Zorlak clenched his bloodied fists as he faced the trio. The sound boy rushed forward, leaping high into the air.
"Sonic Boom!" he shouted.
His punch came crashing down, but Zorlak raised his force field just in time, the attack bouncing off with a shockwave. Zorlak grabbed the boy by the neck, lifting him off the ground.
"You little pest…" he growled. "You'll die like the rest."
Before he could crush him, Muscle charged in with a punch to Zorlak's gut, then swept his legs. Zorlak flipped mid-air and landed, retaliating with a spinning kick that sent Muscle back. Nova gritted his teeth and charged with his axe, aiming for Zorlak's head. But again, the force field absorbed the blow.
Zorlak tossed the sound boy aside like a ragdoll and caught Nova by the collar. He pummeled him with relentless punches.
"Why are you doing this?!" Nova yelled between blows.
Zorlak paused, smirking. "It's none of your business… thief."
Just as Zorlak leaned closer, Muscle slashed him across the back with a sword. Blood splattered across the dirt. Zorlak staggered and dropped to his knees.
Breathing heavily, Muscle lifted the sword for the final strike. But then snap.
A cold echo of a finger snap filled the air. A dark portal twisted open behind Zorlak, swirling like a vortex of shadows. A cloaked figure emerged silently and grabbed Zorlak by the shirt.
Zorlak, bruised and battered, chuckled and yawned.
"Let's meet again… thief," he whispered to Nova with a grin.
Before Nova could react, the mysterious figure pulled Zorlak into the darkness. The portal collapsed in silence.
Nova stared at the empty space for a moment, then at the sky above.
"Hey…" he turned to the sound boy. "What's your name?"
The boy stood atop the rubble, catching his breath. "I'm Ronan."
Muscle walked up, scratching his head. "What just happened?"
"He was saved," Ronan replied, still watching the spot where Zorlak vanished. "Saved by his ally."
"Ally?!" Muscle cursed. "Tch, I should've aimed for the head."
Ronan nodded. "We're lucky. Whoever that guy was… if he wanted us dead, we'd be gone."
Nova sighed, wiping sweat from his brow. "So… it's over?"
"For now," Ronan replied.
Suddenly, the sound of running footsteps echoed. Dozens of townspeople emerged from the shadows, their faces filled with relief and gratitude.
"You saved us!" one shouted. "You're heroes!"
A little girl ran up to Nova and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, big brother!"
Nova blinked, stunned—but then smiled, truly and fully. The crowd cheered and praised them, surrounding Nova, Muscle, and Ronan with warmth.
Muscle raised his arms awkwardly as people clapped his back. "Heh… this is the first time anyone's ever thanked me."
Ronan scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on a familiar face—his mother, limping but alive. He sprinted toward her and hugged her tight.
"Mom!"
She smiled through her pain. "I'm safe… because of him," she said, pointing to Nova.
Ronan turned to Nova and grinned. "Thanks, man."
Nova returned the grin. In his heart, something stirred. This feeling… is this what it means to save people?
An old man walked up to Muscle and handed him a cup. "Drink this, boy. You earned it."
Muscle drank it in one gulp. "OHHH! This is the best juice ever!"
Laughter filled the air.
But Nova's gaze wandered to Polo's lifeless, monstrous body. He walked toward it slowly, kneeling beside it in silence.
"I'll finish him for you," Nova whispered, eyes somber.
Muscle joined him. "When are we leaving for Sylvaris?"
"Tomorrow," Nova said. "We'll rest tonight."
Ronan approached. "Where are you guys headed?"
Muscle nudged Nova. "Tell him. Might sound childish, though."
Nova stood tall. "We're heading out… to find Eluria."
"Eluria?!" Ronan grinned. "Hell yeah I'm coming too!"
"Really?!" Muscle shouted.
Ronan nodded. "I'm looking for something too. A legendary sword… the Sunblade."
Muscle's eyes widened. "Sunblade?!"
Nova's face lit up. "My grandfather told me about it. A sword made by the gods…"
As night fell, the villagers returned to their homes. Nova, Muscle, and Ronan stayed at Ronan's house. After a hearty meal, they lay side by side in the small bedroom.
"So," Muscle asked, "what is that power you have?"
"Oh, that?" Ronan replied. "It's called Kai. You guys really don't know?"
Nova sat up. "Tell us!"
"Kai is energy within us," Ronan explained. "Train it, and it gives power like mine."
Nova's eyes gleamed. "I want to learn it!"
"I'm not the best teacher," Ronan admitted, "but don't worry. Sylvaris is the land where Kai was born."
Nova smiled wide. "Then I'll learn it there. And I'll find Eluria."
Ronan nodded. "And I'll find the Sunblade."
They laughed together brothers in spirit now before drifting into dreams beneath the stars.