Harmoni was the first victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by the Watchers.

  With the complicity of Ramael and Asael, the cherub Luzbel began to crystalize his ambitions of conquest and revolution.

  This dark plan would inevitably lead to a relentless war, dragging entire peoples into paying a devastating price.

  Although he had gained powerful allies, Luzbel’s heart burned with unease.

  He despised having to report to the two Arcanian warriors, but he knew that, at least for now, it was the only way to avoid a direct confrontation with Arcan.

  “Damn Arcanian dogs... keep thinking you can control me,” he muttered with a dark laugh. “I’ll make use of their power and resources. This time... I’ll fulfill my deepest desire.”

  He raised his voice:

  “Soldier! Gather all of Querb’s forces! Prepare for war!”

  “Yes, sir!” replied the soldier without hesitation.

  Back in Arcan, Asael and Ramael were hiding their crime.

  They were transporting Harmoni’s lifeless body, planning to make it disappear without the Patriarch ever finding out.

  “Tell me, Asael… what are we going to do with this?” Ramael asked with a disinterested tone.

  “Remember that place full of wild creatures? The one the Patriarch visits from time to time…”

  “You want to dump the body there?”

  “Exactly. No one ever goes near that place. No one will ask questions.”

  As they descended toward that forgotten land, Asael looked at his companion with concern.

  “Is something wrong, Ramael? You seem... different.”

  “I don’t know…” she whispered. “Ever since I killed Harmoni… I’ve felt things. I don’t feel disgust touching her body. I feel… hunger.”

  “Hunger?” Asael frowned. “We’d better hurry.”

  “Look, there’s a river. Let’s go down. I want to wash up and drink some water,” she said.

  “Alright. Let’s go.”

  But something wasn’t right.

  Despite the fresh water, her thirst persisted.

  And the longer they stayed near Harmoni’s body, the stronger a growing, uncontrollable craving became.

  Ramael suddenly dropped the corpse.

  “I can’t carry it anymore. You take it.”

  “What are you doing? We can’t just leave her lying here.”

  “It’d be better to bury her… we don’t want animals feeding on her,” she muttered, but her voice was no longer the same.

  They were both contaminated.

  The darkness they had absorbed not only altered their power… but their minds as well.

  Ramael looked at her blood-stained hands, and without thinking, brought her fingers to her mouth.

  As she tasted Harmoni’s blood, a shiver ran through her.

  “What did you just do?” Asael asked.

  “I don’t know… but it feels… so good.”

  Like an unleashed beast, Ramael pounced on the body and began to devour it.

  At first horrified, Asael eventually gave in to the primal urge.

  Together, they fed on Harmoni’s corpse without a shred of remorse.

  Their bodies began to change. Fangs grew. Their strength surged. Their eyes turned wild.

  Transformed into beasts drunk with power, they reveled in corruption.

  “I can feel my power growing,” Asael panted.

  “Our dear friend left us quite a gift,” Ramael murmured.

  Then… visions began to appear.

  Harmoni’s memories flowed into their minds as if they were their own.

  They could see everything she had done… and who she had visited.

  “So… Daniel,” Asael said with a wicked grin.

  “Shall we pay him a visit?”

  “Absolutely.”

  In his hidden refuge, Daniel couldn’t stop thinking about his old friend Harmoni.

  The pain of her loss wouldn’t leave him.

  What he didn’t know… was that evil was already on its way—coming straight for him.

  Meanwhile, his students continued their training with intensity, more committed to their mission each day.

  “Master, are you alright?” Rafael asked, noticing his serious expression.

  “Don’t lose focus on your training,” Daniel replied, without taking his eyes off the horizon.

  “Yes, master. Sorry…”

  But Daniel couldn’t ignore the unease inside him.

  “What is this feeling?” he thought. “There’s a presence… powerful. It’s getting closer. That shouldn’t be possible…”

  He didn’t want to alarm the youths, but he needed to get them away as soon as possible. He came up with a plan.

  He gathered them, under the excuse of putting them to the test.

  “Listen,” he said, addressing them. “I want to see how much you’ve improved. If you look to the north, you’ll see a forest in the distance. It’s called the Blind Forest. There, you’ll find flowers called sky lilies. I want you to bring back as many as you can.”

  “Blind Forest?” Gabriel asked.

  “Sky lilies?” Uriel added.

