《Fate》 Chapter one - The past "Kai, Vixus, come now, time to eat", a heavenly voice sings through the air. In the empty training hall inside a massive, beautiful castle resides Kai, ten years old, holding a training sword, fighting with his older brother Vixus, fifteen years old. Both covered in sweat, creating a puddle beneath their feet. Huffing and puffing Vixus says "Well little brother, I win again... Have you ever won a fight? It''s probably your fate to always lose". Vixus jestering towards Kai, trying to get a reaction from him. "No!" Kai replies bloodied and bruised from the beating Vixus has given him, He clenches his fists and lifts them, Kai stares at his blistered small hands from gripping the training sword too tight and says, "I haven''t lost, I''m still standing and I''m still fighting am I not?". Words from an innocent na?ve child. Vixus lets out a little laugh but slightly surprised at his brother¡¯s word. "True Kai but let¡¯s say you are battling against someone, let¡¯s say an enemy, he is barely standing, on the verge of death, could drop any moment..." Vixus pauses, starts to walk in circles around Kai, "Would you still say you are not the victor?". Kai is silent, listening to Vixus'' tormenting footsteps circling him. A few seconds later Kai says the words "No, the man has not lost yet, even on the very edge of death, even if the man has lost an arm, a leg or whatever, he gets back up and fights, you only lose if you give up." Kai''s passionate words inflict Vixus and makes him pause for a moment. " The man can''t get back up with no legs" Vixus replies to Kai sarcastically and starts laughing. " Ahhhh shut up!" Kai screams and starts chasing Vixus while waving his wooden sword. Vixus is still laughing teasing Kai. " KAI, VIXUS, GET YOUR BLOODY ASSES THROUGH HERE NOW!" That same heavenly voice has now turned into a hellish scream. Kai and Vixus look at each other with scared faces. They drop their training swords and race out the training hall towards the dining area where their mother, the Queen, is shouting on them. Kai and Vixus finally reach the dining room hall doors and barge right through them. as soon as they enter, they are greeted with a sweet aroma that drifts past them and floats around the air, the lit fireplace radiates the room and the nice warm heat that comes from it wraps around the brothers inviting them in. Of course, they are also greeted with daggers, Their Mother stares at them, doesn''t say a word. The young brothers quietly shuffle towards the table where their father, the King, sits devouring his food. The boys drag out their chairs and sit, the whole-time avoiding eye contact with their mother. The father glances at the boys and says. "Another second longer even the dead chicken on the table would have run for his life". The boys let out a little laughter, but quickly cover their mouth to hold it in. " What was that dear?", the mothers daggers shift towards the father, while beating a wooden spoon of the palm of her hand. " Oh, nothing honey just enjoying this lovely food you have made", the father replies and winks to the boys. The mother sarcastically smiles and sits herself down to join her family. Kai, Vixus and the father munching away and the mother politely eats away. The family chatter and laugh like a happy normal family. Kai enjoys this cosy atmosphere, eating with loved ones, laughing away at his father¡¯s stories, and bickering with his older brother like siblings do. This love he feels, this place he is in, he would not want to change it for the world and hopes that one day when he becomes king, him, his children and lover will be similar to this. " Seems like your brother beat you again Kai" Their mother says, Vixus laughs. " No!" Kai shouts, "I didn''t lose, Father always says you only lose if you give up, and I never gave up!" Their mother laughs " Ohh so a draw then?" she sarcastically says Both Vixus and Kai shout back with "NO!". Both their mother and father laugh at them and then the father puts his hand on Kai''s shoulder and says, " You are right son, you kept fighting and never surrendered, but a man should know when he has lost". Kai slightly annoyed at his father¡¯s words and replies with "If I knew how to use my powers like you, I would have easily won". "True, and when you do I know you will make a great warrior and a great king, after your brother of course" their father says. "yes, Kai when you hone your abilities, I will need your powers to protect King and country" Vixus says patting Kai on his head. Kai grins and his green eyes sparkle. He asks his father " Why doesn''t Vixus have the powers of the gods?". His father replies and says "Not everyone is chosen my son. Only a few get the powers given from the gods". "yes, I do not own these powers our family have had for generations but even if you learned them Kai you still wouldn''t beat me" Vixus jokingly says. "Once I learn I will definitely beat you" Kai replies while sticking his tounge out at Vixus. The family burst with laughter and continue with their meal. Moments later...
"BANG" an explosion is heard that sounds like thunder. The dining room hall shakes. Kai and his family confused at what has happened. "THUD THUD THUD" The royal guards burst through the door. "Your heiness, majesty, please come quick, Mendacium soldiers outside the castle gate, launching trebuchets at the town and castle, lots of civilians are injured!". The royal guard says in a panic. "WHAT! Mendacium soldiers? our neighbours, we have lived in peace for hundreds of years, what is going on?" The king replies with a confused tone. "Right, get every soldier to evacuate and escort the townsfolk to the castle ground. Once escorted, leave a couple royal guards to protect them and get the rest down to the castle gate, it''s the only way they can come in" " Yes, your majesty" The royal guard replies and signals the others to go. The royal guards rush out the dining hall and embark on their mission. "I want you three to stay inside the castle, I''ll get my personal guard to protect you" The king says to his family. The king rushes out and follows the guards. Kai silently stares at his father''s back, scared, and frightened he grabs his mother and brother¡¯s hand. "It''s okay Kai we will be fine" his mother says clasping her hand round the back of his head. More explosions are heard, and the castle is shaking like there is an earthquake. Kai, Vixus and their mother walk out the dining hall and go towards a balcony that overlooks the town. As soon as they open the balcony doors, they all gasp in shock. Flames fill the sky, black smoke surrounds the castle like fog, screams are heard, children wailing looking for their mothers, mother and fathers screaming looking for their children. A shocking sight. A beautiful, heavenly peaceful town has turned into hell itself. "How...How can they do this, we were just eating peacefully, now there is a war down there" Kai silently says. Kai grits his teeth, his blood boils, his eyes turn red. He looks at his mum and says "They must die!". Kai''s mother already in fear from what is going on, shocked at Kai''s eyes. "Kai..." His mother whispers. Kai barges past his mother and brother. "Wait Kai!" his mother and brother shout. Kai ignores their words. Vixus tries to run after him but his mother pulls him back. Kai runs through the castle barging through all the guards and maids while they all shout his name. After some time, Kai makes it outside to the courtyard where all the townsfolk have been escorted to. Kai shocked to only see a handful of civilians. A royal guard notices Kai and asks him to get back inside. Kai slaps away the guards¡¯ hands and runs off towards the town that is crumbling down. Kai now in the town, running through what were once lively streets are now dead. He is surrounded by flames and thick black fog, hard to see anything, or anyone. The cries and wailing can still be heard. The clashing of swords in the distance. The crackling sound of flames all around. "It''s hard to see anything" Kai says to himself while wiping away sweat from his forehead. Kai trips, stumbles over debris from a destroyed house. He picks himself back up and freezes in place, he looks around. To his right he hears crying, he notices a little girl, holding a stuffed toy. The little girl looks at Kai, stretches her hand out reaching towards him. The ground shakes once more and houses start crashing down around Kai. Kai is hit with a blast of thick dust. Once the dust disappears, he looks out to where the young girl was. She has now been replaced with debris and flames. Kai drops to his knees, eyes start to water. He sobs. He screams "WHY! Why us, we haven''t done anything wrong. That girl...was younger than me." Kai on his knees just keeps crying, defenceless, in despair. "Look there''s a little devil!" A Mendacium soldier shouts. Kai too shocked to move, his rage he had earlier gone, he doesn''t even move at the sight or sound of enemy soldiers approaching. The enemy soldiers get closer and closer until they are towering over Kai. One of them swings his leg back and boots Kai so hard he goes flying across the ground. Kai spits blood and lays still on the ground, He glances towards the soldier but the soldier stamps on Kai''s head, forcing him to eat dirt. "Don''t look at me with those evil eyes!" The soldier says standing upon Kai, putting more pressure down on Kai''s head. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. "Kill him, we need to kill the rest of these Calios demons." One of the soldiers say. "Gladly" the one standing on Kai says. He unsheathes his sword and Places it upon Kai''s cheek. The cold steel touching Kai''s face puts fear into his eyes. Kai closes his eyes, tears streaming down his face, accepting his fate. His final thoughts are of his family, his wonderful kind mum, his brave older brother and his strong, humble father. Kai blocks out all the sound around him and thinks of the wonderful moments he spent with his family. He smiles. "Swoosh" Kai opens his eyes and sees red. The blood of the soldier who was about to kill him has spilt all over him. "KAI!!" a great roar rumbles through the air. "Father..." Kai whispers. Kai can see his father. The King, running towards Kai with blade in hand, his other blade pierced into a soldier. Kai''s father disappears, then suddenly reappears in front of Kai, his father takes out his second blade from the fallen enemy soldier. "He''s a warrior, he has the power of the gods, he can disappear and reappear out of nowhere!" The enemy soldiers scream in fear, Kai''s father phases, disappearing and reappearing at each enemy soldier slicing and piercing them at the speed of light leaving mirages of himself. One enemy soldier tries to swing at the king, but the king is too fast and slices the man''s throat before he can lift his sword. In the matter of seconds Kai''s father has killed seven enemy soldiers. "This is the powers of a warrior" Kai says to himself in disbelief. "Kai...my boy" His father says softly, while picking up Kai. Kai''s father starts to walk back to the castle while carrying Kai, his father is badly hurt and fatigued. Kai just smiles at his father, his father smiles back. "Don''t worry Kai, I''ll take you back to your mother and brother". In the distance a royal guard from the castle approaches. "Your Heiness" The guard shouts from far away. Kai tears up from happiness knowing he has been saved and his family are still safe. "Father, I''m so sorry, I was angry, I wanted revenge". Kai places his small hand on his fathers warm stubbly cheek. His father smiles and says " It''s okay, I understand I''m just glad you''re safe now". "When we save our country, you will train me right?" Kai says. " Of course I will " his father replies. "Have a nice big meal with mother and Vixus too, yes" Kai says. " Of course we will " his father replies with tears in his eyes. Kai buries his face into his father''s chest and whispers into it " I can''t wait ". "Thud". Kai''s father has dropped to his knees, still carrying Kai. Kai looks up to his father¡¯s face. he sees tears, then sees blood, seeping out of his mouth. An arrow has pierced the king in the back, poking through his left chest. "Father..." Kai whispers "YOUR HEINESS!" the royal guard approaching them shouts. "Take...Kai...Quick" The king says. The royal guard tears Kai away from his father¡¯s arms, Kai trying to hold on to his father. His father grabs Kai''s hands and makes him let go. "Dad! no!" Kai screams. His father just gives a loving smile back. "I can help fight your heiness, please!" the guard says. "No take Kai back to his mother and keep him safe, He needs to be protected!" The king said while looking at Kai. "But..." The guard mumbles "No! go please...please just go!" The king commanded. The royal guard picks up Kai. Trying hard to keep him under control. Kai, kicking, punching, screaming at the guard, "What are you doing! Help him! Help him now! listen to me...Father!" Kai screaming at the top of his lungs, he tries to scream further but he just squeals "father...father...". The royal guard faces towards the castle, not looking back. Kai still trying to fight the guard, but the guard does not hesitate and continues on with his king¡¯s final command. Kai stares at his father. Mendacium soldiers, a whole platoon, approaching the king. Kai''s father stands back to his feet, He pulls out two medium sized swords, one in each hand. Kai and the royal guard getting further and further away, the black fog starts to cover the king in the distance, eventually Kai cannot see his father anymore. He can only hear the sounds of blades clashing. A few moments later the royal guard and Kai have reached the castle grounds. It is silent... "AHHHH!" a massive groan comes from the direction where the fighting was. The sound of a lion, killed by a pack of hyenas. The sound of a king murdered by a platoon of soldiers and warriors. Kai squeals and starts to hit the royal guards head, even though he is wearing a full plate of armour. "Why didn''t you help him! A royal guard and my father could have beat them! But you ran, you coward, you left your king to die!" Kai shouting and screaming. The royal guard throws Kai to the ground, takes off his helmet and shouts " I am a knight and no matter what follows the kings¡¯ orders! He ordered me to protect you and take you back to your family! You do not think I wanted to help! Your father...the king, I would lay down my life for him! But you Kai are the future, to take back our land and destroy our enemies, you are the only one, right now you do not understand but soon you will!". Kai can''t accept those words, he is too young to understand. Kai curls up into a ball on the ground, whimpering. "Kai!" His mother screams, relieved that Kai is still alive. She picks him off the ground and hugs him tightly. Vixus comes running out too and hugs them both. "Kai you''re okay" Vixus says crying. The royal guard that helped Kai back says, "Please your majesty, let''s get inside". "Thank you, Argon, for saving Kai" The queen smiles at him. Argon faces down towards the ground and scrunches his face. "No your majesty, The king saved him". "Father''s still fighting" Vixus says. Kai stays silent, crying silently into his mother¡¯s arm. " Is the King okay, where is he?" the Queen asks. Argon looks up to the Queen, Vixus and Kai, "I''m sorry your majesty, but...The king ordered me to get the young prince safe and back to you, I wanted to help fight, I really did your majesty..." Argon starts to tear up, "But I had to follow his command and protect the young prince for the future of Calios." Argon now breaks down, falls to his knees and starts to bawl. "But...But he''s still alive right?" Vixus cries out. Kai''s cries get louder. " It''s my fault...It''s all my fault, if I just stayed in the castle, Father would not have had to rescue me. I''m stupid and still powerless...what was I thinking!" Kai is howling. "Father died because of me!" Kai screams. The three family members, hug each other even more tightly, wailing. The sound echoes throughout courtyard, throughout the town, throughout the whole country of Calios. The surviving civilians and remaining guards, remain silent, shocked at hearing that the king has passed. Calios is broken, country over run from a neighbouring country who they have been living peacefully with for hundreds of years. Most of the Calios soldiers dead. No warning from scouts, from villages or outposts further out, a whole army appeared out of thin air, to slaughter innocent men and women, innocent children. Yet the Mendacium soldiers were calling them devils and demons. "ANOTHER ONE!" A guard shouts. An explosion erupts, A flaming boulder hits the castle, debris from the castle flies off hitting the courtyard. The Queen stands up and shouts "Guards take all the civilians to the back of the castle, there is a ship, get them on the ship and