《Whispers of Iria》


 Chapter 1: Introduction

    The crowded streets of the city were alive with a chaotic buzz, the murmur of the crowd blending with the sharp clink of metal and the heavy thud of fists on flesh. The underground arena was a place where survival was the only rule. And Aira knew that better than anyone.


    She stood in the center of the ring, her breath steady despite the chaos around her. Sweat dripped from her forehead, the sharp sting of her latest cut still fresh on her side. But none of it mattered. Not the pain, not the blood, not even the audience''s wild shouts urging her to finish it.


    Her opponent¡ªa hulking brute nearly twice her size¡ªwas stumbling, clearly exhausted. He had underestimated her, and now he was paying the price. With a swift movement, Aira darted forward, landing a perfect strike to his midsection. The crowd roared as he crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain.


    The referee stepped forward, his voice barely audible over the noise. "Aira is the winner!" he shouted, raising her hand in victory.


    Aira didn''t celebrate. She didn''t need to. Money changed hands in the crowd as bets were settled, and a few of the spectators called her name, their respect more fleeting than a moment''s notice. She wiped the blood from her lip, eyes scanning the crowd for her next challenge. She wasn''t in a rush. The crowd from the arena had already dispersed, but she knew the real confrontation was still ahead. The shouts and noise of the audience echoed for a moment as she exited the arena, but they quickly faded into the narrow, dark alleyways where the real "business" would be conducted.


    As she made her way through the alley, the sound of footsteps behind her grew louder. Turning slightly, Aira saw the arena leader emerge from the shadows, flanked by two imposing bodyguards. His fingers glinted with the shine of several large jewels, the winnings from the fight.


    "You think you can walk away just like that?" he sneered, his voice thick with frustration. "You cost me more than you know. Pay up, or things will get ugly."


    Aira''s eyes narrowed as the leader stepped closer, his bodyguards positioning themselves between her and the exit. The leader''s arrogance was palpable, his confidence in his power giving him the courage to approach.


    Her stance shifted, her breath steady as the adrenaline from the fight began to settle. She hadn''t been fighting at full strength. The arena had its rules, its expectations, but she wasn''t here to entertain. No, she had come to show them what it truly meant to mess with the wrong person.


    She closed her eyes for a brief second, focusing her energy. When she opened them again, a faint glow surrounded her pupils¡ªtwo bright, almost ethereal orbs that pulsed with an intense white energy. Her soul materialized as an aura that began to wrap around her fists. It wasn''t just a fight anymore. It was a display. A warning. The atmosphere around her changed. The alley, once full of tension from the fight, fell silent. The leader''s bodyguards, still trying to recover from the shock of her earlier moves, froze in fear. They had seen many fighters before, but nothing like this. This wasn''t just a physical fight¡ªit was something far beyond.


    The leader, his arrogance faltering, took a step back, his eyes widening. "What? You''re a Soul Materializer? How can this be... here, of all places?" His voice trembled with disbelief, the reality of the situation sinking in.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Aira moved like a blur¡ªher speed almost incomprehensible. In an instant, she was behind the first bodyguard, her fist crackling with pure energy. Before the man could even react, she struck, and his body dropped like a ragdoll, crumpling to the ground. The second bodyguard barely had time to register the movement before she was already gone, reappearing on the opposite side of him. Another swift, precise strike, and he, too, collapsed in defeat.


    The alley was eerily still¡ªonly the faint thuds of the bodyguards'' falls breaking the silence. But Aira''s eyes were locked on the leader now, and his arrogance had vanished.


    The arena leader, who had once stood tall in his position of power, was now trembling uncontrollably, his eyes wide in terror. He had seen many fighters, but this was different. This was a force beyond his comprehension.


    He stumbled back, his voice barely a whisper as he fell to his knees. "Please... please don''t kill me. I can give you anything you want. Money, power, anything. Just spare me." His hands shook as he reached out to her, desperate for his life.


    Aira stood there for a moment, watching the man grovel before her, his fear palpable in the air. The bitterness that had been building inside her for so long, the pain of all her suffering, seemed to pulse with the light of her aura. She felt nothing for him, not a shred of sympathy. No mercy would be given.


