My first instance of consciousness was infested by pain.

Everywhere hurt to the point of me forgetting why I hurt or even how it happened. In the void of space, I couldn't ask for any answers and just had to deal with it. Dealing with the pain, however, was something I was NOT doing well.

My muscles felt like they were ripping apart with staggering ease, turning into a bundle of mush and paste. Each time I attempted to move, the nerves surrounding my muscles screamed in agony, sending alarms throughout my body. Every single one of them told me to stop moving, but I couldn't sit still as my body was restless, resulting in more pain.

Each nerve in my "body" pulsed with an otherworldly rhythm, singing a song of pain and spasms with every passing second. The pulses disoriented me, causing each subtle shift I made send electric shocks to every fiber of my "body." The increasingly growing shocks had me reeling in position, stiffening and jerking around like a madman on drugs.

The bones in my body were splintered and shattered like shards of glass from a mirror that just got smashed in by a 10-ton wrecking ball. All of them crackled and screeched when I moved, creating a rather unnerving sound of muted grinding.

Pain was my sole companion in the lightless void surrounding me... until I lost even that.

"Eh? I can't feel it anymore?"

'Had I crossed over to the other side? Is this what death is like? I thought it would be more... painful. Wait. What am I talking about?!? Am I a masochist or something? Why was I expecting MORE pain?' Mentally shaking my head until the thought left me, I surveyed my surroundings, I found nothing but darkness. There was no light, sounds, or even a hint of movement - just an overwhelming sense of nothing.

It was defeaning, but not in a horrible way. The nothingness enveloping both my surroundings and myself was sort of... peaceful. Like a good night's sleep, it was relaxing and calming to sleep after a long day of work. The darkness lulled me to a sense of safety, reassuring that everything was ok and that it was fine to take a nap.

'Speaking of taking a nap. Do I even have a body to sleep with?'

Looking down, I saw a faint echo of my "body," with each movement of my body leaving after images. My "body" looked like what people described how ghosts looked, but with the appearance of a mutilated corpse.

The blood that once covered me phased through my "body," falling into the endless void. Holes littered my "body" to which the fleshed painted crimson blood flowed through, but now that I was something like a spirit, the blood phased through my body instead of dripping down it. Disturbingly deep, probably of the 4th degree, burns were scattered across me, showing bone, deep layers of skin, and veins.

Despite that fact that I could see the outside of my body, I could also see what was within - all of my vital organs, my skeleton, placements of tendons, muscles, blood vessels and veins, and all of the nerves that made up my body.

'I wonder if I can...'

I pressed my finger against my left cheek, and to my astonishment, I realized I couldn't feel my own body. My finger slipped right through my cheek, reaching to my spine. Panicked, I yanked my finger back, causing me to lean forward and tumble. It felt like my body had no weight at all.

'What the?!?'

'This is so strange. Am I going to be stuck like this forever?'

Suddenly, as if the void heard my thoughts, a faint light lit itself in the distance. The light twinkled like a star shining in the night sky while rippling as if it was a pool of water disturbed by movement. The little star crept closer ever so slightly until it covered my eyesight entirely.

"- and her baby safe," a voice pondered as I felt a soft pull on my legs, slowly drawing me away from the void.

'Thank the gods! Light finally! Actually... the gods don't deserve my thanks.'

At that moment, I noticed several footsteps drawing near.

"It's time to move, Leon. They are closing in on us," a soft female voice announced.

"Mason, I need you to carve out a route back to the hideout while watching for threats. Keep me updated via Mana Frequencies," the voice named Leon instructed without hesitation.

Another voice quickly replied, "Aye aye captain."

'If I ever answered my superiors like that, my head would roll. Lucky bastard.'

"Elaine, you need to see this," Leon said, lifting me and standing up. Elaine gasped in surprise.

"A baby? How can this be? These lifeless bodies look like they've been left here for days, maybe even weeks."

"It's likely due to some preservation magic, Elaine. But I won't leave this child to face such a fate. We're taking him to our hideout and raising him as our own," Leon asserted as my eyes slowly adjusted to the bright lights blinding me.

"A son, huh? Are we going to be his parents? What name should we choose for him?" Elaine asked with a twinkle of happiness as I finally got a good look at the person holding me.

Leon appeared before me, lifting me to his face; he was a young man with a defined jawline and a semi-muscular build, complemented by his fair skin. His warm brown eyes sparkled with mischief, creating an intriguing contrast to his otherwise serious expression. Hidden beneath his shirt was a necklace, and at that moment, he handed me over to the woman I assumed was Elaine.

