Eyes twisted around as everyone gazed at one young man with scars warping his skin, and large muscles that looked alien when compared to his face. He was young, only about nineteen years old, yet he had this strange and praiseworthy determination wrapped around his eyes, that made one want to just believe in the fellow even without any reason.
A bitter grin formed on Won's face, as he heard the news. Elation and despair mutually exploded in his heart. Yet he slowly accepted reality.
Touching the graves once more with his fingers, he whispered, "Wish me luck brothers."
Won then departed towards the deeper parts of the dungeon, there he began to wildly punch out in a unique pattern.
His fists were violent and bloodthirsty, removing any face and simply trying to kill. He twisted his body as he spun and punched out, his feet moved like a rabbits as he danced around. He kept this up until he was sweating all over and his muscles severely ached, yet Won still didn't completely stop, he began to recite the boxing actions again with before each punch be breathed in the thick malice in the air, and then the without trying to do anything to the aura, letting it stretch through his body, and then he shot a fist releasing a deep breath with countless impurities. This could be considered a manner of Cultivation, yet it was extremely slow and the amount of energy absorbed was very minimal.
A small amount of malice began to stretch it's tendrils around Won's bones, and like tar began to wrap around them slowly fusing itself to his bones. Then they seeped into the bone marrow and a stinging pain shot through Won causing him to wince, as tears began to slowly fall. He continued to fell the pain surge through his body. Pulling his head up and bellowing, he then made the second fist action after taking a deep breath. Again Malice surged through his body this time they rode atop the bones as if the bones were saturated in malice, they then stretched towards his five Yin organs. Like needles stitching threads onto cloth, malice began to embed itself in his organs. Won bit his lip as he felt his nerves shake violently due to the stimuli, it was quite hard for him to stand up. Even though over the three years Won had been here, and he had made his own boxing style, he still found trying to amalgamate with the malice so potent in the air extremely taxing on his mind as he was in constant pain.
Yet Won made it a point to do this every other day, if he couldn't who knows how many countless times he would've died.
Making over ten fist actions, and after continuously filling himself with malice, he collapsed to the ground and began to breath in quick successions as a pain wafted over him.
Won comically mused, "All this pain and effort, but I'm sure I don't have a chance against White Dragon. It's kinda unfair ain't it."
Of course knowing this couldn't save him from anything.
Won sat up and dragged his pained body to a more soft part of the dungeon, sneakily stealing a pillow from a fellow prisoner.
Finding himself in a place where the ground was soft like putty, from the wear and tear of time. He laid down each movement coming with a gross amount of pain.
Closing his eyes tightly, he forced himself to sleep.
The dream yet again repeated a man riding a dragon into the sky, causing flames and fire to drift across the world. Yet this time the sound of a Zither could be heard. The twisting flames dispersed, and the countless battling dragons and deities faded into dust. Won then began to smile, as the Zither continued to play, and drifted into a restful sleep.
What Won didn't know was right at that very moment in the battling area, a masked woman with a Zither in front of her was fighting, a black cloaked figure a black crown on his face as black smog shot off his body.
As the Zither was played, strange and powerful vibrations shot through the air hitting the Black cloaked man causing him shoot into the ground. The Black cloaked figure coughed up blood. The woman then pulled the Zither sideways as she danced her fingers upon the zither strings and a loud cacophony filled the area. The Black cloaked man, and even the people in the dungeons who had become filled with malice roared in pain as the malice began to roll and twist uncomfortably.
The Woman was about to finish off the black cloaked figure now that the smog atop his body had diluted, yet just then a man wearing a silk robe with a sword at his feet came and caught the woman, and then they dissapeared in a rainbow light.
The black cloaked figure on the ground continued to writhe in pain, yet slowly he began to calm down. Black smog bellowed from his pores again covering him. Then a well acquainted fellow came out from hiding, Aloof. Aloof went towards the black cloaked figure and said, "Senior brother, are you okay?"
The black cloaked figure looked at the completely fine appearance of Aloof and then his own battered body, and blood. Rage filled him as the black cloaked figure sent out a punch into Aloof, this sent him flying into the walls.
