The enraged wyvern was determined to devour the one who dared attack it, and the first person it set its sights on was Syndra. This was far from her first battle, but her experience was still lacking, and she didn't immediately react to the creature's swift approach.
Regaining her composure, Syndra quickly summoned two dark spheres and hurled them at the wyvern. The orbs struck its tough hide with incredible force. The beast shrieked in pain as the attack pierced parts of its armor-like scales, leaving deep, gaping wounds. Opening its maw, the wyvern spat a glob of venom directly at Syndra. Spotting the incoming projectile, she dodged to the left—she lacked any defensive spells, relying solely on raw power. The venom splashed onto nearby bones and scraps of wood, which instantly began to melt away.
The creature seized the moment as Syndra stumbled in the sand and lunged at her. She struggled to rise, and Kylen, ready to intervene, hesitated, deciding to wait. Syndra managed to act just in time; tendrils of dark energy swirled around her, mirroring those that coiled around the wyvern's body. Thrusting her arm forward, she lifted the beast into the air as if it were a mere plaything, then hurled it against a nearby cliff. The wyvern collided with the rocky surface and tumbled to the ground, dazed. It rose sluggishly, now watching the small sorceress with much more caution.
Despite their resemblance to dragons, wyverns differed significantly—they lacked intelligence, did not grow wiser with age, and were driven purely by primal instincts.
By this time, Syndra had regained her composure. The magical aura surrounding her body lifted her into the air, and five more orbs appeared, orbiting her form. She combined them into one massive sphere and launched it toward the wyvern. Sensing the danger, the beast tried to escape, but the orb pursued it relentlessly, finally colliding with its body. Another powerful explosion shook the area, sending plumes of dust into the air.
She still has a lot to learn about control, Kylen thought, observing the destruction caused by her magic.
When the dust settled, the wyvern lay in the middle of a massive crater, its body battered and bleeding, clinging to life.
"Master, should I finish it off?" Syndra asked.
"I've been considering that. The creature is a danger to those around it, but we weren't asked to kill it," Kylen replied as he stood, his arms crossed behind his back, and approached the wyvern's fallen form.
Their deliberation was interrupted by the sound of voices calling out from afar, urging them to stop. Kylen froze the wyvern's limbs in ice, deciding to wait for the approaching warriors. He had already noticed their well-crafted armor and swords. These were not ordinary Ionians.
"Wait," one of the men called as they drew closer.
"We came to save the villagers from this wyvern," Kylen said calmly.
"We're grateful for your efforts, but the wyvern is already on the brink of death. It's better not to harm it further," one of the warriors replied, inspecting the beast's wounds.
"What do you intend to do with it?" Kylen asked.
"We have our methods," the man said, stepping closer to the wyvern and pulling out a small pouch. He sprinkled its contents over the creature's face, narrowly avoiding a bite as the beast lunged at him in desperation. Standing tall, the warrior closed his eyes, extended his hand, and began to chant softly.
The effect was immediate. The wyvern, which had been snapping and straining toward him moments ago, began to calm down. Its movements slowed, and a milky haze spread over its eyes.
"Could you remove these restraints?" another warrior asked, gesturing toward the ice. Kylen waved his hand, and the ice shattered into thousands of tiny shards.
The wyvern stood up, its aggression completely gone, and began pacing calmly. The warrior who had been standing in front of it led the creature away.
"You've spared us a great deal of trouble. Thank you for your help," the man said. "Now that the wyvern has been dealt with, let us introduce ourselves. I am Si Yuan, a warrior of the Kinku Monastery," he said with a slight bow.
"I am Sub-Zero, and this is my apprentice, Syndra," Kylen replied, bowing in return.
"Are you wandering monks?" Si Yuan asked.
"Something like that," Kylen answered. He paused for a moment before asking, "Will the wyvern no longer trouble the villagers?"
"No. We will guide it far away to a new habitat, away from the village," Si Yuan replied.
"Wouldn't it be simpler to ensure it never causes problems again?" Kylen pressed, voicing the obvious.
"We strive to maintain harmony. Killing rare creatures disrupts the natural order, so we aim to minimize our interference," Si Yuan explained.
As they conversed, Si Yuan's companion returned and introduced himself as Suru. Seizing the opportunity, Kylen began asking them about their monastery.
The Kinku Monastery was a place where warriors were trained to uphold their duty of protecting the balance in Ionia. At its head were two masters, the Eye of Twilight and the Fist of Shadow, chosen from the monastery's strongest and wisest warriors.
Anyone willing to dedicate themselves to protecting peace could join the monastery and learn its techniques. However, they would then serve under its command, following orders and occasionally being sent on missions like the one to relocate the wyvern.
When Kylen asked if it was possible to leave the monastery, he received an affirmative answer. Those who could no longer fight or had lost their resolve could leave, but they were forbidden from using the monastery's techniques ever again. As a result, very few ever chose this path.
