《The Cracking》
Ashes of gluttony
Limial walked thought his mansion, faster than he had in many millennia, but appearances didn''t concern him, as he stopped before the giant doors in front of him. With a single though the doors hinges moved as the doors opened and the view of the balcony was seen, as were the many fires behind it.
Limial slowly started to walk next to the balconies edge, until he saw everything looking straight ahead. His realm, the palace he had created, everything was burning into the ground. He wanted to make the race that did that extinct, but something was wrong. He knew that he had become weak. The millions of years of not training were taking a toll on him but he still should be strong enough to kill such beasts. but as he tried to use his Gyv something stopped him. He was poisoned by someone. And he fully knew but didn''t want to accept it.
''I can still detonate this realm, I would still probably kill that ungrateful child" Limial though he knew deep down that he was far too weak to even do such a small feat of strength, he only an empty shell of a being after the poison. Not even worth the title of ''The True God'' he had granted himself after creating almost every realm.
His years suddenly perked up as Limial heard the voice of his most ungrateful Disciple. His eyes quickly hopped over to where the smug, oh so despised voice had been coming from.
"Hellooooooooo Master, I see you''re still standing not well. Any backpains?'''' Kaston the 2nd disciple of Limial spoke not afraid of the old man in the balcony
"''Your days are numbered, I will become the next God like you have taught me. And well I must admit, and the small cult you gave me has been very very helpful. Without it I wouldn''t have been able to accomplish this" Kaston added as the thousands of cultists of the fire of Eternity cult shouted while readying their Gyv, many of them falling over dead, because they used every drop in their body.
Many balls of fire started appearing and merging into 1 as Kaston started raising his hand, the fireball enlarging many fold, but Limial still saw this as somewhat survivable. Until his 3rd, 4th and 5th disciples. The tripplets Liam, Lucas and Levi gathered around Kaston. And also Raising their hands in unison. Gathering all their Gyv into the massive ball.
''"You traitors, after all I have done for you. After all I have sacrificed for you, you dare revolt against me'''' Limial said with fury in his voice, but he knew it was too late.
Only if Randark was here. With him I could stop this. Only if he was present. Limial thought to himself, giving himself a hope. A way out, that he hoped would arrive at the perfect moment and save him from this.
Kaston started ascending into the sky, into the Ball of pure fire and Gyv, as the cultists chanted his name in unison. A sudden blinding light appeared. Limial though that he was saved, that Randark had arrived with his armies. But he was wrong. Kaston had taken all the Gyv there, stepping to the realm of a True God. Even if it would be for a couple minutes he knew that this would be enough to kill this old weakened man everybody feared. The True God.
As Kaston exited the fire, his fire cape that he just manifested made of pure fire fluttering behind him Kaston readied his Gyv as did Limial. The pressure made anyone weaker than Peak arman instantly get knocked out or die. Kaston conquered his 2 Blades of Flames in his hands and many more around him. Then he lunged at Limial who had barely enough time to react with a massive barrier, but Kaston easily broke though the barrier in 1 swing and launched almost all the blades straight at Limial, who back stepped though the entire mansion just to avoid getting hit. He quickly summoned his great hammer, and awaited the next attack.
Kaston lunged again, but Limial already was prepared, as he quickly dodged Kastons attack and pressend his arm on Kastons chest, before Making a massiv explosion in his palm making Kaston fly out of the mansion.
Looking at the smoke around him. LImial quickly launched though the wall as to escape the mansion and see Kaston more freely. Limial landed on some corpses of cultists, which made a sickly crunch sound as he fully put his weight on them, but then he felt a massive amount of Gyv, enough to maybe even kill him in the distance. Limial though Kaston would lunge at him any time while flying straight at him, So he enhanced his body''s strength with every ounce of Gyv he had, to win this exchange. As he had done so while sparring with him many times before
But Kaston had other plans. Instead of fighting like he previously had, he rather flew into the sky as a massive wall of fire balls appeared around him. He couldn''t hide his smile as he outplayed his master, and now he won this battle.
It''s over, you know you won''t be able to survive this. Just give me the medallion and I''ll maybe let you live" Kaston spoke and then instantly launched every fire ball at Limial".