sail off north. "yes your majesty but north, what is there?" the guard confusingly asks. "There is nothing to the north". The Queen stays silent. All the guards take the civilians and run off. "Mum are we not going too?" Kai asks. Kai''s mother looks at him smiling, comforting the back of his head " Yes we will soon, we need to go into the castle and get something first". "Argon you are coming with us, keep us safe". "Yes your majesty" Argon replies, saluting towards the queen. Kai and Vixus confused, Argon also slightly confused follow the Queen back into the castle. They make their way through the hallways, every room they walk past the family reminisce on the happy times they had. Vixus and Kai holding on to their mother trailing behind silently sobbing. The Queen looks straight ahead acting strong for her sons, but deep down is shattered at recent events. Argon follows close behind the family, he keeps reassuring himself that he will protect them. "In here quickly now" the queen orders them into the king and queen''s chamber. "Mum what are we doing, we need to leave with the others" Vixus says. The queen ignores her son and starts frantically searching for something. Eventually she finds the thing she is looking for. In her hand she holds a black book, with the symbol of their family heirloom on the front of it. "I''m sorry your majesty but we came here to get a book?" Argon says to the Queen. "This is not just a book Argon, No one can ever read this book, Even I have never, only the king gets to, and now Vixus will be allowed to read it, and he told me that no matter what thus book must be hidden from the world." The queen replies. The sound of chinking armour and footsteps can be heard in the distance. Kai and Vixus hide behind their mother, Argon steps in front of them all with his sword in hand. The Queen hands the book to Vixus and tells him to keep it hidden. Mendacium soldiers burst through the door, a crowd of them all surrounding the King of Mendacium, King Angus the first. "I may be outnumbered but I will slaughter every single one of you." Argon viciously shouts. "How could you do this." The queen says. "I''m sorry Quin but this is to save the world." The King of Mendacium replies to the Queen. The Queen, Kai, Vixus and Argon confused. " To save the world...I don''t understand, you slaughter innocent people to save the world? " Argon replies. " You killed My father, you slaughtered my friends and you...and you murdered children and called us devils. If we are devils, then I guess the holy god you all worship must be evil. " Kai says in a pained voice wiping away his tears. King Argus stares at Kai with widened eyes who didn''t even notice a young boy was standing behind the Queen, almost feeling sorry for him. " The young prince Vixus I believe. " The king replies. " No, I am..." the Queen quickly shuts Kai''s mouth. " Wait...Another son, does he have the power of the gods?" King Angus says to the Queen. The Queen does not say a word. " Enough talk I''m killing you all now! " Argon lets out a massive battle cry. His left hand starts to emit magic, he runs it along his sword and now his sword is enflamed. " Don''t take him lightly he is a warrior...Kill them all, especially the children." King Angus says to his soldiers. King Angus'' knights charge at Argon one by one. Argons enflamed sword scorching them with every swing. Argon cuts down each soldier in his path, a graceful and beautiful fighting style, like a dance, blood paints the surroundings. This is the strength of a warrior. " I guess only a warrior can kill a warrior, Bash! cut him down. " King Angus screams. A massive muscly man with two small daggers enters the room. "Humph..." Argon snickers Both men swing at each other, each parrying attack after attack, the clash of blades echoing throughout the castle, Argon weaves and dodges every swift attack from the large man and with every massive swing from Argon, Bash narrowingly side stepping the scorching sword. Both warriors refusing to back down but acknowledging each other as warriors. Bash launches a series of lightning speed thrusts, Argon deflecting most of them, but some connect, piercing him but missing vital spots. Argon replies back with a fierce battle cry driving Bash against a wall. What seems like an endless fight both warriors struggling to get a clean hit on their opponent Argon sees an opportunity, he lets Bash unleash whistling attacks. Bash lunges forward thinking Argon has let his guard down but when Bash'' attack is about to land Argon swiftly lifts his blade up and slices through the left arm of Bash. The arm drops to the floor. Kai witnessing this seeing how truly remarkable warriors are. "AAAGGHHH! " Bash screams and drops his blade, holding his gushing wound, his blood creating a puddle beneath him. "No wonder you were the King''s royal guard, get back bash I will deal with this". King angus pulls out a sword. " You won''t defeat me. " The king rapidly lunges at Argon, Argon just manages to lift his sword to defend the attack, but the force of King angus'' attack creates a massive shockwave blowing Argon back smashing against the stone castle wall, glass shatters, books from the shelves fall over and dust creates a cloud around the room. " Argon! " The Queen screams, she stands up and pulls out a small dagger from her dress, readying to protect her children. " Mum! " both the brothers say. The brothers stand up coughing out the dust in their lungs. They stumble over to where Argon is lying in pain. " Argon get up...please ". Argon takes off his helmet, blood spills out of his mouth. " Your heiness please get back, I will protect all of you. " Argon manages to stand with the help of Kai and Vixus. " Argon take both of them and get out of here...please...you have to, for the future of Calios they need to live. " The Queen says harrowingly, holding back her tears. Argon looks down. " Again, I cannot protect anyone, not the King, nor the Queen, I will not be able to protect the young Princes either. ¡®Argon sobs.¡¯ ¡° No, I will save the Princes, I will give my life for them, for the King, Queen and future of Calios, I will protect them ." " I promise your heiness, Calios will see your sons on the throne and the gods will shine the light on Calios once again " Argon says with tears like raindrops falling from his eyes. The beautiful, graceful Queen smiles, she looks at her boys and gives the most heartfelt smile ever like a warming embrace, a sunlight breaking through clouds. The boys start wailing, Argon holds them back, they are screaming trying to reach their loving mother. " Mum...please...Mum...Mother¡­Mu...Mum! " Kai and Vixus mumbling the words. King Angus looks upon the boys and the Queen, almost feeling sorry for them, but he suppresses his emotions. " Quinn, I really am sorry. " "Swish" A sword cuts through the air with a sharp hiss. A haunting sight, a head rolls on the floor, the room is silenced, it was like time had stood still. " AGGHHH, I''M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU " "Swish" Another slice across the body of a young torso. the body drops. " Smash ", King Angus looks to where Argon was, but he is gone along with Kai, the lone survivor and the final remnants of his countries flame. Chapter two - The present "Gasp!" a figure jolted upright, chest heaving and cold sweat trickling down his temples. The sun rays bursting through the window, revealing the dust around the room. He swiped away the tears from his damp cheeks. The images still linger, the screams, flashes of blood and fire consuming everything. "Thud...Thud...Thud." A loud bang coming from the entrance of the small room. "Hellooo, Mister sleepy head. C''mon it is graduation day and the final test to get your ranking and alsoooo where we get to speak to the oracle. Oh, I cannot wait to see what fate has in store for me." A very loud cheerful voice sings through the door. The young man shakes his head and gets out of bed. he walks towards the mirror and stares at himself. His longish bangs slightly cover his eyes. Reflecting on what he has gone through in the past eight years, training, fighting, getting stronger, honing his abilities all to take back what he lost. Today is when he can finally leave this place. "oh Kaiiii, what is taking you so..." Kai opens the door and surprises the girl bothering him. A pretty girl with short shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes. Wearing black and brown leather