The fight between Athos and Grizz was reaching its climax and Kelly once again got knocked out. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of fallen Eldoan and Beastfolk warriors. The air was thick with the scent of blood and the sounds of labored breathing. The once vibrant forest now seemed to close in around them, a grim reminder of the stakes at play.
Athos looked at Grizz with an expression that mixed amusement and pity. "I pity you Beastfolk." he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Grizz, his chest heaving with exertion, snarled, "Don't look at me like that!" He lunged at Athos with his axe, his muscles straining with the effort, sweat glistening on his fur-covered brow.
With a swift and powerful kick, Athos sent Grizz sprawling backward. The force of the blow knocked Grizz into a nearby tree, the impact causing leaves and small branches to rain down. In the blink of an eye, Athos teleported across the battlefield, reappearing next to Kelly, the unconscious Eldoan mage. His right hand, ending in sharp claws, aimed directly at her vulnerable form.
"No!" Grizz roared, his voice echoing through the trees. He threw himself between Athos and Kelly, using his massive frame as a shield. The ground beneath him trembled slightly with the force of his determination.
Athos's eyes narrowed in confusion. "You!" he spat. "You Beastfolk are discriminated against and fight a meaningless war because of the Eldoans, yet you protect an Eldoan mage?"
Grizz gritted his teeth, his eyes never leaving Athos. "Don't touch her. She's mine."
Kelly, regaining some consciousness, blushed deeply. "Who said I'm yours, idiot?" Her voice was weak, but there was a spark of defiance in her eyes.
Athos raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Are you in love with that Eldoan mage, Beastfolk?"
Grizz, from the bear clan, felt his cheeks flush even more. "Don't misunderstand. I didn't mean it like that!" He quickly turned his gaze to Kelly, trying to cover his embarrassment. "I mean, I will defeat you next time after I defeat this guy!"
Athos laughed, a dark and mocking sound that reverberated through the clearing. "You? Defeat me? Are you dreaming, or perhaps my attack has clouded your judgment?"
Grizz, frustration evident on his face, thought to himself, "I hate to admit it, but I can't beat this guy. Tsk, what should I do?"
Kelly, now more aware of her surroundings, struggled to her feet, using a nearby rock for support. "Grizz, we need to work together. Alone, we don't stand a chance, but together, we might have a shot."
Grizz glanced at her, his resolve hardening. "Fine. Let's take this bastard down."
As Grizz and Kelly prepared for the next onslaught, a powerful voice suddenly shouted through the chaos.
"Kelly!!!"
The three combatants turned towards the source of the voice. Standing at the edge of the clearing was a tall, imposing figure.
"Teacher Rowena!!" Kelly shouted, a mixture of relief and surprise in her voice.
Rowena Lomius, the first vassal of the King, stood with an air of authority and power. At 42 years old, she was a direct descendant of Belz Lomius, the legendary mother of magic. Her presence commanded respect, and the aura of magic around her was palpable.
Grizz, his eyes widening in recognition, muttered, "That's Rowena? The strongest Mage… no, the strongest Eldoan?"
Athos narrowed his eyes at Rowena. "So, the famous Rowena Lomius graces us with her presence. This should be interesting."
........
In the vast expanse of the original universe—a realm where reality itself was both nothing and everything—stood the ancient domain of the divine gods. This was the origin place, the cradle of existence, where the fabric of reality was woven by beings of unimaginable power.
Akser, an ancient divine god, stood before a shimmering orb. The orb displayed a young man named Joe, who believed himself to be a mere human who had ascended to godhood. Unbeknownst to Joe, he was far more than he realized.
Akser's eyes, filled with both sadness and hope, focused on the orb. "Your power is the most dangerous thing, son. I hope by the time you regain your memories, you will have changed for the better. My son… Aknid."
The revelation was profound. Joe or Aknid, the self-made god, was he really a powerful deity who had lost his memories?.
.......
Back in Ash Minse Room
Ash Minse, known for his cheerful and friendly demeanor as a martial arts teacher, now wore a wicked expression. Dawk Coe, a teacher renowned for his expertise in offensive and defensive combat magic, lay lifeless beside Lerona Everdale, the knight teacher who clutched her chest, struggling to breathe after being hit by Ash's dark power.
