《The Bright Dark》 Chapter 0 ¡°As long as there exist people who are being protected, there exists weakness, and there exists a weak spot, and safety is not guaranteed.¡± ¡ªTenos A week before the day when the Light chooses its bearers, widely known as Selection Day, where every person who turned 17 goes and touches the Essence, the entity the created life as they know it, in hopes of being blessed by it''s Light and granted a ring to protect Orsus their home they cherish, Trise, an Emperor Candidate with the ability of divine revelation believed by many across the land to be the word of the Essence¡ªand which earned her the name of "God''s Tongue"¡ªsaw a prophecy that echoed through the land and caused a ruckus. Although some called it propaganda and lies, most believed and feared the prophecy as it came from God''s Tongue.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. She stated: "A Prophet will come, one born of two antithetical energies, and will be the last bearer of a ring, he will be the end of our world and will be the bearer of a new one. Shall you follow the Prophet, you''d meet your demise following the Light. Shall you defy him, you''d meet your demise following the Bright Dark." Chapter 1 : Selection Day Atenyos wakes up to the sound of cheers from the people of the capital of Orsus, "Catem." The streets are filled with people from all seven territories, gathered to celebrate Selection Day and their new protectors. The Emperors sent out wagons to gather all men and women who have reached the age of 17 and bring them to the capital, as the Essence has deemed it Selection Day. Atenyos rises with his black hair mussed and uneven, feeling confused and disgusted, thinking: "All these people gathering just to celebrate weakness, how foolish. I pity them." "We live in hiding and always on the defense, waiting for the next attack, only to send out forces to be killed and slaughtered." Atenyos knew that being a ring bearer isn''t exactly a blessing but a curse, a role forced upon you. He pondered a day when this endless war would end and thought about Trise¡¯s revelation: "Maybe that prophet she spoke of will bring change, although I doubt it." His mother was against him going, and it left a bad taste in his mouth, as she always cared for him and loved him fully. He bore the burden of her worries with him, as she seemed to know something was going to happen. Freya, Atenyos''s mother, was a ring bearer herself, and oh, how much she had lost because of it. As the wagon Atenyos was in started nearing Catem¡¯s main palace, he began tidying up his all-black shirt and oversized, loose pants. "Aye, why the grumpy look, man? We''re going to meet the Emperors¡ªget excited and don''t ruin our mood," said a person on the other side of the wagon, sitting in Atenyos''s line of sight. "You''re excited to get chosen and die in battle, huh? Funny," Atenyos said with a smirk. The wagon was big enough to hold up to 12 people, and they all looked at Atenyos¡ªsome in anger and some in complete awe. "Shut up, huh?! We''re almost at the palace," said one of the guards riding the horses and in charge of their transportation. Everyone went silent, but they kept an eye on Atenyos, making sure to remember the man who mocked their heroes and their dreams. Minutes passed as they entered the castle and began leaving the wagon. One of the people slightly pushed Atenyos as they passed through the palace door, trying to spark any type of reaction from him. However, Atenyos dismissed it as if it had never occurred and kept on, wanting to see the so-called Emperors up close. He wanted to see the people who claimed they ruled and protected him. "Are you good, Atenyos?" one of the guards asked as we entered the palace. He had noticed the gazes on my back from the rest of the people I rode with. I let him know I was alright and it was nothing. As I walked into the palace, I was amazed by how elegant and beautiful the colors and drawings on the wall were, the glass windows etched with images of the Emperors in battle, and the marble floor that gave off a cool air around my feet. I had never seen such a life back in my home, all crumbled up with broken wood eaten away by bugs. As the cursed child, it¡¯s no wonder I would get the lesser, while the so-called protectors live in luxury. They rarely even fight themselves. But again, "Atenyos, son of the Bright Dark" was what I was called, born when a gate opened right above our home from the clashing energies of the Essence and The Bright Dark. As soon as it happened, my mom went into labor. As I heard from the maids, I was born with lightning-like marks on my arms, all black, and they slowly vanished as I got older. So as the freak I am, it¡¯s good they even let me live. The guards took us to a waiting room and told us to wait as the Emperors were gathering for the speech before the selection. About 30 minutes passed as we waited around. The door opened, and some of the guards led us to the main palace hall. We were about 300 or so people from around all eight territories. I felt a strange itching in my right arm as I entered the palace hall, but I dismissed it. As I walked in, I was met with eight large thrones, with seven people sitting on them. The biggest of them all was placed in the middle and was empty. I¡¯m sure it was Enyos''s throne. I can¡¯t believe they still have it¡ª17 years and it still looks cared for. As I was checking out the hall and its breathtaking magnificence, Setis, the 2nd strongest of the Emperors, stood up. "Today marks a new age of protectors, a new age of ring bearers blessed by the Light, given enough power to move mass like no other, run so fast as no other, and slash an enemy like no other. Some of you might even have a power within you that resembles that of an Emperor candidate. The six Emperors and I are excited to see you all today¡ªyouth ready to fight for this land, with loyalty running through their veins. We get angry and see all black when someone tries to take this from us¡ªthis life we live, blessed by the Essence. We do not anger out of a feeling of duty, but out of a feeling of loyalty born from love for this land, love for the people, and love for the families and the borders we protect. Whether you are selected today or not, we know you are loyal and ready to serve this land, giving your all to it, and we respect you for it. In return, we will lay down our lives for you as well. HEADS UP, YOUTH, FOR THIS DAY MARKS A NEW AGE, A NEW AGE OF POWER, A NEW AGE OF PROTECTORS!"The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. I could see the light in Setis''s eyes. He wasn¡¯t talking from some script¡ªhe meant every word. And how I pity him for that. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk as everyone raged in excitement, clapping their hands, jumping with thrill, and shivering with anticipation. All I did was smirk, and that was enough for Claruvis, Setis¡¯s candidate, to take notice. He doesn¡¯t have a power, so his output of 54% all goes to enhanced physical prowess, which includes hearing and sight. "What are you smirking for, kid?" Claruvis asked angrily, with an offended look in his eyes. The room went entirely silent. Even the Emperors were surprised. Everyone was on high alert, watching, trying to understand what was going on. I replied, "Why am I smirking? Heh, why are they celebrating? And why is our Emperor lying? You think this is an honor? What an amazing honor it is to get powerful enough to stand up, yet cower behind the walls and only defend. Our soldiers die every day, and you call it honor? I call it cowardice. You are a coward, Claruvis, and all of you are cowards. I pity you all. I shall not live a life where I sleep at night not knowing if I''ll wake up to the blade of the enemy. So don¡¯t ask me why I¡¯m smirking, my pitiful cousin." I wasn''t really thinking about the consequences of my words. Angered, Claruvis unsheathed his sword and charged at me. In less than a second, his sword was at my neck. The people who stood next to me all fell and stood afar. I looked him dead in the eyes as he looked down at me with anger¡ªso much anger in his eyes, as if I had just killed a loved one of his. I felt the pressure of the beautifully crafted sword against my neck as a small drop of blood began to flow. Setis raised his hand, signaling for Claruvis to stop. He didn¡¯t even bother to ask him to; I seemed to irritate him as well, so he just raised his arm. Claruvis took a step back, removing the sword from my neck as I breathed heavily, trying to catch my lost breath. He put his sword back at his waist and walked back to Setis, who gently tapped him on the shoulder, trying to calm him down. "A lot of people lost their lives, yes, indeed a lot did. But we stand here today to protect what they stood for. Their death was not in vain, as we are continuing their objective and message through our actions. You say you pity us? But we pity you¡ªsomeone so blind to the sacrifice that was made, unaware of the burden we carry," Setis said gently, as it seemed my words had sparked unwanted memories. Bullshit. It¡¯s all bullshit. Sacrifice, my ass. So my father sacrificed himself? No, he didn¡¯t. All this death could¡¯ve been avoided if we had just ended the bastards. We don¡¯t fight to protect¡ªwe sleep and await death. I looked at Setis after all the messed up nonsense he said and bowed my head slightly, as if I was agreeing with him. I didn¡¯t want any more attention. It seemed the entire room despised me after that. "Okay, now after this ruckus, let¡¯s begin the selection process. The guards will call your name. All you need to do is walk up and go with them through this guarded room. As soon as you enter, just walk to the Light. You¡¯ll know everything from there," Setis said. As soon as he said that, he went back and sat down on his throne with Claruvis standing next to him. He whispered something in his ear that I couldn''t understand, not even by reading his lips. It seemed like he gave the guards a few orders, and right away, the guards started calling names. He called a few names, and they all came out with no rings and no powers, until Morol was called out. He had a tall build, not filled with muscle, but he looked like an efficient fighter. There was an aura around him, and it seemed like the Emperors took notice of it too. He was guided to the room with big, strong walls that looked impenetrable and immovable, yet they opened on their own as he neared. He entered and stayed there for about three minutes. When he walked out, he was shining brightly with a grey ring that was almost white but not quite. The Emperors all stood, and Setis asked him what his power was. He simply said, "Speed." He had gained the power of speed and lightning-fast reflexes, and on the side of his ring was the percentage "13.4%," which was amazing, as the normal ring bearer would have about 10% or less and spend their entire life training to try to increase it. Some of them are only able to raise it by 2-3%. He was a citizen of Leritas, the land governed by Peritas, the Emperor with the power to control velocity itself. So, he joined the guild of his Emperor and was guided to one of the palace rooms, awaiting the transportation that would lead him to the guild the next day. The guards continued calling names. They skimmed through upwards of 139 names, all of which were disappointing failures, unable to gain the light¡¯s blessings. The Emperors had mixed feelings¡ªsome were disappointed, some in awe, and others worried. It was strange; it seemed like the Essence was afraid to appoint new bearers, as if it was trying to protect itself from someone. The guards kept going, and for some odd reason, it seemed like my name was being kept for last. I¡¯m sure it''s Claruvis¡¯s doing¡ªthat petty asshole. They kept calling until they reached the name right before mine: Lurianne, a girl whose skin was white as snow and who seemed elegant, with features of royalty. She wasn¡¯t tall and appeared quite feminine. She was walked up to the gates, entered, and came out after about two minutes, shining brightly with her eyes glowing white. Her grey ring almost resembled the color of clouds¡ªgrey yet light to the eye. When asked about her powers, she answered, "It seems like I''m able to shine a light bright enough to blind an enemy." She seemed confident, and her output was 9.83%. She was a citizen of Lland, the territory governed by Lutens, an Emperor with the power to control magnetism and electricity. She was also appointed a room and waited. I was the last person to be called out, and it seemed like everyone was waiting for it. Claruvis gave me a look with eyes filled with pride, like he was looking down on me. I didn''t care at all; it''s not like I wanted to join their pathetic corps to keep defending this place that had given me nothing but pain and estrangement. I was called up and walked to the door, which, for some reason, took time to open, as if I was unwelcome, which wasn''t an unfamiliar feeling. My right hand ached as I entered the room. It was empty and vast, with nothing but a bright light at the end. I kept walking toward it, and the closer I got, the more my hand ached, and the ache slowly turned into pain. I grabbed my right hand with my left, trying to calm down, but I saw the black marks I had borne when I was young reappear. The closer I went to the light, the worse the pain became, until it felt like the light engulfed me. I screamed in agony as my back and spine felt like they were being torn apart. The next moment, I passed out. An explosion-like occurrence followed, as Atenyos was thrown out of the room where the Essence resides. It looked like he had been pushed hard and smashed into the palace wall, cracking it where he landed. Some Emperors rushed to him while others went to check if the room¡¯s gates were still intact. Setis looked at Atenyos and noticed that his hand bore a white ring¡ªa pure white ring on his left hand. He was speechless. Then Lutens looked at him in shock, holding his right hand, where he had a bright, dark ring that seemed like a void, not reflecting any color. Chapter Two:What happened?! In one of the palace rooms, Atenyos woke up in complete agony, pain coursing through his body from head to toe. But there was one place where the pain was the most intense¡ªimagine the sensation of every bone in your hands shattering into dust. Although he was physically unharmed, it didn¡¯t feel that way. He screamed as if waking from a nightmarish dream, and as soon as his eyes opened, the pain vanished, as though it had been washed away. "Augh." "What the hell happened?" Atenyos mumbled, adjusting himself on the bed he was lying on. ¡°We want to know that too. What happened, Atenyos?¡± A deep voice asked, one so powerful it made Atenyos''s chest tighten, as if he were standing on top of Mount Seran. I glanced to my left, and there he was. I knew him by name, but I had never seen him in person¡ªKantara, Irium''s Emperor Candidate. A man with the power to strike fear into anyone he considered an enemy or threat. I answered simply, ¡°I don''t know.¡± And I really didn¡¯t. All I remembered was the excruciating pain and the sensation of my hands being crushed under an immense force. "I see. So you don''t remember. That¡¯s what we expected." Kantara¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Let me tell you what happened. You went to meet the essence to see if you''d gain its favor and its ring. But three minutes in, you were thrown from the room and smashed into the palace walls. We brought you here. Now, answer me, Atenyos¡ªwhat is your power? Why do you have two rings? And why is one pure black and the other pure white? You must have received some knowledge, as the rest of us did, about your powers." I looked down at my hands, and there they were¡ªa black ring on my right hand and a white ring on my left. The scars I had borne since childhood greeted me once more. Atenyos was speechless. The truth was, he hadn¡¯t gained any knowledge at all. He knew no more about what had happened than the others did. "I don''t know," he stammered. "I... I didn¡¯t receive any knowledge. I don¡¯t remember anything. All I recall is the pain... and a white light that jumped toward me, engulfing me." He shuddered, the memory of the agony still fresh. Kantara seemed to believe him, as Atenyos¡¯s words rang true. The fact that his rings were inscribed with "0.01%" suggested that even if he had gained a power, it was insignificant¡ªa percentage so small it posed no threat. Or so Kantara thought. Little did he know... Kantara explained that they would now move to the capital of Terram, as Atenyos belonged to Irium¡¯s land. He was offered proper attire, but he refused, choosing to wear the ragged clothes he had walked in with. The carriage awaited them at the palace gates, ready to depart. They were already two days late due to Atenyos¡¯s condition. At the top of the palace stood Setis and Iruim. ¡°What do you make of this, Iruim? This is the first time the light has behaved this way. Based on Kantara¡¯s report, it seems the light engulfed him,¡± Setis asked, a mix of confusion, worry, and agitation in his voice. ¡°I don''t know, Setis,¡± Iruim replied. ¡°Even though his percentage doesn¡¯t seem threatening, we can¡¯t take our eyes off him. He¡¯s under my watch now, and I¡¯ll report everything that happens. We need to understand what¡¯s going on, and what that black ring represents.