**Chapter 2: The Dawn of Hope**
Twenty-six years had passed since the crushing defeat of the Grand Alliance at the hands of the vile war lord, **Zelnar**. The surviving races now gathered within the **Golden Capital**—a symbol of rekindled hope. There, the **Hero Academy** was founded, a dream born from the people's yearning for warriors capable of standing against the Dark Lords. Though racial tensions had eased, the wounds of the past still bled deep within their hearts.
---
### **A Distant Village – The Boy Named Jin**
In a remote village, far from the clamor of the capital, a sixteen-year-old boy named **Jin** sat with his mentor, **Markth**. The two prepared for a perilous mission—one that would lead them to a **forsaken castle**, shrouded in thick mist. Its crumbling towers stood like forgotten specters, hiding a blood-soaked past. The ground around it was littered with the corpses of warriors, their swords still embedded in the earth—as if they had refused to surrender, even in death.
Jin adjusted his **black scarf**, masking part of his face. His eyes gleamed with cold determination and a smoldering hatred. Markth, clad in tattered battle-worn robes, strode forward with unwavering confidence.
**Markth** (voice deep, seasoned by war):
*"The time has come, Jin… Are you ready?"*
**Jin** (voice sharp, laced with fury):
*"Yes, Master… It's time for revenge."*
Both knew this journey might be their last—but there was no turning back.
Markth pointed toward the eastern side of the castle.
*"There's a hidden passage. If we take it, we'll reach Zelnar's chamber directly—without facing his minions. Speed and caution are our only allies."*
Jin replied coldly, *"Just lead the way… No more words."*
---
### **The Forsaken Castle – A Path of Blood**
They entered through the secret passage. The walls were **stained with dried blood**, the crumbling furniture coated in dust—as if the castle itself refused to be forgotten. Corpses littered the halls, some frozen in horrifying poses, their final moments etched in terror.
They stopped before a small room. Inside, the **skeletal remains of a child** curled beneath a broken bed—a futile attempt to hide from unspeakable horror. Jin stared impassively, as if his eyes had long grown numb to such scenes.
Markth knelt silently, drawing his sword and driving it into the ground before the remains. He closed his eyes in reverence. Jin followed, gripping his own blade. His sorrow was faint—but genuine.
**Markth** (whispering mournfully):
*"Rest in peace, little one… Forgive us for coming too late."*
**Jin** (voice low, simmering with rage):
*"Your blood won't be forgotten… Your killer will suffer tenfold."*
Silence fell as the mist crept through shattered windows—as if the world itself mourned with them.
They rose, sheathed their swords, and advanced toward the chamber where **Zelnar** awaited.
---
### **The Dark Truth – Monsters Born of Experimentation**
Jin suddenly stiffened. *"A strange scent… Like burnt iron and chemicals."*
Markth exhaled heavily. *"Yes… The stench of experimentation. The 'monsters' we fought before weren't beasts—they were humans twisted into soulless abominations."*
Silence hung thick, as if the walls themselves recoiled from the truth.
Suddenly, Jin's mind flashed back—his mother, **Yuri**, smiling as she pinched his cheek.
**Yuri** (warmly):
*"My dear… Your father and I are going to slay that evil man. We'll restore hope to this world."*
**Jin** (fearfully):
*"But Zelnar is strong… I don't want to lose you both! Father, say something! Stay—"*
The memory faded into mist, the pain constricting his heart.
---
### **The Final Confrontation – Zelnar's Madness**
**Markth**: *"Jin! Jin! Are you with me?!"*
Jin snapped back. *"Huh? Yeah… I'm here."*
**Markth** (firmly): *"We've arrived… Beyond this door, there's no turning back."*
**Jin** (drawing his sword): *"I know… And I won't need to."*
Markth kicked the rotting door open with a sinister creak. Beyond lay a grand hall—a ruined ballroom, its center dominated by a **majestic throne**. Upon it sat **Zelnar**—a half-giant, grotesquely deformed, wearing a tarnished golden crown. His laughter was a grating, inhuman sound.
**Zelnar** (mocking):
*"Hahaha! New lab rats?! Welcome to hell… Welcome to the spider's den!"*
Before anyone could react, Zelnar **blitzed forward**, his massive axe swinging toward Jin. Jin barely parried, but the sheer force sent him **crashing into the ceiling**.
Markth lunged to intervene—only for a **third arm** to sprout from Zelnar's back, hurling a firebomb at him. Markth barely dodged the explosion.
**Markth** (furious):
*"You bastard… Even your body isn't spared from your own sick experiments?!"*
**Zelnar** (grinning):
*"Resisting already? You're better than the brat, old ma—"*
His words cut off as Jin **descended like a hawk**, his black hair whipping in the wind, **crimson eyes blazing** with vengeance. His sword sliced toward Zelnar's neck.
**Jin**: *"SEA-CUTTING SLASH!!"*
**BOOOOOOM!**
The hall shook violently. The golden crown **shattered** against Zelnar's skull, blood gushing from his forehead.
Zelnar stared at his own blood, then **screamed in demonic fury**.
*"YOU INSECTSSSS!!"*
The castle trembled as **dozens of spectral swords** materialized, hurtling toward Jin and Markth from all directions.
**Zelnar**: *"DIIIIEEEE!! DIIIIEEEE!!"*
The swords multiplied with every scream. Jin struggled, barely evading.
**Jin**: *"Damn it… When will his magic run out?!"*
**Markth** (calmly): *"Jin! Don't let rage control you—focus!"*
Suddenly, Zelnar **teleported behind Jin**, laughing.
*"Just kidding… Hahaha!"*
His axe swung—**severing Jin's arm**.
**Jin's scream echoed through the hall.**
**Markth**: *"JIIIIIIIIIN!!"*
Markth **blurred forward**, using forbidden magic:
*"Fifth Movement—Instant Step!"*
He snatched Jin away just before the second strike could land.
**Markth** (panicked): *"Dammit… DAMMIT!!"*
**Markth**: *"Jin! I'll buy you time! RUN NOW!!"*
Zelnar watched, grinning like a beast.
*"Running away? The fun's just begun…"*
Markth raised his sword, chanting as **demonic energy** engulfed him. He charged at Zelnar in a suicidal assault.
**Markth** (screaming): *"JIN, GO NOW! I CAN'T HOLD HIM!"*
Jin stared in horror as his mentor **began to mutate**, his body breaking under the strain. Blood gushed from Jin's severed arm.
Amid the chaos, Jin **remembered**—six years old, watching Markth carry the corpses of his parents, **Yuri and Alex**, to bury them.
The same despair gripped him now.
**Markth's voice roared**:
*"JIN, YOU DAMN BRAT, LEAVE! THAT'S AN ORDER! TRAIN HARDER—AND AVENGE ME!"*
Between Zelnar's laughter and Markth's screams, Jin **ran**, blood trailing behind him.
---
### **Collapse in the Wasteland**
Jin collapsed in the desert outside the castle, his vision blurring.
Tears mixed with sand as he whispered:
*"I've lost everything… I'll die without revenge… Mom… Dad… I'm coming… Master…"*
His eyes closed.
Then—**footsteps approached his broken body…**
---
### **(To Be Continued...)**