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Chapter 2 - EPISODE 2 — The New Beginning

The village outskirts burned under a sky filled with smoke and screams. Houses crumbled, fire raged, and DEMONS tore through the streets.

Two warriors fought desperately, blades clashing against the monstrous tide, struggling to protect fleeing villagers.

Nearby, a young boy sobbed in terror, frozen in place. His cries drew the attention of a towering GIANT ORC. The beast snarled, stomping toward him, its club raised high.

"GRAAAH!!" the orc roared.

One of the warriors noticed, bloodied and staggering.

"No… that kid—!" he gasped, forcing his exhausted body forward.

He shielded the boy with his own battered frame. The orc's massive shadow loomed over them, club ready to crush both lives in one swing.

This orc's too strong… I'm already at my limit. Is this… the end? the warrior thought desperately.

And then—

A sudden FLASH of light split the chaos.

Ryukael appeared out of nowhere, mid-swing from his training. His wooden practice sword smashed against the orc's thick neck—only to shatter into useless pieces.

He landed clumsily with a heavy THUD! flat on his butt.

"Owww—ouch, ouch, ouch… that hurt!" Ryukael winced, rubbing his back. He blinked rapidly, confusion flooding his face.

"Huh…? Where the hell am I? What is this place? I was training just now…"

He looked up—straight into the towering figure of the orc. His eyes widened in shock.

"What the—what is this THING!?" he yelped in fear.

The orc froze, then slowly turned its murderous gaze toward him.

---

The wounded warrior stared in disbelief. Where the hell did this kid come from!? But… no time to think! While that thing's distracted, I need to get this boy out of here.

He scooped the child into his arms and retreated.

The orc lunged for Ryukael.

"NOPE, NOPE, NOPE—DON'T KILL ME YET!" Ryukael shrieked, scrambling backward on all fours like a terrified rabbit.

BOOM! The orc's weapon slammed into the ground, carving a crater and shaking the earth. Dust exploded into the air.

A snarling beast demon suddenly rushed Ryukael. His heart pounded as he scanned the ground.

"Weapon, weapon—come on—!"

His eyes caught a glimmer. A short sword lay a few feet away. He dashed for it, rolling across the dirt.

The demon leapt at him. Ryukael snatched the sword mid-roll and—

SHING!

Drove the blade through its gut. Blood splattered. The demon collapsed at his feet.

Ryukael's hands shook as he pulled the blade free.

"Did I… did I just do that!?"

He stared down at the corpse, chest heaving.

What is even happening right now…?

---

"HEY KID!" a warrior shouted from across the field. "Quit daydreaming and RUN! You wanna DIE out here!?"

Ryukael gritted his teeth. He's right. This isn't the time to freeze.

He tightened his grip on the sword.

This is where all my training pays off.

With renewed resolve, he dashed back into the chaos, cutting through another demon, then another.

In the distance, the giant orc smashed its club into a burning house, sending wood and flames crashing down.

"You again!?" a warrior growled. "I told you to run, not play the hero! You'll get yourself killed!"

Ryukael stood firm, eyes blazing.

"No time for this type of talk right now! Just concentrate on killing that orc. And hey—tell me, how were YOU planning to kill that giant thing in your condition alone?"

The warrior froze, then clenched his teeth. He's right. We're in no shape to fight this alone… and this kid—he's stronger than he looks.

"Fine," the warrior muttered. "What's the plan, genius?"

Ryukael smirked.

"There's only one plan: we use our strength and weapons… and we kill them."

The warrior's face twitched with frustration.

"What kinda shit-ass plan is THAT!?"

Ryukael shrugged casually.

"Okay, okay—here's a better one. Old-fashioned way. I'll act as bait. When that thing focuses on me, you and your friend strike from behind."

The warrior hesitated, then nodded grimly.

"It's reckless… but honestly, it's all we've got. Alright, kid. But don't get yourself killed out there."

Ryukael grinned.

"Don't worry! I got this."

