Dawn had not yet pierced the clouds when the last wall of the Kingdom of Gaia was shaken by an explosion that cracked the sky. From the outside, the Obsidian Regiment besieged the capital with thousands of soldiers and magitek war machines, flooding every gap with the sound of drums and the roar of spells. From within, the Basilisk fortress—the last bastion—had turned into a prison for hope that was growing thinner. Amidst the booming sounds and chaos, through the cracks of the shattered windows, blinding light from the magical energy emitted by the war machines created strange shadows dancing on the stone walls. This tense atmosphere was filled with frustration and despair, the scent of blood and sweat hanging in the air, presenting a grim picture of days that might never come again.
The once-mighty stone walls now trembled, the glyph carvings on their surfaces peeling away, mixed with stains of blood and soot. Every room was filled with soldiers holding their breath behind cracked shields, their eyes watching every shadow, every tremor of the ground. Among them, some soldiers appeared to close their eyes, praying to ancient deities for a miracle—help that seemed to drift further away with each tick of time. They knew that one breach meant the end of everything—not just for Gaia, but for the world that relied on the womb of Queen Iris as the key to balance. Uncertainty hung in the air, as if their faces were recorded in eternal memory, ready to become legends in the dark tale that would be told from generation to generation.
In the underground hall, Iris sat on a small throne, surrounded by three female guards who had now lost all their magical shields except for remnants of ancient protective spells. One of the guards, Miel, was checking the remaining secret escape routes, while the other two—Sabina and Luria—stood watch at the main door with spears and scrolls of glyphs in hand. The vibrating sounds crept into the hall, creating a sensation as if the walls had eyes and ears, ready to protect or betray.
Iris gazed at her tightening belly, realizing that the contractions were coming faster than expected. Each explosion outside felt like a fatal thud in her chest. Occasionally, she could hear the whisper of the wind urging her to step forward, to fight against the fate that seemed to crush her. In her mind, mixed with pain, visions of a hopeful and glorious future flashed, where she would lead her people to rise from this emptiness. She hoped that miracles could still happen amidst this chaos.
"Is everything ready, Miel?" "The southern route is still open, Your Majesty, but… only one person can pass at a time. If the Earth forces find it, we won't have time to escape." Iris bowed her head, her fingers gripping the cold heirloom pendant of Sheena against her chest. Outside, a gentle breeze carried the damp scent of the earth, mingling with the vibrations of magic wafting in the air, signaling that elemental forces were drawing near. Each explosion outside felt like a fatal thud in her chest. "Today, I no longer hope for escape. We will hold until fate itself decides the end of this story."
Sabina nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for other possibilities. Courage enveloped her like shining armor, ready to face any threat. Behind her, protective spells were quietly recited by Miel, creating a protective aura that blessed their daring plan. "If the Queen permits, I will be the distraction in the eastern corridor. Let them chase me while the Queen and Miel wait for an opportunity here."
Luria, the youngest, whispered, "Are we going to die here, Your Majesty?" Her soft voice broke through the tension, creating a wave of empathy among them. Iris could see the shadow of fear on Luria's face, filled with unspoken curiosity. Yet, in her heart, Iris also felt the weight of that question. A moment of silence enveloped them, and Luria's heartbeat echoed in time with the distant hum of glyphs.
Iris smiled faintly, pain and courage intertwining. "Death is not the worst thing in war, Luria. Betrayal is far deadlier. As long as we trust each other, our names will not be forgotten." She felt warmth in her words, as if the power hidden within the heirloom pendant began to flow, strengthening their spirits. At that moment, the rumbling outside grew closer, and the magical bolts from the wounded glyph flickered in the darkness, revealing an illusion of power clashing before them.
On the surface, the paladins of Gaia fought backward step by step. Every corridor and hall became a battlefield—glyphs exploded, shields shattered, blood flowed on the once-shining marble floor. The Obsidian Regiment deployed shield-piercing glyphs, creating explosions that shattered magical shields one by one. In the corner of the scene, streams of magical energy flickered like starlight, adding to the horror with the echoes of screams from warriors grappling on the brink of life and death.
The commander of the paladins, Thalria, a woman with white hair and a face smeared with the blood of enemies and allies, led the final defense at the basilisk gate. "Paladins of Gaia, hold your ground! One step back means one name lost from the world!" Her cry echoed, complemented by a protective spell glowing around her—a shield that resonated, appearing as if made of dazzling moonlight. Her skilled hand movements summoned not only power but hope for those still standing with her.
The Earth forces broke in, led by the infamous General Talgar. With heavy magitek weapons and the Void Eater spell, they mercilessly eliminated paladins one by one. There were no negotiations. No mercy. Behind them, dark shadows crept, inhabited by powers drawn from fear and despair, each step adding weight to the darkness enveloping the space that was once filled with light.
In the sanctuary, the sounds of war grew closer. Iris felt her tears fall, but she allowed none to hit the floor—she wiped her face with the back of her hand, holding back the turmoil that nearly overwhelmed her sanity. The scent of sweat and rusted iron filled the air, adding to the panic that enveloped them. The cold stone walls felt increasingly oppressive, as if they held all the fears of the world.
She called Miel closer. "If this is the time, you know what to do. If I fall before my child is born, ensure my offspring does not fall into enemy hands. I entrust my life and honor to you, Miel."
Miel bowed her head, crying silently. "Forgive me if I fail, Your Majesty. I have sworn under the altar to protect your life and womb—even if it means sacrificing everything."
Her hands trembled, and she clutched an ancient key made of gleaming metal, with protective spells etched on its surface. The metal seemed to radiate warmth, a promise of the magical wonders that had protected them all this time.
