Full Citizen (38)

Rat-a-tat-tat.

Kael was running along the drainage tunnels of the lower sector, which twisted together like a maze.

His body had not fully recovered yet. The strain of pushing himself this far was eating away at him like poison. His movements were gradually slowing. It was almost a wonder that he had made it this far. Every joint and muscle in his body was screaming.

But Kael did not stop.

The child was crying.

Wield justice and eradicate evil. Hold courage in your heart and protect the weak. Do not turn away from those you can save.

Even if darkness swallowed the world, it could not extinguish the flame of humanity.

That was the creed of the Helios Order, whose members had been his comrades. The knights had always muttered it like a habitual refrain. In the end, they had been annihilated in the fierce battle against the Demon King's army, but not one of them had surrendered. They had upheld their convictions to the very end.

And their convictions—their flame—were still burning.

No, they had only just begun to burn...