On a stone bridge suspended over a sea of bubbling lava, Kenji and Olorun lay side by side, the intense heat radiating from below. The bridge was eerily silent, with only the distant roar of the lava breaking the stillness. The dim, fiery glow from the molten rock cast long shadows, creating a surreal and unsettling atmosphere. Kenji broke the silence, glancing sideways at Olorun. "You know, you don't seem like a bastard, even though you tried to kill Eleo."Olorun managed a faint smile, his eyes reflecting the flickering light. "Yeah, and you're not as annoying as I thought." Kenji raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why did you try to kill him anyway?" Olorun's smile faded, replaced by a hardened expression. "I had my orders. My brother... he doesn't tolerate disobedience." Kenji looked at him, sensing the deeper pain beneath his words. "Your brother? What's he like?" Olorun's gaze drifted to the churning lava below. "He's the only family I have left. Strong, ruthless, and ambitious. He took me in when I had no one, when I was at my lowest."Kenji nodded, understanding the gravity of Olorun's situation. "Do you ever think about leaving?" Olorun's eyes met Kenji's, filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve. "I've thought about it every day. But I owe him everything. He saved me when no one else cared." Kenji considered this, his voice softening. "Sounds like you're not as free as you think." Olorun looked away, his mind drifting to a distant memory The small town lay in ruins, its once-thriving streets now a desolate wasteland. Smoke billowed from the remnants of buildings, and the cries of survivors echoed faintly in the distance. Seven-year-old Olorun crouched in the rubble of what used to be his and his mom's home, tears streaking his soot-covered face. His small hands clutched a charred, broken locket—the only keepsake left of his parents.
The attack had been swift and merciless, a band of raiders bearing the kitsune symbol descending upon the town in a torrent of destruction. Olorun's mom had fought valiantly to protect him, but they were overwhelmed, leaving him orphaned in the chaos.
As night fell, Olorun wandered aimlessly through the ruins, his stomach growling and his spirit broken. He stumbled upon the town's old temple, its grand structure reduced to a crumbling skeleton. Desperate for shelter, he pushed open the heavy wooden doors, which groaned loudly in protest.
Inside, the air was thick with dust, and the faint glow of moonlight illuminated the remnants of ancient murals depicting gods and spirits. At the center of the temple, an altar stood untouched amidst the wreckage. On it lay a strange orb, its surface swirling with an eerie, otherworldly light.
Olorun approached cautiously, his instincts screaming at him to stay away. But something about the orb called to him, a faint hum resonating in his chest as he drew closer. His trembling fingers reached out, brushing the surface of the orb.
A surge of energy exploded outward, throwing Olorun backward. The orb shattered, its pieces disintegrating into sparks of lightning that spiraled toward him. The energy engulfed him, crackling through his veins like a living storm. He screamed as the power took hold, his small body writhing in pain and fear.
When the storm subsided, Olorun lay motionless, his body marked with glowing veins of electric blue. He opened his eyes, now flickering like lightning, and felt an unfamiliar strength coursing through him. He stood shakily, the fear and despair replaced by a strange sense of purpose.
The next morning, as the sun rose over the ruins, Olorun emerged from the temple. His newfound power allowed him to survive the wilderness, his lightning abilities serving as both weapon and shield. He roamed the land, searching for answers about the orb and the gods it once belonged to.
Olorun's wanderings brought him to a bustling city on the edge of a vast desert. He survived by stealing food and avoiding the city guards, his small stature and agility making him an elusive target.
One fateful day, while hiding in an alley, he encountered a man with silver hair and piercing blue eyes—his brother. Or at least, that's what the man claimed.
"You've got a gift," the man said, his voice smooth and persuasive. "I've been looking for you, little brother. You have no idea how important you are."
Olorun, suspicious but desperate for companionship, followed the man. He promised Olorun food, shelter, and a place in his powerful organization. The man never revealed how he knew about Olorun's powers or the orb but spoke of destiny and a grand purpose.
Under his brother's guidance, Olorun's abilities were honed into deadly weapons. The brother's ambition and charisma made it easy for Olorun to overlook his ruthlessness. Over time, Olorun convinced himself that loyalty to his brother was all he needed, burying the pain of his past beneath a façade of strength. Back in the Present: Olorun's eyes glistened with a mix of sadness and determination as he finished recounting his story to Kenji. Olorun's eyes glistened with a mix of sadness and determination as he finished recounting his story to Kenji. "That's why I stay here. My brother found me after that. He gave me a purpose when I had nothing left, when I didn't even want to live anymore." Kenji, deeply moved, nodded thoughtfully. "Damn, that's heavy. I can't even remember how I ended up in World 1. I probably had a sad backstory too, but nothing like that. Well, you really should think about joining us. We could use someone like you, and maybe you need something more than what your brother's giving you." Olorun's face lit up with hope, but it was tinged with uncertainty. "You really want me to join?" Kenji stood up, brushing off his clothes. "Ok, I won't force you, but think about it. Sometimes, the family you find is better than the one you're born into." As Kenji walked away, Olorun's thoughts churned, the weight of his past pressing down on him. He felt torn between the loyalty he owed to his brother and the possibility of a new beginning. "WAIT!" Olorun suddenly shouted, his voice echoing across the stone bridge. "I WANT TO JOIN YOU GUYS!" Kenji paused, glancing back with a smile. "Glad to hear it." Eleo and Tony sprinted through the dim corridors of the castle, their breaths coming in quick, anxious bursts. The narrow passages twisted and turned, disorienting them further. "Maybe we shouldn't have left Kenji to fight him alone," Eleo said, glancing back worriedly. Tony grunted in agreement, his usual bravado gone. "He's strong, remember? He fought Mikage and survived." "Yeah, I remember," Eleo replied, trying to convince himself more than anything. "I guess he really is strong." Suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted, and they plummeted through a hidden trap. The darkness enveloped them as they fell, their startled cries echoing through the abyss.