001 | Last Drop of Blood

It has been ten years since Arlo last heard and saw them. But he will never forget that terror. The cold sensation crept over his skin. The pounding of his heart and the gasps for breath as he ran. His trembling hand gripping a weapon.

The difference was, back then he only had a slingshot and a rusty bow. But now, he wielded a real sword forged from steel. And now, Arlo had come to know Lunabelle, the blind girl who had become his adopted sister.

The dead souls fluttered around them like palace dancers. Their tattered cloaks billowed, their faces twisted with hatred and rage, thirsting for life.

As one of them slashed their sharp claws towards General Griffin, running ahead with Lunabelle in his arms, Arlo struck without hesitation, causing the dead soul to vanish in a cold puff of smoke and a scream. But Arlo didn't have time to turn as another dead soul deeply clawed his shoulder.

He crashed onto the marble courtyard framing the palace gardens, muffling his groan. His sword clattered as the dead soul drained the life from his soul.

But when Lunabelle screamed his name, his fist clenched tightly. He grabbed his sword and rose again. Swiftly slashing the first dead soul, then another.

"General, please turn around! We must protect Arlo!" Lunabelle cried amidst General Griffin's nimble maneuvers, fighting with only one hand.

"No! I'm fine!" Arlo snapped. He staggered behind them, his hand frantically pressing the open wound on his shoulder, desperately trying to stop the bleeding. His blood dripped with each step.

Just a few dozen meters remained before they reached General Griffin's car. Arlo gritted his teeth to withstand the intensifying pain. His breath grew more uneven as his body temperature soared rapidly. But Lunabelle had to survive. No matter what.

More dead souls were closing in on them. General Griffin had already lowered Lunabelle into the car when Arlo remembered how dead souls could liquefy iron.

The General moved to go back and help, but Arlo shook his head. "Take her to Kieran's house or her grandparent's," he pleaded, mentioning his foster father's name. The General nodded and turned away.

He could hear Lunabelle's angry scream as General Griffin got into the car and slammed the door. He could hear her cry blending with the roar of the fast-moving car leaving Varidianth palace behind. But Arlo only turned back and fought until his final drop of blood.

He was only sixteen years old at the time, yet Arlo was already prepared to sacrifice himself for the safety of his little sister.

***

As the sun rose, the war between the kingdoms of Varidianth and Valorthorn ended with the death of the Valorthorn Crown Prince at the blade of Kieran Nyxshade.

At twenty-nine years old, Kieran had already lost many family members and comrades in the war. So, when he saw the body of his adopted son on the palace corridor floor, alongside other casualties, Kieran simply knelt and clenched his fists.

"Your Grace," a palace servant stopped behind him. "They are here."

Kieran didn't turn towards her. His expression was shaded and tinged with golden light.

The company arrived in swift, urgent steps. Armor clanked and weapons gleamed. Lunabelle was escorted by General Griffin and a pair of Revenants beside Kieran.

"Arlo?" Lunabelle whispered as General Griffin set her down from his back. The blind girl walked slowly towards him. "Where are you? Where is him?! Anyone please tell me!"

None of them answered. None could. But finally, Kieran spoke. "When you left Arlo alone, General Griffin," he whispered. "what did he do?"

General Griffin's lips twitched in the opposite direction, forming a bitter smile. "He fought bravely, Your Grace," he replied.

Kieran forced a smile, though tears began to blur his vision.

None among them ever knew that deep within the realm of death, in a grand palace atop the highest peak of Hell, Arlo awakened.