The days at Castle Rock dragged on, heavy and relentless, filled with exhausting labor and constant punishment. Among all the recruits, Sky and Shark were without a doubt the worst: intolerant of rules, always ready to talk back, and utterly incapable of getting along—either with each other or with their officers.

  When the day of the oath arrived, the Grand Hall was packed. The recruits stood in neat rows, uniforms flawless, right hands pressed to their chests as they recited in unison:

  “I solemnly swear to serve the Empire and devote my strength to the Emperor.

  To strike against the enemies of the Empire, to raise my defenses for the people,

  and to die for justice.”

  Their voices thundered through the stone walls, merging into a single, overwhelming force.

  But among those voices… two were missing.

  While the others pledged their loyalty, Sky and Shark were still in their quarters, fast asleep in their creaking beds. When the guards realized it, they burst into the room, dragged them out by force, and punished them by hanging them upside down in the central courtyard, exposed beneath the blazing sun.

  The courtyard was filled with recruits and soldiers watching them—some with contempt, others with barely concealed amusement.

  Shark twisted violently, the veins in his neck bulging with rage.

  “Bastards! You think hanging me up here every time is going to make me suffer?!”

  Sky swayed slowly, as if the situation didn’t bother him in the slightest.

  “To be honest… this position is starting to feel almost relaxing. Great for thinking.”

  A faint grin stretched across his lips.

  Shark glared at him, snarling.

  “If it weren’t for these eolite cuffs they forced on us… I would’ve already burned this whole damn place to the ground!”

  Sky tilted his head toward him, dark glasses reflecting the sunlight.

  “I have an idea. Join my clan.”

  “…What clan?” Shark asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

  “Mine. I’m founding it right now.”

  Shark stayed silent for a moment, then burst into laughter—harsh and bitter.

  “Hah! Fine, I’m in. But only because I’ve got nothing better to do.”

  “Perfect!”

  Sky’s smile widened, as if he had just played the perfect move.

  “Now we just need to figure out how to get out of here.”

  Shark clenched his teeth, eyes burning.

  “If we could get these cuffs off, everything would be easier.”

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  The sun slowly set, painting the castle walls red. The courtyard gradually emptied until only the wind stirred the warm air, and the silence of evening took over.

  Sky and Shark were still there, hanging upside down. Their throats were dry, their bodies aching.

  Shark let out an exhausted breath.

  “If I stay like this another hour… my head’s going to come loose.”

  Sky, on the other hand, remained strangely calm, whistling an off-key tune.

  Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the courtyard.

  Tap… tap… tap…

  The sound bounced between the walls.

  Both of them froze, turning their gaze toward the darkness.

  “Finally, someone’s coming. I just hope it’s not Captain Sharlok,” Sky murmured.

  A light breeze made the torches tremble along the walls. The sky above Castle Rock was now dark and star-filled, and in the empty courtyard only the creaking of the ropes and their heavy breathing remained.

  Then—a lighter sound.

  Quick steps, almost imperceptible.

  From the shadows emerged a girl with short black hair, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. In her hands, she carried a metal canteen, shining under the moon.

  She approached in silence.

  “I brought you some fresh water.”

  Sky lifted his head slightly. His cracked lips curved into a faint smile.

  “Thanks. I was dying of thirst.”

  Shark snorted, irritated.

  “That’s kind of you, girl… but if they catch you here, you’ll end up hanging upside down right next to us.”

  She didn’t flinch.

  “I was careful. No one saw me.”

  Shark narrowed his eyes and jerked his chin toward the roof of an old barn nearby.

  “Oh yeah? Then what about the one up there? He’s been watching us for a while.”

  Sky and the girl looked up at the same time.

  On the roof, motionless like an omen, stood a figure wrapped in a black cloak. His face was covered in bandages. Only one eye remained visible, burning like a threat.

  She whispered, frozen.

  “Who… who is that?”

  Before she could move, the man vanished.

  Swallowed by the darkness, as if he were part of it.

  An instant later—

  GONG! GONG! GONG!

  The bells of Castle Rock exploded into the air.

  Shouts. Orders. Boots pounding against stone.

  “We’re under attack! We’re under attack!”

  A massive explosion shook the ground.

  From the sea, through the black waves, a pirate ship emerged and opened fire on the fortress. Cannonballs slammed into the walls with brutal force. Stone, wood, and blazing fragments lit the courtyard in red and orange.

  The towers of Castle Rock answered with a roar of fire.

  The sky became a living inferno.

  Shark thrashed wildly, struggling to free himself.

  “Hey! You have to get us out of here! This is our chance—we won’t get another!”

  She hesitated, her gaze darting between them.

  “Alright… I’ll try.”

  Sky spoke calmly, his voice perfectly clear despite the chaos.

  “Cut the ropes. Every recruit carries a personal knife. You must have one too.”

  She touched her belt. Metal.

  “You’re right. But be ready to fall. And… my name is Luna.”

  She climbed the pole with confident agility. Moonlight flashed along the blade as it sliced through Shark’s rope.

  SCHRAK!

  Shark crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, rolling through the dust—free for the first time in hours.

  A moment later, Sky’s rope snapped as well. He landed lightly, almost like a cat. Brushing off the dust, he looked at her with a genuine smile.

  “Thank you, Luna. I owe you.”

  Then, without missing a beat:

  “Hey. Why don’t you join my clan? We’re already two.”

  Luna frowned.

  “Your… clan?”

  Sky spread his arms, as if announcing a revolution.

  “Exactly. I promise you—we’re going to live a great adventure.”

  She glanced toward the roof where the cloaked figure had appeared moments before.

  “I can’t right now. That man… I think I know him. I need to find out why he’s here.”

  Sky nodded, serious for once.

  “I’ll wait for you. When you have your answer… that’s when you’ll join my clan.”

  Silence.

  Only the distant thunder of cannons from the sea.

  Luna looked at him and smiled.

  “Alright. I promise. When I’m done here… I’ll join you.”

  Taking advantage of the chaos, Sky and Shark sprinted toward the docks. The moon shattered across the water, reflected between columns of smoke and bursts of fire. They found a small boat, shoved it into the sea, and began rowing away with frantic movements.

  Behind them, Castle Rock burned. Towers spat flames, screams and clashing steel blending with the rhythm of the waves.

  Panting, Shark shot a glance at Sky.

  “If they catch us, we’re dead.”

  Sky smiled—that half-smile that was never quite fear.

  “If they try, we’ll just have to row faster.”

  The boat slipped into the night.

  Between adrenaline and fear, they both knew their escape would trigger unpredictable consequences.

  And yet, for the first time in days, freedom felt within reach.

  —

  Next Episode — Shadows over Castle Rock