《Prophecy System Revival: Gambit To SAVE The World》


 Chapter 1 - Fragments Of A Fallen World

    No matter where you looked, you saw blood. Hope never imagined a person could bleed that much.


    He was the one who caused that. He killed a man. And for the first time. He was only 11 years old at that time.


    He slit the man''s throat with his own hands and then stained his hands with blood. The scene was too grim for him to watch.


    It became a decisive event that would follow him for the rest of his life.


    Such a graphic scene didn''t end with just a large amount of blood. It was accompanied by a terrible, metallic smell that filled the air in the small cell.


    So much so that Hope''s nervous breathing quickened even more.


    The man he killed was someone he knew. Moreover, Hope''s long-time mentor and, in his opinion, one of his best teachers.


    But the boy killed the man quickly and painlessly.


    He expected the killing to bring tears to his eyes, or at least nausea. ''It was easier than I thought.''


    This was his first thought, which made his actions even more severe in his own eyes.


    Then he looked at the man''s soulless corpse for a long time. Longer than he wanted to, but he did it anyway.


    The question manifested itself: Why did Hope kill the teacher he respected so much?


    The problem was that this man himself ordered the boy to do it.


    The instructor prepared the boy for years. He taught him everything he knew, and in the last lesson, he ordered such madness.


    "Hope, I taught you everything I knew. But there is one thing that even I don''t know, but the path you must take requires knowledge of it!"


    "What do you mean, Vizi?" the boy naively asked his mentor. He thought this would be one insignificant lesson. Oh, how wrong he was.


    This was the last moment when he addressed the man by his name.


    "Murder, Hope. This is a great art that I never dared to master. Now, as the Chosen One, it is expected of you. So this is your last lesson from me."


    Vizi said, handing the boy a dark-coloured dagger.


    The man spoke so calmly that the boy could hardly believe his ears. ''He is joking, right? But Vizi never jokes.''


    The teacher''s voice was the only thing that broke his thoughts. "Follow me. We need to do this in a suitable place." He was as calm as he was at the beginning.


    He led Hope to the room, not allowing him to argue. Then he turned his head back into the cell, looked at the boy in the dim light, and smiled.


    It was the first and last time the boy saw Vizi smile. "Now do as I told you. Do it quickly and try to make it painless."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Hope was scared. He didn''t want to do this. However, the entire 11 years of training were meant to make the boy obedient.


    He didn''t know how to resist; it was even harder than cutting a man''s throat.


    That''s why he did it. Hope killed the instructor as he looked him in the eye.


    Then he watched the man who had turned into a corpse for a long time. The boy watched as his mentor''s warm body lost all the heat.


    He may not have understood it, but he believed he had done the right thing.


    There was a reason for all that.


    Three hundred years ago, humanity was on the verge of extinction. Their once carefree existence has been transformed by a struggle for survival as a result of massive planetary changes.


    All of humanity has felt the impact of the cosmic forces that erupted centuries ago.


    Monstrous entities appeared, some controlling human bodies, others taking over animals.


    And then there were entirely new beings, whose powers far surpassed human capabilities. Their origins, intentions, and weaknesses remained mysteries.


    These monsters pushed humanity back, driving it to the edge of annihilation.


    In this darkness, the Prophecies began to emerge. Their origins were uncertain, unknown, unknowable.


    Fragments of visions appeared in poems, tales, and stories out of nowhere. Each prophecy carried purpose and meaning, dictating life and death.


    But collecting and interpreting these fragments proved beyond human abilities, especially as monsters and deadly creatures covered the planet.


    Having glimpsed hope, humanity was further plunged into panic over its untapped knowledge.


    Many settlements gave up; others waged wars, leaving society almost entirely fragmented.


    At the most critical moment of humanity''s survival, the gods appeared. No one knew their exact number and fragmented prophecies offered no details.


    Instead, the undeniable acts of service came into view from these lofty beings.


    The gods promised humanity aid from their realms in exchange for forming bonds and gathering fragments of prophecy.


    Over two hundred years later, the gathering of fragments continued. Prophecies spread, and people gained more knowledge, understanding that peace was temporary. They must pay the price, and it won''t be cheap.


    Throughout this time, humanity continued to grow. According to the prophecies, the danger wasn''t over. The number of monsters grew daily, and even the god''s power wasn''t enough to reduce their numbers.


    Thus, fear lingered in every heart. The threat remained, and accumulated knowledge indicated it would never vanish. In fact, the tension it caused never disappeared.


    People needed some kind of authority. Someone who would guide them, protect them, and give them hope.


    A fragment of a poem emerged, joined by fables, until one day the whole world spoke of it.


    A child, not yet born, became a beacon of hope. He was tasked with ensuring the survival of the entire species, and according to the rumours, he was soon to appear.


    A few years later, a child was born whose real name none of the prophecies spoke of. Everyone called him Hope, and every moment of his life was controlled.


    The prophecy manifested itself as an ultimate system. A system that will guide him on his journey and will be a source of his transcendent power.


    Myths and legends about him spread immediately. Fragments spoke a lot about his destiny.


    He will be the leader of the fighting force, he will collect all the prophecies in the future and bring true peace to the world.


    However, the boy never knew freedom. His food, his clothing, his friends, and toys were defined by others.


    His mother died when he was born, and his father was separated from him the next day. The guardians were also chosen by the planet''s government.


    He was transferred to a closed city, forbidden to outsiders and with strict controls on visitors.


    Nothing was spared for his education and welfare.


    The best instructors were selected, and every parameter of his health was checked twice a day. He was guarded by the most powerful Binders of the time.


    In short, Hope was the most protected and important person on the planet. In his early training, he seemed to live up to his name.


    Quick-witted, nimble, and intelligent, he picked things up quickly and was a few paces ahead of his peers.


    He studied how to be the finest leader, lead humanity, and save the world with the help of prophecy.


    Just 4 years after his early murder, Hope stood against the first monster he had to slay.

 Chapter 2 - Hope

    Hope''s physical capabilities were impressive.


    At age twelve, he could easily defeat warriors five years his senior. He wielded a sword, spear, bow, and other weapons flawlessly.


    Cautiously, he was introduced to monsters at fifteen. Humanity watched his progress eagerly.


    He was brought before the monster. Still with the dagger with which he slew his instructor years ago. The weapon still seemed to have that heavy smell.


    The boy was placed before the monster. He was told that he had to kill it and that this was one of his many duties.


    To save the world, he wouldn''t only have to fight humans but also different creatures.


    Hope would have to face many monsters and a terror he had never seen before, and he had to be ready for that.


    Mentally and physically, he was truly competent. Standing before the hunchbacked creature, he was confident that he would defeat it without any problems.


    With the dagger in his hand, he looked at the creature, and Hope saw fragments. These were parts of the prophecy that were coming out of the monster''s body and heading towards him.


    The boy had never seen anything like this before; he had never imagined that he could see fragments, although it seemed that he was mistaken.


    Numbers flashed through Hope''s mind. Unorganised, wild figures that he couldn''t control or read.


    This was a system that nested in his being, although it was still asleep. The most powerful force that would decide his future and help him fight countless monsters.


    Unfortunately, this system refused to activate at this moment. The flying fragments around Hope remained unreadable.


    The numbers were just nonsense in his head that he couldn''t use.


    He was disappointed. It was hard, having such a great destiny, but not being able to use it.


    Hope couldn''t reach this power, although he faced the creature confidently, sure he could handle it.


    The problem was that he couldn''t.


    He was immobile before the beast. Not a single muscle obeyed, and he nearly choked, collapsing on the ground in his vomit. The boy couldn''t even scream.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    He who wanted to subdue the world couldn''t conquer his own body.


    The prophecies said nothing of such an outcome, which was an unbelievable shock for both the city and the waiting globe. They repeated the test multiple times, each of which nearly killed Hope.


    The system in his being was still asleep. With no signs of waking up.


    It was untouched power he couldn''t use. The uncontrolled fragments became a reason for his downfall.


    His standing worsened over the years. No one dared to gamble with his life, so he continued to enjoy every privilege.


    The prophecies still spoke in his favour, yet he could prove nothing. Against humanity''s greatest threat, he of all people was hopeless.


    Then someone called him Despair. The name stuck, and it became his new title.


    His situation at the academy was particularly troublesome. He was no longer appreciated by his teachers, and almost all the students despised him.


    They always called him Despair, as if to never let him forget his failure.


    Most of the pupils didn''t dare to do this to his face. Especially his peers, because they knew very well what the boy was capable of.


    He had to prove his strength several times and beat the students severely.


    "I may not be able to subdue monsters because I can''t control my body, but I will beat guys like you to the ground any day." He even called out and fulfilled it when he broke the hand of the best student in the school''s graduating class.


    His appearance in the city also caused a stir among the people. He heard the name Despair many times, which hit his self-esteem even harder.


    The boy couldn''t fight against the population. It would be embarrassing, so he had to endure the situation.


    Holding that the prophecy wouldn''t be wrong he patiently waited for the time when the prophecy would be fulfilled.


    Nearly three years had passed since his first failure. He was approaching the age when everyone was required to appear before the gods.


    At this ceremony, they choose your path. Decide your future, grant you power while assigning specific fragments to gather, and officially make you a Binder.


    Every child dreamed of becoming a Binder, especially when growing up on tales of their heroic deeds.


    It was hard not to desire the mythical powers they possessed. They were cool and seemed untouchable.


    Defending the world was a point of pride and prestige. Not everyone had the right or ability to do so.


    For Hope, there was never any question. No options. He was born to be a warrior, to form bonds with the strongest gods, to collect all the necessary prophecies, and to be the leader of the world''s safety.


    No one asked him what he truly wanted. Nobody gave a damn about his ambitions or feelings.


    An individual could never stand above society. The majority''s interests would always come first, and nothing could oppose that. It was the power of democracy. The force that stands from ancient times.


    Hope didn''t even know what he wanted. It seemed like he didn''t have a choice; all he knew was obedience.


    Before gaining any credibility there was no one to lead. Weak followed strong, but he was still vulnerable himself.


    When it came to monsters, Hope kept failing. Fear wasn''t what paralysed him. His entire body resisted; he was powerless as something inside him screamed.


    It was only three days away from adulthood. The day, he would meet the gods.


    Moreover, he wasn''t confident. He feared that he would fail again and eventually turn into real Despair.


    It was ironic, the planet''s Hope without any hope in himself.


    ''Perhaps the prophecy is wrong. What if there is no hidden power, and I am just a guy?''


    This was his daily thought.


    ''But it is always right.''


    He was alone in his room, pondering when he heard a knock.

 Chapter 3 - Uninvited Guests

    He rarely had visitors. Even less frequently could anyone avoid his protectors. "Come in," he announced, stretching on the bed.


    The door opened, and two men entered. One was serious, bearded, and tall; the other was relatively lively and cleanly dressed.


    "Don! Bugator! When did you come back?!" Hope called out and ran towards the guests.


    They both smiled when they saw him. "We just came to the city. We got ourselves settled and headed straight here to meet you."


    "Very good. How glad I am to see you!" The boy looked genuinely happy and hugged them both warmly.


    Then they started to observe him. In the last three years, Hope had grown in height, his muscle mass had also changed, and he had come to look like a fully matured adult.


    At the same time, his bright blond hair had spread to his shoulders. It hung like golden threads. His face was still childish and tired, but the delicate lines matched his nature.


    His lips weren''t pale, like the shadow of that invisible smile that he couldn''t always reveal.


    "Hope, how is your training going? Besides, these days you also have a ritual. Gods, how quickly time has passed. I remember it like it was yesterday when we brought you to the city." Don spoke, but Bugator smacked his shoulder.


    The boy bowed his head. Disappointing their hopes would be painful for him. "They don''t call me Hope anymore. Despair is my new name."


    "Hope." Bugator began as if he hadn''t even heard his previous words. "Don''t you want to listen to stories about our adventures? We haven''t told anyone yet."


    "Really? How long have I been waiting for this?" The boy said and invited them to sit down. "But wait¡­ Are you sure you can tell me? Shouldn''t you report it to the overseer first?"


    Fragments are charged with a certain power. A direct understanding of them gave the greatest benefit, and each subsequent narration, however, weakens the impact.


    Because of this, each unit has its supervisor. The elder should be the first to hear about the prophecy so that they will see the most benefit. Society was based on a similar structure, allowing key figures to collect fragments without them directly risking their lives.


    Seeers didn''t need to see primary fragments. As long as they acquired them, they would be able to find and decipher them.


    There is no collection of fragments until the bond is forged with a god. Until then, it only becomes information, which means sharing it with Hope would be wasteful.


    But his guests didn''t think so¡ªor didn''t care at all. "Who better to tell than you? Besides, no one will punish you, and you know we have nothing to fear."


    Don said with pride and awe. Judging by his voice, they had received important prophecies.


    They started to tell the story, and the boy''s heart began to race. Fragments were collected in the form of poems, fairy tales, and prayers.


    Some were discovered while defeating monsters; others were encountered in abandoned temples. The ancient world hid many secrets, and a three-century expedition wasn''t enough to explore it.


    Moreover, according to the Seeers, they hadn''t even collected 10% of the prophecy. This task was for Hope to overcome.


    It took over a day to listen to fragments that had been collected over three years.


    Hope''s mind was blown. He didn''t have the strength to be nervous anymore, although there was little more than a day left before the ritual.


    In a few hours, his fate and future would be decided. He would see if he could live up to the prophecy. The main thing was that he would soon find out if the gods chose him to seek their power.


    He fell asleep peacefully, replaying the fresh stories in his mind. As if to leave even the last pain in the sober world.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    In the morning, before the sunlight reached his impenetrable room, Hope heard the voice.


    Someone was standing at his door and was about to sneak in.


    "Two visits in a row? That''s rare."


    There was no fear because he already felt safe. He sat up and opened his eyes.


    The door opened, and it seemed as if light had entered. In bounced a playful girl, acting as if she owned the place.


    "Avi, what do you want this early in the morning?" the boy asked, hiding his smile behind a forced irritation.


    The girl pushed her brown hair behind her ears, bent at the waist, and brought Hope''s face close. Her hazel eyes were wide and bright.


    "How could you ask why I''m here? Tomorrow is your birthday, and the ritual is approaching." She looked delighted.


    "Nothing good comes of it," he replied with a note of reluctance.


    The girl held his face, pinching his cheek with vigour. "How many times do I have to tell you not to keep your nose down? No matter what happens, you will always be our Hope. The Chosen One!"


    The boy tried to let go of her hand, but the girl put her hand in his blond hair. Her eyes¡ªgreen like the earth itself¡ªfixed on the boy again. "You will command the entire army of Binders and Seeers."


    The boy didn''t give up. He grabbed the girl''s wrist and pulled himself free. "You''re the only one who thinks that."


    Avelinea was Hope''s classmate and single friend. She was the sole child of the city chancellor and was spoilt in every way.


    Her status wouldn''t come close to Hope''s, but she was the only one who was allowed to touch him like that. Only she had faith in the boy and always tried to lift his spirits.


    "I believe that you will be able to prove it and show your true might." She seemed confident. "If not today, then tomorrow, and if not tomorrow, then some other day. Until then, I will always have hope in you."


    At that moment, her childish sincerity sparkled. Her emotions often affected the boy as well. His mood improved this time, too.


    "Avi, guess who came back?" Avi was a nickname not everyone could use.


    She didn''t have to think about the answer and immediately called out. "Don and Bugator."


    Then she got an all-knowing expression and added. "My father told me yesterday. Because of the importance of the fragments they collected, they went directly to him."


    Then she continued with a hint of bitterness, "I haven''t met them yet. I''m waiting for them to finish."


    Now it''s time for the boy to be proud. "I already saw them." Now he held his head up. "They also told me about the prophecies," he whispered. "But don''t tell anyone."


    Avi''s breath quickened, and her mouth hung open in admiration. She also wanted to hear about fragments herself, but she held back.


    They were engrossed in conversation when the door opened without a knock.


    Shon enters the room¡ªa Binder and Hope''s guardian. He didn''t have one eye, which he never tried to hide.


    Because of this, looking at his face for a long time wouldn''t bring pleasure to anyone. His bald head bore the god''s Mark, tattooed as if painted by divine hands.


    Those who bore the gods'' marks were called Binders


    Casting a sharp look at them, Shon stated bluntly, "It''s time!"


    He never liked to talk. Perhaps it was simply that his sentences were brief and all his phrases consisted of one or two words.


    The boy never tried to resist. Shon stood up behind him. Hope waved goodbye to Avi from afar. "I will see you at school."


    They passed down the stairs of the house without a sound. The Binders were strange. They represented different archetypes, and it wasn''t easy to get them. Don and Bugator were a rare bunch.


    Shon was on the Echo tier, which was the fourth and penultimate level of divine connection.


    Not much was noted about his skills. Only its association with fog was known.


    "Not at school." He announced to the boy out of nowhere, and after leaving the house, he led him in another direction.


    "What do you mean?!" Hope was surprised. "Today is the last day of my teaching; if not at the school, then where are we going?"


    "You''ll see!" Shon cut him short and continued on his way. He never showed signs about Hope''s failure.


    He always seemed disinterested, as if he was never concerned about humanity and its fate.


    The boy didn''t make a sound. He knew when words weren''t welcomed.


    The rest of the way went without speaking. Dreadvale wasn''t an old city, built decades ago by Avi''s father, and was declared a protected area.


    The population did not exceed a few million, and contact with the rest of the world was strictly regulated.


    Humans fall behind the technological development that existed before the cataclysm. Survival was the main concern of the planetary government.


    Food, shelter, and, most importantly, security weren''t easy to find. People had to fight every day, and it had its consequences.


    Most of Dreadvale''s population never left the city. Only Binders sent on expeditions go beyond its walls, and they too have a time limit on their return.


    Contact with the outside world was made only by the chancellor and the people chosen by him.


    One would always hear songs while walking down the street. People loved to tell fragments, and many stopped to listen to them.


    Those who gathered and studied these fragments became known as Seeers.


    As for storytellers, they weren''t ignored, captivating the hearts of children with each telling.


    Many times, Hope longed to stop and join them. Unfortunately, his guards never allowed that.


    Besides the Shon, he was tailed by others. Whom he had only heard of and had never met. The powers of Binders were mysterious and varied.


    Many kept their skills a secret and protected them at the cost of their lives.


    "Here we are." Standing in front of a large building, Shon said, waving his hand towards the entrance.


    ''Damn it. Shit. Shit. I knew something unpleasant would happen.''


    The building was familiar to Hope. It was there that his story of failures had begun.


    A place where he was repeatedly presented to monsters. Yet every time, it was others who had to save him.


    Even now, they brought him here and decided to make a final trial before presenting him to the gods.

 Chapter 4 - Confronting The Beast

    Hope didn''t want to enter the building. The coliseum-like structure brought back terrible memories, and he didn''t want to go through the same thing.


    The moment they first looked at him with disappointed eyes, his memory held a strong image of the building.


    Today was already tense, and the prospect of facing the monsters was hitting his last nerve.


    The corridors hadn''t changed in three years, and the majestic stone walls seemed to last forever. Shon led the boy to the hall, where Don and Bugator were waiting.


    They both offered him a subtle smile, remaining silent because they weren''t alone. The Chancellor was also in the room.


    As Ave''s father, Hope had met him more than once.


    He stood in the room, watching them. Sharing the same hair and deep emerald eyes that captivated all who dared to gaze upon them, the resemblance was unmistakable, a testament to the inextricable bond between father and daughter.


    The city lord was the only Resonant in the entire region. This was the fifth and final stage in the Binder hierarchy. The world had seen very few like him. Beyond Resonant, people only thought of monsters, cosmic forces, and gods.


    The Chancellor''s name was also unknown. He looked like a young boy with decades of history hidden behind his face. He wore the Mark of God on his ear, and after Shon, he was the only one whose mark was visible to Hope.


    The man belonged to the upper echelon of humanity, was synonymous with power, and was also called a Demigod. He was the kind of leader the boy wanted to become. Despite all this, he didn''t show harshness towards Hope.


    The Chancellor''s mood this time wasn''t gentle.


    ''He spoke to Don and Bugator.''


    Hope already knew from Avi, but there was urgency in the man''s expression. The prophecies they brought contained crucial information. Unfortunately, it didn''t bode well for humanity. Their entire three-year journey concluded that the Day of judgment was approaching.


    The day when the mortal struggle for life and death of humans wouldn''t only resume, but would bring even grimmer consequences. Against this, the fragments also spoke of the chosen one and its significance.


    That was why the Chancellor was about to conduct the last test, and the Don and Bugator couldn''t say anything.


    "Hope, I am glad to see you." The Chancellor said, putting a noticeable emphasis on the name.


    "I know you weren''t expecting this, and I am sorry for that, but I want to conduct one more assessment before the oath tomorrow."


    "I understand, Chancellor." The boy replied and stood before him.


    "Good!" the man said, patting the boy on the head. "I know you are well-informed about the significance of tomorrow''s ritual. You''ve heard it a thousand times, but I''ll tell you anyway."


    He was serious, and his tone showed it. "Based on the deity''s suggestions, choose the one that comes closest to the prophecies. Listen to their fragments and reflect deeply. As long as you follow them, everything will be fine."


    "I understand, Chancellor," Hope agreed, having heard such instructions since birth.


    The man wasn''t done, though. "The fragments suggest that a Wraith oath might be best suited for you, and my advice is to take that path."


    There were two types of oaths. Wraith, which obliged one to destroy monsters and collect certain fragments.


    The second was Serenity, which was more mysterious. It forbade you from spreading the fragments. You can''t get fragments from others by telling them, and you can''t share them with others.


    "As for the Covenants, tomorrow they''ll explain them better than I could." He sighed and turned. "This is enough before I make you deaf with all my rumblings. The rest is up to you, and good luck." He said and left the hall. The others followed suit, leaving Hope alone.


    "Wait, everyone left?" the boy asked because he always needed protection from monsters. He only had a small dagger in his hand, and how well he could use it was a question.


    They didn''t answer and locked him in four walls. Hope remained in his thoughts for a few minutes and was on the verge of fear. Then he remembered his training; his body and mind were ready. Especially since the monster he always confronted was a representative of the lowest level, the Exarchs.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    As his mind circled back to his training, he remembered the hopes they had placed on him. Despite this difficult situation, there were still people who called him Hope. It was sometimes an extra burden, along with motivation, but the boy was born with this weight, and dragging and carrying it was part of who he was.


    After a couple of minutes, the doors opened and the familiar abomination entered. They called the monster Humpborn. The grey animal walked on four legs and had a large hump on its back. Its mouth was constantly open, and drool was continuously dripping from its forked tongue.


    ''I''ll make it through this. I can do it.''


    Hope tried to gather his confidence.


    ''Just this once¡­ please, just this once.''


    He took out his dagger and pointed it at his opponent. The monster walked in circles around him as if examining the food that it would soon crush with its sharp teeth.


    As a result of watching the creature, the boy saw something that not everyone could notice. Fragments were emerging from the monster''s body and flying into space. It was floating around the monster but fluttered towards Hope with a change of colour.


    It was part of the prophecy. Fragments that changed everything.


    Hope could feel his heart beating throughout his body. The blood circulation in all his limbs became a phenomenon to be observed. He fixed his eyes on Humpborn and continued to wait.


    Up until now, he had tried to attack first, but this time he switched to defence since he had no one to help him.


    He gripped his dagger and waited. His reflexes and observation skills were exceptional. By observing the opponent''s muscles, he always knew their moves in advance.


    His body''s strength was added to his experience, and except for the Binders, he would be invincible in the city.


    But here, against the Humpborn, his strength and skill didn''t seem to matter.


    The monster didn''t care. It turned out that neither did Hope''s uncontrolled strength. And right then, just as he was gearing up for the fight, Hope felt that spasms were approaching.


    ''Not now. He''s getting closer, not now!''


    Panic bubbled up as his body betrayed him. Hope screamed in his mind with every ounce of energy he could find. First, his neck jerked to the side, then his knees buckled, and he collapsed, hitting the stone floor with a painful thud.


    His muscles atrophied, his eyes lost focus, and his stomach felt numb.


    His face was on the stone surface. Hope began to empty his stomach. He lay with his head down, and even the monster was watching in surprise.


    Hope himself lay in despair, and no thought could stop his body from vomiting. He had other worries, which were expressed by the approaching monster.


    The animal saw the condition of its prey and instinctively flew towards it. It opened its already half-open mouth, eager to sink its teeth into its helpless prey.


    ''Is this where my life ends?''


    The victim himself saw everything in a blur. His eyes looked in different directions, yet he couldn''t close them. Instead, Hope understood what was happening but was powerless to stop it.


    ''The prophecies never mentioned this. They spoke of a hero¡ªsomeone strong, flawless, and never defeated.''


    He thought bitterly. But right now, lying on the dirty ground, he felt like anything but a hero.


    The creature''s breath and voice were upon him. There was no hidden power in the boy. And if there was, it wouldn''t wake up even at the cost of his death.


    The monster decided to be careful. It first used its claws to catch the food, instead of grabbing him with its mouth.


    Hope couldn''t even scream from the pain. Even his vocal cords were beyond control. Blood was gushing from his legs and shoulders.


    This was it. He was going to die here, in this cold, empty room. Without accomplishing anything.


    But as the Humpborn was about to finish him, he felt a sudden warmth spreading across him. It wasn''t his blood.


    It was thick, smelly, and sticky, yet oddly comforting.


    The resistance in his body immediately disappeared, but the wounds were in place. He had received nothing like this. His life had been preserved with the utmost precision, and during training, he had received at most minor bruises.


    Strength slowly returned, and he was able to lift his head from the puddle. He turned his eyes and looked at the sounds of footsteps coming toward him.


    Don was running ahead, his face panicked. Bugator followed behind, with Shon next to him, and the Chancellor was coming last. It was the latter''s ear and the Mark placed on him that were lightly illuminated.


    Hope then looked around the hall and saw nothing but blood and pieces of flesh. Humpborn had burst like a balloon, and all of its contents were spilling out around him. There was a lot of blood, heavy, with a metallic smell that made the boy''s head hurt.


    Don rushed over first.


    "I need to drink your blood quickly," he warned and placed his hand on the wound.


    The pain immediately intensified and became more extreme.


    "Sorry, sorry." The man said and brought the blood gathered in his hand to his lips.


    He drank it and waited for two seconds. His wrist emitted a brilliant light. More than the Chancellor''s Mark emitted. Then he took out a knife, cut his wrist, and held it to the boy''s face.


    "You need to drink it. It will help you heal," he said and smiled at him.


    The boy tried to stand up, but he couldn''t. He obeyed the man''s advice and, strange as it may seem, drank his blood.


    Whether he swallowed the liquid or not, he felt the results immediately. His open wound closed up with a speed that was noticeable to the eye. The pain was fading. But the incident was still playing in his head as memories.


    Then, Don drank his own blood, and his open wrist healed immediately.


    Bugator stepped forward to help the boy up and leaned on his shoulder. No words were exchanged.


    Hope looked at them, feeling a mix of gratitude and shame. It tore at him even more deeply, knowing he had let them down.


    Shon stood back, his eyes fixed on Hope with no expression. He didn''t move, didn''t speak.


    The Chancellor stood farther away. His face was hard to read. Based on the result, Hope knew that he wouldn''t be satisfied. He turned and left the hall without saying anything.


    He didn''t give any more warnings or any more advice.


    The boy bowed his head. His already shaken confidence was dealt a new blow.


    Don wanted to say something, but no words came out. He put his arm around his shoulders and led him to the exit.


    Then, without looking him in the face, he said lightly, "I''m taking you home. You need to rest. Tomorrow is an important day."


    Hope didn''t get any encouragement. His future, his leadership, was in doubt. He would have given anything for just a hint of reassurance, a sign that they still believed in him.


    But none of them offered the words he longed for.

