I was lying there, on the ground, feeling all of my energy leaving my body. I glanced over at the corpses of the two thieves lying on the ground, lifelessly. And behind them lay my parent's lifeless bodies. My parents, who just half an hour earlier were energetically playing, smiling and laughing with me.
"Anyone there? Do you ne-"
As my consciousness started to slip away, I heard a muffled sound in the background.
***
I woke up, drenched in sweat.
"How ironic that I'm having this dream today" I mumbled to myself.
I used to have this nightmare every day and night after the incident happened. There wouldn't be a day where I wouldn't start screaming in my sleep. But for over 15 years now, I hadn't dreamt about it a single time.
That day, I was saved by a ronin who happened to be nearby, and who took me under as his disciple. I eventually lost myself in my pursuit of sword mastery and even other martial arts, and completely locked away my emotions.
Only time when I would feel alive would be when fighting a strong opponent. And I used any means at my disposal to defeat them.
My Mentor told me many times to fight more honorably, but those attempts would always cease when he saw the emotionless look in my eyes.
After one especially tough match, my Mentor realized that there is no going back for me. As he was still stronger than me at the time, he challenged me to a fight in an empty alley.
However, I pretty much knew what he was going to do, so I made preparations. A few hours before the match I paid a group of children to distract him at the beginning of the fight. Knowing he would never hurt them, I used the opening created to strike.
My Mentor was well ready to block the blow, however, what he didn't realize was that I was aiming to stab him right through his heart where one of the kids had been clinging onto him.
Cleanly piercing through two bodies, I pulled my sword out of them, leaving them to fall to the ground.
Screaming, the kids ran away, and I turned around to leave.
But then my Mentor spoke his last words, which stuck with me for a while.
"There will always be someone stronger than you. Since I wasn't able to stop you, someone else will."
"Looking forward to it" was my only response
With that, I decided to aim for the top of the World. It wouldn't be an easy journey, but as long as I could keep facing strong opponents, that's all I needed.
Unfortunately, it turns out that my mentor was a great liar.
There were indeed many obstacles, the toughest of which was definitely my battle against the previous Martial Emperor, Orlo Xer, which was also the last battle to have excited me.
The match lasted for an entire week. Neither of us lost focus for even a split second, since that would've meant instant defeat. Both of our bodies were covered in wounds, and we were fighting on sheer willpower alone. Eventually, we were just crawling on the ground, where I managed to get on top of him and pummeled him to death. He was a truly formidable opponent, and I had to use every trick in my book to defeat him.
After challenging and defeating the reigning Martial Emperor, the ruler of the World and also the title awarded to the strongest on Earth, that was it.
Noone could stand against me anymore.
I searched far and wide for someone who could stand against me but to no avail.
I even went as far as travelling not only all over Earth, but going through all of the colonies established on Mars, too.
There was one colony on Mars which practiced a technique only usable in the environment of Mars, so I challenged their Master to a fight, but I was just too powerful by then. Though I let the Master live in hopes of the colony one day producing someone capable of challenging me, though I doubted it.
I mean, everyone I fought was easily defeated.
It got to the point where no one would challenge me simply because they were too afraid.
But today is the day that everything will change...
You see, the thing is, no one can defeat me in this world...
But what about a different world?
If I'm somehow able to go to a different world, I should definitely be able to find someone stronger than me.
So I did all the possible research about other worlds I could, but in the end, all I could find was just incoherent gibberish.
But there was still one possibility left for me.
One mankind has known of for over 2000 years now.
And it was one that they usually did their best to not end up in.
Although this may be a long shot, I've got nothing to lose by trying.
After all, a life without fighting is boring anyway.
*Knock knock*
Snapping me out of my thoughts was the sound of knocking on the door.
"My lord, it is time." said the maid standing behind the door.
"Thanks" I replied.
It was time to give my annual speech for my birthday.
Although my main motivation is indeed martial arts, I still take great care of my empire. For me, leading the World is like playing a video game.
Stepping out onto the balcony, sun shining into my eyes, I was greeted by thousands of people sitting around in a colosseum-like structure made of black steel. There were massive screens and speakers laid out all throughout the building ensuring that everyone can see and hear what's going on. The event was also live streamed to the entire world.
"Ladies and gentleman, his royal highness, Emperor Seren."
As soon as my presence was announced, thunderous cheers erupted all throughout the arena as I waved at the crowd, pretending to smile.
Then, raising my other hand, I signaled the crowd to silence.
"Thank you all for gathering here today. As you all probably know, it's my 35th birthday today. On top of that, it's also been 10 years since I became the Emperor. During my reign, the prosperity of the World has seen great increase, and this would not have been possible without the help of everyone present. So, to thank you all, I have prepared a special surprise today."
Oh it will be a surprise alright, the entire world will be shocked.
I didn't really like speeches like this.
They were a waste of time.
But for what's to come, I'll put up with it.
Jumping off the balcony down towards the ground, I landed on a drone, which carried me down to the ground. Slowly walking towards the middle of the colosseum, I slowly pull out a black box and address the crowd:
"My surprise is inside this little black box. Well, it's a truly revolutionary item, one that will change the entire World, and after I reveal it today, you'll never forget it!"
Thunderous applause rang from the crowd.
"Years down the line, you'll be telling your grandchildren about the moment you first saw this item. It will be written down in history books!"
The crowd starting discussing amongst themselves, clearly curious about the contents of the box.
"By now, you must all be dying to know what's inside this little box!"
As I slowly started opening the little black box, the entire colosseum became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The inside of the box revealed a bright silver dagger with emerald patterns running throughout it.
Looking at it, a sense of excitement washed over me.
This was going to rescue me from this boring world.
Raising up the dagger into the air, I said:
"Now, you may be wondering, what is so special about this dagger?" Well then, let me show you!"
As soon as I said that, I stabbed myself with the dagger precisely into the heart.
Medical staff rushed to me, but it was too late.
Though they may have been able to heal a stab wound, I made precautions.
Right as I had that thought, a ball of plasma enveloped my entire body.
Not a single cell would remain.
There would be no saving me.
I was going to confront the Devil and no one was going to stop me.