Before Kael Voss decided to head to the mountains, Arkael warned him about the dangers that lay ahead. "I was once used to train there," Arkael explained, his voice echoing with authority. "My powers enhanced the creatures that roam those grounds. They may not be as strong as the monsters after the apocalypse, but they are far more powerful than any normal animal. You must be prepared, Kael. With your current strength, you stand no chance against them barehanded. You'll need a weapon."
Kael listened intently, his heart racing as he envisioned the beasts that could await him. A troubling thought crossed his mind: Was Arkael somehow part of the reason for the apocalypse? Anger and fear surged within him like a tempest, darkening his thoughts. Sensing this turmoil, Arkael cautioned, "I may not know what you're thinking, but can you make it less obvious? I'm not related to that incident. It's far greater than you can imagine, and I can't explain without risking punishment. I've already broken the rules once by helping you, so don't be foolish."
Convinced by Arkael's words but still conflicted, Kael began to strategize how to overcome the empowered wild animals. He recalled the chilling news reports of bears that had grown five times their normal size, rampaging through towns. He shuddered as he remembered the rumors of lions with footprints said to be as large as elephants. What had the world become? Before Arkael's warning, he might have dismissed such tales as mere exaggeration, but now he took them seriously. Facing such creatures with his current strength was a death sentence—even with a weapon, he would still be outmatched.
Yet, he shook off the fear that gripped him. "It wouldn't be worth it if there was no risk," he muttered to himself, feeling a fire ignite within. "If this means anything, I'm going to acquire greater strength. So let's focus on the weapon for now." His resolve strengthened, Kael began to think of how he might acquire a weapon that could match the formidable creatures he would face.
However, living in a country that banned weapons made the task daunting. Even kitchen knives wouldn't suffice for the kind of battles he anticipated. Then, a spark of inspiration hit him—his friend Erich's father was a renowned weaponsmith, known as the post-apocalyptic Hephaestus. Before the apocalypse, he had crafted display weapons that rivaled old samurai swords in quality.
With determination coursing through his veins, Kael set out for Erich's house. As he walked, he steeled himself for what lay ahead, but as he approached, a sickening sight stopped him in his tracks. Three bullies were tormenting Erich, their laughter ringing in the air like a death knell. Anger surged through Kael—not just at the sight of his friend being bullied, but because these bullies were members of the Dark Alliance, a ruthless organization bent on humanity's demise. Kael had witnessed them kill his friends in cold blood and torture him when he was a newbie.
The bullies, Korin Blackstone, Vesper Grimwood, and Rhea Vex, recognized Kael and sneered. "Oh, our little puppy is going to stand up for his friend? Don't you remember what happened last time?" Korin taunted, cracking his knuckles with menace.
"Please vanish before I break every bone in your bodies and make even breathing painful for you," Kael shot back, his voice laced with fury.
They laughed, and Vesper chimed in, "Did we give you brain damage last time?"
Rhea stepped forward, attempting to intimidate Kael. "You think you can take us on? We may need to knock some sense into your head." She swung a punch at Kael, but Kael was ready. Though he was weaker, he was more experienced; he easily dodged the attack, slipping past the punch and delivering a quick jab to Rhea's gut that sent her sprawling.
With renewed determination, the other two bullies rushed at him simultaneously. Kael's instincts kicked in, honed from years of training. He evaded their attacks, causing them to collide with each other in a comedic, painful thud.
As the three lay unconscious on the ground, Kael's anger bubbled over. He wanted to cripple them, to make them suffer for what they had done to him and his friends. Grabbing Korin in an arm lock, he felt a surge of satisfaction at the thought of revenge, but then he heard Erich's voice, filled with concern, as he rushed forward.
"Kael, please," Erich pleaded, despite being visibly injured. "It's not worth hurting them."
Kael looked at his friend, frustration mingling with his anger. "They bullied you every day, and you're protecting them? That's exactly what I expected from you. I let my anger get the best of me."
Erich shook his head, concern etched on his face. "I can't say the same about you. Since when are you good at fighting?"
Kael let out a nervous laugh, shaking off the tension. "I started training the moment they began bullying us. Heh."
Arkael, sensing the urgency of their mission, whispered in Kael's ear. "We don't have time for chit-chat; we need to get to the mountains as fast as possible."
Kael, feeling the pressure, briefly explained the situation without revealing everything that weighed on his mind. "I need to go to the mountains to find a treasure," he said, trying to keep it vague.
Erich frowned, crossing his arms. "My dad will never accept your request. The idea is too dumb, and you're too young to buy anything. If I try to middle-man for you, I'll be punished."
Kael sighed, the reality settling heavily on his shoulders. "I expected as much," he admitted, feeling the weight of disappointment.
But Erich paused for a moment, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Wait here for a sec. I have something for you that will help."
Kael hesitated, knowing they had limited time. "You don't expect me to just disappear while you go get something, do you?"
"There's no harm in waiting," Erich replied. "I was planning to sneak past the monsters anyway. The weapon was just for emergencies."
Arkael sighed impatiently. "Fine, human. But remember, our time is limited."
After what felt like an eternity, Erich returned, a cloth bundle clutched tightly in his hands. As he revealed it, Arkael's eyes widened. "I sense divine power coming from there. Whatever it is, I'm glad we waited," he said, his voice laced with curiosity.
Erich unveiled a magnificent black great sword. "It's made from a rare metal—lighter than other great swords but sharper and more durable. You won't have any problems with it. Here, take it," he insisted, his voice firm.
Kael's heart raced, but he hesitated. "But this must be important to you. You can't just give it to me."
Erich shook his head resolutely. "Anything for my friend. Yes, the weapon is important to me, but knowing I can't make you give up on this idea, I want to help you stay alive. Take it before I change my mind."
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Kael hugged Erich tightly, tears brimming in his eyes. "Thank you, Erich. This means more to me than you know."
Erich smiled, though he didn't fully understand the depth of Kael's gratitude. "Just stay safe out there, okay? You can't let my dad down either."
With the great sword in hand, Kael turned toward the mountains, determination etched into his features. The journey was about to begin, and he could feel the weight of destiny pressing upon him.