  “All your questions will be answered on the way,” Daniel cut in. “Everything you need to know, you’ll discover there. It’s part of the trial.”

  “And one extra motivation: whoever returns first gets double food.”

  “Then I’ll be the one!” said Uriel, determined.

  “Do you think I’ll let you?” Remeiel challenged with a smirk.

  And just like that, the seven youths sped off toward the forest… unaware that what they were leaving behind was far more dangerous than any flower.

  Meanwhile, Asael and Ramael had finally arrived at the hidden valley.

  They flew over it, inspecting the area.

  “What is this place?” Asael said. “Our planet still holds many secrets…”

  “I don’t feel anything. It just looks like a blue field… with massive trees,” Ramael commented.

  “That Daniel… surely cast a spell to hide himself. But with me… those tricks don’t work.”

  Asael closed his eyes and channeled his power.

  Daniel’s magical barrier disintegrated like dust under his might.

  And at last, the true appearance of the valley was revealed.

  “They’re here already,” Daniel thought. “I have no choice. I must face them before they find the children.”

  Instead of preparing for battle, Daniel calmly sat on the porch of his house to drink tea. He let his energy flow.

  He would welcome them… as a host.

  The watchers descended slowly.

  “What is this place?” asked Asael.

  “Another weird forest. Why would Daniel hide it?” wondered Ramael.

  “Maybe he’s protecting something… or maybe he’s hiding something more,” Asael said.

  “We’ll know soon enough.”

  And then they saw him: sitting peacefully on his porch, Daniel awaited them.

  “What are you doing here? This is my resting place,” he said without getting up.

  “Daniel! My friend… Aren’t you surprised to see us?” Asael said with a grin. “It’s been a long time… three hundred years, maybe?”

  “What surprises me… is that you still call me friend.

  And, by the way… you’ve changed. You look darker.”

  “Do you like it? We’ve updated our style,” Ramael laughed.

  “Yes… it matches your new souls.”

  “Wow, what a cold welcome,” Asael remarked. “At least offer some tea.”

  “I have nothing to offer. Maybe next time—”

  “This air feels heavy,” Ramael interrupted. “And that feeling…? Is someone else here?”

  Daniel remained silent.

  “Tell me, old friend… what have you been doing in this hole? Have you truly retired… or are you hiding something?”

  Daniel stared at them.

  “What do you want?”

  Then Asael fixed his eyes on him and asked, with a wicked smile:

  “What was Harmoni doing here?”

  Daniel froze. His gaze hardened.

  “What did you say?”

  “We ran into her. Had quite an interesting chat… although she wasn’t very talkative,” Ramael mocked.

  “Seems like she meant a lot to you,” Asael added. “Too bad… you won’t be seeing her again.”

  Daniel slowly stood up, saying nothing.

  His eyes said it all.

  “Come on, don’t be like that… Ramael, why don’t you tell him?”

  “I killed her!” she said, flashing a cruel smile.

  As the air in the valley grew heavier, Rafael—still deep inside the Blind Forest—felt a sudden and overwhelming disturbance.

  “That energy… it’s coming from the master’s house… something’s wrong,” he thought in anguish.

  He said nothing to the others. Using his gift to see through the mist, he began to move forward on his own.

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  “Master!” he shouted mentally, sprinting at full speed.

  Back in the valley, the conversation between Daniel and the corrupted watchers was growing darker and more twisted.

  “Don’t you want to know how I killed her?” Ramael asked cruelly.

  “You should’ve seen her face… the tears falling as I pierced her.

  So devoted… yet so useless.”

  Daniel didn’t respond. His fists clenched with unbearable tension.

  “And if you keep interfering, Daniel… the same thing will happen to you,” Asael added, suddenly grabbing him by the neck and lifting him into the air.

  “What do you think you’re doing, you wretch?” Daniel growled.

  “Maybe… giving you a lesson. And then, maybe we’ll pay a visit to that old man from Serf. What was his name again?”

  “Allcan?” Ramael said with mockery.

  **“Yes. Allcan. We’ll see what that ancient sage knows.”

  Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind shook the valley.

  A presence approached… a very familiar one.

  “What’s that?” Asael asked, turning his head.

  “Someone’s coming,” Ramael warned.

  “No… it can’t be…” Daniel muttered, recognizing the aura. “Oh no… it’s Rafael!”