---

Ryukael stepped into the open battlefield, eyes locked on the giant orc.

"HEY, YOU BIG FREAK!" he shouted. "LOOK DOWN! I'M RIGHT HERE!"

The orc roared furiously and swung its massive club. Ryukael sprinted, narrowly dodging as the earth cracked beneath the blow.

Behind him, the two warriors crept into position. Their blades slashed deep into the orc's back.

"Crap! He's still standing!?" they shouted in panic as the monster staggered but refused to fall.

Suddenly—

SHING!

Ryukael's sword cut across its neck. The orc froze, eyes wide. With a trembling groan, it collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash.

Dust swirled. Silence followed.

The warriors stood stunned.

"Kid… you… you saved our lives. Again!"

One of them smiled faintly.

"Nice work, kid. That was some thinking back there."

Ryukael panted, sweat dripping down his face. "Thanks… but we're not done yet."

He pointed his blade at the remaining demons.

"Less talking. More beast slaying!"

The three of them charged together, cutting through the last of the horde.

Hidden behind rubble, villagers peeked out, trembling in awe.

"That boy…" an old villager whispered. "He don't look like a warrior, but he's strong!"

---

By nightfall, the battlefield fell silent. The last demon collapsed into the dirt. Fires flickered and died, leaving only drifting smoke under the dark sky.

Ryukael collapsed to his knees, chest heaving. His body trembled with exhaustion.

The surviving villagers emerged cautiously. Children peeked from behind their parents.

The injured warrior limped over. "You've got guts, kid. You saved lives today."

A woman stepped closer, eyes soft with gratitude. "Are you alright? You're strong… and really brave to face those demons."

Ryukael lowered his gaze to his trembling hands, still clutching the blood-stained sword. He nodded, uncertain.

---

Later, in the ruins of the village, the warriors tended their wounds. Smoke curled through the broken houses.

Ryukael knelt beside one of them, voice low.

"Is everyone… safe?"

"Thanks to you, kid," the warrior whispered. "We owe you."

Another warrior—older, more cautious—approached, his eyes sharp.

"You're no trained fighter… but your instincts are sharp. Where did you learn to fight like that?"

Ryukael straightened, determination in his voice.

"I trained every day. I… wanted to become strong enough to protect people."

The younger warrior tilted his head. "But… where are you from? You don't look like you're from here. And your clothes—I've never seen anything like them."

Ryukael hesitated. His face grew serious.

"Even I don't know what happened… I was training, then something strange occurred and I ended up here. I don't even know where I am… or what those things were. Maybe this isn't even my world. But… it looks a lot like Earth."

The two warriors exchanged uneasy glances.

"Our master will want to meet you," one of them said firmly. "Maybe he can give you the answers you're looking for."

"Master?" Ryukael repeated.

"A fighter. A teacher. He leads our training school not far from here. If you're serious about becoming stronger… come with us."

Ryukael glanced back at the burning remains of the village. His chest tightened.

I don't know where I am… or what those things were. But maybe… I'll find my answers if I go with them.

His grip on the sword tightened.

"Yes," he whispered. "Please… take me to him."

"First," the second warrior added, "we'll send word to our master about this attack. We'll use the hawks."

---

At dawn, Ryukael walked with them through a quiet forest road. Birdsong filled the air, sunlight breaking through the trees.

"You didn't even hesitate back there," one warrior said. "You really jumped into the middle of those demons. You've got guts."

Ryukael smiled faintly. "I was scared. But… I didn't want to run. I didn't train just to turn away when it mattered."

"Good," the second warrior smirked. "Fear means you're still human. Only fools rush into battle without it."

They climbed a hill.

At the top, Ryukael froze. His eyes widened.

In the distance stood a massive training compound, built along a rocky ridge and surrounded by tall trees. Banners fluttered in the breeze. Students sparred in the courtyards, steel clashing in rhythmic harmony.

The warrior raised his hand proudly.

"There it is. The Blade School."

Ryukael's chest thumped. His story was only beginning.

---

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