¡± Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. "Okay, Iruim. You know I trust you. I¡¯ll leave this in your hands. But remember¡ªif you even have the slightest doubt that he could be a threat, eliminate him without hesitation. That¡¯s not an order, Iruim¡ªthat¡¯s a request from a friend who wants to protect the peace we fought so hard for, and sacrificed so much to maintain." They exchanged a firm handshake, sealing their pact. Iruim then leapt from the palace high-rise, jumping across the castle spires as he headed toward the capital. Setis walked back to his room in the palace, a chamber as large as a commoner''s home, with marble floors and a bed draped in gold. As he sat down, he thought to himself: "What if that kid is right? He reminds me of Enyos. He always believed the way we dealt with the Witnesses was wrong. He thought we should just end them, not hide behind our walls. But we did what we thought was right. What would you have done in this predicament, Enyos? My friend, I wish you were here. I wish you were here¡ªit would''ve been so much easier knowing you were standing with us. Maybe we¡¯ve lost too much, Enyos. My comrades, fallen, never to see the light of day or the smiles of their sons. My beloved Anaya¡­ Oh, if only you were all here, would I still have this doubt? I can''t believe the words of a child have shaken my belief in what we''ve done. We''ve upheld this system for years, stood by it. Is it really time for change? No. We must protect the peace we''ve longed for. We will keep fighting the Witnesses, if they so wish to face us. The Bright Dark won''t defeat us if we stand together." Setis spent the entire day reflecting on the encounter and wondering why the Light had chosen only three ring-bearers, and how it had handled that boy. He wanted to continue what they had started, but the doubt lingered. I¡¯m on my way to the capital. Kantara hasn¡¯t taken his eyes off me, not even giving me a moment to breathe. This is too much. What¡¯s happening to me? Why do I have two rings? And what the fuck is 0.01% output?! Are you kidding me? Oh god... I¡¯ll get to the bottom of this as soon as we return to the guild. I slept for a bit, and in about a day, we were back at Terram¡¯s Capital and the guild¡¯s headquarters. Kantara led me to my room and told me someone would come to escort me to the training facility. The entire guild would be there to witness my powers. "What?! What powers?!" Atenyos exclaimed, shocked. "I told you, I don¡¯t have any¡ªor at least I haven¡¯t gained any knowledge of them. What will you be testing?" ¡°Nothing to worry about, Atenyos. Since you don¡¯t know your powers yet, we won¡¯t ask you to use them. We¡¯ll just test your strength, and you might spar with someone. But don¡¯t worry, no one will go all out on you. This is just to see where you stand,¡± Kantara said calmly. He wasn¡¯t trying to comfort Atenyos so much as to explain what would happen. ¡°I¡¯ll be off now. Someone will come to pick you up and take you to the headquarters'' training facility,¡± Kantara said as he stood up to leave Atenyos¡¯ room. *Sparring?* Atenyos thought to himself. *I know how to fight¡ªI¡¯ve trained for it since I was young¡ªbut I don¡¯t stand a chance against a ring bearer. And how will they even test my strength beforehand?* Atenyos sat by himself, contemplating, and as Kantara had said, 30 minutes later someone came to escort him to the training facility. Inside were about 30 people, all of whom had heard about the scene Atenyos caused on Selection Day. Word spread fast throughout the lands. Some were indifferent and wanted to meet him before making judgments, while others had already taken sides. Some even admired him for standing up to Setis and facing Claruvis. ¡°He¡¯s here.¡± ¡°That guy stood in front of Claruvis? They must¡¯ve exaggerated the story or something.¡± ¡°Atenyos, huh.¡± As soon as I entered, I heard several ring bearers whispering and looking at me from afar, their stares piercing through me like daggers. *Leave me alone, damn it.* ¡°Okay, calm down. Sir Iruim is here,¡± Kantara announced. The entire room stood at attention, placing their right hands over their hearts as a sign of respect for the Emperor. Atenyos, unsure of what to do, stood there awkwardly. ¡°At ease. I¡¯m sure everyone here knows who this is, as he caused quite the commotion on Selection Day. But don¡¯t treat him as you would a stranger. He is one of us now. We are a team; we are brothers. We share the same goals, so put aside your personal opinions and emotions. Treat him as an equal,¡± Iruim said, calm but firm. His words were clearly orders not to be questioned. ¡°Atenyos, welcome. We¡¯ll now start your tests. At the end of the room, you¡¯ll see a ball. I want you to punch it as hard as you can. It will display a number that will serve as a measure of your physical strength since we still don¡¯t know what your powers are. This will give us a baseline for your prowess, and then we¡¯ll proceed to sparring,¡± Iruim explained, his tone neutral. The room fell silent, confusion visible on some faces as Iruim mentioned not knowing what Atenyos¡¯ powers were. This was a first for them, as every other ring bearer had known the full extent of their abilities the moment they gained their rings. The crystal ball was a device crafted by the land''s engineers to measure the physical prowess of those who hit it. Atenyos was given a path to the crystal ball, which shimmered white. He didn¡¯t care much about what others thought, even if it turned out he was weak. But he still wanted to know for himself how strong he had become after gaining not one but two rings, despite his doubts due to the measly output of 0.01%. I walked up to the crystal ball. I don¡¯t care about the guild, but I¡¯ll give it my all. I still want to know where I stand. He stood in position, preparing to hit the ball with power. Iruim watched closely, intrigued by the way Atenyos positioned himself¡ªit reminded him of something, though he couldn¡¯t place it. Atenyos¡¯ hands ached as he stood there, the air around him shifting as though a wind was passing by. His rings glowed faintly as he struck the crystal ball, causing an explosion of air to erupt around him. A loud bang echoed through the room. Although Atenyos didn¡¯t notice it, Iruim and Kantara saw a spark in his black ring, and the lightning marks on his skin grew larger. He stood tall as the ball displayed the number: 14,654. The room went silent. What they had just witnessed was the physical prowess of a ring bearer operating at about 14-16% output. Even Iruim looked shocked, and Kantara was almost pushed back by the sheer force of the air blast caused by the hit. ¡°Atenyos,¡± Iruim said, his voice shaken, his face still in disbelief at the strength of someone with only a 0.01% output. Chapter 3: I Am Atenyos stood still, the air around him still moving. His back faced his comrades as Iruim called his name. He turned to face Iruim and walked toward him, but suddenly, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. Thud. "ATENYOS?!" Iruim shouted as he watched the boy fall. Ipsum, one of his soon to be comrades, rushed over to check on him. He knelt beside Atenyos and confirmed that he had passed out. "He''s out. I''m taking him to the Guild''s healers," Ipsum said, not asking for permission but stating what he was going to do. Iruim nodded as Ipsum lifted the unconscious Atenyos and hurried him to the guild''s healing room. There, one of the healers examined him and confirmed that he was merely exhausted, his body unable to handle his power output for some reason. Atenyos was taken to his room to rest while the rest of the guild prepared for the welcoming dinner in his honor. It was tradition, even though there was usually more than one new recruit at a time. "Sir, did you see that?" Kantara asked Iruim, his voice laced with concern. "How can he be that strong with that output? yet unable to handle his own power? What¡¯s going on? A ring-bearer is always given a body capable of managing their output from the start." "I don¡¯t know, Kantara. This boy... he¡¯s different. There¡¯s something strange going on with him, and we need to figure out what. Did you notice his stance? It seemed... familiar somehow, but I can¡¯t quite place it," Iruim responded thoughtfully, his tone calm, as though he was already piecing together a plan. "For now, let¡¯s wait until he wakes up. The healers said he should be up before the welcoming dinner tonight. Make sure someone is there to wake him and get him ready," Iruim added, his voice more professional now. Kantara understood. This was Iruim¡¯s way of telling him to leave, to let him think things through in peace. Some time passes as everyone prepares to welcome the new ring bearers. This year, however, there is only one newcomer. Yet, that one person has stirred more interest and excitement within the guild than any other class of ring bearers since the legendary Kantara¡¯s Wave. Atenyos wakes up, hesitant and in agony from all the power he just exerted. The exhaustion he feels is like that of a man who¡¯s fought a long battle or run several marathons, only he¡¯s gained it all in mere seconds. His muscles and body are overworked, and healers stand by, working to ease his intense fatigue. Ipsum is also there, overseeing the process. ¡°Ugh, not this bullshit again. Fucking hell,¡± Atenyos mumbles, irritated to find himself waking up once more after passing out due to his rings and powers. ¡°Atenyos. I¡¯m Ipsum, one of your comrades here in the guild. Nice to meet you,¡± Ipsum says with a warm smile to ease Atenyos¡¯s stress. ¡°You just passed out after that extraordinary feat you pulled off in the arena.¡± ¡°Now, you need to get ready for your welcoming party¡ªor dinner, to be more specific. Everyone is waiting on you, newcomer! Hop, hop! Be quick. You¡¯ll find clothes in your wardrobe; just wear whatever suits you,¡± Ipsum adds with an excited, joking tone. ¡°Welcoming dinner? Really? What are they even welcoming?¡± Atenyos grumbles, frustration clear in his voice. ¡°It¡¯s not like I want to be here. Damn it¡­ Alright, I¡¯ll get ready now. Please, just let me be and take the healers with you,¡± he says, adjusting himself on the bed with a resigned expression. Ipsum nods, taking the healers with him, and assures Atenyos he¡¯ll return in twenty minutes to escort him to the hall. ¡°I really need to figure this out. How can my output be so low, yet I have so much power?¡± Atenyos murmurs to himself in confusion as he stares at his rings and scarred hands. ¡°What are you? White and black rings, like opposing forces¡­ Doesn¡¯t the light only grant white rings? How did I end up with both? Why do I always have to be so damn different? I hate this.¡± He speaks to his rings, as if hoping they might answer him, but his plea is met with silence.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Atenyos rises and changes into a black attire similar to the one he wore before, only less worn and torn. He waits for Ipsum to return. Knock, knock. Ipsum opens the door and leads Atenyos to the hall. As Atenyos opens the doors, he is met with something entirely unexpected. Atenyos was welcomed by the claps and cheers of his newfound comrades. Smiles and excitement filled the faces of everyone in the hall, honoring him for the remarkable feat he had accomplished, especially in light of the recent controversies. However, a few smiles among the crowd seemed forced, hiding ulterior motives behind their facades. Atenyos returned the welcome with a faint smile, still fatigued, his body aching. He took a seat as Kantara greeted him, ¡°Quite the welcome, eh!¡± he said with a broad, genuine grin, clearly pleased that Atenyos had brought life and motivation back to the guild. ¡°Yeah, definitely unexpected,¡± Atenyos replied, rubbing his hair and smiling uncontrollably. For the first time in his life, he felt a sense of belonging. Just then, Iruim arrived, joining them at the table. He welcomed Atenyos and congratulated him on the impressive power he had displayed. ¡°You managed to impress even the unimpressed, Atenyos! Well done,¡± Iruim said. ¡°Your stance back there seemed rather unique and somewhat¡­ familiar. Strange. Where did you learn to fight?¡± ¡°My father,¡± Atenyos replied. ¡°After he died, my mother gave me his journals. They contained training manuals and defensive techniques. I studied them as a kid¡ªthey were the only connection I had to him.¡± Atenyos¡¯s smile carried a hint of sadness as old memories resurfaced. ¡°I see. It sounds like your father was an extraordinary man, Atenyos. You should be proud,¡± Iruim said, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°Now, let¡¯s enjoy the dinner! No time for pouting,¡± Ipsum interjected, noticing Atenyos''s unease and wanting to change the subject. The guild celebrated, eating to their hearts¡¯ content. Afterward, Atenyos walked around to greet his fellow guild members out of respect. He wanted no further troubles, as he was focused on understanding his power and avoiding unnecessary hassles. When Atenyos greeted Mendr, one of the female ring bearers in the guild, his hands began to ache slightly. The rings on his fingers seemed to tighten, as if cautioning him about her. ¡°My name is Mendr. Nice to meet you, Atenyos. I hope we can become the best of comrades. You¡¯re quite the showman¡ªI¡¯m sure we could learn a lot from each other,¡± Mendr said in a cute, innocent tone, smiling excitedly. Atenyos, who was inexperienced with women, momentarily forgot the pain in his hands. He smiled back and replied, ¡°Of course. It would be an honor,¡± trying to appear nonchalant. As the hours passed and the evening wound down, Iruim made an announcement. ¡°Atenyos, you demonstrated great strength and skill this morning. Impressive and intriguing, to say the least. For now, I¡¯ll assign you to the guild¡¯s subsection, Higard, under the direct supervision of Kantara. I hope you¡¯ll find valuable lessons under his guidance and with the incredible comrades you¡¯ll work alongside.¡± Atenyos looked over at Kantara and gave him a respectful nod. The day came to an end, and everyone returned to their rooms, some drunk, others exhausted. Ipsum guided Atenyos back to his quarters, as he was still unfamiliar with the layout of the guild¡¯s headquarters. ¡°We¡¯ll start training at sunrise tomorrow, Atenyos, so make sure to get some rest. It was nice to meet you, my friend,¡± Ipsum said warmly, with a light smile at the doorway to Atenyos¡¯s room. Atenyos nodded his thanks, offering a faint smile. The word "friend" was rare for him to hear directed his way, and although he still felt cautious about forming connections, he let it be¡ªfor now. He went into the room, took off his shirt, and sat down on the hard wooden floor. As he settled, the floor creaked beneath him. He crossed his legs and sat quietly. "Time to figure out all this ring bullshit," Atenyos muttered, trying to clear his mind and focus. He closed his eyes, letting his mind drift as he honed in on the physical sensations of his body and his surroundings. Every breath he took, he could feel and hear; the faint creak of the floor as he adjusted himself, the steady beat of his heart, even the flow of blood through his veins. The room smelled freshly cleaned, with the scent of crisp air flowing in through the window, mingling with the earthy aroma of the gardens and forests that surrounded the headquarters. Slowly, he began to activate his powers, attempting to channel the ring¡¯s energy to reinforce his body in hopes of unlocking some new mastery or strength. The air around him stirred, the pressure in the room thickening as though he were underwater. His hand ached as the lightning marks etched on his skin grew darker and more pronounced. Dark energy, almost black lightning, seemed to radiate from his body. When he opened his eyes, they glowed a bright white, devoid of pupils or any trace of color. The power felt luxurious, exhilarating, like his body was being immersed in the pure, cool waters that flowed from the rivers and waterfalls atop Mount Seran. The excitement was overwhelming, and in his thrill, his power surged out of control. The air around him whirled like a hurricane; the pressure intensified as if he were in the depths of the ocean. Pain shot through his body. Unbeknownst to him, his power was so intense that Kantara awoke, sensing the disturbance, and rushed to Iruim, who was already alert for the same reason. They quickly attempted to trace the source of the energy, while Atenyos, in agony, struggled to regain control. With a deep breath, he focused, calming the room as he collapsed onto his back, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily as though he''d just run a marathon. The energy vanished abruptly, leaving Iruim and Kantara stunned. ¡°What was that?¡± Kantara shouted, as if Iruim had the answer. ¡°Was it him? Was it Atenyos? I¡¯ve never sensed such a presence.¡± Kantara¡¯s voice held a rare hint of fear. ¡°I don¡¯t know. The only other time I¡¯ve felt energy like that was from a gate¡ªa powerful one, at that. Don¡¯t wake anyone, but search the premises. Also, check on Atenyos and report back to me. I¡¯ll be in my chambers.¡± Iruim tried to sound professional, though he was as shaken as Kantara. Kantara searched every corner of the headquarters and the surrounding area, finding nothing out of place. When he reached Atenyos¡¯s quarters, he found him lying on his bed, shirtless and apparently asleep. Satisfied, he returned to Iruim to report his findings. ¡°Did they sense it?¡± Atenyos whispered to himself after Kantara had left his room. ¡°I¡¯ll have to be more careful from now on. It seems I¡¯m stronger than I realized. If I don¡¯t want to stir up trouble or attract attention, I¡¯ll need to keep a low profile. They only let me go last time because they thought the black ring was just for show¡ªthat my power output was minimal.¡± He drifted off to sleep, still processing what had happened and what it might mean. Meanwhile, Kantara returned to Iruim to report. ¡°So, you found nothing, and Atenyos was asleep?¡± Iruim said, perplexed. ¡°Keep an eye on him, Kantara. If my suspicions are correct, we¡¯re in a very precarious situation. We still can¡¯t fully trust him,¡± he added, his tone laced with worry, underscoring the gravity of the order. Kantara nodded and took his leave, preparing himself for tomorrow, when he would once again train this peculiar boy. Chapter 4: Get to Know Muffled voices outside his door awoke Atenyos. He blinked groggily, every part of his body screaming in protest at the exertions from the day before. His mind replayed the surge of power, the black lightning coursing in his veins, and the oppressive energy that almost crushed him. He knew he couldn''t allow himself to stay there, even as exhaustion screamed at him for more rest. Today was the first day he was working with Kantara''s team, and he just couldn''t afford any display of weakness. As Atenyos pushed himself out of bed, the door creaked open. Ipsum stood there, his usual bright grin plastered across his face. ¡°Morning, sunshine! Slept well?¡± Ipsum said, leaning against the doorway. Atenyos groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°I¡¯ve had better nights.