Limial knew it was over for him. In this weakened state he could not escape, he could not run and he could not fight, but he knew he had to try, and to kill Kaston that Bastard. As giving him up the medalion meant giving him the power to fully assend to being a True God like he was and that would spell and end to this realm, all his creations and most importantly his 1st deciple. His dear Randark. He enhanced his body even more, but he still feared for the worst, but not ready to give up.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
As Limial awaited the barrage, a sudden though arose on how to screw over his disciple even if he died, Even if he lost he he could still let Randark wil the race to become the next True God. He touched his necklace and started chanting, but he wasn''t quick enough. to fully complete his spell as fire rained from above. He stopped and focused on enchancing his barrier Gyv, hoping that what he had done was enough to fumble Kastons plans. He miraculously had withstood the barrage without many injuries. As he looked around and awaited an attack from above, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. As he looked down he saw none other than Kaston grinning as his Blade of flames burned though him.
"Whoops how did that get there. Sorry I''ll be more careful next time" Kaston said, and as he was about to continue he felt a a pain in his left side and suddenly he was flying to the right. He recounted the exchange that happened quickly.
Limial had grabbed his Great hammer and swung it at Kaston, with all his might. Limial ofcourse hoped that was enought, but then he heard a sound.
"''You sly fucking dog, still putting up a fight I see" Kaston schrieked while flying back to Limial after jumping from the mountain he lad flew in from the attack.
But Suddenly Limial felt another stab in his back. And another one and a 3rd one. He sighed and turned around as he heard the tripplets
"''Hope you didn''t forget us" the triplets Liam Lucas and Levi said in full unison. as they grinned each one after another.
"''I knew taking you 3 in was a mistake. You''re so fucking annoying"'' Limial said, but before he could say anything more Kaston had finally flew back near Limial and with 1 swift motion sliced his head off and instantly burned it while it was flying in the air.
As Limial''s body dropped Kaston quickly grabbed the medalion that fell to the ground after Limial''s head was cut off
''Finally I''ll ascend to a True God. With this medallion. FINALLY" Kaston shouted as his cape disappeared as did his borrowed power.
But then Kastons face slowly turned from a grin to a anger fueled. as he quickly looked around on the ground and on Limial''s body, before shouting so hard, that everyone in this Realm heard the shockwaves of his voice booming.
"YOU FUCKING BASTARD, YOU OLD DOG. EVEN IN DEATH YOU SCREW ME OVER"
"What happened Brother Kaston" Asked Levi, before getting flung into the nearest mountain from Kastons punch to his face.
"THIS OLD BITCH TELEPORTED AWAY THE LEFT PART OF THE MEDALION." Kaston shouted to himself, everyone and noone at the same time. Then he turned to the headless Limial''s body before stomping on it and burning it fully with his flames. before shouting again to all his followers
"''Fire of Night assemble once more, all we need to do to achieve out great plan is to find half a piece of an old medallion that''s it. Then we will rule all the Realms"''
But the cultists who were still alive and those who just came here though the Tunnels started chanting Kastons name Limial''s body fully evaporated and the ground started shaking. As did all the realms trembled as the True God and the creator of the realms perished. from Arima lands, to Fallen cliffs and even the Endless cave. The age of disarray had begun.
10 Years after the fall of The True God
The sun went down past the red mountains as Levien Marikov watched as his mentors, No, his Mother burned on her deathbed, right next to his fathers grave, who died many nights ago from a wild beast. He didn''t know much about his mother apart that she was a high ranking Vagabond, but his Father on the other hand taught him everything. How to survive, how to scavange and most importantly how to fight in this world which had no god, nothing to pray to, nothing to believe. As Levien looked around he saw many other Vagabond whom he had never seen come say goodbye to his mother.
They talked to each other, but they let Levien sit in peace atop the hill, until one of the Vagabonds, wearing a worn down red scarf and a white mask with 3 holes on where his eyes and nose should be came up to him and stared talking.
"''You know, your mother was the best in our ranks. They she was the most honest person I knew." He then waited for a minute before continuing after Levien didn''t say to stop
Levien just listened, but it seemed like this Vagabond as he met the wrong person. He saw his mother rarely, so much so that at some points he even forgot how her face looked, how her voice sounded like. How did this woman who abandoned him countless times with his father for some grand things. If she was just present, his father wouldn''t have to sacrifice himself to protect him, she should have stayed and helped them, not adventure all willy nilly.
"I know you didn''t know your mother well as she was gone" The vagabond said almost predicting Leviens thoughts
"''But you know she fought to save this realm from the Hounds. those fanatical believers think that if they fully take this land their leader will become a god and give them anything and everything. Dumb i know, but that''s what they believe in"
The Vagabond chuckled under his mask before patting Levien on his back and leaving him alone again. As Levien looked from up at where the Vagabond went after a few minutes, he saw everyone had left and he was alone.