The black cloaked figure frowned within his cowl, "Who was that woman, she could easily dispel our malice and defeat me. Her cultivation couldn't have been much higher than mine, yet I couldn't make a single move against her. Worse yet she could cause the malice in my body to burn! Who was that person and what is her background!"
The black cloaked figure looked towards Aloof and said loudly, "Third Junior brother, tell our information gathering people, to find a woman with long black hair, skin white like porcelain, a great talent with the Zither. Her Cultivation is about our level and her lineage of Cultivation seems to be quite expansive and profound, therefore search big families and sects first. Furthermore tell she has a helper of a very high Cultivation level, that rides a sword. His sword leaves a sword light of the rainbow meaning his Cultivation involves the five elements. They both also have the lingering scent of plum blossom."
Aloof bowed and said, "Yes, senior Brother."
...
Won woke up rather early, a smile on his face, yet as he looked around he found those who lived in the dungeon on the floor with painful expressions drawn on their faces.
Won didn't think much of it, considering the fact that certain points in any prisoner in the Graveyard will be like this due to the malice in the air, with even Won needing hospitalization due to the severity of the pain putting him an inch away from death.
Won instead of thinking as to why everyone had a mass attack of malice, went towards a certain part of the dungeon. He knocked his hand against the wall, and on one a dull sound could be heard. Won used his nails to then try and pull the brick out, inside was a small bottle within which needles floated. Inside the small clear bottle, was a colorless liquid that Won frowned upon gazing at.
He muttered, "Today should be the day the flowers take on a brown color, yet why is it still clear. Damn it. I had been thinking of using this to have a chance at victory... Please let the flowers to bloom."
Saying that he closed the hole in the wall once again. He then took out a few pills from a small porcelain bottle in his boots. He took out a few yellow pills and threw them down his throat.
A bitter taste filled Won's mouth, yet more clear was the shine in his eyes.
Won then began to practice his boxing yet again, soon exhausting himself he quickly rushed to get some food to fill his empty stomach.
After a good meal he again began to box.
Won did this today and the day after leaving the final day to rest himself for the battle to come.
Won laid with his back on the wall, his eyes without focus nor composure. A bottle gourd was then thrown near to him, dragging his head up Won saw a fellow prisoner of the Graveyard with a big build, and an awkward frown on his face.
The prisoner said, "You buried my brother, I must show my appreciation in some way."
Won smiled and picked the gourd, opening the cap he smelt a thick herbal aroma wafted into Won's nose. A herbal wine mixed with wild ginseng a hundred years old and many other precious herbs. Won bowed slightly towards the prisoner and drank the wine. Soon a flush came upon Won's face, and a deep sadness aswell. Recollecting his life Won couldn't help, but feel slightly let down. What had he achieved and done. Even when kicked out from the kingdom, there was still a bright and glorious dream of adventuring past the four corners, through the endless seas towards some special place he could possibly call home.
Won mumbled, "I want to live, I really do. I want to see the sun rise and then set, I want to see the moons numerous faces. I want to climb mountains and play in rivers. I want to eat foods from all over. I want to experience the various cultures that give flavor to this mundane world. I want to live and do all this, and more."
Won gripped his hands as two lines of sorrowful tears raced down his face, yet no man in the dungeon could laugh at him. Perhaps when faced with an inevitable fate such as his they would cry aswell, perhaps with even more tears and sorrow.
Won was awaken soon after, with a clear mind and a sober realization - Today was the day he would most likely die.
Won stood up and began some gentle movements to help calm his mind, his hands and feet moving like a river riding the mountains and kissing the clouds. Eventually the river reached the sea, and Won opened his eyes with peace of mind.
What will happen, will happen regardless of man.
Won held his hand to his heart, feeling the rapid beat he breathed in and out slowly. His trembling fingers, began to still, and his heart began to cool.
Going near to Libra and Juan, he made a grave. With a cold, still expression he wrote his name with a sharp stone.
Here lies Won Ro ~ Thing's can be left to fate or now they can be decided. Never leave things to be decided, always choose 'Or now.'
