We didn't linger; as soon as the train doors opened, we were gone, slipping into the shadows and melting into the night. Cumilla awaited, and the hunt was far from over. But tonight… I was still standing.
The city of Cumilla gleamed under the dawn, perched between mountains and rivers, almost like a mirage. Towers of glass stretched toward the sky, reflecting hues of the early sun. These weren't just buildings—they were visions of a future that barely felt real, polished and shimmering as if the city itself had some inner glow.
But the beauty had a bite. Something about the air made my skin prickle. It was heavy, charged—almost as if it were alive.
"Elena," I muttered, feeling the weird, thick energy press against me, "what's going on with this place?"
In my head, Elena's voice was clear, calm, but there was a chill beneath it. "Cumilla is… unique. This city sits on an ancient battleground where the greatest Awakened once clashed. The Awakened here are more powerful than anywhere else, drawn by an invisible pull of Anium—the energy in the air."
The legend spilled from Elena with an eerie sort of weight: "Long ago, two legendary warriors met on these mountains. They were so powerful, so unstoppable, that their battle lasted for days. By the end, both were sealed in stone as living shadows, guardians of Cumilla, ready to test anyone who dares chase their legend."
A chill ran down my spine. This wasn't just a city; it was a proving ground.
Elena went on, her voice low, like she didn't want others to hear: "The shadowed legends say that Cumilla is the final test. Anyone who survives it will become something more. But those who fail? Well… their stories end here."
Every step through the city was surreal. We wandered through streets packed with people—some in armor, others covered in strange auras of power. But every hotel we found was booked. Every. Single. Room.
"You've gotta be kidding me," I muttered, checking yet another full hotel.
Sheena gave me a look, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Tired already, Master Eric?"
I rolled my eyes. "Not tired, just annoyed. Where are all these people even coming from?"
Finally, after what felt like hours, we reached the last option on the list: Only Mingle Hotel. The moment I read the name, I stopped dead in my tracks. This can't be happening.
Neha gave me a playful nudge. "Aw, what's wrong, Master Eric? Too shy for a little, uh, mingling?"
My face went red as a tomato. "A love hotel? Are you serious?"
Sheena and Neha exchanged amused looks. "Come on, it's just a place to sleep," Sheena said with a mischievous smile.
I hesitated, but the truth was we had no choice. With my pride slipping away, I trudged into the hotel lobby.
The receptionist, with a knowing grin, looked at us and raised an eyebrow. "You need a room?"
"Uh… two rooms, please?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She gave a mock-sympathetic shrug. "Sorry, only one room left."
This is a nightmare. I turned back to Sheena and Neha, both of whom were trying (and failing) to keep straight faces. "This can't be happening."
I held up my hands in defeat. "Alright, fine. One room it is."
When we stepped into the room, it was even worse than I expected. The walls were bright red, the bedspread a shade of pink I didn't think existed in nature, and to top it off? Heart-shaped pillows. This place didn't do subtle.
Sheena collapsed onto the bed laughing. "Oh my god, Master, look at your face!"
"Oh, shut up," I grumbled, trying to ignore the ridiculous decor. "Okay, let's set some ground rules. Elena, you can shift back into system mode. Neha, Sheena, you take that bed. I'll take this one."
Neha's lips turned downward in a playful pout. "Come on, Master, why so serious? We've been through a lot! Why not have a little fun?"
I didn't like that look in her eyes. "Fun?" I said, crossing my arms. "Last time you suggested 'fun,' I ended up nearly getting flattened by a horde of angry goblins."
Sheena leaned in with a wicked grin. "Come on, don't be a buzzkill. Let's do something exciting! How about… Truth or Dare?"
What started as a simple game spiraled into absolute madness. "Truth or Dare" quickly turned into an interrogation, with Neha and Sheena coming up with increasingly embarrassing questions for me. And the dares? Let's just say I'll never live down the memory of dancing with a pillow like it was my "soulmate."
"Oh, come on, Master, admit it! You had fun!" Neha said, doubling over with laughter.
"You two are a menace," I replied, trying to sound annoyed but laughing along with them.
Then we moved on to a guessing game, where we had to describe famous Awakened warriors and guess who the others were talking about. The rules didn't last long; Sheena would make up characters, and somehow Neha always figured out a way to "win" by changing the story. It was chaos, and I was losing every round.
By the end, I'd abandoned any attempt at getting sleep. We kept playing and laughing until our sides hurt, the world outside forgotten.
Somehow, despite the exhaustion, I realized I didn't mind. Here, in this tacky, ridiculous room with these two lunatics… I was happy.
Sunlight flooded the room, and I squinted against it, groaning as I realized I'd barely gotten a wink of sleep. Sheena and Neha, on the other hand, looked way too cheerful for people who'd spent all night causing havoc.
I sat up, rubbing my temples. "Ugh… What in the world happened last night?"
Sheena grinned, bouncing over to poke me on the shoulder. "Aww, poor Master didn't get his beauty sleep."
Neha laughed. "Well, at least we had fun, right?"
