**Season 3, Episode 2
### The First Glimpse of Anandvana
From last chapter....
With the contract binding him, Nero followed Mooai and Mani as they led him and Eri through the gates of Anandvana. The city was beyond anything Nero had ever imagined. Mesmerizing beauty surrounded them at every turn—white marble buildings that glittered in the sunlight, streets lined with blossoming trees, and children playing freely in the wide-open spaces.
"It's… perfect," Eri whispered, taking in the sight.
Even Nero, who rarely showed much emotion, couldn't hide his awe. "I've seen plenty of worlds in my time, but this… this is something else."
Mooai, noticing their amazement, softened her gaze slightly. "Anandvana is known as the City of Knowledge and Freedom. We protect it fiercely."
As they walked deeper into the city, Nero noticed adults engaged in their work, while elderly men stood as teachers, educating the younger generation. There was a harmony in the air, a balance that was rare to find in any world.
"This place feels untouched," Nero remarked. "Like it's beyond the reach of the chaos that plagues the rest of the universe."
Mooai glanced at him. "For now."
---
### A Night of Celebration
Later that evening, Mooai led Nero and Eri to a resting place within the city. After settling in, they all decided to explore the city's night festivities. The streets were alive with music, laughter, and the joyful chatter of its citizens. In the center of the city, a grand performance was taking place—a singer named Yusan captivated the audience with his beautiful voice.
As Nero and the others stood on the sidelines, Yusan's voice echoed through the crowd. "For the next part of the performance, I'll need someone to help me with the sound rhythms. Who among you is eager to give it a try?"
The audience erupted into excitement, many hands shooting into the air. Nero watched in amusement, but then something strange happened. Yusan's eyes glowed with a rhythmic pattern as he scanned the crowd, and then his gaze locked on Nero.
"My friend," Yusan called out cheerfully, "I can hear your heart singing. Come on up, let's see what you've got!"
The crowd began cheering for Nero, and despite his usual reluctance, he stepped forward.
"Well, looks like I don't have much of a choice," Nero said, picking up a guitar and a few other instruments. With surprising skill, he began playing each one, syncing perfectly with Yusan's performance. The music flowed effortlessly between them, lighting up the night with a breathtaking show.
The crowd cheered louder with every note, completely enthralled by the performance. Hours later, as the show ended, Nero returned to the sidelines where Eri and Mooai were waiting.
"You never told me you could play like that," Eri teased.
Nero shrugged, a grin tugging at his lips. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
---
### A Hidden Conversation
As the night came to a close, Mooai and Yusan met in a quiet alley, away from the celebrations.
"I think you're overthinking things," Yusan said, his voice calm. "He doesn't seem like a threat. If anything, he's completely harmless."
Mooai crossed her arms, her expression serious. "He's a Dual Gate user, Yusan. And what's more surprising… he can manipulate energy with ease."
Yusan's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's impossible. Dual Gate users haven't existed for millions of years. And energy manipulation… that's an ancient technique from Anandvana's masters. If he can do that…"
"I'm confident that I can handle him now," Mooai interrupted. "But if his growth rate continues… and with how cunning he is… I'm afraid we'll have a problem on our hands."
Yusan shook his head. "I believe you, but I also trust my Rhythm Power. It's never lied about someone before. He's not a bad person… but still, we should be careful."
Mooai didn't respond, her mind lost in thought.
---
### A New Mission
As the first rays of sunlight bathed the city of Anandvana, Nero, Eri, and Mooai prepared for their next steps. Nero stood near the window, clutching the amulet Obsidian had given him, watching as it faintly glowed in his palm.
Mooai walked up behind him, her gaze suspicious. "What's that in your hand?"
Nero turned to her, holding up the glowing charm. "Oh, this? It's an amulet. Obsidian said it would guide me to a suitable teacher here in Anandvana."
Mooai raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A teacher? Well, if that's true, there are many top-level masters in the Central Capital. It's the best place to seek knowledge."
Mani, joining them from the doorway, nodded in agreement. "Your amulet seems to be pointing in that direction anyway. The Central Capital is our destination."
Mooai glanced at the horizon, her expression unreadable. "It's a long journey, and we'll pass through many villages along the way. Anandvana is the largest continent here, and reaching the Central Capital will take time."
Nero stretched lazily. "Great… more walking."
