The Duel in the Forest
In the depths of an uncharted forest, Sang Jaey and Rakhad clash with earth-shattering force. Rakhad, a fire mage of unparalleled skill, conjures flames that roar like a dragon's breath, engulfing everything in their path. Sang dodges and weaves, but the relentless onslaught pushes him to the brink of exhaustion. Every strike from Rakhad is calculated—merciless.
From a distance, Eldrin and Zoick watch the battle unfold.
"Hey, old man—" Zoick starts, but before he can finish—
Eldrin's gaze sharpens. His voice is absolute. "Do not call me 'old man.' You will address me as 'Teacher.'"
Zoick sighs dramatically. "Fine, fine… Master, then. But tell me, why am I even here?"
Eldrin remains still, his focus never leaving the battlefield. "Because Sang wanted you here."
Zoick glances at Sang, barely holding his ground against Rakhad. He crosses his arms, shaking his head. "This fool… Why the hell would you drag me into this?"
The battle intensifies, the force of their clashes sending shockwaves through the surrounding forest, reducing trees to ash and rubble.
The Silence of the Nexus Court
Within the Nexus Court, an unsettling quiet hangs in the air.
A General slams his fist onto the table, eyes locked onto Threxius. "Are you playing games with us? You sent one of your own, slaughtered our people, and now act like nothing happened?!"
Beside him, Kaelthor adds, "If you wanted Earth, we would have given it to you. Why would you resort to this?"
Threxius, his demonic presence suffocating the air, rises from his seat, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"Listen carefully. I sent no one. My warriors are all accounted for. There are no missing soldiers from my ranks. Whoever did this… was not one of mine."
A grim realization settles over the court.
Kaelthor and the General exchange glances.
"Then it could them ?…"
The General exhales, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's them… or worse… one of them."
The Echoes of a Forgotten Name
In the King's Empire, Vilgrim stands before his grandfather, curiosity burning in his eyes.
"Grandfather… who is Keyokthai Shammroy?"
The old man's expression darkens, his voice heavy with both fear and respect.
"A name that once shook the foundations of this realm. He belonged to the Kthai Clan—the most feared warriors in history. When a member of their clan entered the battlefield… the war was already won. Entire armies trembled at their mere presence."
Vilgrim's skin prickles with goosebumps. He swallows hard. "A single warrior… could turn the tide of battle?"
His grandfather nods. "But that bloodline… is lost to history now."
Before Vilgrim can ask more, a sudden bang echoes through the chamber. The doors fly open, and a soldier rushes in.
"My Lord! A message has arrived from the Nexus Court. It is urgent. They demand your presence immediately!"
Vilgrim's gaze hardens. "Prepare my arrival."
The Mockery of Strength
Back in the forest, Sang collapses, completely drained.
Zoick bursts into laughter. "HA! I knew he wasn't all that!"
But Rakhad, still watching the battlefield, speaks without looking at him. "Master, it's not Sang who concerns me."
Eldrin raises an eyebrow. "Then who?"
Rakhad's gaze shifts to Zoick, his tone grave. "Him."
Zoick, mid-laugh, pauses. "Wait… me?"
Rakhad nods. "He has potential, but he's reckless. He doesn't take anything seriously. If we don't discipline him, he'll never survive against what's coming."
Eldrin smirks slightly. "Then let's fix that."
With a single motion, Eldrin unleashes his power. A golden-red aura of phoenix flames erupts around him, swallowing the sky itself.
Zoick's cocky grin vanishes. His instincts scream at him—this is real danger.
"O-Okay, Master… maybe we could take this slow…?"
Eldrin says nothing. And then, he attacks.
The battle lasts less than two minutes. The ground shakes, the sky trembles, and in the end—Zoick collapses, gasping for air.
Now, both he and Sang are sprawled on the ground, utterly exhausted.
The Awakening of a Forgotten King
Rakhad, growing frustrated, shakes his head. "This is pointless. He's weak. He can't even stand—how the hell is he supposed to save anyone?!"
Annoyed, he calls forth another student—a warrior already stronger than Sang but weaker than himself.
"You. Fight him."
The student nods, stepping forward. But just as he prepares to strike—
A voice cuts through the air.
A voice so ancient, so commanding, that it feels as if the very universe pauses to listen.
"B…A…A…K…A."
Eldrin's body locks up, his soul trembling to its core.
Rakhad's breath catches. His instincts scream at him—this is not the same Sang he was fighting moments ago.
The new student stares in confusion.
And then—Sang disappears.
Not in a blur. Not in a movement.
He simply ceases to exist in front of them.