Electric surprise coursed through Lou-ra as her arms instinctively wrapped around Nicolas. The warmth of his body, a stark contrast to the sterile environment where none of the gods touched themselves and the ones she had touched were cold.Although her consciousnesd had snapped her out of the ethereal conversation, a huge part of her didn't want to let go just yet until she had had enough of the only person she missed when she appeared of the gods realm.Her eyes flew open, and a strangled gasp escaped her lips. Her embrace faltered, a mixture of confusion and panic flooding her face."Forgive me, my Lord," she stammered, pulling away abruptly. "It was rather improper for me to behave in such a way… I didn't realize…" She bowed her head in apology, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.It was unthinkable that she, a mere servant, would commit such an act of engaging into an embrace with her master. It was simply unheard of.Nicolas, momentarily stunned, offered her a reassuring smil
As Nicolas, Asteria, Skr'll and Lou-ra continued their journey deeper into the realm of gods,the harsh white void melted away, replaced by a breathtaking landscape which beauty took the breath from them all."This place is magnificent" Nicolas said as his eyes scanned the entire area within seconds.Although Lou-ra had been present in the realm for sometime, she had not been allowed to go beyound places where she wasn't supervised."I am in awe" Lou-ra pinned in.Green hills stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with fantastical trees that shimmered with an otherworldly glow. Crystal-clear rivers flowed through valleys that incorporated various vibrant wildflowers that released a sweet, intoxicating aroma. The very air vibrated with a subtle energy, whispering of magic and wonder. This was the true realm of the gods, a paradise unlike anything Nicolas had ever imagined."Welcome to the innermost parts of Elysium," Asteria announced, his voice echoing in the vastness. "The gar
It had all happened so fast: first a god named Asteria had appeared on the battlefield then a blinding light engulfed the entire environment, momentarily disorienting everyone that dared to stare directly into it.When their vision cleared, the sight that greeted them was both baffling and alarming. Nicolas, Skr'll, and Asteria were all gone. Vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a lingering sense of displaced energy."Where are they? Where did they disappear to?" Leon asked, his voice filled with desperation as it echoed through the desecrated jungle.Xeno, still clutching his injured arm, pushed himself off the ground, a sharp hit of pain twisting the countenance on his face.Anger pulsed through him, hot and raw. He'd been so close, so damn close to finally ridding himself of his enemies and now this? This divine intervention was an insult. A primal growl escaped his throat, echoing through the stunned battlefield.He needed to return back to his castle and have his injuries
Nicolas eyed Xylos calmly. He didn't remember the last time, since he had come to this new realm, that someone had looked at him as a weak being.He opened his mouth to talk and defend his powers in front of the great all-powerful god but he thought against it. He needed to behave calmly while here so as not to start something he wouldn't be able to finish.In the meantime, Nicolas took his time to admire the inner decor of the god's house.The crystalline walls of Xylos' dwelling shimmered with an ethereal glow, casting an otherworldly light upon all of them whom were gathered within. Asteria, the imposing figure radiating celestial power, stood silent, his form cloaked in shadow despite the pervasive light. Nicolas, his face etched with a mixture of determination and apprehension, shifted uncomfortably on his feet. The weight of Asteria's words still hung heavy in the air – a power within him, a responsibility to restore balance.If he had been told he would do what was expected of
The world shifted around Nicolas as he stepped into the portal, letting the familiar glow of Xylos' dwelling replaced by a blinding white light. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, as the light subsided to reveal a desolate landscape. This wasteland made him almost take a step back but it was already too late."What the hell is this place?" Nicolas asked loudly.Razor-sharp winds flew at his face, biting through his thin clothes with its chilling cold. From where Nicolas stood, there was no human in sight and the winds blowing made it hard for him to keep his eyes open for long.Snow stretched out to the horizon, an endless expanse of white broken only by jagged, icy mountains that went so far up as if fighting to reach the pale sky. The air hung heavy with an unnatural stillness, broken only by the mournful wail of the wind.Nicolas shivered, a primal fear gripping him. This was no ordinary wasteland; it was a place of pure, unyielding cold that seemed to crawl into his very bones.