Won bitterly smiled and put his hands together and prayed. No one else probably would, and Won definitely didn't want to turn into a Hungry Ghost, even he was the only one who remembered himself.
Won's battle was the first of the days, and soon enough the same black Knight who announced the battle came to collect Won.
He led Won to a different stadium than he normally fought in, it seemed this was reserved for the top fighters.
Won stood in front of two large silver gates, his heart betraying him and pounding loudly.
The knight looked at Won and asked with an emotionless expression, "No regrets?"
Won laughed, "Can there be anyone with no regrets? I doubt it, furthermore I'm not so naive nor brave to say that I have none. I wish I could have protected my mother, that I could have fought for myself more, that I could have enjoyed the sun when I could, that I enjoyed my life while I could. Yet a man is not a man because he has no regrets in my opinion, a man is a man because he does stupid things because of his emotions. A prince who gives his throne to marry the maid, the demon who saves the world for a human, people like them. Nonsensical fools who are so emotional that they can't control themselves. I like a fool will battle a giant being who I can never comprehend. Isn't that pretty manly?"
The knight looked into Won's eyes and said, "Perhaps. Yet a fool typically dies."
Won retorted, "And I know some people who like death compared to life, they say it's rather peaceful after all."
The knight nodded, "I suppose everything is about how you look at it."
Won nodded his head, "It's all about perspective. I mean you look mean yet your the nicest guy here."
The knight looked at Won with a questioning gaze.
Won said, "You saved me that one time right? Forget it being a forbidden zone, I killed a guard and tried to escape. I don't think I or the many other prisoners who somehow manage to survive in that hell hole, would be here without you."
The knight made a slight laugh, "Well what a waste. I saved you, yet here you are throwing that very life away."
Won looked up, "I don't consider it a waste, a waste would have been becoming some scummy guy who does wrong to everyone else. Instead the guy you saved is now here fighting for the revenge of his friend."
The big gates opened, shining brilliant white light upon Won and the knight.
Won walked forward, without turning around he said, "Who knows I might live. That'd be one great story."
...
What Won expected happened, large crowds over one hundred thousand filled the stadium, a blinding white light at the top. Furthermore of the ten darkness kings, eight were present including Aloof.
In front of him was a man wearing a loose black hanfu, with long white hair falling down his back to his waist. His eyes a dazzling white as well. He bore an elegant and royal aura, yet that couldn't remove his roots as upon his handsome face were very common and undesirable features. His eyes contained a fear that he tried desperately to hide, his brows lacking the sharpness of an Emperor or powerhouse.
His wistful nature all too clear from his over extravagant demeanor. With every movement he showed great charm and character befitting a hero, yet it was too much, comparable to a mix of makeup turning into a hideous mess.
Holding a katana in his hand, with coiling jade dragons upon the sheathe, upon the katana's hilt was red and white silk. It looked incomparably mighty and carried with it the call of war and battle, with sound of swords clashing vaguely ringing in the air.
Won went towards the stands for weapons and picked up two thick gauntlets, forged in dark fire and born consuming Nether ingots, these black gauntlets that rose up to the elbow truly were a class above the rest. Ghosts were drawn upon it's beautiful sheen in purple dye. Black mist shuddered out of the gauntlets as Won put them on. Won couldn't believe the great weight belonging to the gauntlets and barely managed to be able to move proficiently enough. He also took a broadsword, even though not as amazing as the gauntlets it was also very strong.
Won tightened his grip upon the broadsword as he made a few practicing swings, after completing those he hung the sword upon his shoulder and made short, heavy steps to be in front of White Dragon.
Roars erupted, excitement filled the air, and a blood thirsty smell loomed.
White Dragon looked at Won, his nose pointed to the sky, his eyes gazing down at Won.
Won stared back awkwardly. Eventually he sent back a cold glare, so harsh and fierce that even hungry wolves would be given a shock. White Dragon frowned.
White Dragon said, "I am a man favored by god and heaven, my abilities and talents are far exceeding that of any common man. Born from common farmers, yet blessed with Dragon roots! If I am not the heavens blessed, then I shall say no one is."
