In the pitch-black forest, only moonlight filtered through the leaves. The trees' shadows were long and swayed in the night breeze.
Among the shadows two figures moved quickly.
Eagle and Magnus.
The two circled each other like two predators measuring the distance.
Their breathing was heavy.
Their bodies were covered in small cuts and bruises from the hard impact.
Magnus wiped the blood from the corner of his lips and laughed softly.
“It's been a long time since we last fought like this, Seraphin.”
The eagle stared at him expressionlessly.
“That name died a long time ago.”
Magnus raised an eyebrow.
"Is it true?"
He suddenly stepped forward.
One quick punch flew towards Eagle's face.
TWOO!
Eagle parried with his left arm then countered with an elbow to Magnus' jaw.
Magnus took a half step back but immediately responded with a spinning kick.
The eagle lowered its head.
The kick hit the tree trunk behind him.
CRACK!
The tree bark cracked.
Magnus smiled broadly.
“You're still fast.”
The eagle answered briefly.
“And you still talk a lot.”
Magnus attacks again.
A series of blows struck the night air.
Left.
Right.
Elbow.
Low kick.
The eagle parried everything with precision, occasionally retaliating with sharp attacks.
The fist hit Magnus in the stomach.
BUUK!
Magnus staggered slightly but immediately retaliated with a punch to the Eagle's temple.
TWOO!
The eagle's head shifted slightly but he remained standing upright.
Dry leaves flew around them every time their bodies collided.
Two commanders.
Two fighters trained to kill.
Nobody gives a gap.
There is no retreat.
Meanwhile-
Elsewhere in the same forest, Alpha stood amidst dozens of motionless bodies of Obsidian troops.
The surrounding ground was soaked in blood.
Alpha took a moment to catch his breath.
Then he looked east.
“Hana…”
Without waiting any longer, he ran again.
His steps were fast and long.
He weaved through the bushes, leaped over tree roots, passed over large trunks like a shadow passing through the night.
A few minutes later-
A loud crashing sound started to be heard up ahead.
BANG! BANG!
Alpha slowed his pace a little.
He moved more carefully.
Then from behind the trees he saw two figures fighting brutally.
Hawk.
Magnus.
Their fists collided again.
BUUK!
Magnus pushed the Eagle back two steps.
Alpha watched them for a moment from a distance.
But his eyes then caught a small movement on the other side.
Someone is hiding behind the bushes.
A woman.
Hannah.
Alpha walked closer slowly.
Dry leaves were trampled by his tactical boots.
The small voice made Hana startled.
He turned his head.
Seeing a large figure emerge from the darkness.
Black uniform.
Body full of blood.
Hana panicked.
"No…!"
He thought it was Obsidian's troops.
Without thinking, he immediately got up and ran away.
Alpha was a little surprised.
“Hana, wait—”
But Hana had already run through the bushes.
On the other hand, Magnus who was fighting suddenly saw the movement from the corner of his eye.
“Ah… my target.”
He immediately tried to run after him.
But Elang's hand immediately grabbed his collar and pulled him back.
BRAK!
Magnus was slammed into a tree trunk.
The eagle stared at him coldly.
“Our fight is not over yet.”
Magnus grinned.
“Do you still care about that girl?”
The eagle did not answer.
But his eyes glanced briefly at Alpha who was standing a few meters away.
Alpha and Eagle stared at each other.
There are no words.
Just one small gesture from Eagle's head in the direction Hana was running.
Alpha immediately understood.
Magnus tried to attack again but the Eagle had already moved.
Eagle's fist hit Magnus in the face.
TWOO!
Magnus stepped back laughing.
“So you told him to go after the girl?”
The eagle stands tall.
“Your only problem now is me.”
Magnus turned his neck slowly.
"Good."
He took a fighting stance again.
“Because I'm not satisfied either.”
On the other hand Alpha finally spoke softly before leaving.
“Don't die before I come back.”
The eagle answered briefly without looking back.
"Just go."
Alpha immediately turned around and ran after Hana into the darkness of the forest.