Elaine radiated an irresistible charm that was hard to ignore.

She was a vision of beauty with her slender yet curvy silhouette and rich dark skin. Her large, enchanting blue eyes sparkled with a luminous quality, and her dazzling white smile only amplified her allure. The playful cascade of her blonde-brown hair danced behind her, enhancing her captivating aura. I found myself completely entranced by her striking looks. To top it all off, she wore a mesmerizing pink gown that elegantly faded into a pure white at the hem.

Yet, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something revolting—decaying bodies infested with flies and crawling insects, all piled together in a grotesque heap. There were at least a dozen of them, their lifeless forms seemingly days old. I... emerged from that?

The sight churned my stomach, and I couldn't help but let out a small, frightened cry that reverberated around me. Usually, I would have been able to handle the sight of corpses without a second thought, but being trapped in an infant's body had clearly altered my emotional response, leaving me trembling at the horrific scene.

"Let's worry about that after we get home safely; Elaine cast a protective barrier on the newborn to ensure its safety," Without a moment to spare, she began to chant: "I call upon the wind mana particles present in the air, ground, and flowing in the living to grant me a shield against danger. Wind guard."

A soft breeze enveloped me as swift air currents formed a shield around my being. It was as if I were in a reverse vacuum, with everything pushing away from me. Elaine crafted another sphere around the one I was already in, gripping it tightly to keep me close.

After she finished, they took off in one direction, with streaks of green whizzing past my vision.

'What is that?'

My poor vision as a child caused me to squint as I concentrated on identifying the objects before me. After what seemed like an endless amount of time, I could make out our surroundings: a dense woodland teeming with towering trees, lush bushes, vibrant flora, and an array of exotic wildlife.

Leon, our group leader, frequently glanced back at me, his gaze intense and searching.

What could be the reason for his focus on me? Did he regret taking me in?

It took me a while to understand that he was simply thrilled to have someone he could consider family, a feeling he had missed out on during his childhood. Reflecting on it now, Leon and I shared that same longing. Together, we found a family that was worth standing up for.

***

"Jaeger, are you certain this is the correct place? I really hope I'm not wasting my time searching for Leon if he's not around."

Small creatures darted away from our path as we ventured deeper into the vibrant forest, maneuvering through the serene forest - tangled vines, towering trees, and bushes. With every step, my anticipation grew.

There's nothing quite like heading into an exhilarating confrontation while handling business. What was that saying again? "Kill two birds with one stone." Yes, that's the one. That's exactly what I was doing.

"Abaddon, John said that we're in the right location. Remember that our goal is to mark him for the upcoming ritual. Stay focused, and don't let the battle distract you," Jaeger, my leader, advised as we made our way through the expansive forest.

Our goal was to select another worthy individual for our ritual. Leon Valcaress stands out as the most formidable mage we know of in this area. Although no one else comes close to our level, he possesses the potential to be one of the sacrifices we need. Jaeger firmly believes this. Personally, I was indifferent to the idea and simply wanted to challenge Leon to a duel.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But really, why are you here? I could easily wipe this continent off the face of the earth," I retorted.

Jaeger gave me a sidelong look, his voice laced with sarcasm. "If I let you run wild, you'd mess up everything. Besides, I'm intrigued to see you get put down. Not that it's likely, but the idea is amusing."

Jaeger was a distinctive figure among the Apostles, whose motivations for forsaking his humanity were shrouded in ambiguity. While each Apostle had their own unsettling justifications for their choices, Jaeger's reasons remained elusive.

"Don't worry, Jaeger; I won't go overboard. Just let me enjoy myself a little. It's been centuries since I've felt this excited about a fight."

***

After Elaine activated her spell, we set off for our home.

The path ahead was eerily quiet, as if all the creatures in the forest had vanished. As we cautiously made our way through the woods, I sensed several traces of mana. With each step closer to these traces, I became increasingly vigilant, guiding the group through the vast expanse of the forest. The towering trees dominated our field of vision as we approached the sources of the mana signatures.

In the distance, vibrations in the ambient mana relayed information to me, telling me everything I needed to know. I turned back to Elaine, and she nodded as well.

According to Mason, two formidable foes were approaching the village. With every step they took, the very air trembled, and the mana surrounding them seemed to quiver. Creatures fled in terror, vegetation withered, and humidity vanished due to their presence.

"They seem to be closing in on our hideout. But how did they discover it? I used Standard Class illusion magic. Did they see through it? If that's the case, how?" Elaine inquired, her voice laced with anxiety.

"They have reached a stage of power where they can traverse an illusion, their mere presence shattering them. Conceal your mana signature as much as possible."