Lerona, holding her sword with trembling hands, glared at Ash. "You possess dark magic, you evil monster!"
Ash laughed maniacally, glancing at his hand as it formed a swirling orb of darkness. "This power," he said, his voice dripping with malice, "was granted by the First Calamity, Aurathos!"
Lerona's eyes widened in shock. "Aurathos? Th-the famous Aurathos, that m-monster, that c-calamity?"
Ash smiled, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "Exactly. And his son will be the God of Chaos."
"What do you mean, son?" Lerona demanded, her voice shaking with a mixture of fear and anger. "What do you mean by that?"
"A dead woman shouldn't know," Ash sneered, forming a dagger made of pure darkness in his hand. He aimed it at Lerona. "Die!"
Lerona closed her eyes, accepting her fate. She heard Ash's voice taunting her, but suddenly, a soft murmur broke through the tension. "Ice Prison."
Ash's legs froze solid, the ice creeping up to his knees. He looked down in astonishment. "What? Ice?" He turned to see two figures standing at the doorway: Petra Haws, a teacher specializing in history magic, and Shen Mort, an alchemist teacher.
"You!" Ash snarled, recognizing them immediately.
Petra stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "What is the meaning of this, Teacher Ash?"
The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the eerie glow of Ash's dark magic and the icy sheen now encasing his legs. Books and scrolls lay scattered across the floor, remnants of a struggle that had taken place moments before. The air was thick with tension and the acrid scent of magic.
Lerona, still kneeling on the floor, struggled to breathe as she clutched her chest. Her sword, normally a symbol of strength and protection, now felt heavy in her hand. She looked up at Petra and Shen, hope flickering in her eyes.
Petra's robes swirled around her as she entered the room, her hands still icy from casting the spell. Shen stood beside her, with vials of potions on his belt, ready to help. His eyes were fixed on Ash, assessing the threat he posed.
Ash glared at Petra and Shen, anger twisting his features as he realized he had been caught.
Lerona shouted at Petra and Shen, "Be careful! That monster uses dark magic, and he killed Dawk!"
Petra's eyes widened as she noticed Dawk Coe lying lifelessly on the ground. "What?" she exclaimed.
Shen Mort's expression turned grim. "Dawk Coe, a teacher renowned for his expertise in offensive and defensive combat magic, dead?" he muttered in disbelief.
Ash's mind raced. "This has become a problem. I should kill them all." he thought.
"Well, well, well. You've got me, Teacher Petra." Ash said with a sinister grin.
"Explain yourself, Teacher Ash! What the hell are you doing?" Petra demanded.
"What do you think I'm doing?" Ash sneered. Suddenly, he broke free from the ice using dark magic.
Ash lunged towards Petra with incredible speed. Shen quickly opened a potion and hurled it at Ash, shouting, "Bind Tree!"
The ground beneath Ash erupted, forming thick, gnarled roots that wrapped around him, attempting to restrain him. Ash, however, unleashed a series of dark energy slices, cutting through the roots with ease.
Petra reacted swiftly, casting a spell that conjured a shimmering water shield. "Aquatic Shield!" she cried.
The dark slices collided with the water shield, sending ripples across its surface but failing to penetrate it. Meanwhile, Lerona, still kneeling on the floor, struggled to defend herself. She parried Ash's dark slices with her sword, each impact sending vibrations up her arm.
The room was filled with a cacophony of clashing magic and desperate defense. The once orderly space was now a battlefield, with overturned furniture and scattered papers. The air was thick with the scent of ozone and the tension of imminent danger.
Petra's eyes blazed with determination. "We won't let you get away with this, Ash!" she shouted, reinforcing her shield with another layer of water.
Shen quickly assessed the situation, grabbing another vial from his belt. "We need to work together," he called to Lerona, tossing her a potion. "Drink this for strength!"
Lerona caught the potion and drank it quickly, feeling a surge of energy and healing course through her veins. Her wounds began to close, and her strength returned. The warm glow from the potion spread through her body, revitalizing her muscles and sharpening her focus. She rose to her feet, her grip on her sword steady and firm. Her eyes, now blazing with renewed determination, locked onto Ash. "Let's end this." she declared, her voice strong and unwavering.
