In the heart of Balkania, the household of Sombor and Tirana were getting ready to visit the towering estate of Skopje the Great Sage. Today was the day in which their children, Adrian and Athina would finally get their magic tested. Sombor, his sword hanging by his side, was waiting by the door with Adrian his son. The paladin turned deputy tapped his foot impatiently. He would have to wait.

  Tirana, still attempting to get her daughter dressed, struggled as she was chasing after Athina. The toddler continued to zig-zag through the living room, jumping from one furniture to another. The mother’s pursuit continued until she tripped on a toy, leading to her crashing to the ground.

  With a hand covering his mouth, Sombor resisted the urge to laugh. “Need some help, Rana?”

  Tirana, lying prone on the ground, frowned. “I would appreciate that, boss.”

  With that, Sombor took the dress jacket from his wife and began to approach his daughter, now standing on the dinner table.

  “Come on, Athina,” he said.

  Sombor anticipated resistance, maybe he would have to chase her down. But instead, Athina jumped down and went to Sombor. Shocking, but he was not about to question this gift. He put on the small dress jacket for the toddler.

  Tirana sighed in relief. “Glad that’s over.”

  “Indeed,” responded Sombor. He turned his gaze to Adrian. “Ready to go, son?”

  The boy nodded, his expression serious. “Yes, father.”

  Tirana reached out her hand to take Athina’s, but the toddler slapped it away.

  “No!” she said, before grasping onto Sombor. “Papa!”

  But far from being offended, Tirana chuckled. “Papa’s little girl, aren’t we?” she said, smirking.

  “We should go,” Sombor interjected. “Your father’s expecting us to be there right around now.”

  Tirana responded, “Don’t worry, Som. I’m sure papa will understand.” As she said this, she gave Athina a knowing look.

  Little did the young parents know that the Blood Sun, the omen of the Demon King, was about to appear later this very day. Yet the troubling signs were there even before. Just as the family was about to leave, a messenger - Nis his name - arrived at the front gates of the family estate struggling to catch his breath.

  “L-lord Sombor,” he said. He took a deep breath. “Grave news!”

  “Slow down, Nis,” responded Sombor. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s Armoric sir. Pandemonium! Someone’s possessed by a demon, and a trial!”

  Sombor put a hand on Nis’ shoulder. “I need you to start from the beginning.”

  Thus, the messenger calmed down. And he reiterated his story to Sombor and Tirana. The nearby village of Armoric was in an uproar, a young man screamed of snake men in his nightmares. Because of his unruly behavior, the villagers were convinced that he was possessed by a demon.

  “...as we speak, he’s being judged,” Nis said. “But the verdict has been decided from the start, I’m sure of it.”

  Sombor nodded. “I see. Then I’ll be on my way.”

  Tirana took her husband’s hand. “Wait a minute! Armoric’s a few hours away by horse.”

  “I know,” Sombor said, his tone apologetic. “That means I can’t go with you and the kids to Skopje’s Tower.”

  Tirana pouted. “I’m sure Pellas and his adventurers can take this one.”

  “The adventurers will be able to smack the villagers around with their swords,” responded Sombor, “but this situation requires finesse, and someone who the people trust. Also, something about this feels weird. A part of me screams that I have to take a look for myself.”

  “Of… of course,” Tirana said, looking away. “Just be careful.”

  With that, husband and wife embraced one another. The two held on to each other for a good minute before they broke off.

  Sombor turned to Adrian. “Now son, I’ll need you to keep your mother safe.”

  The boy saluted his father. “Yes, sir. Leave it to me! Go get them, papa!”

  Sombor smiled. Then he faced Athina. “As for you, young lady. Listen to your mother, okay?”

  The usually unruly Athina nodded. She even allowed her mother to carry her.

  ***

  Before Sombor was to leave his estate, he made sure to take the Soul Ruby, the red gem of magic that could detect demonic possession. Even holding the rock gave the paladin a strange sense of nostalgia. He remembered being given this rock by King Dubrovnik II of Balkania, It went on to serve both Sombor and Tirana well back when they were the famed duo of adventurers - the paladin and the mage knight, the lovers who went on to take down the Demon King. Afterwards, Sombor put that red rock in a chest and locked it away; yet he knew someday that he would have to take it out again.

  A feeling of dread was filling Sombor’s chest when he left the gates of Balkania, away from the walls that kept the city safe from brigands and monsters alike… and demons.

  The road to Armoric had been calm and quiet. Too quiet. The lack of monsters were reassuring at first, but Sombor soon realized how lonely his journey had been. There should be traffic, travelers to and from Balkania City. Merchants, adventurers, even soldiers usually dotted this path.

  Sombor remembered Armoric’s stand against the Demon King’s horde. The forces of darkness had attempted to take that village, raze it, then use it as a forward base to attack Balkania City directly. Soldiers and adventurers were sent to defend that village. Sombor was there also, fighting alongside Tirana and many other adventurers of his past.