Mason, my invisible friend, and most trustworthy scouter relayed more information via mana frequencies, "I've just detected a third presence that I hadn't noticed earlier; the others concealed its signature from me. Taking down that one should be straightforward, but the others are a cause for concern. I'm uncertain about our chances of victory, so I've ensured the villagers are ready to evacuate if necessary."

I thanked Mason and then shifted my focus to Elaine, saying, "While I can't say I'm fond of it, we need to face them directly. Keep yourself safe, and let us handle the tough part."

"Abaddon, John said that we're in the right location. Remember that our goal is to mark him for the upcoming ritual. Stay focused, and don't let the battle distract you," a calm yet mildly sarcastic voice said.

"Don't worry, Jaeger; I won't go overboard. Just let me enjoy myself a little. It's been centuries since I've felt this excited about a fight," a harrowingly energetic second voice said.

"Abaddon? You can't mean..." I whispered in fear.

Abaddon is a tale deeply rooted in Terra's history, a legend everyone knows. This enigmatic entity, often thought to be a ghost, is said to haunt the aftermath of violence.

The tale originated as an urban legend about a man who mercilessly pursued bands of adventurers, leaving one survivor to recount his horrific deeds. When a legion of soldiers set out to track down this monster, they stumbled upon a nightmarish sight: the remains of the adventurers, torn apart and completely drained of blood.

The most chilling detail was that each corpse was decapitated, a precise sword stroke marking the separation. It's important to highlight that these adventurers were the most skilled fighters of their time.

The myth started thousands of years ago, with its resurgence appearing every century or so.

To think that I, a recently graduated academy student, had stumbled upon such a foe left me bewildered.

'There's no way I can win against something like that. We need to retreat immediately!'

Just as I was about to transmit my message using mana frequencies, a massive shadow suddenly loomed above me.

'What the?!?'

Without thinking, I quickly grabbed Elaine and transformed into a small firesprite. The three of us became intangible instantly and darted away from our original position.

In the next moment, an earthquake shook the forest. Violent tremors like war drums went off, felt even in my intangible body.

'That doesn't even make sense! How did he know I was there?'

"Little pup, where did you go? I felt the fear emanating from you, like a nice fragrant midnight snack waiting to be eaten. Come out, Leon Valcaress!"

Flying around and through the seas of bright green trees, I put a considerable distance between us and our pursuers before returning to my normal bodily form.

"Mason! You need to get these two out of here now! We stand no chance of surviving with them here! I will hold off the intruders and await your return with Arnold," I sent into a set of decodable frequencies in the mana surrounding us, which only those close to me could understand.

"Thinking of escaping my pups?" Not a chance!" A voice cackled behind me.

I snapped around, turning to the menacing voice while, in the process, summoning my most formidable weapon, Arondight.

This sword was forged from a celestial metal, a rare gift from the gods themselves. Centuries ago, skilled Dwarven blacksmiths and the enchanting magic of Fairies came together to create this legendary blade, known to have few competitors. Though it faded into obscurity over the ages, my brother Samuel stumbled upon it during his adventures.

Arondight gleamed brilliantly in my grasp, its blade adorned with blue, black, gray, and white hues. The pommel, a striking blue cone, elegantly transitioned into a larger ring at the base of the handle, merging flawlessly with the cross guard. The handle was wrapped in a pattern of black Xs, intricately interlocking as they spiraled up and around the slender grip. The cross guard of Arondight was impressively large, featuring a bluish-gray tone and a graceful upward curve.

The blade was straight above the crossguard, forming a sleek and formidable edge. It began with a vibrant blue near the crossguard, gradually shifting to a deep black by the midpoint. The fuller, a striking grayish-white, originated in a teardrop shape at the crossguard and tapered elegantly to a fine point at the blade's tip.

Held firmly in my grasp, I stepped back and did a straight stab without even visibly registering my foe.

A white hand met my fearsome weapon, stopping it with a finger.

At that moment, I could finally take in one of my adversaries. A towering figure, standing over 7 feet tall, was as thin as a piece of paper yet radiated a strength that refuted his slender frame. Abaddon was clad only in black shorts, his pale skin contrasting with the dark fabric.

Curiously, it seemed he had managed to get a military buzz cut before arriving here. It would have been amusing if his unsettling appearance didn't send chills down my spine; his body was adorned with shifting black skull tattoos that enveloped him like a shroud, their mouths opening and closing slowly, releasing soft whispers with each movement. His eyes, with their inky black sclera, looked almost liquid.

