Chapter 1: The River of Time
A towering mountain rose high into the sky, standing firm amidst the world. Its peak was shrouded in snow, but the heavy snowfall made it impossible to see what was happening atop it.
Dusk Vale stood resolutely on the mountain's peak, a figure of both pride and solitude. There was no one beside him, and perhaps, there never would be. In his life, no one could ever truly stand by his side.
His black robe was torn and ragged, no longer resembling a garment but more like a piece of tattered cloth.
His hair was a wild mess, his face covered in blood, and hidden beneath the shredded fabric were hundreds of wounds, each more severe than the last. Drops of blood fell relentlessly, staining the snow beneath him, creating a deep red patch that stood in stark contrast to the pure white around him.
His body trembled, but his gaze was sharp and piercing, as if he had already seen through the very fabric of existence. As he looked around, he saw a group of masked figures surrounding him from all sides.
"Dusk, did you ever think this day would come when you committed your evil deeds? It's time for you to pay for the sins you've caused."
"Do you remember when you destroyed my clan? Did you ever think that one day, I would be the one to end your life?"
"You've committed countless atrocities. Today, I am here to act as heaven's justice. I will kill you so that the world knows justice still exists."
"We, the righteous, have gathered here today to eradicate you, the great demon. I advise you to surrender and die peacefully."