The Man in the Shadow

As the thunderbolts light up the raining night sky, a gunship that is flying bumpily like a firefly in a gale wind shows up above the southern mountains.

When the aircraft breaks through the storm and appears above the parking apron of the Abyss Base, both people in the chopper and the ground breathe a sigh of relief.

"Welcome home." A radio contact comes between the thunderclaps.

In the same instant, the lightning lights up the copilot. Moskov takes off his mask, revealing a disappointed face.

As the chopper lands on the apron with a jolt, Moskov breaks the silence along the way and says: "They ambushed us..... There must be moles in the base."

Then he represses his resentment and continues: "Thanks for bringing me out. I owe you one, buddy!"

The pilot turns to Moskov and gives him a fist bump.

After Moskov opens the door and leaves, the pilot's image becomes the only thing reflecting on the windshield. The man takes off his helmet and gazes at his reflection in the glass. He asks himself in his mind: "Buddy... or enemy? Leomord..."

8 years ago, the world was not like this at all.

At that time, the Polar Star was a peaceful planet and Leomord was a little dreamer who loved riding across the farmlands of the south on his father's horse "Barbiel".

"World horsemanship champion?" Barbiel snorted and asked.

"World horsemanship champion!" Leomord responded firmly.

"Then feel the speed of a champion horse!" The old horse sneered.

As the son of a champion rider, Leomord has the superpower of talking to animals. Such ability also gives him animal instincts and a composed personality. He believed he could refresh the world record on Barbiel's back.

At that time, Leomord was high-spirited and vigorous. Together, the young rider and his experienced horse dominated the equestrian race courses.

However, the invasion of the Khasta planet changed everything. In the war, his hometown was destroyed, his keens and friends were killed. Leomord and Barbiel became the last survivors because they left their home for competition.

When the grievous news reached Leomord's ears, he lost control of his feelings as well as his power for the first time in his life, leading to an animal rampage in the city which caught the attention of the Society of Dawn.

A mentor from the Society of Dawn reached out to Leomord and asked him a question: "Are you willing to devote yourself to the cause of justice and take revenge on the darkness?" Bearing a blood feud, Leomord agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Later, the HQ of the Society became the residence of the homeless young man and his old horse. After every day's agent training, Leomord would bring out Barbiel for a ride. They would stare in the direction of their homeland without saying anything...

A year later, Barbiel passed away, leaving Leomord alone on the racecourse.

Leomord buried the old horse in their rebuilt hometown. He felt the last connection between him and the world had disappeared. And in his eyes, his reflection on Barbiel's marble gravestone was getting more and more obscure and it would disappear anytime...

Entrusted by the Society, Leomord started his life as a spy. He created all kinds of opportunities to get in touch with Moskov who was about the same age. After winning the target's trust, he was introduced to the Abyssal Wings by Moskov.

As a newcomer, Leomord was not totally trusted and could only get some supporting jobs. He gathered intelligence with care and stuck with the mentor's instruction: Only take action at the most crucial moments.

But Moskov never doubts Leomord. He always turns to Leomord in his free time. Together they would go for a drink and chit-chat. Every time Leomord met with Moskov, he felt like he had gone back to his boyhood.

The friendship made Leomord feel more and more panic. He feared that he could lose his belief and break his vow. He started to talk to his reflection in the mirror and remind himself: He is a friend, but also an enemy.

Shortly afterward, Leomord discovered that Moskov was avoiding him.

He still acted calmly and served under Abyss as usual but deeply he was reviewing all his behaviors in front of Moskov to figure out if there would be any chance of exposure.

Until one day, Moskov brought Leomord to a secret room. Leomord, thinking he had been exposed, was ready to take the last struggle. But to his surprise, a badge was pinned to the breast of his coat and a metal version of Barbiel appeared in front of him.

"Happy birthday, buddy!" Moskov shouted out the answer to the riddle. He reached out his fist and gave his friend a fist bump while Leomord was still absorbed in confusion.

On the surface of the metal horse, Leomord found out that his face was covered with tears. He could clearly tell a dam he built in his heart had collapsed — He is an enemy, but he is also a friend...

Leomord became accustomed to getting along with the members of Abyss. Unruly Moskov, mysterious Alpha, ruthless Selena... and his old friend Barbiel — now he could summon him with the badge...

But soon, Leomord was put in front of the crossroad of fate as Moskov determined to assassinate the officer who sold out him and his troop to avenge his fallen comrades.

Leomord knew that once the officer was killed, Moskov would become the no.1 target of the Society of Dawn and Polar Star. There would be no turning back for his friend.

"Only take action at the most crucial moments". This is just a crucial moment!

For the first time, Leomord activated the intelligence distribution system. He controlled the "bird" that could not be detected by Khasta's technology to send out the message. He couldn't even tell whether he did this because of his vow about devoting to justice or he was just trying to stop Moskov from going too far on the way of darkness.

But he did know he would risk his life to save his friend from harm's way. So he flew the chopper in the dangerous weather, so he ignored the possibility of being seen as a renegade by the Society, so he brought his friend back to Abyss after betraying him.....

The rain shows no sign of stopping. Leomord's reflection on the windshield gets more and more obscure. Ravens are cawing all over the valley.

Leomord knows that tomorrow is about to come, and one day, he will have to face the inevitable. Once again, he asks himself in his mind: "Buddy... or enemy? Leomord..."

The Fallen