Won shrugged his shoulders, "I am not a man of god, I believe not in heaven nor god, my apologies. I believe that blessed is a matter of perspective, and opinion. I also believe that the worth of a man is greater than his blessings, but rather what he does with or without blessings. Can you be sure that you have not wasted what you have been given? That you have not incurred the wrath of the very god who gave you so much? Although I lean towards believing their is a god, I doubt he would care about us, perhaps to him we are no more than pigs rolling in mud."
The White Dragon laughed, "You remind me of the northerners and their godless heresy, all their questions and ponderings on what if and what not. Quite similar indeed."
Won chuckled, "Well I would not consider deep thought solely towards the northerners. Any person has the capability to have some self reflection, of course one needs to have some smarts to do that as well."
White Dragon snorted, "And you say I am a fool?"
Won replied, "I am not the man who salutes god for his own effort. It's like welcoming the thief into home and family, quite redundant."
White Dragon said, "Without God's will, what happens is mere precedence to catastrophe."
Won laughed, "Correct me if I am not wrong, but isn't God's will commonly the very reason for catastrophe?"
Won continued, "Furthermore the Northerners are not the only ones to begin in self growth and development. The east has the three schools - Taoism, Buddhism and confucianism, each teaching a manner in which to act and improve the self and grow. Only the west and the unrefined south continue to ask God to coddle them, without making any actual effort. Those who try and innovate are considered Heretics and killed, it isn't a surprise that the west faces great trouble."
White Dragon snorted, "Those who turn away from God shall be cast away from salvation and providence."
Won questioned, "Is this all great god so egotistic that he only favors and protects those who recognize and follow him devotedly? Is God's love so cheap and easy? Shall is not embrace all of creation equally without reason nor doctrine? Of course if a true God really existed, perhaps this God you speak of so egotistical and desiring like a whore is a false god. Claiming the Firmament, yet not owning it."
White Dragon ridiculed, "Enough word play and questioning, let our weapons make sense of the chaos. Whether my God or your cynicism."
With that White dragon ripped his katana out of it's sheathe sending a coil of unnerving energy through the air, he then tapped his feet and began to flutter into the air.
Won spun the sword in a circular manner, while White Dragon quickly approached and made a downwards cut.
Sparks filled the air, as the two weapons clashed and an indomitable force pushed Won.
Won began to be dragged, his heels causing two large canals to form. His arms aching as a great force travelled through him, shaking his organs fiercely.
The broadsword began to crack. Won let go of the force he was exerting, falling back into a roll.
White Dragon moved forward due to the inertia. Before he could move, Won appeared behind him and sent out a fierce punch.
White Dragon dissapeared from view, leaving only a plume of dust. A chain of twisted laughter was sung.
Won was readying himself, when suddenly from the dust cloud a katana came flying. Won barely managed to tilt his head, the blade cleaving through his cheek leaving a nasty scar.
Yet it wasn't done yet, suddenly White Dragon hopped behind the katana, grabbing it's hilt he spun it and like a batter swung Won away.
Won's face and legs got scraped from the intense force as he slid across the ground leaving nasty torn skin hanging loose. Won planted his hands down and pressed, he sprung up and swirled into a stop. His face wincing in pain.
Won began to run dragging with his the ground causing dust to scatter.
White Dragon with a smile raced with his Katana.
Meeting each other, White Dragon swung his Katana down which was reflected by the gauntlet. Won then shot an uppercut info White Dragon's stomach causing him to lift off the ground.
Very quickly Won came into horse stance and threw a right punch, twisting his back and throwing his left hand back. An intense force formed in his right fist as if twisted through the air and knocked into White Dragon's face.
While falling backwards, White Dragon used the toe to flick Won's chin.
Won was thrown up and then fell harshly, his eyes wide open as to how a toe could do that.
White Dragon said, "For a mortal you are very capable I'll be honest. Yet this isn't a battle of mortals! Coiling rising!"
