Liebe jumped out of bed, his heart pounding wildly.
Outside, there were footsteps, noise… panic.
“What’s happening…?” He ran outside—and froze.
Fire.
The houses were burning as if consumed by darkness itself.
People were screaming, some trying to escape, others trying to fight.
And among all of that… Them.
Creatures straight out of nightmares—twisted, shadowy, with eyes glowing in a violet light.
“The Abyss…” Liebe whispered.
“LIEBE!
OVER HERE!” Orvin shouted.
The old man stood with a sword in his hands, protecting several villagers.
“Run!
You’re not ready yet!” “But I—” “THAT’S AN ORDER!” Liebe clenched his teeth.
His legs trembled… but he couldn’t move.
In front of him, one of the creatures lunged toward a child.
Time slowed down.
I… won’t make it… And then— Light.
A warm, blinding light ignited within him.
“What… is this…?” His body moved on its own.
One step.
Another.
And a strike.
The wooden sword that should have shattered… stopped the creature.
Light wrapped around his hands.
The creature let out a distorted scream before dissolving into shadows.
For a moment, silence covered the battlefield.
“He… used light…?” Orvin whispered.
Liebe stood there, breathing heavily, unable to understand what had just happened.
But one thing was certain— This was only the beginning.