"Could I train at your monastery?" Kylen asked.
"Why would you want to? We've seen the strength of your apprentice, and surely your own power is no less. While we welcome all, it's… unusual," Si Yuan responded, clearly puzzled.
"There is no limit to perfection," Kylen countered.
"Let's present you to the master and let them decide," Suru suggested.
"In that case, can we travel with you?" Kylen asked.
"We're unfamiliar with the area and would prefer to follow your lead."
"Then let's set out," Suru decided.
As they walked, Kylen expressed curiosity about the techniques taught at the monastery. At first, the warriors were reluctant to share, but eventually, they revealed some details. The training began with mastering martial arts and fortifying the body. Once the body was sufficiently tempered, the next stage—filling—would begin.
In this phase, spiritual energy would fill the warrior's "vessel," enabling them to transcend human limitations. They would become faster, stronger, and more resilient, reaching superhuman levels of ability.
Kylen was troubled. His magic had strengthened his body far beyond theirs, and even without using it, he could defeat them with little effort. The idea of heading to the monastery no longer seemed so remarkable. He needed to meet the masters—perhaps they were equal to him in strength, or even stronger. Blindly trusting the witch's words about the artifact was unwise; she might have fabricated the story and had far grander ambitions in mind. Yet dismissing her claims entirely wasn't an option either. Perhaps only the gods held the answers locked in the past, though given his relationship with them, asking for guidance was not an option.
Their journey didn't take long. After a day's travel, they reached the foot of a mountain where a long, winding staircase led up toward the heavens. The path twisted and turned, with varying inclines. At the start of the trail stood two warriors in armor similar to that of their companions.
"Hey, Kiran, Mulut, got punished again?" Suru asked as he approached them.
"It's all his fault. He broke the rules again, and I tried to stop him," the younger one on the right, barely sixteen, replied indignantly.
"Oh, listen to you! You were running ahead of me," Kiran retorted.
"You thought spying on the women's baths was a good idea?" Si Yuan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No!" they both shouted in unison, glaring at each other angrily.
"I see. Well, these guests are coming with us," Suru informed them and started up the staircase.
"Do you train women here?" Kylen asked.
"Yes, but very few. Most women prefer to tend to their homes, while we men must protect them from outside threats," Suru explained.
"I see," Kylen said simply.
The climb up the mountain took far more effort than expected. Syndra, completely exhausted, couldn't move her legs anymore. Feeling sorry for her, Kylen conjured a boar and set her on its back. The warriors were visibly astonished by his magic, their eyes wide with disbelief.
At the summit, they saw a valley filled with numerous buildings. The entrance was marked by an archway, guarded by more warriors than those at the base. They were allowed through without much trouble. Inside, the paths were paved with stones and lined with immaculate lawns. These paths crisscrossed the area, leading in various directions.
At the center of the valley was a large square where people were training, practicing strikes and techniques.
Eventually, they were led to the mountain itself, where a temple was carved into the rock. Its massive doors were open, and they entered. Walking down a corridor adorned with murals depicting battles against various monsters—likely the monastery's achievements—they reached the end of the hall, where they were stopped.
"Suru, Si Yuan, the masters are not in the temple at the moment," a woman in an elegant red kimono said as she approached them. Her hair was tied in a bun, and she radiated an air of authority.
"Elder Sister," they greeted her with a respectful bow.
"Who have you brought to us?" she asked, her eyes briefly lingering on Syndra before fixing intently on Kylen. "Why do you wear a mask? Are you hiding your identity?" she asked, intrigued.
"No, I'm simply used to it," Kylen replied matter-of-factly.
"Elder Sister, this is Sub-Zero. They helped drive off a wyvern, and along the way, we learned they even subdued a spirit, restoring harmony," Suru explained.
"You're definitely not from Ionia, are you?" she asked, stepping closer, almost pressing her chest against him.
"I'm from Freljord," Kylen replied, refusing to be provoked by the deep neckline of her kimono.
"You've traveled far," she said, stepping back to create some distance. "Follow me; I'll take you to them. They're planning a demonstration sparring match for the students, and it's about to begin."
Without waiting for them, she turned and headed toward the exit.
"Elder Sister is a cunning woman. Be cautious around her," Suru whispered.
"I thought I heard something," she said, her tone sharp, and Suru instantly vanished from sight.
"Let's go, Syndra. We'll see the local masters," Kylen said.
"Yes," Syndra replied.
At the exit, the woman in the kimono waited for them, and together they proceeded forward.
"You haven't introduced yourself. How should I address you?" Kylen asked.
"My name is Azalia," she replied.
"I am Sub-Zero, and this is my apprentice, Syndra," Kylen said.
"Pleasure to meet you," she responded.
"Likewise."