 Chapter 5 - The Path Of The Chosen

    The morning dawned, marking the decisive day for Hope. He couldn''t sleep all night. This was the day he had been preparing for 18 years of his life.


    It was his birthday, but he didn''t bother to celebrate. Shon waited by the door as he dressed, silently, as always.


    ''Of course,'' the boy thought, unsurprised.


    The whole city and the world beyond awaited for his oath-taking ceremony, yet Hope dragged his feet. This day, which was considered the most important day of his life, felt more like a chore.


    He wasn''t against taking the oath. He genuinely wanted to pledge himself to the gods. It''s just that his heart wasn''t ready, not with the fear that he might eventually become true Despair and Avi wouldn''t even call him Hope anymore.


    He was filled with excitement, impatience, and nervousness. He descended the stairs and headed for the temple.


    People had ideas about gods even before the apocalypse. They were based on myths and desires that did not correspond to any of the gods that exist now.


    These gods actively tried to help the living; their aid was the sole reason they had survived this far. If not for them, humankind would have perished more than 200 years ago.


    It was their power that marked the beginning of humanity''s new fight and, with divine power at their disposal, society stopped retreating and began to push back against the monsters.


    They reclaimed and fortified cities, defeated previously untouchable colossal predators, and regained peace, but only on the surface. More than half of the planet remained unconquered.


    Then suddenly, a new species that was on par with humans one day disappeared. They left no traces, no fragments about them. The whole scenario was covered in a thick fog, making people tremble in fear.


    The process of meeting the gods was not complicated. The main thing is to go to the prophetic shrine and they would handle the rest. For Hope, though, this was uncharted territory.


    Shon escorted him to the building. It was the tallest structure in the city, and only the Seeers were allowed to live inside. It looked like a stone tomb and seemed older than the entire street.


    Hope, who had come to the structure, became more tense. Several of his thoughts called for escape and hiding. Then he heard a voice¡ªa call growing closer.


    "Hopeeee. Hope! Wait for me." A girl''s shouts echoed as she hurried toward him.


    Shon stopped. He blocked the boy and didn''t let Ave near him.


    No barrier could stop the girl from speaking.


    "Happy birthday!" Her breathing was rapid, bending over to catch her breath. "Here''s a present for you." She said, handing him a small notebook.


    Books were rare in the world. Hope had only seen them in the hands of instructors. They were the best way to store fragments and carry ancient prophecies. The knowledge they contained was also crucial to restoring the lost civilization of humans.


    However, the book that Hope received was empty. There was no text on it, and it didn''t emit fragments.


    "It''s more like a little journal," the girl says, looking at the gift proudly. "There should be something to write with inside."


    After taking a deep breath, her energy seemed to return. "You can record your adventures. Isn''t that amazing?!"


    The boy kept looking between the book and the girl, a knot tightening in his throat. He fought to hold back his tears.


    "It''s amazing. Thank you, I''ll definitely use it." He couldn''t hide his smile; he was genuinely happy.


    Shon waved his hand and ordered him to enter the building. He didn''t do anything but turn around and get back on the road. Ave''s voice followed him through the doors. She didn''t hesitate to shout encouragement.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The anxiety from seconds ago seemed to melt away. He put the gift in his pocket and followed the guard.


    The world chose him; the prophecies spoke of him, and only he could protect the planet from all dangers.


    ''Gods, I have come,'' he thought to himself and stood before the fountain.


    On the second floor, the Chancellor, Don, and Bugator watched from a balcony. They still offered nothing encouraging. He could sense the silent hope on their faces¡ªunspoken, but undeniably present.


    He did not think it was worth calling them, not even for a discussion. They would meet soon enough after his encounter with the gods, and there would be plenty to talk about.


    Inside, everything looked like a palace, but there was nothing superfluous. The smell was enchanting and caused a pleasant tingling sensation in his body.


    At the marble fountain, which was grey like the entire temple, a woman bent at the waist appeared. She was wearing a white robe. It had ornaments embroidered on it that looked like Marks, and it seemed to be constantly shining. She nodded to the boy and offered to lead him to a separate exit.


    ''She looks like Humpborn,'' Hope thought uncontrollably.


    "Instead of seeking help in the sky, I seek salvation on earth," she calls out without turning to the boy.


    "Excuse me?" The woman''s words surprised Hope.


    "I explained my situation to you. You were curious, right?" She led him to the golden wooden doors.


    "How¡­?" the boy wanted to ask.


    "How do I know that seeing me reminded you of a Humpborn?" She answers with a question herself, but she smiles. She doesn''t seem offended. "It''s my duty to read the fragments."


    Hope''s emotions changed. "Wait, are you a Seeer?" Meeting one in the city was rare. Their society usually led a secluded life, devoting its entire life to the accumulation of knowledge.


    "You radiate prophecy." Seeer continues as if she hadn''t even seen the boy''s reaction. "If I hadn''t known you were the Chosen One, I would have figured it out by now."


    Thoughts arose in the silence that fell. He almost forgot that his thoughts could be read again, so he asked directly, "And what do the fragments say? Do you think I''ll succeed?"


    It seemed that the time to stand in front of the door was up. She opened it, gesturing for him to enter. "It was never a question. The prophecy says that you are the key to everything. End of the story. No buts and ''what ifs.'' Your role is to be a hero. That''s why the people chose you as their future leader. Call yourself the main character of the world, or reject the title¡ªit changes nothing. You are the Chosen One, the Fated One, and no one can fulfil this role."


    The boy was torn between all the options. He didn''t know how to answer. Hearing all this was motivating, especially from someone who knew the prophecy best.


    "Kneel!" There was a small fountain in the room. The Seeer sat the boy down in front of him. She was standing, and before everything could begin, it seemed they had one final matter to settle.


    "As you already know, you must swear an oath before the gods. This is only the first stage. To become a Binder, you also need Covenants. This is manifested by receiving the Mark, which only activates when you use your powers." She paused for a moment to let the boy digest what he had heard.


    "Covenants, like oaths, come in two forms. The first is the Binder path you already know, in which case you receive the Mark of only one god. This is a safer method. Divine power is dangerous for mortals; it can often become uncontrolled, which is why it is forbidden to receive the powers of several gods." She poured the boy water from the fountain, filled his glass to the brim, and continued.


    "The second Covenant is Unbound. This means that you are not satisfied with the Mark of one god, and you take more. This is dangerous, sometimes with catastrophic consequences, and as I said, it is forbidden. Usually, even the gods themselves will not agree to this, as their powers are incompatible with sharing a single vessel. All Unbound are on the verge of madness; they may receive more abilities, but for a much shorter time." She filled the glass a second time and did not accept the refusal.


    "The decision will be yours. The gods will reveal the fragments; you will learn much more about the prophecy and choose with them." She filled the glass one last time and handed it to him.


    Hope drank it. He was already full, but still managed to push himself to finish it. "What should I do now?"


    "Wait." He received an answer, but when he looked up, she was gone.


    The boy only now paid attention to the room. Everything around him was wooden; he was in a narrow space and had not noticed it before. The only exception was the spring, which flowed into a pond surrounded by a small tree. Its sound was soothing. So much so that Hope''s eyes closed. He fought against the heaviness of his eyelids, but it was useless.


    ''Water,'' he realised just as blackness claimed his sight.


    Darkness followed his closed eyes. Then a separation from the body, as though his very being was drifting away from his body. It was surprisingly light, free from the heaviness caused by his physical form. Then his vision returned, and he looked into the vast darkness. Every horizon was covered with black, blinding smoke.


    ''Where am I?'' Hope asked himself.


    "We welcome you with reverence, Chosen One," Hope heard a voice, a sound unlike any he had heard before. As if it belonged to music and every sound had been replaced by notes. The words were like harmony, flawless and pure.


    "We have long awaited the chance to speak with you in the realm of gods," another voice was heard. This one is just as perfect yet softer, like the rustle of leaves in a quiet forest.

 Chapter 6 - Meeting With Gods

    "I salute to the gods," Hope declared, trying to fall to his knees. Only then did he remember that he was out of body and could only express respect through words.


    "Let''s get to the point. We have no time to waste," the new speaker gave the impression of power and thunder.


    "Don''t be hasty, old man," a new voice warned. "I want to meet the boy and talk to him." His tone was like poetry as if he was speaking in rhyme.


    "We agree; we should hurry before the others arrive."


    "Let them come!"


    "Being late isn''t our problem."


    "You seem scared, boy."


    Various voices were heard, and the gods entered into dialogue. Some seemed to forget about the boy entirely, while others had shown more interest than the rest. Hope concluded that the reason for their gathering was precisely him. Unfortunately, he couldn''t see them physically and could only tell the difference by their voices.


    "The boy is confused; don''t talk at once." It sounded like angels were singing or talking to the stars before going to sleep.


    "Then I''ll begin." The sign of strength repeated. "We may have time, but the same can''t be said for our guest. He will awaken soon, and we have a lot to catch up on."


    "Very well, as an elder, you can lead the meeting. I''ll make sure you don''t miss anything." The owner of the voice laughed. "Or forget anything." This was the speech of a proud yet mocking god.


    No one wanted to break the silence that had fallen, so the previous god continued, "Before we begin the oath ceremony, do you have any questions?"


    Hope hadn''t expected to be speaking already, so he took a moment to gather his thoughts.


    "Perhaps the Chosen One doesn''t know how to speak."


    "Maybe he left his tongue behind?"


    "Give him time. Don''t rush him." The roar came again. "Don''t pay any attention to them."


    The boy was ready this time. "Which one of you should I place the Covenant with? Can you tell me more about the prophecy?" He managed to finish, and silence fell once again.


    "He knows how to talk."


    "But he has no idea and is sitting in a well."


    "But he has no idea!" It echoed, and then there was silence again.


    "There is some confusion here." The thunder returns. "You aren''t here to make a covenant with any of us. If you expect to receive powers from us, then you are mistaken."


    "But¡­" Hope wanted to interject. What did they mean, he wouldn''t receive power from the gods?


    "You will get nothing from us." The voice became even more stern. "You will only swear an oath before us."


    "And we will assist you in understanding the fragments," another voice reminded the same one who had promised to observe.


    Gods love silence as much as talking. This has already happened several times. At least the boy was given time to gather his thoughts.


    "The prophecy didn''t say this. I came here to receive your power, and what does it mean that you won''t give it to me? The fragments say that I will be able to help the world with the might gained here. This is my duty, my purpose, and the essence of my life."


    "The uncertainty continues, and it''s time to get the facts straight. No fragment says you will save the world. The prophecy only speaks of the Chosen One, who will gather all its force. He will receive the full version of the fragments, but how he will use them, even we gods have no information about that."


    "Impossible!" Hope almost shouted. "I was told that I would save humanity; I would lead them, and this knowledge came from prophecy."


    "Incorrect information! Lies and false facts." For the first time, the calm darkness seemed to tremble.


    "How?!" Hope didn''t want to believe it. He had been taught from birth that he was the saviour. He was supposed to be the key to humanity''s peace. Guaranteed good against evil. And now he finds out it is nothing but a lie?


    Maybe he was the Chosen One, but that didn''t mean he wouldn''t go against the world. But more than anything, he was heartbroken that he had been fed lies.


    ''Does this mean I wasn''t chosen as ruler?''


    All this time, they nurtured his hope. They hadn''t told him the truth once, and the whole city was trapped in that lie.


    ''Did Avi know? I don''t think so.'' He didn''t want the girl to know, either.


    "Show me the fragments." He demanded with a severity that surprised even himself. But he was in such a storm of emotion that it didn''t even bother him.


    "As you wish." The word was cut short, and a shattered light flew in his direction.


    The only light in the black environment was split. It changed colours, and Hope remembered the fragments coming out of the monsters. This time he saw much more, and they were flying toward him.


    "Touch it with your hand." The advice came, and the boy obeyed.


    In his imagination, he moved his hand, which wasn''t in place. Then he felt a comfortable touch, and his eyes lit up. Then, with his brain tensed, Hope was tasked with reading information that was several levels beyond human capability.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.The fragments ranged from poems to fairy tales. There was no mention of him saving the world. He heard nothing about receiving power from the gods, nor of a saviour who would protect humanity from the approaching second cataclysm. There was no commander who united people and led them.


    The boy''s initial anger had subsided a little. But it hadn''t completely disappeared. Now a new fear had appeared; anxiety that he would someday have to go against humans.


    ''Everything is in my hands.'' He controlled his emotions and waited for the gods expectantly.


    "There is one more fragment left, and you will hear it after the oath." The moment approached, and every distracting sound faded.


    "Your oath doesn''t need to be too grand. You will gather the fragments, regardless. Simply tell me what you intend to do about the prophecy, what your plans will be, and your promise to us."


    Hope lowered imaginary eyebrows. The oath, in his mind, mustn''t have been a simple process. Moreover, it was of two kinds, and there had to be a choice or at least some options.


    "I swear before the gods that, until my last breath, I will do everything I can to collect every fragment. I swear that I will unite the prophecy and the people. If necessary, I will resist Fracture to the last drop of my blood."


    He didn''t hear it verbally, but he felt the agreement in the oath.


    "I have to interrupt, but I like the boy''s attitude. I''m glad the Fragments chose him." It was the first god who had greeted Hope.


    "His determination is truly commendable. It seems he hasn''t had an easy life. I support electing him as the leader of all people."


    "They deceived him, using him as they pleased." His cheers returned.


    "And I am disappointed." The mocking god spoke proudly again. "Should we leave the fate of our world in the hands of this one small and weak child? And risk all the fragments? What will happen if he collects them? Will he march against us? Will he wipe out humanity? Perhaps he himself is the reason for the next fracture."


    "I won''t do this. It won''t happen," Hope said with the most convincing voice he could summon.


    "We don''t know that." He gets the same answer. "We only believe in the prophecy, and on that matter, it offers nothing in your favour."


    Thunder intervened. "It''s precisely because of the lack of fragments that we have no other choice. We don''t know enough about the future." He sighed. Did the gods even need to breathe?


    "Here is your last fragment."


    New colours appeared, which came back to Hope. ''Is this something system related?'' He touched it and only showed numbers. Moving numbers, which changed almost every second.


    "What is this?" he asked, puzzled by what he was seeing. It wasn''t what he expected.


    "As I told you, you won''t receive Covenant from us. We don''t offer Mark, but that doesn''t mean that you will be left without anything."


    "What do you mean?"


    "The Covenant is already within you. It''s a bit unique and doesn''t fit into any category. You might be more of a Binder, but not entirely. It''s connected to the prophecy and its different manifestation in you. You haven''t received the Mark yet, which is why you''re having trouble controlling it. You should have seen the fragments already, but you should have lost control when confronted with them."


    "I''ve always had trouble moving when fighting monsters," Hope concluded. It turned out that the cause of three years of agony was closer than he thought.


    "That''s because you couldn''t control the fragment. After you leave, everything will change, but it will take some time. Prophecy is still asleep. It''s going to take more than this for Him to wake up. Just be prepared for the change that Mark will bring to you. Your skills won''t give you explosive power, and at first, you may even consider yourself weak for a Binder. This will be because you received Mark not from God, but from the prophecy itself."


    "You''ve been talking so much. It''s been making our heads hurt. He understood everything, and if not, he will soon enough." That was the most distinctive sound. It was as if a toothless creature was speaking and couldn''t hold back the words.


    Hope began to stir. As if it were time to wake up.


    "We''ll meet again soon," the words followed as he felt his body approach. A familiar heaviness was added to this, making it difficult to part with the lightness.


    Along with his sight, his other senses returned, and the first thing he saw was his original position. He was sitting in the same way, his legs motionless and aching.


    The meeting with the gods was over. He was back in the real world.

 Chapter 7 - Courage

    Hope didn''t rise immediately after returning. His swollen legs didn''t allow him to, and his mind lost in thought didn''t help either.


    The lake created by the spring helped to get rid of thoughts. His moving reflection in the water seemed to belong to a completely different person. The boy couldn''t recognise himself. The change that the gods had told him about was more pronounced and noticeable than he had imagined.


    His golden blond hair, which one could compare to the light of the sun, had completely disappeared. In its place was dark grey hair, curled at the ends. His characteristic blue eyes were no longer visible. The vast sea in them had been replaced by endless ash.


    If before he had looked like a magnificent, noble young man, now his appearance was more tainted, without any purity.


    He didn''t even have time to be alone with his thoughts. The wooden doors opened with great inertia, and the chancellor entered the room. He was followed by a woman with a hump who was trying to prevent him from entering¡­ clearly in vain.


    The Chancellor looked different. In Hope''s memory, the warm and gentle man was overcome with a strong feeling of anxiety. His eyes no longer held care for the boy; rather, they demanded something from him¡ªsomething that he seemed unable to hide.


    "What happened?" he asked Hope after regaining control, apparently ignoring the boy''s changed appearance.


    "I made the oath," came Hope''s reply, the words eager, hurrying to leave the narrow room.


    The man stood before him, not allowing him to get what he wanted. "What oath did you swear? Why are you silent? Was it Serenity?" He thought for a few seconds but returned to the issue at hand. "That''s okay; the gods acted according to the prophecy."


    Hope exhaled. After speaking boldly before the gods, he felt empowered. "According to the prophecy? The one that speaks of me saving the world, right?" He was ironic and made his words heard.


    The chancellor wasn''t in the mood for games. All his lies were exposed, but he was ready for this. He ignored the boy''s tone and continued asking questions.


    "With which god did you make the covenant? What did they offer you, what did they tell you?"


    "With none," Hope cut him short and didn''t want to explain more. Especially now and with the chancellor, for whom his anger was only growing.


    "What do you mean, none?" The man didn''t look happy. "Did the gods not grant you one? Did they see how¡­" He wanted to say more but refrained.


    "How much of a disappointment was I?" Hope continued on his own. "You mean I was so unreliable that the gods didn''t even give me the Covenant?"


    The chancellor''s character and ability to control his emotions were retreating. "And no Mark either?" he said and forcefully examined the boy''s body. Finding nothing, his gaze shifted noticeably to his physical changes. He looked on the verge of saying something.


    "All these questions, you didn''t even try to justify yourself." Hope glared at him directly, unable to hold himself back.


    "Justify myself? For what?" There wasn''t a trace of remorse in the man''s voice. As if his morality was unscathed.


    "For lying to me my whole life. You and your entire damn city. Not a single fragment spoke about how I would save and lead the world. None of them! The gods even thought that I could be the cause of the second cataclysm." His emotions erupted, and his last words made the chancellor flinch.


    "And what would that change? We only know fragments of the prophecy. And I tried with all my heart to raise you in the right hands. Saving the world should be your only duty, and no other option is even up for discussion."


    "What would change? I would have known the cursed truth! I wouldn''t have gone to sleep every night terrified that the fate of the entire planet was on my shoulders. That I was unfit and unworthy because I was defenceless, even against the weakest monsters."


    "You are the Chosen One, you were, and you will be. Your fate is decided. If you knew, you would have another new fear. Worse, insidious, that one day you wouldn''t save the world but destroy it with your own hands. You would become a real Despair. Tell me, what would this thought and this unnecessary burden bring you?" The Chancellor was angry, but his logic had a reason to exist.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The boy also fell silent. He wanted to argue but couldn''t explain why he was experiencing such a strong reaction. He was heartbroken that he wasn''t completely trusted. The others were also afraid of him and the ominous future the world might face because of him.


    "Don''t you have at least one piece of good news? What else did you hear besides the oath? How are you supposed to collect the fragments if you haven''t received power, if you haven''t become a Binder?" It may have seemed to the boy, but the Chancellor''s hands were shaking. It was as if he was confronting himself along with the conversation with the boy.


    "I did become a Binder, but¡­" He was about to explain but was cut off.


    "You don''t have the Mark. There are no fragments in you. The gods simply didn''t accept you, that''s all." His voice was filled with despair. Seeer, unable to read the fragments in the boy''s body, silently agreed.


    "No, there is a mistake. They gave me something else..."


    "Have you looked at yourself? Hope? Leader? Don''t make me laugh! You were supposed to be fire, to be a blaze and burn down the evil of the entire planet. But you don''t seem like anything light. You can''t portray Hope. You look more like a pile of ash. Ash, that''s good for nothing," he finally made the emphasis he had been avoiding for so long.


    At these words, a noise came from outside. It sounded like the distant screams of women, but indistinct, as if muffled by a force.


    Chancellor was finishing his speech, and the boy''s moving, defiant mouth couldn''t make any sound.


    "We''ve taken enough risks. According to prophecy, if you make it whole, you might actually be the one to destroy the world. Maybe the entire planet will become like you and burn to ashes. We can''t take such a big risk. I hope you understand that I am doing everything in the interests of humanity." He behaved strangely, not giving the boy a chance to explain himself, and got angry when he didn''t have enough reason to.


    The conflict in the chancellor''s being chose a side. Unfortunately, this wasn''t in Hope''s favour.


    Then Seeer was thrown out of the room. No one touched her, but she fell dozens of meters. The entire action made no sound. The increased distant screams also completely stopped.


    Chancellor''s Mark on his ear didn''t activate. However, he imposed a movement restriction on Hope as well. He took the boy''s hand and dragged him out of the room without further ado. He wanted to resist, but he was too weak to resist.


    "It''s already begun!" the man shouted, his voice growing harsh. "The damn moon is gone, and it''s your fault!" He glares at Hope, who finds himself speechless, unable to offer any response.


    Chancellor led the boy to the main hall, in front of the fountain, where he had last seen Don and Bugator on the balcony. They had both come down and were standing by the door. They were the ones who restrained the Seeers. The three women and three men were trying with all their might to free themselves from their power, but they couldn''t make a sound.


    Don and Bugator looked at the boy too. The sadness appeared on their faces, but neither of them moved against the chancellor. They had been inactive since yesterday, and Hope''s last hope faded.


    Shon, who had been his protector and always his follower, was nowhere to be seen.


    Then the boy''s eyes went dark, and he couldn''t see anything. Before he blacked out, he felt a severe pain that prevented him from staying awake.


    Then all sensations moved to the back of his head, and he felt relaxed, half-awake, as he fell onto the cold stone surface. Then he fell asleep, sweet and peaceful as if he had fallen into his soft bed and had nothing to worry about.


    The sense of time also disappeared until a noise woke him up.


    "Hope, wake up! We don''t have time; you have to get up quickly!" It was Don''s voice. He helped him up.


    ''What''s happening?'' the boy thought, but he had trouble recovering his memories.


    "There''s no time to explain. We need to hurry. Get out of the city before it''s too late." Don''s face was filled with dread, his whole being radiated fear. It was like a slap in the face for Hope.


    He didn''t waste a second figuring out the situation.


    ''The Chancellor had kidnapped me and imprisoned me. Don is helping me escape and putting his life in danger.'' He felt a spark of hope, but fear overtook him more intensely.


    "He is acting weird, It''s like he lost his mind. He contacted other cities," Don said, leading him out of the prison. "Someone is coming to take over. Someone who will turn you into a Lifeless, Unsouled void."


    Hope didn''t know the meaning of these words, but he understood that none of them would do him any good.


    "Bugator and Ave are holding the Chancellor. We need to get you out of the city before he suspects anything." They left the building and were already running.


    "Bugator is helping us? And Avi, too?" Hope felt gratitude, though there was no time to let it show.


    "Of course, Bugator is helping us. But your little friend is a completely different matter. She convinced us both, and he also informed us about her father''s plan. She even threatened to give you this book back." They had already run down one street, and the dark expanse of the city seemed too quiet.


    "My notebook!" Hope exclaimed, putting the book back in his pocket. He didn''t even notice when the chancellor emptied it.


    Then Don stopped. "Damn it, they''re onto us."


    "Who?" the boy asked, stopping himself.


    "Your bodyguard. They keep an eye on you even if you are shackled. They work for the Chancellor, and you shouldn''t fall into their hands." Don sighed, and the Mark on his wrist lit up.


    "Hope, listen to me and remember. It doesn''t matter what we know or how complete the prophecy is. You will save the world. People will follow you. You want what''s best for the world, and we don''t need to read fragments for that. Now run, leave the city, and save yourself. Remember, you have to put your life above all else. Don''t look back, and I''m sorry we can''t let you out of town on better terms."


    "No, no, no!" Hope almost screamed. "I can''t do it alone. I can''t leave you here."


    Then he saw Don''s eyes, filled with the hope he had been dying to see for the past two days.


    Without a word, he turned away, swallowing back tears, and sprinted off into the night, each step taken with all the speed he could muster.

 Chapter 8 - Silent Fleeing

    ''Don, you must survive!''


    Hope''s mind was filled with a plea, but he couldn''t voice it.


    He was running through the streets of the city, the same one he had grown up in, realising just how little he truly knew it. He had never wandered freely here, so every nook and cranny had seemed new. Hope knew only the direction of the great gate and ran toward it.


    Unnatural silence hung over the darkness. Hope looked up at the sky and checked the Chancellor''s words. The moon was no longer visible. It had disappeared, just as he had been warned. This event had happened without any prophecy. Humans didn''t possess the necessary fragment of this knowledge, and no one was prepared for it.


    The day he received the Mark and spoke to the gods, the moon disappeared. As soon as Hope had advanced to the first level of Binders and become Eclipsed, the moon immediately evaporated. The distant, tiny celestial body was nowhere to be seen. The world was deprived of even the slightest light that the moon provided.


    Hope realised that he was the cause of everything, although he couldn''t explain the circumstances. He ran on, his mind fixed on survival.


    Leaving the city wasn''t difficult for him. He''d only miss a few people, and they were in danger. He didn''t look back. As much as he wanted to stay and help, he knew he''d only complicate matters. Hope''s life didn''t belong to him alone; his role was much more important.


    ''I want to see Avi.''


    Hope wanted to say goodbye to the girl, tell her that he would face adventures and next time they met he would be victorious. To tell her how happy her gift and words made him; her presence kept his hope alive through the darkest of times.


    If Hope gave hope to others, Avi was his source of hope.


    But he couldn''t even reach her. So he ran, getting closer to the gate, though it seemed to drag on forever.


    Dreadvale wasn''t a small town. Luckily, he wasn''t at the far end of it, and he was relatively close to the gate.


    What''s more, he was physically well-prepared. Today was the only day he hadn''t gone to the gym. His discipline was strict but rewarding.


    But there was something new. Something that had gone unnoticed until now. Hope only noticed it after running nonstop. His lungs were stronger, and his heart had more force to contract. His bones had become sturdier, and muscles had gained elasticity.


    ''It''s the fragments. They told me I had to collect them. I made a covenant with the prophecy and received the Mark. Technically, I''m a Binder now.''


    To be more precise, Eclipsed ¨C the first stage of Binder, when the power gained is most uncontrolled and dangerous. At this stage, Mark is still new, and the adaptation period hasn''t yet passed.


    At this point, abilities are often activated without intent, often against others.


    Hope did not feel such resistance. He simply ran, occasionally changing paths to confuse his pursuers.


    He felt perfect. Hope was full of energy. It would have been good to sit down and analyse the situation, but he didn''t have time for that.


    Finally, the boy approached the gate. It was raised and open.


    ''They left it for me?'' he thought.


    The answer became grimly apparent as he got closer to the gate. The ground was slick beneath his feet. There were bodies against the walls, and blood covered the stone. Hope wanted to avoid looking too closely but forced himself to. He had seen much worse before.


    He took in the scene, grasping the harsh reality itself; someone had killed the city guards. Their bodies bore the effects of the Binder. Each one seemed to have been shot into the air and then dropped from a height.


    Hope saw the trail of almost disappearing fragments, but he didn''t have time to study it.


    He passed through the gate and knew that this wasn''t the end. His pursuers wouldn''t give up so easily.


    Even after leaving Dreadvale, he expected difficulties, but he hadn''t expected what he faced. Shon was pursuing him, a bald man who was far away, but his speed was much greater than Hope''s.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The man''s head lit up in the darkness, a sign that he had used his Mark.


