“We’re doomed! This isn’t like the others!” “He’s not just a monster—he’s intelligent! And bigger!”

The soldiers’ panicked cries echoed as one by one fell. You shifted, sunlight piercing your eyelids. What’s happening? you thought.

The pounding of hooves startled you as a soldier urged his horse to go faster. You jolted, realizing you were tied up, hanging upside down off the side of the horse. Panic surged. This place… it looked familiar. Then it hit you—the scene unfolding around you was straight out of the book you’ve read.

Before you could process anything further, you saw it, the last soldier fell— consumed by a swirling black shadow. His body crumbled into a skeleton before collapsing to the ground. The horse bucked violently, throwing you off. You hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath out of you. You tried to lift yourself, but your vision was blurry.

A shadow loomed over you, blocking the sunlight.You blinked rapidly and as your vision cleared, you froze. It was Aulus.The infamous villain from the book, towering over you. His large, wings spread wide, shielding you from the sun. His sharp eyes locked onto yours as he crouched down, a faint smile curling his lips. Before he could untie your legs, he saw the tear rolling down your cheek. He paused, his expression softening.

“Hey, no need to cry,” he said, his deep voice surprisingly gentle. “I’m just trying to untie you. I’m not going to hurt you.” He leaned closer, but you backed away.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and raised his left arm to gesture, only to remember it was missing. “Right,” he muttered, switching to his right hand with a wry smile. “Look, I saved you, okay? Those guys were trying to—” He stopped, glancing at the horizon. The sun was setting. His wings tensed, and fear flickered in his eyes.

“We have to move. The monsters come out at night. And the soldiers—they’ll be back. Thousands of them.” His voice grew quieter, his tone urgent. “I’m not ready to fight them all. Not yet.”