The moon bore witness to a city in ruins. Fire lit the broken walls and charred bodies. Yet even in chaos, two men still stood against the impossible.

  Kyros, the Thunderous Phantom. Kotan Aspen, Lord of Winter.

  The black dragon roared, unleashing one last torrent of flames. Kotan raised the katana Soul of Frost, his aura exploding like a frozen storm.

  — NOW, KYROS! — he shouted, charging without hesitation.

  The dragon dove, jaws wide to devour them whole. Kotan leapt, blade shining like a blue star, and drove it deep into the creature’s skull. Cracks of ice spread toward its eyes.

  — For the Capital Sorriso! — roared Kotan.

  Kyros planted his feet on the stones. His body burned with pain, but his thunderous aura exploded.

  — DIE! — he cried.

  With a swing, he raised his sword and struck the dragon’s neck in a golden arc. The blade cut through bone and scale. In a single flash, the head separated from the body.

  The dragon crashed down, shaking the entire city.

  For a moment, silence reigned.

  But it was only the prelude to horror.

  ?? Among the Ruins

  Fabrísio Scadia emerged in fury, running with his sword raised. Kotan, covered in cuts, spun his katana with his last breath.

  — DIE, CURSED ONE! — Fabrísio bellowed.

  The clash shook the walls. In a strike fast as lightning, Kotan deflected the blade and drove his katana into Fabrísio’s shoulder, severing his right arm in a frozen arc.

  — AAAHH! — Fabrísio screamed, staggering.

  And yet… he smiled.

  — An arm… for the fall of Kyros… and the destruction of Sorriso… a small price to pay.

  From his cloak, he pulled out a black faceted stone, pulsing like a dead heart.

  — Farewell, phantoms.

  The relic — known in legend as the Eye of Uroboros — shone in a purple flash.

  When the light faded, Fabrísio was gone.

  Kyros fell to his knees, gasping.

  — Coward…

  ?? The Steps of the Disaster

  From the smoke rose a darker presence. Slow footsteps. Calm claps.

  — Congratulations. — said the smooth voice. — Kyros. Kotan. To sever the head of a black dragon… not just anyone can do it.

  Anatoly. Eleventh Disaster. Executioner of the Tower of the Unfortunate.

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  The main street fell silent.

  Lukas and Adriele appeared, covered in wounds. But before they could run, two figures appeared.

  — Lukas… — Maycon stammered. — We… we didn’t know…

  Lincon was pale, his mouth trembling.

  — Stay… quiet. Don’t say anything. Don’t look at him.

  Anatoly walked forward, eyes soulless.

  — I’ve already killed Elizabeth. The Dove. The Smith. Now only the last bastion of hope remains.

  ?? The Patriarchs React

  Aurelius Rowan arrived first, staff in hand.

  — Whoever you are… we will fight.

  Helena Summer raised her golden bow. Flora Anapelum whispered prayers as living aura bloomed.

  Arrows cut the sky. Roots rose. Mana exploded from the ground.

  Anatoly did not step back.

  In seconds, Helena was turned to stone. Shattered.

  Flora ran, only to be lifted by the neck.

  — So… fragile.

  A snap. Silence.

  Aurelius fell with a dagger in his heart.

  Three Patriarchs. Three legends. Destroyed.

  ?? Death of the Brothers

  Maycon trembled. Lincon wept. Both retreated.

  — Father… father, save me…

  Anatoly gazed at them.

  — Weak.

  With a single gesture, he severed their heads.

  The skulls rolled to Kyros’s feet.

  The patriarch’s mind broke in silence.

  ?? The Last Lord Falls

  Kotan Aspen raised the katana one last time.

  — Still… I will fight…

  The black blade pierced his chest.

  — I’m sorry… for not being… enough…

  He fell.

  ? The Phantom Resists

  Kyros was alone. Bloody. Wounded. His eyes burned with grief.

  — You… killed my sons.

  — And there are more left. — Anatoly whispered.

  Lukas fell to his knees behind his father. His eyes shook. He did not rise. He did not challenge what stood before them. Anatoly was a Disaster.

  He watched death unfold. He was not the hero. Not yet.

  Kyros dug his feet into the stones.

  — As long as I breathe… you will touch nothing else.

  Anatoly smiled, and took a step.

  The Night of Despair had reached its peak.

  Kyros raised his voice:

  — It is I who stand between you and what remains of the capital, wretch. And you will not touch another of my children.

  ??? And the World Fell Silent

  Fire crackled. Corpses lay still. The sparrows of light had fled.

  And at the height of the Night of Despair…

  KYROS STOOD, DETERMINED TO DIE IF HE MUST.

  ? End of Volume 1 — The Return of a Failure and the Beginning of a Legend