Shadows....two dark shadows in front of me,
They whispered my name long before I was born, something I couldn't quite understand.
[Asher Creed]
"Ahh... again, another weird dream."
[Asher sits above a tree behind his small house,
His dark hair was tied back in a loose bun, a few strands falling freely to frame his face.
It wasn't perfectly neat, more natural, like he'd pushed it back without much thought yet it somehow suited him.
The style gave him a calm, confident look, showing off his sharp features and deep blue eyes. Even simple as it was,
it added to that effortless charm of his mature and composed, but with just a hint of the boy he used to be
He stood at about 5'10", well-built but not overly muscular. There was something about his presence calm yet commanding that demanded respect without a single word.]
'It's been six years since I started having those strange dreams.
Dreams of two dark shadows human in shape trying to tell me something, but I can't understand them.'
'Maybe it's because I was a child back then. From their silhouettes, one looked tall and strong, the other gentle and calm.
I feel like they're connected to some important memory, something I should remember but it's as if I'm not allowed to.'
'Are they trying to tell me something… or at least, I hope so.'
'It's not just one dream either. There are many similar, yet all slightly different.
Each one feels like a memory that doesn't belong to me.'
'I'm a farmer. My ma, Shuna, and my grandpa, Edmund, raised me.
I've always been strong, stronger than most kids in the village.
Even so, I still train my body every day.'
'Since I was little, I've hated losing.
The very idea of losing disgusts me to my core.'
'And from those dreams, I learned something: to never lose, I must become strong, stronger than anyone else.'
'I don't know why losing feels so revolting to me. I've never even lost before.
But from those dreams, I've learned how to wield a sword, a spear, even dual blades, how to dodge, move, and fight.'
'That's why I train.
To make my body move like it does in my dreams.'
'I've defeated everyone in my village whether in fights or in work.
And I like that feeling… the feeling of superiority.
It makes me want more. More strength. More power. Something higher.'
[Asher looks at a distant tree, a towering giant that fills almost the entire sky. "Tall" would be an understatement.]
"I am the strongest in this village, the supreme being here yet I still feel so… small.
I need to go higher."
"Asher!"
"…Well, time to help Grandpa."
'Still, I can't shake the feeling that something is about to change.
Like I've been waiting for this moment all along.
I need to get stronger far stronger.'
'But I'm just a farmer living a quiet, dominating life.
A farmer destined to marry, have eight kids, then grandkids just like Grandpa wants for me.'
[A tall, muscular man with light gray hair and a short, well-kept beard stands in a rice field, smiling gently and proudly at his grandson.]
'But I have a different plan.
I can't be satisfied with just this village...
Well, I still want to marry and have eight kids, though.'
"Oi, sleepyhead! Come and help us!"
[Aliana Asher's childhood friend and eternal rival.]
She's bright, always lighting up every place she goes. Cheerful, loud, and full of life.
With her fiery red hair, sharp black eyes, and a toned, athletic body, she only has two things in her mind becoming a famous Beyonder, and Asher.
"Don't shout, Aliana."
"Whatever! Let's see who can collect more Rise!"
[Rise a natural resource that can be farmed. It restores health, stamina, and mana, and can even be applied to wounds for faster healing.]
"Alright then, the winner gets a shoulder massage."
And just like that, another day began.
This is my story…
The story of how I became the Strongest in "The World".