I muttered something under my breath, still half-asleep. Maybe they were right, I thought, a smile sneaking onto my face.
As we left the hotel, the whole city seemed to pulse with energy, but I was already feeling drowsy, my eyelids heavy. But there was no escape with the three "lunatics" by my side—Elena, Sheena, and Neha. They were determined to explore every inch of Cumilla, even if it meant dragging me through the endless crowds, shoulder to shoulder with every tourist from around the world who'd come to see this legendary city.
With each step, I could feel my patience wearing thin as we weaved through streets packed tighter than sardines in a can. "This is impossible," I muttered, "We'll be here until next year if we try to see everything."
Neha giggled. "Eric, don't be such a killjoy. Besides, there's always tomorrow. Let's head somewhere quieter first—the mountain!"
The Mountain of the Lost Warrior. The first stage. Legend had it, a formidable warrior's spirit guarded the peak, and no one had ever dared approach, let alone reach the summit. Security around the area was iron-tight; getting even close was practically suicide. But I wasn't like anyone else—I had Anium.
With a quick glance to make sure we were in the clear, I grinned and took each of the girls by the hand. "Hang tight. You're about to see what Anium can really do."
Channeling my Anium energy, I activated Vanishing Anium, and in an instant, we phased into another dimension, invisible to the outside world. It felt like floating in a bubble of slowed time as we glided over the bustling city, bypassing all barriers with ease, and arriving undetected at the mountain's peak. When we landed, I stopped the skill, and the world snapped back into place.
The silence was deafening. No birds chirped, no wind whispered, and the summit itself was a sprawling expanse, almost too massive for a mountain. I could see why it was forbidden—relics and symbols from another time were scattered everywhere, hinting at secrets long forgotten. And at the center of it all, a massive boulder loomed, its shape twisted, almost humanoid. It felt as if something was sealed inside.
Elena gasped, her eyes wide. "It feels… alive somehow."
But just as her words left her lips, a voice boomed, echoing across the mountaintop, cold and dripping with authority. "So, you think you can sneak into my domain undetected?"
The voice sent chills down my spine, and we all whipped around to see a figure materialize from the shadows. He was dressed in metallic armor that gleamed even in the overcast light, and a sword hung at his side—a weapon that radiated power. His posture was rigid, noble, with an air of knightly dignity, as if he were a soldier from another era entirely.
The system's voice, Elena, whispered in my ear, her tone tense. "Eric, that man… he's Macvon De Cruise, a former knight of the Rose Kingdom."
I felt my heart skip. "The Rose Kingdom… the new nation born after the Fourth World War?"
"Correct. But why would he be here?"
Just then, the knight's voice cut through my thoughts. "I am Macvon De Cruise, sworn knight of the Rose Kingdom. And you, trespasser, have no place here. Consider this your final hour."
I felt a smirk spread across my face as I stepped forward, keeping my eyes locked on his. "Final hour? You sound confident for someone who hasn't even seen me fight."
Without another word, Macvon struck, his sword flashing toward me with blinding speed. I barely managed to dodge, the blade slicing through the air where I'd just stood. His movements were precise, powerful—this was no ordinary knight.
"Elena!" I called, stepping back and bracing myself. "Analyze his speed, strength, and health. I need every detail."
The system replied instantly, her voice calm but intense. "His speed is fast, but you can match it with Anium. His strength is formidable—don't underestimate him. As for health… He's resilient. You'll need to aim for his weak points."
I squared my shoulders, adrenaline thrumming through my veins as I faced Macvon. He took one look at me, and a smirk tugged at his lips.
"You're wondering if you stand a chance," he taunted, his voice smooth and unnervingly calm. "I can read it on your face, boy."
I laughed, feeling the thrill of the fight stirring within me. "Read all you want, old man. Because if you think I'm backing down, you're dead wrong!"
The fight began in earnest. Macvon's strikes were relentless, each one aimed with deadly precision. But as I dodged, I could feel myself slipping into a rhythm, countering his moves and studying his technique. His armor gleamed as he swung, an imposing wall of steel and strength, but I could see the slightest flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
I darted forward, thrusting my fist toward his chest, Anium coiled around my arm. But he deflected it, sending sparks flying. "You're skilled," he admitted, "but skill alone won't save you."
"Oh, I'm counting on more than just skill," I retorted, a grin spreading across my face. "I've got something you've never seen before!"
He lunged again, and this time, I met him head-on, our energies clashing with a burst of force. I could feel the intensity of his attack, but I held my ground, countering blow for blow. Just as he readied another strike, I twisted, maneuvering behind him and sending a charged punch directly to his side.
He staggered, his armor dented. I could see a flicker of disbelief in his eyes as he caught his breath, clutching his side.
"Is that… fear I see?" I taunted, smirking. "Come on, Macvon! Show me that 'final hour' you promised!"
His eyes blazed with fury, and he straightened, his grip tightening on his sword. "Arrogant child," he growled. "You know nothing of honor."
With that, he unleashed a new level of power, his sword glowing with a dark energy that sent shockwaves through the air. I braced myself, feeling the pressure of his attack, but I refused to back down.