¡± "Well, no time for complaints. Kantara wants us all in the training yard. He''s eager to get you integrated with the team." Ipsum gestured for Atenyos to follow, and the two made their way through the guild corridors. The training yard bustled with the team members warming up. Kantara stood in the center, arms crossed as he watched them. Atenyos ran a keen eye over the group, each of different builds and demeanors. "Everyone, gather up!" Kantara''s voice boomed, silencing the chatter. The team formed a semi-circle around him. This is Atenyos, our newest recruit. I expect you all to get to know him, train with him, and make sure he doesn''t get himself killed." Kantara''s tone was serious, but a hint of humor lingered at the edges. The team members took turns introducing themselves. Ipsum was already a known face; he explained how he could change his body temperature. As if on cue, he made his hand hot till it turned red, the heat making the air whirl around it. Then came the physical prowess members, their outputs ranging from 18% to 22%. They didn''t have any special powers, but their physique and martial arts skills spoke volumes. Each of them carried themselves with confidence, and each step taken was a calculated one, as though their bodies were weapons, honed through many battles. First among them was Cassian, an imposing man with wide shoulders and tree-trunk-thick arms. His output came to 22%, the highest among those in the group who were without powers. Strong, he had been known for the unyielding use of gigantic weapons that nobody else could use, striking with such power and strength that it could cleave through solid stone. Given his imposing size, he was rather calm and quiet, often acting as an anchor for the team. Next to him stood Lucian, a wiry but muscular fighter with an output of 20%. Lucian specialized in agility and speed, as his fast reflexes allowed him to easily gain the upper hand over opponents. Sharp-eyed, he was always looking on the battlefield for weaknesses and openings. Not having supernatural abilities, the uncanny precision with throwing knives and close combat techniques turned him into a force to be dealt with. Rounding out the group was Marcellus, whose 18% output belied his strategic mind. A master tactician, Marcellus used his strength in calculated bursts, always maximizing his impact. He used a long spear with precision, keeping enemies at bay while providing support for his comrades. Without as much brute force as Cassian or the speed of Lucian, the balance of strength and intellect made him a key player in the team''s success. Of course, each of them had their own way of adding to the dynamic of the team, with their unique fighting styles and relentless vigor, despite not having any supernatural powers. They were there because of hard work, blood, and sweat and hours of grueling practice. They knew how to work as a unit, their trust in one another evident in their every move. Then there were the power users: the first, a tall, stoic man by the name of Revior, had the power of reversing damage with the caveat of having severe backlash; sparse in speech, his words measured and well thought out.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. He was followed by a wiry energetic man named Luterra, who could accelerate his limbs. He demonstrated this as his fists flew in rapid punches that blurred in the air, his movements a little clumsy. Finally, there was Elvora, a poised woman with pale scars lining her arms. She had the power to feel no pain and regenerate rapidly, though there''s a catch: the bigger the wound, the faster it heals, and vice versa for the smaller wounds; this makes her the team''s most durable member yet one with the higher risk. As the introductions ended, Kantara motioned for Atenyos to follow him. They walked a short distance off from the group, until Kantara turned to face him. "About yesterday," Kantara said, in a low tone. "That surge of power¡­what happened?" Atenyos shifted uncomfortably, refusing to meet Kantara''s piercing gaze. "I don''t know. I blacked out. When I woke up, everything felt. off. Kantara watched him for a few seconds, his face inscrutable. "Alright. But if anything like that ever happens again, you have to tell me. Understand?" Atenyos nodded, fully aware he could never tell the truth. Later that day, the team was dispatched on a routine mission to a nearby forest. Reports of corrupted animals had come to the guild-a sign that a Bright Dark gate might have opened in the recent past. The forest was unnaturally still as they made their way through it. Even the air was thick, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. Atenyos stuck close to Ipsum, who led their group with an easy confidence. "Keep your eyes open," Kantara warned. "The Bright Dark leaves no witnesses, but weaker creatures like animals can still be corrupted. On cue, a guttural growl resounded from the trees. A pack emerged, their fur matted and eyes glowing with an unnatural light. "Here we go!" Ipsum shouted, his hands already flaming up. The team leaped into action. The physical prowess members charged forward, their fists and weapons clashing against the corrupted wolves. Cassian led the way, his large battle axe cleaving into the corrupted wolves with raw strength. Lucian darted around, his knives thrown true with each calculated movement. Marcellus held at bay many of the beasts with his spear, his measured strikes and defensive stance making openings for the others. All combined, their strength and coordination proved vital in the chaotic battle. Revior held his ground, reflecting the wolves'' attacks back at them; though, the effort left him wincing in pain. Luterra darted in and out of the fray, his accelerated punches and kicks delivering rapid blows. Atenyos wavered, his fists clenching in effort as he worked to call forth his power without allowing it to overpower him. As a wolf leapt toward him, instinct slammed him sideways against the ground as he belched a blast of energy outward. It was too hard; the wolf sailed into a tree with a nasty crack. "Nice shot!" said Ipsum, fire dancing along his arms as he reduced another wolf to ashes. The battle was over just about as fast as it started, the corrupted animals lay motionless around them. Kantara scanned the area, his face grim. "This isn''t normal," he said. "This was way too easy; where''s the pack lead¡­ Something''s off." Back at the guild, Kantara set up a sparring session to get a feel for Atenyos''s abilities. The team watched as Atenyos squared off against Ipsum, grinning mischievously. "Don''t hold back now," Ipsum teased. Atenyos took a deep breath, focusing on controlling his power. The two circled each other before Ipsum struck, his heated fist aiming for Atenyos¡¯s shoulder. Atenyos dodged and countered with a swift punch, his power flaring briefly. The sparring continued, each exchange pushing Atenyos to his limits. He struggled to maintain control, his power flickering unpredictably. By the end of the session, he was drenched in sweat, his body aching from the effort. "You have potential," Ipsum said, slapping him on his back. "But you need to work at that contro, and we still don''t know what your power is, those flashes and energy, pretty sure there''s more to it" Atenyos nodded, his frustration evident. The day took a turn when Iruim summoned the team for an emergency mission. They gathered in the briefing room, where Iruim stood with a map spread out before him. ¡°We¡¯ve received reports of a Bright Dark pack leader in a nearby abandoned village,¡± Iruim began. ¡°This isn¡¯t a routine mission. This creature is dangerous, and their presence indicates something much larger at play.¡± The room fell silent, the weight of the mission sinking in. "Kantara, your team will handle this. Atenyos, consider this your first real test. Prove to us that you belong here." Atenyos felt his excitement mix with dread. It was his chance to prove himself, but the stakes were higher than he''d anticipated. As the team prepared to depart, Kantara again pulled Atenyos aside. Stick with me during the mission," Kantara said. "Bright Dark creatures like these aren''t like anything you''ve faced before. Don''t try to be a hero." "Hero?? Don''t worry I won''t" Atenyos said in a sarcastic manner as to say to Kantara that he''s not here to play hero, though still his eyes filled with determination. The team stood at the edge of the forest, staring out into the dark outline of the abandoned village. Thick with tension, the air held the faint growls of some unseen creature in the darkness. "Let''s move," Kantara commanded, heading onward into the unknown. Chapter 5 : Tree The entire team headed toward the abandoned village, leaping from tree to tree through the forest until they arrived at their destination. Silence spread throughout the area, broken only by the towering tree standing undisturbed in the now-deserted village. The village was destroyed, its stones scattered beneath their feet, yet the tree seemed unharmed. ¡°This is what the Bright Dark does¡­ leaves nothing but lifeless rubble,¡± Atenyos mumbled, his face expressionless, but his eyes filled with deep sadness. This sight reminded him of his once home. Ipsum patted his back in an attempt to cheer him up, though he too was saddened by the scene. As a ring bearer, he had also seen his fair share of heartache. ¡°Slash.¡± ¡°Screech!¡± Suddenly, they heard a noise coming from the direction of the trees. Kantara moved toward it, only to be pushed back by an extending tree branch, which struck him beneath his ribs. ¡°Guhhh!¡± Kantara gasped, the strain taking its toll as he struggled to catch his breath. ¡°KANTARA!¡± Cassian shouted, concern and anger flashing across his face. ¡°Are you okay?¡± His voice was filled with worry. Before Kantara could reply, nearly thirty-two branches elongated and began slashing toward the team with tremendous speed. As everyone scrambled to evade the attack, Cassian rushed in, using his axe to slash through the branches. He landed a powerful blow to the tree itself. ¡°Thwack!¡± ¡°Craaaack!¡± ¡°Crrreeeaaak!¡± ¡°Whhhhoooosh!¡± ¡°THUUUUD!¡± ¡°Krrrsshh!¡± ¡°Boomph!¡± The tree fell to the ground, its branches lying flat next to it in defeat. Cassian had cut the tree in half. He smiled, breathing heavily as he looked at the rest of the team. ¡°Easy, boys. Motherfuckers think a tree¡¯s going to pose a threat to me? HA!¡± He said proudly, laughing. The team eased up and went to check on Kantara. Suddenly, they saw Cassian fly above them, crashing to the ground next to Ipsum. ¡°Ffffttt!¡± ¡°Thuuuud!¡± ¡°CASSIAN!¡± Ipsum shouted, looking at the now-unconscious Cassian beneath him. The entire team looked back at the tree. ¡°Squelch!¡± ¡°Creeeak!¡± They watched as the tree began to heal itself, mending back together as if it had taken no damage at all.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°It can heal?!¡± Marcellus exclaimed in anger and disbelief, struggling to understand how they could defeat it. ¡°Revoir, take Cassian to the back so he doesn¡¯t get injured further,¡± Atenyos ordered, knowing that Revoir could endure damage and repel it, though too much would cause him great pain. Ipsum and Kantara noticed Atenyos¡¯s reasoning and exchanged a brief smile, signaling their approval of his decision. Atenyos took his stance and activated his powers, focusing to prevent any backlash. The marks on his hands grew larger as he powered up, lightning crackling around him. ¡°Luterra, Elvora, Lucian, with me. We¡¯ll attack the branches and create a path for Ipsum to burn this son of a bitch,¡± Atenyos said, his tone firm and authoritative. It was clear he was no stranger to the battlefield. Kantara nodded in agreement with Atenyos¡¯s plan, and the team charged forward. Luterra, Elvora, and Lucian deflected and attacked the branches, while Atenyos and Ipsum worked together, deflecting and destroying every branch that came at them, protecting Ipsum and giving him the chance to strike the tree itself. Ipsum reached the tree. His palm was so hot that the air around it seemed wavy, and water vapor evaporated from the sheer heat. He touched the tree, burning it from the ground up. As it burned, he targeted the roots, hoping to end the threat once and for all. ¡°Screeeeeech!¡± The tree let out a sound like a woman screaming as it burned down to ash. ¡°Good job, guys,¡± Ipsum said, a relieved smile on his face. ¡°Keep burning, Ipsum. It¡¯s not over yet. Burn it, even to the ashes,¡± Atenyos said, his eyes filled with determination, making sure the tree wouldn¡¯t rise again. Ipsum continued to burn the remains while the team checked on Kantara, who appeared fine, and Cassian, who seemed to regain consciousness. They returned to headquarters, where Kantara gave a briefing to Iruim about the encounter, explaining the state of the creature they had faced. He then ordered the team to meet him in the briefing room. ¡°So, he¡¯s able to use his power now, huh? Interesting, that didn¡¯t take long,¡± Iruim remarked, his voice filled with surprise. ¡°It seems all he needed was rest. But he¡¯s still holding back. He hasn¡¯t gone all out yet,¡± Kantara explained, letting Iruim know that Atenyos had more to show. ¡°So, the kid can use his power, has battle IQ, and can fight. And he hasn¡¯t even shown all he¡¯s capable of? What an intriguing little bastard,¡± Iruim mused, still deep in thought. ¡°Alright, Kantara, you head back to your team. Thanks for the briefing.¡± Meanwhile, the team rested in their room, awaiting Kantara¡¯s return. ¡°Atenyos, you have a good eye, and you seemed calm even though we were facing a creature we¡¯ve never encountered before. Have you had training? You don¡¯t seem new to fighting,¡± Marcellus said, his tone laced with curiosity. ¡°As I¡¯ve said before, my father left me his journals. I used them to learn how to fight and developed strategies for battle. As for why I was calm¡­ I¡¯ve seen worse,¡± Atenyos replied in a calm manner, though his voice carried a hint of warning, as if telling Marcellus not to pry too deeply. Kantara entered the room. ¡°Gather up,¡± he said, silencing any side conversations. ¡°Today was an embarrassment on my part and yours, but also a great victory. We learned the value of our new member, Atenyos. His calm-headed approach, the way he handled the situation, and kept the team working as one cohesive unit was impressive. Thank you, Atenyos.¡± Atenyos nodded with a calm smile. ¡°As for you, Cassian¡­ What the fuck was that? If you¡¯re going to take down your enemy, don¡¯t just boast; make sure they stay down. What you did out there was¡­ I expected better from you,¡± Kantara said, anger mixed with disappointment. Cassian avoided his gaze. ¡°As for the rest of you, great work. I hope we can all learn from this and work towards being better. Ipsum, what you did out there was impressive as well, so thank you for that. Now, head back to your rooms. We meet tomorrow at 8 in the training grounds,¡± Kantara said before heading out. ¡°Hmph,¡± Cassian muttered as he left, followed by the rest of the team except Ipsum and Atenyos. ¡°Good job out there, Atenyos. Keep doing what you¡¯re doing, and soon enough, you might even be able to take me on,¡± Ipsum said, his tone light-hearted as he prepared to leave. ¡°Sure, heh,¡± Atenyos replied with a slight chuckle, relaxing a bit around Ipsum, which wasn¡¯t something he was used to. They all took their leave and returned to their rooms to rest and prepare for the next day. Chapter 6 : Spar The morning came early when the first rays of the sun pierced through the thin curtains into Atenyos''s room. He stirred, stretched his body, and stared at the plain ceiling above him. His room was a modest one with just a bed, a desk littered with his father''s old journals, and a small closet holding his limited belongings. Simple as it was, he liked the solitude it gave him. He hastily got dressed and arrived in the dining hall, where all of the other members of his team were seated already. Fresh bread and strong coffee smells hit him as he reached the table and slipped into his usual spot. "Well, Atenyos," Lucian said with a grin, breaking into morning chatter, "you have been with us for a little while now, and we know next to nothing about you. Anything you want to tell us?" Atenyos stopped, his eyes falling onto his plate. "There is little to tell," he replied in a very still voice. "I am from a village which no longer exists. The Bright Dark made sure of that. The air grew thick around the table. Laughter was stilled and voices hushed for a moment. "That''s rough," Elvora said, softly. Her voice lost its playful edge, sympathizing. "My father was a ring bearer," Atenyos said with calm regularity, undaunted. "When he died, he left me his journals. That''s where I learned to fight and survive." "That''s impressive," Marcellus said, nodding. "You taught yourself everything? Atenyos shrugged. "Enough to survive. Actual experience is a whole different matter." Ipsum, feeling the tension in the air, smiled and leaned forward. "Alright, but what we really want to know is¡­ did those journals teach you how to handle us?" He smiled vaguely; he liked how well one tried to lighten the mood. "What about you, Ipsum?" Atenyos queried, facing the question back towards him. "What''s your story?" Ipsum chuckled, falling back in his chair. "Oh, nothing tragic here, just a normal guy from a normal town, no secret journals, no Bright Dark tragedies here, just normal ol'' life." Atenyos watched him closely, aware of the flicker of something deeper in the recesses of his eyes-something unsaid. Atenyos made no push, but what lay behind the words from Ipsum did not escape him. After breakfast, the team gathered in the training grounds; the cool morning breeze filled their lungs as Kantara spoke to them. "Today, we focus on Atenyos," he said. "We need to see what he can do, how far he can push himself, and what we need to work on." Atenyos stepped forward as the team looked at him. Kantara nodded toward a line of heavy dummies. "Let''s start with your strength, then on to sparring" Kantara said. Atenyos approached the nearest dummy, clenching his fists. He struck it with a powerful punch, his marks grew true and lightning black all flew around him and the force of the blow splintering the wood and sending it crashing to the ground. "Damn," Lucian muttered, impressed. Not bad," Cassian said, smirking as he stepped forward. "But raw strength only gets you so far. Let''s see how you handle yourself against someone with experience. How about we stop with dummies and let''s see some real action, ha.