Eri smirked. "You're really starting to sound like an old man."
Nero shot her a playful glare. "Yeah, yeah. Let's just get moving."
---
### The Journey Through Anandvana
Their first stop was a village known as Autumn Garden, a picturesque place surrounded by golden trees and blooming flowers. The scenery was breathtaking, even by Nero's high standards. As they passed through, they were greeted by the warm smiles of the villagers, who were busy tending to their crops and crafts.
"It's beautiful," Eri commented, her eyes filled with wonder.
Nero nodded, though his thoughts seemed elsewhere. "Yeah… but something feels off. It's too peaceful."
Mooai shot him a warning glance. "Don't ruin the moment, Nero. Not everywhere is plagued by chaos."
They continued traveling through the villages, each one more mesmerizing than the last. The peaceful beauty of Anandvana's villages was unlike anything Nero had experienced before, but beneath the surface, he could sense something darker lingering in the air.
As they neared their final stop before the Central Capital, Nero's expression grew more serious. He paused, staring westward with a frown. "Something's wrong."
---
### A Village in Despair
Mani, noticing Nero's sudden shift in mood, followed his gaze. "What is it?"
Nero didn't answer immediately, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the energy in the distance. "There's misery, sadness… suffering. It's coming from that direction."
Mooai's face hardened. "Don't concern yourself with it. That's a village where the outcasts of our society are sent—those who break the rules or commit sins. It's their fate."
Nero clenched his fists, his eyes flicking toward the village. "Even the children? There are young ones, barely six or seven years old. What did they do to deserve this?"
Mani's expression was grim. "They're suffering for the sins of their parents. That's how it's always been."
Nero scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is even worse than most of the civilizations I've seen. Newborns are paying for crimes they didn't commit, starving, with no access to basic needs. If you ask me, I could fix this with just a snap of my fingers."
Mooai glared at him, her voice sharp. "No need. Don't meddle where you don't belong."
Nero's eyes flashed with frustration, but he remained silent, letting the moment pass. The group spent the night in the village, though Nero's thoughts remained troubled.
---
### Nero's Midnight Mission
Later that night, when the moon hung high in the sky, Nero stirred from his bed. Quietly, he cast a sleeping spell over Mani and Mooai, ensuring they wouldn't wake.
He turned to Eri, who sat on the windowsill, watching him with a knowing smile. "Eri, keep an eye on Mooai. I'm literally terrified of her. Don't let her know I snuck out."
Eri nodded, giving him a reassuring look. "Got it."
With that, Nero made himself invisible and flew high into the sky, hovering over the suffering village. From this vantage point, he could see the misery more clearly—people starving, children crying, the faint glimmer of life hanging by a thread.
As he watched, Whity, the positive manifestation of Nero, appeared beside him.
"Cruel as hell, isn't it?" Whity remarked, his voice soft yet filled with sorrow.
Nero's face darkened. "Yeah. I don't understand how a civilization so advanced can have such a dark side. This kind of flaw… it's going to be their undoing."
Whity nodded. "It's their own flaws leading them to their downfall."
Suddenly, Nero sensed something—a fluctuation of dark energy, faint but strange. He frowned, focusing on the source.
"What was that?" Nero asked, his eyes scanning the village below.
Whity's tone shifted. "It's weak, but it feels off. A wave of energy born from deep hatred… and regret."
Nero's gaze sharpened as he spotted a group of soldiers chasing a young child. A man was standing in front of her, protecting her with his life.
---
### The Struggle Below
"Why are you after a child?" the man demanded, his voice hoarse but defiant. "Let her go. I'll take the punishment. Spare her."
One of the soldiers sneered, drawing his blade. "Takuseki, a warrior like you shouldn't be spouting such cowardly words. Hand her over and stop making this harder than it has to be."
Takuseki stood firm, his body trembling but his resolve unwavering. "I'd rather die."
The soldiers lunged at him, and for a brief moment, Takuseki fought back with surprising skill. But then, he coughed up blood and fell to his knees, clutching his chest in pain.
The soldiers moved in for the kill, their weapons poised to strike down both Takuseki and the girl. But just as their blades descended, time seemed to slow.
In the next instant, the heads of the soldiers nearest to Takuseki exploded, leaving only blood and silence in their wake.