Levien was in deep though about what to do now or even where to go. He had no home after all, and all the things that he had were on him already. After a few more hours he had fully made up his mind. He stood up and wiped down his pants just as the fire fully went out and the darkness also surrounded him. Levien grabbed his trust axe his father gifted him on his birthday some time ago and started walking somewhere. He didn''t know where, but he just wanted to get away from here.
And so Levien set off to the unforgiving lands of Rama
The Desert
Levien walked through the night, his ragged clothes barely holding to his body, but he just continued, no though of stopping even crossed his mind, just like his father taught him.
He didn''t have anything to do other than count his steps, then his biggest enemy crept up behind him. It was like a lion jumping a small rabbit. Always unexpected, that''s what he hated the most about this arch rival of his. His intrusive thoughts. Levien hated them, he hated thinking about his past in general not because it was horrific, not because it was unspeakable horror, but because he didn''t remember any details about his childhood. The only thing he could always remember was that his father was important and that sometimes he would see his mother, which always made him more curious as why he couldn''t remember anything. Actually he felt like he had forgotten something really important, like a piece of him had been taken out, but as always Levien just shook his head as hard as he could and pulled out the paper that he just remembered about.
His father probably told him to memorise what was written some time before his death, but the words written on the paper just didn''t mean anything to Levien, they seemed like some gibberish a drunk man wrote. But it was better then thinking.
"Dad called this tiers right, but what are these names, was someone on some azalia or grass while writing these?" He accidently said out loud, before realizing it, shutting his mouth instantly as to not attract any night predictors and just focused back to the paper. There in a rectangle the were written 3 words (armon, damon and trimon). Right next to them there were written 3 more words in a diffrent rectangle (Noram, Basic, Peak). An arrow going from left to right connected the 2 rectangles.
Armon
Doman Damon
Trimon
Noram
Basic
Peak
Then Leviens eyes glazed upon the left bottom corner where to only 4 words were written. These words were more understandable to him, but it just seemed like an insult thrown at him.
YOU ARE
NON TIER
He looked at the words with doubt in his eyes, before ripping that part on the paper off and letting go of it. The paper gracefully flew away before landing on the sand a bit behind where he was walking, but Levien didn''t look at that. He was already focused on the 2 rectangles and the words in them. He though for a moment before starting to recite them while walking. First he started with the left rectangles words, which were pretty easy to say.
"Armon, Armon, armon armon armon.........."
"Damon, Damon....................."Stolen story; please report.
"Trimon..........."
After he felt that he knew the words well enough, he overlooked the right rectangles words, he couldn''t fully read the words that were written because of the lack of light, but he felt confident to remember them. So much so that he hid the note away in his pocket before trying to remember what was written.
"Narom, wait no it''s Noram right? Then after that it goes basic and then P... Pa.... no wait maybe Pe..... What is it" Levien hit his head before shouting as he remembered the word.
"Peak, yeah, peak." He felt a tad bit proud, but then realised that it took him way to long just to memorise 6 words, which made his smile quickly fade away.
Levien continued to walk and constantly repeat the 6 words for what it seemed hours, because it was the most entertaining thing he could think of while walking. His axe was on his back and pulling it out to play around with it would be such a pain in the ass. He wondered why did he strap it to his back so hard, but then just continued saying the 6 words like it was the most entertaining thing in the world. As he got bored Levien started to say the words with different intonations which let hit be entertained for a while longer.
As he got fully bored he felt the air pick up speed, which usually wasn''t a great sign. The winds usually wouldn''t be that fast even in some high hills or plains.
As Levien wondered a sudden wave of realization washed over him. He instantly looked from where the wind was coming from. His feard proved right as in the distance he saw something, like a massive wave coming right at him at high speeds, presumably a sandstorm or something even worse. He didn''t waste much time before looking for a spot to hide
His eyes quickly darted around. To his right nothing. In front of him, nowhere to hide. Behind him there were some tall hills, but they were fairly far from him. Lastly to his left, his only hope. At first he also didn''t see anything until his eyes saw a small small hill. The perfect place to hide. Levien started to run to the sand hill as quickly as he could, but a person can''t outrun nature easily, and he was no exception.
The sandstorm slammed into Levien like a truck into an isekai protagonist. The boy continued to run as fast as he could where the hill should be. Sand was hitting every part of him. His body screamed like it was being pierced with countless knifes constantly. As he neared the cliff his legs got swept by the wind and he plummeted to the ground. The pain was sharp, but he didn''t give up as that would mean death.
Levien started to get up, but the pressure of the wind was too much. He couldn''t stand, so he started to crawl. Tiny inch each time. the sand made his face look like a canvas atop which someone threw red paint and left it. The blood started to seep into his left eye, but he persisted. Until finally he made it. He managed to reach the tiny hill. the wind was a bit weaker here, and much less sand was barraging him. Levien then put his back to the hill and then covered his torso with his arms and legs.
