The memory surfaced, sharp and distinct. A decade past, within the command encampment of the Zephyrosian army.

After the Dark Reaper's departure, the General bandaged the wound upon his arm. It was not a grievous injury, yet to counter-attack whilst taken by surprise and emerge entirely unscathed; the Dark Reaper was truly perilous beyond measure.

"We have assailed it with every form of attack. Perhaps the records concerning it are entirely accurate. Its Mystic Sense has evolved into an Undead Mystic Sense; all attacks bearing killing intent, all purposeful strikes, are rendered ineffective." The elderly mage standing beside the General spoke his thoughts.

"But how can we attack without intent?" another commander asked, slamming his fist on the table. "Every move we make is purposeful. An attack requires even more focus. It's impossible!"

Henry sat below and listened to their discourse, all while keeping Sophia cradled in his arms. Suddenly, the reason for their dire predicament became terrifyingly clear.

Having tended to the wound on his arm, the General strode towards the two children. His commanders stood before the strange pair, their attention now converging upon them.

"They faced the Dark Reaper twice, yet still they live." "Are these brats devoid of emotion?" "They are trembling even now; that remains a negative emotion. There is assuredly something amiss." "Should we interrogate them, or employ sorcery to analyze their bodies, their very souls?"

The escalating debate stoked Sophia's fear. Having just escaped the clutches of the monster, they now faced the suspicion and cruelty of humankind. He held Sophia tighter. The murmurs of the commanders went unheard as his focus settled solely on the powerful General.

"I shall aid you in destroying that Dark Reaper."

Henry's declaration silenced the entire command tent. No other matter was discussed. A brief stillness descended, as if space itself had congealed. None had anticipated that a twelve-year-old child could utter something so preposterous.

Then, someone finally spoke.

"Boy, this is no place for games. That thing is an A-rank monster; it could level a small nation. And you think you can stop it?"

"Zephyros is the fifth nation it has reached. The four preceding nations suffered untold slaughter. Do you comprehend the power required for a creature to inflict such devastation?"

"Even demigods couldn't destroy or seal it. Who do you think you are?"

another commander interjected, his tone laced with anger.

"No, I am merely a twelve-year-old boy, but I know I can do it. I require but one chance, only that you grant me an opportunity to prove it."

"And how do you plan to do it? Fight it yourself? Or do you expect the army of Zephyros to follow your orders and die for some kid?" a commander demanded, his anger palpable.

Henry remained unshaken. He ignored the commander, fixing his attention entirely on the General, the one who wielded supreme authority there. His gaze held a peculiar light, resolute and steadfast, devoid of fear

"I offer my life as guarantee; I shall destroy the Dark Reaper. It will not cost you a single soldier."

Beside him, an old mage murmured, "He speaks the truth, Your Excellency."

The General of Zephyros held the boy's stare, searching for any hint of fear or deception in the unwavering look he received. It was a rare sight: his eyes were reckless and resolute, but they also held the despair of someone with nothing left to lose. He favored those who possessed such eyes, that of his most valiant, most frenzied soldiers. To him, such individuals were like arrows; once loosed, they flew unerringly towards their target. He wondered what a twelve-year-old boy must have endured to acquire them.

Zalogr did not reply. He remained in solemn silence for a moment, then walked towards his campaign desk. It was but a short distance, yet each step he took was measured and slow. The nearby commanders and mages dared not utter a word. Henry and Sophia clung to each other, awaiting the General's answer, the one that would decide their fate.

"Boy, I shall grant you one chance. Prove it with your life."

Three days hence, Henry stood beneath a towering cliff. Upon the cliff face, a cave had been excavated deep within, just large enough for two children to enter.

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Henry stood at the cliff's base, silently observing the cave and the sheer rock. One hand tightly gripped the 'Talisman of Aggression,' a charm designed to provoke monsters; the other he used to hold Sophia.

"Are you certain that we will survive?" Sophia asked, a mystic stone resting in her palm.

"No," Henry said with a smile directed at Sophia, "but I am certain you will. I shall be beside you, to protect you."

Henry took Sophia's hand, and together they ventured into the forest, where the Dark Reaper held its domain. .

Within the encampment, the commanding officers sat together, discussing the events of the preceding days. "Had we been able to employ sorcery, these tasks would have been completed in mere hours. Everything was done by sheer brawn, hence the delay," one complained. "A few more days matter little. If the brat succeeds, it is well. If not, we lose nothing," another said. "But what if he does succeed? Will that boy become the hero of Zephyros?" A question that brought a stunned silence upon them all. .

Not long after, a bone-chilling screech echoed from the dense forest. The Dark Reaper appeared - a tall, gaunt skeletal figure, scythe in hand, advancing slowly. The talisman Henry held had taken effect.

