That night in Biringan, while most warriors rested after the hard-fought Argos mission, Den couldn't sleep.
He sat alone on the rooftop of the barracks, his eyes locked on the night sky, stars shimmering like distant spirits.
"You still thinking about the mission?" Ino asked, climbing up beside him quietly.
Den didn't look at her, just nodded.
"Yeah. We won… but some didn't make it back. Those boys with Liu… they trusted me. I could've done more."
Den gave a small sigh. "Sometimes it feels like I'm not leading... just surviving."
---
Elsewhere, Liu lay on her bed, her shoulder wrapped in glowing cloth from Elena's healing.
Kyra sat on a chair nearby, polishing her trumpet-sword in silence.
"You were amazing back there," Kyra said. "Even if you got stabbed."
Liu rolled her eyes. "I'm not letting that happen again."
Kyra chuckled. "Still, we made a good team… right?"
Liu looked away, hiding a small smile. "Don't get used to it."
---
The next morning, Biringan was filled with celebration. Flags waved. Music echoed. Citizens danced and cheered for the victory in Argos.
The High Council gave speeches. Soldiers were honored.
But Den stayed quiet in the crowd, his eyes scanning for faces that never returned.
---
Outside the barracks, Luz continued training.
His fists hit harder. His feet moved faster. The beam of light he summoned was now twice as powerful, cutting through a tree trunk like it was paper.
Watching from afar, Jay took a sip from his flask, leaning on a post.
"Hmph. He's growing fast… almost too fast," he muttered.
Then, Jay walked up to Luz.
"Alright boy. Training's over. You mastered it now," he said.
Luz collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily.
"Finally..." he exhaled.
Jay tossed him a wrapped meal. Luz caught it and smiled.
"Thanks, old man."
Jay nodded—and vanished again.
"Argh! That drunk old man!" Luz said, chewing his food. "Bet he's going to the bar again…"
---
The next morning, Luz woke up under a tree, the wind brushing his face.
But something was off.
From afar, he saw a group of light soldiers running full speed toward the border.
"What's going on?" Luz muttered, climbing down.
Then he saw them—Den, Ino, and Jed—geared up and moving fast.
"Guys! Guys! What happened?" Luz called out, running toward them.
Den stopped. "Some of our soldiers were kidnapped… by the dark army," he said.
"Medical team… and a few scouts," Ino added. "They're going to use them to boost their army—Malakar's dark ritual needs light energy."
"So Bin sent us to rescue them," Den said, tightening his gloves.
"We'll bring them back," Den said with certainty.
"Good luck, guys," Luz said quietly, watching them run off.
Den, Ino, and Jed—three powerful warriors—rushed toward danger, leaving Luz behind.
Luz sat down and looked up at the sky.