One of the remaining soldiers sent out a signal for reinforcements, but before he could react, Nero vanished from the sky and appeared next to Takuseki and the child, teleporting them to a safer location.
---
### A Mysterious Warrior
At their new hideout, Nero quickly assessed Takuseki's condition. The man was still coughing up blood but seemed stable for the moment.
"You don't look like a dangerous person," Nero said, his tone curious. "So why are they after you? What's going on?"
Takuseki's eyes, heavy with fatigue, studied Nero for a long moment before speaking. "Before I answer… tell me why you saved us."
Nero shrugged, leaning back against a tree. "It's not that complicated. First, I don't like seeing kids die. That's reason enough for me."
Takuseki raised an eyebrow. "And the second?"
Nero grinned. "You're smart. I'm looking for a teacher who can teach me the core principles of energy manipulation. Just by looking at you, I can tell you've got something valuable to offer."
Takuseki chuckled, though it was cut short by a fit of coughing. "Knowledge isn't free… so what do you have to offer in return?"
Nero's eyes gleamed as he tapped into his power. "I can see a deadly curse placed on your meridians. It's blocking your energy flow and even affecting your soul. A curse like that can only be placed before you were even aware of it—probably at birth. I can remove it. I'll restore your strength to its peak."
Takuseki closed his eyes, a sad smile tugging at his lips. "I don't need my strength back."
Nero blinked in surprise. "What?"
Takuseki's gaze turned sharp, piercing through Nero. "You're a Dual Gate user, aren't you?"
Nero took a step back. "How do you—?"
"I know many things," Takuseki replied, his voice growing serious. "But what I need you to do… is save Anandvana in its hour of destruction. Can you do that?"
Nero hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. After a long pause, he nodded. "Alright. I'm in."
---
### The Return to the Resting Place
The next morning, Nero quietly slipped back into the resting place where Mooai and Mani were still asleep. He hoped to settle in without causing any disturbances, but as soon as he opened his eyes, Mooai was there—her hand immediately grabbing him by the neck.
"I knew it," Mooai growled, her grip tightening. "You've been up to something, you sneaky bastard!"
Nero barely restrained himself from panicking as he loosened her grip and put on his most innocent expression. "What are you talking about, Mooai? I was just getting some fresh air!"
Mooai narrowed her eyes, but before she could press him further, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Master!" Mooai suddenly dropped Nero and knelt down in respect. They had arrived at the secluded home of Takuseki.
Nero's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… you know Takuseki?"
Mooai shot Nero a furious look before punching him on the shoulder. "Address him properly, fool. Master Takuseki was my mentor during my primary training, but he disappeared for years. I never expected to find him like this."
Takuseki, sitting calmly under the shade of a tree, greeted Mooai with a gentle nod. "It's been a long time, Mooai. You've grown strong."
Mooai's expression softened. "Master, the Central Capital is after you. They want you dead."
Takuseki chuckled, though it was tinged with sadness. "I'm aware. I've been living in hiding for a long time now, but it seems my past has finally caught up with me."
(With innocent expression/like he knew nothing about what happened at night)
Nero watched the exchange with growing curiosity. "So… is this my new teacher?" he asked, glancing between Mooai and Takuseki.
Mooai shot him another glare. "You need to show more respect!"
Takuseki raised a hand, stopping Mooai's lecture. "It's alright. Nero and I have an understanding. We've already discussed what needs to be done."
---
### Training Under Takuseki
For the next few days, Nero began his rigorous training under Takuseki's guidance. They retreated to a remote area in the forest, far from prying eyes and any potential threats. The training, as expected, was grueling, pushing Nero's abilities to their absolute limit.
Takuseki's methods were intense, but his knowledge was invaluable. He taught Nero the deep intricacies of energy manipulation, helping him refine his control over the Dual Gates.
"You're not just wielding two powers," Takuseki explained during one particularly exhausting session. "You're wielding two separate realities. The challenge is not in mastering them individually, but in merging them into a singular force."
Nero wiped the sweat from his brow, his body aching from hours of intense focus. "You make it sound easy."
Takuseki chuckled softly. "It's far from easy. But if anyone can do it, it's you. The power you wield is unlike anything this world has seen in millennia."
Nero sat back, panting heavily as he absorbed the weight of Takuseki's words. The training sessions were physically and mentally draining, but with each passing day, he felt himself growing stronger—more in tune with his abilities.
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