The carriage skidded to a stop about fifty meters from the walled gate.
Kash focused on the two beasts ahead. The Blazing Wolf and the Crystal Serpent.
Flames crackled off the wolf's fur, heat warping the air around it.
The serpent coiled, its scales sharp and glimmering like ice, fangs spraying cold air.
Both were predator-ranked, and their summoners were veterans who trained them for years. They weren't like those officers who got careless and died.
The two summoners wore navy blue uniforms, but the fabric was finer and looked more refined than what regular officers wore.
One rested his hand on a polished walking crane, while the other stood with arms crossed.
The insignias engraved in their crests revealed their origins—House of Crimsoner and House of Doff.
Behind them were a group of guards, their armor shining from the lanterns and torches. Several low-ranking summoners stood with them with their own beast.
Soon, more guards appeared, cutting off their way back. Kash and his family were out of options.
Alicia peeked through the window. They all knew it was the end of the line.
What hurt more was that their son just achieved what he always wanted. He finally summoned a powerful beast.
But because of them, that dream would die with him.
"Surrender now. You can't escape the city." The man with short, neatly combed red hair from the Crimsoner family stepped forward.
Kash stood, his posture straight. He was no longer the weak man he once was. Nor was he innocent. In less than an hour, he had gone from a law-abiding citizen to a mass murderer.
"Mr. Erik, let us go. I don't want to fight someone like you...someone beloved by the people."
Erik was known for being kind and generous, often donating his own money to help the poor in the city.
"So you don't want to kill me because I have a good reputation?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Young man, what about the officers and guards you burned to death? Do you think all of them were evil? Or do you think none of them deserved to be spared?"
Kash was speechless. He wanted to defend his actions, but was he really in the right?
No matter what he said, he knew he was guilty of killing people with families, wives, daughters, and sons. Because of him, they would grieved.
"I'm a murderer, and I accept that. Condemn me all you want. I've earned it. But..." He clenched his fist, his grip tightening as he spoke.
"If it means saving my family, I won't hesitate to kill those men again."
Erik narrowed his eyes, studying him closely. The defiance in his stance, the tight grip on the reins, the fire in his gaze... it was very clear.
The kind young man he once knew was gone. In his place stood someone cold, hardened, and desperate enough to do whatever it took.
"Kash.. I pity you." Erik sighed" To think that, after all these years, you finally summoned your own beast. And a predator one at that."
He paused, his eyes turning cold. "Unfortunately, your family committed a serious sin, and now you'll have to pay for it."
"We're innocent! The Derami family framed us!" This time, he snapped.
Unlike him, his family hadn't killed anyone. They didn't deserve to be dragged into this.
"Watch your words. The Derami family is one of the most distinguished houses in the empire," Erik warned.
Saying such a controversial claim could spark . And Even if it was the truth, none of them could persecute the Derami family without solid evidence.
"Mr. Erik, please. I don't want to kill you. Just let us pass, and we'll leave the empire. Never to return."
He shook his head. "Youngman, you're blinded by the power you have, and that will be your undoing...Do you really think your newly summoned beast can defeat my Blazing Wolf?"
Kash sighed deeply. Sadness filled his eyes as he looked up at the second moon
Everyone thought he was about to give up. Who wouldn't? He was outnumbered, and even a miracle couldn't save them in this situation.
'You can take 10 years of my life' he reluctantly whispered.
(There is no turning back.)
The imp, sensing what was coming, began to laugh hysterically . Its light grew brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding.
No one understood what was happening, but the rising temperature was not a good sign.
The air grew unbearably hot. People stepped back, sweat beading on their foreheads as they shielded their eyes.
When the glow finally faded, the imp was gone.
In its place stood a five-foot figure, molten horns glowing like smoldering wood.
The outlines of its muscles were visible, giving it an intimidating presence.
With a sharp flap, it hovered in midair, its wings unfurling like a twisted blend of flames and bat wings.
Erik and the others were confused. This was the first time they had seen a beast evolve so quickly.
Not only that, it didn't resemble anything in the books published by the Averta Summoning Code, meaning it was a creature never before discovered.
"What is that beast?" the summoner from the Doff family asked.
"I don't know. But it looks strong. Be careful, we might be dealing with a beast stronger than a predator—"
Before he could finish, it flew toward them.
"Use Howling Flame!" Erik commanded. His wolf opened its mouth, releasing a wave of flames accompanied by a thunderous howl.
The other summoner quickly followed suit. He commanded his Crystal Serpent to release a cloud of cold gas that formed a solid ice shield.