As the sandstorm continued to rage Levien started to repeat the 6 words constantly to make his mind go away from the pain. Which helped him not pass out from it.
"Armon armon. Noram armon, basic armon, peak armon"
"Noram damon, Basic damon, peak damon"
"Noram trimon, basic t-trimon, peak trimon"
as Levien continued to say the words through his clenched teeth from the pain he saw something though the tiny gap between his arms flying at him at high speeds. It didn''t look like a sand cluster, nor a beast or person. And it was quite big. As he realized what it was, there was too little time to dodge it.
The rock collided with him, leaving Levien unconscious. His body limp, but instead of falling to the side onto the ground, his body didn''t change the pose, purely because Levien was always taught to sit in a way that if he was knocked out he would still be in the same position, not moving an inch.
Many hours later Levien awoke. His ears were full of sand, his body ached and his head hurt really badly. He tried to wipe the sand from his eyes but couldn''t as his arms seemed stuck. He shook his head around to let the sand fall off and opened his eyes. Levien found that it was already day and that his whole body apart his head were fully in sand, that was peculiar, but he just started slowly wigging out of his sand coffin until he was fully out.
Levien then started to wipe the sand that was stuck to his clothes away, as well as the blood clots that were still on him. His arms were especially blooded up and sandy, but after some diligent wiping of the hand his clothes looked much better. From sandman to a travelling hobo. But Levien was proud of such a clean up.
He sett off again on his journey, in the scorching sun.
Sun & Cliffs
Step by step Levien continued to walk across the desert. His face was sweaty, but it was quite dry compared to his clothes, who had become one with sweat. His pace started to slow bit by bit over the grueling hours, but as he looked up hoping to see the sun would be near the horizon and evening would come. That wasn''t the case, the sun was still in the middle of the sky. Overlooking anyone who dared to cross the red desert and punishing those who did.
Levien finally made it atop a massive sand hill, then his eyes shined and lit up like they hadn''t in some time. If someone had seen him, they would have thought he was told that he just got the best news in the world. But what he saw wasn''t something grand or something magnificent, it was a measly, simple and small rock formation that could be used to hide from the sun. He started running down hill, but his foot landed in a clunky position and suddenly he was in the air. Levien watched as the ground near him very fast, so fast that he couldn''t react.
A few small thuds were heard and then a very loud one. The bird that was on the rocks flew away scared. Levien groaned loudly and slowly stood up and shook and brushed himself off the sand that wasn''t fully stuck to his drenched clothes while constantly cursing that hill.
"This fucking sand hill, I hope you get used in a toilet someday and have to be used for ass wiping. Fucking hell, This sand I can''t" Levien continued to curse at the hill while stomping the ground with each step until there he was. In the heavenly bliss of the shadow.
All his worries suddenly disappeared, The pain of falling just before, the bruises that still hurt after the sandstorm, the thoughts in his brain nagging him. All was gone as the feeling of finally being in the shadow overshadowed them.
There Levien sat upon one of the rocks. He quickly pulled out the leather water pouch, that he was keeping near his axe. Then he screwed of the top and started drinking the water greedily. The taste was like normal water, with an aftertaste of leather and some sand, but to Levien this was the elixir of life at this point. Nothing could match the taste of this water.
After fully emptying the leather bag, he screwed it back on and put in where he originally took it from now feeling much much better and started got ready to take a nap until the night arose. He didn''t care that at night it would be much harder to see and some beasts came out. It was a better then the torture of the sun. Anything was better then the sun.
Levien got up, picked up some rocks and made a makeshift pillow. It didn''t look nice or comfortable, but how does that matter to a person who doesn''t care about that.
He took all the things he had on his back off and placed them behind some rocks so hopefully nobody would find if they stumbled upon him. Of course he kept the axe near him, laying behind the rock pillow.
Levien laid upon his creation and went off to the dream world hoping that he would wake up at night and not sleep though it.
3 years before Leviens journeys start
Rinn was sleeping very comfortably and was dreaming about the sky, until he heard commotion outside, he groaned and slowly started to get up. He didn''t rush anywhere.
After standing up he quickly tidied his tent by folding up his sleeping bag, and put on some clothes that looked the least worn out. Then headed towards the tents exit.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
As he lifted it and exited the tent he looked around the dark mountain top, only lighted up by Gyv torches that his ancestors had done hundreds of years ago, but then like everyday his gaze locked to the girl shouting to him, his little sister Maria.