Demonstration matches between masters were a rare event, and they were fortunate to witness one. The duel would take place in the main square, which had recently been cleared, though it had been full of training students just moments ago. However, the training schedule was strictly regulated, and skipping sessions was not allowed. People were already gathering around the square.
Azalia led them to a small gazebo set slightly apart from the square itself. Taking a seat on a bench, they waited for the match to begin.
"So, what brings you to our monastery?" Azalia asked.
"The same as everyone else," Kylen replied.
"Really? I don't think so. Your inner world is open to me. You are clearly not a weak person," Azalia said.
"Am I an open book to everyone?" Kylen asked.
"To those who can see beyond the physical world, yes. But there are techniques that can conceal one's essence," she replied.
"And your monastery teaches these techniques," Kylen surmised.
"Perhaps," she said with a hint of amusement.
"I'm not here to uncover your secrets. I need your techniques, and in return, I'm willing to offer my services," Kylen added.
"And what can you offer?" Azalia asked, her tone now genuinely intrigued.
"I am a warrior. Battle is my craft," Kylen replied.
"You know, we strive to maintain harmony and avoid fighting as much as possible. Why would we need a warrior?" she countered.
"The people of your land might disagree," Kylen said. "During my travels here, all I've seen is your people trembling in fear of malicious spirits, dragons, and wyverns. And I haven't been here that long—I can only imagine what else roams these lands."
Her brow furrowed; it was clear she was all too aware of the truth in his words.
"We do everything in our power to preserve harmony," she said defensively.
"I think you're just too afraid to act decisively," Kylen replied bluntly.
She wanted to admit he was right, to say it aloud—but she couldn't. Doing so would go against all their teachings. Sometimes, she herself wished to personally destroy every monster capable of harm, yet she hesitated, bound by the monastery's principles.
The monastery's masters were divided in their beliefs: one faction advocated non-intervention, while the other was more aggressive, desiring to eradicate every threat. Their differing views had never reconciled, as though a curse loomed over the monastery's leadership.
Among the students, whispers began to ripple. On the stage, two warriors emerged. Their armor covered their entire bodies but allowed them to move with remarkable agility. One carried a single sword on his back, while the other had two daggers at his waist.
"To the left is Master Twilight Eye, and his opponent, Master Shadow Fist," Azalia announced.
Kylen watched them intently. There was a faint sense of danger about them, but he felt disappointed. They didn't radiate the power he sought. Perhaps he had been too hasty in his judgment; they might still surprise him.
The two masters approached each other, stopping a short distance apart, and bowed in respect. Then they stepped back to their positions, assuming combat stances, and stood motionless, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Clang! The sound of a gong echoed across the arena.
The two combatants immediately charged at each other, engaging in a flurry of hand-to-hand combat. Their movements were swift, their strikes relentless, each attack met with solid blocks and sharp counterattacks. Their martial skills were impressive, Kylen noted to himself.
Twilight Eye seized a moment, flipping Shadow Fist over his shoulder. But instead of slamming into the ground, Shadow Fist dissolved into a veil of darkness. A few flickers of dark energy later, he reappeared at a distance, slashing the air with quick hand movements. From his palms, shadowy daggers erupted, slicing through the air toward Twilight Eye.
A bluish barrier formed before Twilight Eye, absorbing the daggers as they struck and dissipating them. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, summoning a spectral sword of azure light, which lunged toward his opponent with lethal intent.
For the first time, one of them had drawn a weapon. Shadow Fist unsheathed his daggers, deftly deflecting the spectral sword's dangerous swings.
In an unexpected move, a burst of energy marked Shadow Fist's disappearance, leaving behind a residual shadow. He reappeared next to Twilight Eye, who was deeply focused on controlling his spectral sword. Forced to abandon the construct, Twilight Eye drew his own physical sword from his back, parrying Shadow Fist's strikes.
The blade in Twilight Eye's hand glowed with energy, flashing dangerously close to Shadow Fist's face. Leaping back just in time to avoid injury, Shadow Fist created two shadowy clones of himself. The three figures hurled daggers in unison, but they once again met the impenetrable barrier.
Their duel devolved into a contest of ranged attacks against an unyielding defense. While the crowd watched in awe, captivated by the intricate techniques and dazzling displays of skill, Kylen found himself growing bored. Though their abilities were remarkable, it was clear to him that this was nothing more than a demonstration.
"You don't seem to be enjoying the fight," Azalia said, noticing Kylen's lack of interest.
"It's a fine display, but it's obvious this is just a performance," Kylen replied.
As if to affirm his words, the duelists continued for a few more exchanges before concluding the match. They bowed to one another, declaring it a draw. The audience erupted into applause, marveling at the masters' prowess.
"Would you like to try your hand at a fight?" Azalia suggested.
"Hm, you're right—I should test their skills for myself," Kylen said. Before she could respond, he was already on the arena floor.
"My name is Sub-Zero, and I challenge you both!" Kylen's voice boomed, silencing the arena instantly.