The hero who became a villain

Sia couldn't stop staring at Aries.

"You know who I am?" she asked.

Aries looked nervous for the first time.

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about this out in the open."

David crossed his arms.

"That's not suspicious at all."

Aries ignored him.

Instead, he glanced toward the distant black castle.

The smile on his face had completely disappeared.

"We need to leave."

"Why?" Sia asked.

Aries grabbed his sword and began walking.

"Because if Keal finds you first, your journey will end before it even begins."

Sia and David exchanged confused looks before following him.

As they walked through the forest, Sia noticed something strange.

Everyone they passed seemed afraid.

Villagers lowered their heads.

Shopkeepers quickly closed their doors.

Even children stopped playing whenever they heard Keal's name.

It felt less like a kingdom and more like a prison.

Finally, Sia spoke.

"Who exactly is Keal?"

Aries was silent for a few seconds.

Then he sighed.

"Years ago, Keal was the greatest hero this world had ever known."

Sia listened carefully.

"He defeated monsters, protected kingdoms, and saved countless lives. People loved him."

"Then what happened?" David asked.

Aries' expression darkened.

"Keal learned the truth."

"The truth?" Sia repeated.

Aries nodded.

"He discovered that our world isn't real."

Sia froze.

"He knows?"

"Yes."

Aries looked down at the ground.

"He found an ancient book that revealed everything. It showed him that our world exists inside a comic."

David swallowed.

"And he didn't take that very well?"

Aries laughed bitterly.

"No."

The forest suddenly felt colder.

"At first, Keal refused to believe it. Then he became angry."

"Angry at who?" Sia asked.

"Everyone."

Aries stopped walking.

"But mostly at the people who created this world."

Sia felt her chest tighten.

She remembered the pages she had read.

Keal had once been a hero.

A real hero.

Yet somehow he had become the villain.

"After learning the truth," Aries continued, "Keal changed. He stopped protecting people. He stopped caring. He decided that if our lives were only part of a story, then nothing mattered."

The words hung heavily in the air.

David shook his head.

"That's insane."

"Maybe."

Aries looked toward the sky.

"But imagine learning that every choice you've ever made was written by someone else."

Nobody answered.

Because none of them knew what to say.

Hours later, they arrived at a small village hidden between mountains.

For the first time since entering Legends, Sia felt safe.

Almost.

As the sun began setting, Aries led them into a small house.

"You can stay here tonight."

Sia nodded gratefully.

"Thank you."

Aries smiled.

"No problem."

For a moment, he looked like an ordinary boy.

Not someone living in a world ruled by a villain.

Not someone carrying secrets.

Just a friend.

That night, after David fell asleep, Sia sat by the window.

She couldn't stop thinking about her parents.

Were they really alive?

Were they waiting for her somewhere?

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

She turned around.

Aries stood in the doorway.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

Sia shook her head.

Aries sat beside her.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Then Aries quietly said,

"Your parents are alive."

Sia's eyes widened.

"You know where they are?"

Aries nodded.

"They're prisoners."

Hope and fear crashed into her at the same time.

"Where?"

Aries hesitated.

Then he answered.

"Inside Keal's castle."

The words hit her like lightning.

The very place she had been trying to avoid.

The most dangerous place in Legends.

Sia clenched her fists.

"Then I'll go there."

Aries immediately shook his head.

"You'll die."

"I don't care."

"I do."

The answer surprised both of them.

Aries quickly looked away.

"I mean... we need a plan."

Sia smiled slightly.

For some reason, his awkwardness made her feel better.

Suddenly—

BOOM!

The entire house shook violently.

Everyone jumped to their feet.

Another explosion echoed outside.

Villagers screamed.

Aries rushed to the window.

His face immediately turned pale.

"No..."

"What is it?" Sia asked.

Slowly, Aries looked back at her.

"They found us."

Outside the village stood dozens of armored soldiers.

At their center was a tall figure wearing a black cloak.

Even from a distance, Sia could feel his presence.

The man slowly raised his head.

Golden eyes met hers.

A smile appeared on his face.

"Found you."

Keal had arrived.

To be continued...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***