clothing, two daggers, one on either side of her hip and a belt, carrying a pouch. "Maria, will you be quiet." Blunt words from a disgruntled Kai. "Well, your depressing as always, c''mon we are finally leaving, we are going to be warriors after this and we don''t know what is going to happen next. At least give me a smile on the last day." Maria always talks like she is performing. Kai stares blankly at Maria. "Hmph, if you didn''t have such a pretty face no one would talk to you." "I don''t need people to be friendly with me. Actually, it''s better if they do not approach me." He muttered, his voice tight and low. His final words barely audible, "They''re all monsters." Maria''s cheerful expression faltered. her gaze flickering with concern. Though Kai spoke softly she heard every word. She didn''t press him about his past, and didn''t know anything about it, few did. If people found out who he was and where he came from, they would kill him instantly, since he is considered a ''devil''. "I still remember the first time I saw you¡ªMaster Eld carried you in, covered in blood. You looked so lost. That''s why I approached you, to cheer you up and now eight years later, I still haven''t accomplished that." Although Maria laughs, she genuinely feels bad that she can''t help a person she cares about. Kai looks down at the floor, feeling guilty for being so dispiriting. He can''t help it, his mind is just filled with an intense hate against the country and people who took his ''life'' away. Even though the school he is at is in the country Mendacia* . That is why Kai has been trying to keep his distance throughout these eight years, he did not want to associate with anyone from Mendacia, but Maria just never gave up. "Maria...I..." Kai looks at Maria. His eyes open wide and his face freezes. Maria''s eyes are watering, she is about to cry, but she quickly turns around. "Sorry, c''mon lets go, Master and Fido are waiting for us." Maria runs off without Kai. Kai stares at her back, when she turns the corner, He closes his fist and clenches it. Maria''s head peeks back around the corner "Kai!", she waves at him telling him to come. Kai walks after her. Kai and Maria are walking to the main hall, on the way Kai looks around at his surroundings, for the last time. In the courtyard he sees students training, some are practicing their hand-to-hand combat, others are hitting dummies with practice swords, and there is also an archery target that students who specialise in long range combat use. This school is a school for warriors, specifically the rouge class, they specialise in, stealth, assassination, close quarter combat with daggers or short swords, and archery. There are two other schools in the country close by that specialise in the mage and warrior class. The mage and warrior schools have hundreds of students, the rogue school less than that. There are few warriors in the world, each warrior is especially strong, and all have unique abilities. Most warriors join the army, while others go on their own journey, and some even become criminals. The school of rogues is the least popular and looked down on by the other two schools, as they are disgusted with the way rogue warriors act and kill others while hiding in the shadows. Most warriors will go to a school depending on their ability and are highly valued subjects, which is why each country tries to recruit every person possible with an ability. Each warrior will train until they reach the age of eighteen, where they are old enough to join the army. at the end of the year a final test takes place, and each warrior will get ranked, the top five will instantly become an elite and they will have to join an elite team of other warriors, where they get sent on special missions or deal with ferocious beasts. After the final tests each graduated warrior will get to speak to an oracle**, an oracle can tell what the future holds for that individual. At night a big ceremony happens where all three schools attend and celebrate them becoming true warriors. Finally Kai and Maria reach the entrance to the main hall and walk in. At the end of the hall they see their Master, mentor to the warriors, and Fido, another warrior who has kept close to Kai and Maria throughout their years of training, in most exercises these three always work together. "Well you both took your time, Maria what took you so long waking him up?" says Fido, mockingly staring at Maria "Well you know Kai, always brooding about something" Fido smirks then looks at Kai, "Eight years, we''ve been through a lot, put up with us for one more day." Fido says, winking at Kai. Kai looks back at Fido, a slight smirk comes from his lips. Maria gazes at Kai, "Oh there was almost a smile, you know, during our whole time together I only ever see you smirk, smile or slightly laugh when Fido says something, but never me...hmm I wonder why, I''m funny..." Maria says dancing around Kai. "I''m just funnier." Replies Fido. Maria sticks her tongue out to Fido. The slight flicker of happiness Kai has felt during these eight years is because of these two, he has smiled and laughed at Maria''s antics, he just tries to hide it, letting people get too close to him was a risk, but training at this school it was inevitable that he would have to work in a team during operations. Despite his efforts to keep his distance, Maria and Fido carved their way in. He cared for them, more than he wants to admit but after today, he has to let them go. The path he is taking has no room for attachments. "Well young ones, today is graduation day and the day of your final test, but I have a quest for you three today." says Master Eld, an older wise man, who has been instructing students of the rogue class since he was a young man. A veteran and was a most decorated warrior, this is why he became a master. "Oh, what have you got for us today, slay a bunch of goblins, or deliver some supplies, or maybe map out a hidden dungeon, or maybe..." happily chants Maria The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. "I need you all to deliver these letters to the other two schools." Says Master Eld interrupting Maria. Maria blankly stares at the letters the Master is holding. "That''s it." Maria says while pointing to the letters. "Yes, now do it quickly, you all still have your final test to do." Master Eld says while handing Maria the letters. "Yes Master!" all three say in unison. Master Eld watches them walk off with a sombre expression, he especially stares at Kai. "Today is the day Kai, where you set off on your desperate journey, I only hope that after it all, you can find peace and happiness within yourself. I promised your mother and father to keep you and your brother safe if anything ever happened to them, unfortunately only one of you came to me that treacherous night." Standing at the entrance of the school, Kai, Maria, and Fido must walk down hundreds of cobblestone steps to reach the village at the bottom, as the school of rogues sit atop a small mountain and at the bottom sits at small village where a lot of students go to take on missions or relax. "Okay so what school first?" Asks Maria. "We go to the mage school first, it is on the way to the warrior school anyway." answers Kai. "Well let''s not waste any more time, lets increase our pace." Says Fido. It is a beautiful sunny day, with bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds. The three warriors enter the village, which is peaceful and surrounded by small houses. Among them, there''s a tavern, a bakery, and a butcher shop. A few children are running about, chasing each other and play-fighting with wooden swords, but most of the residents are adults. This village, though serene, is not the safest place for young ones, as the nearby warrior school often becomes a target for opposing nations. Walking through the village, all the village folk are greeting them, Maria happily waves and says good morning to everyone, Fido just waves and smiles, Kai just stares straight ahead. The village folk are nice people, Kai has helped them with quests required for his training, and they have rewarded Kai with treats. He does not mean to be so distant, he just can''t bring himself to really care for these people. Kai at first blamed everyone from Mendacia for letting what happened to his family and kingdom. He despised every single living person from here, but with eight years training here, helping some of the village folk, he knows they