"You're a quick little snake, aren't you? Leon Valcaress, I presume? I'm Abaddon; nice to meet you." A sinister smile grew appeared on Abaddon's face.

"My appearance? To gain favor from my leader, I had to give up something. But let's not dwell on that; what truly matters is that I'm finally meeting you. You seem to have quite the reputation," he remarked as I struggled under the weight of his overwhelming power.

"I know my reputation, but why provoke me if you're not prepared for the consequences? Turn back now, and I'll spare you," I replied, noticing the strange distortion forming in the space behind Abaddon, a smile creeping onto my face.

I started to warn him, "You should step back now before it's too—" but Abaddon interrupted me without hesitation.

A chilling grin spread across his face. "That's not happening. I can't retreat when I haven't encountered a worthy adversary in ages. I trust you can meet my expectations."

Every pore on my body was drenched in sweat as I bellowed with all my might, "MASON, RUN!"

Abaddon seized the blade of my sword and hurled me through the trees. A thunderous, bear-like laugh echoed around me as I watched Mason desperately attempt to escape into the shadows with Elaine.

Gliding through the sky like a hawk, I collided with tree after tree, spiraling and thrashing about like a fish stranded on land, shouting curses as I exceeded the limits of how much my sight could understand. A voice echoed in the chaos, which I eventually recognized as my own, releasing cries of agony.

The wind seemed to stir out of nowhere, wrapping around me like a living entity, pushing back against the force driving me onward. Elaine attempted to harness the winds to halt my speed, but her efforts were futile.

I was hurtling forward with such intensity that it felt like I might ignite, like a comet streaking through the sky. Yet, that wasn't enough to slow me down as I crashed through tree after tree, each impact sending jolts through my spine.

"Phoenix Dash."

I appeared next to Elaine as my body ached and sore beyond measure.

"Hey, Leon, are you alright? I can't handle this kid alone if you bail on me, you deadbeat," Elaine teased, tossing a vibrant green mana blanket over me to mend my injuries. It felt like a gentle dog's tongue soothing my skin, each caress revitalizing me and filling me with energy.

"Let's go princess! We need to leave!" Mason suddenly materialized next to me.

Mason was renowned for his mastery of stealth tactics. His unique ability made him almost effortlessly shift between being visible and invisible at will. At times, it was challenging to remember his appearance due to the enchantment that caused a brief memory lapse unless one focused intently on him.

He had an average build and donned clothing that could easily merge with any environment, a signature of his stealth skills. On this occasion, he sported green camouflage gear, topped off with a crown of green leaves that complemented his vibrant green hair. The only aspect that stood out from his disguise was his striking blue eyes, alertly scanning the surroundings for potential dangers.

The two began to turn into shadows - the domain where Mason reigned supreme. Slowly descending into the dark, intangible shadows, they bid me farewell.

But before they left, two long hands snatched the necks of Mason and Elaine, raised them out of the shadows, and held them like kittens.

"No witnesses, sorry." The voice named Jaeger spoke.

Infusing my weapon with blazing fire, I summoned the fire mana particles swirling around me: "Pyre!"

A spectral dance of crimson flames, shimmering with golden sparks, enveloped Arondight, empowering me to slice through matter at the atomic level.

Turning my blade at the newcomer, I brought down my enflamed sword with all my might, with the power to shatter a mountain. Despite that, I could not sever his arms, no matter how much I strained myself.

"You won't be able to cut me, no matter how hard you-"

A sense of unease washed over me, akin to a tsunami swallowing a beach full of people. With a smile on my face, I backed away as Mason spoke a chant quietly:

"Arise, Shadow Of The Serpent, Orochi."

Mason waved his hands dramatically, culminating in a transformation that turned them into a dark, swirling substance that shot toward Jaeger.

As it neared, the liquid quickly transformed into a massive shadowy serpent. Orochi showcased a striking contrast of white and black, with the white sections taking on a skeletal appearance that defined the creature's shape. The black markings looked like intricate, slashing tattoos that embellished the snake's body, from which black smoke billowed forth.

Orochi, the colossal shadow serpent, expanded to an enormous length of over 100 meters, forcing the terrifying man-demon to retreat. Bursting forth from the darkness, Orochi unleashed chaos upon the land, obliterating the serene forest and the dwellings of its inhabitants.

"Get them out of here, Mason!" I shouted as I raised Arondight above me and chanted a word to activate another spell: "Sever!"

Sever turned all the flames on my sword from Pyre and made them disappear. The flames were transferred to the blade's edge, which I could throw out in a powerful slash.

Orochi gave its master a chance to escape, disappearing into the shadows and away from the dangerous forest.