  And with a burst of wind, the young apprentice landed right in front of them.

  “Master! Who are these people?”

  “Rafael! Leave now!” Daniel shouted in desperation.

  “Master…?” Asael murmured, surprised.

  “So this is what you were hiding,” Ramael said darkly.

  “Leave my master alone! Get out of here!” Rafael demanded.

  Asael let go of Daniel and fixed his gaze on the boy.

  “You’re his student? Interesting. So you were playing teacher again, Daniel…”

  “Don’t lay a finger on him,” Daniel warned sternly.

  “How rude,” Asael laughed. “Looks like your little disciple needs a lesson.”

  “I won’t let you touch him,” Rafael said, stepping into a battle stance.

  “How cute. Are we going to fight, little one?” Asael mocked.

  “Then see what this little one can do!” Rafael shouted.

  And so… the battle began.

  From the very beginning, it was clear: Rafael was outmatched.

  His strikes were fast—but Asael was simply untouchable.

  Every move the watcher made was flawless. Every attack from Rafael missed its mark.

  And yet… the boy didn’t give up.

  “Is that all? I haven’t even touched you and you're already falling apart,” Asael mocked.

  “This is what your master taught you?”

  “Shut up!” Rafael yelled. “Don’t you dare insult him!”

  The blows kept coming. Rafael bled. He stumbled. He fell.

  But something was happening…

  Daniel and Ramael observed.

  She smiled with disdain.

  Daniel, however, noticed something different.

  “His energy… it’s rising,” he thought.

  Rafael, panting, smiled.

  “Why are you smiling?” Asael asked.

  “I trained for years… and I can’t land a single hit.

  Master… I’m sorry. I thought I was ready. But I’m weak…”

  “No, my son,” Daniel interrupted, moved.

  “You did everything right. But everything comes in its time.

  What matters is that you never stop believing in yourself.”

  “How heartwarming,” Asael laughed. “Alright, as a gift… I’ll kill you both.”

  But just then… something exploded.

  A dark and luminous energy burst from Rafael’s body.

  The ground trembled. The air vibrated.

  “What the hell!?” Asael shouted.

  “Where is that power coming from?” Ramael whispered.

  “Now you’ll see what I’m capable of!” Rafael roared.

  “Prison of Stars!”

  A dark vortex surrounded Asael. He was being pulled in.

  “Impressive! Daniel, did you teach him that?” Asael shouted.

  “This is just the beginning!” Rafael yelled, pushing his energy even higher.

  The vortex gripped Asael violently.

  A gravitational force dragged him into the prison Rafael had summoned.

  “Incredible!” the watcher exclaimed.

  “I must admit, kid… this technique is amazing.”

  Rafael didn’t let up. His energy surged uncontrollably.

  “Infinite Coalition!” he cried, unleashing a second technique.

  The vortex gleamed brightly, and an internal explosion shook the valley.

  But as the dust settled…

  Asael emerged unharmed.

  “Well… that stung a bit,” he said calmly.

  “But for someone like me… it’s just a tickle.”

  Rafael dropped to his knees, gasping.

  “No… it can’t be… I used everything I had…”

  Ramael, high above, watched with a twisted smile.

  “Are you done, Asael? I’m losing my patience.”

  “Don’t rush me,” he replied. “This kid deserves a final lesson.”

  Then, Asael rose into the sky.

  A monstrous energy began to gather above his head.

  “Mortal Destruction!” he roared.

  A ball of energy, as large as the sky, began to form.

  Rafael felt hope slipping from his chest.

  “I’m sorry… Master… looks like this is the end.”

  Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “Don’t give up, my son. No matter what happens… don’t back down.”

  But the energy descended like a dark sun.

  All seemed lost…

  Until a new roar shook the valley—

  “LIGHT SHIELD!”

  “THUNDERSTORM HURRICANE!”

  “FLASHES OF LIGHT!”

  “BLAZING FLAMES!”

  “FIRESTORM!”

  “STELLAR IMPACT!”

  A burst of light and elements clashed against Asael’s energy.

  “What is that!?” the watcher screamed.

  “Incredible!” Daniel exclaimed, seeing the impossible unfold before him.

  Standing in formation were six figures:

  Uriel, Miguel, Sariel, Rauel, Gabriel, and Remeiel had arrived.

  And with them… the power of unity.

  “Master, Rafael! Sorry we're late,” said Miguel.