Meanwhile behind him—
Under the dim moonlight—
Two shadows lunged at each other again.
The battle between Eagle and Magnus exploded again in the middle of the night forest.
On the other side of the island, far from where Eagle and Magnus' duel was taking place, the forest began to thin. The large trees gave way to a clearing that led to a large black building.
Obsidian Legion headquarters.
The fortress stood like a giant monster in the center of the island. Its iron walls were high, watchtowers stood at every corner, and searchlights occasionally swept across the forest in front of it.
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Behind the darkness of the trees, three figures moved slowly.
Wolf.
Hammer.
Ghost.
Behind them were only a few dozen Nox Aegis troops still capable of fighting.
The wolf raised his hand in a stop sign.
Everyone immediately ducked.
He scanned the headquarters with sharp eyes.
“About two hundred meters away,” he whispered.
The hammer carrying the heavy rifle on his back growled softly.
“This place looks too quiet.”
The ghost standing while holding a long rifle gave a small nod.
“Yeah… too easy.”
The wolf watches the watchtower.
“There are no patrols.”
Palu smiled faintly.
“Good. That means we can get in quickly.”
But the Ghost shook his head slowly.
“No… this is weird.”
He raised his small binoculars and scanned the front area of the base.
“Orion is not a fool.”
The wolf took a deep breath.
"Everyone move slowly. Don't make a sound."
The Nox troops began to advance.
Step by step.
The gravel ground was stepped on slowly.
The night wind blew cold.
They were getting closer to the open area in front of the headquarters.
Suddenly-
TWOARRR!!
A huge explosion shook the ground.
One of the Nox members was thrown into the air.
“MINE!!” someone shouted.
Before they had time to react—
RATATATATATAT!!
Machine gunfire came from all directions.
Bullets rained down on the forest like an iron storm.
The trees broke.
The ground flew.
“TAKE COVER!!” The wolf shouted loudly.
The Nox troops immediately scattered.
Some managed to take cover behind tree trunks.
But many are too late.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Bodies fell one by one.
Screams were heard everywhere.
“ARGHH!”
“MEDICAL!”
“SNIPER!”
At the top of Obsidian headquarters, a tall tower stands overlooking the forest.
There-
Orion stood quietly.
The night wind blew his black coat.
In his hand was a long, matte black sniper rifle.
He pressed his eyes to the binoculars.
In the sniper lens, one by one the Nox members were seen running for cover.
Orion smiled faintly.
“Fall into my trap.”
He took a breath.
First shot.
BANG!
A Nox member who was running immediately fell down, shot in the chest.
Orion shifted the aim.
Second shot.
BANG!
The bullet hit another soldier in the shoulder.
He readjusted his position.
Down there, the Ghost was moving from one tree to another.
Orion focused his telescope.
“Interesting target…”
He pulled the trigger.
BANG!
Bullets whizzed through the night air.
Under-
The ghost suddenly fell.
“ARGH!”
The bullet hit his leg.
He fell to the ground in pain.
The hammer, which was a few meters away from him, immediately screamed.
"GHOST!"
He ran towards his partner without hesitation.
Bullets hit the ground around him.
RATATATAT!
Wood chips flew.
The hammer lifted the Ghost's body and dragged it behind a large tree.
"Endure!"
The ghost gritted his teeth.
Blood was flowing from his thigh.
“Damn… sniper…”
The hammer ripped the cloth from his shirt and quickly bound the wound.
“The bullet went through?”
Ghost shook his head while holding back the pain.
“Still inside…”
The wolf appeared behind another tree a few meters from them.
The bullets continued to rain down.
RATATATATAT!!
He shouted.
“It's a trap!”
The hammer growled.
"Clear!"
The wolf looked back.
Nox's troops fell one by one.
Some tried to return fire but their positions were too exposed.
Machine guns from the tower rained down on them mercilessly.
The wolf hit the tree trunk in frustration.
“Damn it!”
He stared at the Obsidian headquarters that stood before them.
On top of the tower—
he saw a silhouette of a person.