"Heyyyyy, finally you got up. I though you forgot how to get out of your sleeping bag" Mara said cheerfully before giggling
"''Again? Why do you hate me soooooo Much" Rinn said while groaning
"''You know I like to sleep in"
"Don''t be like that big bro, let''s go play now. Lets go lets go letsgoletsgo........." Mara continued to nag at him, while coming closer then grabbing to his left arm with her whole body
"''Cmon big bro, let''s go play, I want to see Reddy again." She continued on instantly
"Cmoooooooooon" She tried to forcefully drag Rinn with her, but failed miserably, concluding in her falling face first into stone.
"''Bhahahahahahahahaha......" Rinn laughed out loud, then after that wiped the tear away that he got from laughing so hard.
"Sis you good?" He picked Mara up and looked to her face. It was without bruises and without any injuries, but she looked embarrassed, so much so that she was blushing. Rinn quickly knelt down scooped her up in her arms and started walking
While Rinn carried her down to the cave she playfully started punching his chest and shoulders.
"Let go of me, I can walk on my own. Let go Letgoletgoletgoletgo...."
Rinn becoming more and more annoyed at his sister by the second, dropped her just as she was standing and she fell on her butt. She stood up quickly and playfully punched his brother again, giggled and started running into the cave where all the kids and youths played. Rinn followed her. As he entered the cave that was lit up by green crystals he saw many kids playing with each other. Some with the water they summoned, Some with their pets. In the back of the cave he also spotted his buddies huddled there chatting. He quickly settled near a cave wall, closed his eyes and concentrated.
The Gyv that was gathered around his heart started to move though his veins. As the Gyv moved Rinn felt the warmth going though his body and into his arms. He started conjuring his dogs image in his mind, every detail. A golden retriever with red fur that was on fire but couldn''t burn anyone. He went deeper thinking about every little detail of the dog twice. He didn''t want to redo this again. When he fully had the image in mind he let go of his Gyv and waited the familiar sensation he felt was always nice, then he opened his eyes and there before him sat the dog.
Mara instantly ran up to him and tackled him to the ground and started to roll around with him
"''Hi Reddy, lets go play, lets go"
The dog barked as Mara got up and they ran towards the other kids.
Rinn watched as many of the kids stopped their activities and joined Mara to play with the dog. He sighed heavily, wiped the sweat of his face and started walking to the end of the cave. As he neared the group there he heard a few shouts
"Heyyyyyyyyyyy Rinn, come here quickly before I beat your ass" Shouted one of his Buddies Ben
"Ayo? That sounds kind of gay bro" Another followed after him from Jakiel
As Rinn got closer and closer he heard more voices, but he didn''t focus on them.
"Rinn finally you''re here, where have you been all day" NJ asked him
Before he could respond Ben already started talking
"He was probably sleeping. You know this bastard." He turned to Rinn
"I''m not joking bro, you sleep wayyyyy to much. You''re not a panda are you?" Then he continued instantly without even a second passing
"Anyways you''re here finally so now we can go to the cliff sea."
Rinn sighed, nodded and the 4 of them started to head off out of the cave. Rinn waved Mara goodbye, before catching up with his group and they just chatted. It was mostly Ben talking and others sometimes butting in, but that didn''t matter. After a few minutes they walked to a place where the torches light didn''t reach them.
DJ quickly chanted and a white orb appeared. They continued through the narrow path until they they got to a jump. Rinn looked downwards and saw the massive fall and the many stalactites on the bottom.
"Rinn are you going to chicked out again?" Ben teased him
"Fuck you Ben, I''m going" Rinn replied quickly
He watched as first Ben easily made the jump, then DJ right after him. Jakiel almost didn''t make the jump, but DJ caught him just in time. This didn''t help Rinns anxiety. He smacked his head a few times. Stabled his heartbeat, Looked infront to where the 3 guys were standing. Braced himself, started running and them he leapt.
Sea of Cliffs
For a moment the world around him slowed. He felt like he was falling to the bottom, like he didn''t make the jump. Then his feet landed on the rock and everything went back to normal and they continued walking.
"Rinn, you''re such a scared cat I cant. How are you the chieftains son and are still scared of heights." before Rinn had a chance to say something back Ben continued to talk good 5 minutes, then change the talk back to how much cool stuff they will do when they arrive at there.
The group continued to walk for over an hour. Talking, pushing each other and joking around.
"Jakiel give me back my water bottle" NJ shouted as Jakiel ran forwards with the bottle in hand that he sneakily took from his bag
"Make me, or you can''t?" Jakiel replied running more to the front. NJ quickly started to move after him. He nearly caught Jakiel, but he slipped out right as he was about to catch him and threw the bottle to Ben, who ran a bit back.