    ''This is bad. Why did he have to show up now when I was so close to safety?''


    Dreadvale was a city located near the forest. Drylock Grove stretched for several hundred kilometres. He hoped to find safety deep within the trees. The main thing was to get out of the city. He would think about the rest later.


    As if fate were playing tricks on him, he was pursued by Shon, the man responsible for restricting his freedom.


    ''He''s catching up. I''ve got at least a kilometre to the forest, and before that, there''s only an open field.''


    "Shon, don''t come any closer; turn around and tell the chancellor you couldn''t catch me." It was his last attempt. He was breaking his words into breaths, but his guard maintained a familiar silence.


    "Shon, I swear, I want to save the world. I promise I will. Just let me go this once."


    His words had no effect. A man appeared next to him in a few seconds. He tripped the boy and knocked him to the ground.


    The fallen boy spun around several times in his haste. He fought the pain, used his momentum, and was back on his feet again, running.


    This time, Shon grabbed him, immobilising him with an iron grip. "Wait a minute," he said, grabbing the boy''s hair.


    "What are you doing?" Hope asked and saw the answer.


    The man pulled a few strands of his grey hair away. It was painful, as if too much skin had been torn off his fingers.


    "Run," Shon commanded, looking away.


    "Huh?" the boy exclaimed. He could see the man''s tattooed head glowing. The mist started to form around them.


    Shon tossed the strands of Hope''s hair to the ground. He wanted to use the fog to amplify his power, but it was too late.


    Each strand of hair transformed into a faceless figure. All clad in dark robes, and they immediately lunged at Shon.


    He barely had time to react. "I told you to run." The timbre of his voice had never been so human. Did Hope see emotion in him?


    Unfortunately, the boy was cut off from escaping. One of the faceless figures stepped in front of him. "Hope, Hope, Hope! If you ask me, Despair is a better name. Stronger, more effective." He tried to approach the boy with measured steps. Shon quickly moved between them.


    Because of this, blood suddenly gushed from his leg.


    "Wow, would you look at that!" says the second guy. The renowned Shon does so much for one little boy. You even broke your oath for him and killed ordinary people. It''s almost poetic¡­ and cute."


    The third was about to attack from behind, but a thick mass of fog knocked him back several meters. Then it hit him hard, and he sank to the ground on his knees. The faceless didn''t get up, as if nothing had happened, even though he could no longer move.


    "And how much time do you have left? Before you turn into a monster? Before you lose control? Did you think that what you did for this child was worth it?"


    Shon was silent. He had to watch Hope and the triplets with one eye. The bleeding from his leg wouldn''t stop, either.


    "I thought you were quiet because of your oath. It turns out you''re just a boring person," the first one spoke again, trying to get closer to him.


    The boy''s protection was playing its role meticulously, as they couldn''t even touch Hope.


    "You know, if you hadn''t come, we would have let the boy go to the forest. We would have waited until he tasted freedom and caught him right at the peak of his happiness." The second faceless walked in a circle. He strayed from the darkness, sometimes merging with it.


    The third remained down, unable to rise. "I wonder how long you have left after breaking your oath. I''d be happy to know, and you''re a suitable subject for observation."


    Shon had to act, and soon. Using the mist to stop the bleeding was easier than swallowing saliva. But he didn''t do that. All of his Echo skills were focused on defending and fending off multiple opponents at once.


    The blood that had pooled on the ground mixed with the mist.


    In the darkness, the unity of his mist was revealed and became visible. The man looked at the boy. He wanted to tell him to close his eyes but realised that Hope wouldn''t take his words into account.


    Hope was docile and always obeyed his every request. Unfortunately, or fortunately, today was a different day. He would not listen. No, he should not listen. He wasn''t the little boy Shon once knew.


    The blood-splattered fog took shape. At first, it turned into a door. It even had a handle, which Shon could open and enter. After that, his steps, his breath, and every movement of his body echoed. Repeatedly, an intense sound presented a peaceful melody to Hope and a tormenting sound to the faceless.


    Then the shining echo would bind the twins to the ground. It would drag them into the depths and overcome any resistance on the surface. The bodies tried to scream, to say more, but their own echoes drowned them out.


    The fog settled on the bodies buried in the ground and then wanted to be expelled. To do this, it had to come out of the bodies, and as a result, it caused them to burst. Too much blood was produced. What happened underground then came up above the ground.


    Hope watched intently. His stomach rebelled, but the boy managed to suppress it. Today wasn''t the first time he had seen the death of a human.


    "I won''t look away from this. I have to see what Shon has done for me." Then he looked at the man, who now grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the forest.


    "Thank you," Hope managed to say, feeling that he had finally understood the mystery of Shon''s silence.


    "You really did break your oath." It turned out that he couldn''t hold himself back much longer. The Serenity Oath was strict, and he would be punished for breaking it.


    The only answer was a nod. They ran into the forest, and Shon was showing the way.


    "Don. Do you know what happened to him?" Hope asked.


    "Dead." Shon had once again summed up the significance of the situation in one word.


    Hope gritted his teeth, cursing his weakness. He was trying to make sense of what had happened when he noticed that the man was still giving instructions. As if the boy would have to continue his journey alone.


    And then there was silence. Shon, who had been clearing the path ahead, fell to the ground without warning. With his eyes wide open and his heart beating, Shon died instantly.


    His punishment had come, giving the man a momentary death. Then his body seemed to be gone from the world. It disintegrated into fragments and drifted toward Hope.

 Chapter 9: Number System

    Shon, broken into fragments, merged with Hope''s body. The man became a part of him and remained in him. Then the boy saw numbers again, like when he met the gods.


    He remembered the first time he met Humpborn. He could feel some kind of independent system inside him.


    ''It still sleeps,'' Hope thought angrily. ''That lazy bum.''


    Now it wasn''t just in his head. The numbers counted the fragments as Hope remained motionless for several minutes.


    Then one specific indicator stopped in his mind. It was a number expressed in percentages, which meant something.


    [0.56% - 8.78%]


    After feeling and thinking about them, Hope understood their meaning. It was as if he had already stored the idea of them in his mind.


    The first indicator reflected the total number of fragments he had collected, which wasn''t even one whole percent.


    As for the second, it was the total number of fragments accumulated by humans over 300 years.


    ''I still have a long way to go. In fact, I haven''t even started.''


    This ability would be useful. Hope could track both his progress and the progress of others.


    Also, the indicator opened up another possibility. By listening to a specific fragment of the story, Hope could tell if others had similar knowledge.


    If only his indicator increased, this meant that similar fragments already existed. But if his numbers and the world''s indicator rose, it proved he had found new, undiscovered information.


    It wasn''t as powerful or impactful as he wished. But it was the only thing he owned.


    Despite all this, his brain didn''t stop. After saying goodbye to Shon, Hope set off on a path through the forest. The threat of being caught had not yet disappeared. So much so that he didn''t even allow himself to think about Don.. Or to worry about others.


    As he moved through Drylock Grove, a new number indicator appeared in his head, which changed in real time;


    [1233; 17; 33; 05]


    The last two numbers changed according to the second. After observing, the boy realised that it was a timer that counted days, hours, minutes, and seconds.


    [1233; 17; 30; 44]


    ''A little over three years.''


    It didn''t take much to figure out what this counter was for.


    Hope suspected that this indicator was the result of a prophecy that gauged the time left before the cataclysm. Unfortunately, he didn''t have more information about this event.


    ''At least now I know when it will happen. But three years is too soon.''


    Hope had to collect all the fragments in this time, complete the prophecy, and use them to save the world.


    At least the system wasn''t completely useless.


    Although much was missing, he had been preparing for this for the last 18 years. He had also regained shattered self-confidence. He realised that he hadn''t been useless and that all his hardships had been for a reason.


    ''The same won''t happen again,'' he said, moving through the trees.


    This adventure would be a new experience. When he had time, he would start writing down and saving everything. He would read it to Avi one day.


    Hope didn''t have a dagger, either. The only thing he had brought from Dreadvale was his status as the Chosen One. With this, he could no longer act openly, but he had everything he needed to live alone and embark on this mission.


    ''If I had a dagger, it would be much easier.''Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Parting with a familiar weapon made him regret it, but he wasn''t about to complain.


    The forest was dark, especially without the moon. The surrounding area became a suffocating abyss, with each shadow hissing of lurking threats. Hope had just discovered the significance of this seemingly insignificant celestial body. What happened to the moon was hard to say, but the boy hoped he could bring it back.


    Hope hadn''t eaten anything all day. When he woke up, they had taken him to the temple, and he had only three glasses of water in his stomach. His bladder had been emptied a short time ago, and now he had to think about finding food.


    The darkness and the impenetrable forest turned every step into a test of will, but Hope was reluctant to stop, so he spent the entire night walking.


    The sunlight had improved visibility, but the boy wasn''t going to stop yet.


    ''A few more hours, and only then will I sleep.''


    The fragments he had received from Shon hadn''t gone into the water either. As insignificant and almost non-existent as they must have seemed, Hope could feel the changes the fragments had caused. These small developments were not yet fully apparent, but they were becoming a part of him.


    He was exhausted but found himself enjoying this strange freedom. Hope was facing a completely new world. He could do almost anything, and no one controlled his regime. These new feelings were addictive. He liked the fresh fruit that he had never tasted before and didn''t want to lose it.


    He pushed his limits to maintain this feeling. Furthermore, he was so tired that he could only walk, yet he still didn''t stop. Slowly but surely, he followed the paths of the forest, both marked and unmarked.


    Hope only allowed his body to relax in the evening. His feelings of thirst and hunger fought each other, but in the end, the need to sleep won out. He was so tired that he couldn''t find anything. During the entire journey, he encountered no animals or even a stream.


    The instructors had drilled geography into him, and Hope remembered well that the forest had no water sources nearby. The animals were extremely cautious and hid from any danger and were still far from him. Without hunting, Hope could only eat plants or get fluids from them.


    ''It will last until tomorrow,'' he thought.


    He chose a tall tree with wide branches and carefully climbed it, without making too much noise or damaging the branches. Settling in as best he could, he looked up at the darkening sky.


    Hope wanted to find light in it. Unfortunately, the moon had just disappeared, and no one had seen the stars for 300 years. They had disappeared with the start of the first cataclysm. People could no longer continue to study the planets because they no longer existed.


    The sun remained¡ªthe only one, the absence of which would signify the end of the world.


    Hope soon grew bored with looking at the empty sky. No one had been observing the heavens for a long time, and dreams of life beyond had died out. Now, everyone is thinking about preserving life on earth.


    Especially Hope, who had a timer. People knew that danger was approaching, but they had no idea when or in what form.


    At least Hope knew when it would come.


    His body, leaning against the branches of the tree, loosened. His heartbeat settled into a rhythm, his muscles relaxed, and his mind was free from the burden. Soon, he fell asleep for the first time outside his room, without a bed or a soft pillow.


    No matter how hard and demanding his training had been, the end of the night had always been comfortable. Now that luxury was taken away, he would have to get used to it. Even an empty stomach was a new experience for him, one that he had to learn to cope with.


    His sleep wasn''t deep. It was as if a part of his mind had not yet calmed down and was ready to flee at the slightest noise.


    But nothing happened. The whole night passed peacefully, and no one noticed him. His neck and back were sore from lying on the rough surface for so long, but otherwise, he awoke feeling refreshed and rested.


    Stretching out on the tree''s branches, he carefully brushed away the leaves that hid him well. He looked out into the sunlight and enjoyed it for a moment.


    ''There has never been so much colour in Dreadvale,'' he thought.


    The sunlight illuminated his face. His eyes squinted, but he managed to smile. He stared at the horizon, satisfied with the situation. His destination was the nearest city, Zalindar.


    The city wasn''t yet in sight; he hadn''t walked far enough for that.


    ''Three more days,'' he counted.


    At the current pace, it would take him at least three days to cross Drylock Grove. Then his stomach growled. The burning was unbearable, and he wanted to eat immediately. Hope had to replenish his energy because such a journey would surely drain strength.


    The dryness in his throat was even more insufferable. Hope couldn''t find saliva in his mouth. Even if he had needed to speak, it would have been difficult to pronounce the words.


    He was forced to go down to the base of a tree and begin searching for food. Within five minutes, he realised that food would be hard to come by. His diet would be limited and unpleasant for a while.


    Hope decided to use knowledge and start eating the way people had eaten in the early stages of the Fracture. The first thing that came to mind was pine needles. It might not have been the best choice, but he had no other options.


    They contained a little liquid and served as a substitute for water. The boy collected a certain amount of pine needles. Then he moved to a birch tree and removed a small part of its bark. After a long effort, he got some.


    Finally, he found the most delicious clover flower, which he ate in relatively large quantities. He didn''t think about the taste because of hunger.


    In the end, he may not have had a big meal, but he temporarily solved the problem of hunger and thirst. The need didn''t disappear completely, but at least he won a day.


    Under the sun, he continued his journey until nightfall. He tried his best not to leave a trace, although he knew very well that hiding from the Binders would not be easy.


    When night came, he chose a new place to sleep. He climbed a thick tree and lay down. He was about to close his eyes when he noticed smoke nearby. The faint trail was rising from a fire, proving the presence of people.

 Chapter 10: Ashe

    The closeness of a human presented Hope with a dilemma. Should he descend from the tree, investigate it, and potentially acquire food, water, and other necessities?


    Or was it too risky, something that could cost him his life?


    ''My pursuers?''


    He considered who they were, but he ruled out the Binders from Dreadvale. The smoke was too close. If they had tracked him down, they wouldn''t have bothered starting a fire; they would simply capture him.


    That hadn''t happened, so whoever was near him had a much lower chance of coming to him.


    ''Maybe he''s a wandering merchant.''


    That wasn''t out of the question. Dreadvale might not have welcomed visitors, but it still allowed travellers and merchants near the borders. Information and goods could be exchanged safely outside the city.


    Representatives of any other profession wouldn''t be excluded either. In any case, he had to find out if there was any danger so close to him. Without information, he could put himself in even greater trouble. Besides, food and water would give him the energy he needed, which would shorten the journey to Zalindar.


    He slid down the tree slowly. His body could make a minimal amount of noise. Muscle relaxation and control were part of his routine, and he would soon find a use for it.


    He memorised the direction of the smoke. He moved toward it with even greater caution. His feet, planted on the ground and grass, made virtually no noise. His coordination was perfect, and according to his instructors, his focus and concentration were astonishing.


    He moved slowly, not in a hurry, and was ready to flee at the sight of any danger. Hope tried to hear before he saw them, hiding behind the trees. He had to find out how many there were without sticking his head out.


    The only sound he could hear was a single breath over the crackling of wood chips thrown into the fire.


    He managed to figure that out from more than ten meters away.


    ''It seems my senses have also developed.''


    Satisfied with the fact, he went to check with his eyes. They tell him the same thing, but a bit more. In front of the fire, a thinly dressed but well-protected young man can be seen, only a few years older than Hope. He sat on a log of wood and looked at the hunk of meat skewered on a stick. Lost in thought, he waits for food and doesn''t study his surroundings as carefully as Hope did.


    And he had a sword.


    A silver sword hung from a leather belt around his waist. It was hidden in the light and shadow of the fire at the same time. In Hope''s eyes, this weapon sparkled, shone, and even called out.


    ''I want it.''


    The desire was strong. Hope wanted to take it in his hands and look at the owner of the sword again. He wasn''t a Binder, and he would say that with almost a 100% guarantee.


    Hope, after becoming Eclipsed, felt the fragments more clearly. He could see them rushing towards him. Every Binder he had ever seen in person had a certain patterned diagram of the fragments.


    Not easily noticeable, but he could see them by observing.


    It was as if he were a Seeer but without the ability to read them accurately. As if he needed to connect with these fragments, to receive them, to understand them.


    He had only obtained the prophecy in this form once before, after Shon''s death, and unfortunately, it hadn''t brought him any information. It had probably only increased the percentage of his fragments, which was also useful.


    There had been one instance in the boy''s experience when he didn''t notice the Binders. The existence of the three twin brothers escaped his senses. They were parts of his hair, and somehow they had evaded his radar.


    As for the man, he had no trace of such fragments. He was an ordinary person. Without any powers or abilities. A mortal whom Hope was confident in defeating. Even in the worst and most unthinkable situation, he could still flee.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The key was getting the sword, and the matter wouldn''t have come to this point.


    Then he thought about his morality. How right it would be to kill an innocent man, especially when it wouldn''t be such an easy task. Attacking him directly was both dangerous and morally questionable.


    But Hope still believed that the sword should be his. After all, he was the Chosen One. Every action he took would be for the good of the world, and one theft was a small price to pay.


    ''Think of it as helping humanity,'' he addressed the man with a thought in his heart and outlined the options for action.


    He didn''t make a decision hastily, but he thought quickly. There were bushes near the tree where he was hiding. A few meters away and a little closer to the man.


    He wanted to get to this bush unnoticed. He bent over, placed his hands on the ground, and in one turn, he was right there. The first and easiest stage was completed.


    ''Now, let''s see how good a bluffer I am.''


    He rustled the bushes deliberately. Along with the sound, it created a visual effect that also caught the man''s attention. He immediately stood up, took his sword in his hand, and straightened his shoulders. He positioned himself in front of the fire as if he were covering a hunted animal.


    "Who is it?" he shouted and began to approach with short steps.


    "Please don''t kill me!" Hope says and comes out scared. Slow, without unnecessary movements that could scare a man.


    "What do you want? Why did you come?" he asks, studying the boy from head to toe.


    "I came because of the smell. I''m very hungry and cold." At the same time, Hope puts his hand on his stomach while hugging himself with the other for warmth. "Can you give me some?" he calls out in fear and pleading, and for greater effect, he even gets on his knees.


    The man continues to study him but doesn''t come any closer. Hope''s clothes are tattered, stained, and covered in scratches. The boy didn''t look particularly threatening. His grey hair is matted with dirt, and he fits the description, like some stray lost in the wilderness. It would be difficult to see him as a potential threat, let alone the world''s saviour.


    "What is your name?" he asks, not yet lowering his sword.


    The boy hadn''t expected such a question so soon, but he had an answer ready. "Ashe, sir," he said, his tongue hanging out, his face on the ground, his voice cracking. It''s as if he doesn''t dare to raise his head. Even he''s impressed with his performance.


    As for the name, it wouldn''t be hard to guess. The chancellor had once called him "ash," after all. He didn''t have a real name, or at least he didn''t know what it was. No one would recognise him as Hope and Despair wasn''t something he was comfortable with. Besides, the word "Ashe" suited his new appearance well enough.


    This was a significant moment¡ªthe day Hope finally became Ashe, a new identity marking the start of his story.


    "Ashe?" the man repeated, drawing a parallel with the boy''s appearance. His grip on the sword tightened¡ªan action that the boy couldn''t miss without even looking at him.


    One wrong movement and Ashe was ready to strike.


    After a few seconds of thought, the young man made a decision. He slowly lowered his sword, though he kept his eyes on the boy.


    "I can''t give you much food. This should be my three-day supply. Still, I have water, and I can share that."


    He waited for the boy''s reaction. Ashe didn''t move on purpose, as though he couldn''t quite believe what he''d just heard, as if no one had shown him such kindness. The trembling of his body stopped. He slowly stood up and looked at the man with boundless gratitude.


    "Thank you, sir. You saved me. Thank you. May the gods bless your way." There was a tremor in his voice. One eye was filled with tears. He had gone too deep into the role. His lessons had never reached such extreme situations; he had only gone through a few stages in diplomacy.


    When he told the truth along with the lies, Ashe''s actions became much more convincing. This scene was an example of that.


    That''s why he was taught to lie and win people''s hearts. It turns out that people have a fundamental desire to feel important. It isn''t necessary for them to see the truth; a well-baked lie is enough to win their hearts.


    At the same time, a person needs another, weaker and more defenceless than him. So that in the event of their help, he feels superior and more needed. This is usually hidden in the subconscious, and no one acts like this on purpose.


    It is controversial why this man helped Ashe. However, along with lies, the boy also told the truth. Moreover, it wasn''t a small amount that helped with his acting.


    "First, come and sit by the fire," the man offers, inviting the boy. Regardless, he still keeps his distance, holding his sword in his hand and not taking eyes off him.


    "It may not be very cold, but you won''t mind the extra heat," the man adds. His voice has softened, but his body remains tense.


    "Thank you," Ashe nods and sits by the fire. He stares at the meat, waiting for the young man to notice. When the man catches his eye, Ashe quickly ducks his head, as if embarrassed.


    The man laughs. Not mockingly, but in a friendly way, he takes a bottle of water from a large backpack leaning against a log for the boy.


    "Here, catch it," he said as he threw it and moved to sit down.


    Ashe could have easily caught the bottle, but he didn''t leave the role, and with an awkward movement, it slipped out of his hands. Then he took it timidly as if trying to hide the fact that he had made a mistake.


    He drank quickly, letting some water spill and nearly choking. This was no longer acting, but it only added to his performance.


    The man smiles again and chooses a place to sit just a little closer. There are still a few meters between them. He rests his sword on the wood on the other side of Ashe. Then he looks at the boy and thinks as he looks at the meat.


    "There''s still... just a few minutes left," he said, staring thoughtfully at the meat; then he suddenly remembered something, snapping out of his thoughts.


    "Oh, by the way, I''m Ezio, and I''m going to Dreadvale," he says without any unnecessary emotion as he meets the boy''s eyes. "Where are you headed?"

 Chapter 11: The Weaver Of Epic

    Ashe wasn''t fully prepared for the man''s interest. His expression remained steady, but he immediately blurted. "Zalindar... I''m going to Zalindar."


    "Really? I was born and raised there; now I travel to trade," Ezio spoke, and Ashe tried his best to keep pace, careful not to miss a beat.


    Ezio loved to tell stories. After discussing his parents, he moved on to his siblings. He was from a distinguished family. He lacked nothing, but he chose to work hard to support them. Ezio wanted his parents to be proud of him. His younger siblings, who looked up to him, were his source of motivation.


    When he finished talking about his life, he moved on to more personal issues. "You''ve heard of the Binders, haven''t you?" His voice held a note of awe. "There are many in our city; you often see them."


    In the meantime, the meat was finished cooking. The man carefully took it off and gave the boy a not-so-small piece. The animal turned out to be a fox, and catching it in the forest wasn''t an easy task.


    Ezio was eating as he continued. "I have always dreamed of acquiring powers like theirs. I would no longer have to hunt only animals. I would fight real monsters; I would protect my city. And¡­" he added, taking a bite, "Mum and Dad would be proud of me."


    Ashe was so engrossed in eating the meat that he could barely hear what Ezio was saying. He devoured it like a starved beast. If he had the strength, he would probably chew through the bones, too. When he finished, he licked his fingers clean.


    Ezio paid little attention to that. He was engrossed in his meal and storytelling.


    "When I turned 18, and the gods didn''t choose at the oath ceremony, it was¡­ a hard time. Kinda felt like the universe fell on top of me. I''ll never forget the disappointment on my family''s faces." His eyes softened, lost in the past.


    He rested his head on a hand, then added, "Soon my sister and brother have to take the oath, and I hope they can fulfil my dream. But I try not to pressure them."


    "You''re a good brother," Ashe told him frankly. He had remained silent all this time, letting Ezio speak without interruption.


    Then there was silence. Ezio didn''t show it, but Ashe''s simple words clearly pleased him.


    "Have I been boring you? I''m often told that I don''t know when to shut up," he said awkwardly and wiped his hands.


    Ashe replied politely, "No, on the contrary, such a companion is pleasant." He bowed his head, and the silence returned.


    All that could be heard was the sound of the fire as Ezio added wood. Then he left one stick in his hand and started poking at the fire.


    Ashe knew about the outside world only through stories. Based on the fact that he had been lied to for a long time, he didn''t understand what was true and false. Ezio was the only person not from Dreadvale, and he would have no reason to lie to him.


    Therefore, he gathered his strength and asked what he was most interested in. "What do you think of the Chosen One?"


    Ezio stopped his hand movement. His eyes lit up, and it was obvious that he was preparing for the new monologue. "I believe, no, I want to believe, that he will save the world. That''s why he''s the Fated One. I don''t know where he is now, or how he is, but I''m sure he''s fighting to change the future of the planet. He''s meant to be the greatest Binder, with powers beyond anything we know. It only makes sense that humans will be led by him."


    He took a deep breath; the emotion was almost the same as when he was talking about his family. "He is the world''s only hope."


    Ashe caught a few details easily. Ezio said he doesn''t know the boy''s whereabouts, even though he goes to Dreadvale to trade. However, according to his information, Hope''s progress was closely monitored by the entire world. It was instilled in him that everyone could see its consequences and that humanity might lose hope in its failure. People wouldn''t obey him if he were weak. Now he had learned that his life was more hidden than he thought.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Ezio''s reaction pointed to another interesting detail. It appears some people are afraid of him. People who didn''t have hope in him. The prophecy hadn''t said what would happen if he were to collect all the fragments.


    He could turn evil or fight for humanity. In such uncertainty, it wasn''t surprising that many were afraid and indulged in speculation.


    After a few seconds pause, Ezio brought the boy back from his thoughts:


    "And what do you think about him? You must have a reason to ask."


    ''It''s rare that you have to talk about yourself in the third person,'' he thought to himself first, then answered. "I am also of your opinion... Hope will gain the greatest power in the world and use it only for humanity. He will be the supreme leader we all need. There shouldn''t be another option. The prophecy is incomplete, but knowing more will surely confirm it."


    One couldn''t tell who Ashe was talking to. The listener or the self that still contained Hope. He hadn''t shed that identity. These names remained in his soul. Even Despair itself was a big part of his being.


    Ezio either failed to recognise the boy''s feelings on the matter or simply ignored them. "What do you think about hearing prophecies?" he asked and continued before the answer. "Along with everything I told you about myself, I also like to collect stories. It''s a shame I didn''t become a Binder, because I''ve already collected so much; I''d be an Eminent by now," he said proudly and felt a friendly bond with the boy.


    The Eminent stage was the second rank among the Binders. At this time, a new, strengthened oath is made, which also affects Mark and the skills he exhibits. New skills are unlocked, and old ones are developed. But it isn''t so easy to reach the second step of the Covenant. You need to pass trials made by the gods.


    Ezio was choosing stories to tell while playing with fire. Then he stopped at one of them and started telling it.


    "one set on a ship was a vendor."


    neither country was spared.


    nor he kept a friend close."


    It had an introductory verse that wasn''t very well narrated. The question is whether this was due to frequent retelling, or if Ezio was losing his charm.


    It was as if he realised that something was wrong and changed it.


    "The seller of the country sneaked to the kingdom by ship. He returned home regretfully but with a purpose." His voice was slow and steady. "His homeland has fallen into peril. Threatened by a being that even the kings couldn''t resist. The knights have fallen, the princesses have faded, and a dragon has claimed everything there was." The man''s self-confidence increased in his voice, rising with each passing word.


    "The traitor is coming by ship. Not to clear the name. Not for guilt, but for a reason he can''t tell. Still, he''s here to face the dragon; his sword broke, his hand was burned, and he has no strength in his legs."


    A traitor dies; he vows to the gods. "Grant me the might to endure; let me burn in flames as I bring this beast down with me!" Ezio moved from storytelling to demonstration. In the shadows, with his fingers, he sometimes depicted a man, sometimes a dragon.


    "God heard. Mark sent. The man stood up, held the sword whole, and plunged it deep. He restored the country, and his homeland was defended. They elected him king. But the curse didn''t leave him. He took blood and drowned himself in it. The traitor died, the king perished, and the dragon was no more."


    The story ended, and Ezio was so emotional he seemed tired at the end. Ashe took fragments from it. Seeing with his own eyes, he understood it wasn''t much.


    There are two moments in foretelling. One that is more common and less fragmentary is the telling of stories, or prophecies that have already come true. Ordinary people usually convey this category. As some fragments are dangerous for the folks.


