The Great Eye smiled at the people as they stared at him in fear.

  “I see fear on your faces. Why? Do you see the boogeyman?”

  He laughed.

  Then his expression fell into murderous intent.

  He stretched his arm toward a crowd of thirty.

  “Die.”

  In an instant, they turned to dust. Blood misted the air and sprinkled across the stone.

  The nearby people saw it and screamed, running for their lives. One by one, as they fled, the Great Eye turned them to dust without effort, walking forward with a smile only the devil could make.

  “I come to free you!” he cried. “Why run from my gift?”

  Soldiers came rushing in on horseback, blades drawn.

  It was for naught.

  They too were reduced to dust.

  The Great Eye lifted his hand into the air and twisted it eighty degrees. A massive bubble formed, engulfing large sections of the kingdom. With a snap of his fingers, craters erupted across the land, killing hundreds instantly.

  The screams were so loud the Seven Islands could hear them.

  Inside the castle, panic spread. No one knew what to do.

  From the king’s chambers, Leah watched the horror unfold. She covered her mouth as tears poured down her face like a waterfall.

  The door burst open.

  It was Theodore.

  “My lady, we must go. The city is no longer safe for you.”

  Leah looked from Theodore back to the monster outside.

  “Where is Haul? He should be back. It’s been days.”

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  Theodore lowered his head. “My lady, I have received no word of Haul’s whereabouts. But he is a strong man. He will come home, I promise. Right now, we must leave.”

  Leah looked at the chaos one last time, then took Theodore’s hand. He led her through the castle and down to a hidden dock beneath it — a place prepared for the kingdom’s fall.

  They climbed into a small boat.

  Leah turned suddenly. “What about Eamon? We have to go back.”

  Theodore paddled as he spoke. “I warned Eamon and urged him to come. He refused. He said he would not abandon Haul’s dream. He said Enora is his kingdom, and he will fight for it — even if he dies.”

  Leah turned away. “He cannot fight. Has he gone mad?”

  Theodore nodded. “’Tis true. But once Eamon makes up his mind, no one can deter him.”

  Leah held herself as distant screams echoed over the water.

  “Where will we go?”

  “To my home,” Theodore replied. “Ashvire. To House Velastra.”

  —

  Back in the kingdom, Eamon lay broken in his bed.

  He forced himself upright and tried to stand, but collapsed to his knees with a sharp cry. Still, he pushed himself back up. Every movement was agony.

  He staggered toward his armor and slowly put it on. Lifting his arms sent fire through every nerve in his body. When the armor was secured, he reached for his sword, gripped it tightly, and closed his eyes.

  “I will save your kingdom, my friend.”

  He turned and walked toward the door, each step aching beyond belief. When he reached it, he fell hard against the stone.

  Eamon grabbed his sword and used it to pull himself into a kneeling position.

  “God, aid me in this coming battle. Heal me and lend me your strength for this last time.”

  A cool rush flowed through his body.

  He stood.

  The pain was gone. He had never felt lighter.

  Eamon walked through the king’s hall, out the castle doors, and onto the front steps. He looked over the burning kingdom as screams rose and vanished just as quickly. He watched children beg for help, only to be left to die with the rest.

  Eamon descended the steps and stepped into the chaos.

  He locked eyes with the Eye of the Great Immortal as it laughed at each death.

  Eamon walked toward it.

  “Who are you?” he cried.

  The Great Eye smiled. “The one they call the demon. Have you come to save the people of this fallen kingdom? You would have been wiser to run than fight. You must be a fool.”

  Eamon said nothing. He raised his sword in front of his face.

  The Great Eye’s smile widened. “You know the move… You must be part Blackmoor.”

  “I am Eamon Whitfield.”

  The Great Eye’s eyes widened slightly. “Is that so?”

  In a blur, Eamon surged forward, unleashing his technique Baler’s Vengeance.

  He vanished and reappeared beside the Great Eye, striking with devastating force. The impact sent the Great Eye sliding backward across the stone streets though it remained standing.

  “Is that all?” the Great Eye mocked. “That move is impressive. But I am a god. Still… I will not kill you so soon. Amuse me.”

  Eamon gave a small grin.

  “If you insist.”

  —

  Out on the waters, Leah and Theodore sailed through the dark unknown.

  “Where is Jeremiah?” Leah asked quietly.

  Theodore looked at her gently. “He fled quickly. He will arrive before us, my lady.”

  Leah nodded. “That’s good.”

  She stared out over the endless blue sea.

  Back in Enora, Eamon stood face-to-face with Haul’s killer — unaware of what he was truly fighting.