NJ continued to run after who had the bottle, until he grabbed Jakiel who just caught the bottle from Rinn
"Well well well, now you''re mine now" NJ said before pushing Jakiel off and putting the bottle back to where it should be
Rinn just chuckled at this chaos. He didn''t participate in it himself as he was the slowest out of all of them.
"Hey guys look I think I see it" Rinn shouted to them
"No way bro, is your eyesight that good? I knew you had a better one than us, but bro this is too much" NJ said, before muttering another chant under his breath as the orbs light amplified slowly
"Rinn if you''re lying imma kick your ass right here and now" Ben said, and looked at Jakiel as he was about to say something
"Same goes to you if you make this sound gay, you faggot"
Such shallow threat didn''t stop Jakiel though
"Damm bro a threesome and foreplay, didn''t know you were that freaky"
Jakiel then started running as Ben chased after him. While NJ continued to make the orb shine brighter and brighter. After a few minutes the orb was bright enough and they saw the cliff end and the massive sea start many giant spikes sticking out of it and many cliffs made from them decaying. Such a beautiful place was undisturbed by light, except the one visitor brought it.
"Okay, I understand why you wanted to bring us here Ben" NJ said overlooking the majestic sea, the dark water, the beautiful spikes and cliffs making this masterpiece.
"Told you, now can you help me beat up Jakiel, I can''t anymore" Ben said while still chasing Jakiel who outran him a bit
DJ just nodded and also started to run after the two of them. The orb following him. After a minute or two Rinn was left alone overlooking the sea. He sat down, and continued to look. The Dark didn''t hinter his vision. This was a trait he was born with. He didn''t know why. His father, the chief just told him that all the males in his bloodline have had this for millennials. That their bloodline was special, for what purpose he could just ponder.
Rinn concentrated and started to pull out his Gyv again, making the faith he always had into his own Gyv always was not easy. But his tribe believed he was a prodigy. He just accepted the faith and his Gyv grew and grew. He started to imagine something again as he closed his eyes.
A giant wolf. He though what would be his face like. He made his face fur all white with a scar over his left eye. He imagined that the wolfs eyes should be blue. The he should be red, like his Gyv and that he should have no more injuries. Then he struggled to think of how the teeth would look like. How the rest of the body would look like.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Suddenly he opened his eyes as he heard moaning near his ears. He quickly jumped up, but found that Jakiel, Ben and NJ had came back.
"Bro did you fall asleep? HAHAHAHAHAH" Ben laughed. Jakiel quickly followed suit.
The 2 of them laughed to their hearts content. NJ soon also caved in together with Rinn. the four of them laughed and laughed.
After the laughter died down Ben stepped towards the cliffs edge, overlooked the sea and jumped down. Rinn quickly reacted by running near the edge to see if ben really just jumped to his doom. Then an air wave whooshed past him knocking him back as Jakiel and NJ laughed even harder. Ben flew out with on the back of a massive bird. Rinn instantly recognized that the bird was made purely of Gyv.
"Congrats on your first summon Ben. A bird for fucks sake? Really" Rinn shouted towards Ben, as he was far higher than him
"Yup" Ben flew down and landed the giant bird
"Aight, now lets go for a flight, watcha say?"
Before Ben could say anything with his fast mouth Jakiel already was speaking
"Dibs on the place between NJ and Ben."
Ben was astonished for a second that Jakiel could speak faster than him, but then retorted
"Told you he''s gay"
Jakiel laughed harder, before starting to deny it, but it turned into an argument. He still got the seat between them. Rinn sat in the back behind NJ. The bird darted up and they soon found themselves flying over the Sea.
It was magnificent, everyone of them looked down amazed. Then Ben started turning the bird to the left and down , they flew down to the far. Until they were right above the sea. So near that they could touch it, but nobody did. The bird flew the spikes that were massive this low, dodging each of them.
Ben continued to fly them for a while, before turning around and starting to fly back. As they got back Ben unsummoned the Bird and looked back at Rinn, Jakiel and NJ
"Told you I''d show you something cool. Now who''s up to go back to the tribe and go to eat?"
Everyone perked up at the suggestion and they started walking back to the tribe. The walk wasn''t much different than before, other then Rinn making the jump without fear this time. He just beat that hurdle. That jump couldn''t scare him anymore.
As they entered the tribe and walked past some people they went to Granny Nona. When they arrived she instantly pulled out 4 plates and made them her special Steak. Everyone dug and chatted while eating. After the meals were fully devoured they started to part ways.