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. The sparring ring was set up in no time, and Atenyos found himself facing Cassian. If ever there was contrast, this was it: Cassian was the towering muscle veteran clutching his battle-worn axe, while Atenyos was leaner and less experienced yet with a quiet confidence. The match began with Cassian charging forward, his axe arcing toward Atenyos in a brutal swing. Atenyos, in his stance calm and confident, sidestepped the attack, his movements sharp and precise. He came back with a punch to Cassian''s ribs, the impact forcing the larger man to grunt. Cassian''s lips curled into a grin. "Not bad, kid. Atenyos pressed his advantage, striking a blow into Cassian''s side. But Cassian barely flinched-his experience and strength absorbed such hits. He retaliated with a wide swing of his axe, catching Atenyos'' forearm with the blunt edge and sending him back. "You have strength; I give you that," Cassian said, advancing. "But strength without control is just energy dissipated into air. Atenyos gritted his teeth and launched himself forward, but as his marks grew yet further, he landed a solid kick upon Cassian''s knee. The attack sent Cassian off balance for a moment, before he regained himself once more, his axe falling in a destructive arc. Atenyos had to sidestep; the edge raked over his shoulder. The fight continued, Atenyos struggling to keep up as Cassian''s raw power and agility kept him on his toes, though it became clear he pulled his blows enough to be simply playing with him. Finally, Cassian faked an attack that sent Atenyos misstepping. Opening himself up, Cassian brought the flat of the axe against Atenyos''s chest, sending him sprawling to the ground. The match was over, but Cassian''s empiric flared. He moved closer to Atenyos, his strikes heavier and more calculated. The lightning Atenyos siphoned off flashed around his rings in weak attempts to push Cassian back, though Atenyos knew better than to press because he didn''t have control of the energy. "Cassian, enough already!" Kantara yelled, stepping into the circle. Ipsum was at his shoulder in an instant, his hand reaching out to plant itself firmly on Cassian''s shoulder. "You''re overdoing it," he said sternly. For one moment, Cassian was still, axe falling, breathing labored. "The kid''s too strong," he growled, the frustration evident in his tone. Kantara stepped over to him and helped him to his feet. "You''ve got potential, but you need to learn control. Blind power alone isn''t going to carry you through a fight." Atenyos nodded and wiped the blood off his lip as he stepped outside. The day''s training was over, and the team sat in the common hall to listen to the final remarks of Kantara. "In a week, we have a joint training with another guild," Kantara told them. "It will be a good chance to pit ourselves against new opponents and learn from them. I expect the best from all of you." Atenyos cocked an eyebrow, the unfamiliar concept furrowing his brow. "Joint training?" Ipsum grinned. "You''ll see. It''s lots more fun than it sounds. That night, after dinner out in the boisterous dining hall, Atenyos finally found himself alone in a quiet corner. "Mind if I join you?" He looked up to see Mendr-a sharpeyed woman with a sure, confident stride-stand over him. Without waiting for a response, she slid into the seat across from him. "Remember me, new guy?" she asked, a teasing edge to her voice. "Yes, you''re Mendr" Atenyos replied matter-of-factly. After saying her name and studying him, Mendr couldn''t help but grin broadly. "You don''t talk very much, do you? That makes me wonder what''s going on in that head of yours." "Not much," Atenyos said simply with a focus on his plate. "Hmm," Mendr leaned back in her chair. "You are one interesting fellow. Mysterious, quiet. You are like a puzzle. ¡°I¡¯m not much for puzzles,¡± Atenyos replied, his tone dry. Mendr smirked. ¡°I like a challenge. So, tell me, what¡¯s it like being the new guy in Kantara¡¯s team?¡± Atenyos paused before answering. ¡°They¡¯re skilled. They know what they¡¯re doing. I¡¯ve got a lot to learn from them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a pretty diplomatic answer,¡± Mendr said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re not trying to impress anyone, are you?¡± "I am here to impress nobody," said Atenyos simply. Mendr''s smirk softened into an honest smile. "Fair enough. But I will find you, Atenyos, eventually. Count on it." With that, she stood and left, leaving Atenyos to his thoughts. Later that night, Atenyos sought out his room. The quiet was filled with the faint hum of his rings as he sat on the edge of his bed, his mind replaying the events of the day: the sparring match with Cassian, the easy camaraderie of the team, Mendr''s probing questions-all swirled in his head and reminded him not only how far he''d come but also how much further he had to go. The thought gave him a little hope that there might be something more to his life than met the eye. He stared at his father''s journal on his desk, its worn pages masking the key to his strength. He took it as just another step toward mastering the great power he carried. One week of very serious training passed, and the team all sat as one in the dining hall with a kind of excitement in the air that was simply uncommon. Today was the day of the long-awaited joint training; even Kantara looked a bit more razor-focused than usual. Atenyos listened and ate quietly, observing the subtle dynamics of his teammates with a mix of anticipation and unease. He nevertheless felt in everyone''s eyes a certain level of excitement too. Light chatter filled the walk to the training grounds, but Atenyos said very little as his thoughts wandered ahead to possibilities. They reached the grounds, and it seemed as though the air shifted with the heavy, almost palpable pressure over the expansive field. Kantara stepped forward, confidently taking the lead as the team approached the waiting group. As they drew closer, the crest of Lland-the territory ruled by the mighty Emperor Lutens-came into view. Atenyos'' stomach tightened as he knew Lutens was a figure whispered about in equal awe and fear, a ruler whose powers over magnetism and electricity placed him among the strongest emperors of their time. Yet, it wasn''t just the view of the guild members or even the insignia of foreboding that made Atenyos uneasy. In scanning across the opposing team, expecting to identify another emperor candidate that was supposed to be leading this team, a sharp jolt coursed through his rings. The feeling had not been some sort of static flicker; this was a surge that raced up his arm, his fingers twitching of their own accord. His hand throbbed, pulsing to the faint hum of electricity now apparently dancing across his body. Atenyos clenched his fist, his gaze narrowing as he tried to pinpoint exactly what was causing this disturbance. Chapter 7 : Lland The air was charged with anticipation as Kantara¡¯s team stepped onto the training grounds. The morning sun bathed the area in a golden hue, but its warmth did little to ease the tension radiating from the group. Atenyos walked at the back, his sharp eyes scanning the unfamiliar faces gathered ahead. At the center of the field stood the guild team from Lland, their presence commanding attention. However, what stole the breath from Kantara¡¯s team was the man standing among them¡ªthe emperor himself, Lutens. Known as one of the most powerful rulers, his mastery of magnetism and electricity was unmatched, his name carrying the weight of legend. Lutens stepped forward, his regal yet approachable demeanor striking a balance of authority and charisma. His sharp, silver eyes swept over the team before landing on Atenyos. He extended his hand with a grin. ¡°Nice to see you again, I¡¯ve been hearing a lot about you,¡± Lutens said, his grip firm as he shook Atenyos¡¯s hand. A faint jolt tingled Atenyos¡¯s palm, whether from Lutens¡¯s power or the sheer intensity of the moment, he couldn¡¯t tell. ¡°I¡¯m eager to see what you¡¯re capable of, young man.¡± Atenyos nodded, unsure how to respond. But confident in his abilities, although the words felt heavy in his throat as the emperor turned to Kantara, he didn''t want to cause another scene with an emperor and he felt a certain responsibility since he has been welcomed wholeheartedly into his guild. ¡°Take over from here,¡± Lutens instructed, his voice carrying authority but also trust. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the introductions to you while I have a word with Iruim.¡± Kantara saluted, and Lutens departed toward the main hall. The air seemed lighter in his absence, though the weight of the moment remained. Kantara clapped his hands together, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Alright, everyone. Let¡¯s start with introductions. Team Lland, step forward and introduce yourselves¡ªname and power.¡± The first to step up was Arkinos, a tall, rugged man with earthy tones in his skin. He raised a hand and spoke in a deep voice. ¡°Arkinos. I can turn my skin into whatever material I touch. Break a chunk off me, and all I need is contact to regenerate it.¡± Savina followed, her flowing black hair swaying as if it had a life of its own. ¡°Savina. Hair manipulation,¡± she said with a sly smile, her locks suddenly elongating and hardening into a needle-sharp point before returning to normal. Next was Lurianne, her radiant beauty striking as ever. Her golden locks glistened, but her piercing gaze was what caught Atenyos¡¯s attention. ¡°Lurianne. I emit light to blind my enemies,¡± she said curtly, her eyes locking with Atenyos¡¯s. The intensity in her look seemed like a warning¡ªor a challenge. Darius, a mountain of a man, stepped forward giving a slight glance at Cassian. ¡°Darius. Physical output: 23%. Pure strength.¡± His voice was as solid as his build, leaving no room for doubt about his prowess. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Fantcus gave a lazy grin as he walked up. ¡°Fantcus. My skin¡¯s unnaturally slippery. Good luck trying to land a hit.¡± He chuckled as his hand shimmered briefly, looking as though it were coated in oil. Ormany followed, his quiet presence almost unsettling. ¡°Ormany. I can restrict senses. Sight stays intact, but the rest¡­¡± He trailed off, his tone making it clear he¡¯d leave the rest to the imagination. Klmatra, a wiry man with an aura of control, stepped up next. ¡°Klmatra. I control plants.¡± His words were simple, yet the vines subtly shifting around his feet spoke volumes. Crphis was next, his movements fluid and strange. ¡°Crphis. My body can turn into liquid. Hard to hurt what you can¡¯t hit.¡± Lastly, Mantrey stepped forward. He didn¡¯t say much, simply brandishing a set of knives that gleamed unnaturally. ¡°Mantrey. My blades are unbreakable. That¡¯s all you need to know.¡± Kantara nodded as the Lland team stepped back. ¡°Impressive,¡± he admitted. ¡°Now, my team, step forward and introduce yourselves.¡± One by one, the team introduced themselves and their powers. When Atenyos¡¯s turn came, he hesitated before speaking. ¡°Atenyos. I ¡­don¡¯t really know my powers yet.¡± The Lland team broke into laughter, their amusement echoing across the training grounds. All except Lurianne, whose fierce glare seemed to intensify. Her expression alone silenced Atenyos, her unspoken message clear: Weakness won¡¯t be tolerated. Kantara¡¯s sharp whistle cut through the chatter. ¡°Enough!¡± His voice carried authority, and the laughter ceased immediately. ¡°Atenyos is part of this team. Show some respect.¡± Atenyos looked at them with the black bags under his eyes emitting what felt closest to killing intent ¡°No, Kantara please let them laugh ¡­now at least, won''t be long till they can''t¡± Ipsum looked at him, light shimmering off his bright orange hair burning the palm of his hand till it sizzled the air and water in the atmosphere as a gesture that he has Atenyos''s back. The Lland team exchanged glances, their smirks on their faces vanishing as they realize their might be more to him than meets the eye. ¡°Now, onto the training structure,¡± Kantara continued. ¡°This will be a Nine-day joint session. Each day will feature one-on-one matches except one match that will be two-on-one, arranged by strength and experience. You¡¯ll have a chance to learn from each other¡ªand prove yourselves. For now, you¡¯ll be escorted to your rooms to prepare for tomorrow. The match schedule will be revealed in the morning.¡± The teams murmured among themselves as they followed their escorts to the dorms. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, each member sizing up their potential opponents. In the briefing room, Kantara¡¯s team gathered to debrief. ¡°Well,¡± Ipsum began, leaning back in his chair. ¡°That was something.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve got some serious powers,¡± Marcellus admitted, his tone thoughtful. ¡°But so do we.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve got an emperor on their side,¡± Cassian pointed out. ¡°Not exactly a fair match-up, is it?¡± ¡°Lutens isn¡¯t fighting, Cassian,¡± Ipsum replied. ¡°This is about us¡ªnot him.¡± The conversation shifted to speculation about the upcoming matches. ¡°I¡¯m betting Atenyos goes up against Lurianne,¡± Elvora suggested. ¡°They¡¯re both new, so it makes sense.¡± Atenyos frowned but stayed silent, his mind already racing at the thought. ¡°Don¡¯t let it get to you,¡± Ipsum said, clapping Atenyos on the shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve got this. Trust yourself.¡± Atenyos managed a small smile ¡°Get to me? If anything after what happened I wish they''d make it into an all out battle so I can break each and every smirk of their faces¡± Ipsum looked at him and patted him ¡°Well, this isn''t how the training will go, so focus on the current mission, if you want to prove something then win your match and show them what they came to unsee¡± The team dispersed to their rooms to rest, though Atenyos found himself lingering in the hallway thinking deeply about this joint training. ¡°¡°I''ll fucking destroy those bastard''s for trying to under estimate me and what the fuck does this bitch Lurianne want, looking at me like I just killed one of her family members, I need to calm down though, this is just training and I''m trying my best to change¡± ¡° I''m changing I''m changing I''m changing¡± He kept repeating to himself trying to ease up, he headed to his room and tried his best to sleep. Meanwhile, Lutens sits in Irium''s office¡­. Chapter 8 : Fight "What in the hell are you on about Lutens? I knew that you were crazy, but not this bad!" shouted Iruim in disbelief. "You really wish Atenyos to go up against two of your combatants? A ring bearer who received his ring less than a month ago? Is there something wrong with you?" He leaned forward, using rational words pleading to Lutens''. Smirking as though nothing of what just happened with Iruim''s outburst had actually happened, Lutens continued in a very measured tone, almost casual, "Ring? He didn''t get just a ring. Rings, he got two: a white, pure ring and a pure black one. The only person in all the history of Orsus to be so gifted with such a combination.". "So don''t talk to me as if I am the madman here, since I''m pushing limits that he might''ve not realized himself". Taken aback, Iruim''s eyes narrowed with doubt carved across his face. He then asked in disbelief: "Setis agreed to this madness?". "Yes, Setis approved it," Lutens said. "And you know full well that this boy has more to him than the eye can see. You said so yourself: his fighting style, his stance-it is all oddly familiar, and strange. This is not a test of his strength, but one of comprehension-to understand who he is and what he is capable of.¡± Iruim faltered, anger ebbing into his doubts. "You''re serious about this? You really think this is the way to handle it?" Lutens leaned forward, his voice falling and sharpening. "We won''t let him get hurt. He is a part of your guild now, Iruim; his success reflects upon you. But we have to find out if he''s one we can trust and whether investing in him will be worth our while. There will be no rules in this match, but that does not mean I will let things go too far. If his life is in danger, I''ll stop it myself. Trust me on that.¡± The weight of Lutens'' words hung in the air, and a long silence passed while Iruim digested them. Finally, he let out his breath, some tension in his shoulders easing. "Fine. But if anything happens to him, I''m holding you responsible. He''s under my watch now, representing my guild. If you''re wrong about this¡­." He trailed off, the threat unsaid. Lutens nodded, the trace of a smile playing on his lips. "I couldn''t ask for anything better. Kantara will be similarly briefed. Just watch-I have an idea this might prove to be a good more informative than either of us anticipate." Iruim approved, though his eyes had not lost their doubt. With certainty that he did right, Lutens headed off to debrief Kantara. The air between the two leaders was thick, taut with tension. Disapproval was clear within Kantara, but with three emperors backing this, there was little authority with him to oppose it. Finally, he prepared for the first day of joint training; but unease settled on him like a storm across the horizon. Together, the team headed towards the training grounds, their footsteps heavy with excitement and nervous anticipation. The air vibrated with tension as both teams stood under the open sky. Before them lay the vast, open training field, bordered by tall trees and strong wooden fences. Kantara and Lutens were both standing in the middle, silencing the murmurs right away. Lutens stood forward, with the keen, sharp gaze of his eyes, and prepared to address the teams:. "Today begins your joint training," Lutens announced, his voice ringing with authority. "This is not just an exercise but an opportunity to test your limits, to grow stronger, and to prove yourselves. But first, there are rules that you will follow strictly." He raised a hand, and the atmosphere grew heavier. "These are the rules of engagement:
  1. No one may strike an opponent who is on the ground and unable to defend themselves.
  1. No one may use killing blows against an opponent.
  1. A fight is over when an opponent surrenders or when either Kantara or I call it off.
  1. If a fight does not end in surrender, the winner will be decided via vote by myself and Kantara.
  1. Any interference from other team members will automatically result in the disqualification of the intruding party''s representative."