White Dragon's katana began to shine with a white glow. Then a corkscrew shaped Lance made fully of white light appeared encapsulating the katana. The twirling pattern transformed into a extremely realistically dragon which roared towards the Seven heavens, and rushed towards Won.
Won's eye's opened, his body began to tremble as fear took over him.
Won closed his eyes and after what seemed an eternity, Won regained some composure.
Won tightened his fist, clenching his teeth. He took a massive gulp of malice, resembling a whale.
The malice danced across his body.
The gauntlets were filled with black smog that twisted like tongues of fire.
Won executed his boxing technique.
Yet comparable to an ant facing god - There was no hope.
Won was flung, he hit into the wall causing it to shatter similar to his bones. A large stump where his right arm existed caused a shower of blood. His chest had sunk in, and blood flooded his mouth. Wailing in pain, Won couldn't even move as he was stuck in the wall like a mosquito squashed. Death! This was death!
Won's screams were paced as if his lungs and brain couldn't handle everything, blood tears fell down his face.
White came skipping towards Won. He grabbed Won's face with his hand plucked him out, throwing him behind his shoulder.
Perhaps his nerves were fried as except for the already extreme pain he couldn't even feel being tossed.
White Dragon picked Won from the ground and then spun his hand, before throwing him again into the wall.
Again, again, again, again, again, again, again...
Won's eye's were dull, as his entire body was destroyed. His arms twisted unnaturally, his legs ripped to shreds, his chest broken completely.
Yet White Dragon wasn't done.
Laughing he said, "Eating a mortal will ruin my appetite, so I'll settle for cracking you like a walnut."
Holding Won by his throat, White Dragon threw punch after punch towards his head, perfectly controlled for pain.
Won seemed to have reached some kind of soberness as his mind began to relive all his memories.
Won saw his pretty mother, and he saw the time they spent together - arguably his most precious times. He saw them get ripped away as she died. He saw himself get tormented, and talked about as if he was some kind of illness. He saw his pathetic escapism. He saw his effort to be mature and always have a way of insulting those who called him garbage.
He saw Libra, he saw Juan. He saw them get killed, he saw them get squashed into a bloody mess.
He saw the cruelty of the world, he saw how the world and it's people ignored him. He saw his sister, and he saw his step mother, he saw White Dragon.
White Dragon suprised at seeing Won's clear eyes asked, "You're still sane? Impressive."
Won looked down, his throat choking on his blood and his bruised facial muscles twitched as a gargle came out, "Are you winning?"
White Dragon raised a brow, "What?"
Won laughed hoarsely, "You've already lost, because you'll always be that farmers child, no matter how you try to escape that is your destiny. Instead of accepting it as your past, you threw it away. Instead of it becoming a determination, it became a weapon. No matter how much you kill, that past of yours will always be your curse! So kill me, yet I'll die knowing the one who killed me is being tortured by his past. So kill me and continue your escapism! Kill me! Kill me! Kill me!"
White Dragon roared furiously as he sent a punch embedding Won in the wall, Blood burst out like a small explosion covering the White haired White Dragon.
Won laughed crookedly.
White Dragon said loudly, "I am the Heavens son! I am no mere farmer! I will never be ordinary! I shall rise!"
Won looked at White Dragon's twisted face and knew that even though he had lost, he had also won.
A cheap victory, but a man would never go down without a fight.
White Dragon raised his sword, becoming cloaked in white light. Suddenly a blackness filled the sword, as a spiral of darkness combined with the white.
Time seemed to slow down for Won, he would have died even at full strength, so all he could do was sigh,"I really want to live, is it truly such a crime to desire so? Is it truly like Briggs said, am I truly unfit to even desire. I want to live, I want power, I want spend my nights sleeping upon the grass with the stars as my companions. In the morning I want to eat good food and drink good wine, play with a pet, talk with a friend maybe have a wife. In the evening I want to rest on the clouds with a bottle of wine in hand, watching the sun set. I want go be free..."
Within Won's heart acupoint, a random purple crystal began to light up and with it the wrath in Won's heart erupted.
