The morning sun hung high over the vast expanse of the Great Grand Canyon, its rays piercing through the narrow openings of the cavern where Archer Irving now sat, a shadow of the titan he once was. It had been roughly three months now since the chaos of Forstjaw Reiken's fall, three months since Archer vanished from the eyes of the world, retreating deep into the solitude of this ancient, silent place.
The world outside still buzzed with rumors and uncertainty, but Archer's mind was miles away, lost in memories of a life long past — a life that had shaped him into the living legend he was.
Thirty-years years ago, the boy who would become Archer Irving was born and lived with his family that believed in one thing above all: excellence. From the moment he took his first breath, it was clear he was different from the rest. Not just in strength or size, but in his heart. In his spirit. Archer was larger than life, even as a toddler. By the age of five, his parents had already decided that their son would be a prodigy of perfection in every sense of the word.
First they started and enrolled him in Muay Thai classes — ancient and brutal — and soon added mixed martial arts, american football, football, basketball, karate, tennis, rugby, boxing, kickboxing, cricket and kung fu to his growing schedule. The irony wasn't lost on Archer even then: while other kids played games, had fun with their friends and just enjoyed their childhood, he was subjected to the discipline of warriors, the pain of constant training, and the relentless push to be the best.
But Archer was no ordinary child. He absorbed every lesson, every blow, every sweat-soaked hour in the gym. He was stronger, faster and smarter then hispeers. His body was a made weapon; his mind a steel trap. He had no equal by his side.
By the time he turned seven, he wasn't just a normal talented student anymore — he was a competitor for world titles. Archer began fighting professional Muay Thai matches in the children's division. The arenas were small and gritty, but for him, they were playgrounds, that was his childhood. His fists were lightning, his kicks thunder. Time and again, he won championship belts, each victory cementing his reputation as a child prodigy destined for greatness.
School was no different for Archer. Archer attended a primary school in California, where his size and charisma made him a living legend in his school and his classmates saw him as a god. At the age of ten, he was already towering over his classmates by inches. He was 5 ´ 2 by the time he was ten. Teachers whispered in awe, other children looked up to him with admiration and envy.
He was the most popular kid in school — not just because he was the strongest or the fastest, but because he was confident, kind and caring towards everyone in school and outside. Archer had a natural charm that drew people in. Friends came to him with problems, and he helped them with a genuine smile on his face. He never bullied or belittled anyone despite being the strongest and even though he easily could have. The truth was, Archer craved connection just like anyone else — even if his life was anything but normal.
And yet, his days were filled with relentless training. One after the other. After school, he'd be back at the dojo or the basketball court, perfecting his skills, surpassing his limits each time. Throwing up everyday. He joined a professional youth football team in California, dazzling coaches and scouts alike. The intensity with which he attacked every sport was unmatched. He became the captain of his team before he was even a teenager.
His teenage years saw even greater achievements then his earlier years. At fourteen, Archer won his first world Muay Thai championship. At fifteen, he led his high school basketball and american football team to a state victory, breaking records after records.
But it wasn't just his athletic prowess that set him apart. Archer was very smart. The smartest in the school — extraordinarily so. Despite the exhausting training regimen, he maintained straight A's, always topping his class. He was curious about law, justice, and the rules that governed society, but his true passion was fighting for the weak — not just physical battles, but the fight for honor, respect, and purpose.
His parents, proud but stricter then every other parent in the world, expected nothing less than perfection. Their dream was to see Archer become a champion not only in sports but in life itself. They pushed him harder everyday, seeing his success as a reflection of their own status. And for a long time, Archer thrived under this pressure.
Despite his many victories in sports and life, Archer's childhood was probably the hardest childhood you could ever have. The sacrifices were immense. While other kids spent weekends at amusement parks or with their families, Archer was at training camps or in tournaments across the country. Sleep was a luxury for him. Normally he´d get at best 4 hours to sleep; rest a rare indulgence. Friends came and went, no one was able to keep up with his pace.
Still, Archer found small moments of joy in his teenage years. He remembered the early morning runs along the California coast, the cool sea breeze on his face as the sun rose. He remembered the cheers of the crowd when he scored the winning goal or landed the knockout punch. Those moments fueled his spirit. Because of those moments he kept going
But as he grew older, the cost of being the best in everything began to show itself. Competition grew fiercer, and opponents more ruthless then ever. Still he beat everyone and was undefeated but injuries piled up one after another — a fractured wrist, a torn ligament, countless bruises. But his parents wouldn't let him stop. He learned to mask the pain, to push through until his body and mind demanded surrender.
Archer his social life was nearly nonexistent. His peers moved on to typical teenage experiences — first loves, parties on the weekends, drinking with friends, carefree nights — while Archer's world revolved around drills and discipline. At times, he felt isolated, a king on a lonely throne.
The pressure from his parents didn't help either. Their ambitions for him sometimes felt suffocating, a chain binding his true spirit. But Archer never complained and just did what they asked him to do. He believed that sacrifice was the price of greatness.
By the time he finished high school with straight A ´ s, Archer was more than just a sports star; he was a phenomenon. A myth. College scouts came calling all over the country, universities offered full scholarships, but Archer chose a different path. At eighteen, he enrolled in law school, a decision that surprised many but he knew it all along. His mind craved understanding of the law, the power structures that shaped the world. Maybe, he thought, this was the next arena to conquer.
Meanwhile a couple years later, the world outside was changing. Rumors of monsters spreading across the globe began to surface. Governments scrambled, humanity grew fearful. And Archer, ever the warrior, knew his true test was coming.
Now so many years later, sitting in the quiet of the Grand Canyon's cavern, far from the crowds and accolades, Archer's mind replayed these memories like a film reel. He was thirty years old, but the boy who dreamed big and fought harder never truly left him.
He wasn't just a soldier or a warrior; he was a legend shaped by years of sacrifice, glory, and loneliness.
And sooner then he´d think, everything would change for him.