He let the words sink in, his piercing gaze sweeping over both teams. "Honor and discipline must guide your actions. Break these rules, and there will be consequences."If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Kantara stepped forward to announce the pairings. His voice was full of authority as he called out the matchups: Ipsum vs. Arkinos Luterra vs. Savina Cassian vs. Darius Elvora vs. Lurianne Luscian vs. Fantcus Revoir vs. Ormany Marcellus vs. Crphis Atenyos vs. Mantrey and Klmatra The silence was stunning, Atenyos blinked in disbelief, while murmurs erupted among both teams. "What?" Mantrey''s voice boomed as he stepped forward. His sharp features, his dark hair tied back neatly, and his piercing blue eyes seemed to burn with outrage. "Are you kidding me? You''re pitting me and Klmatra against him?" He gestured at Atenyos with disdain. "This is a joke, right?" Kantara said nothing. His face was impassive. Lutens stepped forward, his voice calm but authoritative, cutting through the voices. "This was my decision, Mantrey. Not Kantara''s. You will fight Atenyos together, and you will not hold back. Give him everything you''ve got." Mantrey''s jaw clenched. "I don''t need Klmatra''s help to take him down. Do you think I''m incapable?" "This isn''t about capability," Lutens replied sharply. "This is about pushing limits. You and Klmatra will fight, and the rules will not apply to this match. This has been agreed upon with Iruim." There was no room for arguing after the weight of Lutens'' words. Mantrey gritted his teeth, turning his glare toward Atenyos. "Fine," he growled. "But don''t think for a second I''ll go easy on you. Klmatra said nothing. His face was impassive, but the vines that wrapped his feet quivered. Atenyos locked eyes with them both, a thrill sparking in his chest. A faint smile tugged at his lips, his excitement impossible to conceal. "Do your best," Atenyos said, his tone mocking. The air seemed heavier as Mantrey scowled, Klmatra''s usually calm face darkening. Lurianne, observing from the side, gave Atenyos a faint smile, her eyes narrowing as though she was sizing him up. Mantrey scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re a madman,¡± he muttered. With the tension still thick in the air, Lutens nodded toward Kantara to begin the first fight. Ipsum vs. Arkinos With every confident step into the middle of the field, there came a corresponding smirk in Ipsum''s eyes. Uncared-for, tangerine-orange hair set red-eyed intensity loose as a hunter, like him, sought his prey. Approaching as well, Arkinos was big, powerful. His brown skin shimmered in the sun while ripples beneath his muscles made their own displays at each motion. His rough, angular hair and piercing gray eyes gave the impression that he was a hard bit of stone already. "Ready?" Kantara''s voice sliced through the silence. Both fighters nodded and the match began. Arkinos hunched forward, slapping his palm upon the ground. In an instant, his skin turned into living stone, with its texture like granite mixed with tempered steel. Every step he took shook the ground, it seemed. Ipsum wasted no time. Charging forward, his fists were heated so intensely that the air around them shimmered. He swung, and the blow landed perfectly against Arkinos''s stone-covered arm. "Boom!" The ground beneath them cracked from the force of the impact, but Arkinos didn''t flinch. Instead, he retaliated with a powerful punch that Ipsum barely dodged. "You hit like a house," Ipsum said, shaking his slightly bruised hand. "And we''re just starting," Arkinos retorted, swinging. This time he made contact and sent Ipsum skating backward. But Ipsum wasn''t one to stay down. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, the grin never leaving his face. His hand heated up once more, the air rippling with the sheer intensity of it. When he struck again, the heat melted part of the stone on Arkinos''s arm. Arkinos grunted loudly but reached his hand to the ground, healing the scarred stone. Instantly, he reached for the blade at his side, his body folding into shining metal. Each of these blows shook the ground. The continuous punches of Arkinos, the heat-based attack by Ipsum-scarred through, seared the field and created cut wounds on his arms while its scorching heat had partially melted sections of Arkinos''s armored body-but neither showed any signs of yielding. Finally, Ipsum took advantage of a small opening. With a heated punch, he melted part of Arkinos''s chest, and as Arkinos stepped back to regenerate, Ipsum froze his leg with a swift kick. The ice climbed up Arkinos''s thigh, temporarily immobilizing him. Arkinos touched his blade again, but the weapon''s diminished size showed it couldn''t sustain much more regeneration. Ipsum seized the moment, delivering a final blow that knocked Arkinos to the ground. "Enough!" Kantara''s voice rang out, halting Ipsum mid-swing. The heat from his hand dissipated as he stepped back and his ice-cold breath let out a tiny hint of freezing water vapor as he was breathing heavily. Ipsum extended a hand to Arkinos, who accepted it after a moment of hesitation. ¡°You¡¯re strong,¡± Arkinos admitted, his voice grudging but genuine. ¡°So are you,¡± Ipsum replied, smirking. ¡°Good fight.¡± The teams applauded as the two fighters returned to their respective sides. Kantara¡¯s team congratulated Ipsum, and Lutens approached Arkinos with a nod. ¡°You fought well,¡± he said. ¡°Rest and prepare for tomorrow.¡± Back in the briefing room, it was light-hearted. Kantara''s team congratulated Ipsum, spirits high at this start. Cassian even offered his nod of approval, not the man to give out compliments so readily. Well done," said Kantara, speaking to Ipsum now. "You proved strong and strategic on that course. Impressive." The grin on Ipsum was quite wide. "Just doing my job, boss.¡± The tone of Kantara changed, and he faced Atenyos. "Now, Atenyos, I have to have a word with you." Ipsum gave a slight nod to Atenyos, and a pat on his shoulder and as puzzled as the team was, but without a word of protest, Ipsum and the others slowly filed out of the room and left Atenyos to Kantara. At the soft click of the door, Atenyos turned to meet Kantara''s eyes, his mind racing with what would happen next. Chapter Nine : Lose a Win The room was silent but for the soft hush of the wind that whipped through a slight crack in the window. Atenyos sat across from Kantara, his head slanted as he listened. Kantara, for the first time since Atenyos had joined the team, seemed uncertain-his habitual unshakeable confidence replaced with a tinge of guilt. "Atenyos, I want to apologize," Kantara began, his voice even but sweetened by a rare humbleness. "I tried to argue against your match. You''re in my team, under my command, and I should have fought harder for you. But." He stopped, his piercing gaze locked with Atenyos. "The emperors see something in you, something even I do not fully grasp. They want to push you, test you, and after that, they''ll push you even further." Atenyos leaned back in his chair, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He could see the battle that was going on inside Kantara. "Kantara." Atenyos said, his voice low and filled with a quiet confidence. "I appreciate this, but you really don''t have to concern yourself about me. I''m sure you''ve noticed-I haven''t so much as begun to test myself. What you have seen so far? That''s just control. I have so much more to unleash." His smirk grew, though it wasn''t arrogance, merely a quiet assurance. Kantara nodded slowly to Atenyos''s words. "In my whole life, I have been an outcast," Atenyos went on, his voice deepening to a more contemplative note. His fingers traced the dark, jagged lightning-like marks on his forearms. "With these marks, I was accursed before I could begin. Black lightning courses through my body, and on the day I was born, my father died and Enyos, the greatest emperor who ever lived, gone. To everyone, I was nothing but a bad omen, an accursed child born into misery. But here." Atenyos''s gaze softened as it met Kantara''s eyes. "For the first time, I feel welcome. No, I am welcomed. You gave me a roof, a team to fight for, and you''ve always made sure I was treated like a person. For that, I thank you, Kantara. You have my respect and my loyalty." Atenyos''s voice hardened again, though this time not in anger, but determination. "As for the match? Don''t worry. I''ll win." Kantara was taken aback. He had never known this side of Atenyos, the struggles that shaped him. This revelation just dumbfounded him. He scuffed Atenyos''s hair, rare show of affection. "Sleep," Kantara growled, his voice husky with warmth. "Rest up. Tomorrow will be a day worth watching."Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. The following day, The training grounds teemed with life once again as the teams came together. The air was thick with expectation. Kantara moved to the forefront to declare the second match. "Cassian versus Darius," he called out, the sound of his voice carrying across the field. Cassian strode into the center, his steps confident and afire. His golden hair gleamed under the sunlight, with sharp emerald eyes utterly focused on Darius. Although being a mountain in his own respect, Cassin was the shorter one of the two more stocky, his physique thick with the promise of explosive power. Darius strode in calmly, calculatingly. His dark skin gleamed with a light shine of sweat, his lean, athletic physique showcasing speed and strength. His black hair was tied back, and his piercing amber eyes studied Cassian with unyielding intensity. The fight opened with a loud crash. Cassian was a firestorm, punching and kicking with raw, unbridled power. Darius was water-flowing, evasive, and exact. He dodged most of Cassian''s strikes with less than little effort, countering with sharp, calculated blows that bruised Cassian''s arms and torso, with a high output than Cassian, Darius calculated his attacks as to not break the rules. The battle raged on, the two fighters exchanging blow after blow. Cassian''s relentless energy seemed endless, but Darius''s endurance was just as impressive. Blood dripped from both of them, staining the ground beneath their feet. Darius''s intimidation was subtle, a quiet overwhelming presence that made his opponent hesitate. Cassian''s was loud and fiery, his every movement a challenge to the universe itself. It wasn''t until Cassian, bloody and battered, refused to back down that the fight reached its crescendo. He feinted left and then dove low, striking Darius''s leg with a well-measured kick. The result made Darius stumble to fall to one knee. Cassian didn''t hesitate; he charged, driving his elbow with enough strength against Darius''s chin to make him go sprawling onto his back. Kantara''s hand jerked, ready to call the fight, but Cassian moved too quickly for him. "Enough!" Kantara''s voice thundered as he stepped between them to stop the match. Cassian was standing tall, bloodied but grinning, and raised a fist in victory. But the celebration was cut short when Lutens stepped forward, his face unreadable. "Darius¡­ is the winner," Lutens said. The field fell silent. Even Kantara blinked in surprise. "What?" Cassian''s voice cut, disbelief hard on his face. "That''s bullshit!" Lutens motioned to Darius, who was pulled to his feet. "His leg is broken-a blow sufficient to be called fatal in a true fight. The rules clearly state that any injury likely to kill a fighter in a real fight wins them the match." Cassian''s hands curled to fists. "That''s-! "You fought well," said Lutens, sharply yet amicable. "Nothing to shame from, Cassian. Superb display of skill, will." Cassian said nothing. His mouth thinned to a thin-lipped twist; then he turned and strode away, his mutter unintelligible. Those fighters that remained gave a token acknowledgment to the fallen and Cassian alike. The moment fell silent and awkwardly poised. Atenyos merely watched from his place of removed observation, his mind busily at work. "If my match doesn''t have rules, does that mean.I can break them?" The thought was to linger as Atenyos stared into the battlefield, already envisioning what was to come. After a light meal, some satisfied and others not so much, the teams went back to their chambers. Meanwhile, Kantara sits in front of Iruims and Lutens, after requesting both of their presence. Chapter 10 : Understand "Well, Kantara, what is the purpose of having us here?" Iruim asked, gesturing that he should begin. Lutens nodded in agreement; he looked expectant. "I spoke with Atenyos and uncovered some new information," Kantara began, his tone tinged with unease. "The kid doesn¡¯t seem to bear any ill will, and I¡¯d prefer to keep what he told me between us. But it¡¯s clear to me, as it¡¯s been to the emperors, that there are concerns about him." His voice grew more solemn, hinting at the weight of the private conversation he''d had with Atenyos. "I understand your apprehension, Kantara," Iruim replied calmly but firmly. "You have to understand that Atenyos is no ordinary ring bearer. The light granted him two rings, pure white and pure black, and at 0.01%, his output rivals those at 16%. His very existence is an anomaly, and one thing Setis has made clear is this, we need answers, and we must take action." Folding his arms, Lutens said, "Iruim is right. I can understand your attachment towards him, Kantara. He is your student, and undoubtedly his teammates are attached to him. But this goes beyond you or your team. His condition shakes the very roots of how the essence acts and the system we rely on. It may even tell something more about the nature of the light, the essence-and him." Kantara sighed, clearly torn. "I understand your position," he admitted. "Atenyos and I had a talk. According to him, his birth wasn''t normal. Those strange marks resembling black lightning¡ªthey weren''t granted by the rings. He was born with them. He also told me that the day he was born, his father, who seems to have been a ring bearer, died. And¡­ so did Enyos." The room fell silent; the weight of Kantara''s words sank in. "So, he didn''t get those marks from the rings?" Iruim asked, brow furrowed in thought. "I remember them from Selection Day, but I had thought they came with his awakening. Is it possible the rings somehow re-activated something latent?" "It would appear that those markings have something to do with the light-or even the essence itself," Lutens said. "Enyos died on the same day one of the largest gates opened¡­ perhaps that incident somehow triggered something in Atenyos?" Iruim''s voice gentled, laced with sorrow. "That day-I was there. Only a few ring bearers died, and only because of Enyos''s sacrifice. He faced the Witnesses alone to give us a chance to escape." His eyes darkened with a deep, lingering pain. Lutens straightened then, his mind sharpening. "If his father had died on that same day, maybe then we have something. Check the archives, crosscheck with the list of all the fallen bearers, and determine who Atenyos''s father was." Lutens turned to Iruim. "Do you know his father''s name? Iruim shook his head. "No. We investigated his background, and everything was hazy, with no father listed, just his mother, Freya." "Freya," repeated Lutens, his face furrowed in reflection. "That''s. strange. Why leave the name of his father blank?" "Could we not simply confront him with this?" Lutens finally suggested, his voice quite neutral. Kantara came forward, his voice firm. "No. We cannot confront him directly. We mustn''t make him feel watched or mistrusted-for that would be sure to raise distrust-and he would turn against us." Iruim nodded in agreement. "Kantara''s right. We don''t even know if Atenyos is an ally or an enemy in the making. Until we''re sure, we can''t afford to alienate him." Lutens sighed, conceding the point. "Fine. We¡¯ll keep digging, then." "Thank you," Kantara said, his voice softening. "We¡¯ll take it from here. Go ahead and rest¡ªtomorrow¡¯s fight won¡¯t be easy." Kantara nodded, gave them both a respectful glance, and left the room. As the door shut behind him, Lutens and Iruim exchanged a determined look. "We have to get to the bottom of this," Lutens said. Iruim nodded, his face grim. "For all our sakes." Luterra vs. Savina The air was filled with tension as the two teams clashed for the third match of the joint guild training. The vastness of the training area, with the ruggedness of sand and grass, seemed to amplify all that tension. The sun stayed high up in the sky, casting shadows on eager spectators, as Lutens and Kantara stepped forward to start the bout.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. A confident smile danced on Kantara''s lips, showing his excitement for the match. His voice echoed in the arena as he announced the contenders. "Luterra versus Savina!" The murmurs among the teams died out immediately, replaced by crackling energy from the anticipation. From Kantara''s group stepped forward Luterra. His brown hair danced softly in the breeze, while his yellow eyes sparkled with hints of mischief. Luterra was reserved in his manner and speech; rarely did he speak because his mind was somewhere else. But when he fought, it was an entirely different story. The effects of his power placed him into this weird, drunken state; it changed the quiet intellectual into an erratic, devastating force. Meanwhile, Savina burst from the ranks of Lutens like a storm. Her black hair flared to bright red as she started to power up; the color caught the sun and glittered with an almost unnatural sheen. Her face was set and unyielding, her scarlet eyes bright with determination. She approached the field, prepared for the fight to come. Lutens raised his hand, and then his voice boomed out, "Begin! Luterra powers up immediately. A light gleam envelops his whole body as his motions went wild, almost playful. Arms loose and waving in an exaggerated manner, he comes ahead with a wide grin spreading all over his face: "You ready for the beating?" he asks softly-as a tease. Savina stood firm and unwavering, her face hard as granite. In stark silence, her hair undid itself to reveal jagged, blade-like weapons. She then suddenly whisked them in one movement in the direction of Luterra. The threads whipped in every direction, like so many deathly blades, assisted by the output of the ring, where a flurry of well-placed jabs was then unleashed. Luterra dodged with a grace surprising for one who seemed drunk. His body twisted and turned in exaggerated, unpredictable ways, narrowly avoiding the slashing blades. But not all attacks missed. Several strands cut into his arm, drawing blood. Stopping momentarily, Luterra examined his wounds, frowning deeply. ¡°You made me bleed,¡± he muttered, his tone almost childlike. He wiped the blood off his arm, tasting it with a dramatic grimace. ¡°I don¡¯t like you,¡± he declared, locking his yellow eyes on Savina. Then, with a sudden shift in tone, he grinned. ¡°You made me bleed, so now I¡¯ll make you.¡± Her eyes narrowed as her stance fell to the ready. she prepared for the next exchange. But before she could react, Luterra disappeared, his speed blinding. In an instant, he reappeared behind her. A blur, he produced a combination of swift jabs into her back. So fast and furious, his punches slash the air that even grains of sand and pieces of grass were whirled off the ground. Luterra''s drunken motions then turned into a whirlwind of destruction before the onlookers. Kantara stood on the side and let a small smile be visible on his face as he was proud of the unpredictability in the fighting style of his disciple. Lutens nodded a little, saying silently that that was good work. Savina dropped to one knee but would not let her spirit break. As the shrill laughter from Luterra repeated itself, so did she get up, on both feet, the trump card hidden in the bag coming into view, it was her hair covering the back that had shielded it from most of the attack by Luterra. "You are not the only one with tricks; output also benfits a power user," she said in a confident and proud manner as she smirked back at Luterra. Thanks to her output, Savina''s hair has the durability to sustain and thus absorb damage, a very peculiar byproduct because, in most cases, that sort of added physical modification would come not from someone''s output or power itself, but from the power. This is very much kept in secret on purpose, similar to how users of their powers usually did not discuss the amount of their output with people they barely know. She launched another assault, her hair weaving through the air like serpents while her fists came down with deadly precision. Despite her speed, Luterra remained faster, dodging and weaving with ease. His erratic movements made him nearly impossible to predict. With one final surge of speed, Luterra closed the gap between the two. His fist, strengthened by the output which enhanced his body, struck Savina''s side with a lot of power. The result shook the field and blew away air and scattering sand and grass. Savina crumpled into the earth, clutching at her side. As Luterra would finally deal the finishing blow, Savina raised her hand. "I yield," she said, her voice steady despite the pain. The field was silent for a moment, heavy with tension, as it dawned upon them that she had surrendered. It was then that they noticed Savina''s hair, whittled down to a single pointed end, was merely inches from Luterra''s neck. A single drop of blood trickled down from where it had grazed his skin. Luterra stepped back, deactivating his power as he returned to his normal self. The erratic grin disappeared, replaced by a look of genuine respect. He extended a hand to Savina, helping her to her feet before bowing deeply. ¡°Your strength is incredible,¡± he said sincerely. Savina smirked, brushing herself off. ¡°You¡¯re not bad yourself.