  But the paladin’s thoughts were interrupted by a scream.

  ***

  “Grandpapa!” Athina cried as she rushed the bearded figure of Skopje. She jumped into the arms of her grandfather’s, almost toppling the Great Sage over.

  “I miss you too, little Athina,” Skopje said warmly. With his granddaughter still in his arms, he turned to his grandson, still with his mother. “And what about you, young Adrianopol? Won’t you give your grandfather a hug?”

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  Adrian smiled, and did as was told.

  Watching the scene unfolding before her, Tirana crossed her arms and smirked. “Glad to see you love them so, papa,” she told Skopje. “You should visit more often.”

  “I wish I could, Tirana,” responded the Great Sage. “Unfortunately, the studies won’t write themselves.” He looked down to his grandchildren. “Studies on experiments that one day these two may carry out.”

  Tirana chuckled, but her eyes betrayed bemusement. “Not now, papa. You know why we’re here.”

  “Ah yes.” Skopje let go of the children. “Where’s your husband?”

  “Sombor’s busy,” responded Tirana. “Armoric went hysterical, the villagers believe someone’s possessed by a demon.”

  Upon hearing this, Skopje stroke his beard. “Hmm…”

  “Something wrong, papa?” asked Tirana. “Tell me.”

  Skopje motioned towards the children. “Not with these two around. Let’s go test their magic. That’s why you’re here, after all.”

  “Right,” Tirana said.

  As the group was making their way towards the lift of Skopje’s Tower, Adrian caught sight of a painting, it showed two figures: the first was a man with short black hair holding aloft a blade of light; his heavy white armor shined, covering his entire person but the head; the second figure, behind the first was a woman with blonde flowing hair, her grey armor was closer to a robe, her sleeves detached, leaving her upper arms bare, her weapon was also a sword but much smaller, designed more to keep enemies away, her real weapon could be gleaned from her other arm, pointed upwards - a ball of fire like the sun above her.

  “Mama,” the boy said. “That’s you and papa isn’t it?”

  Tirana nodded. “Seems like it. Though I don’t recall this painting the last time we were here.”

  Skopje interjected, “Perceptive of you, young Adrianopol. I made sure to commission the best painter in Balkania for this one.”

  “I like it,” Tirana said, smiling. “You even got our attires right. You must have done your research. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you’ve been keeping an eye on the two of us long before my return to the tower.”

  Skopje’s face turned red. “D-don’t be ridiculous.”

  Athina interjected, “Who this, mama?” She was pointing to the group of serpentine men in yellowish and greenish skin. They laid down defeated under the feet of Sombor and Tirana.

  “Those are snakemen, sweetie,” Tirana said, ruffling her daughter’s hair. “I’ll tell you more about them when you’re older.”

  ***

  Sombor couldn’t believe himself when he saw what was in front of him. Snakemen, impossible… The serpentine beings held down a man by their feet. An axe was raised up, ready to kill.

  “Help me!” the traveler cried.

  Sombor wasted no time; he lunged. The paladin’s swordsmanship hadn’t rusted in the five years of peace, and the first snakeman fell, its head cut off. There was no blood, for snakemen did not bleed. Instead, the body disappeared into aether. The other snakeman attempted to avenge its friend, but Sombor was too quick; he kicked the snake on the chest, staggering it. Sombor followed up with a swing to its chest, and stabbed the serpent through its cold heart.

  Soon the creature disappeared, leaving the paladin’s sword pointing in the air.

  Sombor turned to the traveler, and reached down his hand. “Are you okay?”

  The traveler nodded before accepted the help. Now back on his feet, he spoke, “Thank you, sir. You saved my life.”

  “Don’t worry about,” responded Sombor.

  The deputy’s mind was instead of the traveler’s assailants… snakemen - servants of the Demon King. After his defeat, all of the remaining snakemen disappeared for they were spawns of the Demon King’s mind, a manifestation of his hatred for the human race and the God who created them. And Sombor knew full well that its appearance could only mean one thing… the Demon King’s return was at hand. These troubling thoughts led Sombor to question the traveler he had just rescued. Unfortunately, the man came bearing bad news…

  Dangerous monsters appearing in dungeons, formerly abandoned dungeons now occupied, road attacks, and many more. The traveler himself barely avoided death, the adventurers he hired perished when the party was ambushed by monsters as they were escaping from the Armoric Mines.

  “... and that’s how you got here, huh,” Sombor said. “Running away in a panic, leaving your bodyguards behind.”

  “I’m sorry,” the merchant responded, his tone sad. “But I’m a merchant, not a fighter.”

  Sombor put his hands forward. “No, no. I didn’t mean it like that. The adventurers did their job, and you ensured that their sacrifice was not in vain.” He looked to the road behind him. “Unfortunately, I can’t escort you to the city. I’m needed at Armoric Village.”

  The merchant nodded. “That’s okay, I’m actually staying at Armoric. It’s closer to the mines and the inn’s cheaper. Also, the road between the village and Balkania City is safe… or so I thought.”

