Volume One, Chapter Four: The Light of Tyro

“Hiding here should be safe for now.”
“No problem, we Yordles are experts at evasion.”

Inside a mountain cave, a group of Yordles and Pedanites huddled together. They sat around a campfire, roasting alien creatures they’d hunted during their escape, discussing where to flee next.

Tap, tap, tap...

Footsteps echoed. The two froze, immediately setting aside what they held, their eyes wary as they stared toward the cave entrance. As the figure approached, his features gradually became clear.

“It’s that Ultra Warrior!”

It was Tregear. Once they confirmed his identity, both let out a sigh of relief. Yet the ever-cautious Yordle quickly sensed something was wrong. Tregear held a knife—a bloodstained knife.

“What... what are you going to do?” the Yordle stammered in panic.
“What else? Eat,” the Pedanite scoffed, sinking his teeth into a haunch of meat.

By then, Tregear was already behind him.
“You two are the last ones.”

With a swift, cold slash, the Pedanite’s meal never reached his stomach; his head thudded to the ground.

“You!” the Yordle’s pupils contracted in terror as he collapsed. Seeing Tregear raise his blade again, pure survival instinct took over—he rolled backward, barely evading the lethal edge.

He scrambled to his feet without a second thought and dashed deeper into the cave, half-crawling, half-running.

“Quite nimble, aren’t you?” Tregear muttered with a cold sneer as he gave chase.

——

A blood-curdling scream split the air, reverberating into the cosmos.

Taro paused mid-flight, his brow furrowing as he turned toward the source. Someone seemed to be crying out for help. As an Ultra Warrior, his instinct to respond to the call of the weak was irresistible. He didn’t hesitate—he changed direction instantly and sped toward the cry.

——

Tregear stepped out of the cave, flicking blood from his arm with an expressionless face. He pulled out his tablet.

“Master, I’ve completed the mission.”
“Excellent. Return.”

With permission granted, Tregear prepared to leave. But at that moment, a fiery red figure appeared on the horizon. The instant he saw who it was, Tregear’s eyes darkened.

Likewise, the newcomer’s eyes widened.
“Tregear!”

Taro was as swift as lightning. Even as his voice rang out, he was already at Tregear’s side.
“Come back with me now!” He grabbed Tregear’s arm, intent on dragging him away by force.

He didn’t ask about the blood, nor did he question Tregear’s intentions. Not until Tregear jerked his hand away.

Stunned, Taro turned, his body trembling as he let out a roar that was almost a howl: “Tregear, do you really mean to betray us?”

He had known Tregear’s purpose from the start. He just couldn’t—or wouldn’t—believe it. With his experience, how could he not recognize the source of all that blood?

His eyes, rimmed with red, brimmed with tears. He stared at Tregear, pupils dilated in shock, face twitching, body shaking. Heaven knew the turmoil raging in his heart.

Tregear gazed at him calmly, his eyes tranquil and empty, like he was staring at a corpse—devoid of emotion.
“Taro, you’re still just as naive,” Tregear said softly. “Even after a turn of fate, your heart remains unchanged.”

“What are you talking about?” Taro couldn’t understand—naivety, fate’s turn? What did it all mean?

“I know what you’re afraid of.” Tregear spoke again. “You fear I’ll fall into darkness and become evil.”
“I—”
“Let me make it clear,” Tregear’s voice suddenly sharpened. “I have no interest in darkness, and I will never fall into it!”

A spark of hope flickered in Taro’s eyes.
“Really?” He almost dared not believe it, even asked with joy, “You truly—”
“Likewise,” Tregear’s voice turned icy, cutting off any closeness, “I will never seek the light.”

“This world has neither true darkness nor true light.”
“Why must you draw such a clear line?”

Tregear stepped forward, bringing his face close to Taro’s, smiling grimly.
“Is it so others can more easily distinguish justice?”
“Is light always justice?”
“Heh... Ha ha ha!” Tregear threw back his head and laughed, his voice growing heavier, “Is the power I now wield considered light?”

“Taro, answer me!”
Taro remained silent.

“I’ve killed nine people in all,” Tregear’s tone softened, drifting like a shadow. “Do you know the terror and despair etched on their faces as I struck them down?”

“Enough!” Taro snarled, his teeth grinding nearly to splinters.

“What’s wrong?” Tregear feigned surprise. “Have you finally seen my true nature?”
“Or do you think I’m beyond saving?”

Teeth ground together in Taro’s mouth with a grating sound. He suddenly looked up and smashed his fist into Tregear’s face.

Bang!
Even at his best, Tregear was no match for Taro. Now, wounded and weakened, he had no power to resist. His body was sent hurtling in a straight line, crashing into the ground and leaving a deep crater.

“Stream—”

A myriad of colored lights gathered on Taro’s arms. But in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to release them.

“Hahaha... hahaha...”
Tregear’s wild laughter echoed from the pit, his tone thick with mockery. “What’s wrong? Can’t do it?”

He clawed his way out, face contorted as he shouted, “If you can’t, then I’m leaving.”

“Don’t force me!” Taro shook his head, eyes squeezed shut. He simply couldn’t believe that the man before him was the Tregear he knew.

He must have been controlled.
Yes, Tregear must be under some spell!

With this thought, Taro’s eyes flew open and he dismissed the gathered energy.
“Tregear, I will save you!” he shouted, his whole body radiating a dazzling light like a miniature sun plummeting to earth.

Within that brilliance, Taro clung to Tregear, the glow intensifying.
He remembered what his father had said:

If one day, an important comrade is consumed by darkness,
then use your own light... to purify him...
and illuminate a path home for his lost soul...

Tregear... I’m begging you...
Wake up!