Sabina stepped into the eastern corridor, ready to be the bait. With a spear in hand, made from ancient wood reinforced with Divine spells, she ran toward the rumbling sounds, shouting loudly: "Hey, coward Earth! If you want Gaia's blood, take my life first!"
As she ran, a radiant light appeared at the tip of her spear, signaling the hidden protectors. A magical explosion shook the ground, drawing the attention of the attacking Earth forces. Some of the Earth troops chased after Sabina, buying time for Miel and Iris to prepare.
The warmth of Miel's protective aura began to envelop Iris, strengthening her heart in the chaotic silence. In the pounding of her heart, a faint hope flickered—who would win in this inevitable battle? The two united in an unbreakable bond, tied by hope and love.
Luria prepared protective spells at the main door. Beside her, circles of light flickered around the space, creating a sacred atmosphere. On the other side of the room, Miel helped Iris stand—supporting the queen's nearly collapsing body. They slowly walked toward the secret altar, where holy water from a magical source flowed beneath the stone floor, emitting a spicy aroma reminiscent of an ancient presence.
Above the altar, Iris gazed at the ancient spiral symbol carved by Sheena years ago. The symbol shimmered as if alive, radiating an aura that was both calming and haunting. She brushed the surface of the carving, feeling the cold vibrations of the past. Each touch awakened memories, whispers of voices, and dark visions of battles long gone.
"Sheena, mother… if there is any power left in your name, let my child survive, even if I must perish with this world."
As those words were spoken, the light from the symbol shone brighter, as if responding to Iris's plea. A cold wind blew, whispering promises to the souls bound to the altar. Miel, with hope in her gaze, highlighted the magical aura surrounding the queen, sensing that these final moments could be the beginning of something greater.
The Obsidian Regiment finally breached the last corridors of the basilisk. Explosion after explosion shattered the walls, creating clouds of ash and debris everywhere. Amidst this chaos, high-tech weapons hummed, radiating blazing energy, transforming the battlefield into an ancient tale burned in time.
Thalria and the remaining paladins retreated to the throne room, fighting desperately. However, their numbers were unbalanced. One by one, paladins fell—some chose suicide rather than capture. The sounds of war and piercing screams echoed, and amidst the billowing smoke, the last paladin fought with a courage that clung to her soul.
General Talgar entered the main room with dozens of soldiers, his face emotionless. In his right hand, a gleaming sword containing dark power, a weapon capable of separating soul from body. "Search for the womb. Kill anyone who stands in the way. Bring me Iris's head if she is still alive."
Amidst the ruins, Luria stood at the altar door, protective spells glowing around her body. The golden aura from the glyph protecting her seemed to vibrate, creating a stunning visual effect amidst the chaos. The Earth forces broke in, and Luria shouted as she recited the sacrifice glyph—magical explosions hurled five enemies against the wall, but her own body was thrown lifeless. In her spirit, the remnants of the spell echoed, calling forth the power hidden within the ruins.
Miel held back tears, pulling Iris toward the altar, locking the door behind them. Inside, dark shadows from the duet of darkness lurked, sensing the warm magical energy. She turned briefly, caught in the depths of Iris's shining eyes, hoping they could fight fate with the remaining strength.
Inside the secret altar, Iris fell to her knees. The contractions came stronger, her breath caught. Around her, the magical light flickered, as if responding to the urgent situation. Miel whispered calming spells, trying to hold back tears, while the protective aura began to fade, gathering hope that was growing thinner.
"We won't be here much longer, Your Majesty. If the Earth forces breach the door, I… I will carry out your orders."
Iris looked at Miel with tear-filled eyes. In her gaze, hope and fear were reflected. "If I die, ensure that no one can touch my womb. The world is better off losing one bloodline than witnessing the birth of the apocalypse."
As if understanding, the light around them vibrated fiercely, as if echoing Iris's words, emphasizing the importance of the moment. Outside, the sounds of explosions and screams grew louder—the Basilisk fortress would fall within minutes. Every tremor of the ground felt like a final call, and the scent of battle thickened, mixing the smells of iron and sweat.
Sabina, her body covered in wounds, dragged herself back to the main room, closing the door with her spear as a lock. The rumbling sounds of thousands of approaching soldiers filled the air, creating a chilling silence. She whispered softly, *"I have fulfilled my duty, Your Majesty. Forgive me, I can no longer protect…" Her voice faded in her last breath, while the dim light of the candle cast her silhouette against the cold stone wall.
Miel knelt beside Iris, praying together. She gazed at the creaking ceiling that was beginning to collapse, as if reminding them of the time that had passed. "If fate rejects us, let the world remember the name Gaia as one that died with dignity." Unbeknownst to them, the flow of magical energy vibrated around them, creating a tension invisible to the eyes of ordinary humans.
The last wall fell. General Talgar kicked open the altar door. The sound of the door shattering became a deep echo, creating a biting sense of anxiety. Inside, Miel and Iris were ready—sacrifice spells on their lips, hands clasped together, and the soft light from the magical runes etched on the walls began to shine. There were no more tears. Only surrender and final courage, as if the spirits of the protectors had gathered and merged within them.
That day, the last bastion of Gaia fell. But the names, honor, and sacrifices of the protectors—along with Iris's choice—would become a story that the world would not easily forget. In the ashes and blood, a small voice within the womb still pulsed, challenging death to allow the last hope to endure just a little longer. In the encroaching emptiness, the echoes of forgotten ancient spells began to fill the atmosphere as if preparing to save them from the encroaching darkness.