    The second is an unfulfilled prophecy that will come true in the future. It is more difficult to listen to; it is given up less because it includes more fragments and is kept for certain individuals. They are rarely heard from humans; they both find it difficult to collect and fear that such knowledge could bring the wrath of the Binders.


    Prophecies are also for sale. It is possible to use them as a unit of money, although the whole practice is unreliable. Binders have some methods to achieve this, besides common currency, and when exchanging, they use fragments. For them, this is more important than any wealth because, along with knowledge, they also gain power.


    Ashe didn''t know much, but his basic training should be enough. He would get the rest through experience. Meanwhile, a lot of time has passed. He often glanced at the sword. He didn''t forget the reason for his closeness and acquaintance with Ezio.


    "You look tired. I will leave you; you have a long way to go." Again, he expressed his respect and quickly said goodbye by thanking him.


    Ezio was relaxed. He needed to nap, stretched out, already drifting off to sleep. He wanted to ask about the story he had told. Ashe was quicker; he left without giving the man a chance to try anything. A couple of minutes later, as he was lost in thought, he lay down on a log and fell asleep peacefully.


    Ashe climbed a tree nearby. He went unnoticed, hiding his presence with steady, controlled breaths. He watched for a long time, and when he was sure it was time to act, he jumped down from the tree.

 Chapter 12: A Blade In Hand

    Ashe''s eyes were fixed on the sword. He moved towards it without any unnecessary movements. His goal wasn''t to tire Ezio out and put him to sleep. That would have happened without his intervention, and he wouldn''t have put himself in a potential trap.


    Instead, he received food and water from him along with the information, which was worth the effort. Now he had to steal the sword in return, which wasn''t a very noble idea.


    Ashe made up his mind and wouldn''t turn back. He walked toward the sleeping man on tiptoe, looking at the shadow of his head made of fire.


    Ezio was lying on his back, his head not on the side of the sword but close to his feet. His hand wasn''t far away, and if he felt the boy approaching, he would be the first to pick it up.


    ''Careful. Calmly,'' Ashe repeated to himself, demanding the same from his body.


    He walked over to the log and touched the coveted weapon with his hand. Some numbers immediately popped into his head, but he didn''t have time to study them. He picked up the silver sword; its weight was more than he expected, but he could manage. It was perfectly straight and at most 40 centimetres long.


    ''Please don''t wake up. Don''t get up.'' He didn''t want to wake Ezio because he would have to attack him, and he didn''t want to harm the pleasant man.


    He turned back as delicately as he had come to him. Unnoticed, without unnecessary obstacles. Even he was surprised by how easily he managed to steal the sword. He considered taking his bag and belongings, but it would actually put the man in trouble.


    He gave in to his urge and ran into the forest. The sword made it difficult for him to move, but he was well-fed and had no trouble coping.


    He ran in the direction of Zalindar. He was impressed, especially after hearing Ezio''s description. The city was a metropolis of different races and cultures, filled with numerous schools and guilds. Several were specifically designed for Binders.


    There were also academies for Seeers, which existed entirely to study the fragments.


    Large families and guilds also possessed amazing power. Together with the military, they fought against monsters and ensured the security of the territory around the city.


    There were also sites called Scar, from which alien cosmic monsters entered the planet. Their number in the universe grew every day, and it was almost impossible to completely control each one. Some weaker Scars were used by people to fight monsters, train, and obtain fragments and various treasures.


    Ezio''s family also engaged in selling this loot. He was working on this himself, heading to Dreadvale to secure a contract.


    Ashe soon left the territory. He hid with his sword among the bushes and trees. Ashe had to check the numbers because they wouldn''t go away from his mind. He concentrated on his mind and tried to see their reading.


    [0.15]


    ''Is that all?'' He was disappointed, both by the low number and the lack of information. He could only say that the numbers belonged to the sword, but he didn''t know what they meant. Did they reflect its sharpness, durability, or even the number of fragments placed in it?


    The sword was like a human in this respect. There was so little of the prophecy in it that he couldn''t see the fragments.


    The number disappeared whenever he thought about looking at it. Then it appeared when he wanted to look at it.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ''It''s useful, but I need a comparison.''


    Unfortunately, no object around him could evoke numbers. Then he turned his attention to the sword. He knew its many variations and wielded most of them quite well. He had heard stories about their origins. According to his instructor, the primary requirement for wielding a sword was understanding it.


    Ashe had never even seen most of them, only been shown descriptions and drawings of some. Binders didn''t use weapons much at the higher levels of combat, but he had a particular interest in them.


    Especially double-edged swords. It came from the fact that his technique was more offensive and often required flexibility. In the case of a mistake, the cutting nature of both blades also increased his defensive capabilities.


    His favourites still included the instructor''s claymore. It was too crude and heavy to handle for him, but he would gladly learn to use it. The claymore was a useful weapon against several opponents, but in his eyes, it represented chivalry and strength. It was as if Hope were on the battlefield.


    As for his journey, after admiring the sword, he returned to the road. He walked for a while longer, trying to hide his tracks from Ezio as much as possible. Then he climbed into a tree and fell asleep. He had his sword in his arms; he couldn''t find another place to sleep, and he felt much safer.


    In the morning, the sound of birds woke him up. He hadn''t seen another living creature in so long, and the harmony of the birds was pleasant to listen to.


    ''I''m approaching the city,'' he concluded and descended from the tree expectantly. He had no intention of eating any more bark or bitter-tasting plants. If he walked a little longer, he might catch some animals. Even the fox, which he had eaten deliciously the night before. Birds rarely came down to the ground, and no matter how careful he was, catching them from the trees wasn''t guaranteed.


    He had no experience hunting in a real forest in a foreign environment. However, he had often trained in an artificial jungle in the city to simulate it. Along with tracking the path, he had been taught the correct dismemberment of the hunt, the care of wounds, and all the other necessary components.


    He chose a direction and slightly slowed down his pace. His hearing spread like waves as if it could detect every vibration. This was very far from the truth, but at least he was making progress, which in turn made him feel positive about the future.


    He walked step by step and heard the rustling of grass. He should have heard the sound of footsteps, but he heard nothing like that. On the contrary, the sound he was hearing was more like sliding on the ground. Moving without limbs, approaching him.


    He hid himself, trying to remain unnoticed by his future victim. He climbed the tree again and watched for its appearance from a height.


    ''I am like a monkey.'' This was a lost group of animals that had become extinct 300 years ago. He had only seen pictures of them.


    In his place, a snake hissed. Its tongue flicked out periodically, and its skin was completely black, with green markings on the side. It was at least three meters long and didn''t look very friendly. It slithered through the grass itself, silently and, despite its size, as inconspicuous as possible.


    The snake, too, was looking for prey, but who would have thought that it would become the same in the eyes of others?


    ''Come to me, little one,'' he called out in his thoughts, and not a single muscle in his body moved.


    Ashe waited for the snake to come from the tree he had chosen. The reptile was also about to pass through his lower territory. Ashe waited patiently, sword held in hand, its beak pointing toward the ground.


    His wait was soon rewarded. The animal was within striking distance of his leap. The boy held his breath and pulled himself up off the tree. Gravity helped him land in its direction.


    With bent arms, he aimed for the snake and threw it into his body as it landed. He slammed the blade of his sword into the ground. The animal tried to move and free itself, but it was too late. Its wound would kill it in seconds, and it was only a matter of time.


    ''My first kill outside the city,'' Ashe remarked after the snake had finally been slain.


    It was a one-hit kill. Clean and easy. His heart was racing with a sense of freedom and excitement.


    Ashe was already soaked with blood, which wasn''t too bad; it didn''t take much to get off his sword and clothes. The long, waterless journey had not guaranteed their cleanliness.


    Then he took the prey in his hands and began to skin it. He even considered eating it raw to end his hunger quickly. It wouldn''t have been the right choice for his health, so he took his time and chose a location to light a fire.


    Ezio made a mistake. The fire he had lit was smoking and visible. Unlike Ashe, he wasn''t in danger of being pursued, but he paid for his mistake by losing his sword.


    The boy didn''t intend to repeat the same thing and preferred to roast the snake on the fire without any risk.

 Chapter 13: Echoes Of The Gate

    Ashe was holding a snake that had been cut open, its blood seeping into his nails. Then he cut it into several pieces and spread them on the smooth branches. Before roasting it, he had to take into account the smell of the blood.


    He didn''t know what animal might be drawn to the scent, or even a monster.


    So he left the meat on the ground. With the help of leaves, he cleaned his hands as best he could, removing the excess smell. Then he climbed the tree and intended to wait for a few minutes.


    There was silence. Nothing appeared, but out of caution, he waited another ten minutes. He held his sword in his hand so that he would be ready to defend his meal.


    Fortunately, the snake''s blood didn''t seem attractive to any nearby animals. Ashe returned to his starting position and had to think about how to remain unnoticed before lighting the fire.


    His teaching didn''t miss this either. When he reached the ground, he found an impractical use of the sword. He dug the surface, first creating a vertical depth. At the end of it, he worked horizontally using his hand and made a small tunnel. This was where he was to light a fire and burn the snake. The sword was finding a new use, and with its help, he could use two methods.


    The first was through sparks. For this, he had to find limestone or green clay. He would hit the material hard with his sword and use the sparks that were created to start a fire.


    The second would be more laborious, and its success wasn''t guaranteed. This was the reflection of sunlight. It was the reflection of sunlight, which the boy quickly ruled out.


    For the first method, he had to find limestone or green clay. Given the geological structure of the forest, the latter would be easier to find. He also collected dry leaves and a few thin branches.


    Ashe put what he learned into practice and started a fire with sparks. He moved it into a tunnel to quickly hide the smoke. Then he added raw branches to further limit its production.


    Fifteen minutes later, he was holding the roasted meat and eating it deliciously.


    ''I wish I had salt,'' he mumbled, resuming his journey.


    The stop wasted more than enough time, and he set off for Zalindar. He walked all day again until it was dark, and his legs gave out. He dared not venture further, for the extra energy was necessary to survive in a difficult situation.


    Even though the number of animals had increased, he hadn''t come across any trace of the monsters. The areas around Dreadvale felt much simpler and safer compared to the outskirts of Zalindar. The city where the boy had grown up was protected from the appearance of monsters in its vicinity.


    ''I missed my bed, or at least a decent place to lie down.''


    He adapted to sleeping on a tree, but it still wasn''t pleasant.


    Despite his grumbling, closing his eyes was enough to put him to sleep. He couldn''t sleep soundly, but he was also able to rest in his wakefulness.


    He felt hungry immediately upon waking. Not only that, but he ate only once a day and couldn''t afford to take any more breaks. Ashe wanted to get through Draylock Grove quickly. The boy had to leave behind a large part of the snake and regretted it on an empty stomach. It was time for a new hunt, and he repeated the experience of the previous morning.


    His routine life continued for several more days. One night, before going to bed, he looked through the book Avi gave him. He filled in a few blank pages and described his experiences. As he wrote in his diary everything that came to mind, that night Ashe slept with extraordinary peace.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    The journey had taken longer than he had originally thought. Zalindar was farther away than his maps had told him. They lived in his head. His photographic memory was excellent, but he had to study them so often that he would have memorised them even without this ability.


    [1226; 4; 17; 51]


    The time remaining on the timer was ticking. Ashe also got used to his new life, yet he only wanted to get to the city as soon as possible.


    [0.56% - 8.78%]


    The fragment counter didn''t move. It seemed that neither the boy nor the other people had discovered anything important.


    On the other hand, his tiring journey paid off. At least he could see the high, 30-metre walls to which he was only a couple of hours away. He was in a low place near the mountain; the horizon seemed vast, and he couldn''t see the end of it.


    With increased enthusiasm, he quickened his steps and practically ran towards Zalindar. The majestic walls were getting closer every minute. They were also growing in size, and the boy was in a hurry to get inside. After half an hour, when he reached the height of the city, he had to stop.


    It was his choice, really, but there was a trigger that made him do it.


    He reached the edge of Draylock Grove and was poking his head into the misty trees. It wasn''t thick enough to make him lose his way, but he had to slow down and be careful. He didn''t want to accidentally leave the road and make it even more confusing.


    In this fog, he heard a voice and slowed down. A cry that he wouldn''t only not come to but would run away from. But there was something else about this voice that immediately piqued his interest.


    They were fragments, colourful pieces floating in the air. Coming from different directions but converging on the same path. Before that, they stopped near the boy, as if trying to be visible to him. They were attractive not only in appearance but also in their purpose.


    This was part of the prophecy. An unusual expression that was calling for Ashe.


    No other Binder or sane person would have gone to it. Neither the sound nor the fragments flying toward it should be taken into account.


    Ashe''s situation was different. He had a covenant to the prophecy. His Mark, which changed his appearance, confirmed this. There was no need to talk about the future the fragments foretold. This was his fate and destiny, and he had no reason to run from it.


    So the boy followed the fragments, which in turn guided him toward the sound.


    He got closer, and the voice became clearer. It didn''t sound like language¡ªit sounded like an echo of forged, incoherent words. Its speaker seemed more natural than human. A boundless body trying to communicate with Ashe, but he couldn''t decipher it.


    He had to walk through the foggy valley, through the trees. Something he had been doing for the past few days, but the distance between the trees was much smaller. The plants became denser, and the boy struggled to get through.


    Finally, it seemed that he passed all the trees. In the emptiness, he looked at the fragments left by the fog, which led to a cliff. However, this slope didn''t seem to be real. It was more like a change in dimensions, caught between reality and illusion.


    Ashe followed the fragments and climbed a small hill on the mountain. It wasn''t steep, as if it had been specially designed for easy climbing. At its small peak, a new ridge began, and one could see a large cave there.


    Darkened, the surrounding fog was gone, and the sound came from inside. The fragments rushed in until the boy had a good look at the entrance.


    Without giving up, he followed them, and in the dark cave, he could only see fragments. They changed colours when they touched each other, but they never stopped. Ashe wanted to know where they were taking him, but he had to walk even further.


    He didn''t have to do much. Soon he saw torches burning on the wall, which burned with something more transparent than fire. The corridor was wide, at least ten meters, and the boy moved freely.


    The depth was much greater, but it finally appeared.


    Ashe approached the source of the sound. An enormous gate that completely blocked the path and fully swallowed up the fragments that come so far.


    ''And what do I do now?'' the boy asked, using the light to search for the doorknob. He found nothing of the kind; his attention shifted to intricate carvings that mirrored the unknown patterns. The influence of the prophecy was felt on the metal frame. The runes were hard to see as if they couldn''t even exist in reality.


    The gate was waiting for something, and it wouldn''t open until it received it.


    ''Then I must try something,'' he said and touched the door with his hand. He felt a vibration and nothing more. It seemed alive, but it didn''t react to his touch.


    Ashe learned that some ancient objects required blood contact to activate. This was how the prophecy recognised people and then made a decision.


    The boy took the sword, pressed his teeth together, and lowered it into the palm of his hand.


    He pushed the sharp pain to the back of his mind. He placed his bloody hand on the door again.


    This time, there was no vibration. Instead, the numbers in the boy''s head were distorted, mixed up, and turned into chaos. He couldn''t even tell what was happening. As the numbers blurred in his mind, he heard the sound once again. Only for a moment.


    As a result, his vision went black, and his lifeless body fell to the ground.

 Chapter 14: Trial And God

    Ashe''s eyes opened, and his vision returned. The numbers in his mind stabilised and fell into place. The strength he needed came late, so he began to observe his surroundings with his eyes.


    The space around the boy changed radically. He was still in a cave but in a much livelier one. Moss grew on the rocky surface; everything turned green. From a height that seemed to stretch to the sky, a waterfall descended. It seemed to disperse in the air and fell on the rocky ground in the form of rain.


    Ashe regained his vitality. He raised himself and finished by standing. The hand that had been bleeding and injured was now fully healed. There was no trace of the wound.


    Silence reigned in the closed cave. The raindrops and the flowing waterfall made no sound. Everything was too deafening.


    The boy began to search, but he didn''t know what he was looking for. He soon found something interesting, which could also be terrifying. He found skeletons scattered around; their bones lay on the cold surface. They seemed to be stuck there, and it was obvious that they couldn''t find a way out.


    Ashe found himself in the same situation. After going around the entire space, which measured around 200 square meters, there was no way out. He saw about a dozen dead people. There was no trace of fragments, either.


    Frustrated, he looked for a hidden component of the cave. His observation wasn''t bad, and he noticed coloured stones stacked on top of each other on the mossy surface. Their arrangement looked like the work of man, although the stones were not ordinary.


    As if fragments or even smaller parts of them were trapped in them. Ashe touched the stones, and they immediately began to make sounds. Each stone made a distinct noise from the other.


    ''Notes?'' Ashe noticed, and after counting the stones, it was confirmed that he was correct. There were 12 notes in total, and they seemed to be asking for a specific piece. The boy first remembered the sounds that led him to the cave.


    Their sound stopped as he approached the door, and now he needed to remember. He hadn''t studied music as such, but he had a good ear and memory. He listened to each stone, understood its musical data, and arranged them one after another.


    12 notes weren''t enough to perform the entire composition. He could only make the beginning, and as soon as he arranged them, it was confirmed to him that this was enough.


    The stones lit up one after another. They got together to play music. The ground opened up a little and showed Ashe the entrance.


    ''Down we go,'' he thought and slid down. The new platform turned out to be a small room. There were four walls around and nothing to see. Fragments were flying in the centre of the room. They were different; Ashe had never seen anything like them.


    ''There is so much to learn, and with every discovery, more emerges,'' the boy thought.


    As he touched the fragments, a question rang out that he heard, saw, and felt at the same time.


    "You seek me, yet fear my cost."


    The completed sentence needed a name. The answer was obvious to him, but he thought about it, anyway. He didn''t know what the cost of a mistake would be.


    "My entire existence revolves around it," he thought, and with certainty, he uttered, "Prophecy!"


    Meanwhile, the music returned, this time in the small centre of the room. The fragments followed him, this time altered, as if they were torn apart. They brought a new symbol: a scale with two sides.


    One side represented humanity, the future, and salvation. The other was an expression of life. Ash didn''t know where they were coming from, but as soon as he saw them, thoughts began to clear in his mind.


    On top was a metal heart frame. Anatomy wasn''t his favourite subject, but recognising it was not a challenge. He had to pick up the heart and tip the scales to one side. ''This place was made for me. Yes, but why? Who made it and what did they need it for?''


    Then he took the heart in his hand. He didn''t like its cold touch and hurriedly made room for it. ''I am ready to give up my life. I do not know how much of this is my choice, but I know what I owe.'' The scales tipped in favour of humanity. The boy chose their future, which again symbolised the successful completion of the task through music.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    This time, the light came on in the small room. Two glasses of water appeared before him. One was loaded with fragments; the other was crystal clear. He was not faced with a choice. They had to be drunk before the doors opened. He had also been given knowledge of the sequence. ''How useful it is to read the fragments so easily.'' Humans couldn''t decipher them so easily.


    Although touching the fragments or hearing them and physically reading them was enough, they could not do it naturally. It took effort even for the Seeers. Ashe himself was a holder of the Prophecy Covenants and enjoyed the privilege. Being the Chosen One hadn''t always been a bad thing.


    He took a second glass of water, pure liquid, and drank it down. After running out of the water Ezio had given him, he relied on plants for hydration, and it was quite pleasant to gulp.


    Ashe didn''t know what would happen now, but he had his suspicions. Meanwhile, the number of fragments in his mind changed.


    [0.58% - 8.80%]


    The difference was only 0.2%, but his rate wasn''t the only one that changed. The fragments he collected, no matter how insignificant, also increased the total amount. This meant that no one had ever seen the fragments he received.


    Only the Chosen One could pass this test. Ashe was the only one who could hear the melody. Finding this place was difficult, but not impossible. The brave ones who tried to pass it and collect the prophecies all lost their lives in vain.


    He was happy with his triumphant victory when he felt dizzy. His body lost stability, and he fell asleep with a familiar feeling.


    He left his body, flew into the darkness, and returned to the vast space once more. The place was irreplaceable, even though there was nothing to change. The voices that were supposed to come from the gods were late. As if they were not expecting his arrival and were not ready to meet him.


    He had to wait a few moments. The darkness and its infinity weren''t boring. And yet, a voice echoed, reflecting the harshness and thunder. "Interesting. Quite unusual, too. I''m so glad I came first." He said, and the world around the boy shifted.


    The clouds dissipated, replaced, and dispersed the darkness. Their expression was also dark, without lightning or any light.


    ''He brought me to his realm.'' Ashe understood and tried to search for God. He could hear his voice, see his silhouette, maybe even shadow.


    "You are in my house, but you still can''t peek at me." He gets the answer, and the boy stops searching. God continues to speak. "I am glad you passed the ordeal so quickly."


    "Was it yours, the gods'' arrangement?" Ashe asks, thinking that he is right.


    "No, it wasn''t created by us. Others built it, but according to our knowledge." A serious voice was lost among the clouds. "You will receive your first actual ability from the fragments. How well you master it will depend on you. Although we all know your results."


    "Do those numbers show the time left before the Fracture? Can it be avoided or changed?" the boy asked, wanting with all his being to protect the planet from a cosmic attack.


    "If the prophecy says so, then it will happen. There is nothing beyond it, and this is the only truth in the world." God didn''t seem bothered by his questions. On the contrary, he was happy to explain to Ashe.


    "And what is it, anyway? Where did it come from? Is it a living organism? Why is it broken? Is it like the gods, or how do you know that it is always right?" It was doubtful why everyone trusted the prophecy so strongly. Could it be that it was never wrong, but what would happen if it made a mistake?


    "This is yours to discover. There is much we don''t know. Know that it is on your side, a part of you, and it chose you." One could feel a trace of longing in his voice.


    Ashe fell silent. Verbalising thoughts in the mind was always hard.


    "I have a question for you myself," the god said. "Why do you demand yourself to be the leader of this world? Don''t get me wrong, you will be the strongest one according to the prophecy, but it doesn''t mean you have to be the ruler of the human race. What do you gain from it? Is it because all your life you believed that one day you will lead them? Or is it something else?" the god asked, but his questions were hard to answer.


    Ashe fell into thoughts. He scratched his imaginary head. ''Why indeed?'' He even asked himself but couldn''t find the answer he was looking for. He knew what he wanted and what was his purpose, but why he thought that way was a mystery to him.


    Legitimate leaders must lead because they are the only ones who can lead. But was it correct for Ashe? He didn''t know that. He was destined to be the strongest one, but could someone like him get the crown? Does being the strongest give you the right to rule? He was full of doubt and couldn''t provide answers.


    Then the thunderous voice was heard again, as he said goodbye with satisfaction. "It''s time for you to leave. You receive a gift from me, but only because prophecy told me to." Even a mortal noticed the difference in the voice. "You are too easy to find; under my protection, no one will recognise you from your past life. Your traces have disappeared. You can rest assured that no one will find you."


    Ashe was delighted. This blessing from God would solve many of his problems. He no longer had to worry about being caught every minute or being tracked down in the city. He wouldn''t have to change the location constantly. "Thanks, I needed this." He exclaimed in admiration.


    "Know that if you drink the water given by the fragments, you will return to the realm of the gods. I will be waiting for our next meeting. So long!" the voice declared. One couldn''t tell what he was thinking about Ashe''s silence.


    As soon as he heard what was said, the boy felt a surge of stability. It pulled him toward his body and made him leave the realm of the gods. Back in his own body, Ashe adjusted to his new feelings.


    He reflected on the conversation and looked at the room. ''It''s time to receive my first covenant ability.''

 Chapter 15: Shards And Protection

    He took the glass full of fragments in his hand. He drank. Sipping a prophecy would be the first time in his knowledge. He gulped and drank it all down. He couldn''t taste it, although he felt the texture.


    Sometimes it was rough and soft, both cold and warm. He expected the liquid to be viscous, but it was diluted like water. It didn''t settle in his stomach. It seemed to immediately become a part of him, his whole being absorbed and stored somewhere deep down.


    He was filled with fragments, clearly receiving more than he had before. He also saw the prophecy, the future, which would definitely come true.


    ***The stars constantly adorned the sky. They created constellations and showed the way. Those that burned by their own power are no longer visible. The disappeared stars haven''t gone anywhere. They have fallen, but they are with us. They help those who take oaths. The Forgotten Ones will return; they will see humanity before the cataclysm, and they will give them a chance, but first, they will wait for the Chosen One. Oh, they will wait for the Chosen One.***


    ''It''s a reference to the gods,'' Ashe concluded, avoiding opening his eyes. The information was almost completely blurred. In a flash, he saw his grey hair rustle, standing at the centre of events. There were people behind him. Binders and Seeers who followed him.


    The numbers in his head also changed.


    [1.58% - 9.80%]


    A mere 1% difference that required stabilisation. This was new knowledge that at first glance didn''t seem like much. In reality, it affected the world as well, and in the boy''s eyes, it was a huge step forward.


    Ashe himself received his first Covenant ability.


    Protection, which was intended for his Eclipsed rank. After each renewed oath based on the fragments, the boy will gain a new ability.


    This power, in turn, gave him the ability to manipulate the fragments. He wanted to learn more and put this theoretical information into practice.


    He opened his eyes and saw the cup in his hand again.


    ''Wait, I haven''t finished drinking yet?'' The boy was surprised and felt a little joy in his heart. He leaned back again, expecting to get more. Unfortunately for him, the liquid was no longer flowing, as if it were stuck and wasn''t going to move. He was trying to think about how to use it when the glass evaporated in his hand. It disintegrated into fragments and disappeared.


    Then a new change occurred among the numbers formed in the periphery of his mind.


    [1.58% - 10.80%]


    ''What''s going on?'' he almost shouted out loud. ''Did this prophecy reach the world and become common knowledge? Yes, but why not me?'' He was dissatisfied, but couldn''t do anything. He also suspected that it might have reached the gods.


    As for the fragments he had collected, he had already accumulated a fairly good amount. He could tell the story and transfer power to others through it. The choice was his to make, and he would give this power to whomever he wanted.


    Their progress would be much slower, but still significant.


    Nothing had changed in the illuminated room. It was hollow; there were no glasses or scales to be seen. The environment was empty of fragments. They gathered around Ashe.


    His first ability, Protection, involved specific manipulation of the fragments. It was as if he had an exhaustible supply and could use it to create a barrier around his body. He was a little disappointed because he wanted a flashier ability, but he had to admit it was useful.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Protection wasn''t used only to protect against attacks. Its main advantage was manifested in the use of fragments.


    To explain it simply, Ashe could completely disintegrate 1.58% of the fragments in his body. Turn them into Shards. These are smaller units of fragments that only he could access. No one could understand the future from them, no one could transform them into power, and only Ashe could use them.


    After transforming into Shards, the boy would be able to manipulate the fragments in the physical world. For now, only protection would be his main expression, but he would soon discover other hidden properties.


    He also learned to absorb fragments from monsters. When he saw the future, he understood how it happened, and it became known to him. Ashe went through great development and wanted to test it.


    The process began in the room itself. Still, he could do nothing else. He marvelled at his being.


    What was he? Outside of being human, the Chosen One must lead the world to a greater future. How many and what kind of atoms did he consist of?


    7 ¡Á 1027. A number that corresponded to his age and proportion. He couldn''t grasp each and every one of them. But he saw the fragments scattered among them in his mind''s eye.


    He crushed them, shrank them, and turned them into shards.


    Then he made a wish and released a certain amount into the outside world. It was his desire, and it was fulfilled.


    The fragments came out of the room, but instead of the usual scattering, they remained together.


    [1.58% - 1.41%]


    Ashe felt the decrease immediately, but it wasn''t a substantial one.


    He brought the fragments closer together and, as if by instinctive knowledge, grouped them. It wasn''t a worldly unity but stood on the borders of reality. He created a shield with them and imagined how it blocked incoming attacks.