  “The herbs gave us a bit of trouble.”

  “Did you really think we'd let you have all the fun?” added Uriel with a fierce grin.

  Rafael smiled weakly.

  “You came…”

  The six joined their energy into a single, massive power sphere.

  The clash between both attacks shook the very foundations of the valley.

  A colossal explosion rose into the sky.

  Thanks to Miguel’s shield, they all remained unharmed…

  But the damage to the valley was evident.

  And yet… Asael and Ramael emerged from the smoke, untouched.

  “Did you think that would be enough?” Asael growled.

  “Now you’re all going to die!”

  “I’ve had enough of this,” said Ramael, ready to attack.

  But then…

  A new voice thundered from the skies:

  “That’s enough!”

  Everyone turned.

  A glowing silhouette descended from above:

  Yehadiel, one of the most respected watchers of the Council.

  “Yehadiel!” Daniel called out, recognizing him.

  “Hello, old friend. I see your apprentices have grown.”

  “What are you doing here?” Asael snarled.

  “Our lord has summoned us,” Yehadiel said with authority.

  “This is no time for games.”

  “We were just leaving,” Ramael muttered.

  “Just stopped by to say hi…”

  “You should leave. Now.”

  Asael cast one last hateful look at Rafael.

  “Enjoy your life while it lasts, boy. We’ll meet again.”

  “Goodbye, Daniel,” Yehadiel said with a slight bow.

  And like lightning, the three vanished into the sky…

  The threat was gone. For now.

  Daniel sighed, turning to his students.

  “Rafael, what you did was reckless. But… it was also admirable.”

  “I’m sorry, Master,” the boy murmured, ashamed.

  “Don’t apologize. You revealed a power even you didn’t know you had.

  And most importantly… you were brave.”

  The others rushed to hug him, overwhelmed with emotion.

  “You did it, Rafael!” shouted Sariel.

  “That technique was epic!” added Gabriel.

  “And here you were, trying to hog all the glory,” Uriel teased.

  Daniel watched them silently. They were ready for more.

  “You’ve grown far more than I imagined,” he said.

  “And I no longer need to protect you… now, you must protect each other.

  What happened today was just the beginning.

  But together… you can face anything.”

  The threat had passed. Silence returned to the valley… but something had changed.

  The apprentices were no longer the same.

  They had fought, taken risks… and survived together.

  Daniel observed them carefully.

  “What happened today… was inevitable.

  But it was also a test.

  A trial by fire.”

  He turned to Rafael.

  “Your ability, son… is greater than you imagined.

  The power you used is not common. You control space… and time.

  That could be decisive in the future.”

  Rafael nodded humbly.

  “I understand, Master. I’ll train harder than ever.”

  Daniel smiled.

  “From now on, the training will continue… but it will be different.

  It no longer depends solely on me.

  Now it depends on all of you.

  Get to know yourselves. Surpass your limits.

  And never forget what you faced today.”

  The young warriors nodded in silence.

  Then Daniel raised his voice, this time with a lighter tone:

  “But before all that… we need to fix this mess.

  We’ll build a new house. And this time, bigger than the last!”

  “Yes, Master!” they all shouted, raising their arms.

  They gathered around Rafael, hugging him one by one.

  Remeiel ruffled his hair affectionately.

  Uriel gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.

  “You almost got yourself killed, you stubborn idiot,” she said.

  “But you were amazing.”

  “Thanks, guys,” Rafael replied with a smile.

  Daniel looked on, smiling as well.

  “By the way… did you bring the herbs?”

  “Of course!” said Sariel, pulling out a bundle of blue plants.

  “Though I still don’t know what they’re for…”

  Daniel took them gently and, with the utmost solemnity, said:

  “Thank you. Without these herbs… I wouldn’t be able to prepare my delicious tea.”

  There was a second of silence.

  Then everyone burst into laughter.

  “Wait… all this was for tea, Master?!” Gabriel yelled.

  “What kind of test is that?!” Uriel laughed.

  Daniel simply smiled and raised his cup with elegance.

  “It’s a very special tea.”

  And so, among laughter, dust, and rubble… they began to rebuild.

  What they didn’t know…

  Was that this joyful moment would be one of the last before the darkness.

  But as long as they stayed together…

  Nothing could defeat them.

  “Now get to work!” Daniel ordered.

  “Yes, Master!”