Scene 1: The Old Library
The night hung still over the Agarest estate, a stark contrast to the unease settling within Alistair. After breaking the first of the curse's layers, he felt a subtle yet unmistakable change in his mana flow. But something was still missing. To uncover the deeper knowledge of his curse, Alistair knew the answers lay not in the family's new library but the forgotten one—an ancient, dusty place that no one in the family visited anymore.
He made his way to the Old Library, a large, dimly lit structure located on the outskirts of the family grounds. Alistair pushed the heavy, creaking doors open. Shelves upon shelves of ancient books and scrolls lined the walls, each filled with centuries of secrets. It was the perfect place to start his investigation.
"If the answer's anywhere, it'll be here," Alistair muttered as he scanned the dusty titles. His fingers brushed over old tomes, stopping on a weathered scroll marked with the Agarest family crest.
As he carefully opened the scroll, his eyes narrowed. It was a record of a distant family member—someone who had been banished long ago for reasons that were never openly discussed. His heart raced as he uncovered the name: "Orion von Agarest."
The scroll spoke of how Orion, Alistair's great-grandfather's brother, had been cursed similarly, leading to his eventual exile. There were cryptic hints about a "21-Circle Curse," something far more complex than anything Alistair had encountered. The scroll ended abruptly, leaving many questions unanswered.
Alistair realized that Orion's story might hold the key to unlocking the rest of his curse. He knew what he had to do next—find Orion.
Scene 2: The Plot Against Alistair
Meanwhile, in another wing of the estate, Vincent and Leopold were quietly discussing their frustrations over Alistair's growing strength and influence. The two brothers had always felt overshadowed by his talent, and they were tired of living in his shadow.
"I'm telling you, we need to take care of this before he becomes unstoppable," Vincent said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Leopold grinned. "I've already arranged something. A little…surprise for our dear brother when he leaves the estate."
Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do you have planned?"
"Let's just say that a group of mercenaries have been paid well to ensure he doesn't reach his destination."
Their plan was in motion, and they were certain Alistair wouldn't see it coming.
Scene 3: Journey Into the Depths
Alistair prepared for his journey to find Orion, packing only the essentials and keeping his plans a secret. He knew he couldn't trust everyone in the family—Vincent and Leopold, in particular, had always harbored ill intentions. But he couldn't afford to be distracted. This journey was his only chance to uncover the full truth behind his curse.
The path to Orion's rumored location was treacherous, leading deep into the remote wilderness. After a few days of travel, Alistair found himself in the thick of a dense, misty forest, where few dared to venture. This was where his family had hidden Orion, away from society's eyes.
Just as he was crossing a narrow mountain pass, a group of bandits emerged from the trees, weapons drawn. Alistair quickly realized that this wasn't a random ambush. These men were well-equipped and seemed to know exactly who he was. His suspicions of a setup from his brothers were confirmed.
With a deep breath, Alistair readied his sword. The first curse may have been broken, but his raw strength was still his greatest asset. His eyes burned with determination as he faced the bandits.
Scene 4: Ambush and Aftermath
The bandits charged at Alistair, their eyes gleaming with greed at the bounty on his head. They were fast, but not fast enough. Alistair's sword flashed through the air, cutting down his attackers with brutal efficiency. He wasn't the boy they had expected—this was a seasoned warrior, even without his full powers.
Despite the odds, the ambush had left him injured. Blood dripped from a wound on his side, but Alistair pressed on. He couldn't stop now. His journey was just beginning, and he knew that finding Orion was the only way to fully break free from his curse.
"Vincent... Leopold... I'll deal with you both soon," Alistair muttered under his breath, his eyes steely with resolve.