    Then the object solidified. It was as if it were a thin layer of fragments that would be resistant to everything against the boy.


    ''That''s amazing.'' A smile played uncontrollably on Ashe''s face. The whole process took a few seconds, and more practice would have reduced this short time even further.


    His success was accompanied by a change in the room. All four walls disappeared, creating an exit. The boy pulled back the barrier. He separated the shards and allowed them to unite. The process failed outside his body.


    He received the fragments in their entirety, but it took longer for them to merge than it did for them to disintegrate. The boy didn''t have to interfere. The shards united on their own to become fragments. All that happened in his being.


    Ashe rushed toward the exit with increased motivation and determination. He was close to Zalindar and was satisfied with his achievements.


    He left the empty room and returned to the entrance of the cave. Furthermore, he couldn''t tell which way he had gone or how he had arrived, but the main thing was that he was going in the right direction. There was no longer a sound, and no more fragments were flying in the air to find the way. This time he had to descend the mountain and, after leaving behind the fog, greet the new city.


    Suddenly, his premonitions activated. It was as if the prophecies were triggered to warn him. Having reached the edge of the cliff, he studied the area around him, his mouth almost hung open.


    ''Is this some kind of joke?'' Ashe even laughed a little. Because something happened that he probably couldn''t have imagined. A monster stood five meters away from him. This creature was not strong. In fact, it wasn''t dangerous or rare.


    It was a Humpborn, a four-legged animal with a hump. Very familiar to the boy and his only undefeated opponent so far. It was climbing towards Ashe, dripping with saliva.


    Earlier, he compared Humpborn to a Seeer woman. Now he found a similarity in himself. The monster''s skin was like his long and unkempt hair. Both of them were ash-covered and unwashed creatures, with dirt and a desire to kill.


    The monster came towards him, and the boy didn''t take a step. Neither forward nor backwards. He held a sword in his hand.


    [1, 58% - 1, 55%]


    He almost completely recovered the fragments, but he didn''t intend to depend on them. He had to avenge his old self first. Ashe knew that this creature wasn''t exactly the one he had fallen to the ground in despair before.


    Nor was his heart filled with disgust. He simply had to confront his failure and defeat it with his own strength, which didn''t come from the prophecy.


    Ashe could still see the fragments of the monster''s body. More clearly, and they were still rushing towards him. His physical form was much better than it had been even a week ago. His senses became keener, his muscles had more power and speed. The heart was calmer, and his mind was processing information from his surroundings more quickly.


    The monster continued to move closer to him, and the original five meters shrunk to three. This was the distance at which both could attack, and they would cover this small area in a split second.


    The staring was over. It was time for blood, and this fight would leave only one alive.


    "Come closer!" Ashe summoned his nemesis, his silver sword ready to strike.

 Chapter 16: Zalindar

    The Humpborn took the first strike upon itself. The creature kicked its legs and jumped towards the boy. Ash prepared his charge, and the one in the air chose the boy''s neck for the attack.


    Ashe was prepared. He was reading the monster''s actions like an open book until now, and now even more so, when it became easier for him to observe the world. He took a step to the side and swung his sword lightly with one hand.


    That action inflicted a wound on the creature from neck to belly with the sharp tip. There was no power in his technique; it seemed that he didn''t want to end the fight so early.


    There was also a second element hidden here. The boy may have wanted to strike hard at the monster, but this didn''t affect his judgment. He understood the fragments better; Ashe knew that the Humpborn was just a creature created by the apocalypse and nothing more.


    On a personal level, he had nothing against it, and killing the monster also meant setting it free. Most monsters on the planet were once humans or animals. Beasts from the Scars were unknown entities.


    This process still happens to this day, and when an oath is broken, the result can often be a loss of control. Sometimes they simply can''t stand the Mark of God, and the Covenants can be the cause of their demise.


    The animal began to bleed, fought back the pain, and lunged again toward the boy. Ashe could see fragments, wanting to grab onto them.


    He didn''t take another step. He hit Humpborn with his silver sword right in the neck. Before its head could reach his. The monster, split in two, fell to the ground. Blood spattered the rocky surface, Ashe''s already stained clothes, and his sword.


    However, the boy didn''t care. He bowed before the animal and reached out to touch the fragments that had escaped from its body. They were drawn towards him and joined his hand.


    There was silence around. The monster, which was included in the category of Exarchs, was one of the weakest, but the reason for the boy''s three-year agony. No one would mourn Humpborn, who died on the edge of the foggy forest.


    "May you rest in peace," Ashe, who was in front of him, whispered clearly. He took possession of the fragments and stood up.


    This creature, or at least a part of it, would continue to live in Ashe, like Shon. He wouldn''t be the only one and certainly not the last. Given the boy''s goal, he would have to perform such an action many times.


    The corpse completely disintegrated and disappeared from the living world. Traces of blood remained, which were the only signs of his death.


    The explosive force in Binder''s wake didn''t take hold. Ashe acquired skills that were more practical and defensive than murderous. Instead, he had the training that would replace his weakness with the use of a sword.


    Ashe walked through the foggy forest and didn''t react to the unchanged numbers in his mind. ''It was too few.'' He already knew that one Humpborn wouldn''t give him anything. As if his appearance was part of the test or even the conclusion.


    Back in the forest and out of the fog, he finally returned to his path. ''I hope I don''t have to take another detour,'' he thought as he could already see the city from afar. He approached the walls but couldn''t find a way in.


    Even if Ashe could climb on it, he would be considered an illegal intruder, and the guards wouldn''t spare him. So he followed the wall until he found a gate.


    Fortunately, his decision was rewarded, and he found the entrance.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    South Gate.


    It was written in large letters in the local language.


    He arrived and was about to enter. There were only guards at the door; it was obvious that people weren''t coming in and out very often. In any case, the South Gate didn''t have many visitors.


    That is why they were surprised to see the boy. Especially Ashe, whose condition wasn''t very pleasing. He looked like a street dweller. The only thing he owned was a silver sword, and he didn''t know how they would act.


    "Do you have any papers to prove your identity?" asked one of the three guards. One hand was on his tummy, scratching it. The other was on his face, which looked surprisingly well-groomed. Even his uniform was remarkable, clean, and shiny.


    Ashe stood before him, feeling even more out of place. Of course, he wouldn''t show it and would try anything to get into the city, even if it meant climbing over the wall. "I don''t have any papers, but if you advise me on how to get them, I will."


    The second officer approached. He also had grey hair like the boy but was two heads shorter. On the other hand, his hair and clothes looked clean. "The reason for your coming to the city?" He had a hoarse voice that was out of place for his appearance.


    "Is the beginning of a new life a good reason?" the boy asked and then continued on his own. "I''m moving here, and I''m not looking for trouble."


    The third guard didn''t say anything. He just adjusted his glasses and nodded sheepishly.


    "Son, if you don''t have an ID, you can get one when you register with the guild. We need to mark the people who are coming in, and we''ll need some of your documents."


    After talking to Ezio, Ashe had already considered joining the guild. He would get missions, be able to access locations full of monsters, or even go to Scar with the other members.


    Although he didn''t want to be under the organisation, at this stage and temporarily, it wouldn''t be a bad move. "Then we''ll do that. I was already going to join the guild."


    "Very well, we won''t face any problems. Which guild do you have in mind?" The second one asked, looking for more information.


    "Zalindar guild," he replied, noticing the increased acknowledgement of the guards. The local government also ran its guild, which put fewer chains on its members; there was no obligation to fulfil, and you could basically do whatever you wanted.


    Talented members were selected and brought into the guild, or rather, into an organisation, where the rules were much stricter. Ashe didn''t think about that. Especially not with the freedom he enjoyed in recent days.


    "Oh, great," said the short guard. "Gordon, go follow and help him. Write down his information and come back." Then he gave the command to the guy with glasses and handed Ashe over to him.


    The stone gate opened, and the boy went in.


    "Welcome to our humble city."


    He completely forgot to reply. As he looked around the streets, his attention was focused on the scene.


    The magnificent buildings caught his eye. The 5- to 10-story buildings were breathtaking to him. Ashe had never seen anything like them in Dreadvale. The structure was unusual, more refined, and individualistic as if each person''s character was imprinted on it.


    The city was decorated with flowers. Gordon led the way and never stopped. The streets, coloured with plants, also determined the smell. Even in the forest, a similar pleasant scent was needed.


    Then there was the difference, which was the biggest and most important for the boy. People of different races could be seen on the streets. Their nationality was expressed only by their physical characteristics. It was mainly due to the colour of their hair.


    You couldn''t perceive the abundance of one particular person. Everyone filled the streets equally, living in complete harmony. Dreadvale was usually light-coloured. Blonde, chestnut, or reddish. Ashe''s altered appearance wasn''t remarkable. If you could ignore his untidiness.


    And here there were even people with black, white, and grey hair. Many had no hair on their heads at all. ''Is this natural or is it the fashion here?'' the boy wondered, because the only bald person he knew was Shon, and he shaved his head only because of the Mark.


    Binders were a different matter. You could notice people with Marks at every turn. You would often see them in groups, and they were always going somewhere. Their clothing and weapons were also diverse.


    As he walked through the city, the boy never got tired of looking. He had the feeling that he was in a perfect place, where everything was in order. People walked happily; it was peaceful, and no one felt in danger.


    Ashe''s perspective would soon acquire new knowledge. In one of the alleys, the boy heard a peculiar noise. A loud shout from the crowd, which he couldn''t distinguish at first. Gordon observed and wanted to examine it for a few seconds.


    Then an unforgettable sight unfolded before Ashe. Five people were held on the stage, kneeling and tied. In front of them were ropes intended for their necks. The people watched the spectacle with satisfaction as if they were attending a concert.


    No one expressed surprise or protest. Those sentenced to death were waiting for their time to come, and the city in this situation continued to live as usual.

 Chapter 17: Official Binder

    ''What''s going on?'' the boy thought and then asked out loud. He didn''t want to believe what he was seeing.


    "They''re sentenced to death," Gordon replied. "Those who went against the prophecy."


    It was the first time Ashe heard such a thing. ''Opponents of the prophecy?'' What did that even mean, or who would have anything against the fragments?


    ''But to kill for it?'' It was a hard pill to swallow.


    All five criminals were led to the ropes. Their faces were covered as if they had been deprived of the right to have the last word. The people watched their trial without any empathy. Such cases weren''t uncommon.


    Moreover, they seemed satisfied, as if the most terrible criminals were punished.


    Then one of them freed himself from the neck restraints and shouted, "The prophecy is false. There is no Chosen One, and if he is real, he will burn the world to ashes." He wasn''t given the chance to continue.


    A guard came with a huge axe and, without warning, hit him directly in the back. As a result, the man fell and lost his voice. The executioner wasn''t finished. He swung the axe a second time and hit the fallen man on the neck. His body and head were separated.


    The people watching this terrible event screamed at the last moment. They cheered and praised the guy who mercilessly killed a man for expressing his opinion. No disgust or fear was expressed after seeing the blood.


    "He deserves worse," said Gordon, his voice filled with disgust. "They want to sow panic, to create fear and spread lies."


    Ashe was silent. Could he even say anything? Life was unvalued, and what could he change with his meagre strength? The fact is that a hopeless man was killed because he had a distrust, and no one came to his defence. Moreover, his death was welcomed.


    "Let''s get back on track," the boy told Gordon and turned around on his own.


    The man adjusted his glasses. He examined a bit more as Ashe turned back to look for a way out.


    For some reason, the city didn''t seem as pretty to the boy. He saw its ugly side, the one on which happiness had been built. Soon they passed through poor streets, the lack of vegetation and the low buildings testifying to this fact.


    Hungry people were begging, but no one paid any attention to them. Zalindar wasn''t as grand as it seemed at first glance. It wasn''t beautiful to everyone. Ezio was wrong.


    At the end of a few streets, they came to a two-story structure. It was a sight to behold, though Ashe didn''t want to look any further.


    "There it is," Gordon pointed, directing the boy''s attention to the guild building. They entered together and saw the gathered crowd. Noise and arguments filled the room.


    Most of them were Binders. Their Marks were in prominent places. Some hid them, some were ordinary people and were still enrolled in the guild. They had special ranks allocated to them, but Ashe had nothing to do with them.


    Gordon took him to the receptionist and explained the situation. He told them that the boy needed to register and get an ID. The girl nodded and started asking questions.


    Ashe interrupted lightly and said before she could even start, "I''m a Binder." He spoke briefly but carried the necessary information.


    Gordon was surprised. He thought the boy was a common homeless person. He couldn''t even imagine that he would possess such great powers. "I don''t see Mark!" he called out and decided to check the boy.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "You don''t need to see it," Ashe answered and turned back to the receptionist.


    The girl smiled, apologising when the misunderstanding wasn''t her fault. She changed the sheets from the closet and asked the boy his name. "What can I call you, sir?"


    "Ashe." He said immediately, already used to his new name.


    "What about the family name?" There were more questions left.


    "None." The boy said, and this time no one was surprised. He never really had a last name. He didn''t even know who his actual parents were. The city where he was born thought calling him Hope was enough.


    The girl waved the papers at him. "Can you read and write?"


    Ashe nodded as he thought. ''In all languages.''


    The employee turned to explain. "Knowing your Covenant level is required. There''s no point in lying; we''ll test you anyway. Recording your skills and oaths isn''t required, but if you want to join the government''s units, then you will need them."


    The boy nodded again and signed after reading the document. The receptionist read it, and Gordon''s interest wasn''t lost either. Then the girl went into another room and returned with a circular device. "You need to touch this, and it will determine the number of fragments in you."


    Ashe tensed a little. His 1.58% total number of fragments was too much for an Eclipsed level. There shouldn''t be that much in one person, and if the device saw it, then he would be in deep shit.


    He was about to protest when Gordon quickly grabbed his hand and placed it on the fragment counter. The boy immediately pulled his hand free and threw the man down, but it was too late.


    Gordon still had his suspicions that the boy might be lying. He saw his uneasy reaction and found a reason to act.


    A black colour appeared on top of the circular device. It had a crystal-like shape and slowly rotated. The boy''s heart almost jumped out of his chest. This event would have spelt disaster for him, but the girl''s next words brought him peace.


    "Eclipsed. That''s right, and everything is normal. I''ll prepare your ID right now. Just give me two minutes." She said and then turned.


    Ashe sighed. ''How does it measure fragments? It might only see the rank.'' He had more fragments than the other Binders, but that didn''t mean he could suddenly become Echo or Resonant.


    Being the Chosen One meant that he would be able to collect fragments the fastest. Accordingly, he should be able to receive and store a large number. Therefore, only one percent wouldn''t help him become Eminent.


    Based on his calculations, he would need at least 10% to 20%.


    When the device released the black crystal, Gordon felt a twinge of guilt. He regretted doubting the boy and approached him with his head bowed. "Forgive me for not believing you. I thought you were just lying, and as the city''s guardian, I considered it my duty to expose you. That doesn''t excuse me, but I apologise again."


    Ashe didn''t expect the sudden apology. The man extended his hand to shake. He didn''t refuse this kind gesture and gave his own. "It''s okay, you were just doing your duty." They tugged on each other''s wrists for a few seconds.


    Meanwhile, the receptionist returned and handed him an ID. "Here it is. It''s ready, and from today onwards you are officially a member of the Zalindar Guild. Your starting status corresponds to your Covenant. You are Eclipsed and can only accept missions of this grade."


    "Thank you." Ashe took it with admiration and examined the small card in his hand. There was his name, rank, and special code written on it. His achievements and missions would be stored directly in the database.


    "May I see it?" Gordon asked and took the card. He wrote down his information in a notebook and left the guild. "I have received what was needed. Thanks for your cooperation, and if we meet up somewhere in the city, remind me to invite you to dinner."


    Ashe stood in front of the receptionist and looked around blankly. ''I did it. Was it that easy?'' He was registered and recognised as Binder, and the operation to save the world was starting today. He wanted to find the mission''s corner when the girl stopped him.


    "I have to ask you something, and you can choose not to answer me." The boy''s attention shifted to the receptionist.


    She was a tall, dark-haired girl, dressed in a green uniform. She was probably about Ezio''s age. "How long have you been Eclipsed?" Perhaps she noticed Ashe''s still childish appearance.


    "Then you should be careful. You know that Eclipsed have difficulty subduing fragments and the power within them. Take care of yourself and be prepared for symptoms." She was sincerely trying to help.


    Ashe thought about it and remembered that he had no problems controlling the fragment. He hadn''t yet experienced any voices or hallucinations, which were common in novice Binders. He blamed this on his unusual condition and thanked the receptionist.


    Then he walked over to the largest wall. It was completely covered with folded sheets of paper, on which were written the missions appropriate to his rank. Ashe had to save the world, and he had to start from the bottom. By completing the smallest tasks to at least take care of his empty stomach, dry mouth, and dirty body.

 Chapter 18: First Quest

    He tucked the sheets and read them one by one. They seemed appropriate for his rank and weren''t difficult. Most of the rewards were two types of orbs. Ashe knew that these orbs were used as currency in the city.


    Coins were the most common in Dreadvale, but the boy rarely touched them. When you can''t control almost any moment of your life, you have little need for money.


    Zalindar uses a system recognised by the world. Orbs came in three types. The first two were made from minerals and were found in nature. When they were broken down, they yielded materials that could be used in almost any activity.


    From blacksmithing to alchemy. Stone orb and Green orb. Their base value was almost the same. Yet, some buyers preferred one over the other. Ashe had seen them before and had been taught how to use them.


    As for the third category of Nexus orbs, they were created as a result of the collaboration of Binders and Seeers. They stored fragments, which were very small in themselves, but the fact that they managed to store them was already noteworthy. Nexus orbs were much rarer and more valuable. They were rarely exchanged for other orbs, and the price was steep.


    Of the quests Ashe had seen, none offered Nexus orbs. A stone or green orb was always the reward for completing the mission, and in some cases, it was replaced by various items.


    Then one of the announcements caught his attention. The boy took it off and read it.


    Poppies have disappeared from the poppy field. Investigate what could have caused it, or plant new poppies to bring back the flowers in the meadow.


    Reward: 7 stone orbs, 6 green orbs.


    Ashe liked this mission. With the help of the fragments, it was possible to find out the reason. Otherwise, he didn''t find planting flowers difficult at all.


    "If you''re going to do that mission, I don''t recommend it." Then a voice came from his shoulder.


    The boy turned and saw a middle-aged man. With grey hair and eyes. His face had deteriorated with age. As if he was warning Ashe.


    "What do you mean? What''s wrong with this mission?" The boy didn''t give up, he didn''t trust a stranger that easily.


    "Nothing''s wrong." The man said and snatched the paper from his hand. He tried, but Ashe dodged it without any problems. "I''m telling you, boy." He exclaimed in annoyance and left the building dissatisfied.


    "Strange guy. What did he want, anyway?"


    He didn''t let the interaction affect his mood. He went to the familiar receptionist to take this mission. The girl witnessed the event and had a nervous expression on her face. It was as if she were having trouble agreeing to the quest that the boy chose.


    "What''s going on? What''s wrong with this mission?" Ashe was on the verge of shock. When did the poppies become dangerous?


    "No, the mission is not a problem." The receptionist replied and didn''t take the paper.


    "Then what?" the boy asked.


    "The thing is, this man is Dante. He constantly warns the guild members, and everything he says comes true. The fact that he came to you and advised you means that some danger awaits you." She took a deep breath and continued. "Technically, you can do it, and I won''t object either, but as your first mission, I don''t want to let you take this risk."


    Ashe listened carefully to the explanation. Dante was a Binder, and it would make sense if his sixth sense was enchanted. Such abilities were not abnormal. This allowed for a certain amount of premonition or emotion to increase. Normally, he would have shrugged off the warning and carried out the mission anyway.Stolen story; please report.


    However, Ashe didn''t want to draw too much attention to himself. Arguing with the receptionist wouldn''t help him keep his appearance. "Okay, I''ll choose something else then. Thanks for the advice."


    "No, I''m sorry," the girl replied, offering help. "If you need anything, my name is Ela; don''t hesitate to call me."


    Ashe nodded to Ela and got back to work. He felt a little unhappy that he had to turn down a mission like this, but it wasn''t the end of the world. There were still plenty of options to pick from.


    He also came across a new task, which didn''t seem bad.


    Sunveil appeared on the road to Bone Village. It hinders merchants from moving and often steals apples. Kill it or drive it out of the village.


    Sunveil - Exarchs group. An invisible monster under the sun, visible only at night. It hides at sunset and is especially difficult to find. It is not aggressive and is attracted to fruit.


    Recommended number of Binders: 3-7


    Reward: 18 stone orbs, 1 green orb, 2 kilos of apples.


    ''I didn''t know there was a village in the city.'' The boy was surprised. His knowledge of geography did not cover that much.


    He was satisfied with the mission. He did not have to go very far, so he agreed to complete it. The recommendation meant nothing to him, and most missions had similar requirements. He heard about Sunveil and was confident against it.


    He looked around to see if anyone was going to protest his choice. When he saw that everyone was busy with their own work and no one was bothering him, he went to the receptionist.


    "Ela, I chose this mission. Let''s see if there are any problems with this one." Ashe presented a piece of paper and waited patiently.


    Ela smiled. She ruffled her short hair shyly. "It was a one-time thing. I promise it won''t happen again. Dante won''t warn the same Binder twice." In the meantime, she also looked over the mission. "Everything is in order. If you kill him, cut off his ear. We need it for confirmation."


    She explained and continued. "Bring him to me, and after verification, you will receive your reward. If you somehow force him out of the village, then get a letter from the villagers, and that should be enough."


    Ela also taught him the way. He could walk there by evening.


    "Everything is clear," Ashe said and took off to complete the first mission.


    It had been more than a week since he first met the gods and became a Binder. He had just officially confirmed this, and now he was about to embark on an adventure. He decided to write about all this in his diary.


    [1225; 1; 8; 13]


    There was peace on his stopwatch. Time was passing faster than he liked, but he was more or less satisfied with the results he had achieved. For he knew that he was doing everything he could. The rest was beyond his control.


    [1.58% - 9.80%]


    The Fragment Counter itself seemed to be waiting for his progress. The world was too stable, and humanity could not rush.


    ''I wonder what would happen if they found out how little time we had left.''


    The feeling of weight on his back returned. He left the building and walked through the streets.


    ''As soon as I make money, I will eat well and bathe.'' His desire was strong. He would not refuse a comfortable bed.


    There were not many ways to get around the city. The most common were the carriages that rode on Ironstride. On a six-legged monster that was distinguished by its strength. He had only seen them in the city centre as if they did not touch the outskirts.


    It would take at least a few orbs to use them, and there would be no point in asking.


    There must also be a subway that connects the entire city underground. The boy had a great interest in them, but he wouldn''t be allowed to use them.


    Ashe had to cover the entire distance on foot. He was so used to walking that he did not even protest in his heart. The boy even started to jog so that he would reach his destination faster. He liked the wind blowing on his face and the pleasant smell that reached his nose.


    He didn''t forget what he saw. Not a very pretty part of the city. He didn''t like it; he thought it was wrong, but Ashe also understood that the path he was on would involve seeing many sacrifices.


    Neither would this sword remain pure, nor would others that would follow him. With the blood that will stain them, it wouldn''t be only monsters. One day he would have to rise against humans and kill them, too.


    Was he ready for this? Of course, he was; his life had not been colourful. The taste of blood from a monster may have been his first taste recently, but killing a human had already been on his list of experiences.


    Dreadvale had a long past for him. He might have gone to school with other children, but his training was much more. Especially that night with his tutor.


    Even things he didn''t agree with. But it didn''t matter. If it came down to business, then his main task¡ªsaving the world, would be above all other lives.


    His legs successfully managed to take him to Bone Village. Ashe still had a few hours before sunset, and he had to find a Sunveil somehow.

 Chapter 19: Battle

    Ashe had never seen the village before. His expectations were met, as he thought it would be a small settlement of wooden houses full of farms.


    Bone''s village was like that, too. There was one unkempt road leading to it. On both sides were one-story wooden houses with fences around the yards, where you could see various animals.


    Their sounds, smells, and the whole environment created a different situation from what the boy was used to. But it didn''t create a negative mood, as it was a peaceful place. Far from all responsibilities and problems. Besides, the magnificent view and nature helped clear his mind.


    He found a river. Ashe happily jumped in and bathed. He soon realised the importance of clean clothes and soap because he couldn''t eliminate the odour. He felt filthy again.


    Ashe didn''t see many people either. The villagers finished all their work and were in a hurry to return home. Then he found an old woman, explained the reason for his visit, and asked her for some food so that he could lure Sunveil.


    The old woman also saw the sword hanging from his hip. She looked up at the boy once and immediately granted his request. She must have taken into account his unkempt and tired appearance because she brought him more than he needed.


    Seeing such kindness, Ashe felt a strong desire to act like a hero. He thanked the old woman and, after questioning the villagers, visited the places where the monster last appeared.


    The boy placed the food in the designated place and hid himself. He also kept some for himself and ate it while watching silently. Grandma''s baked apple pies were a foreign delicacy to him, and he would gladly eat more.


    Sunveil did not appear, and there was a reason for that. ''He''s a coward. Maybe he doesn''t come to the same place twice,'' The boy concluded and changed location.


    He left the remaining apples and the pies in a basket in the middle of the road. Then he took cover in a tree 10-15 meters away and kept his eyes on the target. He didn''t know how much this would help him in the face of the invisible monster, but he couldn''t use anything else.


    A few minutes passed, and nothing unusual happened. Suddenly, the boy saw fragments floating in the air.


    Pale, almost completely blurred, hidden from view. He couldn''t determine the size and shape of their owner, nor could he say exactly where it was, but seeing the fragments made everything easier.


    ''It will be simpler than I thought.'' The Covenant of the prophecy was proving its importance this time, too.


    At the same time, the boy listened. He paid attention to the sounds that the breeze carried. Fortunately, his hearing was still picking up certain sounds, and he could guess the approximate location of Sunveil.


    Ashe did not react immediately. He was curious about how events would develop and waited for the monster''s actions. He turned his eyes to the fragments and listened to the noises.


    A wooden basket floated in the air. The lid was carefully removed, and the contents slowly disappeared. The pies and apples disappeared without a trace, and he could not find anything to hold onto and wanted to look for more.


    The fragments changed direction. They were heading back the way they came from. Ashe followed them, lowered the noise he made, and chased Sunveil. He held his sword in hand, ready to defend himself if he lost control of the situation.


    The monster was fast. Faster than he thought. ''Where is it going?'' The boy wondered, and he didn''t stop to find the answer.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    The sun was setting, which would make a monster visible. If the space increased, the monster couldn''t be perceived properly, and there was a risk of losing it. Ashe kept a relatively close distance. It was heading toward the edge of the forest, entering the trees, and virtually disappearing.


    ''The hell, did I just lose it?'' The boy wondered, but he couldn''t find any trace. ''Isn''t it a trap?'' He scanned the surroundings and couldn''t find any hints of the fragments. He saw a small flash, headed in its direction, and heard voices.


    Returning to the forest again was not a joyful experience, but the nature of the Bone Forest was much more beautiful. The meadow was like a garden, clearly cared for, and here and there a flower was also encountered.


    The trail led to a pile of fragments. It was the first experience for Ashe. A unique unity was created. It was as if a crack had been formed in the dimension. A glimmer that seemed permanent.


    ''Scar.'' He whispered loudly in his heart and was shocked. ''Why is it here?'' He immediately wanted to escape. Its presence involved a greater risk than he could face. It was a danger that neither his strength nor his miserable knowledge could handle.


    He was about to turn to escape when two factors stopped him. He was about to leave the place, but he had to stop for a little more than a second.


    A fragment from Scar flew to him.


    It was the smallest part.