¡± The spectators clapped, cheering both fighters on. Kantara leaned toward Luterra and patted him on the back. "You fought great," he said. "You made me proud." Lutens himself wasn''t coy with his praise of Savina. "Your skill and determination were brilliant," he said to her. As the teams scattered towards the dining hall, Luterra lagged silently to the rear of the group. He was clearly embarrassed by the antics that had earlier entertained his team, and wanted to stay out of his teammates'' teasing grins. The grins turned into a back-patting session as they congratulated him. The atmosphere was light as the tension eased, the two teams had come together for a meal. Atenyos and Ipsum sat together, plates piled high with food. "I''m surprised you haven''t made a scene yet," Ipsum said with a smirk, looking at Atenyos. "Give me time," Atenyos replied, grinning. Their teasing was cut short as a figure approached, joining them at the table. Mendr. A flicker of displeasure crossed Ipsum''s face, Atenyos noticed but said nothing, his interest now piqued by the apparent dynamics between them. "Mind if I join you?" Mendr asked, her tone casual. Atenyos gestured toward the seat. "Be my guest." Chapter 11 : Cuts "Long time no see, Ipsum. Still as stuck up as ever, I see," Mendr said with a light tone, her voice laced with a subtle defiance at the evident displeasure of her presence. "Stuck up? My bad-I just don''t love Witnesses, Mendr," he replied, his voice sharp as he tried to explain the irritation. "You like Witnesses?!" Atenyos cut in, his tone full of surprise and confusion in trying to understand what Ipsum had just said. The expression in Mendr''s face shifted, and the smile fell as she looked at Atenyos. "What do you know about the Witnesses and the Bright Dark? Atenyos''s face had turned somber, his voice deadpan, laced with something stronger, though-pain, sorrow. "What I know comes from my father''s journals. He wrote that the Bright Dark is a force that engulfs worlds, leaving nothing but suffering and death, and leaves what we call Witnesses to prove its power. They cross through gates, and for four days, they try to take us down, stealing the essence to save what''s left of their own worlds." She then fixed her eyes on his face for several minutes before answering, "Why would we hate people who lost everything-the whole world-who want to save what''s still left?" When she spoke these words-from a standing position-her voice did not even tremble, yet it was full of the weight of her thoughts. "Anyway, I shall be going. I do not fancy Witnesses either, Ipsum, but I can somehow understand them. See you later, Atenyos." Saying this, she turned and went away. "Why?" Atenyos''s voice cut her off. Anger brewed inside, his stare fixed on hers. "They killed my fa- Never mind. But Mendr, people who suffer and then believe that gives them a license to distribute it. They''re just as bad as the evil that hurt them.¡± Mendr stopped, her eyes clinging to his face. "Are we not them? In a manner of speaking, anyway," she whispered so lowly he could hardly catch her words. "Maybe our ancestors never even tried talking with them; tried to understand their souls. Perhaps if that had been the case-then-perhaps we might have found some common ground.¡± "See? We are no different, we''re evil," she said with shame in her voice and walked away. Atenyos didn''t say a word; the white ring glittered strangely again, just like at the moment they had met. He let go of it for now but held the thought deep in his head. He sat there, lost in thought as he reflected on her words. He saw the logic in what she said; however, his hate both for his own people and the Witnesses he blamed for his father''s death clouded his judgment. The weight of her perspective pressed on him, and clarity was far from obtained. "Don''t think too much about it, Atenyos," Ipsum said in a softer tone, trying to lighten the mood. "Enjoy your meal and let''s get some rest. Tomorrow''s Elvora''s match. I bet it''s going to be fun." Atenyos shook his head slightly, as if he was trying to shake himself awake from his thoughts. "¡­Yes, let''s forget about this. I''m excited for tomorrow as well." They finished in silence, each going their separate ways to prepare for the morning, the unspoken words between them a heavy silence. Elvora vs. Lurrianne Kantara stood tall at the edge of the field. His voice was firm and commanding as he called out, "Elvora. Lurianne. Step forward." Crackling tension filled the air as two fighters entered the arena, each showing a different type of confidence. The sun cast long shadows across the field as Lurianne glanced over at Atenyos, her lips curled into a playful smirk. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Watch me," she said, an edge of defiance in her tone, and she inclined her head slightly to him before turning back to Elvora. The latter narrowed her eyes. "Do not underestimate me, Lurianne," she rejoined calmly, though edged, as her fingers fidgeted at her sides in anticipation of the gale. Lurianne''s smirk only widened. She knew of Elvora''s power, her ability to heal being one of the strongest, which meant that in order to win, she needed to strike fast and leave no room for recovery. With a deep breath, Lurianne turned her power on. A radiance of blinding light erupted from her body, casting an almost surreal glow over the entire field. The mere watchers covered their eyes, trying to gaze for the scene in a squinting way. In the present time, as the use of sight is lost, Elvora closed her eyes and straightened herself up, turning to her heightened senses that would track motion. That first blow was fast-forwarded-a good solid punch directly into her stomach. At the last second, she screwed around, her forearm flailing out to block it but the force jolting through her bones. After which, Lurianne pursued her with a rain of blows. Every strike came with flashes of light so bright the veterans watching from the sides squirmed. With a practiced precision, Elvora fought back, moving in tandem to Lurianne''s rhythm. Each time a fist or elbow connected, near-instantaneous healing popped the bruises and fractured bones away like so many wisps of smoke into the breeze. But it was clear that Lurianne seemed to be simply endless, her attacks heavy with feral energy, though labored. A sweat-soaked brow spilled perspiration down her forehead; breathing heavily, yet not relenting. The ground shook beneath their blows, the sand and grass flying in every direction with each blow. Yet, despite her effort, Elvora could feel something odd: Lurianne''s strikes had become sharp and controlled, her breathing easy, like a second wind. In that instant, a gleam of metal caught Elvora''s eye, and she realized too late that Lurianne had produced twin daggers from her hips. Lurianne''s eyes now blazed with determination. In but an instant, she sprang forward, her movements blurred as she lashed out with her blades. Elvora tried to create some space between them because she knew the smaller the injury, the slower she would heal, but Lurianne closed the gap in that very instant and pressed her advantage. The dance now started becoming a lot more brutal every slash of Lurianne''s daggers followed by punches and kicks. A sudden strike then caught Elvora''s left hand, and she felt the sharp snap of her finger breaking. In the sidelines, Lutens leaned forward, and a line of concern creased his forehead. "Should we stop this?" he whispered to Kantara. Kantara watched the combatant, his face impassive. He shook his head slowly. "Not yet.¡± On the field, Elvora grimaced, her hand shaking as the bone knitted itself back together. But Lurianne''s sharp eyes caught that though her opponent''s injuries healed, the slashes the daggers left did not close at the same rate. "So, the blades take longer, don''t they?" Lurianne muttered, a gleam in her eye, and surged forward again. The daggers danced in the sun, aiming at the exposed sides of Elvora. She was blocking as many blows as she could, muscles screaming in protest with every ounce of pressure that was piling on. The drips of blood slid down her arms and legs onto the ground beneath her. A punch connected with Lurianne''s side, the blow sending her back three steps. For a moment after that, the air was dead of sound and thick with tension and metallic scents. Smearing her mouth with the back of her hand, Lurianne grinned, though her bruised jaw protested the motion. "You are strong, but not strong enough," she gasped, her voice trembling but not breaking. Elvora stood her ground, her chest heaving as she tried to gather what little strength was left in her body. But she knew the truth: while she could heal cuts and bruises, she couldn''t mend exhaustion. Lurianne''s stamina had held, and her precision with the daggers had chipped away at Elvora''s resilience. She raised her hand wearily, signaling defeat. "I yield," Elvora said, her voice steady but laced with frustration. The field fell silent, except for the sound of labored breathing, as Lurianne''s light dimmed to reveal the true extent of the battle. Deep, unhealed slashes scored Elvora''s body; her white uniform was sopping wet with her own blood. Lurianne looked disheveled, her breathing ragged, but she bore only a few scrapes and bruises. Kantara stepped forward, his voice carrying across the field. "The winner is Lurianne," he called out. The teammates who were standing on the sidelines exchanged uneasy glances; surprise flickered in their expressions. Some of them whispered, not quite sure if Lurianne''s relentless use of her daggers and the brutal slashes on Elvora''s body had crossed the boundary of Rule 2-prohibiting lethal or life-threatening force. But Kantara didn''t flinch; he knew better than anyone that Elvora''s resilience and healing capabilities meant none of Lurianne''s strikes could ever be fatal. He knew Elvora''s strength and the fact that Lurianne''s attacks, though intense, were well within the limits of what the match allowed. The two fighters drew closer, their eyes locking. Lurianne reached out a hand, which Elvora took in a firm grip-a wordless display of respect from one fighter to another. Atenyos, having watched this whole battle closely, made his way towards Elvora as she stepped off the field. "Why did you give up? You can heal your injuries." Elvora''s eyes flashed, a mix of irritation and acceptance. "Yes, I can heal injuries, but not stamina, that girl can take a punch and if we continued to fight, she''d have eventually worn me out.¡± Atenyos''s eyes caught the healing slashes on Elvora''s arms, and a thought came into his mind. No more could be said before Lurianne approached them from behind. Bent close to Atenyos, she whispered low, "Do not disappoint me, two rings." A fire shone in her eyes, the same one that had been there when she entered her battle. The fighters and the onlookers withdrew. Mumbled conversations and murmurs of respect reached the air. The field stood witness to their fight: scattered grass, splattered blood, and the heavy memory of a battle fought with skill and heart. Chapter 12: Pride is the Devil The field grew silent as Luscian and Fantcus entered the field. Both teams were in a buzz of anticipation; their murmurs louder, awaiting fighters against fighters. Kantara raised his hand-again so composed. "Fight," his voice rang out sharp and clear. Luscian now had his sharp eyes locked with Fantcus; his silver-gray hair gleamed in the sun. His mind was racing with all the variables, all possible moves that would result in a victory. Fantcus wasn''t a novice; with his unbreachable defense he had harnessed through the power of slipperiness. Most physical blows, would slide harmlessly off him when his ability was activated. But Luscian wasn''t ordinary either: a power user, a breed of combatant who channeled all his output into raw physical strength. Most ring bearers managed an output in the range of 12 to 14%, but Luscian''s 20% made him a juggernaut. The gap might seem small, but in the world of ring bearers, every percentage was the thin line separating an average warrior from a legend. However, brute strength would not win this fight, nor would it against someone like Fantcus. As Fantcus turned his power on, a thin sheen covered his body, reflecting the sun as if polished glass. The emerald-green color of his hair shone to further the surreal image. On the other side of the field, Luscian breathed deeply and the aura around him began to ripple outwards; it seemed the very earth vibrated beneath him, thickening the air with his immense power. Charging into a two-force collision midarena, Luscian jabbed first, fists flying in blur upon blur as each blow tried to break through the impenetrable shield that Fantcus projected. As expected, every one of these blows slipped away, the momentum dissipating as if on oiled glass. Fantcus laughed, the sound echoing across the arena. "Is that all you¡¯ve got?" he taunted, dodging another punch with ease. His movements were fluid, almost lazy, as if mocking Luscian¡¯s efforts. Luscian gritted his teeth. His plan was simple: just overpower Fantcus with brute strength. He had hypothesized that a strong enough force could break through the slipperiness by mere resistance. But with each passed attack, it dawned on him how wrong his estimates had been. Fantcus''s ability wasn''t just for defense alone; it made Luscian''s biggest asset a weakness.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. But retreat wasn''t an option. Luscian knew the risks: the rules of the match did not allow lethal force, and holding back meant his punches didn''t have the critical edge to overcome the ability. Confident by what seemed to be frustration, Fantcus deactivated his power mid-motion, dodged a final punch, and countered with a blow that would brutally connect with Luscian''s back. The impact sent Luscian sprawling to the ground. Gasps exploded from the onlookers as he lay there, face-first in the dirt. On the sidelines, teammates shifted uncomfortably, a flicker of concern in their eyes. Kantara did not move. He stood there, staring at whatever had happened, not moving his gaze, the thought of stopping the fight not even crossing his mind. Time hung for a moment. Then, with the greatest deliberation, Luscian stirred. He levered himself onto his knees, his breathing ragged but even. A low chuckle escaped his lips, building in volume until it rang out across the field. "I figured it out," he shouted then, his voice slicing the air like a knife. Off to the side, Ipsum hunched a knowing grin. Crossing his arms, he leaned back as if the match has ended. Fantcus''s frown came for the first time; his confidence shook. "What are you..." Luscian didn''t let him finish. In an instant, he was running at him again, fists flying in a blur of furious punches against Fantcus. The crowd watched in stunned silence as blow after blow landed without effect. Fantcus smirked, the faint shimmer of his power mocking Luscian''s efforts. But Luscian''s laughter only grew louder. Every punch seemed purposeful, calculated, as if he was testing something. Then in one quick, subtle shift, Fantcus moved just enough to dodge. That was all Luscian needed. He caught the change in an instant. The shimmer was gone. Fantcus''s palm, for that fleeting moment, no longer reflected the sun. Luscian''s eyes lit up with realization. His opponent had turned his power off to get in another hit. "Big mistake," Luscian muttered under his breath. He channeled all 20% of his output into his legs and was off with a speed that sent the onlooking crowd into gasps. Before Fantcus could act, Luscian''s fist connected with his jaw, and it was the sound of breaking two heavy chunks of wood cracking together, echoing across the field. Fantcus dropped to the ground, out before he hit the dirt. When Kantara strode onto the field, the crowd erupted in cheers and gasps. His expression was unreadable, but the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips betrayed his pride. He raised his hand to signal the end of the match. "Luscian wins," he announced, his voice powerful cutting through the noise. The cheers grew louder, a racket of excitement and disbelief. On the sidelines, Ipsum clapped slowly, his grin wide. Still catching his breath, Luscian looked down at his fallen opponent. "It wasn''t about strength," he said to himself. "It was about timing." As he walked off the field, his teammates swarmed him with voices high in praise and in relief. But in that chaos, Luscian''s mind was already somewhere else. This victory wasn''t a win; it was a lesson: Fantcus'' ability was flawed for all its power-it required focus, and once broken, focus made the strongest defenses vulnerable. Kantara watched him from the edge of the field, his smirk now a thoughtful expression. He had known Luscian had potential, but today he had proved himself in ways few could. The match was over, but the real battles were yet to come. Chapter 12.5 : To live is To Die "I''d rather live death than die living" -Tenos ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Chapter 13 : Weaklings The tension in the air was palpable as Kantara stepped forward, his voice echoing across the field. "Revoir. Ormany. Step forward." The two opponents walked into the open arena, their every step charged with anticipation. Revoir''s black hair glistened under the sun, his pale features glowing faintly. In contrast, Ormany exuded an ominous aura; with his completely black eyes, he had a devilish and intimidating presence. They bowed to each other, and Ormany''s lips curled into a confident smirk as he straightened. "Let''s give them a show," he said, his voice laced with arrogance. Revoir didn''t respond, merely activating his power with a calm determination. He knew Ormany''s ability was dangerous and full of deceit; he had to stay vigilant. Immediately it seemed, Ormany acted. An enormous burst of power burst from him in a ripple and spread out. Revoir blinked and then felt his entire orientation on the world disperse into chaos. It was as though he could hear absolutely nothing, no rustle of air around him. Not even his nose worked anymore; and also lacking was that primordial ability-a protection given ring bearers-to discern threats. Only one sense remained with him. "This is how it starts, Revoir," Ormany said, his voice muffled in Revoir''s silenced world. Then he was charging forward, the speed of his body beyond compare. Revoir steeled himself, relying entirely on sight. He could still absorb and reflect energy-a trait that had worked so well for him before. But the loss of his senses made timing and precision infinitely harder. Ormany moved like a shadow, his punches a blur. Revoir managed to absorb some of the hits, redirecting the kinetic energy with practiced precision. Yet Ormany was too fast, dodging every counterattack with ease. ¡°Frustrated yet?