The frozen air lingered in Nicolas' throat as he tried desperately to breathe properly, but it seemed the cold was already crawling deep into his body, despite being in the wasteland for a short time.Panic hammered against his ribs, a loud drumbeat that signified his fear drowned out by the howling wind. His eyes darted around the hungry circle of wolf-like creatures, searching for a weakness, an escape route. Despite how many times his mind searched for an escape route where he could run away and be in the clear from the danger tbe monsters posed, but there was none."Nicolas," Abron's voice whispered as he emerged from the depths of his mind where he had been sleeping."Well, it's nice to see that you've decided to wake up only to watch me because dinner for a pack of wolf monsters" Nicolas said, his anger evident in his voice.Abron momentarily took over Nicolas' eyes to see the monsters he spoke of. He scoffed loudly then returned ownership of sight to Nicolas."Why do you shake
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
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
The beast's snarling echoed through the jungle as it turned to face Nicholas once more, its eyes glowing with primal hunger. Nicholas's breath came in ragged gasps, the world around him spinning as fatigue and fear gripped him in equal measure. He stumbled backward, his mind scrambling for any solution, any way out. But there was none.The beast lunged again, claws extended, saliva flying from its jaws as it hurtled toward him. Nicholas raised his arms in a futile attempt to defend himself, but he knew it was hopeless. This was the end.Suddenly, a shadow flickered at the corner of his vision, fast and silent. Before Nicholas could comprehend what was happening, a blur of motion slammed into the beast with bone-cracking force. The creature let out a deafening roar as it was knocked off course, crashing into a tree with enough force to shake the ground.Nicholas blinked, his mind struggling to process the scene. The man, his new teacher, stood between him and the beast, his movements
Nicholas stood frozen, every muscle tense, as the figure slowly approached him. The jungle’s oppressive silence seemed to amplify the sound of the stranger’s footsteps, each one deliberate, almost too measured. Nicholas had never seen anyone like this before, and the man’s glowing eyes made his skin crawl. Despite the man’s frail appearance, there was something unsettling in the way he moved, like he wasn’t fully human. "You seek power," the figure repeated, his voice a rasping whisper that seemed to slide through the thick air like smoke.Nicholas swallowed hard, trying to ignore the knot of fear twisting in his gut. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, his voice rough from exhaustion. He stepped back, his hand instinctively reaching for the sharp stone he had used against the beast earlier.The figure chuckled, a sound that seemed far too deep for someone so gaunt. “Do not play games with me, boy. You wouldn’t have survived this long if you weren’t seeking somet
Nicholas strained against the heavy branch, muscles trembling with exhaustion. The wood groaned and splintered under the pressure, but it still held firm. Below him, the beast circled, blood dripping from the wounds he'd managed to inflict with the rocks. But it wasn’t backing down—it was waiting, eyes gleaming with a cold, predatory intelligence.Nicholas grip tightened around the branch. His body was screaming at him to stop, to rest, but there was no time for that. The beast would not give him a second chance.With a grunt, Nicholas gave the branch another violent shake. It splintered more, cracking like a whip in the still air of the jungle. Below, the beast growled, pacing in tight circles, as if anticipating his next move. Sweat dripped down Nicholas’s forehead, blurring his vision, but he couldn’t afford to stop.The branch finally gave way with a loud crack. For a heart-stopping moment, Nicholas hung in the air, feeling the world tilt as the massive piece of wood began its f
Nicholas blinked, rubbing his eyes, his vision swimming. When he looked again, nobody was there. No footprints, no signs of movement, only the quiet crackling of the fire remained.He staggered, disoriented. His heart was still pounding from the fight, his body bruised and aching, and now his mind was unraveling. Lou-ra’s comforting presence was gone, evaporating into the night like mist.He was alone. The jungle’s oppressive atmosphere closed in on him, the thick air suffocating as it pressed against his lungs. The dark canopy above loomed like a ceiling, shutting him off from the sky, from any sign of hope.Panic clawed at his chest. He fought to suppress it, but the loneliness gnawed at his mind, dragging him into despair.”I have to get up. I have to keep moving."But his body refused to cooperate. Every inch of him ached, a testament to the brutal training he had endured. He hadn’t just been fighting the man he had been fighting against his own fear, his weakness. And now, it was
Nicholas's muscles tensed as his mind raced. His body screamed for him to retreat, to flee into the dense jungle, away from the impending confrontation. But something deep inside him resisted. Maybe it was pride, or perhaps the sliver of defiance that refused to bow to fear. Regardless, he knew there was no turning back. The man had laid down the challenge, and to back down now would mean surrendering his spirit entirely.The man continued to stare Nicholas down, a tower of strength and menace, his battle-scarred chest heaving with quiet confidence. He wasn't making idle threats; Nicholas knew that. This world didn't leave room for empty promises. Survival was earned through blood, sweat, and the unwavering will to stand when everything inside screamed to fall."I... I'm ready," Nicholas finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.The man’s lips curled into a feral grin, satisfied with the decision Nicholas had made, even if it was drenched in fear. "Good," he said, his voice l
Nicholas's heart pounded loudly against his ribs. The man's casual dismissal of his plea for an alternative sent a fresh wave of terror crashing over him. A primal urge to flee battled with the knowledge that escape was impossible. This wasn't a test of his fighting prowess; it was a potential death sentence. Nicholas was stuck between pleading for his life or just putting his hands up as a sign to show that he has surrendered. He knew that fighting with this man would mean his imminent death and she was not prepared to die especially when he had to return to Lou-ra."Sir, please," Nicholas pleaded, his voice cracking with a tremor he hated. "There has to be another way. Let me train with something, a log, a…" he cast his eyes around, desperately searching for anything that wouldn't fight back. The man's lips curved into a humorless smile, devoid of warmth. It wouldn't be a mistake to say that she was actually looking forward to this fight.There was something about Nicholas that ju
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
The birds beneath them let out warning cries and adjusted their flight paths to give Nicolas and the man better positions to defend themselves. Another beast lunged at Nicolas, its talons extended and fangs bared. Before it had time to fully attack Nicolas, it's found itself getting struck in the head in an instant.“Good!” the man shouted. “Keep moving, don’t let them overwhelm you!”Nicolas barely had time to register the man’s words before another beast was upon him.This one was larger, more aggressive. It swooped down with terrifying speed, its claws aiming for Nicolas’s face. He ducked at the last moment, feeling the rush of air as the creature’s talons whistled past his head. He swung his knife upward, catching the beast in its unprotected belly. It howled in pain, thrashing wildly before retreating.All around them, the battle raged. The man moved with a grace and precision that left Nicolas awestruck. His movements were a blur, his weapon flashing in the moonlight as he st
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