    They joined the boy and turned into some kind of information. It was not a prophecy as it was too weak for that. But it still carried a certain concept, which Ashe intended to study.


    Then he saw fragments flying in the air around Scar. ''This pattern.'' Then he recognised their arrangement. It belonged to Sunveil, which he had followed to get here. He was not alone; there were many similar patterns around Scar.


    ''They came from the Scar.'' He didn''t have any trouble understanding it as he ran. Nothing else was holding him back. He learned more than he expected. The mission itself wasn''t difficult. He could attack Sunveil several times, but he refrained.


    That was why he found himself in the situation he was in. He ran through the forest at full speed, not caring about the silence or whether anyone would see him.


    His speed was faster than the monsters, and they were cowards. Even if they saw him, they wouldn''t bother with him.


    Ashe had to get out of the forest and get back to the village when he fell to the ground. He didn''t even get his feet tangled together or hit any rocks.


    The sword fell two meters away from him, but he didn''t have time to worry about that.


    The cause of his fall was another creature. He tried to stand up, but something was holding him tightly. Darkness came, and he noticed the culprit.


    It was Sunveil, which Ashe couldn''t see or hear while running. The monster had hidden its vital functions better than it should have.


    Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. ''It''s different,'' the boy understood immediately, his heart racing. ''It''s bigger, smarter, and fearless.'' The monster evolved. It became a Sinarch, a monster rank after the Exarcs.


    In the darkness, its silhouetted form was visible. Sunveil not only increased in size but also changed in form.


    It looked like a transparent liquid that could move.


    It had tightly gripped Ashe''s ankle, preventing him from moving.


    His body twitched. The boy rolled onto his back, bent his leg at the knee, and used the momentum he created to kick the monster with his heel. Probably in the head, because that was where he intended.


    Sunveil didn''t let go. He relaxed a little, but the force of the blow wasn''t enough. Ashe wasn''t going to give up that easily.


    He had to free himself before the monster could do anything.


    He repeated kicking his foot, again and again. Not only that, but he kept choosing the same spot to inflict more pain, but he couldn''t see any results on the already difficult-to-see monster.


    Then he felt the grip on his leg loosen.


    He got his chance, and he used it. Ashe pulled the trapped leg away and planted the other one exactly in the hand.


    Sunveil released his grip. The boy immediately rolled over to the sword and grabbed it. The monster fought the pain from the blows. Or maybe it was desperate, too.


    Grabbing a sword and then swinging it was another matter. Ashe immediately stood up; the monster leapt from the side and this time selected the belly. The boy managed to swing his sword once, which did not find its target.


    Fortunately, he saw the fragment approaching and jumped back. Sunveil had neither claws nor sharp teeth.


    It looked humanoid, except for the fact that it was semi-transparent and massive.


    After dodging, Ashe had time to grip the sword properly. He got into position. This posture was both defensive and offensive at the same time.


    A stance that suited his opponent and adopted the style that would bring the best results in battle.


    This time, it was offensive. Ashe could barely see Sunveil''s muscles or body at all. Predicting its actions by observation alone was much more difficult than he was used to.


    So he took the lead and attacked the monster before it could act first.


    Not to kill; it was just a means of survival.

 Chapter 20: Hiding The Fragments

    Ashe''s sword art was sophisticated and harmonious. He appeared before the monster without any unnecessary movements, evenly distributed the weight of the sword in his body, and swung it three times in one second.


    Sunveil didn''t expect such speed from the boy. It barely managed to dodge two out of the three attacks, but the third one inflicted a wound. It tore open his stomach, from which a black liquid flowed out.


    This feat wasn''t enough to kill him.


    The monster had a long arm and deep reach. As soon as it felt a piercing pain, it moved to counterattack.


    It swung its limbs in Ashe''s direction and didn''t even try to block.


    The boy himself could barely detect the creature''s movements. But his instincts kicked in and always put the sword in the right place. As a result, he cut Sunveil''s hands a couple of times.


    ''It''s tough!'' determined the boy. ''He''s stronger in a pure physical sense.'' His wrist hurt; he had to block a powerful force that wasn''t easy for his frail hands.


    The actual difference in strength wasn''t that big. ''I am much faster too.'' He recognised and decided against blocking and resolved to go full attack. Protection wasn''t for show. Managing the barrier wasn''t his strongest suit, but he could still defend himself while he tried to attack.


    Everything else that came towards him was his body''s duty to evade. He guided his hands to inflict maximum damage and used his agility and battle sense to the fullest.


    Avoiding attacks would force him to lose momentum. That was the time for barriers to shine.


    He converted fragments into Shards and utilised them throughout the entire battle.


    [1.58% - 1.51%]


    The fragments that came out of his body were encircled in an attempt to protect him. The total amount of fragments was diminishing, but he had more than enough to last through this exchange.


    Then he shifted his hands, aimed at the neck and shoulders as he stood at a tight range with Sunveil. The monster''s long arms would make it challenging to operate at such a distance.


    Ashe knew this well.


    He had his sword prepared and, holding it in both hands, he plunged it straight into the monster''s already injured stomach.


    Sunveil couldn''t even hide his anger or the pain that this impact caused.


    The boy turned his sword mercilessly to inflict more damage.


    Turned out this wasn''t enough as the monster aimed his hands even at this close range. Ashe had to jump back. He left his sword there, which was dripping with black blood.


    He couldn''t fully trust the barrier''s durability. As soon as he jumped back, he slammed his feet to the ground and ducked without realising it as he barely escaped the hands that were coming for him.


    With the help of the barrier, he altered said attack a few centimetres. This was sufficient to create an opening that would determine the winner of this conflict.


    He reached for the hilt of his sword a second time. He pulled the sword back.


    The monster shrieked and went completely wild; it switched to kicking its legs without any coherent thought in its mind.


    Ashe intercepted only once. After that, he aimed the sharp edge precisely at the bent limb and sliced it in half. This action required a lot of force. His head ached as he used all the power he could muster; he had to finish it in one go.


    [1.58% - 1.35%]


    Once more, the boy directed his sword at the wound. It was bleeding and was full of black liquid, which made it easier to spot the creature.


    Ashe plunged the tip of the sword deep inside.


    Not once. Not twice.


    He didn''t twist the sword; it wouldn''t work. He pulled it out and picked a new place to pierce.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Ashe repeated the same process three more times until the monster finally stopped struggling.


    He didn''t try to confirm if his kill was successful. It was a time-consuming risk he didn''t want to take, as there was no information on what else might appear from all the noise he caused.


    He didn''t even bother cutting off the ear. The boy received a small amount of the fragments, and with close to little observation, he noticed a new expression of his skills.


    He had to analyse it. But not now; it was time for escape.


    Ashe left the forest at once, ran to the Bone Village, and returned on the road. Now his options were divided.


    With no ear or any proof whatsoever, he couldn''t prove his deeds. The thing was that he didn''t even want to prove his successful endover. Nor could he remove Sunveils from the village, since there was more than one.


    As such, he couldn''t declare the mission accomplished. He wouldn''t even receive a reward for it.


    He should wait in the street and try his luck again.


    That was what he was going to do. But before that, he had another task. He would have to fulfil it first with fragments, and it would involve warning the city.


    Ashe could extract the data he received from the Scar.


    This wasn''t limited to just substantial narration; Ashe could also spread the fragments and share knowledge. This was one of the fundamental manifestations of prophecy.


    Usually, to achieve this, one had to either recount the fable, turn it into writing, or introduce the corresponding item.


    Ashe was excused from this limit. He could easily influence the fragments and take them wherever he preferred.


    He had to warn the city. But in a way that no one could suspect or pinpoint him.


    As a Chosen One, his public image couldn''t help him. Finding someone trustworthy in the first place wasn''t easy to do. And even then, his understanding of the prophecy said nothing about his companions.


    Besides, the chancellor was looking for him, and it wouldn''t be wise to turn himself in. Even if he had God''s safety net.


    [1.58% - 1.52%]


    The fragments that became shards and returned to his body started to recover. The process was flowing at a speed acceptable to the boy.


    Ashe made a plan and set out to act. He had one more day to act. Returning to the city, he stole a cloak from the merchant. Darkness was his friend.


    Then he visited all the guilds he could find, one by one, and placed the corresponding fragment at the door.


    It contained a date that spoke of the unknown Scar. The boy''s traces were concealed; he had his fragment under control and did nothing suspicious.


    Not everyone could see the fragments he hid. This would need a Binder with a certain rank in the Covenant. A Seeer could also be used to decipher.


    The entire city was covered in fragments, and he would return to the village unnoticed.


    He even did some pre-calculation. By restraining the fragments, he could manage their appearance and visibility. Thus, no one would find them unless he allowed them to.


    He arranged that the fitting time for this would be when he locates another Sunveil to kill.


    So that he would have some kind of alibi that proved that he wasn''t even in the city. It was excessive, but Ashe was willing to go to such lengths.


    He returned the cloak as unnoticed as he took it. Not because he was dreading the act of stealing, but because he didn''t want to evoke any suspicion.


    After a while, he returned to the Bone Village, as if he hadn''t even left.


    Sunveil wouldn''t come out in the dark, so he had to wait until dawn and try to track it. He had to do it quickly. Before, the guilds saw his report and released their members.


    Ashe''s entire effort was risky, but he was reassured several times that he was safe.


    He didn''t want to put so many people in danger because of his fear for his own life.


    He was a Chosen One. It was his duty to help others. Especially when he had such an adequate prospect.


    Arriving at the edge of the village, he found the tree. The one he used to hide from the monsters.


    Ashe was so used to sleeping in the tree that he was going to do it again. He climbed up on it, lay down with his sword, and closed his eyes.


    He spent the entire night searching for guilds and had only a couple of hours to rest. Tired, he used this little time to sleep.


    The next time he opened his eyes, the sun was already up. He could hear voices from the village. Residents started work early in the morning, and animals already needed food.


    The same could be said about Ashe. His condition was even worse. He was covered in black blood, a pile of dirt, and distress.


    This time he was recognised. Grannies gave him more food and water than the day before.


    He switched his location. Selected an unoccupied spot on the road and left behind what food his empty stomach could spare.


    Ashe found a small mountain hill and knelt behind it. He kept an eye on the basket and would instantly attack Sunveil.


    He would no longer follow it, nor was he interested in walking in the forest. The boy wanted money so he could rent a room, bathe, eat, and buy some cheap clothes.


    His wait lasted at least half an hour. No one saw the hidden fragments, and it would remain that way until he decided otherwise.


    He detected the monster by the sound. Then he saw the fragment floating around it. It was a small number, and it belonged to the Exarch alone.


    Ashe thanked his destiny. He pointed the still-clean silver sword at Sunveil and silently advanced toward it.


    He decreased the initial ten meters to five. Out of caution, he walked slowly and with controlled breathing.


    His heartbeat was preserved, but he could not hide the smell, which forced the monster to look at the boy.


    Given the creature''s invisible body, Ashe could not even comprehend it.


    He immediately covered the remaining distance. Plunged his sword into the body without warning, and, using yesterday''s experience, didn''t trust only one strike.


    He repeated this several times. His body was covered in more blood; the sword also became stained.


    After everything he did, Sunveil revealed itself. He put his hands to its ears and cut both of them off.


    ''Finally.'' He stood up, satisfied and with a smile, as he received the small fragment of the monster.


    Then he made his hidden fragment visible and allowed the guilds to find it.

 Chapter 21: Chaos

    An ordinary day dawned in the city of Zalindar. The October weather likewise affected the temperature. Families prepared to meet a simple day.


    The guilds also became noisy and started to act. They distributed missions and met the day with determination.


    A few hours after sunrise, the entire population of Binders shook.


    All guilds were holding a meeting at the same time. Their members found fragments in front of the buildings, which carried information about the Scar near Bone Village. Its level was unknown, but it confirmed the existence of Sunveils.


    They immediately began formulating a strategy, preparing Binders, and sending them to the site. The event required a quick response, and they did so.


    Assembled groups were sent to investigate.


    The upper echelons of the guilds themselves held separate meetings. They wanted to find out the identity of the person who brought them the fragment.


    Then, each guild learnt that the others got similar information, increasing the number of questions.


    "We urgently need to find out who is behind this," said Cortana. She was the vice leader of the Zalindar guild, and it was she who led the meeting. She was a young woman of the Eternal rank who was well known for her strength and beauty.


    "We are trying." Replied a robust man. Drake was a tall, middle-aged fellow with a rough nature. "The Frozen Fire and Zero Piece guilds offered us cooperation. They are also interested in how this happened."


    The other guild members also tried to express their thoughts.


    "How did someone appear right under our noses and plant fragments without us seeing even a trace of them?"


    "Or when did they find out, and if they did, why didn''t they clean it up themselves instead of doing something like that?"


    "All the guilds found the fragment almost at the same time. It can''t be the work of a single Binder. The organisation has a hand in it."


    "It doesn''t look like the work of the Null Order."


    Then one of them remarked, which caused silence. This organisation was to blame for the increase in anti-prophecy protests around the world. They denounced the Chosen One, and due to their influence, many conflicts arose on the planet.


    Moreover, they did everything from behind the scenes. Only a handful of people knew about their existence, and they manipulated others without drawing attention, employing exceptional strategies.


    Their members were also a mystery. Only the identity of their founder was known, and he had the highest bounty in the entire world.


    Null, a Resonant who came out of nowhere, had a grade of danger that people regarded as boundless. He was the most powerful Unbound, bearing the Marks of several gods.


    Why the gods decided to make a Covenant with him was as unknown as his existence.


    "We should still be careful," Cortana said. Her long black hair was braided on both sides. She tied it up when she was preparing for the battle. "It could be a trap, and the city can''t handle losing so many Binders. I''ll go too and contact the leader; maybe he can come back."


    She stopped at the door, pulled her hair back to subdue it, and asked, "No clan has taken responsibility, right?"


    "No, we haven''t heard from them; all I know is that they''re going to send Binders," Drake replied. He was never harsh with Cortana.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The woman shook her head and left the building.


    A similar situation developed in all the other guilds. They prepared small but elite groups and sent them to Scar. The monsters were no longer the only problem; there was also the danger of a general confrontation, and everyone was wary.


    However, no one knew about the origin of the fragments. It was a mysterious event that none of the local Binders could solve.


    The culprit himself had no idea about the chaos he created. Ashe was sleepless, dirty, and visibly satisfied. A silver sword hung on one hip, which he needed to clean.


    Ears filled his pocket. After the second Sunveil murder, he began to leave the village in a hurry.


    He did not want the Binders to see him, and he didn''t know how soon they would arrive. To avoid the risk, he took the road to the city and thought about spending the spoils from the first victorious mission.


    Ashe didn''t forget the fate of Bone Village, either. He simply knew that he couldn''t physically influence the situation any more. His emotions were in order, and he didn''t worry about things beyond his control.


    ''I had three years of despair.'' The time he had spent feeling and doubting himself was in the past.


    Now he not only knew he was special, but he could see and feel it. Governing the fragments brought back the confidence he had years ago before he faced Humpborn for the first time.


    Entering Zalindar, Ashe was impatiently walking toward the guild. There was no tension in the streets, but he could see the rapid activity of Binders.


    None of them paid him any attention. Everyone was rushing to the village, and no one was looking at the homeless boy.


    How could they have known that the Chosen One would be in such a sorry state, or imagined that he would be the cause of all their commotion?


    Ashe couldn''t remember when he had walked so happily. His pace was impatient. The room and bathroom were already in sight as he approached Zalindar''s guild.


    He heard another uproar. Binders met him at the door, and the suspected Seers were also investigating something. The whole scene was one big chaos, and he had to wait in line to enter the building.


    ''It''s been a long time.'' He sighed in frustration and waited his turn.


    When they finally let him in, the hall was crowded, although it was much quieter. He looked for receptionist Ela, which didn''t take much effort. The girl was busy, unable to stay in one place.


    Several Binders were talking to her at the same time, and there were piles of papers on the table. Ashe stood in her line. When Ela saw him, she smiled and greeted him.


    She didn''t even notice the boy''s exhausted state.


    "How are you? It''s a good thing you came in time because the village is under siege, and there''s a lot of chaos. You chose a dangerous mission; you can change it and take something else."


    Ashe dismissed the girl''s idea that he couldn''t complete the mission. "I''m fine, but I can''t say the same about this place." He looked around, and the scene confirmed the same.


    "It''s a bit tense, isn''t it? We need to get through it, and everything will be fine." The girl replied, her smile still on her face.


    "As for the mission," Ashe trailed off. "I left yesterday and completed the task before sunrise." He said, taking out blood-stained ears from his pocket. They resembled elves but in different colours.


    The girl flinched. She was surprised and stared at the ears arranged in front of her for a few seconds. Then she looked back at Ashe, her emotions subdued, and her professional smile returned.


    "Sweet, it''s amazing. You''re clearly lucky! I''ll give you your reward right now; wait for me. I need two minutes max."


    "With pleasure." The boy said and waited for orbs. He had more interest in them than greed. He only knew them from pictures; his curiosity would be satisfied, and he was happy about that. Moreover, he was getting stone and green orbs together.


    Ela kept her promise and returned soon. She also held a small bag in her hand. She handed it to the boy, shook it in the air, and announced.


    "These are your 18 stone orbs and 1 green orb. It''s nothing, but the sack is a gift from the guild. Count them before you go, and I will get you apples right away."


    ''Let''s see.'' Ashe opened the bag with shining eyes and reached inside. He felt something cold touch his skin, like ice on his skin. Then a distinct warmth hit his fingers, and he recognised it as a green orb.


    He pulled them out of the bag, and his first thought was that the orbs were smaller than he expected. All 19 of them could be held in his two hands. They were like small balls, and each had a distinct glow.


    The stone orb was cold and had a light blue hue. The green orb was noticeably warm and had a green pulsation inside.


    The boy looked at them with pleasure. This was the first reward for his labour, the first compensation he earned.


    He knew exactly what he would spend them on, but he had no idea of their market value. Nineteen orbs might sound like a lot, but what if, in reality, they were nothing? His education gap showed itself yet another time.


    He asked Ela the same question.


    The girl handed over a bag of apples and, instead of explaining the question about the orbs, winked. "You''ll see."


    Ashe looked at the girl suspiciously. He gave up and headed toward the tavern that Ela advised.


    Meanwhile, tension peaked in the Bone Village.

 Chapter 22: Cleansing And New Quest

    Bone Village had never had so many visitors. Unfortunately, no one came here in peacetime. It was in danger, and the large gathering of Binders was proof of this.


    In the forest, where Scar was, the elite group of all the big guilds arrived. The clans also sent representatives. The Sunveils around Scar were immediately killed. All the teams arrived almost at the same time, and the total number of monsters did not exceed 10.


    Getting rid of them was so easy that even one man would be enough. However, no one relaxed their attention.


    Usually, Scars released weak monsters and gradually increased their strength. As a rule, this process happened quickly, and additional time increased the chances of trouble.


    This gathering of Binders didn''t trust each other, either. They may have come for the same goal, but the fact that they were competitors did not change.


    And no one could predict in advance what would come to their minds.


    In situations like this, people realise how much they need prophecy. If they had the complete part of it, then the entire future would be determined.


    As a result, it would be much easier to avoid a familiar threat than a threat that you know nothing about.


    This entire event smelt bad. First, the fragments that mysteriously appeared in front of the guild. Then Scar did not let the monsters out.


    Because of this, worse things than expected could happen. Unpredictable and life-threatening.


    Added to this, they were also afraid of the Null Order. Maybe this Scar and the placement of the fragments were their intended move to significantly reduce the city''s defences.


    More and more high-level Binders were coming to Bone Village so that they would be ready for any situation.


    Meanwhile, one cheerful boy was walking around the city. He had only one valuable silver sword and 19 orbs.


    He was thinking about the Binders'' actions, wondering how they would deal with Scar, but his main focus was elsewhere.


    ''I should turn here.'' Ashe walked past the brick buildings. He looked for a tavern and found it.


    Drunk Goats Tavern.


    A wooden sign hung over the wooden doors. The sound of not-so-loud conversations came from inside. The boy entered cautiously and surveyed the interior.


    The tavern was all brown. With wooden counters, tables, and chairs. There was a stage in the corner where musicians and storytellers were hosted in the evenings.


    At the end of the room was a bar, where a thin man with a red beard and moustache stood. He polished the plates to perfection.


    "Hi there," Ashe greeted as he approached.


    "I can''t offer you free bathing and food." The man''s voice was steady. It seemed like he wouldn''t change his mind.


    That was exactly the kind of character one needed to be in this business.


    The boy was used to people''s attitudes because of his condition. "If I pay you money, will you rub my back and feed me with your hands?" he asked the man and smiled wickedly until his teeth showed.


    The bearded man started, still clearing the plates. "How much will you pay, you wretched scoundrel?" he said defiantly and started to laugh.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "What service will I get for 19 orbs?" Ashe didn''t back down either and rose to the challenge.


    The man was surprised for a moment. As if he hadn''t expected a child dressed as a beggar to have so much money. Then he shook his head regretfully. "It''s a good amount. But only for you." He was rude, but there was something in his voice.


    "It''s a shame." The boy shrugged and sat down on the chair directly in front of him. "How much is a night and a meal?"


    The man''s eyebrows furrowed as he saw Ashe sit down on the chair he had already cleared. "2 orbs a night and 1 for each meal." He quickly answered, ready to serve, making sure the boy left the place as quickly as possible.


    Unfortunately for him, Ashe was in no hurry to get up. "Does it matter if it''s a stone or a green orb?"


    "None," the man replied, reaching out for the money.


    "Then I''ll pay for one night and a meal. I''ll pay for each dinner after that."


    "That''ll be 3 orbs for you. I''ll bring the food to your room." The man told him and gestured to show the way.


    "You know, I''m really hungry," Ashe said, smiling even more wickedly. "Let me eat first," he said, handing three stone orbs.


    The man seemed to shake his head with pleasure. He laughed and then straightened up. "I like this kid. If you need work, we have a vacancy for a server. If not, I can also hire you to clean the toilets." He laughed again as Ashe''s witty personality was strangely appealing to him.


    "No thanks, I''m not looking for a job. But if you can give me some clean clothes, I''ll be in your debt," he responded, drawing attention to the scattered clothes.


    "No problem, but that pleasure will cost you an extra 2 orbs. And don''t expect the best quality."


    "Enough talking; go ahead and take care of the food; I''m very hungry." Ashe''s stomach was rumbling.


    "You''re a rascal! A scoundrel with a long tongue. Young people like you don''t come across often." He shook his head as if hiding his regret. "Tell me your name so I can write it down."


    "Ashe." The boy said shortly.


    The man laughed again. "That suits you. Gragas, that is my name; remember it, and I''ll be here if you need anything."


    Ashe nodded and waited for his order to arrive.


    He ate his meal in satisfaction, then ran to his room and went to wash up. Then folded his clothes and threw them away. He washed his body and head several times with a combination of cold water and soap.


    He didn''t leave his sword neglected and cleaned it just as carefully.


    Ashe put on the new, clean clothes he longed for and basked in bliss. ''For feelings like these, life is worth living.'' He took apples from the bag and ate them after that delicious meal.


    Then he left the tavern; Gragas offered him a drink but received a cold refusal from the boy.


    He had drunk alcohol more than once. His instructors believed that tolerating alcohol should be among the skills he was required to learn. Because of this, his immunity was conditioned by too many liquids.


    Of course, he couldn''t develop a complete tolerance, but it wasn''t easy for him to get drunk.


    Ashe wasn''t in the mood for drinking. After regaining his energy, it was time to take on a new mission.


    He had a place to live, but he called for action on the plan he had laid out.


    His objective was large-scale. It involved many stages, and at its core was the creation of an organisation.


    No matter how great an opinion he had of himself, he realised that he could not handle everything alone.


    He needed information, tools, and services, without which he would waste a lot of time.


    And this was a resource in which he wasn''t very well-equipped.


    The creation of an organisation itself wouldn''t be an easy task; it would also require going through many phases. He thought about it for at least several days.


    After leaving the tavern, he entered the guild building. He followed the mission, and now he no longer looked at it solely by rank.


    Ashe may only be able to accept and carry them out in the appropriate hierarchy, but no one can prevent him from carrying them out quietly. He could simply surrender the reward, which was perfectly tolerable for him.


    Even though his plans would require quite a lot of money, he would first have to master his current abilities with the fragments.


    And if he had the chance, he would gladly collect a significant portion of it.


    When choosing missions, he would also take into account his skills. He would not choose anything that would put him in a hopeless situation. To do this, he would choose missions of the Eminent level, one level higher than Eclipsed.


    One of them caught his attention, and Ashe picked it.


    Various monsters appeared in the Temple of the Sugar God. The Seeer there is unable to get out and needs help.


    Estimated Monster Ranks: Exarchs; Sinarchs.


    Recommended Binder count: 6+


    Reward: 2 nexus orbs.


    Going to the temple of a specific god wasn''t just a matter of interest to Ashe. It was the best way to get information and the essential fragments.


    He also took on an Eclipsed-rank mission, which he would complete along the way. The need for money didn''t completely disappear.


    "I''ll have to sleep in the open for a few more days," he thought regretfully and went to buy food for the journey. Gragas wasn''t too happy about his return like this.


    Ashe bought the necessary rations and set off for the temple of the Sugar God. God, who seemed in dire need of help.

 Chapter 23: Glowing Mark

    Ashe''s walk was over. He asked around carefully, understood it, and followed to the appropriate carriage. Ironstride was a sturdy animal that would carry his carriage.


    There were several other passengers with him. They were part of the same group and didn''t bother to talk to the boy. As for the horseman himself, he was a talkative man and drilled Ashe''s brain.


    The entire journey cost him 4 orbs and more than a day. Add to that the food price, and he only had 6 stone orbs and 1 green orb left. He also brought the remaining apples and was using every opportunity to eat them.


    Ashe left the carriage a few hours later. Near the location of his Eclipsed rank mission. The boy was the last passenger, and the next one wouldn''t leave until the next morning.


    This meant that he had at least 24 hours to explore, and in his opinion, that should be more than enough. His priority was the mission of the Eminent rank, and he went to do it.


    The temple of the Sugar God was outside Zalindar City. The god couldn''t boast a large number of followers.


    Religion and the government were common institutions that worked in agreement with each other and tried to pursue common interests.


    In addition to the Binders, the gods also chose their servants, including Seeers, who pursued their interests.


    However, this was voluntary, and they didn''t force anything on people. If God had to use force against humanity, it was a rare and unique exception.


    The Sugar God himself wasn''t famous. This was also reflected in the location of his temple. It was located in an empty, stony, and dry field.


    Instead, rivers were visible in their depths. Clumps of sugarcane grew around them.


    Ashe approached the temple and drew a parallel to the Dreadvale building. It may have been a separate structure, but it wasn''t far from reaching the clouds.


    He entered the temple and found no sign of life. Not only were there no Seeers but there were no monsters either.


    Although, according to his knowledge, both of them should have been here.


    Ashe stepped through the halls, checked the rooms, and discovered no trace of the fragment.


    ''A way to get underground.'' He concluded what he wanted and changed the direction of his search.


    Ashe turned the fragments into Shards and used them to check all suspicious surfaces. The crushed fragments were more sensitive and had a better chance of following the trace.


    His idea and clever use of his skills paid off. He approached the fountain he already had in his experience, which was made of marble.


    It turned out to be empty, devoid of any liquid. The shards changed colour in their depths as if they came into contact with other foreign shards.


    ''The entrance must be here.''


    [1, 58% - 1, 56%]


    Ashe didn''t lose much and, having found a hidden handle, he descended the stairs.


    He dived deeply, slowly, and was in absolute silence. Rather, he saw a noticeable number of fragments, which Ashe was following in his footsteps.


    The boy wasn''t good enough at reading them and couldn''t precisely say to whom these fragments belonged.


