to King Felko's private cabinet. He burst inside, his voice trembling. "My King... the Demon King Fude is in our cell. Kaza has returned. He was successful... but Fude's condition is critical. He is barely holding on to life."
When Felko heard this, his legs gave out. He collapsed to the floor, his crown falling and rolling away. He began to beat the floor with his fists. "Why?! Why didn't you run, Fude?! I told you! Why did you let them take you?!"
Felko looked up at Geo, his eyes wild. "The subjects... Geo, did Kaza say anything? Did he spare them? Is there anyone left?"
"He said nothing to me, my King," Geo replied, looking at the floor.
"No... no!" Felko screamed, his voice cracking. "Kaza... what have you done? You think you did right? You think you are a hero? You have become the real devil! you killed everyone he loved!"
Suddenly, a metallic sound filled the palace—the sound of a grindstone sharpening a massive sword. Felko ran to his balcony and saw the construction in the courtyard. They were building the execution stage. "No! I can't do this! I am a King, but I am just a slave! I can do nothing but scream!" He began punching his own face in a fit of self-hatred. "I am responsible for this! I am an idiot King! If I had been active, if I had fought the Guild, this day would never have come. But enough! I will protect him now. Either I die, or he lives. His life is more precious than mine!"
The Rescue and the Tragedy
Outside the city, Welfcone was searching for his master. He found the path to the kingdom, but as he looked back at Fude's lands, he saw they were vanished—burned to nothing. He smelled the ground, and when he caught the scent of Fude's blood, he let out a howl so loud it shook the trees. "No! It can't be possible! Tell me this is a joke!"
He was burning with anger. "They will die today! Every one of them!" But then he remembered Fude's last words: Your King is with you. He was losing his mind with grief. "What do I do? I can't break his orders... but I can't let him die!"
Suddenly, Ongo and Oberko appeared behind him. "Welfcone! Stop howling! We have to find him! We don't have time for tears!"
"I am breaking his orders," Welfcone growled, his eyes glowing red. "My master is more important than my life. Ongo! Oberko! Sit on my back! Hold my fur tight!"
He followed the hoofprints of Kaza's horses with the speed of a lightning bolt. They reached the mountains overlooking the Wellko Kingdom. "They took him there?" Ongo asked, pointing at the stone walls.
"Felko is a traitor," Oberko spat. "He used our King. He ate from the same plate and then put a hole in it! I always suspected him, but I didn't take it seriously. If I had, we wouldn't be in this hell."
"Stop!" Welfcone commanded. "We focus on the rescue. We find the cell. If you find him, howl softly so I can get the signal. Got it?"
They used magic to change their appearance and slipped into the kingdom. But Tora, Kaza's lieutenant, was suspicious. He stopped them in the street. "You three... where did you come from? What are your names?"
"I am Rebecca," Oberko lied, keeping his head down. "And this is Rino. We are brothers. We came here to get our cash from a shopkeeper. We provided him materials for his forge."
Tora looked them over. "Is that so? Well, I'll come with you. I have nothing better to do."
Oberko panicked but nodded. "Yea... why not?" They entered the shop—the very same shop where Fude had bought his Grey Katana. The shopkeeper looked at them and immediately recognized the "brothers."
"Oh! You came for your payment!" the maker said quickly, playing along. "I am so sorry, I forgot to pay you. Here!"
Tora watched for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. I just remembered something important. Sorry for suspecting you." As soon as Tora left, the shopkeeper leaned in close. "Listen to me. King Fude is in the Anti-Mana cell. Go to the right of the palace, there is a secret entrance to the basement. Go fast!"
"Why are you helping us?" Ongo asked.
"Because we are all victims of the Guild's lies," the maker said. "They say he attacked the church, but I know him. He couldn't do such a thing."