¡± Ormany taunted, his grin widening. ¡°You¡¯ll reach your limit soon enough.¡± Revoir clenched his fists as his body tightened. Every hit he took moved him closer to the edge, and Ormany knew it. Sweat trickled down from Revoir''s face, frustration growing thick in his struggle to keep up and catch every counterattack. "Just give up," Ormany taunted. "You can''t outlast me. I''ll wear you down, and when you''ve got nothing left, I''ll finish this." Revoir refused to answer. He wouldn''t give Ormany the satisfaction. The punches kept coming, faster and harder. Revoir absorbed them, his body starting to ache under the strain. Finally, he felt it: the unmistakable sharp pain signaling he''d reached his absorption limit. He grimaced, frustration boiling over. "Time to end this," Revoir muttered under his breath, charging up his arm with every ounce of stored energy. Ormany was caught off guard by the sudden fierce intensity coming from Revoir. But before he could even land the punch, his feet buckled.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Revoir''s eyes went wide in surprise as his trip caused his fist to fall and he slammed into the ground. It was a terrible and explosive impact that cracked the ground and ripple-violently shook the field, sending a tremor through the arena. Lutens rose, his face black with anger. He looked at Klamtra, who refused to meet his gaze. He turned to Kantara, who stood in shock, staring at Atenyos. Atenyos started walking toward the field, his movements calm and deliberate. Lightning crackled around his white ring, black and white sparks dancing along his body. His eyes shone with a piercing dark white hue, a sight that even Lutens faltered at. ¡°So you want to play dirty, weaklings? Fine,¡± Atenyos said, his voice carrying a cold, dangerous edge. Ormany looked up, startled by Atenyos¡¯s sudden presence. ¡°Stay out of this!¡± he shouted, but Atenyos wasn¡¯t listening. As Atenyos charged up, Kantara, Lutens, Ipsum and some of the other team members instinctively moved to intervene, but something stopped them. A strange, unexplainable force seemed to root them in place. How much can you absorb, Revoir?" Atenyos asked, his tone smooth but dripping with force. Atenyos was suddenly aware of Revoir''s senses disappearing-and his too. He turned to Ormany with a grin. "That''s the best you can do? With a blur of motion, Atenyos punched Revoir. The surge of energy in his body, the tidal wave rolled in. For the first time, something different happened-power so pure it overpowered the pain and exhaustion. Revoir''s gaze was fixed on Ormany, for the very first time off him because of Atenyos. Within that instant of distraction, Revoir charged ahead. The punch was clean, a vicious uppercut to Ormany''s jaw that sent him crashing to the ground. He lay unconscious, sprawled out on the cracked field. The lightning around Atenyos faded as he relaxed and sat down where he stood. His eyes met Kantara''s, and a silent understanding passed between them. Kantara had noted the subtle shift in the battle¡ªKlamtra''s intervention, using his plant control to hold Revoir''s legs and trip him. Kantara stepped onto the field, his voice steady but tinged with disappointment. "This match is invalid. Both teams intervened." Murmurs of surprise spread amongst the onlookers, and many of them had not caught Klamtra''s interference thus thought Atenyos acted alone. No one had gotten a chance to argue before Lutens rose in his chair, his tone clear and sure. "No. This is the win of Terram''s guild. Klamtra was the first to interfere, while Atenyos did nothing but return the power that Revoir had in his possession before the interference." Kantara paused then nodded. "Terram''s guild wins," he declared, not very convincingly. Both teams'' members turned to Klamtra, their faces a mask of disappointment to outright disgust. Unable to face them, Klamtra walked off, his head hung low. "Wait," Lutens called out, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Your match is disqualified, Klamtra. And in your stead the match will be Atenyos versus Mantrey and Arkinos." Klamtra froze, in shock for a moment, before his anger and embarrassment overwhelmed him. He ground his fists and dashed off without a word. Arkinos smirked, though. "I see, not everyone gets a second chance, huh?" he said, the tinge of amusement sounding in his voice. He turned and walked away, confident that his assessment was on target. Mantrey, who had initially resented the team-up, now looked exhilarated. The prospect of fighting Atenyos alongside Arkinos was too tempting to pass up. Atenyos nodded silently, his resolve evident. Kantara watched him closely, torn between admiration and concern. Deep down, he knew this was no ordinary challenge for someone so new to their power; he wanted to intervene, but he knew it would be to no avail. As the teams dispersed, Lutens approached Atenyos. His voice was low but commanding. "Meet me at the field at midnight." Chapter 14 : The Spark PT.1 With the weight of daytime events heavy in the room, tension was an unwanted guest. Atenyos sat on the edge of his bed, his head replaying all the action of the fight, the intervention, and its aftermath. Though the room was only dimly lit, the slight crackling of sparks from his ring created an illuminating view of his brooding face. Ipsum entered without knocking the door and drew a stool beside Atenyos. He hunched forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and broke the silence. "Atenyos, what''s up with you, man?" Ipsum asked softly, piercingly. "All of us were upset about what happened today, but you...you took it personally, more than us. Say something, man." Atenyos looked up, his dark eyes meeting Ipsum''s earnest gaze. For a moment, he was silent, the weight of his thoughts pulling him down. Then he sighed and relaxed a trifle. "I don''t know where to begin, Ipsum," he started, "I don''t have anyone, really, no family or friends. And my father-he''s gone due to the Witnesses. And as for my mother." Here he pauses, catching his voice. "She followed him, in her own way. Depression took her long before her body gave up. She never wanted me to have a ring, you know? She hated the idea. I can still hear her voice every time I activate my powers, begging me to stop." Ipsum didn''t say anything, waiting for Atenyos to keep talking. He spoke with vulnerability he rarely touched on, so Ipsum didn''t want to interfere. Atenyos went on, his voice much steadier. "But my hatred. it was never directed at the Witnesses alone. I despise the emperors, too. They sit on their thrones, surrounded by luxury, while the rest of the world struggles. When Enyos died, they ceased fighting. They let the world believe that they protect it, but all I see is cowardice. They have let people fend for themselves while clinging to their titles." "Seeing them cheat made me realize how low the ring bearers have fallen, I couldn''t stand by" The faint hum of his ring louder, he clenched his fists. "After my mother passed, I took my father''s journals. I studied them, lived them. Every day, I pushed myself to the brink-training, studying, breaking down and getting back up. I made it my purpose to change this broken system. It sounds like a foolish dream, but ever since I gained these rings, I have this feeling¡­ it feels that it is possible, it can go beyond what I felt was my limit." At the words, Ipsum raised an eyebrow; his lips curled upwards with a slight smile. "That is one hell of purpose Atenyos, but you know you fainted every time you overexert yourself, right? You have some potential for sure, but¡ª" "I know," Atenyos cut in, his voice solid. "I know my limits, Ipsum. And I will surpass them. I''ll hone my power until there are no weaknesses left to exploit. Since I''ve met the emperors, I don''t hate them anymore¡­ not completely. I pity them." Ipsum blinked, surprised. "Pity? Atenyos, they can level mountains. How can you pity them?" "Because behind their eyes, I see fear," Atenyos whispered. "They''re afraid, Ipsum. Afraid of what''s out there. Afraid of losing control. And that''s what keeps them rooted in place." If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Atenyos leaned back, the sparks around him dimming. "I don''t have fear. Not anymore. I have nothing left to lose. And because of that, I''ll change this pitiful world. Ipsum stared at him, his mind racing. Something in Atenyos seemed to dance in those eyes-a fire, a determination that was beyond ambition. It was a calling. "You''re insane," Ipsum said, shaking his head. "But damn it, Atenyos, I''ll follow you. Just promise me one thing: if I ever see fear strike you, even for a second, I''m out. No hesitation. You hear me?" Atenyos allowed himself a small smile. "Deal." They shook hands, and for the first time in his life, Atenyos felt the alien warmth of trust. --- That night, as promised, found Atenyos on the training grounds, where Lutens awaited him. The emperor stood cross-armed, a smirk dancing upon his lips as Atenyos approached. "What''s this about?" Atenyos asked, tone casual. Lutens''s smirk grew wider. "Show me your ring, kid," Lutens said. Atenyos raised his hand, and Lutens analyzed the output. As soon as he saw the number, he started to laugh, actually doubling over and grasping his stomach. "Point-zero-one percent? HA! I thought it was a joke, but this¡­ this is amazing!" Atenyos raised an eyebrow in exasperation. "Are you done?" "Okay, okay," Lutens said, wiping tears from his eyes. "Seriously, though. I noticed something when you turned on your powers earlier. Sparks, kid. Lightning. What''s that about?" "I don''t know. It just happens," Atenyos replied with a shrug. Lutens tilted his head to the side, studying him. "You have marks of lightning on your hands. It''s pretty obvious, don''t you think? Why haven''t you tried using it?" Atenyos frowned, looking at his hands. ¡°I¡­ never thought about it.¡± ¡°Typical. All right, hit me,¡± Lutens said, the smirk vanishing as he stood his ground. ¡°huh?¡± ¡°Hit me. Show me what you¡¯ve got.¡± Atenyos didn''t hesitated, Lutens¡¯s unwavering gaze pushed him forward. Activating his powers, he charged at Lutens, his movements fluid and precise. Lutens tried to dodge, but Atenyos¡¯s speed and technique caught him off guard, and the punch landed squarely. Lutens stumbled back, his grin spreading over his face. "Well, that tickled. You''re good, kid. Really good. Where''d you learn to fight like that?" "My father''s journals," Atenyos replied succinctly. Lutens laughed. "Figures. You''re full of surprises, aren''t you?" The mocking note was gone from his voice as he vanished from view only to reappear a few inches away from Atenyos. "Now it''s my turn." The blow to his stomach, coursing lightning through it, came so fast that Lutens disappeared before Atenyos could even react and reappeared within a millisecond. Atenyos fell on his knees, coughing blood, but he felt something very strange. The lightning of that strike didn''t fade; it grew. "That''s all you," Lutens said, almost in reverence. "Now focus. Feel the lightning in your veins. Let it guide you." Atenyos closed his eyes, releasing everything but the sensation. The marks on his arms grew, lightning crackling wildly as it enveloped him. When he opened them again, they were pure black, glowing with energy. "Now hit me again. Don''t think, just let the power flow, concentrate it to single point," Lutens commanded. Atenyos surged forward, his movements a blur as he delivered a punch fueled by pure lightning. Lutens braced himself, the force nearly knocking him off his feet. Lutens laughed, clapping Atenyos on the shoulder. "You did it, kid. I knew it, your power is the same as I, the power of controlling electricity, and it doesn''t just stop there, but for now, Keep practicing." "...I''d take you with me but Iruim would never allow it, so practice Atenyos, hone it. And it shall guide you and teach you itself." "While you do that, I''ll try and figure something out for you, just keep pushing" Atenyos nodded, a rare grin spreading across his face. "I will." "Now go, tomorrow is the last match before yours, get some sleep kid." The next day, the match was between Marcellus and Crphis. In that one-sided contest, the latter''s powers of changing from solid to water and vice versa made him all but untouchable. The former fought honorably his strategies were ingenious, but saw no path to winning without lethal force. His heart heavy, he surrendered. Teams melted away, and the air thickened in anticipation of the final match. That night, Atenyos sat in a cross-legged position in his room, his fingers dancing with streaks of lightning. He let it be, growing around him, lightning flowing all across, with a face filled with excitement of the victory of tomorrow. Chapter 15 : The Spark Pt.2 The most anxiously awaited battle of all-Atenyos against Mantrey and Arkinos. As everyone gathers at the field, the air acquires electricity, and very quickly, news spread not only within trainees participating in joint training but also to others in the Terram guild; this was just not a friendly sparring bout, as this would eventually show. It was the real fight to begin with-an opportunity to find out whether this mystery man recruit was a one-hit wonder or has a real deal. Kantara stepped onto the sidelines where Atenyos waited. His face was somber, his stance tense. He stretched forth and rested a firm hand upon Atenyos''s shoulder, speaking in a low serious voice as he bent in to talk quietly yet intensely. "Look, I know you want to prove yourself, and I know you''re capable of great things, but this match is dangerous. It can only end when one side gives up. I''m powerless to intervene. Be.... wise, Atenyos. Don''t push yourself beyond your limits." Kantara''s frustration was obvious¡ªnot only at the match but with the game and matchup in general. Atenyos, still discovering his powers, was being set up against experienced fighters who had gone through battles and even fought against the Witnesses. Their combat experience was leagues ahead of his own. Kantara gritted his teeth, well aware that raw talent and power were not enough to guarantee victories against such prowess. But Atenyos did nothing more than raise an eyebrow. His eyes shone with enthusiasm, a quiver of pride dancing upon his lips. "Believe in me, Kantara," he said, quiet, sure. "I''ve still got one or two cards up my sleeve." Kantara watched him a moment longer, gnashing his teeth in exasperation. He hated this helpless feeling. He nodded grudgingly and tapped Atenyos on the shoulder, heading off with his head hung low and his shoulders tense. Moments later, Kantara summoned all three fighters to the field. "Wait!" a sharp voice cut in, cutting through the clamor of the crowd. Lutens took a step forward, eyes glittering with eager intent. His Blue hair flapping about the glow of the dying sun, and on his lips danced an inexpressible excitement like a child. "Here, Atenyos," said Lutens to him, as he motioned his hand with the invitation. Atenys agreed. But now an incalculable fragment of puzzlement wreathed around his face, he asked. "Yes? "If you can''t control your lightning," Lutens said with a smirk, "don''t use it." Before Atenyos could reply, Lutens gave him a light shove, sending him back to the field. Atenyos''s expression shifted from confusion to pure focus. Walking to the middle, Lutens amplified his voice. "This contest only ends with a resignation. For Lland''s guild, both of them must surrender before the match concludes. If just one of them surrenders, he has to go off the field, and this battle will proceed. And certainly, I will not have any third-party interference." His tone turned sharp, and his gaze bore down on Klmatra, who flinched but remained still. Lutens¡¯s cheerful demeanor faded, replaced by an icy seriousness that suffocated the field. The shift in pressure was heavy, a reminder of the power he wielded. "Lastly," Lutens added, his smirk returning, "Mantrey and Arkinos, you cannot surrender. That¡¯s an order." A stunned silence fell over the field. Pale faces, fearful and concerned, now stared in stunned silence. Fists clenched at his side, Kantara''s anger sent waves out, like an approaching storm. But... Atenyos? He laughed. It began with a soft chuckle and built up to loud resonating echoes on the field. He spread one hand across his face, and arched back, basking in his psychotic grin. Stunned silence watched him as they all did so. "He is insane," somebody whispered. "What sort of lunatic laughs in a situation like this?" Only Ipsum seemed unaffected. He let out a soft, amused laugh of his own, shaking his head. "Classic," he muttered under his breath. Mantrey and Arkinos locked eyes with Atenyos, their faces hardening in anger and determination. Lutens stepped back, his devilish smile wide.