    Possibly Seers, monsters, or even Binders.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    At the end of the stairs, where the fragments were especially numerous, a corridor appeared before him.


    A door with a large hatch. A special number was felt in it, and Ashe, upon touching it, saw numbers along with knowledge.


    [0.31]


    After the sword, no other object showed the number of fragments. This hatch was a new discovery, which also indicated the presence of a key somewhere nearby.


    It should be noted that this unusual reading of fragments wasn''t familiar to Seeers either.


    Ashe, as the Chosen One, didn''t waste this ability and quickly found the key. It was lying right next to the door, in the corner, as if there were no time to hide it.


    [0.32]


    The metal key also carried a small part of the prophecy. More than the lock, it also confirmed the existence of a second key somewhere behind the door.


    It turned out that the door was locked from the inside, but it could also be opened from the outside.


    Ashe did just that and entered the vast darkness. With the help of Protection, he had the Shards ready and would instinctively create a barrier against any danger.


    As for light, he was also offered fragments that were released into the air.


    [1.58% - 1.54%]


    Darkness enveloped the room, which opened into a large hall with other rooms. As soon as he entered, the boy smelt blood, heard heavy, rapid breathing, and saw strange fragments all around him.


    Ashe moved around it as he took out his sword.


    The hall had large pillars that reached up to the ceiling. This place undoubtedly looked like a land dedicated to a god, which hadn''t met with a very good fate.


    Following the trail of blood, Ashe found its owner. ''Those must be temple guards,'' he guessed and observed the Binder, whose Mark was no longer active. ''I can''t save him.''


    He told himself with regret and didn''t lose focus. There was no sign of the Seeers yet, but the breathing and fragments were still lively.


    Ashe strolled over and came across a pile of corpses. The killed and half-eaten Seeers were lying on top of each other.


    Even above that lay a still-living man, whose breathing was uncontrollably rapid.


    Blood was pouring from his mouth. His eyes were unfocused, and tears were pouring down his face.


    Ashe carefully carried him down. The boy laid the Seeer down, away from the corpses, and asked in his ear.


    "What happened? The guild sent me to help you." He whispered softly but clearly.


    Sadly, Seeer couldn''t even acknowledge his words. It was as if his body had lost its soul.


    The boy tried, but he couldn''t get a reaction from him. In a few more minutes, he too would turn into a corpse and leave the world of the living like the others.


    Ashe took a deep breath. ''His tracks are brand new. Whoever did this should still be here.''


    The only help he had in examining the area was the fragments. He did study them and wondered what the prophecy said.


    The hall was even more gigantic than it seemed at first. He didn''t see more corpses or even an imprint of life.


    It was as if whoever had done all this was collecting them and gathering them in one place.


    In the centre of the hall stood a statue, a precious structure that had fallen to the ground.


    Small rooms were on either side of it. One wooden and the other stone.


    Fragments were coming out of the stone room. Ashe heard a voice and felt the presence of a foreign creature.


    The room had no doors; the entrance was straightforward, and Ashe went in cautiously.


    He saw his target, a three-legged monster wrapped in a sprinkle. This creature looked quite deformed. It stood motionless in front of a bloody body bent at the waist.


    The monster was looking at the corpse and seemed to be thinking about what it had done.


    Then he felt Ashe''s presence, too. The blood-stained face turned toward the boy, and a battle of fire and ice broke out in his eyes.


    The monster was moving in his direction with wild intensity, although with a slow movement.


    ''What a nasty thing,'' Ashe thought, not wanting his new and clean clothes to be stained by the abomination he saw.


    As the creature approached, it became easier to perceive it, and it seemed to have a mutational tendency.


    It seemed to be a cross between two different beasts.


    Two distinct colours of blood were dripping down its body. One was green, monster-like, and the other was red like a human.


    Ashe examined it carefully, but even the boy''s trained senses could detect its thirst for killing.


    Fragments were flying around the monster and were more chaotic than anything he had ever seen.


    ''It is Sinarchs, at least; maybe Mournclasts.''


    The difficulty of the mission increased a little, but if he believed in the recommendation and had six binders, the entire process would be much easier.


    ''Protection and Prophecy are on my side.'' He rocked his head.


    Ashe couldn''t constantly face weak opponents to gain strength. He had to do it for the world; he had to become much stronger for Bugator, Don, Shon, and Avi.


    One of them was still alive; he would overcome any fear just for her and make sure that the sacrifices they had made for him wouldn''t be in vain.


    ''But I don''t know what kind of creature it is.'' Since his knowledge of monsters was quite high, he was a little suspicious of something he had never seen before.


    Then his opponent seemed to aim at him and was about to jump at any moment. For this, the creature chose a position that allowed the boy to see its shoulder.


    The monster''s shoulder was glowing!


    It had the Mark on it, a sign that only Binders had, which they received from the gods after making a Covenant.

 Chapter 24: Wailing Monster

    ''What the hell?'' Ashe asked and turned to face the monster.


    The creature was charging at him like a wild animal. It had lost its composure in an unexpected moment and was no longer in its right mind. The boy didn''t know what the trigger could be.


    A step back from him with his feet and a swing of his sword forward. The dodge was successful; the attack was less so.


    The horror, which leapt at him, changed direction right in the air after failing to catch the boy.


    ''Hmmm.'' Ashe''s momentum was disrupted by the aimless swing of the sword. But he didn''t lose it; the sword struck from top to bottom, slashing the creature on the ground from left to right.


    The monster''s Mark was still glowing. An invisible force, as if coming from another dimension, appeared in front of the boy, which knocked the monster back.


    Ashe expected such a situation and added footwork to his swinging sword, which was responsible for reducing the distance to the opponent.


    His speed fell short of the monster''s, but he was the first one to take the initiative. In just a second, he reduced the distance, entered the radius of protection, and created a barrier behind the monster''s back.


    The blood-spattered creature crashed into Ashe''s barrier. It broke the unity of the fragments that shattered into shards, but along with its speed, it also lost stability.


    The creature fell to the ground, and Ashe stood on top of it.


    ''As I thought. The barrier isn''t strong enough, and it would be unwise to put all of my trust in it.'' The boy conducted.


    In one of his trials, he easily cut through the barrier with a sword and was also interested in its resistance to outward influences.


    The good thing was that the barrier''s weakness was his fault and not in the ability itself. Ashe couldn''t convert the fragments into Shards fast enough. Therefore, he wasn''t putting a lot of energy into the barrier, which wasn''t surprising.


    The monster, defeated on the ground, was about to get up. Ashe anticipated its trajectory and slashed at its legs.


    Or rather, he tried to slash, but the sword got stuck in its bone.


    The creature didn''t scream, couldn''t feel the pain, as if such a sensation was far from it.


    It tried to leave the place using Binder powers, but Ashe kicked it back to the ground.


    Blood was pouring from the beast''s mouth. One could see it had quickened breath, bare teeth, and a fixed gaze.


    Then it opened its mouth and tried to say something. It looked like a puffed-up bubble, which was slowly becoming aggressive.


    The monster started twitching. It moved its hands near the boy, but Ashe didn''t want to touch it so much that he pulled back.


    Then the creature attempted to get up again. All this time, it didn''t stop talking.


    Blood was pouring from its entire body, but Ashe had only inflicted a wound on its limbs. The aberration''s half-broken leg didn''t allow it to stand and fall again.


    At the same time, its aggression switched and turned into a plea. In a sad scream, the exact meaning of which no one could comprehend.


    The creature''s Mark didn''t perish. Its power was always active and wouldn''t give up.


    The invisible force was summoned again. The creature lifted itself into the air and, despite endless pleas, led itself straight to the boy.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    This time it was even faster, more restless, and hastier.


    Ashe had to summon a barrier along with the flawless coordination of his body and weapon. He first plunged his sword into the approaching monster''s stomach, then stepped aside and placed the barrier under its head, trying to neutralise the monster''s attack by knocking it down.


    And so he did it. Ashe pinned the terror to the ground again.


    [1.58% - 0.99%]


    He got what he wanted and used more fragments.


    The result was obvious; he crashed the creature face down. This time with extra wounds and a completely severed leg, which he gave to the monster as soon as it fell.


    Yet, his spending also increased significantly, and he depleted more fragments than before.


    The creature didn''t fall silently. It roared again. Its voice echoed from the small room into the large hall, resounding repeatedly.


    Ashe stood at its head. He aimed his silver sword at its neck and, with one swing, intended to swiftly take its life.


    The power in Ashe''s hands wasn''t enough. It took three blows instead of one. The monster didn''t even show any pain during the pitiful attempts to cut off its head.


    It simply lay there until the last moment, moaning endlessly.


    Ashe did use the barrier to keep himself clean, although he felt an unpleasant sensation when he saw the filth on his fragments.


    "I need to change." He said regretfully. Despite being physically clean, he still felt like he was stained.


    He approached the monster with severed legs and neck and studied the now-extinguished Mark on its remaining shoulder.


    The smell was so unbearable that he preferred to leave with squinting eyes.


    ''It was human.'' Observation made it clear, and he suspected it earlier. ''Before, but not now.''


    Ashe narrowed his eyes. A strange feeling took over him. Seeing a human mutation and then understanding its murder wasn''t easy.


    Nonetheless, it was a burden that he carried without protest.


    The presence of the Mark indicated that the one he killed was once a Binder. But there was another circumstance.


    That human lost control, but he retained the Covenant and could still use the power he got from God.


    This allowed Ashe to assume that the monster had once been Unbound.


    Instead of one Mark, he had two. One of them caused him to lose control, losing himself and the entire temple.


    ''The sugar god doesn''t have many followers; otherwise, more citizens would have been hurt. And why did the gods make a covenant with him in the first place?''


    Questions arose. The answers were tricky to find without context and required more understanding.


    The most concerning inquiry was why the guild or the government knew nothing about what was happening here.


    The mission stated that the Seeers were hindered by a monster of the Exarchs or Sinarchs'' rank.


    Then how did the guild know about the monster''s existence if everything happened so recently, and it wasn''t just a simple monster but an Unbound that had lost control?


    ''Smells fishy.'' Something was happening. ''There is no way they didn''t know what was happening here.'' There was more to the mystery than a simple accident.


    The creature had finally drained of blood. It had only just passed away. The phrases he uttered were so incomprehensible that they sounded more like roars.


    What he said would be lost forever.


    After his death, his chaotic fragments were found in Ashe. The process of shards falling into fragments in his body accelerated instantly.


    [1.58% - 1.21%]


    It was tough to increase the prophecy. When he came to Zalindar, he didn''t seem to make any significant progress.


    However, managing and understanding fragments has seen transformative results.


    It took time to collect fragments from the slain.


    The creature disappeared, encompassing the body, leaving only blood. For some reason, the carriers of the prophecy who were killed by Ashe, or killed in front of him, would completely disintegrate into fragments.


    The corpses were quickly extracted, and if he needed anything from the body, Ashe had to be there immediately.


    After completing the process, he stepped out into the hall and looked at the wooden room, similar to the one he had seen in Dreadvale.


    It was in that small wooden chamber that he drank water and met the gods.


    He was going to repeat the same thing, as he went inside and saw a familiar scene.


    A small spring that came from who knows where. Beneath it, an equally small lake and a small glass that needed to be filled.


    Ashe repeated the ritual on his own. He knelt, filled the glass, and emptied it. After a few seconds, he replayed the same thing and drank again. He waited a little and filled the glass again.


    Finally, after drinking the fourth glass, he felt a change. This time it didn''t take that long, as he excluded the occasion when he met the thunder god.


    The glass at that time was filled with fragments, not with plain water.


    The simplicity of the spring water was tested when his eyelashes became noticeably heavier. Then came the separation from the body and the lightness for which he had longed for some time.


    His virtually vanished senses merged with the darkness. This feeling was addictive; it was like basking in the sunlight or swimming in a river made of fragments.


    It became a part of him and passed into an infinite domain. He heard a voice he had never heard before.


    "The Chosen One himself. What a rare sight." Said the voice, which was like a whisper, as if lips were brought to his ears.

 Chapter 25: Gods And Dead

    The voice belonged to the Deity. Ashe was in the Sugar God temple, and, of course, he was going to meet him.


    "Greetings!" The boy shrouded in darkness, addressed him with reverence.


    "There is no need to talk to me in that manner," God answered. His words were still too close, as he didn''t pause for long.


    "You found a mess in my home," he said in a simple voice as if what had happened didn''t concern him.


    "Everyone is dead." The boy exclaimed with more emotion.


    "I know, I saw it, and it''s sad." His feelings didn''t express the concern he declared. "Thanks for the help, but it was expected of you."


    "What do you mean?" Ashe asked, suspecting that God knew more about the situation than he did.


    "You know very well what I mean. I''m a god; do you honestly think I wouldn''t know that there was Unbound in the temple built in my name?" He seemed to be enjoying the whole conversation.


    "Then why didn''t you do anything? If you knew what was going to happen, why didn''t you stop it?" Few people would dare to speak to a god like that; Ashe was an exception, and he scolded the divinity.


    The entity himself couldn''t care less. "Knowledge and action are two separate matters!" It was the first time his words echoed in the vast darkness.


    "Go on," the boy said and waited.


    "First of all, gods rarely interfere in the affairs of mortals. Giving a Covenant and placing a Mark are oddities." His pitch was a bit higher. "Secondly, protecting people is your duty, and don''t pass the responsibility on to anyone else."


    Now he was giving the remark himself, and it was clear he wasn''t done. "And third, even if I acted, I would have missed the chance to know who threatened my sanctuary."


    "Wait, you don''t think it was an accident either?" It seemed like the god agreed with the boy''s previous statement.


    "I don''t think so; I''m just saying what happened. I just don''t know who''s behind it, and it''s up to you to find out." After a pause, he turned to Ashe. "Remember that everything in this world happens for a reason. There is no event without something hidden behind it."


    His advice was accurate. Adapted to the reality they lived in.


    "Wise words from a wise man!" A roar sounded; its owner was an elderly god whom Ashe knew fairly well.


    "I didn''t expect you." The Sugar God expressed surprise, his voice faltering.


    "The Chosen One and I have a bit of a connection," he said, then turned to Ashe. "You''ve mastered the fragments better than I expected. Many have tried to contain the prophecy before you, but you''re the only one who''s succeeded. You''re truly his chosen one." The longing in his tone was clear.


    "I don''t have anything special," the boy replied and continued, "I still have a long way to go, and I wouldn''t mind your help."


    "I wasn''t at your ceremony, but I''m sure you should be aware that you wouldn''t get much from us. It''s not that we don''t want to; it''s just like I said, everything has its reasons." The Sugar God changed his manner again, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "We''ll explain, but I understand his desire to grow stronger. The Saviour of the World needs this quality; we just can''t help you directly." This time, thunder was heard.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Ashe had been in his court once, and now he was once again facing the gods in the vast darkness that was familiar to him.


    "If not openly, then can you help indirectly?" The boy understood the meaning hidden between the words.


    "I didn''t say that." The stern god replied.


    "But you''re not saying I''m wrong either." The boy didn''t budge; he was confident.


    A silence fell, confirming his idea. The stillness seemed like a permanent constancy as if it were maintained long enough, it would become eternal.


    "Tell me what to do!" Ashe was motivated, and it was evident in his words.


    "I''ve already told you what I have to say. But I know you''re too young for that. Follow the path, and eventually, trouble will find you. Whether you solve it or not will be revealed later." The Sugar God''s speech ended here. His whisper was the last, and his absence faded into the darkness.


    Only the Thunder God and Ashe remained. "He knows that you will succeed. I know this too, and you must believe it as well. The prophecy chose you. And it is never wrong, and you are the only one who can unite it." The God declared, sternly, yet with conviction.


    Ashe only got hints, nothing concrete, and even assistance was merely a possibility. It didn''t break his heart, though; he wasn''t going to rely on anyone else anyway. His future was in his hands, and he was the only one who could dictate it.


    The Thunder God felt the urge to say more, but he noticed the weariness growing in the boy''s being. "Your turn to leave is approaching. Now your time here has increased, which further speaks of your progress. Until we meet again. Before that, you have to be careful. Especially when you choose who to trust."


    "What do you mean?" Ashe only managed to ask. It was only his instinctive reaction; he wasn''t ready to understand more. The darkness was gripping the disembodied, insensitive part of him, bringing him back to the real world.


    He was returning to the burden of existence, struggling to adjust to the transition from subspace to physical reality.


    [2.01% - 10.80%]


    The jumbled numbers in his head were sorted out, and then the number of fragments was shared with him. Only his counter altered, and it was more than he expected. At first glance, he didn''t get much, but the data didn''t agree.


    ''Whatever it is, it''s familiar to others. I didn''t get anything new for humanity.''


    It took Ashe a few seconds to get used to being in his body. When he opened his eyes, he was in the wooden room.


    He forced his exhausted legs to move towards the gates to leave the temple. Then he went out into the hall, looking for the doors that had brought him here. ''I still haven''t found the second key.'' He thought with a frown and walked between the pillars.


    The lack of the smell coming from the blood, the heaviness that accompanied it, and the absence of bodies caught Ashe''s eye. He walked around the pillars several more times to make sure. He changed direction more than once, but he couldn''t find the dead Seers.


    ''Where are the dead? How did they disappear?'' He finished his last round, wondering. ''There are no guards either.'' The fragments didn''t tell him anything. The bodies wouldn''t just vanish like that unless someone intervened.


    Disintegrating a body into fragments was his exclusive ability, and he ruled that option out, anyway. Not entirely, because the world was too secretive for him to be unprepared for all options.


    The problem was the blood trail belonging to one of the guards, Binder, which disappeared a few centimetres away from the place where Ashe found him. It was as if he could move but was hidden.


    Ashe looked up at the ceiling, feeling no presence, but he didn''t trust his senses. He raised his head and felt a chill run up his neck. He started swearing and cursing to himself as he narrowed his eyes.


    Ashe immediately jumped forward with all his might. If he were even one step late, at best, he would lose one of his hands.


    He was attacked from behind, off his radar, by a Binder who was dead a while ago.


    The issue was that he didn''t have Mark. Normally, this should have made things easier instead of more difficult, but the situation had changed. In this world, death was the end. There was no afterlife, no undead or zombies.


    The fact that the corpse was moving and was aggressive at the same time indicated that it was being controlled. Its speed and strength weren''t high and dangerous. However, its lack of reason was noteworthy.


    ''If they are controlling one corpse, then what''s to stop them from doing the same to the others?'' the boy assumed with hunched shoulders, worried about unseen corpses.


    There was only one standing in front of him. It was Exarch''s rank in the monsters'' hierarchy. Before others even appeared, Ashe immediately rushed to him and decided to run away hastily.


    At the same time, he had all his concentration and attention on the surrounding area in order to react to any danger as quickly as possible.


    The silver sword entered the body of the walking corpse without any obstacles. It killed the killed one again, cut off the limbs and neck, and left it on the ground. In a few seconds, it also took a fragment from it, and the body finally dissolved.


    While taking the fragment, Ashe saw the rest of the corpses. The dead bodies of the Seers and Binders marched in his direction. Whoever was controlling them didn''t wish the boy any good.

 Chapter 26: Slaughter House

    There were exactly 27 corpses in front of Ashe. Three former Binders and the rest were Seers. The enemies were weak, but the numbers made things challenging.


    For the dead, they had good body coordination and speed. They targeted the boy and headed straight for him. Fortunately, none of them had Mark, and Ashe wasn''t doomed to be overwhelmed.


    [2.01% - 1.92%]


    He had more than enough fragments for the barrier and didn''t wait for the corpses to merge and come to him. He stomped his foot on the ground and took the initiative himself. It wouldn''t take more than two seconds to kill them one by one, but if they all got together, then he would have to be more careful.


    When he reached the first Seer, Ashe cut off its neck with one swift motion, and when he approached the second, he didn''t hesitate and stabbed it in the stomach with his sword. The hall was enormous and allowed him to run. He singled out a single opponent and approached them first.


    He retreated and chose a new target as soon as he had killed one.


    Of the original 27 monstrous creatures, 19 remained. Ashe didn''t use Protection to achieve this success, but that would change now. Since the remaining corpses were close to each other, if he got to at least one, the others would also dash at him. There was also a possibility of him getting surrounded.


    ''Well, let''s see what you can do.'' Ashe thought and fearlessly rushed towards them. He hit the first one in the chest, and the second one fell from the side. Waiting for it to collapse, Ashe made a turn and cut off the corpse''s neck, which was wrenched behind him.


    Meanwhile, everyone got closer to him. The barrier began to concentrate in small sections. The places they were attacking from and the number of Shards also increased. As a result, he blocked all attacks that he couldn''t or wouldn''t avoid.


    The problem with high-intensity battles was that attacking while protecting the body required great concentration and observation skills. Ashe didn''t experience this constraint, since countless practices had honed his technical abilities.


    Every second he swung his blade, then pulled his body at specific angles. Sometimes forward, sometimes backwards, and occasionally to the side. Finally, he had to perform particular movements with the sword and didn''t stand in one place. Among the corpses, some of which he had already killed and some still to be killed, made him tremble.


    He was a breeze that turned into wind. Ashe ran among them unnoticed, with a speed that surprised even him.


    Out of the 14 corpses, there was only one former guard.


    The Binders'' physical stats were superior to those of humans, but without Mark, they wouldn''t have been a problem for Ashe. They tried to grab him with their bare hands, and who knew what they were up to?


    They weren''t allowed to do that. ''Ezio, thank you for that sword.'' He thanked the man in his mind. It was his sword that enabled him to carry out the massacre he was about to commit. Without it, things would have been different and more troublesome.


    But would the boy lose without any weapons? His self-confidence had grown tremendously in recent days, so much so that when faced with the remaining nine corpses, he wondered if he could defeat them without a sword.


    His ego had grown. He didn''t even need to kill all 27 corpses. A few would have been enough, and he could have fled towards the doors and avoided the danger, but he didn''t.


    He liked fighting; that''s one thing, but running away from danger wasn''t his style. Especially when he had a high chance of dealing with it. The Chancellor''s case was an exception; he was too big a behemoth for Ashe to take.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    There was another factor. He also didn''t want to simply leave the corpses. Turning them into fragments seemed to give them peace. Being disintegrated into the prophecy and advancing to live in his being was also motivating for him. As if he could accept their hopes and ultimately even seek revenge.


    This thought was more about his beliefs, his ideas, and his desire than anything real. Therefore, his sword didn''t tire, his body didn''t stop, and his eyes, which studied the entire space, were used to their fullest.


    His other senses also developed, especially hearing and touch; even the slightest change in the air informed his ears. It was so detailed that, along with a sense of direction, he could also roughly imagine the shape. Added to this was the ability to touch, which recorded the temperature changes experienced on his skin and, together with the rest of his tools, painted a picture in his head.


    An intuitive image that seemed to see the future a quarter of a second in advance. The radius of his senses was still small, but the progress was enjoyable.


    6 corpses.


    Ashe didn''t stop waving like the wind. One swing of the weapon led to a fall to the ground.


    3 corpses.


    His worry about cleanliness was long forgotten. Both he and his sword remained unrecognisable as the sharpness didn''t betray him.


    1 corpse.


    The boy''s breathing quickened in front of the last Seer. A smile was painted on his face, his lungs were burning, his heart was racing, but he was still far from exhausted. Ashe didn''t drop his sword, raised it before the only remaining opponent, and stabbed it in the core. He didn''t hide from that either.


    Standing, he looked at the fragments flying before him. Only blood remained, the last trace of what had happened here.


    [2.02% - 1.04%]


    His total fragments decided to increase by 0.01%. The world pointer was still motionless. After receiving the last fragment, the images of the battle in Ashe''s head didn''t fade. It was as if he were still fighting and saw what had happened. It implied that the entire prophecy was praising him to do more, not to stop and act again.


    Then he glanced around the hall. There was no sign of life or death. He had to do one more thing before he left the building. He separated the fragments and chose to put the report in it. Ashe tried, and his will came true.


    The fragments contained information about the Unbound. An event that wasn''t an accident. It also noted the death of the entire temple. Then he placed these fragments near the pillars. It would not be difficult to discover it, and whoever found it would know about the situation that took place here.


    Only then did he go to the door, although he didn''t let his guard down. Ashe silently walked up the stairs. Passed the lock, and silently walked to the main entrance. He noticed the passage of time in light; he had to return to the city, but he still had a mission to complete.


    The place he wanted to go wasn''t that far away. His exhausted and dirty condition was noticeable, so he first washed himself in the river he found. There was a small settlement near the city. His mission was to catch a running mushroom. Ashe had never seen a plant like it before, although the alchemist had announced his request to the guild.


    These mushrooms were often seen near the cliffs of the region. A waggon would also arrive in the morning, so the boy had all night to catch the mushrooms.


    The mission required him to seize three creatures, each extra mushroom yielding 3 green orbs. Arriving at the destination, he carefully tried to see if there was anything suspicious. At first, with no luck.


    Then his senses were met with a change in the breeze. This fluctuating movement didn''t feature patterns. It was more alive. Ashe instantly became interested and went in the approximate direction his judgement indicated. When he arrived at the place, he noticed a trail of damp earth.


    Ashe followed it and saw a 40-centimetre mushroom spinning in a circle. It was practically no different from a normal mushroom; it simply rolled on the ground. Floating on the surface, it lacked legs.


    As soon as the boy approached, it immediately bent down, made no sound, and ran. Ashe was quick to follow. He had no difficulty determining the trajectory of the creature, and, along with the mushroom''s slow speed, he was better at choosing a path.


    To capture it, it was necessary to cut the stem. First, he restrained the mushroom and pushed it to the bottom with his sword. The plant, or if it was an animal, accepted the enticement without protest. Although it showed no signs of death, it simply continued to live motionless.


    At a similar pace, he caught 5 mushrooms. The sun would rise soon, but he had to wait a little longer. Because of that, he used that time to visit the settlement and buy new clothes, spending the stone orbs. He burnt the old clothes on the ground near the rocks.


    None of his actions left traces of fragments or even shards. He didn''t want to enter Zalindar with blood that came out of nowhere.


    Meanwhile, the time for the carriage approached, and he went to the meeting place. He comfortably settled into it, wearing brand-new clothes. Then he looked at the sun rising on the horizon and returned to the city satisfied.


    He knew that he would also learn new information about the condition in Stone Village. At the same time, he hid more valuable fragments in the Sugar Temple, and in a few hours, the whole city would be plunged into new chaos.

 Chapter 27: Coward

    Time passed quickly as they rode the carriage. Ashe was the only passenger this time, and the driver didn''t bother to talk to him. Arriving in the city, he immediately headed for the guild building, as if he hadn''t seen the corpses the day before.


    This time, Ela didn''t show up. It seemed like she was resting today. Instead, there was another blonde-haired, middle-aged woman. She seemed like a pleasant person as she took the details of the mission the boy had completed in a few words. Then she took the mushrooms herself and gave Ashe 13 green orbs.


    From the Sugar God mission, he had a total of 7 orbs. He spent 3 on new clothes. Accordingly, he had 17 orbs, of which 14 were green and 3 were stone. Ashe hadn''t accumulated much wealth, but being clean and having a full stomach was enough.


    Before returning to the tavern, he embarked on new missions. He took into account the previous strategy and applied the same methods. He officially took on the Eclipsed rank mission and memorised the ones for Eminent.


    When he finished everything he wanted in the guild, he then moved on to observing. The chaos that had been there a moment ago seemed to have subsided. There was no more noise or crowds, and at first glance, calm had returned.


    ''I wonder how the situation is going?'' Ashe thought and went to the tavern. Along with sleeping, he also wanted to clean himself with soap. Only after resting would he start a new mission.


    Gragas met him at the tavern doors. The man frowned as soon as he saw him; his eyebrows lowered and his lips pursed. Then he snorted, said nothing, and opened the door for the boy with a grin.