"I will be going now. I need to go help my mom" NJ spoke
"Same for me" Jakiel added
"I''m going to go join my Dad, he said he''ll teach me how to fight better. And you Rinn? What about you" Ben asked
"I''ll go see what Mara is doing. You know her, she can''t stay put"
Ben chuckled and all of them parted ways for that day. Rinn went back to the cave and saw that Mara was still playing with Reddy. When she saw him walk in she waved and ran to him
"Hi big bro, so what did you do???? Tell me tell me tellmeteelmetellmetellme"
Rinn just pushed her off of him and sighed.
"Nothing happened Mara, now go back with playing with Reddy or ill unsummon him and go to sleep"
Mara scoffed angrily
"You''re so mean sometimes big bro"
Then she went off and continued to play with Reddy and the other kids there. Rinn just continued to watch them for a while, before closing his eyes and there he was again. The wolf. now it was more detailed than before.
"Did he fix what I didn''t make good" Rinn muttered under his breath. He didn''t even know that he did that. He continued to slowly sculpt the wolf in his mind. He saw that the bird than Ben made was clunky, A basic bird he could make quite easily if he put him mind to it, but Rinn didn''t want that. He wanted to make perfect summons. Indistinguishable from real animals. Maybe even better.
Rinn continued to make the beast. He was nearly done, when suddenly he felt a nudge and his sisters words and shouting.
"Big bro. wake upppppp. Wake UPppppppppp. WAKE UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP"
"Ughhh. Mara, what happened? I was busy"
"''Big bro, you were sleeping. You even unsummoned Reddy a bit ago. I though you wanted to mess with me. Then I heard you snoring" Mara giggled
"So what were you dreaming about?" She continued
"I don''t remember actually., but I think you had enough play time for today. Let''s go back to the tribe. Daddy should be home. Tomorrow ill summon Reddy again okay? Rinn said while fist bumping her
"Okay big bro, but you always say that you don''t remember" Mara said and started running out of the cave.
Rinn looked around and found that he and Mara were the only ones left there while contemplating that . He sweared in his mind for falling asleep. Then he got up and started to follow Mara back to the tribe.
Once he got back he instantly went to his tent. Pulled out the sleeping bag. Undressed and went to sleep feeling drained. As he fell to slumber he once again saw the wolf and started to sculpt him again, fully forgetting anything besides that.
Fall of the Prodige
Rinn continued his life like usual for the following months. Training with his father, when he was around. hanging out with friends and overlooking his sister Mara. Most importantly he continued to sculpt the Beast in his mind every time he slept. Soon the other teens started to catch up to his level and go even more. Rinn just couldn''t achieve a new level for some reason. He was stuck in the mud and couldn''t get out and fly.
He started trying harder, but all the effort looked like just made him slow down even more. He didn''t give up though. Rather Rinn tried harder.
That amounted to very little. Soon NJ stopped hanging out with their group, as he joined the men and headed to hunt. Then Ben followed suit. And finally after a year Jakiel also left him.
Even his little sister stopped hanging out with him so much as he was just an untalented nobody and rumors said that even being near him would hinder their growth.
Rinn woke up. He didn''t get up though, rather lying in his sleeping bag for a couple minutes, then slowly getting up, folding it and putting up some clothes. When he walked out he saw that all the men just got back from an expedition, then he heard a voice shouting.
"Hey son, come here. I want to talk to you." It was his father.
As Rinn looked at him he saw his features. The trimmed beard, the fancy cape he had on him and he stern expression on his face. Rinn quickly jogged to him.
"Yes father. What is it?"
"Come with me." His father started to walk hastily towards somewhere. Rinn just followed. After a few minutes he saw that they were starting to head outside the village.
"Father where are we going?" Rinn asked hoping for some answers, but his father just glared at him and sped up his pace even more.
Rinn barely kept up. Soon they were fully far enough from the tribe, that no lights could be seen. They just continued to walk. Rinn''s good eyesight let him see, as they entered a cave. They walked though it. After what it seemed like hours they finally came to the end of the cave. There Rinn looked at what it seemed like massive stone doors.
He watched as his dad touched the door and it started to slowly open. inside he saw that there was a single lit gyv torch, a small pond on the side and a massive basket, what it seemed like filled with small pellets.
"Listen my son. I hate to say this, but it''s been over a year and you''re still at trimon noram. Even your little sister has reached armon basic. Many of the tribe want you kicked out as you''re useless. Their leader is NJ. I think you were friends before right?"
"Y-Yes." Rinn nodded slowly. He felt like his heart just sank to the bottom of his feet. His own friend. His trusted friend. Wanting him kicked out. Why? When?