Orion.
The sniper was still in his hand.
The wolf squinted.
“So you were the one who arranged all this…”
Up there Orion looked through the telescope again.
But this time he didn't shoot.
He just smiled a little.
In his heart he said with great pride.
"Where are you…?"
“Nox Aegis core team…”
He scanned the forest.
“Alpha…”
"Hawk…"
“Come on.”
He let out a relaxed breath.
“I've prepared everything.”
He raised the sniper again.
“Come out…”
“Loser.”
Down below, things got worse.
Nox's troops continued to fall.
The war cries began to subside.
Until finally—
only three people were left alive.
Wolf.
Hammer.
Ghost.
The ghost leaned against a tree while holding the wound on his leg.
His breathing was heavy.
Palu held a large rifle in his hand while looking around.
“Our troops…”
The wolf answered softly.
"It's finished."
For a few seconds they only heard the sound of machine gunfire that still occasionally swept through the forest.
The ghost chuckled despite the pain.
"Great…"
“We came to attack…”
"Eh, instead we were greeted by a bullet party."
Hammer grinds teeth.
“If only I could get closer…”
The wolf looked at the base again.
His eyes were sharp like a cornered predator.
"Calm."
He said softly.
“The war is not over.”
The night wind blew again through the trees.
And in the distance—
Orion was still standing on the tower.
Waiting for the next prey to appear.
The night forest was still filled with the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves. The tree branches swayed gently, while the sound of running footsteps broke the silence.
Hana continued running without a clear direction.
His breath was ragged.
His legs were barely strong enough to support his body, but he still forced himself to move.
Suddenly-
a strong hand pulled his arm from behind.
"Ah-!"
Hana tried to rebel.
"Let me go!"
But the figure quickly held his shoulders.
"Calm!"
His voice was deep but not harsh.
“Calm down… don’t scream.”
Hana was still panicking.
He tried to get away while hitting the person's chest.
"Do not touch me!"
The figure sighed softly.
Then with one movement he removed the black mask that covered his face.
“Hana… look at me.”
Hana, who was still trembling, finally looked at the face in front of her.
He was silent.
His eyes widened.
“Ar…man…?”
The figure nodded slightly.
Alpha.
But behind that identity—
the real face is Arman, their old friend.
"Yes."
"It's me."
Hana still couldn't believe it.
“Arman…?”
Her tears immediately flowed.
He almost fell if Alpha didn't hold him.
“What… what happened here?” his voice trembled.
“Why is everyone killing each other?”
“Why are we being chased?”
He looked around the dark forest.
“Where’s Van…?”
The question made Alpha pause for a moment.
But he immediately smiled faintly, trying to calm Hana down.
“Van is very worried about you.”
“He was the one who told us to come.”
Hana looked at him expectantly.
"Is it true?"
Alpha nodded.
“Trust me.”
“We'll be fine.”
He saw wounds and dirt on Hana's clothes.
“You are very strong to have come this far.”
Then he asked softly.
“But how did you escape from their base?”
Hana took a deep breath.
Her eyes were a little teary.
“Valen…”
Alpha immediately frowned.
“Valen?”
Hana nodded.
“He who set me free.”
Alpha was completely shocked.
“That monster?”
Hana stared at the ground for a moment.
“He's not what you think.”
“He unlocked my handcuffs… took me out of the base… even led me into the forest.”
Hana swallowed hard.
“He said he wanted to make amends.”
Alpha fell silent hearing that.
Hana continued in a low voice.
“He told me to run.”
“He said he would hold off the pursuing Obsidian troops.”
“He gave me his homemade glasses so I could find my way safely.”
Hana lowered her head.
“After that… I heard a big explosion.”
Her tears fell.
“And when I turned around… Obsidian's troops had already surrounded the place.”
“He… he…”
Hana couldn't continue.
Alpha immediately understood.
“He's dead…”
Hana nodded slowly.
Alpha took a deep breath.
In his heart he muttered.
Damn Obsidian…
They even killed their own members.
