The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the Jetta-U clan’s training grounds. The rhythmic sounds of warriors honing their skills filled the air—clashing steel, sharp grunts, and the dull thuds of strikes meeting flesh. Among them, Lee stood apart so far that no one can disturb him, his expression dark, his fists clenched. His conversation with the elder still echoed in his mind, igniting a simmering frustration within him.


    “The system is broken,” he muttered under his breath, throwing a punch into the air, the sheer force of it causing the dust around him to rise. “They refuse to see reality.”


    He had always known that power dictated everything in this world. Yet, his clan, bound by outdated traditions and blind loyalty, refused to act against threats that loomed over them. I won’t be weak. I won’t be helpless. I’ll grow stronger… strong enough to change this clan.


    Lee launched into a brutal sequence of strikes, each movement fueled by rage. His feet pounded against the training ground, his muscles burned, but he relished the pain—it reminded him that he was alive, that he could still push forward. His strikes became faster, sharper, as if trying to carve his determination into the very air. But then—


    A sudden, searing pain exploded inside his skull.


    Lee staggered, his vision blurring as an unbearable pressure crushed his mind. A deep, twisted sensation clawed at his consciousness, dragging him into darkness. His body trembled violently as horrific images flooded his mind—


    A blood-soaked battlefield.


    Charred corpses of people he didn’t recognize.


    A monstrous force lurking in the abyss, whispering his name.


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    Lee gasped, clutching his head, his breathing ragged. “Not again… not again!” he choked out, his voice laced with agony. His knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground, his body writhing.


    He was drowning in the visions, unable to escape.


    Then—


    “Lee!” A sharp, yet concerned voice cut through the chaos.


    Through the haze of pain, he barely registered a figure kneeling beside him. Prathisya. Her dark eyes were wide with worry as she grabbed his shoulders. “Lee, look at me! Focus on my voice!”


    A second presence emerged, a firm, steadying grip on his arm. “Breathe, idiot,” came the gruff voice of Riven. Unlike Prathisya’s frantic concern, Riven was composed, his gaze sharp. “You’ve fought through worse. Don’t let it consume you.”


    Lee forced himself to take a breath—then another. The overwhelming images flickered, then faded, leaving only a dull ache behind. His body was drenched in sweat, his limbs felt like lead, but he could feel reality solidifying around him once more.


    Prathisya exhaled in relief. “You scared us! What was that?”


    Lee swallowed, his throat dry. “I… I don’t know.”


    Riven crossed his arms, eyeing him critically. “That’s not normal, Lee. This has happened before, hasn’t it?”


    Lee hesitated. He had never spoken about these… episodes. The moments where something inside him stirred, showing him glimpses of unfathomable power and terror. He had always dismissed them, buried them. But they were growing worse.


    He exhaled shakily. “It’s nothing. I just overworked myself.”


    Riven scoffed. “Liar.”


    Prathisya shot Riven a glare before turning back to Lee. “You don’t have to pretend you’re fine. We’re your friends, remember?” Her voice was softer now, almost pleading. “Let us help.”


    For a moment, Lee just stared at them—his only two friends in a world where he had always been alone. He wasn’t used to relying on others, but the sincerity in their eyes made his defenses waver.


    He looked away. “I just… need to get stronger.”


    Riven smirked. “Then don’t pass out mid-training, dumbass.”


    Prathisya sighed. “Let’s at least take a break. You’ll collapse at this rate.”


    Lee let out a breath, his exhaustion settling in. As much as he hated to admit it, he needed them. And perhaps… he didn’t have to face his demons alone.


    For now, he would rest.


    But soon—he would conquer whatever was inside him.


    And when he did, he would change everything.