The Breaking of the King
Deep in the dark cell, Fude sat in silence. He couldn't stop seeing the images of the wolf-pack dying to protect him. Their faces haunted his mind. I was wrong, he thought, his heart turning to stone. I thought humans and monsters could live together. I was a fool. But now... I will show them what a real monster is.
He spoke a slogan to the shadows: "The old King Fude is dead. A new Demon King has been born. From this moment on, there is no mercy. No forgiveness. I only believe in my loyal ones."
Kaza arrived at the bars, looking triumphant. "Are you ready, Fude? You are the first one to burn in the graveyard you built. I feel sad for you... but every demon king must die."
Fude looked up, and his voice was like a cold wind from the grave. "Kaza... I told you. I did not give the order for the church. I was always on your side. But you didn't listen. Now, that Fude is dead. Remember this moment, Kaza. It is the beginning of your nightmare."
Kaza pulled him out of the cell, dragging him to the courtyard. He forced Fude's head onto the wooden block. He handed the executioner's sword to King Felko. "Finish it, King."
Felko's hands were shaking so hard he almost dropped the blade. He was paralyzed with fear.
"Our King is too weak," Kaza mocked. He had already sent word to the Guild Leader, Volpora. Suddenly, Umi arrived, carrying Aki.
Aki ran to Kaza, hugging his leg. "Papa! I missed you! Why did you leave me?"
"Look, Aki," Kaza said, pointing at Fude. "This is the man who took your mother. Watch as he pays."
Volpora stepped forward, taking the sword from Felko's trembling hands. "Well done, Kaza. You have served the Guild well." As Volpora raised the sword to strike, a massive, earth-shaking howl tore through the air!
Welfcone, Oberko, and Ongo leaped onto the execution stage! Welfcone slammed into Volpora, his claws slicing the leader's hands. "How dare you put your dirty sword near my master's neck! You will die for this!"
Kaza screamed, "Umi! Take Aki away! Get out of here! Xen! Take the Leader to safety! I will finish these beasts!"
Umi grabbed Aki and ran as fast as she could. Oberko kicked the Grey Katana toward Fude. "Master! Take it!"
"Finish them!" Kaza yelled to Zen and Tora. "Use the Heaven's Door Power! Cut their heads off!"
The knights charged, their swords glowing with a blinding, holy light. In a fraction of a second, the world slowed down. Kaza's blade swung with divine speed, and Welfcone's head was severed, rolling across the stage. In the next breath, Zen's sword cut through Oberko, and Tora's blade pierced Ongo.
Fude watched his last three friends die in front of him. Something inside him snapped—a sound like a thousand mirrors breaking. His eyes turned a hellish, glowing purple mixed with blood-red.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The scream was so powerful it shattered every window in the palace. With a sound like a mountain collapsing, Fude shattered the Anti-Mana Chains into a million pieces. He caught the Grey Katana in mid-air, and the blade exploded with an aura of Dark Purple and Crimson flames.
"Dragon Spirit... SHOW YOUR FULL POWER! DESTROYER OF WORLDS!"
Fude moved like a ghost made of shadow. Before Zen could even blink, Fude cut his head off. Tora tried to scream, but Fude was already behind him, slicing him in half. He lunged at Kaza, the speed of his strike too fast to dodge. The blade cut through Kaza's eye, leaving a permanent scar of darkness.
"You killed my children," Fude hissed, his voice echoing like a demon's. "Today, your bad days start. Remember this pain, Kaza. I am your doom."
Kaza fell back, gasping, unable to comprehend the power. Fude didn't stay to finish him. He grabbed the terrified King Felko and threw him over his shoulder. Before he vanished, he threw a wave of sacred, purple flames over the bodies of Welfcone, Oberko, and Ongo, giving them a funeral of fire so the Guild could not have their remains.
Then, with a burst of Dussa Per Magic, Fude vanished from the kingdom.
Keo Duro watched from the shop windows his face pale with horror. "Why... why won't you just die, Fude? What have we awakened?"