But his face remained calm so that Hana wouldn't panic even more.
He patted Hana's shoulder gently.
“His sacrifice was not in vain.”
“You made it out.”
Hana wiped away her tears.
“Arman… what should we do now?”
Alpha immediately looked west.
"Beach."
Hana frowned.
"Beach?"
Alpha nodded firmly.
“We have to go to the beach.”
“I'm sure Van will pick you up there.”
He then looked at Hana seriously.
“My task now is only one.”
“Making sure you get there safely.”
Hana stared at his face for a long time.
Then he suddenly asked.
“Mahendra…”
Alpha raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Why?"
Hana pointed towards the forest behind them.
“The man who fought Magnus earlier…”
“Is that Mahendra?”
Alpha smiled slightly.
"Yes."
“He is now known as the Eagle.”
Hana was shocked.
“Mahendra…?”
He closed his mouth.
“He almost got killed there!”
Hana immediately grabbed Alpha's arm.
“Please help him!”
“We can't leave him!”
Alpha looked at him calmly.
"Listen to me."
“Mahendra is not an easy man to defeat.”
Hana is still restless.
“But Magnus—”
Alpha cut in slowly.
“The eagle knows what he is doing.”
He stared at the forest where the duel had taken place.
“I believe him.”
Then he looked back at Hana.
“My job now is to protect you.”
“If something happens to you, Van will never forgive me.”
Hana was silent.
Alpha continued in a softer voice.
“Trust me.”
“The eagle will be safe.”
He reached out his hand.
"Come on."
“We have to move before the rest of the Obsidian forces find us.”
Hana hesitated for a moment.
But finally he nodded.
He held Alpha's hand.
They started walking through the forest towards the beach.
Behind them—
deep in the darkness of the forest—
The fight between Eagle and Magnus is still ongoing.
The night sky began to fade slowly. A thin streak of dawn appeared on the eastern horizon, but for some, the night still felt like an unfinished hell.
In front of Obsidian headquarters, the forest was filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood.
The bodies of Nox Aegis troops were scattered on the ground.
The leaves are covered in red spots.
And behind the remaining large trees—
only three people are still alive.
Wolf.
Hammer.
Ghost.
The hail of bullets still occasionally hit the tree trunks where they were taking shelter.
RATATATAT!
Wood chips flew every time a bullet hit.
The wolf leaned against the trunk of a large tree, his chest heaving, not from exhaustion… but from the anger he was holding back.
He turned to the field in front of them.
Dozens of Nox Aegis troops' bodies lay motionless.
His men.
The people who had walked with him to war.
Now everything is silent.
The hammer kneeling near the Ghost gritted his teeth hard.
His hands clenched until they trembled.
“Damn…”
Her voice almost broke.
“We can't even fight back.”
The ghost leaned against a tree trunk, its shot leg wrapped in a makeshift cloth, but blood was still seeping out.
He chuckled… but it was a bitter laugh.
"Great…"
“Absolutely great.”
Palu turned to him.
“Shut up. Save your energy.”
The ghost stared at the sky through the gaps in the leaves.
"Look at that…"
Dawn began to appear.
“Looks like we won't be seeing a beautiful sunrise today.”
The wolf lowered his head.
For the first time since the war began, his eyes filled with tears.
He saw a body lying not far from them.
A young warrior of Nox Aegis.
Still holding the gun in his hand even after death.
The wolf closed his eyes.
"Unlucky…"
“It's my fault…”
The hammer immediately snapped softly.
“Don't talk like that.”
“We all know this is war.”
But his own voice was shaking.
He turned again towards the field.
The bodies were those of people who had fought alongside them for years.
Now everything is gone.
The ghost said softly.
"Wolf…"
The wolf turned his head.
“If we die here…”
“Make sure of one thing.”
The wolf frowned.
"What?"
The ghost smiled faintly even though his face was pale.
“Don't let their sacrifices be in vain.”
The wolves stared at the Obsidian base before them.
On top of the tower—
Orion's silhouette still stands like a ruler enjoying the game.