  Sombor grimaced. “Times are changing.” He whistled for his horse. “Now come with me, I’ll escort you to your inn.”

  “Thank you,” the merchant said, reaching out a hand. “I’m Tiraspol, by the way.”

  “Sombor,” responded the deputy. And the two shook hands.

  The merchant gasped, his mouth agape. “Sombor?”

  “Something wrong?”

  “It... it can wait,” Tiraspol said. “Let us go. I don’t want to stay on the road longer than I have to.”

  “Understood.”

  As he was saying this, Sombor instinctively reached into his pocket, and held onto the Soul Ruby inside.

  ***

  Adrian held the glass orb tightly with both hands. “Wow, this is cool.” As he was saying this, he could feel his younger sister tugging on his shirt, asking for the orb. “No, Athina!” he said. “This is grandpa’s. You’re gonna break it.”

  Skopje stepped between the two kids. “I’m afraid your brother’s right, little Athina. Go to your mother, now.”

  Tirana stepped forward. Athina pouted, but did not protest as she was carried up by her mother.

  “Now,” Skopje said to Adrian. “Focus your energy, don’t overthink it. This crystal measures the winds of magic in you, the kind and number.”

  His eyes closed, the boy nodded.

  Soon, the orb shook. It remained clear, but there was a strong glow out of it. Skopje’s eyes narrowed, his face focused, as he studied the orb. Then, he looked to Adrian. “Very good, young Adrianopol.”

  “Really? What did I get?”

  “You are strong in magic,” Skopje said. “Support magic, to be more specific. You are the shield and shell that keep safe not just yourself but your allies as well.”

  Tirana interjected, “Wonderful.” She moved closer to Adrian, then ruffled his hair. “Are you going to be a paladin? I know your father had begun training you in swordplay.”

  Adrian smiled, joy covered his face. “Yeah, a paladin! Just like papa.”

  “Or...” Skopje said, his hand on Adrian’s shoulder, “… perhaps you can be an engineer. You know my constructs don’t maintain themselves, and they also need a commander. Support magic is the perfect skillset for an engineer.”

  “Umm,” Adrian said unsurely. “I don’t know, grandpa….”

  Tirana shook her head. “Not that I blame you or anything, papa. But I would appreciate it if you would refrain from headhunting my son just yet. He’s not even five.”

  Skopje put his hand behind his head. “Right… my apologies.” He then turned to Athina, still carried by her mother. “Now it’s your turn, little Athina.”

  Upon hearing this, Athina squealed with excitement. She got down from her mother’s arms and rushed towards the crystal ball. With a swing of her arms, she smacked the crystal with both hands.

  Skopje cried, “No, Athina!”

  But it was too late, the crystal shook violently as it began glowing brightly with colors; first red, then green, then the two mixed to form yellow. Then it exploded.

  Thankfully for the family, Skopje was able to generate a magical barrier around the crystal, just in time, preventing glass shards from flying everywhere.

  Yet Tirana was not amused. She glared at her daughter, her arms crossed.

  Athina looked down, a guilty look on her face. “Sorry, mama.”

  Skopje looked around, shaking his head as he saw pieces of glass on the floor. “That girl is pure destruction.”

  Tirana sighed. “Tell me something I don’t know. So what now?”

  “Worry not,” responded Skopje. “I was able to get a good look of the crystal before it exploded. There was a great mix of fire and wind magics. They also combined together, forming electric magic.”

  Tirana’s eyes widened. “Electric magic? No way!”

  Skopje took Athina in his arms. “To harness her power safely and effectively, she needs only training - both at the Academy and here in my estate. She will be a great sage.”

  At this, Tirana smirked. “Or a great mage knight.”

  Skopje groaned. “Tirana, I thought we’re past this.”

  Tirana responded, her tone defensive, “I am simply stating… you tried to turn me into a sage. And look how that turned out. Perhaps if we train her as a mage knight as soon as possible, she will avoid the mistakes that I made.”

  Skopje opened his mouth to respond…

  But a scream shattered the peace. Skopje and Tirana rushed out to the window only to be greeted by a horrifying sight.

  ***

  “Look at that!” the merchant shouted, his finger pointed up. He currently rode as the passenger on Sombor’s horse.

  The sun had turned red with blood. And the sky was unnaturally yellow. Even just looking at it would churn anyone’s stomach.

  Sombor’s eyes widened. “No,” he said. “It can be… the Blood Sun.”

  “Is that bad?” asked Tiraspol.

  Sombor looked back to the merchant, his face was one of disbelief. “You’re… not from around here are you?”

  “No, sir,” he responded. “I hail from the nearby Pontica to the east, deeper into The Great Continent. My employer is none other than Lord Adrianopol himself, may Bogan’s peace be upon him.”

  Sombor said nothing. Unbeknownst to his companion, his mouth was open with surprise. My…my father? But he wouldn’t have time to dwell on this newfound fact.

  After all, Armoric Village was just ahead of him.