—You're wrong. I'm human… not a Kordro.—That's not what the system says —Mecamina objected.—System? What system? —Kiren pressed.—The system is the one who chose you. I only follow its orders. It says you're a special Kordro with a human avatar.—This is completely insane!
Kiren bolted from the kitchen and sprinted down the long hallway.—User X, you need to listen —Mecamina insisted.—Get out of my head! —he clamped his hands over his ears—. I can't hear you, you're crazy, get out of my head!—If you want me to be quiet, I'll be quiet, User X.—That's exactly what I want.—Very well.
A long silence settled in.—What a relief —he exhaled—. Now… where's my room?
He sighed at the endless corridor.—This house is suffocating…
The next morning, Kiren was jolted awake by a BOOM! He'd slept on one of the couches in the living room, never having found the bedroom. He jumped to his feet, peeked out the window, and saw a large group of knights preparing to head into battle. Among the soldiers, he spotted Pedrus, so he ran down the stairs.—Pedrus, what's going on?—Kiren —Pedrus replied as he polished his sword—. How did you sleep last night?—Fine… I guess.—That's good news —he smiled.—Are you going to tell me what's happening?
Pedrus frowned and lowered his brows.—A horde of Kordros is approaching the borders of Grendoria. We're all waiting for the captain to arrive so we can head out immediately.—Sounds dangerous —Pikur remarked.
Mecamina's words echoed in Kiren's head like war drums:"You're a special Kordro."
—Yes… very dangerous —Pedrus confirmed—. But we'll take care of it.
He stood, sheathed his sword, and the captain appeared, riding a magnificent black stallion. Kiren couldn't believe how stunning she looked, giving her his lovestruck, foolish gaze.—She's gorgeous —he mouthed silently.
Daela caught the gesture, and though she ignored him, a faint blush betrayed her.—Knights of the Order of Haz! —she roared—. As you already know, a horde of Kordros is heading our way! We cannot let them cross the border, so we will fight tirelessly to wipe them out! Are you with me?!
WOOOOAAAH! the knights bellowed in unison, their jubilation thundering in the air.
Shields were raised, swords drawn with a SHING!, and the formation marched at the captain's command.—She's simply amazing —Kiren murmured—. I'm going too —he declared with conviction.
Pedrus heard him.—You're out of your mind. You can't come with us. You're not a knight, and besides… —he looked him up and down.—I know, I know. I'm not strong. But like you said: it's not just about looking strong, it's about being strong —he said enthusiastically.—But… you don't even look strong.—Thanks for the compliment —he puffed his chest proudly.—And you're not strong either.
His chest deflated.—I thought you were trying to encourage me.
Pedrus grabbed a sword from the armory.—If you can lift this sword, you can come with us.
Kiren gripped the hilt and CRASH! tumbled to the floor with it. Pedrus smirked.—Told you: you're not coming —he hurried to join the troops—. Wish us luck, Kiren! —he shouted as he ran.
The troops quickly vanished from sight. Kiren stood frozen like a marble statue.—Of course I'm going. I'm not staying here like some weakling.
He tried mounting one of the stable's horses, but BAM! PLOP! CRASH! he fell again and again. With no skill whatsoever, he took one of the captain's speed boards, but the ground greeted him more than once with a THUD!—Then I'll walk…
He ran part of the way, jogged another stretch, then slowed to a walk. By the halfway point, he was exhausted, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.—I'm… in bad shape… —he panted, leaning against a massive rock.
Meanwhile, the squad of knights reached the edge of the Bulgard Forest border. Captain Daela stood firm; determination poured from every pore. Her cold, defiant gaze, her neatly groomed hair flowing in the wind, and her aura was a shield of war in itself.
Pedrus smiled as if this were more of a comedy than a fight to the death. The other knights bore grim expressions; hands tightened on weapons, shields raised high, and a sacred creed echoed in their minds:"The heart must be strong, the muscles hard, the sword always high, and the will unbreakable."
The ground beneath them BOOM! quaked violently. Breaths were held, blood chilled.—Knights, hold your positions! —the captain commanded.
The terrain shook, CRASH!, trees toppled, and the Kordros emerged with relentless ferocity —creatures of all sizes, fangs like daggers, claws like iron blades.—The time has come… —Daela raised her sword and shield, dismounted, and was the first to attack.
SLASH! Her blade severed the legs of a massive beast, and as it fell, she finished it off in one strike. The knights moved like a swarm, bringing down Kordros with uncommon strength. Enemy claws ripped through armor, cutting down soldiers. The battle grew savage: CLANG! SHING! AARGH! Blood rained down, staining swords and armor alike.
From a distance, Pikur watched, stunned by the ocean of blood and the monstrous corpses scattered like a baroque painting.—This is… —he couldn't finish.
The knights emerged victorious. The last monster was decapitated by Daela's blade. Pedrus withdrew his sword from a corpse. A triumphant WAAAAH! rang out… but a howl from the forest froze hearts and weakened knees.—Stay alert —the captain ordered.
From the shadows, WHOOSH! THUD! something flew out, killing three soldiers instantly. Four abyssal beasts burst forth, radiating fury. One had two minotaur heads and wielded a pair of colossal axes. The other three —two-legged warhounds— charged with devastating force.—This is unusual… first a Kordro that could speak, and now this… —Daela thought, concerned.
From afar, Kiren saw the number 50 floating above the three hounds, and the number 100 above the twin-headed minotaur. He understood that this battle would be anything but easy… even for the captain.