The wolf gritted his teeth.
"Stay cool…"
“I'm not dead yet.”
The morning breeze began to blow.
But elsewhere in the forest—
the equally brutal battle continues.
In the middle of the forest dimly lit by the light of dawn, two figures still stood facing each other.
Their bodies were covered in wounds.
Heavy breathing.
But their eyes were still filled with determination.
Hawk.
Magnus.
The ground around them was devastated by traces of fighting throughout the night.
Broken branch.
The tree trunk is cracked.
Leaves scattered.
Magnus wiped the blood flowing from his temple.
He laughed softly even though his breathing was heavy.
"Extraordinary…"
“All night… and you're still standing.”
The eagle was also panting.
But his face remained calm.
"You too."
Magnus moved his shoulders which were starting to stiffen.
“I haven't met an opponent like this in a long time.”
He took up his position again.
"Do you know?"
“If only we were on the same side… maybe we would have destroyed this world together.”
The eagle answered coldly.
“Unfortunately you chose the wrong side.”
Magnus smiled.
"No…"
He stared at the Eagle sharply.
“You chose the weak side.”
Suddenly he attacked.
His punch was as fast as lightning.
TWOO!
Eagle parried but Magnus immediately connected with a hard kick to the ribs.
BRAK!
The eagle was pushed back two steps.
Magnus didn't give time.
He leapt forward with a barrage of attacks.
Boxing.
Elbow.
Kick.
Every attack is full of brutal power.
The eagle blocked some, but some of the blows still hit his body.
BUUK!
One blow hit his jaw.
But Elang responded quickly.
He spun around and slammed his elbow into Magnus' neck.
CRACK!
Magnus took a half step back.
The two of them looked at each other again.
The dawn is now getting brighter.
Magnus took a deep breath.
“I think it's time for us to end it.”
The eagle did not answer.
But he also took a position.
Magnus attacked first.
He dashed forward and jumped with a powerful spinning kick.
The eagle lowered its head.
The kick just brushed the air.
In one swift movement—
The eagle turned its body.
His foot hit Magnus' stomach.
BUUK!
Magnus staggered but remained standing.
He tried to counterattack.
But the Eagle was already moving faster.
He stepped forward—
hit Magnus' chest with his shoulder.
Then he turned his body and—
POWERFUL KICK.
BRAAAK!
The Eagle's foot slammed into Magnus' body with the last of his strength.
Magnus was thrown far back.
His body hit a broken tree trunk.
One of the sharp pieces of wood was stuck in his back.
Magnus was silent.
Blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth.
He tried to get up… but his body was no longer strong.
The eagle walked closer slowly.
His steps were heavy.
He stopped a few meters from Magnus.
Magnus looked at him with a weak smile.
“So… this is the end…”
The eagle stood still.
Then said slowly.
"I have never thought…"
“You are truly a great fighter.”
Magnus chuckled.
“Praise from the enemy…”
“That's enough.”
The eagle looked at him with respect.
“I respect you as a rival.”
Magnus closed his eyes slowly.
His breath stopped.
The forest was silent again.
The eagle stood alone in the dawn light.
He turned his head towards the distance—
towards the Obsidian headquarters that stood beyond the forest.
He didn't know what was going on there.
Not knowing that his team was caught in a hail of bullets.
But in his heart he hoped for one thing.
Alpha…
Make sure Hana gets to the beach.
He took a deep breath.
Then whisper softly.
“Hurry up…”
"I'll catch up."
or a new ruler born from his own shadow?
THIS NOVEL IS AN ENTIRE WORK OF FICTION WRITTEN BY BENZAMIN PUTIN. ALL CHARACTERS, EVENTS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND STORYLINE ARE A FRAMEWORK OF THE AUTHOR'S IMAGINATION. ANY SIMILARITY OF NAMES, PLACES, EVENTS, OR CHARACTERS TO REAL-WORLD EVENTS OR INDIVIDUALS IS SIMILARLY COINCIDENTAL AND UNINTENTIONAL.
