Lumen Plaza the town square of the empire of Lychnis as the night wrapped the lumen Plaza and people dances along with the music and the streets full of voices of the people's laughter and chatter, the air seemed to glow with the soft, warm light of lanterns strung across the plaza. The vibrant stalls lining the cobblestone streets offered everything from fragrant spices to colorful fabrics, while performers dazzled the crowd with their mesmerizing acts—fire breathers, jugglers, and musicians creating a harmonious symphony of entertainment.
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In the heart of the plaza stood the grand fountain of Solis, a magnificent structure adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and celestial patterns. Water cascaded gracefully from the statue of the Sun Goddess at its peak, shimmering like liquid gold under the lantern light.
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Among the revelers, a young girl cloaked with silver hair and silky white eyes stood quietly, watching the joyous scene unfold. She clutched a small book to her chest, her gaze filled with a mixture of longing and curiosity.
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"Xia," a soft voice called from behind her. Turning, she saw her companion—a towering figure cloaked in shadows, his golden eyes glowing faintly under the hood. Despite his intimidating presence, his voice held a warmth that reassured her.
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"It's a beautiful place isn't it?" Xia whispered, her voice carrying a tinge of melancholy. "But I can't help but feel... out of place."
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The figure stepped closer, his shadow mingling with hers as he gazed at the lively crowd. "Even in the brightest light, there are shadows, Princess," he said gently. "But you are no mere shadow. You are a spark waiting to ignite."
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Xia looked up at him, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Thank you, lioner," she said softly.
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As the festivities continued, a distant melody began to play—a hauntingly beautiful tune that seemed to come from nowhere yet everywhere at once. The crowd stilled, their attention drawn to the source of the music. Xia felt a chill run down her spine, the notebook in her hands suddenly feeling heavier.
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"This song..." she murmured, her eyes widening in recognition.
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Lioner's expression turned grave as he nodded. "It's a calling. The past is stirring, and it seems these people really don't know the meaning behind these disturbing lyrics."
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> 'Where the sun’s warmth embraced the dawn,
She gifted her blessing, her love reborn.
As her light spread, soft and bright,
The beauty flourished, untouched by night.
What once was dark now shines anew,
A blessing of love, steadfast and true.'
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The people sang this song joyfully, their voices blending with the melody. Just as time flows, the lyrics evolved, mirroring the changing night sky.
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Lioner and Xia felt a strong surge of dark aura just meters away from them. To avoid detection, they slipped into a dark alley, hiding for the meantime. Lioner, who could see people's true natures, focused on the source of the dark aura. He saw it emanating from the empire's priestess, Hellena, along with her companion, Oris, the Bishop of the empire. They were giving their blessings to the people of Lychnis.
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"I feel bad for the people, not knowing anything," Lioner said.
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"Everything happens for a reason," Xia replied.
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Suddenly, Lioner felt something lurking in the shadows. The aura was eerily familiar, reminiscent of the attack by monsters thirteen years ago. Without hesitation, he grabbed Xia by the wrist and rushed through the crowd.
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"Lio!" Xia called out in confusion as he dragged her out of the alley.
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"Something's not right, Xia," he said, his voice filled with caution.
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"What do you mean?" Xia asked. Suddenly, a disturbing sound filled her ears. She frowned, shutting her eyes against the piercing noise. When she opened them, Lioner was nowhere to be found.
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Panicked, she looked around. Despite her blindness, she could see the flames of people's souls, each glowing uniquely. She searched for a bright white flame—Lioner's color—but all she saw were pure flames mixed with some black ones, which symbolized hatred.
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As she searched desperately, she felt fingers brushing against hers. The faint familiarity froze her in place for a moment. Turning around, her heart pounded with hope, but when she looked, there was no one there..
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Xia stood motionless, her breathing shallow as uncertainty gripped her. Her senses stretched to their limit, searching for any trace of Lioner's presence.
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The dark aura thickened, suffocating the air around her. Her fingers curled into fists as she steadied herself. I can’t lose him... not now, she thought. Summoning her courage, she stepped further into the shadowed alley, her ability to see the soul flames guiding her path.
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“Lio…” she called softly, her voice trembling but determined.
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The faint echo of laughter broke the silence—a cold, menacing sound that sent chills down her spine. She turned sharply, her senses locking onto a flicker of dark fire ahead. She cautiously approached, her footsteps light against the cobblestones.
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"You're supposed to be dead," a voice hissed from the shadows.
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Xia froze as a figure emerged, cloaked in darkness, their eyes glowing with a crimson hue. It was Oris, the Bishop. His presence radiated malevolence, his dark soul flame flickering violently.
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“You…” Xia whispered, her voice sharp with anger. “Where is Lioner?”
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Oris smirked. “Your companion needs some time alone.”
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Xia’s jaw tightened, her trembling hands glowing faintly as she prepared to defend herself. Before she could act, another figure stepped into view. Hellena, the priestess, stood beside Oris, her aura deceptively serene, though her soul burned with corruption.
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“Xia,” Hellena said softly, her voice laced with mock sympathy. “It’s not wise to wander alone. Come with us. You’ll be safe... for now.”