    Ashe looked at the man''s behaviour with suspicion. ''What does he want? Why is he looking at me like that?'' With the thought left unanswered, he immediately entered the room, took a bath, got into bed, and didn''t leave the bed until evening.


    Later he got up, left the room shortly, and chose the Dragon Labyrinth as his direction. Dragons didn''t exist in this world; it was nothing more than a given name, and that''s why the boy was interested.


    Coming out of the tavern, he saw Gragas outside again. This time, he was painting the walls and talking to two teenagers. A boy and a girl. Brother and sister. Their conversation with Gragas sounded emotional.


    Ashe thought it was none of his business and avoided them altogether.


    Yet, a harsh voice followed behind.


    "Boy, stop for a second." It was Gragas calling out to him.


    "What do you want?" The boy stopped and looked at the bearded man with an annoyed expression.


    "The children need help, and a slacker like you could provide some help." It was a demand that, given Gragas''s rigid nature, didn''t sound like a request.


    "Me, a slacker?" The boy laughed. He shook his head as if he had heard the biggest lie.


    The children approached him as if he were their last hope. Desperation and sadness were evident on their faces. The twins were holding a pouch in their hands, probably with money, and whatever request they had, they were going to pay.


    "It''s worth listening to," the boy thought, not taking his eyes off the bag. "You have a minute," he announced and listened attentively.


    The girl explained. "Our half-brother is missing."


    Then the boy continued, looking more nervous. "He was supposed to return yesterday, but we... we still don''t know where he is!"If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The sister extended what was said, unable to hold back her tears. "He was going to Dreadvale to trade."


    These words hit Ashe especially hard. Then its weight moved to his heart, and the sword, which was an object separate from his body, he seemed to feel to the last atom.


    While the siblings held each other''s hands, Gragas came up behind them, standing with a worried expression. The children pleaded to Ashe at the same time. "Please look for him; see if he''s okay?"


    The brother added, whispering, telling himself and his sister. "Our brother is strong. He will definitely come back, no matter what happened." As if he was convincing himself, which, judging by his tears, was clearly not working.


    The girl nodded; she wanted to have faith too, but her childish heart, terrified by the danger, couldn''t calm down.


    A storm was brewing in Ashe''s mind. ''Ezio.'' He hadn''t been named, but he knew it. This was a man from whom he heard many stories. Among them were the stories of his siblings, who he had hoped would become Binders.


    It turned out that he was missing. He hadn''t returned home when he should have been even earlier when he lost his sword. ''Maybe he didn''t turn back. He still went to Dreadvale and is just being extra careful,'' the boy tried to convince himself.


    He didn''t want his little act to cause so much damage. ''The road to Dreadvale is safe. I have encountered nothing that could have caused him harm.'' The children''s cries woke him from his defensive thoughts.


    For some reason, the voices changed. It didn''t rise; it didn''t fall, but it became deeper and more painful.


    After looking around, he sees a new silhouette near the edge of the street. The children were running towards him. It wasn''t Ezio.


    He looked like a butler, a clean-dressed, white-haired old man. He leaned on a crutch with one hand and looked wistfully at the siblings.


    The children''s emotions virtually exploded at the sight of him. The street was transformed by their pleas, but nothing could drown out the man''s low words. "We found Ezio. You must see him for yourself."


    This one sentence remained in space. It froze like a moment that should have existed forever. All of Ashe''s hypotheses were shattered. He could no longer justify himself. Ezio was dead, and he was without his only means of protection because of him.


    ''I killed him!''


    A heaviness rose from his stomach and went for his throat. He had seen many corpses before, but the thought of Ezio''s lifeless body almost made him gag. It was a reaction that went against his nature. It was a moment that transcended his morals.


    Ashe was Hope, and he was Despair. He was the Chosen One, who had to save the world. He had to protect people and fight evil. Ezio had told him that he believed in the Chosen One. He had hope for him and for the future the boy would bring.


    But Ashe had failed to live up to his faith. Because of his actions, the person who trusted him died like that. It was a turning point in his mind, a painful one.


    ''I have to see. I have to see for myself.''


    So he did, following the butler and the children with Gragas. But they were running because the siblings were too emotional to walk. This helped Ashe hide his feelings and regain his composure.


    At the end of their run, they found themselves in front of the mansion. It was huge, if not enormous, but it was certainly extensive. A large circle of people had gathered in front of its silver gates. The sounds of crying came from inside, and the children halted at the sight of them.


    Their appearance drew the attention of those present. It would be difficult to capture the emotions experienced, especially since Ashe had seen none of them.


    His eyes were moving in one specific direction. On the object, that was the reason for this entire gathering.


    Lying on a wooden plank was a young boy. His thigh and half of his hand were completely eaten away. He had shown no mercy to his adversary, and he was dead. His face was sad as if the difficulty of parting with the world was still visible. He hadn''t given up on life until the last moment.


    They couldn''t find the sword with the person. Of course, they couldn''t; it was still wrapped around Ashe. Ezio''s death caused a sea of emotions. His eyes didn''t leave the body, and he had to use all his strength to keep his heart from racing.


    Then it seemed to him that strangers were looking at him and the sword hanging from his new trousers. Perhaps it was panic that made him think like that.


    For Ashe, it seemed that they discovered the cause of Ezio''s death and had the culprit in front of them. They looked at him as if they recognised the sword.


    Ashe, who should never run away from problems or rivals, ran away immediately. He couldn''t imagine having to hide from anyone after the Chancellor, but the fact was there. He was dashing off not only from the family, who might recognise the sword, but from himself as well.


    ''I can''t stay here.'' He realised he had to leave the city. If there was even the slightest chance that Ezio''s wealthy family would pursue his footsteps, then this seemingly huge city wouldn''t be able to hide him.


    The means of concealment given by God would prove useless. Ashe was running, carrying a silver sword with him, and was about to leave Zalindar urgently.

 Chapter 28: New Companion

    Ashe, who had just arrived in the city of Zalindar, had to leave it. This was not only due to his emotions. There was also a logical basis for his decision.


    Ezio''s family was standing in front of his corpse. Many people saw him and his sword. The boy came from a noble family with influential members and numerous Binders. There was a high chance that at least one of them would suspect something.


    This doubt could turn into action. Action would bring them closer to the truth and reveal Ashe''s connection to Ezio''s death. If he tried to escape at that time, it would be too late.


    With regret, he boarded the carriage and chose a distant city. ''I still didn''t get to find out how the situation in Bone Village turned out.''


    From his options, he selected the grandest city. The capital of the planet was the most resource-rich and, at the same time, the most prosperous city. Piranesi was the centre of the universe, and no one could find him there.


    According to the carriage driver, the travel speed would depend on the weather. However, it would take at least a few days. The boy hadn''t brought any food or even apples with him. He had already spent 9 orbs today and was left with merely 8 orbs.


    He had money for food, but where would he spend it in the middle of the carriage? Fortunately, a saviour appeared.


    "Do you want it?" He heard a soft voice, belonging to a girl dressed fully in black. She offered him a sugary dessert made of some kind of dough. He could tell that the girl was a Binder. Not an ordinary one at that.


    Ashe looked at her closely and took his time to study her. The girl was in her mid-twenties; she was dressed in a black dress that covered her entire body and had dark makeup on her face. She appeared cold, but once one saw her smile, she seemed friendly.


    Ashe took the food. It was a little hot like it had just been baked. "Thank you." He said and was about to offer compensation for it.


    Extending orbs, he received a stern refusal. An enigmatic smile followed. "No need; I baked it and want to know what you think." All this time, she was maintaining eye contact. "But be careful not to burn your mouth."


    Eagerly exhaling, Ashe tasted the food and narrowed his eyes. It was delicious; the texture and sweetness were exactly in his fancy. "I didn''t expect it, but it''s actually good." Ashe did not hide his preconceived notion.


    Smiling, the girl extended her hand and appreciated Ashe''s sincerity, "Aigis," and said her name without clarifying.


    "Ashe." The boy also shook her hand, and notions of making a new acquaintance slipped into the back of his mind. As soon as he let go of her wrist, he saw the sigil on the girl''s wrist. It was but a small tattoo that looked more like Mark. Ashe moved his eyes effectively over her face, not revealing anything.


    The journey continued pleasantly. Except for the fact that the boy would occasionally remember Ezio''s corpse. Otherwise, everything was going well. A few passengers joined the carriage, and the day became even livelier.


    Ashe knew all too well that his Chosen One status imposed a certain responsibility. His mission was the highest priority, and that was why he stole the sword. An accident had happened; yes, it was his fault, but he couldn''t change anything.


    The changes in his character remained unnoticed. For the most part. Observant Aigis was looking at him as she noticed the boy''s eyebrows lowered and his averted eyes from the world. It was an occasional thing, but she said nothing and didn''t reveal her reflection.


    Several days passed, and Ashe fed on the necks of his companions. They fed him, asking nothing in return. No one asked questions; no one wondered why he was travelling with no supplies.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    After a few more days of travel, only five people remained in the carriage. Ashe, Aigis, a burly man named Gogi, his gentle wife Maia, and the driver. Gogi and Maia were a middle-aged husband and wife.


    They were stereotypical, and the man was having a midlife crisis. He complained about everything, although only his wife could calm him down.


    One evening, when the carriage stopped for the night, a strange noise was heard. The road was well-paved and well-maintained, but there was only a track around. Dozens of kilometres away was the nearest settlement, and it took at least two more days to get to Piranesi.


    This sound was of a wild nature. It brought cold and pain. It seemed to enter the body and freeze you from the inside. Hearing this, both Ashe and Aigis stood up. The girl was the waggon''s escort, and as it turned out, they only travelled with attendants, and this time Aigis took on that role.


    Ashe had a sword to fight with, but his story of being a Binder was no secret. Both of them left the cart to investigate the approaching sound. Echoes were heard across the open field, in a place where they shouldn''t have been.


    The only source of light in front of the carriage was a fire. Silhouettes appeared in the darkness in their colourful glow. One, two, and finally ten four-legged creatures surrounded them. Resembled wolves, but they also had a more monstrous, magical nature.


    The physical side was not their main area of action. Using their voice to communicate, they scare victims, were three meters tall, yet thin, as if they had trouble finding food.


    But that would be far from the truth. These predatory creatures were Wolfgangs and belonged to the rank of Sinarch. Accordingly, there was not one but many other lower grades in the food chain than them.


    Aigis did not show fear. The girl dressed in black had a maniacal smile. She did not look like a prey, as if she herself were a hunter and was facing food.


    "Scary woman," Ashe said loudly and released his sword.


    The girl ignored his words but liked the gesture. Light appeared from her hand, hidden in her clothes. Simultaneously, objects appeared in her hands. A lamp in one and a switch in the other.


    Suddenly, she ran and headed towards the monsters. She anticipated their action and was the first to attack.


    Ashe did not lag behind her, running in the opposite direction. Despite that, he didn''t forget to pay attention to Aigis and assess her skills.


    As a matter of fact, the whole battle was more dangerous than it seemed at first glance. The initial ten monsters were just the beginning; dozens were hiding behind them, and they were also ready to attack. Ashe didn''t know how much information the girl had about this, so he warned her by calling out.


    "There are more; I advise you to save your strength and be quick."


    The girl heard his words. Aigis hesitated for a moment, a hint of worry appearing in her manic expression, but ultimately she didn''t change her course of action. "Thanks, I couldn''t detect that." She called out and got down to business.


    Ashe himself met the rushing opponents with his sword. His barrier and protection capabilities were being tested anew.


    Every swing found a victim. Not a single one was enough to slay them. Instead, he caused sufficient harm to finish his kill. When he could dodge, he did just that. At times, the barrier covered his body and shielded him from any danger.


    As for Aigis, she ran holding her lamps. She was quick and nimble. Jumping like an acrobat, her long dress didn''t hinder her from performing stunts. Each lamp was attached to the monsters. She tried to place several lamps per monster so that she wouldn''t get hurt.


    After filling the first monster''s body with lights, she turned on the switch in her other hand. Different colours illuminated the lamps. It was as if she was decorating a Christmas tree for the New Year. Within a second of the light appearing, these lights busted and tore apart the monsters.


    Ashe watched all this with one eye. He noticed the lights that had formed endlessly in the girl''s hands and was fascinated. ''What god did she receive a covenant from?'' Her abilities were exceptional.


    While observing the fragments, he concluded the girl was Eminent and not far from Eternal.


    This did not change the difficult situation they were in. It was enough for them to miss even one Wolfgang, and the rest of the carriage company would be eaten on the spot. The only solution was a quick and effective slaughter, which they tried as hard as they could.


    Unfortunately, the number of opponents was growing faster than they could drive them away. As a result, the siege was getting smaller and smaller, and the level of danger intensified.


    Both of them received wounds. The increase in the number of voices caused, if not fear, at least numbness that slowed down the speed of their body control. It created a slight delay, which was enough to weaken the movement.


    Ashe, who looked at his hands, was clenching his teeth. He took a deep breath and called out to the girl. "Stand by me. Come closer; I can protect you a lot better than you can protect yourself."


    Aigis was surprised by such a strange request in the middle of a battle. There was no time to spare for questions, and she did as she was told.


    This was the first time the Chosen One used Protection to protect another. A skill that, under his command, was supposed to protect the entire world.

 Chapter 29: Fighting With Eminent

    Ashe couldn''t use protection at long distances or control the fragments that had transformed into shards at long ranges. Therefore, he had to act in concert with Aigis.


    This led to another division of his concentration. In the middle of the battle, he had to protect himself as well as the girl''s safety. It wasn''t an effortless task, and the boy''s mind was working until it burnt out.


    "This is so cool!" Aigis exclaimed after receiving protection from the barrier.


    The fragments used on her changed colour. When Ashe used the fragments on himself, the blue colour prevailed, while on the girl, the black hue was leading. This visual effect had an unknown meaning.


    "Don''t relax just yet; I can''t protect you every time." The boy warned, and who knows how many times Wolfgang stuck him.


    [2.02% - 1.11%]


    Almost half of the fragments had already been used up. You couldn''t say the same about the monsters. However, their combined forces increased their killing speed. Especially Aigis, who decided to be even more deadly.


    She became much faster. Both her body and her hands were arranging the lamps. Her acrobatic movements became more visible, inhuman, and flexible. Moving between Wolfgangs sometimes seemed like she was dancing on their bodies.


    With graceful movements, her work paid off and left a large pile of corpses. At every moment when her body was frozen, Ashe managed to protect her at the last instant.


    In order to block the Sinarchs'' attack, he had to spend a large number of fragments. Although his control increased and the cost decreased, the numbers in his head were declining rapidly in the face of so many opponents.


    The whole confrontation had also brought him good. It was new information that he learnt about his abilities he didn''t know before. Ashe could create Shards from fragments obtained from monsters. There were few of them, and they didn''t even come close to his total supply, but each creature added additional energy.


    ''Why didn''t I know this before?'' he thought and applied more force to his sword. As a result, he felt pain in his wrist as he hit the monster in the bone, and it was demanding to cut it. ''I have to kill one rank higher to get a fragment to use in battle.''


    His opinion was close to the truth. ''Unbound is an exception? He was an Eminent, wasn''t he?'' He thought, taking a deep wound that ended with a claw on his shoulder. Likewise, he could neither jump nor create a barrier.


    The battle lasted for several more minutes, and the blood trail on their bodies kept accumulating. There were about 20 Wolfgangs left. Unfortunately, the energy to deal with them was exhausted.


    [2.02% - 0.23%]


    The more fragments Ashe spent, the weaker he became. It was as if his body was returning to its human state. He realised this when his rate fell below 0.50%. Even the animals he killed couldn''t compensate for the fragments he spent. The parts of the prophecy he received from them did not have the same value as those in his being.


    Aigis wasn''t in good condition either. Her black robe seemed to be torn in several places. She was breathing deeply while trying to stop the blood flowing from her thigh with her hand.


    Ashe felt weakness for the first time in a real battle. He didn''t mind admitting defeat against the Humpborn, but it simply didn''t count. In every confrontation, his talent shone, his teachings helped, and the prophecy protected him.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Against the sea of opponents, it seemed like all this wasn''t enough. He needed more, more than he didn''t have.


    "When will you stop?" the boy asked.


    "What?" After two breaths, the girl answered with a question.


    "You know exactly what I''m talking about. I wasn''t born today. You''re Eminent, and you''ve never used a proper ability. If you keep acting, we''ll both die." Ashe told her confidently. It wasn''t a guess; he knew it.


    Aigis didn''t say a word for a few seconds. She moved again, and with a small explosion, knocked over the next monster. "You got me, you little bastard." She said, and her maniacal face came back. The secret she was hiding had just been revealed, yet there was no effect on her face.


    "Watch me carefully." She warned Ashe and immediately went into action.


    The boy also followed the instructions and eyed the girl. He had to get closer to the monsters and use all the protection for himself.


    Ashe wasn''t born, just a warrior. Being the chosen one also meant that one day he would have to lead people. To guide armies and confront what Fracture would bring. For this, he had to know how to become a proper leader.


    He had been taught everything theoretically, but it was all based on ancient knowledge. Understanding that couldn''t take into account his situation and condition. He was the only one; there was no one like him, and there was no similar experience.


    Accordingly, he would have to forge the entire path himself. He had to take the leadership of the people and the warriors upon himself.


    This day was his first step.


    A moment when he wasn''t fighting alone. Ashe had a helper and could rely on her. He barely knew the girl, but in this particular battle, they were on the same side. For Ashe, that was more than enough.


    Don''s last words were to put his life above everything and everyone, and he had been following that advice ever since. Ezio''s situation was one example.


    While Ashe was running through the monsters, Aigis turned off the switch. As if she no longer needed it. She spread her left hand on the ground. A multitude of threads emerged from her hand and spread out like webs across the land.


    A path divided into sections was created, and each bend was illuminated by a lamp. This construction reached the monsters, covering their entire bodies and even the meadow. It covered 10 meters behind them, creating a siege and covering the monsters near Ashe.


    The entire ground, covered with lamps, glowed in different colours. The boy was waiting for the next, more powerful explosion.


    Nothing like that happened. The power of the lights simply increased. The light covered the entire area so much that it would have been impossible to open one''s eyes. Especially the light on the monsters'' bodies, which was blinding.


    This whole event lasted a couple of seconds. Then it faded so quickly that the falling darkness became difficult to get used to. In this darkness, each Wolfgang fell to the ground. The fragments that came out of them went towards Aigis and merged with her, unnoticed by the girl.


    Ashe felt he could call these fragments to himself, but he didn''t do so. For one, it wasn''t needed, since there weren''t many of them, anyway. The other reason was that he wasn''t exactly happy about taking away the girls'' findings.


    The corpses remained. The bodies didn''t disappear; it only happened to the creatures Ashe had extinguished. Aigis noticed this at the beginning of the fight but left it without comment.


    The girl herself seemed even weaker after what she had done. It suggested that she lost punch and had trouble standing on her feet.


    Ashe rushed to catch her. He helped her, and the girl leaned on him. "Well, that was cool." She briefly and simply assessed what she had done.


    The boy wasn''t well-versed in the friendship department.


    The only person close to him was Avi, and she was difficult for him to understand. As for Don and Bugator, he rarely saw them.


    Aigis dragged herself to the carriage. Inside, the driver, Gogi, and Maia were sitting pale. All three were shaking and appeared half-dead. When they saw the pair, the first emotion was fear; after that, they sighed in delight.


    The girl asked the boy to give her a bag. "I need sugar. I want something sweet." She repeated the words in a delirious tone until she got what she demanded.


    Aigis fell asleep after eating and said nothing more. Ashe convinced the driver that they should continue their journey and return on their way. He took the supplies to treat wounds from the girl''s bag.


    After taking care of himself, with the help of Maia, he took care of Aigis as well.


    The rest of the journey took less than two days. Piranesi, the magnificent capital of the planet, could be seen, and the boy witnessed the largest city from afar.


    His reaction clarified that this was his first time. "You''ll like it here," Aigis said, her wounds almost healed.


    Ashe nodded and looked at the tallest fortress wall he had ever seen. The entire city was enclosed in a metal frame. It covered over 50% of the human-occupied part of the planet.


    Piranesi was the city where the most important parts of his adventures would unfold.

 Chapter 30: Chosen Leader

    The events that followed were rapid. The carriage entered the city under strict inspection; at first glance, it did not differ from the Zalindar. With such modern buildings and streets, it still managed to win over Ashe.


    The carriage soon stopped, and its passengers had to continue their journey on foot. Ashe and Aigis bid farewell to Gogi and Maia and went their separate ways. The girl offered to accompany the boy to the guild, since she had a business of her own.


    After changing several local carriages, they reached the centre of Piranesi, where the city''s government guild was located. Since Ashe was already a member, he did not intend to change anything. Aigis was also in the same boat and told him about the building, which was much grander than the one they had in Zalindar.


    "Do you remember what I told you? Keep my secret and don''t talk about me being an Eminent," Aigis whispered, bringing her lips close to Ashe''s ear.


    Ashe, who was used to the girl''s physical closeness, didn''t even recognise her actions. Instead, he shook his head in reprimand. "I know, I know, I know. You''ve warned me at least ten times, but I still don''t understand why you''re hiding it."


    "Ashe, Ashe, Ashe! You know nothing. Hiding strength so everyone thinks I''m weak and vulnerable, when in reality I can break their bones, is the best feeling." After a short pause, she smiled. "It makes me feel like the main character."


    "You''re stupid." The boy replied shortly and entered through the door.


    "You don''t believe me, do you?" Aigis, following him, didn''t let go. As if she had been challenged and wanted to prove herself. "I''ll show you right now." She held her head proudly, leaned forward too much, and bumped into the nearest bald man.


    Both of them fell in the collision. The incident, which was caused by the girl, did not end with an apology from her. On the contrary, it continued with artificial aggression, which birthed the victim. At the same time, Aigis looked into Ashe''s eyes as if saying, "Look at me carefully."


    The spectators advanced to the excitement she caused. The bald man did not intend to endure oppression from the girl. Mark activation was prohibited in the building, although hand-to-hand combat was allowed.


    The man immediately swung at Aigis. The girl did not block it, nor did she dodge it, when based on her mobility, she clearly could have done so. She was prodding the bald man, who had fallen to the ground again. "Your head is like a wizard orb; can I see my future there?"


    The last words hit the man''s ego hard. So he continued to hit the fallen girl until his friends calmed him down. "Get out of here! Don''t you know who she is?"


    "Who is she?" A little fear crept into the bald man''s voice. Did he just hit a big shot?


    "That is Crazy Aigis. She and her team are full of retards. They think they are heroes and pretend to be the defenders of the city." One of his comrades explained. Their dialogue moved to the guildhall.


    Ashe witnessed the entire event without a word. He did not help the girl or try to protect her. Instead, he watched intently. That was what Aigis wanted. The boy also heard about the lines fired at Aigis and received new information about the girl.


    "Can you get up?" The boy stood on top of her and offered to help.


    Aigis shook her head and stood up on her own. "See what happened?"


    "What are you talking about?" the boy asked.


    "That idiot thinks I am weak. Imagine the look on his face when he finds out I''m Eminent." Here comes her trademark manic grin, which extends to show her teeth.


    "What would you do if he was Eclipsed or higher, and he was stronger than you?" Ashe had a logical question that the hastily acted girl wouldn''t have considered.


    "They beat me up. End of the story. And now guess what happened to me, genius." She told him sarcastically. She ignored the fact that she got hit for nothing and wiped her bloody nose. "That cretin punched me in my pretty face."


    After all the strange interactions, Ashe settled the registry business. This time, the process was easier. He showed his ID, and all his data was already in the database. Aigis found her friends and went to meet them. She also completed her mission and talked to the receptionist.


    After the two of them were done with their businesses, Aigis wanted to introduce the boy to her team. "Come on, I''ll present them to you. But be prepared; they''re a bit weird."


    "You, of all people, say that?" Ashe said in surprise and followed the girl.


    Her group was waiting outside. There were four of them, and Aigis was the fifth. "This is my new friend, Ashe." She said casually like it was her everyday occasion.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement."This is Kara." She pointed to a fair-haired girl in a green uniform. She seemed to have a flower growing out of her head.


    "This is Esker, Kara''s twin." This boy was less shy than his sister. Underneath the blue cloak, he was also wearing green and was holding a lit candle in his hand for some reason.


    "This is Link." Finally, she pointed to a pale blond boy with a vertical red stripe drawn across his face, from his eyes to his chin. He was holding a thick-bound book in his hand.


    They were all Aigis'' peers, and she met them at the academy.


    Scrutinising each other lasted more than a minute. Ashe looked at the other four as they looked at her.


    Esker made a pointed comment. "Aigis ran into another oddball of her kind. Please tell me he is the reason you are bleeding." He spoke softly as if he were attentive to the flame. His words were directed at Ashe but somehow included Link as well.


    It was the latter who replied. "You''ll stop your sorry mouth when I blow out your candles."


    "Don''t you dare!" Esker threatened sternly, which was only visible with the movement of one finger.


    "Guys, stop and don''t embarrass Aigis in front of her friend." Kara calmed them down and peeked at Ashe warmly. Her voice was as gentle as the girl herself.


    Aigis eyed what was happening. She looked happy as if she were the organiser of a grand party. "My friends should be friends with each other." She announced with satisfaction.


    "Hello, as you already heard, my name is Ashe, but I don''t know why Aigis is introducing me." He was interested, but he suspected he left it to the girl to reveal.


    Aigis peered around, and lowering her voice, she said. "Officially, everyone is Eminent except me. They know my secret, and we are a party of sorts."


    "Wait, did you tell him too?" Kara was surprised. It was clear that Aigis wasn''t revealing her secret easily.


    "No, he figured it out himself." Then she looked at the boy. "I still don''t know how." She had an interest that she indirectly revealed.


    "Secret!" the boy retorted. "You''re not the only one who has them."


    "Okay, okay." Aigis continued. "You should understand why I brought you here."


    Then Link stated. "You want to go on that mission together?" The boy opened a book in the meantime and was reading as he spoke.


    Esker called out. "I thought so too, but I feel like there''s one big but."


    Aigis was about to answer, but Ashe beat her to it. "Not one, but two ''buts.''"


    Eyebrows rose one by one at his words, but no one objected¡ªnot until they heard.


    "First, I''m Eclipsed," he said, and without waiting for a reaction, he called out the second. "And if you want me to follow you and help you on ''that'' mission, then you must obey my instructions." Only after that did he look at their faces.


    Esker sighed as if he were no longer careful with the candles. "Crazy child."


    Kara pursed her lips. She said nothing, but it was clear she was trying to hold it.


    Link closed the book, examined Ashe again, and shook his head. "Why?" he questioned shortly.


    Aigis''s reaction was the most dramatic. Loud even. Full of laughter, as if she had expected to hear something like this. "I knew you would say something crazy." Then she went into thought as if she was considering something.


    "Wait, don''t tell me you''re going to give up leadership." Esker was stunned and wanted to argue.


    Her twin brother also supported her. "You know better than us how much responsibility this is."


    Link did not stop assessing the boy. As if wondering what Aigis saw in him that had brought the situation to this point.


    The girl finished her thinking quickly. Her laughter and smile were nowhere to be seen. Now she was serious. More than Ashe had seen in all these days. "I have witnessed your mastery to observe and coordinate with my own eyes, and I will allow you to do so only once. However, this is not enough to lead the team."


    She ignored the reactions she caused again and addressed the boy with renewed severity. "I agree, but if you put any member of the team in danger even once, then I will beat you with my own hands. I will throw you into the lake and tie you to a tree for two days."


    This time Ashe laughed. "Sounds good." He extended his hand to the girl and took the reins of leadership upon himself.


    This was the first time Ashe would take a leadership position outside his school. In a real, harsh, and dangerous environment. In this place, one mistake could have cost him lives.


    "Now tell me about your mission," he declared, addressing the tense team members with satisfaction.