    Instead, a small, cold smile curled at the edges of her lips as she simply took a step back, her energy still radiating around her like an unspoken promise of destruction.


    Without a word, she turned and walked out of the alley, leaving the leader crumpled on the ground. The world around her was still and silent as the sound of her footsteps echoed in the narrow space.


    Later, Aira walked back to the hideout, which, despite the worn-out walls and barely furnished rooms, was where the four orphans had come to call home. She didn''t have the glowing aura around her anymore; the materialized soul had dissipated as soon as the fight was over, leaving no trace of its existence. The hideout was quiet when she arrived, the only sound being the soft shuffle of her boots on the dusty floor.


    As she entered, the familiar faces of her childhood friends greeted her. There, in the corner of the room, were three other orphans¡ªRael, the natural leader, and the two others who had been her closest companions in their struggles. The room had always been a sanctuary for them, a place where they could dream of a future better than the one they had been given.


    Rael, with his sharp gaze and quiet demeanor, immediately looked up from the table where he was studying maps. He had long red hair tied into a high ponytail, and his black outfit with red details made him stand out even in the dim light of the room. His friendly and confident smile made him the unquestioned leader of their little group. He could tell from the look in Aira''s eyes that something important had happened. "Did it go as planned?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.


    Liora, who had been sitting quietly at the table, her silver-gray eyes scanning a book, stood up as soon as Aira walked in. Liora was always more serious than the others, her long white hair framing her delicate face, with her outfit¡ªa white coat with dark blue details¡ªmaking her look even more distant. She gave Aira a nod of recognition, her eyes filled with quiet curiosity, waiting for the news.


    Kai, the third orphan and Aira''s closest friend, was the first to react with pure excitement. His messy blond hair and lilac and gold clothes made him stand out, his youthful appearance giving him a carefree air. With a wide grin, he rushed up to Aira, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Did you bring candy?!" he asked, his voice full of joy. Despite his playful demeanor, Kai was only 17, the same age as Aira, but he always had a way of lightening the mood in the room.


    Aira chuckled softly, stepping back from Kai''s embrace. She reached into her bag and pulled out the money from the fight, as well as the jewels from the arena boss. "It''s time," she said simply. "We''re going to Iria."


    The others gathered around, the weight of her words settling in the air. This was no longer just about surviving. It was about taking the fight to those who had destroyed their lives.

 Chapter 2: An Unwelcome Voice

    After a long journey, our group of friends finally caught sight of Arath, the capital of Iria. Aira felt her legs ache from the long trip, but the view ahead made her forget the exhaustion. Arath, the capital of Iria, rose from the landscape like a dream¡ªits white stone buildings gleaming under the sun, blue rooftops blending seamlessly with the sky above.


    "Hehe, I told you we were close," Rael said with a small grin, pleased to be right for once.


    "Time to pay up, Kai," Aira replied with a sly smile, holding out her hand. "I told you he''d brag about being right, even though he had no idea where we were going."


    "HEY, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!" Rael quickly retorted, annoyed but still playful, while Kai handed over two chocolate bars to Aira, tears streaming down his face.


    The joke was cut short by Liora, who raised an eyebrow and said, "Let''s not forget that we''re here for the mission of our lives, not to play around," Liora said, straightening her already-perfect posture.


    Instantly, the group''s mood shifted. She was right. Fate had brought them together in a cruel game.


    "The city is probably more crowded than usual because of the recruitment!" Liora added, her expression serious.


    "Are we really good enough to join the elite team of soul materializers?" Kai asked, looking downcast and insecure¡ªsomething extremely rare for him.


    "We''ve trained our whole lives for this moment. Stop doubting yourself; it doesn¡¯t suit you," Rael replied, giving Kai a pat on the back to snap him out of it.


    As they reached the bridge leading to Arath, they encountered soldiers checking the identities of those entering the capital. When their turn came, a guard asked firmly, "Name and reason for entering the city?"


    Each member of the group stated their name and explained that they were there to take the test for the army, specifically for the soul materializers.


    The guard scoffed, hand resting on his weapon. "Ha! You lot? You think that just because you can pull off a few tricks, you''re good enough for Iria¡¯s elite force?" the guard scoffed.