Rinn countinued to stare at his dad shocked. His look revealing every though. Soon his father spoke again.
"I made an arrangement. You have around 5 years to read armon Peak in this solitary cave and if you do you get to continue living in our tribe and become the next chieftain."
Then his dad touched his shoulder and sadly spoke again
"I''m sorry my son. I couldn''t do any more than this. Else the part of the tribe was going to rebel and you were going to get killed" He leaned in and said quietlyStolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
"I''ll tell you why our blood is special. So just remember this part. Long long ago, when our tribe was at it''s peak and we didn''t like in the fallen cliffs. The chieftain came across a fallen deity. It was a wolf who''s name is long forgotten. But the chieftain helped it go to the afterlife peacefully and got get absorbed by some demigod. So in return as he died he blessed our whole bloodline."
Rinns father then leaned away. Took his hand of Rinn and walked out of the room as the massive stone doors closed.
Rinn started his trainning, but it was a wall too big for him. no matter how much he trained. He just felt the wall. He couldn''t break through, couldn''t get over it. The wall just existed there. unmovable and untouchable.
Half a year later
Rinn continued training. Circulating his gyv, pushing his body as much as he could. But he still didn''t progress. Not even a tiny bit. But a changed had happened to Rinn. He slept even more each day. He started to notice that he would get tired more easily and all he could thing while circulating his gyv was sleep.
Every time he fell into his dreams he saw the beast and tried to complete him, but no matter how many times he tried, he felt a piece missing. A piece of the puzzle was lost somewhere. He continued his feeble attempts until half a year later he was awake only for an hour or two. He just ate, drank, trained for a few minutes trained and went to sleep.
He felt that his life was slowly falling apart. It was slowly out of his touch, but he couldn''t give up. Still his will and determination was broken each time by sleep. As he touched the ground he would instantly fall to slumber.
The next day he was awake for 40 minutes. A week later for 20. And finally he didn''t wake up at all. There he laid of the ground. asleep for many days. Rinn was in his dream world, unable to escape it. There he continued to sculp the wolf, complete the incompletable puzzle. Until one day the beast spoke.
"My boy. Listen to me. Stop such feeble attempts to gain power. I have stopped you from progressing further,"
"W-Why? I have tried to complete you for so long and you just hindered me just like this? WHY?" Rinn lashed out at the wolf
"You would have already been at Peak tier at your age, but I needed to do this. If you would have continued you wouldn''t have been able to complete your destiny" The wolf spoke again. It''s voice permeating every part of Rinns body and existence
"Fuck destiny. Why do I need that, I just wanted to continued my life and help the tribe be. Not be a nobody who just wastes air by being alive" Rinn tried to yell out to the wolf, but his voice said it calmly for some reason.
"Your gyv is the problem. It is made from the people who believed it you and not originally from you. You need to strive for Unity and not faith. If you went up a tier, you could not go back and would have been struck on the wrong path" The voice spoke again
"Unity? what do you mean by that"
"You need to completely give up all your gyv while you still can and train it again. If you do not. You will continue to sleep away till your life end. This will be our first and last talk that we will ever have. I will wake you up and make you remember as much as you can with all my power. Heed my words"
With that the voice of the wolf disappeared and Rinn was left alone again with the incomplete wolfs image in his mind. Suddenly a jolt of pain woke him up. As he opened his eyes he remembered what he dreamt about. The last time he remembered a dream he couldn''t even remember how long that was.
Rinn then looked at his body. It was malnourished. Like he hadn''t eaten for weeks. Rinn started to crawl to the basket of food balls and grabbed a couple of them, instantly stuffing them in his mouth. Then he started to crawl to the pond. He started drinking until he felt good. Rinn then stood up and though about the dream again.
It was clear as day. Rinn sat down on a rock and started to do what he nobody thought he would. He started to pull out every piece of gyv that he had around his whole body and not shape it, but just push it out. His body screamed trying to stop it. But Rinn persisted. And soon he felt empty. His whole body was without any gyv. He also stopped feeling any gyv around him. He was a blank slate. Ready to be used.
Rinn started to train his body again to regain the muscle he had lost during his time asleep and stopped doing any gyv training as he couldn''t. He soon got his physique back, but it wasn''t enough.
After 3 more months he started to feel the gyv again. And he felt a tiny piece in him. It felt unlike any gyv he had seen in anyone. It resonated with his body and united with it.
6 moths later
Rinn finished his training session. He felt alive. And strong, but a strange smell started to enter his training grounds. At first Rinn didn''t realize what it was, but then he remembered it. It was the smell of gunpowder. Gunpower and blood.