Prologue:

The snow fell in relentless sheets, turning the world into a cruel white abyss. Amid the storm, a man stumbled, his breath ragged, his body drenched in blood. His hand clutched a battered sword, its blade chipped and dulled, but it remained steady in his grip.  

Behind him, the sound of boots crunching on snow grew louder. The soldiers were closing in.  

"Stop him!" one of the voices barked.  

The man didn't stop. He couldn't. He spun on his heel, his eyes burning with determination. One soldier lunged toward him, sword raised, but the man sidestepped, driving his blade into the soldier's side with terrifying precision.  

Another soldier came at him. This time, he deflected the blow with his blade, his movements fueled by desperation. His left arm hung limp at his side, twisted unnaturally, but he fought as if pain was a distant memory.  

One by one, the soldiers fell. Their blood joined his in staining the snow, a dark crimson against the blinding white.  

only one soldier remained. The man stood over him, panting, his sword trembling in his hand.  

The soldier, barely able to stand, dropped his weapon and raised his hands in surrender. But his face twisted with a mixture of fear and resolve as he stared at the blood-soaked man.  

The man staggered closer, his voice a rasping whisper. "Go ahead. Kill me. But know this—one day, you'll realize what you've done. The weight of your choices will crush you."  

The soldier hesitated, his eyes darting to the bodies around him. But then, with a grim expression, he picked up his sword.  

The man closed his eyes as the blade plunged into his chest. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the swirling snow, as if the world itself mourned his fall.  

Chapter 1: The Path to Buds Land

Snow blanketed the dirt roads, crunching underfoot as Shank adjusted the strap of his rucksack. The cold air nipped at his skin, but his determination burned hotter than any winter flame. Ahead of him, the towering gates of Buds Land—the capital of the kingdom—gleamed under the pale morning sun.  

"Shank," Ozi called out, lagging slightly behind. "Do you ever think about what it's going to be like, standing there in front of the king? Wearing the crest of the kingdom? Becoming a soldier?"  

Shank turned, his black hair swaying in the icy breeze, his blue eyes sharp with resolve. "Every day, Ozi. Since I was a kid. It's all I've ever wanted."  

Ozi grinned, his freckles crinkling on his nose. He was shorter and stockier than Shank, with unruly auburn hair. Unlike Shank, whose dream was forged in fire, Ozi's was born from desperation. His family had starved through too many winters, and joining the kingdom's army was his only way out.  

"I just hope all this training wasn't for nothing," Ozi muttered, gripping the hilt of his practice sword. "What if we're not good enough?"  

"You'll do fine," Shank assured, clapping a hand on Ozi's shoulder. "We've trained harder than anyone in our village. You'll see. Buds Land will welcome us."  

The road to the capital was lively. Merchants with carts laden with goods rumbled by, hawkers shouting their wares to passersby. Farmers led oxen, their carts piled high with hay and vegetables. Buds Land wasn't just the political heart of the kingdom; it was a thriving hub of trade and culture.  

As they walked, a tall figure approached from the opposite direction. He wore a leather tunic adorned with patches of fur, and a long scar ran across his cheek. His hand rested on the pommel of a broad, chipped sword.  

"You two," the man barked, his voice rough and gravelly. "Aiming to join the king's army, are you?"  

Shank straightened, nodding respectfully. "Yes, sir."  

The man's gaze lingered on them, appraising. "The king doesn't take lightly to slackers. Better make sure you've got more than just bravado."  

Before either could respond, Ozi blurted out, "We're ready! We've trained for years! We're going to make it."  

The man chuckled, a dry sound. "We'll see about that." With a nod, he passed them, disappearing into the bustling crowd.  

Buds Land: The Kingdom's Heart

The towering gates of Buds Land came into view just as the sun reached its zenith. They were made of iron, intricately carved with images of great battles and victories. Guards clad in silver-plated armor stood on either side, their spears gleaming.  

"Names?" one of the guards asked, his voice bored.  

"Shank and Ozi, from Northdale," Shank replied confidently.  

The guard raised an eyebrow. "Another batch of hopefuls, eh? Go on, then. You'll find the training grounds past the central square."  

Inside, Buds Land was unlike anything Shank or Ozi had ever seen. Cobbled streets wove through towering stone buildings. Vendors lined the roads, selling everything from steaming meat pies to finely crafted jewelry. Children ran about, laughing, while town criers bellowed the latest news.  

"This place is huge," Ozi whispered, awestruck.  

Shank smiled. "It's where we're supposed to be."  

They soon reached the training grounds, a sprawling field filled with recruits. Some were sparring with wooden swords, while others lifted weights or practiced archery. At the far end of the grounds stood a group of instructors, their sharp eyes scanning the new arrivals.  

"Recruits!" one of the instructors bellowed. He was a towering man with a grizzled beard and a voice that carried authority. "Line up! The selection process begins now."  

Shank and Ozi hurried into the line, their hearts pounding.  

-The Fight That Changed Everything-

The day wore on, filled with grueling trials. They were tested on their strength, agility, and combat skills. Shank excelled, his movements precise and calculated. Ozi struggled at first but quickly found his rhythm, driven by sheer determination.  

By the time the sun began to set, only a handful of recruits remained. The final test was a sparring match, where each recruit had to face off against another.  

Shank was paired with a tall, muscular boy named Taren. Their match was intense, with Shank narrowly emerging victorious. Ozi, on the other hand, was paired with a cocky, well-dressed boy who introduced himself as Faren.  

"You don't stand a chance, country boy," Faren sneered as they faced off.  

Ozi gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on his sword.  

The match began, and Faren's attacks were fast and relentless. Ozi struggled to keep up, parrying desperately. But then, in a moment of blind instinct, Ozi swung his sword with all his might.  

The blade connected.  

Faren crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.  

The training grounds fell silent. All eyes turned to the scene, the shock palpable.  

"What... what did you do?" Shank whispered, his voice trembling.  

Ozi dropped his sword, his face pale. "I didn't mean to... I didn't..."  

Before anyone could react further, a voice rang out.  

"What's going on here?"  

A young man strode onto the grounds, his regal attire immediately setting him apart. His eyes landed on Faren's lifeless body, and his expression darkened.  

"That's my friend," the young man hissed. "Who's responsible for this?"  

Ozi froze, his mouth opening and closing uselessly. Shank stepped forward, his instincts screaming at him to protect his friend.  

"It was an accident," Shank said firmly. "We didn't mean for this to happen."  

The young man's gaze turned icy. "Accident or not, you've killed a member of the royal court. There will be consequences."  

Guards rushed forward, seizing Shank and Ozi. As they were dragged away, Shank met Ozi's terrified gaze and whispered, "Stay calm. We'll get through this."  

But deep down, Shank wasn't so sure.