are not to be blamed. If he starts to genuinely like and live with these people, he will forget his mission and will also feel like he is betraying his family and his own people. Halfway through their journey to the mage school, the three warriors have to venture through a forest where some small beasts live. The forest is filled with tall green tress, beautiful flowers planted everywhere and there is a dirt path that goes through the whole forest reaching the other end. Staying on the path is the safest as not many encounters happen with beasts but there is a slight possibility one might jump out. "Stop, look over there, a wolf." Kai says quietly, alerting the other two. The wolf is feeding on a deer. "A shame, the wolf is all alone, they usually hunt in packs, I wonder where his family are. Did you know people call wolves ''Devils'', not just because of their red eyes but, they share similarities to the country of Calios." Maria says. "What do you mean?" Kai says visibly startled. "Well, my father used to tell me that the people of Calios would die for each other, they would sacrifice themselves for the survival of their loved ones and they had such strong social bonds, similar to Wolves, they sacrifice themselves for the pack." Maria says, while admiring the Wolf. "I...I didn''t know that, but it makes sense." Kai says who is staring at the Wolf, the Wolf then looks up from his prey and their eyes connect. "haha, well why would you silly." Maria playfully shoves Kai. "No one talks about that kingdom anymore...they''re all dead." "Yeah...They''re all gone." Kai says quietly but the others still catch his words. "For the greater good right, they were Devils" Kai says scornfully and sarcastically. "For the greater good...Hmm I don''t know about that. I did not know anyone from Calios, so how would I know if they are Devils or not" says Maria looking at Kai. Kai surprised by Maria, stares back at her. "Guys, the Wolf is looking for his next prey" says Fido interrupting their moment. The Wolf starts running towards the three. "Let me deal with this," Maria says. She starts walking towards the wolf, she gracefully pulls out both her daggers from her belt. She bursts into a sprint, closing the distance between them. The wolf now in attacking distance leaps at Maria with large fangs bared, going for her throat but she is ready for the attack, she quickly ducks and slides under the wolf on her knees, bending backwards in one seamless motion, piercing both her daggers into the wolf and the momentum from both the wolves leap and Maria''s sprint lets her daggers skate across the wolves underbelly leaving twin trails. Maria finishes her performance. Behind her the wolf lies on the ground, lifeless and alone. "You made quick work of that." Fido says. Maria wipes the blood from her blade and looks at Kai, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You remind me of a wolf, you know that?" She doesn¡¯t wait for a response, already turning back to the fallen beast. Kai watches her go, gaze lingering on the lifeless animal at her feet. He exhales slowly, feeling something gnaw at him. Kai, Maria, and Fido come out of the other side of the forest and in the distance, they see the mage school. A beautiful towering architectural ornament, as big as a castle with spires piercing the sky, much larger than the rogue school, and much more appealing too. A lot of mages are arrogant, stylish, and self-assured. Rogues dress in dark, light weight leather armour, mages dress up more whimsical and attractive, though some mages do dress more appropriately for battle. After a small journey they eventually reach the entrance of the Mage school. "Wow look at the stained glass and all the carvings over the school, it''s beautiful." Maria, visibly shocked blurts out. At the entrance a courtyard, with beautiful green grass, and a cluster of colourful flowers sit everywhere. Mages are relaxing on the grass and benches, a stark contrast to the rogue school, it seems heavenly this place. Maria, Fido, and Kai clearly out of place are the centre of attention. Mages are smirking and muttering in the background. "Typical mages." Fido says. "Hey! You savages are in the wrong place." Says a mage, obnoxiously staring at them. Maria steps in front of Kai and Fido, "Ignore them, no drama today, okay boys. Let''s just hand these letters to the master here." Maria placing her hands on the boy¡¯s shoulders. "Girl, you have blood on you, expected of savages." the same mage from earlier says, other mages join in laughing. Maria turns around to look at the group of mages and scathingly looks them down. Kai then puts himself in front of Maria. "If you don''t want to die today, I suggest you run off with your little group of revolting creatures. If I wanted to look at shit, I would have gone to a pigsty." Kai bluntly says menacingly staring at them. Everyone around the area stunned in place, appalled at the words that came out of Kai''s mouth. Even more shocked are Fido and Maria, surprised at Kai sticking up for them but also shocked at how Kai would never act like that as he is usually broody and reserved. "YOU DARE COMPARE ME TO THAT? YOU WILL REGRET THIS, RUNT!" The mage screams, he pulls out an intricate wand, the mage quickly makes a circular motion with it and a rift portal appears behind Kai, daggers and swords start launching through the rift at Kai. Kai''s eyes narrow. The first Sword flew towards him like lightning, but he rapidly deflects the sword with one of his own short-swords, a dagger follows in its wake, Kai leapt, twisting his body in mid-air while bending backwards and fluidly places his hand on the ground and pushes himself off dodging the deadly dagger. The mage flicks his wand and summons six more rifts. The mage confidently smirks. From each rift a luminous array of weapons protruded out . "Dodge this!" the mage sneered and flicks his wand. All at once they shoot at Kai, cutting through the air. Kai closes his eyes and exhales slowly, before the weapons even reach him, Kai lets out a small roar. The ground shakes subtly, and multiple chains erupt beneath him, dark and hellish they reach to the heavens, and they snap around the weapons mid-flight. Halting them in place like time has frozen. Gasps fill the air as the spectating crowd stood paralyzed. The chains linger until finally retracting back underground and all of the captured weapons fall to the ground. The mage trembling drops his wand and falls to the ground. Kai threateningly walks towards the mage, firmly gripping both his short swords. When he approaches the mage, the mage squeals, Kai lifts both his swords crossing them at the mages neck, grazing his skin. "To the butchers, Pig." Kai says with a low, murderous voice. The crowd watches in horror. Maria and Fido, although have seen Kai in battle a lot and get heated up by the moment but never with such a blood thirsty aura, are slightly alarmed. "Stop this now!" A voice sparks through the air. Everyone''s attention now on the girl who disrupted the disturbing atmosphere, Kai still staring down his prey. "Princess Lumia!" A mage student exclaims. Their voice cutting through the tense silence, the crowd chatter and the Princesses Appearance radiates and shift the entire atmosphere. Fido says to Maria, "That''s the King''s daughter. Wow she is beautiful." Fido could not help but comment on her appearance. Kai overhears, his target has changed, he fiercely glances at Lumia. "The King''s daughter, I can do it, I can take something precious away from him like he did to me. If I kill her, the King will have no choice but to see his daughter¡¯s killer." Heat surges through Kai''s veins, his heartbeat like a drumbeat in his ears, fury and adrenaline coarse through him, his eyes glow a crimson red like the Wolf from earlier. The sounds and chatter around him start to fade out. Kai mutters under his breath. "Finally, my revenge starts now." Chapter Three - Lumia Caelstyn "Lumia my daughter, you are the hope and the future of Mendacia. I know you will do what is right not just for our people but for the world. One day you will dispel the evil that comes for us. The Oracle''s words were true. The fate of the world depends on you." "Princess Lumia, there''s trouble in the courtyard. Three student warriors¡ªlikely from the rogue school¡ªhave appeared," Elyssia reported "Thank you, Elyssia, your ability is truly remarkable, your spectral animals are extremely helpful ." She glances towards