The room was a chaotic mess. Broken furniture and scattered papers littered the floor. The air crackled with residual dark magic, and a faint scent of sulfur lingered. The walls bore scorch marks from previous magical clashes, adding to the ominous atmosphere. The once tidy office of Ash Minse had transformed into a battlefield.
Ash stood in the center of the room, dark energy swirling around him like living shadows. His eyes glinted with evil as he glared at the three teachers. "You think you can stop me? You're all fools!" he shouted, the dark energy pulsing and growing more intense.
The room crackled with energy as the three teachers faced off against the corrupted martial arts instructor. The fate of the academy hung in the balance as they prepared to unleash their full power.
......
In the grand palace of the Beastfolk "Atlas" Kingdom, King Regulus the 5th, a majestic lion with a mane of gold, sat on his ornate throne. The room was decorated with tapestries showing the history of the Beastfolk, and the floor was covered with soft, red carpets. Tall windows allowed beams of sunlight to filter in, casting a regal glow over the room.
King Regulus held a report in his paws, sent by Kenjo, one of his vassal and hailed from the turtle clan. His brow furrowed as he read the contents. "Chalu became wanted in the Eldoan kingdom? What's going on? Why is Chalu in the Magux Kingdom, the home of Eldoans?" he murmured to himself, his deep voice echoing in the vast chamber.
His mind raced with thoughts. "Don't tell me Chalu is preaching about peace and trying to stop the war against Beastfolk and Eldoans. That foolish monkey."
Frustration and concern etched on his face, King Regulus stood up and shouted, "Courtier Rex!"
Within moments, Courtier Rex from the bird clan swooped into the chamber, landing gracefully before kneeling. "Yes, Your Majesty." he responded, his feathers shimmering in the sunlight.
King Regulus handed the report to Rex. "Call Mandu the elephant."
Courtier Rex nodded, understanding the urgency in the king's tone. "Yes, Your Majesty, your wish is my command." he said, swiftly exiting the chamber to fulfill the king's orders.
......
Mandu the elephant and Lomi the cheetah, along with Raro the cat, Gori the gorilla, and Lyro disguised as a cat Beastfolk, were gathered inside a small, dimly lit room. The walls were adorned with old maps and battle plans, and a single lantern hanging from the ceiling cast flickering shadows across their faces.
Mandu, with his calm and imposing presence, addressed Lyro. "So, who are you, Lyro? How did you meet Raro and Gori?"
Lyro glanced nervously at Raro and Gori, seeking their help. Gori remained silent, his massive form unmoving. Raro, always quick on his feet, spoke up. "Um, he is, um, my cousin! Hahaha."
Lomi, the sharp and agile cheetah, narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Cousin? Hmm. Okay, Lyro, do you remember the oath of the Beastfolk?"
Lyro, scratching his head and trying to look innocent, replied, "I forgot. Hehehe."
Raro quickly jumped to Lyro's defense. "He's always so klutzy and has short-term memory."
Lomi wasn't convinced. She sprang up and lunged toward Lyro, her movements was quick. "Liars!!" she shouted. "Tell me who he really is, or I'll make sure he confesses himself."
Lyro gulped and tried to defuse the situation with a nervous smile. "Don't be so rough, pretty lady."
Gori shook his head in silent disapproval.
Lomi, taken aback for a moment, stammered, "Who—who are you calling pretty lady, idiot?"
Raro sighed deeply. "Fine, I'll tell you who he is."
Both Lomi and Mandu leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Mandu's eyes were filled with a mix of concern and anticipation, while Lomi's gaze remained sharp and distrustful.
Raro took a deep breath. "First, don't freak out, okay?"
Mandu and Lomi exchanged wary glances but nodded in agreement.
Mandu spoke softly but firmly, "Okay, tell us who he is."
Raro hesitated for a moment, then said, "He is an Eldoan."
Mandu and Lomi's reactions were immediate and explosive. "What!!!!!" they shouted in unison, their voices echoing off the walls.
To be continue