1703 at Night
In the heart of the Forest of Darkness, Leo Reinhardt ran for his life, He was exhausted, half-naked, and weaponless. blood dripped from his wounds, leaving a trail on the forest floor. His face was etched with disbelief, unable to comprehend the betrayal he just witnessed. Two men, once his closest allies were now chasing with deadly intent.
They were none other than the King of Serus Kingdom, Haydn de Pierce, a 9-Star Swordmaster, and Aaron Ashford, a 9-Star Magician and leader of the underground association of the human race. Leo had trusted them with his life, never suspecting the day would come when they would betray him.
As his strength began to fade, Leo stopped running. He turned to face the two men, his breath heavy, confusion and desperation clear in his eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" Leo demanded, his voice is weak.
Haydn laughed, a cold, cruel sound that echoed through the dark forest. "Why? Because you're dangerous, Leo. You're the one who will bring annihilation upon this kingdom."
Leo had nearly reached the pinnacle of his power—a mere step away from becoming a 9-Star Spear Emperor. The gap between the spear, sword, and magic of the human race was vast, and Leo's breakthrough threatened to upset the balance. But he knew there was more to their betrayal. A deeper, darker reason lingered in the shadows.
*Is it because of that day?* Leo wondered, his thoughts racing. *Did they discover what I uncovered?* His mind ache, trying to piece together the puzzle. *But why kill me? I only wanted to protect this land, to see my sister again…*
Aaron interrupted his thoughts with a mocking grin. "Trying to figure it out, Leo? Hah! You won't need to know, because you're going to die right here, right now."
At 34, Haydn de Pierce was the third strongest in the human race. Aaron Ashford, at 32, was the fifth. They were at the peak of their powers. And Leo Reinhardt, a 30-year-old 8-Star Spear Emperor and the sixth strongest human, was on the brink of reaching the 9th Star. The mastermind behind their plot was Arthur Windward, the Wind Sword Emperor, the King of Baiviles Empire, and the strongest human alive.
Leo clenched his fists, anger and despair coursing through him. "I'm not a threat to this kingdom. All I want is to see my sister again," he pleaded.
Aaron sneered. "You, who will achieve the 9th Star, will destroy our plan to—"
Haydn's eyes flashed with warning, and he cut Aaron off sharply. "Does it matter, Leo? You're about to die."
Leo reached out with his mind, trying to summon his weapon—*the Spear of Mjölnir*. But he felt nothing. The legendary weapon, his only hope after his family's death, was beyond his reach. He had acquired it in the Labyrinth of Darkness, and it had been his constant companion, his symbol of hope. But now, when he needed it the most, it was silent.
"You'll die anyway," Haydn said coldly, raising his sword.
*Why?* Leo's thoughts spiraled in despair. *Why is this happening? I didn't do anything to deserve this.*
As his consciousness faded, Leo was filled with regret, knowing that he was going to die with so much left undone. But just as the darkness began to consume him, a blinding light surged towards them with incredible speed, arriving before Haydn could strike the final blow.
__________________________
Before Leo's death, a sudden light burst forth, blinding both Aaron and Haydn. The source of the light was none other than his spear—the Spear of Mjölnir. A voice, cold and ancient, whispered in Leo's ear.
"Do you want revenge? Do you want to save your family? Do you want to see your sister again?"
Leo, barely conscious and drained of blood, struggled to process the words. But with the last of his strength, he whispered, "Ye…yes…"
Seconds later, Leo died.
But then, he awoke.
Confused, Leo found himself in a familiar room, a place from his past. Panic surged through him as he stumbled to a mirror. The reflection that stared back at him was not the face of a dying man, but that of a boy—a younger version of himself, with a small body and a face untouched by the scars of battle.
"What…?" Leo's voice trembled, and then he screamed, "Whaaaaaat!?"