    Aira''s eyes flashed dangerously, but Rael''s hand on her shoulder held her back. "Worst case, if we¡¯re that weak, we¡¯ll end up as mere guards of the great capital. Here, look, this is a pass we got from our village leader to be here! It''s proof that we''re not spies from a neighboring country."


    The guard, visibly irritated, let them through without another word.


    "Wow, good thing we found this a few months ago on the black market!" Kai said enthusiastically, a little louder than he should have.


    "That guard would have done anything to block our entry," Rael commented as the group approached the recruitment tent.


    After completing all the necessary paperwork, the group headed toward their inn. The city streets were crowded, the sound of voices blending with the clatter of rushing carriages, but the group was too focused on their mission to take in the bustling surroundings.


    Aira, feeling the weight of the journey, walked a little slower than the others, her heavy steps reminding her that their journey was far from over. Rael, ever the easygoing one, was a few steps ahead, laughing at something Kai had said. The temporary silence was broken when they turned a corner and found themselves in a narrow alley where their inn was located.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "Ha... look at this. Why do we always have to stay in places that are dirty and reek?" Aira complained, already analyzing the place critically, catching the scent of mold and the muffled sounds coming from inside the inn.


    "Got a better idea? Looks like anything else costs twice as much!" Rael replied with a chuckle, pushing the door open with a creak. Aira followed him inside, disheartened by the sight. Kai rushed in behind them, stealing one last glance at the still lively street outside.


    The moment they stepped inside, the stale scent of old wood and dampness filled Aira¡¯s nose. The room, though spacious, reeked of decay. The stained walls and the unmade beds were clear signs that this place should never be considered an option for a proper rest.


    "This is horrible," Aira muttered, taking a hesitant step forward, trying to avoid touching the grimy surfaces around her.


    Rael, already sprawled on the nearest bed, laughed. "You knew it wouldn¡¯t be any different. Arath isn¡¯t just made of gleaming white buildings, Aira."


    Just as he finished speaking, Kai, with his usual playful smirk, whispered to Aira, "You know, if we make Liora lose her temper again, I think we¡¯ll be the ones sleeping outside tonight."


    "Shh!" Aira replied with a mischievous grin. "Let¡¯s do it. I think we¡¯re due for some fun."


    At that moment, Liora¡¯s sharp voice rang from across the room. "No running off to the bar, Kai! And I swear, if you two get into trouble tonight¡ª"


    "Then why did you bring the loaded dice?" Kai interrupted, already stirring up trouble.


    Aira, smiling under her breath, murmured, "Eeer, Kai, I think I¡¯ll go to sleep. I don¡¯t want to upset the witch."


    "YOU KNOW I CAN HEAR YOU, RIGHT? WANT TO CAUSE TROUBLE UP HERE?" Liora snapped, extremely irritated, while the duo laughed and got into bed. Making Liora lose her serious composure was one of Aira and Kai''s favorite pastimes.


    The laughter soon faded as the group settled in for the night. The distant sounds of the city could still be heard faintly, but inside the inn, a quietness gradually took over.


    The sun had barely risen when the first light pierced through the thin curtains, casting long shadows across the room. The air was still cool, but outside, the city was already waking up, the streets filling with noise as Arath began its daily routine.


    Aira stirred in bed, the light bothering her eyes. She had barely managed to sleep, her mind restless and anxious about the test ahead. She glanced over at the others¡ªRael was snoring lightly, his arm thrown over his eyes, while Kai was already sitting at the edge of his bed, staring out the window with an unreadable expression.


    Liora, of course, was already up, calmly preparing her things in silence.


    Aira stretched, rubbing her face as the thought of the test gnawed at her. "Hey, Liora, you sure you¡¯re ready for this?" she asked with a smirk, though her voice carried the weight of the question.


    Liora didn¡¯t even look up. "Ready as I¡¯ll ever be," she muttered, tying her boots swiftly.


    Kai finally spoke, his usual grin creeping onto his face. "I bet Aira can¡¯t go a whole day without causing some kind of trouble."