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. "Begin!" he declared. Unbeknownst to the audience, another watched the match from on high. Seated on the roof of the guild headquarters, Iruim crouched low, eyes keen and focused on every movement in the field below. The match started. Atenyos charged up, his lightning marks growing more than ever before. Grew around him and the black and white sparks crackled violently, filling the air with static. His dark eyes turned completely black, and the circles around them darkened ominously. Without hesitation, he launched himself toward Mantrey with startling speed. Mantrey barely had time to react, activating his power just in time. His blades shimmered with an unbreakable sheen, their edges sharp enough to slice through solid steel. Arkinos moved in tandem, touching Mantrey''s blades to activate his own ability, turning his skin into solid metal. The synergy between them was seamless, their experience evident. But Atenyos would not be stopped. He struck with almost professional precision, fluidly weaving between the attacks. When Arkinos lunged, Atenyos blocked his strike effortlessly and countered it with a punch that cracked across Arkinos''s metallic exterior. The crowd gasped. Mantrey and Arkinos quickly put space between themselves and Atenyos, backpedaling to recharge. Arkinos leaned on Mantrey''s blades to regenerate, his breathing heavy. Atenyos looked down at his side and saw a shallow slash from one of Mantrey''s earlier attacks. He smiled, unconcerned. His movements were perfect, his strikes calculated, and his defense impenetrable. He had minor injuries but fought as if nothing had occurred. Blow after blow was exchanged, the combatants moving in a deadly dance that left the spectators in awe. Atenyos''s fighting style was unlike anything they had ever seen¡ªfluid, almost graceful, yet devastatingly effective. As the fight raged on, Atenyos¡¯s body began to show signs of strain. His breaths grew heavier, and his lightning marks pulsed erratically. But his smile never wavered. "You¡¯re not bad," he said, wiping blood from his nose. "This is fun." "You¡¯re nearing your limit," Mantrey retorted, his tone sharp. "Don¡¯t get cocky." Mantrey and Arkinos exchanged a glance. It was clear that they couldn¡¯t break through Atenyos¡¯s defenses with their current approach. "Let¡¯s end this," Arkinos growled. The air around them shifted as they powered up, although maybe not known by even them their combined killing intent slipped for a moment and it sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present.This is supposed to be a training match, yet being shoved in a corner with no clear end to the fight made them want to end it one way or another. Kantara stepped forward instinctively, his protective instincts kicking in, but Lutens stopped him with a single word. "No." The weight of Lutens''s command was suffocating, and Kantara froze in place. The air around Atenyos shifted abruptly, a tangible tension enveloping the arena. His smile faded, replaced by a look of unyielding determination. His dark eyes, which were once like two black pools, now had streaks of radiant white flashing within them like lightning trapped inside an endless storm. The faint sparks that once danced across his body now surged into violent arcs of energy that crackled and flashed with a ferocity so intense that they could silence a field. Each iota of his presence screamed that something extra was about to unfold. The lightning grew¡ªnot just in size, but in dominance. Black and white bolts lashed out from him, carving faint scorches into the ground. The energy spiraled outward, twisting the air into a vortex of sheer power. His marks, once confined to his arms, began to spread, glowing vividly as they climbed his body like veins pulsing with raw, untamed electricity. Moments before, Kantara was wracked with worry. Now, he froze in awe. His anxiety turned to an almost reverent fascination. He did not want to interrupt, no longer seeing Atenyos as just an inexperience recruit, but as something far greater¡ªsomething yet to be understood. Ipsum sat. He was the first to stand up. His smile widened as he leaned forward. His eyes fixed on his comrade. "What is this?" he whispered in himself, all excitement in his voice. He clenched fists with thoughts of how far Atenyos could go. Even Lutens, never fazed and always so collected, rose to his feet, the play upon his face replaced by quiet seriousness. His keen, grey-blue eyes flickered with intrigue and anticipation. He could feel it-this wasn''t just power. This was evolution, the kind of awakening even emperors would take notice of. "So, he decided to use it," he muttered under his breath, his fingers twitching slightly. The arena was stopped dead in its tracks, and all eyes were drawn to Atenyos. For a second, it seemed like time itself had stopped as everyone held their collective breath in unison. The silence was deafening with only the crackling lightning and low hum of energy emanating from him. "Yeah," Atenyos muttered, his voice low and steady. "Let''s finish this." The final collision was cataclysmic in every sense of the word. Atenyos charged forward in a blur. Mantrey and Arkinos charged as well, their two strengths focused in one devastating blow. But Lutens watched it closely. There was something odd there. Atenyos did not hold himself back. Lightning surged uncontrollably, spirling into chaos around him. As the distance between them was closing, Atenyos concentrated all of his power to his fist. The moment they collided¡ª BRRRAK-KOOM! The field exploded with energy. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the battlefield from view. The sheer force of the clash sent shockwaves rippling through the crowd, who shielded their faces against the blast. As the dust began to settle, a figure emerged. Lutens stood in the center of the field, his right hand gripping Atenyos''s fist, his left holding Mantrey¡¯s weapons and blocking Arkinos¡¯s strike. Lightning crackled around Lutens, his face calm but his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The match is over," Lutens declared. "A draw is concluded." Atenyos..... let out a small smile. Though Atenyos''s attack had come with strength in power, even Lutens didn''t get the time to guard against it. In every throb of heartbeat, he felt pain running through his right hand as though his bones were broken; the shuddering in his body caused from the impact of the blow. Lutens clenched his jaw but as an emperor he disguised his pain under a smile. The onlookers murmured out in shock upon this instance. Lutens released his grip, stepping back. He hid it well, but there was a faint tremor in his right hand¡ªthe price of stopping Atenyos¡¯s unrestrained power. Chapter 16 : What To Come Chapter 16 The meeting room was dimly lit, the marbled walls mirroring the flickering glow of lanterns. Kantara, Iruim, and Lutens sat around a circular table; the air hung thick between them in contemplation. The last battle was fresh in their minds, especially in Lutens''s mind, his right arm now tightly wrapped with bandages. His fingers involuntarily twitched-a dull, throbbing pain radiating from his hand, an ever-present reminder of what had transpired. As an Emperor, he couldn''t just go to any of the healers present at the guild, because he couldn''t risk letting people know that he''d been hurt by a lowly new Ring Bearer-the news would spread like wildfire, and questions would arise. Lutens huffed through his nose, his signature smirk reduced to a low, humoring appearance. "This kid''s something else," he muttered, adjusting himself slightly in his chair. For all the pain, a spark of excitement still tittered within his tone-the usual case whenever Atenyos was mentioned. "Unmatched among the new Ring Bearers. The tenured would go down in a breeze against him, and you two witnessed it. I didn''t want him to let it slip so early, but...there it is. Quite unmistakable, I should add." His eyes golden eyes flashed as he leant forward. "His powers are like mine." There was silence stretched between them; it was deliberate and heavy. Lutens let the words settle before continuing. "The difference, however, is staggering. His output is only 0.01%, yet he rivals those at 16%, maybe even 20%. That''s just his physical prowess. Now, with his newly uncovered abilities¡­" He trailed off, flexing his bandaged fingers. The pain flared again. "He might be something even more than that." Iruim scowled and rubbed his chin. "How?" The tone of his voice was laced with incredulity. "How can he have so much power with that low of an output? And if that output were to rise even a bit, would the surge in strength be similarly astronomical?" It terrified him. Atenyos had already hurt an Emperor¡ªthat which was supposed to be out of the realm of possibility of his rank or even any rank¡ªbut it was not his strength which bothered Iruim, rather his mind. Atenyos did not fit into the system the Emperors constructed. If he continued to strengthen, wild and unchecked¡­ Would he turn into a menace? But before he could continue, Kantara sensed his unsaid thoughts and cut through the silence. "Atenyos is a good kid," he said with firmness. "His ideals might be unorthodox, but I''ve seen his eyes. You shouldn''t be worried about him-even if he reaches that level." Lutens leaned back, his head tilted; his smirk deepened. Then, with a quiet chuckle, he murmured, "I want to train him." And Kantara and Iruim whipped their heads toward him in an instant. "What?!" They spoke, surprise tingeing each of their tones. Lutens returned each gaze without one ounce of hesitancy. "I want to train him," he repeated. "He does have the same powers as I do. Does it not become fitting that I teach him? Kantara''s face locked in a tight jaw. "I understand just what you mean, Lutens," he said with voice measured. "But he''s my student." Respectful-but Lutens caught the flicker of annoyance behind his eyes. Iruim huffed, "How about this?" he interrupted before things escalated any further. "Lutens, you will get to train Atenyos once a week. Atenyos will continue under Kantara''s team, but there will be a day set for you alone to work with him. This way, you continue your duties as an Emperor without hindrances." Kantara''s lips pressed into a thin line. The compromise wasn''t great, but he knew Lutens had a point. Long after the pause, he sharply exhaled. "¡­Fine. I agree." Lutens'' smirk broadened. "Works for me." He rose, rolling his injured wrist with a grimace. "I''ll head back to Lland and be back in a week. Until then¡­" He cast a look at Kantara, the glint in his eye mischievous. "Don''t overtrain the kid-we wouldn''t want to break him before I get my turn." With that, the meeting was over. But as Lutens walked away, he flexed his hand again. The pain still lingered, deep and sharp. Atenyos'' raw strength had been terrifying. Even an Emperor had hard time withstanding it, and Lutens knew that if he had taken the hit with a proper guard, it still wouldn''t have made much of a difference. The kid was different. Lutens smirked to himself. He''s going to be something else. --- A Few Days Later The sun was high overhead in the training field, casting long shadows as Kantara''s team gathered in front of him. Atenyos''s exhaustion from his last battle had worn off, but its effects were still remarkably fresh within his mind. Kantara stood before them, arms crossed. "Your rest period is over," he said with a level voice. "From this time forward, our training will be focused on the real mission ahead. Atenyos flexed his fingers absently, feeling the slight crackle of electricity along his skin. Beside him, Ipsum stood somber, the usual grin replaced by something a little more serious. "As you well know," Kantara said, continuing on, "the main purpose of every Ring Bearer is to combat the Witnesses and the creatures of the Bright Dark. That is not all, however." His face clouded. "There are those of us-people who have been given the Light''s blessings-who have decided to use it for their own gains. Instead of protecting this world, they take from it." The weight of his words pressed down on the group. ¡°These individuals are called Regressors,¡± Kantara said, his voice firm. ¡°And our next mission is to eliminate two of them.¡± The air seemed to shift. The team tensed slightly, their usual relaxed demeanor vanishing, they knew about regressors yet again, fighting humans...killing them, wasn''t what they signed up for. Ipsum¡¯s lips parted as if to say something, but no words came. The idea of fighting other humans¡ªeven those who had abandoned their duty¡ªwas unsettling. Atenyos, on the other hand, was filled with anything but sorriness .His jaw was clenched, his fingers curling into a fist. The thought of people choosing to take these powers and use them to bring even more pain into this already broken world¡­ Pathetic. Kantara''s eyes flickered across his team, reading their expressions. "Before we discuss the mission further, there''s something else you all need to know." He took a breath. "Starting next week, Atenyos will have one day where he won''t be training with us. Emperor Lutens has personally requested to train him." Atenyos and Ipsum shared a look of surprise, their eyes wide with it. Then their faces morphed into a look of excitement in unison. Atenyos chuckled low. "I guess he didn''t get enough from our last encounter," he whispered, his elbow nudging that of Ipsum. Kantara revealed nothing. "We begin mission briefing tomorrow. Dismissed." The others all walked away, but Atenyos didn''t. His fingers brushed his ring, the faint hum of lightning pulsating beneath his skin. He watched as lightning flickered between black and white-unstable, raw, yet powerful. He exhaled. "This isn''t the end, is it?" The electricity crackled, his ring glowing ever so slightly. No time to waste. Kantara watched him from afar, crossing his arms. In the field stood a boy, alone, the lightning dancing around him silently. The words of Lutens rung in his mind. "His body isn''t used to his power. If his hit hadn''t landed, my team would''ve won-because he''d be burnt out completely." Kantara clenched his fists. Atenyos was strong. But strength wasn''t everything. He was going to get Atenyos through this. No matter what it took. Chapter 17 : Hunt The dining hall was alive with the clatter of utensils and quiet murmurs of conversation. Atenyos sat among his teammates, absentmindedly pushing his food around his plate. Ipsum, seated beside him, took large bites with his usual carefree attitude, while the others exchanged casual remarks about their upcoming mission. A silence settled over the table¡ªone that Cassian chose to break. ¡°Atenyos who would win in a full-on battle to the death between me and Ipsum?¡± His tone was lighthearted, but the underlying tension in his words did not go unnoticed. The question caught Atenyos mid-bite. He barely looked up, his expression unreadable. ¡°Ipsum.¡± His answer was immediate, his voice cold and detached, as if the question hardly required thought. Ipsum smirked, taking it as a compliment, but Cassian¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Oh?¡± Cassian¡¯s voice held a slight edge. ¡°And if you were to go up against Ipsum, who would win?¡± Atenyos finally lifted his gaze, meeting Cassian¡¯s eyes with an expression devoid of arrogance, yet filled with quiet confidence. ¡°We¡¯d have to fight to find out. But in a full-on dance¡­¡± He allowed himself a slight smirk as he glanced at Ipsum. ¡°I¡¯d triumph.¡± Ipsum chuckled but said nothing, though Atenyos¡¯ choice of words made it clear¡ªthere would never be such a fight. Cassian¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°I see,¡± he muttered, but there was something else beneath his words, something unspoken. ¡°Well, only time will tell who¡¯s the strongest¡­ and who¡¯s trustworthy.¡± His last words were full of significance, an unstated reprimand hidden within their depths. But if he was expecting reaction, he was not to receive it. Atenyos simply continued on with meal in front of him, not bothering with whatever Cassian was insinuating. Tension lasted for yet another instant before Ipsum changed subject, and meal went on from that point in peace. However, Cassian¡¯s inspection of Atenyos wasn¡¯t going unnoticed. . Mission Briefing Training room was quiet upon their arrival, thick with unspoken anticipation. Kantara was at its center, face unreadable, arms locked across his chest.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡°Assume that all of you have eaten well,¡± he began off on level tones, unshakeable words. ¡°Today, words turn to actions." Presence was enough to command their attention alone, but that he spoke differently now ¡ª differently than he ever spoke ¡ª added to it. ¡°Before we start, we have to welcome someone." He waved towards doors. "To welcome her." ¡°Mendr, a new addition to the team she¡¯s a Ring Bearer of notable physical strength¡ªone of strongest among the guild. Raw power alone makes her of immense utility to us, but determination to match hers is scarce." He fell for pause before going on to talk of more things in greater details. ¡°Respect her power. Soon enough, you''ll need to." The young woman emerged, black hair falling from shoulders to mid-back, eyes blank of all expression but for their unyielding concentration. There was sharpness to her vibe, determination to her stance that spoke of someone who¡¯d struggled for every step of advancement she¡¯d won. Team welcomed her in their own way¡ªeach of them greeting in their own way. Atenyos welcomed with a nod not much more than that, but she gave him hers in turn in no way hesitant at all. Only Ipsum faltered. His smile faltered for only for a split second, his eyes on Mendr for brief a moment before he stepped back. Kantara didn¡¯t pause to go on. ¡°Now to the task at hand.¡± His face clouded darker, his energy altering. ¡°There are two objectives¡ªtwo Regressors.¡± Serenity lacked from the words he spoke. "As Ring Bearers, their mission was to fend off the Witnesses and creatures of Bright Darkness,¡± Kantara went on to harden he stares. ¡°And that is not all that is requested of us.¡± His words now cut with edge, more cutting than before. ¡°There are members within us¡ªthose who have ingested the Light¡ªwho have decided to wield it for their own agenda. Instead of protecting this world, they would seek to corrupt it.¡± Atenyos¡¯ fingers curled at his side. Pathetic. ¡°The thought of combating other humans might turn your stomach,¡± Kantara went on to look across their crew. ¡°These aren¡¯t harmless men, though. They are agents of damage to the land. They destroy things, and if we don¡¯t take steps now, more humans will get hurt than have so far.¡± His words remained even, his sense sound¡ªbut something was wrong. Atenyos heard it in undertones to words of him, in how he tightened in body by fractions. The exasperation in Kantara¡¯s tones wasn¡¯t without reason. It was from suffering....pain. Atenyos¡¯s eyes tightened in suspicion. Why? Why would naming these Regressors have caused that reaction? Kantara¡¯s powers slightly flared to life at his emotions, even causing air in the room to condense. Shiver of fear coursed through the spine of their crew¡ªan involuntary reaction when having an Emperor candidate¡¯s power in their ranks. And yet, Atenyos didn¡¯t flinch, all of his focus on Kantara. He was hiding something. What was it? Kantara breathed finally, shoving all of the feelings that welled to where they belonged in his mind. ¡°Okay,¡± he continued speaking in that even, measured way again. ¡°Here¡¯s all that¡¯s known of the two Regressors that we''ll hunt." Room grew tense. Hunt was on.