[New Weapon Acquired]
The gloves were unlike anything I'd ever wielded. Heavy, metallic, and humming with power, they wrapped around my fists like they were forged from steel itself. Each one was connected to me, responding to my mind and amplifying every punch with my Anium. A thousand times stronger. My blood raced as I clenched my fists, eyes locked on Macvon.
Macvon stood across from me, sword raised, studying me with a smirk that dared me to make the first move. "Brute strength won't save you, child," he sneered, reading my every expression. "I can see every flicker of thought, every ounce of fear. This fight is already mine."
A wave of anger surged through me, and before I knew it, my fists were flying. BAM! THUD! WHAM! My punches were a storm, each hit amplified by the gloves, echoing through the air like cannon fire. But Macvon moved with unnatural grace, his face calm as he dodged and countered with ease.
"Nice try," he chuckled, deflecting a punch that should have shattered his ribs. His voice dripped with arrogance. "All that power, and still no control. You're a mad dog—"
"Then let's see if you can dodge THIS!" I roared, pushing forward, unleashing a furious volley of punches. I could feel the gloves thrumming, each strike growing faster, fiercer.
But Macvon anticipated each one, blocking, sidestepping, smirking as he deflected every blow. "Predictable," he taunted, launching a powerful swipe with his sword— FWOOOSH! —that barely missed my head. The force of it left a gust that chilled my neck.
"Face it, you're all brawn and no brain," he goaded, his blade pointed at my throat.
I felt rage boiling over, and I charged forward, my punches a blur. BAM! THWACK! SMASH! The gloves connected, denting his armor, sending sparks flying with each impact. But he was still on his feet, hardly fazed.
"ENOUGH!" Macvon's voice thundered as he raised his sword high, gathering dark energy around the blade. "It's time you learned a real warrior's strength." With a smooth motion, he swung down in a deadly arc—PHANTOM SLASH!—his signature move. The blade cut through the air, aimed straight for my neck.
In that split-second, instincts kicked in. BOOM! A burst of smoke exploded around us, engulfing the battlefield in a thick cloud. I moved quickly, switching my position with one of the statues nearby. From the shadows, I watched Macvon strike— SLASH! —splitting the statue in two.
As the smoke cleared, Macvon's face twisted in surprise, his eyes darting around. "Where…?" He barely had time to process before—WHOOSH!—a torrent of flames exploded from above, engulfing him in a blazing inferno.
The fire licked at his armor, melting its polished surface. He staggered, his smirk replaced by a scowl of pain and confusion. "You…!" he hissed, his voice strained, smoke rising from his armor.
"Think you can read my mind?" I taunted, stepping forward. "You're not even close. I know the outcome of this fight before it even begins."
Macvon clenched his jaw, throwing off his armor, his eyes blazing with fury. "You're a fool." With a single, fluid motion, he tossed the burning armor aside and vanished—WHOOSH!—reappearing behind me.
SLASH! Pain erupted across my back as his blade sliced deep, and I staggered forward, teeth gritted against the searing agony. The realization hit me. He'd used his armor as a decoy, throwing it to distract me while he snuck up from behind.
"Now you're finished." Macvon's voice was low, sinister, as he prepared to strike again.
But I smirked, meeting his eyes. "Wait… Macvon, Knight of the Rose Kingdom. You lost the moment you thought you'd won. That fire I threw? It wasn't just flames." His expression flickered as he listened, a hint of uncertainty crossing his face. "The smoke you inhaled—it's not normal. It's a solidifying gas, one that reacts to body heat and hardens."
Macvon's eyes widened, his hand shaking as he looked at his own trembling fingers. "You… you poisoned me?"
"Not quite," I said coldly, watching as the gas began to harden, petrifying his insides. "Right now, it's freezing your organs, solidifying from the inside out."
Macvon dropped his sword, his face pale, eyes full of horror. His breathing turned to ragged gasps as he struggled to stay upright. "Eric…" His voice trembled, laced with something almost… regretful. "I was… under Hiccup's control… forced to fight as his pawn…"
Tears brimmed in his eyes, his proud, stoic expression faltering as he spoke. "Thank you… for granting me a true warrior's end. I am honored… to die by your hand."
I felt an unexpected pang in my chest as his final words hung in the air. The battlefield around us fell silent, his gaze locked on me in a strange mix of sorrow and relief.
"Before I go…" he whispered, each word barely escaping his lips. "Hiccup… he's hiding… in Inani, Cox's Bazar…" His voice trailed off, his form stiffening as he transformed into a cold, stone statue, frozen in place forever.
I stood there, staring at the statue of the fallen knight, the silence pressing in like a weight. The others joined me, their expressions heavy with respect and sadness.
Elena's voice whispered in my mind. "Eric… we should keep moving."
I took a deep breath, feeling the emptiness left by Macvon's final words. "Yeah… let's go," I murmured, turning away.
Ding! Ding!
[Too many messages and missed calls from Subha or So call my Mommy and Lisa Lisa. Any way I will check them after reaching Cox's Bazar]