    "Don¡¯t even start," Aira replied, tossing a pillow at him, which he easily caught.


    "She¡¯s not the only one causing problems for us, you know?" Liora added as Rael woke up laughing. "Come on, we need to go if we don¡¯t want to be late."


    The group finished getting ready and made their way to the testing grounds, returning to the clean and pristine part of the city.


    "I can¡¯t believe I can finally breathe without smelling piss," Aira sighed happily.


    Upon arrival at the arena, a simple structure with white stone and a small grandstand, the tension in the air was palpable.


    "Behave yourselves," Liora warned.


    "You know it¡¯s not me you should be worried about, right?" Rael smirked.


    Before Liora could respond, Kai had already run off to talk to a duo sitting alone in the stands, with Aira following to size them up.


    "Why does it feel like I have two children?" Liora muttered, holding her head in disbelief.


    Before the introductions could go further, a loud voice echoed across the arena, making Aira''s blood run cold. "Silence! The test begins now."Aira''s fingers curled into fists, her knuckles white with tension. "Gin..." she muttered, her voice dripping with hatred. The playful atmosphere from moments ago evaporated like morning dew in the summer sun.

 Chapter 3: A Predator Among Prey

    As soon as Gin''s name escaped Aira''s lips, laden with hatred, Liora and Rael appeared silently beside her, their tension palpable. Rael didn''t meet her gaze, but his voice was low and firm, cutting through the air like a blade.


    "Hold yourself together."


    His fists clenched tightly, knuckles white, as if holding back the weight of their shared trauma. The man before them was the root of their nightmares¡ªa monster cloaked in authority.


    Tall and imposing, Gin stood before them, his silver hair spiked like shards of ice, reflecting the coldness in his pale, almost luminous silver eyes. He wore a long, dark blue coat with white accents, resembling the robes of an old-world professor. Though his lips often curled into something that resembled a smile, there was no warmth in it¡ªonly a frigid detachment.


    Gin''s voice, cold and detached, echoed through the hall. "Welcome to the test for the Order of Materializers."


    He moved among the candidates, his gaze piercing, as if he could see beyond their flesh. His words were sharp, devoid of warmth. "Soul materialization. It''s not a choice, but a birthright. A spark of your soul escapes through your eyes, reflecting who you are. But that light means nothing if it¡¯s weak."


    Silence hung heavy in the air, a tangible weight. Some candidates shifted uncomfortably, eyes downcast.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Some create weapons, others shape their bodies. But having a materialized soul doesn¡¯t mean you belong in the Order."


    Gin turned, walking to the center of the testing grounds. "The difference between an ordinary materializer and an elite one isn¡¯t brute strength. It¡¯s potential. A true warrior shapes their power as an extension of themselves."


    His gaze swept over the crowd, a predator assessing its prey. "We¡¯re here to separate those with a future from those whose paths have ended. Today, we decide who belongs to the Order and who is relegated to the Support Squad."


    He paused, letting the words sink in. "The Order has five divisions. The elite warriors, the Support Squad, and three superior houses: the Divergent Order, the newly created Veiled Order, and the Elemental Order¡ªled by myself."


    A murmur ran through the crowd as Gin continued. "The test is simple: a battle against one of our warriors."


    The doors at the back of the arena creaked open, revealing a man whose presence was a physical force. His golden eyes gleamed under the dim light, sharp and unyielding. His black attire, accented with gold and green, spoke of authority. But it was his aura, suffocating and monstrous, that silenced the room.


    Gin smirked slightly. "Let¡¯s begin."


    He reached into a box, drawing a slip of paper. "Aurun. Step forward."


    A boy with sky-colored hair and golden eyes rose. His white coat swayed as he moved, revealing a dark outfit beneath. Kai stood beside him, arms crossed, smirking. "So that¡¯s your name."


    Aira stepped forward, eyes locked on Aurun, her voice a challenge. "Do you think you¡¯re strong enough?"


    Aurun smiled, confidence unwavering. He adjusted his coat, meeting the gaze of his opponent. "I am the strongest."


    The room was silent, the tension electric. Aira''s heart pounded, her mind racing with anticipation. The battle was about to begin.