"I want to live! I want to live! I want to live! I want to get revenge on those who have wasted me! I want to take revenge for my brother's! I want to take back my freedom! I want to desire!"
All the malice in Won's body began to shake and vibrate as if excited.
Won roared, "It's all humans fault! My suffering, my brothers suffering, all peoples suffering! It's all the fault of these detestable, cruel and mindless humans! I want to live, I will live! I want power, I shall gain power! To get back my happiness, I need to kill all humans!"
[Desire close to meeting requirements], a voice beyond space and time, greater than any force, spoke. It was mute to all beings no matter how great their hearing may be.
Won roared loudly, "I hate this world, I hate every being in this world. I have lost all love and respect I have for this world and it's people. I just want to destroy it. Why is my suffering a must? Did I commit some great sin being born? Ah, yes I did. Hahaha, well then let me embrace the sin I am, let me become the scum you so desire. Let me become malice and hatred, and let me burn this world to ash. Let my wrath burn forever! Even in death let my soul haunt all of creation!"
"Let my wrath burn! Let my regret curse! Let my hands slowly plunder into darkness and cruelty! Let my form be reborn in the flames of cruelty, like a great iron tempered, let my will kill all humans!"
[[Desire has met requirements. Two Way's available for the user! "Infinite Immortal System"or "Human Extinction System"]]
"I WILL KILL ALL HUMANS!"
["Desire System" birthing {Dew of Tao}, {Way of Human Extinction} unlocked! "Human Extinction System"Initiated! {Way of Slaughter}, {Way of Extinction}, {Way of Life}, {Way of Eternity}, {Way of Freedom} - Obtained!]
[Host is in immediate danger! Host is severely hurt! Host is contaminated by malice and pill poison!]
[Initiating (Destruction and Reconstruction process)? Risks present: Mental state immediately afterwards will be chaotic. Process recommend as for a short time great power is available.]
Won could finally hear a loud voice echo in his head, yet lacking any actual will only madness he roared like a wild Beast.
"Kill Humans!"
[Ding... (Destruction and Reconstruction process] commencing. Please hold...]
Suddenly Won's body began to implode as his body began to get sucked up into his head, eventually his head breaking down with only a drop of blood and some mystical, crystalized, beautiful jewel. The aura it released was unfettered and delicious, even Gods would beg and crawl for this in great depravity, this same aura caused everyone's eyes to be filled with greed.
The Darkness Kings exploded outwards, their eyes red in a mad fervor. White Dragon who was closest, his eyes similarly turned bright red, as he reached his hand out as if expecting this scene belonged to him.
Yet a wild, malevolent aura spread outwards and threw everyone away. White Dragon was thrown away, his face scaping against the ground revealing a gruesome scene, as out from his skin bone popped out. His head bore open due to the great force pushing against him and like a watermelon being squashed brain matter scattered, some even hitting some spectators.
The drop of blood and crystal like drop fused, like threads being stitched together.
A violent, vibrant explosion happened causing the stands to crumble. Debris flew at high velocity, slashing and pounding various people killing countless. The screams of people filled the sky, as they all exercised their various magics and martial arts to gain a chance at survival.
Yet like a domino, once the wall near Won had been destroyed the rest of the area began to crumble leaving a living tomb for those present.
The Darkness Kings warped back to reality as they saw their kingdom crumble, using all their efforts they tried to fix the falling area.
Aloof looked at his second Senior brother, and bellowed, "Senior brother, should I call the rest of our brothers?"
Yet before his senior Brother could talk, Aloof was horrified to see a hand impaling his brother. He trembled as he looked at the source of that hand. A thin, scholar like fellow, who seemed to be in his memory filled his view. With long black hair twisting in the wind, he looked truly divine.
The hand was holding a beating heart, eventually the hand clenched itself and the heart burst apart scattering bits and pieces of the organ around.
The figure then turned towards Aloof, a crazed smile so big the skin around his mouth had torn apart and his entire mouth could be seen in the shape of a curved moon. Two tears of blood coming from golden pupils. A laugh then escaped this figures mouth as he whispered, "Kill all humans. Hehe."