the courtyard. "Let''s see what they''re here for." The two stood at a distance, observing the commotion. "YOU DARE COMPARE ME TO THAT? YOU WILL REGRET THIS, RUNT!" Elyssia tensed. "Princess, should we intervene? That mage¡ª" "Wait," Lumia interrupted, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "I want to see this, I''ve never witnessed what the rouges are truly capable of." "The mage is strong, and has a powerful unique ability, but that rogue is easily evading his attacks." The ground trembles. Kai''s chains erupt out Lumia''s focus narrowed on Kai, "What! I''ve never seen an ability like that... or even heard of one similar. Who is this boy?" Elyssia¡¯s voice was urgent. "Princess we should stop this, he is going to kill-" "Stop this now!" Lumia commanded. Lumia felt it, a suffocating presence, "Why is he looking at me like that. His aura is frightening." Kai raises his blades towards Lumia, a chilling bloodlust radiating from him. "Don''t you dare!" Elyssia leaps in front of Lumia, with two spectral beasts, a wolf and a bear. "Kai stop, what are you doing!" Maria and Fido rush over to Kai, Maria places her hands on his arms. "Kai, what''s wrong?" Fido worriedly asks. Kai''s breaths are exceedingly heavy, sweat poured down his face, he drops his weapons and clutches at his chest. He collapses to the ground. An agonising scream tore from his throat. Maria drops down with him, "Kai...Kai, what''s wrong!" her voice cracks. Fido''s eyes dart around the frozen crowd. "Are any of you mages a healer!" He shouted. But the crowd only backed away in silence, fear rooting them in place. Lumia stepped forward, "I¡¯ll help him." She pushed past the onlookers. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. "Princess, he pointed his blades at you" Elyssia exclaims, "Why would you help him?" Lumia didn''t respond, her gaze fixed on kai. Kneeling beside him, she hovered her hands over his trembling body. A soft light radiated from her palms, its warmth seeping into him. Slowly, the tension in his body eased. His erratic breaths steadied. His screams faded to silence. Lumia stood back up, "Let''s take him to the infirmary." Without hesitation, Fido hoists him onto his back and carefully follows Lumia. Maria quietly trails behind both of them, her thoughts a whirlwind of worry and questions she couldn''t ask. The crowd still stunned in silence, began to disperse and murmur among themselves. Elyssia snaps her fingers, and her spectral beasts fade away. She then glances at Lumia. "Princess," Elyssia said quietly, "Are you sure this is wise? That rouge is dangerous." Lumia kept walking, "You''re right Elyssia, but..." She exhaled, recalling the bloodthirst in Kai¡¯s eyes. "I have questions for him." A few hours later... The dim glow of lanterns flickered in the infirmary, casting shadows against the wall and the scent of herbs lingered in the air. Kai''s body twitched, his body ached as if a large ogre was sitting on top of him, he grunts as his eyes slowly open and tries to sit up. Maria presses her hands against his chest stopping him from getting up. "You''re awake." Kai blankly stares at Maria, "Where am I?" "The infirmary, at the mage school." Kai''s eyes snap to where the voice came from. The glow of the lanterns caught the gold in her eyes, making them shimmer. Lumia coldly stares at him. His body tenses instinctively, the memories flooded back - the fight, searing pain and then...her. Kai''s gaze hardened. "You healed me?" Lumia nodded, her voice soft. "I did." Kai narrows his eyes and pushes himself up, but Maria is quicker, pressing him down. "Don''t." Her voice is firm yet filled with concern. "Why?" Kai questions. Lumia sat rigid, her posture unwavering, as if to remind him she was above him. "Because you were in pain." Silence stretched between them. Kai averted his gaze, his jaw tightens. "Did I hurt you in some way?" Lumia''s gaze flickered with curiosity. "Before you also looked at me with such hatred," her voice quieter now, "Why?" Kai says nothing, he stares at the flickering flame from the lantern. Lumia exhaled, annoyed at his ignorance. "Once you are properly healed leave." She stands up straight, and turns her back towards them, she whispers towards the ground, "I hope that next time we meet...You don''t look so sad." Kai still engrossed at the flickering flame, lost in a haunting memory. "Kai..." Maria''s hand gently grasped his arm. "We''ll head back to the Rogue school once you¡¯re able to walk." Kai hadn¡¯t even noticed Fido was by his side this entire time. "What about the letters?" He tried again to sit up, pushing Maria¡¯s hand away as she attempted to intervene. "The Princess already informed the master here. She said they¡¯ll handle the delivery." Kai¡¯s gaze drifted to where Lumia had been sitting. "We should leave now, before it gets dark." But you''re not-" "I''m fine." Kai interrupting, swinging his legs off the bed. He stands up, his legs tremble, Fido was quick to support him on one side, while Maria steadied him on the other. "Have it your way then." Fido sighed.
"Princess, he should be punished!" Elyssia stampeding next to Lumia, her voice sharp "Not even a thankyou...Those Rogues." "Don''t discriminate them based on him," Lumia replied, her tone calm, "The other two seemed fine." Elyssia scoffs, "Anyone friends with that brute cannot be trusted." She crosses her arms, frown deepening, "Hope we never see him again." Lumia smirks, glint of amusement in her eyes as she opens a door to her chambers, "We have the graduation ball for warriors tomorrow night, I''m sure they will be there." Elyssia''s jaw drops, "I swear, if he makes any trouble-" "He won¡¯t," Lumia reassured her, "The King, my Father will be there." Lumia starts to undress herself, "I''m going to run a bath, it''s been an eventful day." She added with a playful smile. "Yes, your Highness." Elyssia replied with a bow. Lumia frowns as she approaches Elyssia, lifting her hand and meeting her gaze. "I¡¯ve told you, I don¡¯t care for formalities in private." Elyssia was momentarily caught off guard by the warmth and beauty in Lumia''s gaze. "Now, rest up," Lumia continued softly. "You can go in after me." "Yes...Lumia." She widely grins. Chapter Four - Final Test (I) "You¡¯re all late," Master Eld said, his stern gaze sweeping over them. His eyes landed on Kai, noting his limp. "Luckily for you, I postponed the final test until tomorrow morning. Get to bed." "Yes, sir!" the three replied in unison. Maria and Fido guided Kai to his bed, exhaling in relief as they finally dropped him onto his bed. "Some day, huh?" Maria said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Yeah," Fido muttered, already heading for the door. "Final test tomorrow, and the warrior¡¯s ceremony at night... I need sleep." "Oh, I can¡¯t wait!" Maria grinned, practically shoving him out. "Let¡¯s go before we pass out on our feet." She turned back to Kai, who lay still, staring at the ceiling. Her expression softened. "Good night, Kai. Sweet dreams," she murmured before slipping out and closing the door behind her. Kai shifted onto his side, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sweet dreams... I wonder what that''s like." Kai''s eyes grew heavy, his thoughts fading and before he knew it, sleep took him.