Henry and Sophia fled swiftly towards the cliff. The monster pursued at a leisurely pace. The prey, flitting in and out of its perception, prevented it from targeting them decisively. This was Henry's greatest hope. Alone, he would surely have been cleaved in twain before taking a second step. Sophia alone, conversely, seemed almost invisible to it, her miraculous effect entirely unmanifested. It was being beside Sophia that rendered Henry nearly unseen to the creature; only when he strayed too far from her did it sense his presence.

Reaching the cliff, Henry pushed Sophia in first, then twisted his body to follow. At that moment, as Sophia was separated from Henry, he became clearly visible to the monster. In a flash, it was before the cave entrance, a clean, swift strike leaving a deep gash in the cliff face. Henry had managed to retreat just deep enough to escape death.

The Dark Reaper shrieked, raising its scythe, intending to split the very cliff to slay its irksome prey. The monster faltered when Sophia lunged forward and clung desperately to Henry. The flames within its eye sockets vanished once more, leaving only faint golden pinpricks.

"Do it, Sophia," Henry whispered into the girl's ear, holding her tight.

Sophia crushed the mystic stone. A great explosion thundered above their heads. Then, with a cataclysmic roar, a torrent of water crashed down from dozens of meters above, carrying immense pressure. With it came wooden rafts, weapons imbued with the light attribute. All like a colossal water dragon engulfing the Dark Reaper. Its shriek echoed through the mountains and forests, mingling with the roar of the churning waters.

The sound vibrated through the entire region; all soldiers, all officers, turned towards the source of the detonation. En route, the commanders discussed amongst themselves. "It has been done? Did that brat truly use a waterfall to crush the Dark Reaper?" "It was not in vain that we constructed a great dam in three days, and fashioned a multitude of wooden rafts to bear the weapons." "A twelve-year-old boy, conceiving of using a natural disaster to eliminate an A-rank threat. Utter madness." "He merely lured it and triggered the trap. Whether it succeeded or not, we must go there to ascertain."

When they arrived, they saw only the General standing at the foot of the waterfall. Beneath him lay the shattered bones of the fearsome Dark Reaper. In his hand, he held the skull that had once struck terror into millions.

"General Zalogr! General Zalogr! General Zalogr! "

Unceasing cheers erupted from countless soldiers. They had heard of the monster's terror, had witnessed its horrific slaughter amidst their encampment. Now, what four nations could not achieve, what three mighty demigods could not accomplish their General had consummately fulfilled. It was a resounding victory. General Zalogr's name would now be recorded in the histories of Zephyros forever.

Zalogr remained silent, gazing at the waterfall. A short while later, Henry and Sophia crawled out from the cave. "We thank the General for saving our lives from the monster, sir," Henry proactively knelt, profusely thanking Zalogr. Sophia merely knelt beside him, saying nothing.

The commanders standing nearby remained silent. They knew this boy was denying his own merit, that the entirety of this victory was being attributed to General Zalogr. They awaited his reaction.

"This victory is not mine; it belongs to you two," General Zalogr replied calmly.

" No, sir. It was all you and your commanders. We were just lucky kids you saved. We only hope you'll permit us to follow you to Aerion. We can serve in the army, the church... we'll do anything, sir," Henry pleaded.

The old mage approached, gently placing his hand upon the heads of the two kneeling children. His aether scanned their bodies several times. Nothing unusual. He turned to confirm with General Zalogr. "Very well. I shall allow you both to go to Aerion. But you will both begin your service from the lowest ranks. No exceptions," Zalogr decided.

Henry breathed a sigh of relief. In that moment, safe - they were finally safe. He didn't know these men, but one truth was clear - reward had to match capability. For two powerless children to attempt to claim such glory was not necessarily a good thing; it could cost them their lives. But if they were merely ordinary children, their chances of survival would be higher.

In the darkness, that night. The General of Zephyros sat alone in his tent, studying a map. "Mystic Sense that ability must find a new host when its former master perishes. Yet I do not sense it." He crossed his arms, contemplating. "So, who possesses it? That boy? Or the girl? But Ramir examined them thoroughly; there was nothing untoward. Then who? The soldiers within my army?" He took a sip of wine, setting the glass down with a deliberate stillness. His focus sharpened, becoming piercing and absolute. "Whoever it may be I shall watch. Until I am certain."

From that day forth, a discreet network of surveillance was established. For the ensuing ten years, every step Henry and Sophia took did not escape his notice. But Henry knew nothing of this. He knew only that each day was a gift he must strive to protect, for he still remembered vividly Sophia's eyes on that day. Amidst the devastation, only one thing had kept him alive - Sophia.

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