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“I once trusted you!,” Xia spat, taking a step back. Her blind eyes narrowed as she tried to focus on their movements. "Now, I'll never become victim of your scheme!"
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Hellena’s serene expression hardened. “Then you leave us no choice.”
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Before Xia could react, a wave of dark energy surged toward her. She instinctively raised her hands, creating a barrier of pure light. The clash sent shockwaves through the narrow alley, the cobblestones cracking under the force.
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“Your defiance is futile,” Oris snarled, advancing toward her.
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Xia gritted her teeth, her light flaring brighter. "Oh, really?" she said with a smirk. Suddenly, Helena and Oris's powers vanished. When they tried to summon their abilities, they found themselves unable to command them.
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Helena's eyes widened in shock. "What's this?" she demanded, her voice tinged with both fear and anger.
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Xia stepped forward, her presence radiating confidence. "You're not the only ones who can manipulate power. I merely leveled the playing field," she said, her tone calm yet menacing.
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Oris clenched his fists, frustration bubbling within him. "This won't stop us. We don't need powers to take you down," he growled, stepping into a defensive stance.
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Xia chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Oh, did I forget to mention one little thing about the person you tried to take away?" Her glowing aura flared, the tension thickening around them like the calm before a storm. Her lips curled into a chilling smile. "He's a devil."
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Helena and Oris exchanged glances, scoffing at her words, their laughter laced with mockery. But their amusement quickly faded. An inexplicable tremor coursed through their bodies, their knees weakening as an ominous shadow stretched across the ground.
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Slowly, they looked up. A man stood before them, his skin as pale as freshly fallen snow, his eyes burning with an intense, golden brilliance like the sun. His long hair, a silvery cascade reminiscent of moonlight, framed his chiseled features. His muscular frame exuded an aura of divine perfection, his angelic face almost too beautiful to be real.
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But then his expression shifted. The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a menacing darkness. A sinister energy radiated from him, suffocating and cold. The air itself seemed to shudder under his presence, making it painfully clear—this was no ordinary being.
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The man’s voice was deep and resonant, carrying an authority that seemed to echo through the very fabric of reality. "You dared disrespect Me!" His gaze fell on Helena and Oris, and they felt as if the weight of the world bore down upon them.
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Helena staggered back, her bravado crumbling. "W-who are you?" she stammered, struggling to breathe under the oppressive aura.
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The man smirked, but there was no kindness in it—only cold amusement. "Names are insignificant to those who defy me," he said, his tone sharper than any blade. "But for your final moments, you may call me Lioner."
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Helena and Oris tried to summon their courage, but it was futile. Lioner's presence was overpowering, his shadow stretching over them like the inevitable hand of fate. He raised his hand, and the ground beneath them cracked and groaned, dark tendrils of energy spiraling upward.
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Xia watched with quiet satisfaction, her light dimming slightly as she stepped back, letting Lioner take the stage. "I warned you," she said with a shrug, her tone almost playful. "But you didn’t listen."
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Oris clenched his fists, trying to resist the growing fear. "We won’t go down without a fight!" he yelled, lunging forward.
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Lioner didn’t flinch. Instead, he simply extended his palm, and with a flick of his wrist, Oris was frozen in place, suspended in mid-air by an unseen force. His body writhed, but he couldn’t break free.
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"Foolish," Lioner murmured, his voice low but full of disdain. "You can’t challenge what you don’t understand." He turned his gaze to Helena, who stood rooted in terror. "And you? Will you try your luck, or will you kneel?"
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Helena dropped to her knees, her head bowed, tears streaming down her face. "Please," she whispered. "We didn’t know…"
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Lioner leaned down, his face mere inches from hers, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "Ignorance doesn’t absolve you. But perhaps I’ll let you live—if you can prove useful."
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Xia tilted her head, a flicker of curiosity crossing her features. "Useful? That’s generous, coming from you, Lioner"
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Lioner straightened, his smile fading. "Generosity has its limits, Xia," he said, his tone colder now. He released Oris, who fell to the ground, gasping for air. "Pray that these two find a way to amuse me. If not, their fate is sealed."
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With that, he turned, his gaze softening as it landed on Xia. "Shall we go, little star? You’ve done well."
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Xia smiled, the tension draining from her shoulders. "Lead the way, my little devil." Together, they walked into the distance, leaving Helena and Oris trembling in their wake, haunted by the shadows they dared to defy.
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Unbeknownst to any of them, someone had been lurking in the shadows long before the confrontation began. A pair of crimson eyes glinted faintly from the darkness, observing the scene with a keen, unyielding focus. Hidden beneath the veil of the surrounding gloom, the figure remained motionless, their presence masked so perfectly it was as if they didn’t exist at all.
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The air around the concealed watcher was unnervingly still, their form cloaked in an aura of restrained power. They were waiting—watching for the perfect moment to reveal themselves. When Lioner’s shadow began to dominate the battlefield, the figure's lips curled into a faint, amused smile.
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"Lioner... The guardian of the Willow Forest, or so he is?" the figure murmured under their breath their voice barely audible. "And... that girl... she looks familiar..." Their voice softened, carrying a hint of longing.
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