The morning sun bleeding through the windows, golden streaks across the room. A loud knock at the door shakes him awake. A familiar voice rings through Kai''s head. "Kai, are you awake?" He rubs his eyes, stretching out the stiffness in his limbs. "Let me wash up. I''ll be out soon." When he opens the door, Maria is there, leaning against the wall. Her hands are clasped behind her back, her foot idly tracing circles on the floor. She looks¡­ shy. Unusually so. Kai notices but doesn¡¯t acknowledge it. He steps past her without a word. "Wait." Her fingers wrap around his wrist, gentle but firm. He stops. Maria hesitates, then slowly opens her hand. Resting in her palm is a necklace¡ªa wooden carving of a phoenix feather, smooth and carefully shaped. "For you," she murmurs. "A good luck charm." Kai stares at it, then at her. She¡¯s looking down, her usual energy replaced by something quieter, more uncertain. His fingers close around the pendant. His expression darkens¡ªnot in anger, but something else. Something unspoken. He turns to walk away. A few steps in, he hesitates. "Thanks." His voice is barely above a whisper. Maria¡¯s gaze snaps up, her eyes wide with surprise. Then, a giggle escapes her lips. With a light hop, she brushes past Kai, turning back just long enough to flash him a bright, unguarded smile. Maria playfully races ahead, "Let''s go get something to eat before the final test." As Kai watches her walk head, he tightens his grip on the necklace, For the first time in a while, something felt... different. Maybe he''s not as alone as he thought. The mess hall is more crowded than usual, buzzing with energy, likely in anticipation of the final test. Maria rises onto her tiptoes, scanning the room. "Ah! There he is." She grabs Kai''s wrist and drags him to where Fido is sitting. Fido grins as they approach. "Took you two long enough. I saved you some seats¡ªand your breakfast." He gestures to the table, where two bowls of porridge and some fresh bread wait. Fido takes the last piece of his bread and soaks up the remnants of his porridge. "So, are you both ready? Found out who you''re up against yet?" Maria nods, tearing off a piece of bread. "Darcy," she says before popping it into her mouth. "She''s strong, but I¡¯m not worried." She swallows and glances at Fido. "What about you?" Fido finishes the last of his meal and leans forward, elbows on the table, fingers clasped. "Leo. He¡¯s a top-five candidate. It won¡¯t be easy." His gaze sharpens. "But you shouldn¡¯t take Darcy lightly¡ªshe¡¯s ranked in the top ten." Maria waves a dismissive hand. "Yeah, yeah," she says, deepening her voice in imitation. "''Never underestimate your opponent.''" She smirks. "Master Eld would be proud." Fido chuckles before turning to Kai. "What about you? Have you checked?" Kai shakes his head. A towering, muscular figure strides up to their table and slams both fists onto it, making the bowls rattle. He locks eyes with Kai, his glare full of menace. "I''ll kill you in the final test," he growls. "This fight won¡¯t be like before." With a grunt, he turns and stalks off. Fido exhales. "Well, now you know." Maria leans back, crossing her arms. "You humiliated him last time. Even I don¡¯t think I could take him in a fight." "Word is he¡¯s taking the number two spot¡ªsome even say number one," Fido adds. Kai stands, grabbing his bowl. "Let¡¯s go." Maria giggles, picking up hers. "Unfazed as usual." Fido shakes his head with a smirk and follows after them.
All the students make their way toward the small arena at the back of the school. The circular arena is surrounded by tiered seating, with every student from the school now seated, murmuring in anticipation. On a raised terrace overlooking the arena and the crowd stands Master Eld, flanked by other masters from both the Mage and Warrior schools. With them is a distinguished Warrior, a royal guard that protects the King. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Welcome, students,¡± Master Eld¡¯s voice booms across the arena, silencing the crowd. ¡°Today marks the final test for our warriors who have reached the age of eighteen. This is a test to determine their rank, to see who will claim a spot among the top five.¡± The students in the stands roar and clap in eager anticipation for the event to begin. Master Eld raises his hands, signalling for silence. "The fights will be one-on-one. Opponents have been chosen at random." In the waiting room beside the arena, where students prepare their gear, the distant roar of the crowd and Master Eld¡¯s voice can be heard. Fido chuckles at the announcement. "Random? Yeah, right," he mutters, a smirk tugging at his lips. Master Eld scans the crowd, his gaze sharpening as the excitement builds. He nods to the other masters and the King''s guard. "Now," he says, his voice booming over the arena, "let the first fight begin!" The crowd erupts to their feet, fists raised, whistles and cheers filling the air. The large double doors of the waiting room swing open, and two students step out, their weapons raised high, further fuelling the crowd¡¯s excitement. As steel clashes against steel echoing through the arena as fights unfold. The ground rumbles from the roar of spectators but also the warriors unique abilities. One by one, warriors return from battle, some limping, others carried away to the infirmary. Maria takes a deep breath, steadying herself as she secures her daggers at her sides. Exhaling sharply, she rolls her shoulders, preparing for her turn. Fido steps up beside her, giving her shoulder a firm pat. "Good luck," he says with an easy grin. She turns to him, arching a brow. He winks. Then, her gaze shifts to Kai. A smirk tugs at the corner of her lips. He meets her eyes and nods. As the current fight reaches its climax, Maria makes her way toward the arena entrance. "Congratulations, Fran. A well-fought battle," Master Eld announces before clearing his throat. "Next, Maria versus Darcy!" The crowd erupts once more, a particularly excited cheer rising from the younger students¡ªMaria has fans. The doors swing open, and Maria and Darcy step onto the battlefield. Maria raises her fists, a playful giggle escaping her as she soaks in the electric atmosphere. Master Eld once again raising his hand to silent the crowd. Each fighter take their positions. Their eyes on each other, Darcy smirks at Maria, Maria smiles and playfully waves her hand. "Begin!" Master Eld commands followed by a roar of the crowd. Both fighters explode into motion, sprinting toward each other. Darcy strikes first, her fists flashing with deadly intent. She wields specially crafted steel knuckles, each embellished with sharp spikes, delivering a relentless flurry of punches. Maria weaves between the attacks, dodging swiftly while using her daggers to deflect the ones she can''t avoid. The clash of steel on steel rings through the arena, each impact crisp and sharp. Darcy keeps up the pressure, refusing to slow. Punch after punch, she forces Maria onto the defensive. But then¡ªan opening. Maria seizes the moment, driving a kick into Darcy¡¯s midsection and flipping backward to create distance. Darcy grunts holding her stomach. Maria smiles at her. Maria exhales, her eyes flickering with a golden glow. In an instant, she vanishes¡ªonly to reappear right in front of Darcy, her dagger flashing toward her neck. Darcy barely has time to react. She raises her fists just in time to block, the impact jolting her arms. But Maria is relentless. With a swift sweep, she knocks Darcy¡¯s left leg out from under her, forcing her off balance. A gap opens at Darcy¡¯s right side. Maria blurs again, phasing to the opening. Her dagger plunges into Darcy¡¯s right arm, slicing down to her elbow in one clean motion. Blood sprays. Darcy lets out a sharp scream, her arm now useless at her side. Maria moves behind her in a blink, daggers poised for another strike¡ªbut Darcy ducks at the last second. A furious scream erupts from Darcy, her body suddenly radiating a crimson aura. She twists, eyes blazing with pain and rage, and throws a massive hook toward Maria¡¯s left hip. Maria barely registers the attack before impact. The spiked steel knuckle rips into her side, sending her flying across the arena. Kai and Fido peer through the gap in the door. Fido watches with a furrowed brow, concern flickering in his eyes. Kai remains silent, his expression unreadable¡ªbut his grip tightens around the necklace. In the arena, Maria spits out blood, her hand pressing against her wounded hip. She glances down¡ªher palm is soaked in red. Across her stands Darcy, chest heaving, eyes burning with an animalistic hunger. Darcy lunges. Maria stumbles to her feet, her stance unsteady, her body hunched over in pain. Darcy swings wildly, her steel-knuckled fists blurring with terrifying speed. Maria struggles to keep up, barely managing to deflect each blow. The force behind them is monstrous¡ªstronger than before. Darcy has enhanced herself. A special ability. One that grants her the strength and speed of the beasts she emulates. Maria braces herself, but Darcy shifts tactics. She spins, driving a brutal kick into Maria¡¯s uninjured side. The impact sends Maria hurtling across the arena once more. The crowd erupts, standing in awe as two top-ten candidates clash with everything they have. Maria groans, coughing up more blood. Pain flares through her body. One hip impaled, the other bruised and fractured. She lifts her head, vision swimming, and sees Darcy standing on the opposite side of the arena¡ªstill ready, still relentless. Maria clenches her fists. Her breath steadies. Her golden eyes blaze, fully illuminated. The bleeding slows. The crowd murmurs, sensing a shift. Maria slowly rises, golden light pulsating from her daggers. The blades extend, wreathed in a faint golden aura. Ethereal wires¡ªdelicate yet crackling with power¡ªunfurl from her back, floating like ghostly tendrils. Darcy snarls, her lips curling over her teeth. With a feral scream, she charges. Maria¡¯s golden strings lash out, whipping toward Darcy, coiling around her arms and legs, locking her in place mid-stride. She thrashes, muscles bulging as she fights against the bonds, but Maria strides forward, unwavering. Then, a sound¡ªa beast¡¯s cry for help. Darcy throws her head back and roars. Her body trembles. Twists. Her injured arm contorts, muscles surging, bones cracking, reshaping. In seconds, her limp human limb morphs into something monstrous¡ªa werewolf¡¯s clawed arm. Then the other follows. The crowd gasps in excitement. With newfound strength, Darcy wrenches free. The golden wires snap. The crowd gasps in exhilaration. Maria smirks. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you had that trick up your sleeve. A partial-shift.¡± She moves. A blur. Phasing left, then right, then behind. Darcy¡¯s glowing eyes dart wildly, unable to track her. Desperate, Darcy swings her massive claws, each swipe powerful enough to tear Maria apart¡ªbut she¡¯s too fast. Golden mirages flicker and vanish in her wake. Strings snap out, whipping and distracting, forcing Darcy to defend instead of attack. Then Maria strikes. A sharp slice. Darcy¡¯s Achilles tendon is severed. She stumbles, dropping to one knee. Another flash. Another cut. Both knees buckle. Golden strings lash around her wrists and hoist her off the ground. Suspended, helpless, she dangles in mid-air. Maria steps forward, daggers poised, ready to drive them into Darcy¡¯s stomach¡ª ¡°Stop!¡± Master Eld¡¯s voice booms across the arena. He rises from his seat. The entire arena falls silent. "Maria is the winner!" The arena erupts into deafening cheers, louder than ever before. Master Eld watches Maria, a smile tugging at his lips. He turns to the other masters and the royal guard¡ªeach of them nodding in approval. Fido pumps his fist. "Did you see that, Kai? I''ve never seen her go all out before!" Kai remains silent, but a small smirk forms on his lips. The doors swing open. Darcy is carried through on a stretcher, while Maria limps forward, supported by two students. Despite her injuries, she beams at Fido and Kai. "I''ll heal up quickly, then watch from the stands," she says, her voice unwavering. Fido gives her a thumbs-up. Kai simply nods¡ªthen, without a word, he lifts the necklace and fastens it around his neck. Maria''s eyes widen, glistening with unshed tears. She closes them briefly, then grins, her smile radiant. "Good luck!" The students guide her away, her voice lingering in the air. Chapter Five - Final Test (II) "Enter the arena, Fido and Leo!" Master Eld commands. Excited murmurs ripple through the crowd. "Oh, this will be a good one," a student in the stands exclaims. "Interesting matchup," another adds. "Fido relies on his bow, while Leo fights with just a dagger." Master Eld raises his hand. "Begin!" Fido conjures three glowing arrows in his hand and fires them off in one swift motion. Leo sidesteps, narrowly avoiding them¡ªonly for another barrage to follow. The relentless stream of arrows forces Leo onto the defensive, his dagger flashing as he deflects what he can. "He can fire off arrows endlessly?" a student gasps, eyes wide as the battle unfolds. Leo grits his teeth and pulls makeshift bombs from his belt, hurling them at the ground. a large thick cloud of smoke forms in the middle of the arena. Fido narrows his eyes, his target lost in the smoke. Suddenly, small daggers whistle through the smoke. Fido reacts instantly, twisting out of their path. Before he can reposition, Leo bursts from the fog, closing the distance in a flash. Leo swings¡ªFido raises his bow just in time to block. But Leo is relentless. He drives a swift kick into Fido¡¯s stomach, forcing him to hunch over. Gritting through the pain, Fido materializes an arrow in his hand and slams it into Leo¡¯s left foot. Leo lets out a sharp grunt but retaliates immediately, driving his knee up into Fido¡¯s face, sending him stumbling backward. With a wince, he yanks the arrow from his foot¡ªonly for it to dissolve into dust. Leo wastes no time, launching into a relentless assault. Fido, under pressure, quickly materializes another arrow¡ªthis one glowing yellow at the tip. He fires. A blinding flash erupts on impact, disorienting Leo. Seizing the moment, Fido delivers a sharp kick to his chest, sending him stumbling backward. He leaps away, creating distance, and looses another arrow¡ªthis one piercing into Leo¡¯s shoulder. Before Leo can recover, a second arrow buries itself into his leg. Leo cries out in pain. Fido nocks another arrow, ready to end it¡ª Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! But Leo vanishes. A rift lingers where he stood. Fido¡¯s eyes widen as realization sets in. He pivots just as another rift tears open behind him¡ªtoo late. Leo emerges, driving his dagger into Fido¡¯s back. Fido grits his teeth and swipes with an arrow, but Leo is gone again. Rifts flicker open to his right. Then his left. Then above. Daggers rain from every direction, a lethal barrage. Leo descends from the sky, dagger poised for the final strike. Fido reacts in an instant. Holstering his bow, he materializes two short daggers. With a swift backflip, he evades the blade behind him¡ªjust enough for the others to miss. The moment Leo lands, Fido meets him head-on. Their weapons clash, locked in a test of strength. Leo smirks. "Not just an archer, huh?" Fido answers with a sudden, brutal headbutt. Leo staggers¡ªjust enough for Fido to blur to his right and strike. Leo shifts to block, but it¡¯s a feint. In an instant, Fido reappears at his left. His dagger slices toward Leo¡¯s face. Leo barely reacts in time, but the blade grazes his skin, leaving a sharp cut from ear to lip. Fido presses forward, relentless in his assault¡ªbut in a blink, Leo vanishes into another rift. Without hesitation, Fido reaches after him, but the moment his arm touches the rift, a searing pain shoots through him. He recoils, gritting his teeth. Then¡ªdozens of rifts tear open around the arena, encircling him. Before he can react, Leo bursts from one at blinding speed, slashing across Fido¡¯s side before vanishing into another. A heartbeat later, he reappears from a different rift, striking again. Then another. And another. The relentless assault leaves Fido struggling to keep up. He manages to dodge and deflect some of the blows, but fatigue is creeping in¡ªhis movements growing sluggish. Every attack he fails to evade leaves another mark¡ªfresh cuts and grazes slicing across his arms, his legs, his face. Blood drips onto the sand. Leo isn¡¯t letting up. Fido, still dodging, swiftly pulls out his bow. Spotting Leo emerging from a rift, he lets loose an arrow¡ªnot aimed to wound, but to disrupt. The arrow detonates with a deafening, high-pitched ring. Leo recoils, clutching his ears, and the crowd does the same, wincing at the unbearable noise. Seizing the moment, Fido fires a barrage of arrows at Leo, but before they can land, a rift swallows him whole. The arrows follow him through. Fido''s eyes widen. "The arrows didn¡¯t burn." A grin spreads across his face. He materializes a massive bow, nearly as tall as he is. With a swift, fluid motion, he begins spinning in place, unleashing hundreds of arrows into every rift in sight. One by one, the rifts collapse¡ªexcept for one. Leo stumbles out, riddled with arrows. His knees buckle, and he crashes to the ground. Immediately, the magical students on standby rush into the arena, surrounding Leo and beginning their healing magic. "Fido is the winner!" Master Eld¡¯s voice booms across the arena. The crowd erupts into cheers. ¡°These students are incredible!¡± one student shouts, clapping. ¡°The warriors expected to make the top five are monsters. I wouldn¡¯t last a second against them,¡± another mutters in awe. Maria, already healed thanks to the magic students, jumps to her feet, pumping her fist in the air. "Yeah! Let''s go, Fido!" Fido spots Maria in the crowd, her face lit up with a wide grin. He pumps his fist in the air, smiling. Then, his gaze shifts toward the doors leading to the waiting area¡ªwhere he knows Kai is watching. "Your turn next."