A painfully continuous throbbing in his head woke Nicolas from the icy grip of unconsciousness that had taken him as a price for disobedience to Xylos.He blinked, his vision blurry at first, then slowly sharpening to reveal the rough but cozy interior of a small cave. Sunlight entered the safe haven through a single, tiny hole positioned right above his head, casting dancing patterns on the animal skin rugs that covered the floor.Nicolas tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back down. His hand, the one that had channeled Abron's power, throbbed with a dull ache. He winced, his gaze falling on the other occupant of the cave.The man from yesterday sat hunched over a small fire, a large, blackened leg of some creature roasting over the flames. The pungent smell of roasted meat filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile coldness of the wasteland.Nicolas felt his stomach go sick immediately he realized what the man was roasting to serve as food.Th

Sunlight, delightful and warm, surrounded his entire body and made him silently thank the gods that he didn't have to deal with dying from hypothermia.The air which was thick with the sweet scent of blooming flowers vibrated with the melodic chirping of unseen birds whom seemed to be close by as he stood outside enjoying bimse and the warmth that followed.Gone were the biting winds and desolate white expanse of the frozen wasteland, accompanied with the numerous threats of unknown monsters and abominations. In its place, a beautiful jungle filled with delight that stretched as far as the eye could see.Nicolas stood frozen, mouth agape, as he surveyed the breathtaking transformation. Skepticism and apprehension worked hand in hand with awe.Could this be some kind of illusion? Or maybe it was a trick sent by Xylos to mislead him. He pinched his arm, the sharp sting confirming this was no dream. He had truly entered a world unlike any he had ever known.He glanced back at the cave en

The clearing where the fight had taken place was a scene to behold. Although the fight had already ended Nicholas still found it hard to believe than one man had been able to take down three incredible beasts with his hands without any use of magic. It shocked him to see that such a being existed in this fantasy world when he thought that everything depended, including survival, on magic and the ability to use powerful spells.The jaguar, lying stiff with glazed eyes, looked almost feline in its repose – almost. The hulking creature, however, was a grotesque tableau of ripped flesh and destroyed fur, which was a testament to the man's brutal efficiency."I don't even know what to say. What are you even? Are you a man or a beast or some kind of god?" Nicholas asked, his mind field with various questions.The man didn't answer but rather he kept quiet as he fixed his eyes on his trophies which laid on the ground motionless. Truth be told, he didn't care much about Nicholas and his pres

The rush of wind roared in Nicolas' ears as he plummeted through the air, the ground rushing up to meet him at a terrifying speed. His stomach lurched, and he felt sick.This was it; he was about to die. The realization struck him with a cold finality, and every second felt like an eternity. Nicolas closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable impact.Then, a sharp whistle cut through the chaos, and something massive and powerful surged beneath him. In an instant, strong talons wrapped around his torso, and the sensation of free fall ceased. His eyes flew open, and he gasped as he saw a bird, majestic and enormous, soaring upwards with him in its grasp. The bird’s feathers glimmered in the sunlight.Within moments, Nicolas found himself back in the sky, being lifted toward the man and the first bird. The change from impending death to sudden rescue left him breathless and shaking. As the bird finally leveled out beside the man, Nicolas clung to the feathers, his knuckles white.The m

Nicholas stirred from a restless sleep, shivering beneath the thin blanket he had wrapped over himself the night before.The cave, once a temporary haven, had offered little protection against the bitter cold that had transformed the jungle into a frozen wasteland. His breath emerged in visible puffs, and he rubbed his arms continuously, trying to bring warmth into his limbs.As he emerged from the cave, blinking in the early morning light, Nicholas' eyes registered the significant change in his surroundings. The cold desolation of the previous night had given way once again to a lush, vibrant jungle. Birds chirped cheerfully, and the air was thick with the earthy scent of plans and trees. It always felt unreal how the jungle had reborn itself overnight, shaking off the icy grip that had held it captive. The beauty of it all marveled Nicolas each time he sees it.Standing at the edge of the clearing was the man who had taken Nicholas under his wing, training him for the Armageddon