Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!Cira let out a loud laugh, her joy echoing in the darkening air. Abril felt the shadows creeping around her. The separate keys were powerful, but together they could unlock the gates of Hades-a weapon she had never imagined she would wield. The keys held overwhelming power, and Abril shuddered at the thought of what would happen if she let them fall into the wrong hands. The doors of Hades would swing wide open, and chaos would reign. Why had Cassiel and his mother insisted so fervently that all kingdoms unite? They needed a chance to win the war against the encroaching darkness.Abril conjured silver flames in her hand. If she couldn't destroy the keys of Hades, she could at least protect herself before using them. She called out to Cira. In that moment, from the dark fog surrounding Cira, a pair of white, bulbous eyes emerged. The mist thickened, swirling ominously. Those eyes lacked the usual iris or pupil, glowing with a sickly, pale light. A creature formed from the very darkness, devouring the light around it. It seemed to consume everything in its path, its thick tentacles of fog splitting in all directions like a monstrous octopus, more shadow than substance.This creature shielded Cira, indifferent to the number of times it was attacked, repelling each blow with ease. Abril's flames always dispelled the darkness, but she couldn't comprehend what was happening. Cira grinned widely. "Surprised? This monster was born from the power of the keys. You'll need more than your flames to defeat it, and I doubt you'll survive long enough to try." As she spoke, the creature slithered forward, its weight pressing down on everything in its path. "Don't hide from me," Cira taunted, her confidence unwavering.The horrific creature smashed through the temple walls, advancing relentlessly. Abril felt a chill run down her spine, her blood turning to ice. The danger was heading toward the city, toward Lissana. Cira, sensing the threat, cried out to her dragon, who had joined the horde of monsters that Alessandro and the others struggled to contain. Horsemen appeared, ready to fight the grotesque creature. Its tentacles bore wide, sharp claws, forcing the horsemen to evade its grasp. Sirius created a barrier to protect the knights, while Kiara used her light magic to heal the wounded.But there were too few left; many had already fallen. All of this happened in an instant, and Abril faced a harrowing choice: save the city and her daughter or let Cira escape. Cira mounted her dragon, her voice dripping with mockery. "I hope you don't die. You must witness how glorious this world will be when the dark king arrives. So, I hope you survive." Sirius's barrier shattered under the creature's first assault. Abril chose to protect those she loved. There was no better option than to let Cira escape. The creature continued its relentless advance.Kiara leaped from the barrier, attacking the beast, but it remained unfazed. "We must strike together! This isn't a normal monster; it was created from the keys of Hades. Light magic doesn't seem to affect it," Abril shouted, urging Kiara to join her. "How do we defeat it if our magic doesn't work?" Kiara asked, frustration evident in her voice. "I wish I knew," Abril replied, determination fueling her as she ran, her silver flames flickering around her. She unleashed her crimson flames, trying to destroy the creature, but nothing seemed effective.The creature grew larger as it advanced, as if feeding on the darkness of the night. Lissana felt an evil presence approaching the city, a force that sent shivers down her spine. Tarik noticed Lissana's unease as she gazed toward the temple, where the battle raged. "What's happening, Lissana?" he asked, concern etched on his face. "Something is coming, and it doesn't look good," she replied, her voice trembling. "Is it a monster?" Tarik pressed. "Yes, and it's very large." "Nifios, you must return to the palace and protect yourself," he insisted.Tarik knew Lissana was strong, but she was also vulnerable. He worried for her safety, but he couldn't refute the order of his priest. "You shouldn't be here, Lissana. You need to leave." "I won't hide! This is my kingdom, and I will fight for it," she declared, her resolve unyielding. "Your mother left you in the land of the fairies for a reason, Lissana. You don't need to be here," Tarik urged. "You adults always insist on keeping us apart. We can fight too; we don't need to be protected." "Those skilled in battle are few, and you are a reckless girl.You want to join a fight when you've never been in one? You're not with a teacher here. In a real battle, if you're distracted, you could die." Tarik's voice softened as he recalled how close she had come to danger before. But something within Lissana refused to let her hide away. "Take Lissana to the palace and protect her," Fay instructed Tarik. "Yes, Father," he replied, taking Lissana's hand. "We should go; this is dangerous," he said, urgency in his tone. Lissana mounted her imperial horse, determination shining in her eyes.noveldrama"I can't do that, Tarik." "What do you mean?" he asked, confusion clouding his features. "This is my kingdom, and I am determined to fight for it. I won't hide away while everything I love is threatened." Tarik understood her resolve, feeling the weight of her words. He didn't want to lose her. "Even if it pains you, you must stay back." "Yes, nothing will stop me from changing my mind." "If that's your decision, then I won't abandon you.We will fight by your side and protect this kingdom together." As they rode toward the battle, Tarik and Lissana heard Fay's cries, but they ignored them, pressing on into the fray.