Chapter 8: The Arrival of Li Gags
The towering gates of King Vision's kingdom creaked open, revealing a spectacle that left the gathered crowd in stunned silence. Thirty guards of the White Clan surrounded a single prisoner, Li Gags, shackled with heavy chains from head to toe. His emerald-green eyes glinted with defiance as he scanned the onlookers, his gaze sharp and piercing. At just seventeen years old, Li Gags carried an air of mystery and power that unnerved even the bravest in the crowd. Despite his restraints, there was something about him that commanded attention. His presence was magnetic, a paradox of vulnerability and latent strength. The whispers among the crowd were rife with speculation, their voices hushed, as though they feared speaking too loudly might provoke the fury of the boy in chains.
As the procession moved forward, the crowd parted, allowing the caravan to advance. The chain-bound warrior was a living legend, known across the kingdoms for his strength, his resilience, and his unyielding spirit. Yet, here he was, a mere prisoner, paraded before those who had once feared him. The air seemed thick with the weight of expectations, for no one knew what Li Gags would do now that he had been captured. Would he remain the fierce warrior of old, or had the chains broken something far deeper within him?
The caravan came to a halt before the grand entrance of King Vision's palace, its majestic stone pillars rising high into the heavens. The sheer size of the structure was awe-inspiring, an embodiment of the kingdom's power and prestige. Li Gags could not help but marvel at the towering spires, each one reaching toward the sky as if challenging the very heavens. His captors, however, had no time for such distractions. The guards pulled him from the cart, their grip firm and unyielding, dragging him toward the palace's threshold. Though his mind remained alert, his body was worn from the long journey, each step heavy with the knowledge that he was being led into a future he could not yet predict.
Inside the palace, the grand throne room awaited. King Vision sat upon a throne carved from white jade, its surface shimmering in the soft glow of the chandeliers hanging above. His throne was a symbol of his power—pristine, unblemished, a stark contrast to the captive standing before him. The king was flanked by General Tom of the White Clan, a man whose reputation for military prowess was known far and wide. The general's eyes narrowed as he observed the prisoner, but it was the king's gaze that held Li Gags' attention. King Vision's sharp eyes missed nothing. They swept over Li Gags with a detached curiosity, as though appraising a rare piece of art. He was a ruler accustomed to power and control, yet the boy before him seemed to unsettle him in a way no one else could.
"Take him to the room," King Vision commanded, his voice calm yet firm, cutting through the tension in the room. "Clean him, dress him in proper attire, and ensure he has enough food. The boy looks half-starved." His words were measured, as though he had already decided that Li Gags was worth the investment, but only if he could be molded into something useful.
The guards obeyed without hesitation, leading Li Gags down a long corridor toward a prepared chamber. The hallway was lined with tapestries that told the history of the White Clan—battles won, kingdoms conquered, and the ever-growing legend of King Vision's reign. The walls seemed to hum with the weight of centuries of power. At the end of the corridor, a simple but clean room awaited him. The maids worked swiftly, washing away the dirt and grime of his journey, their movements efficient, almost mechanical. They treated him not as a prisoner, but as a guest—one whose presence in the palace was more of a formality than a true submission.
The bed was simple, its sheets white and soft, contrasting with the rough treatment Li Gags had endured thus far. A basin of warm water was placed before him, and though he longed for rest, the desire for cleanliness overwhelmed him. As the water washed away the sweat and grime from his skin, Li Gags couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had brought him here. The memories of the Hunters' Forest, the auction, and the burning flames of King Miller's wrath seemed distant now, but they still clung to him, like ghosts in the back of his mind.
Once he was clean, a fresh set of clothes was presented to him. The fabric was soft, rich in texture, and though it didn't offer the freedom he longed for, it offered him a semblance of dignity. He dressed in silence, his movements stiff and calculated. His wrists, still shackled, felt like chains that not only bound his body but his very soul. As he adjusted the clothing, he could feel the weight of the necklace the servant girl had given him earlier. It rested heavily against his chest, its delicate design shimmering faintly in the light. He had not forgotten the girl or her words. "Wear this. It will help you." But how? And why? Questions lingered in his mind, unanswered and unsettling.
Once he was ready, the guards led him back toward the throne room, where King Vision awaited. Li Gags' footsteps echoed in the hallway, the sound sharp and hollow, as though his entire world had become smaller and smaller with each step. When he re-entered the throne room, he stood tall, despite his shackles, his eyes never leaving the king. General Tom stepped forward, his voice booming through the chamber. "Take him to the training base," King Vision instructed. "He will join the other trainees. Let's see what the boy is capable of."
Li Gags was no stranger to training. He had spent years honing his skills, mastering every form of combat known to his people. But this was different. This was no mere test of strength or skill; it was a demonstration of his very worth. King Vision had no interest in a warrior for the sake of a warrior. He sought power, and Li Gags was the key to unlocking it.
Before the guards could lead him away, a soft voice stopped them. A servant girl, barely older than Li Gags himself, intercepted their path. Her presence was quiet, but it was filled with purpose. She was a messenger, sent by Princess Grace, King Vision's only child. Without revealing her identity, the girl handed Li Gags a delicate necklace, the same one he had worn earlier. But now, it felt different. It pulsed with a faint energy that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Wear this," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "It will help you." There was something in her eyes, something deep and knowing. Li Gags was about to ask what she meant, but before he could form the question, she was already turning away. Her smile, though brief, held a mysterious quality. It was as though she understood something he did not, a secret she had not yet shared.
Curiosity flickered in Li Gags' eyes, but the guard's sharp command cut through his thoughts. "Move! We don't have all day." And with that, the moment was lost. He tucked the necklace under his clothing and followed the guards down another long corridor. It seemed as though the palace was an endless series of hallways and chambers, each one more opulent than the last.
The training grounds were vast, a sprawling arena filled with the sounds of clashing wood and shouted commands. Teenagers under the age of eighteen were scattered across the field, sparring with wooden weapons and shields. The air was thick with the energy of youth—energy that had been honed into weapons of war by the White Clan's elite training program.
Li Gags stood at the edge of the arena, watching the trainees with a critical eye. He had been through many battlefields, fought against countless opponents, and survived the harshest of training regimens. But this felt different. The stakes were higher here. He was no longer a free warrior. He was a prisoner, and this was his chance to prove his worth.
One of the guards handed him a wooden sword and a shield. The weight of the sword felt familiar, but the shield was new to him. It was large, unwieldy in his hands, but he knew how to use it. As he adjusted his grip, the warmth of the necklace around his neck intensified. But when he reached for his powers, he felt a barrier, something holding him back. The necklace was suppressing his abilities. His green eyes still glowed faintly, but the power that once surged through him was no longer accessible.
General Tom's voice boomed across the arena. "Let the training begin!" His words rang in the air, signaling the start of the first trial.
The trainees formed a circle around Li Gags, their eyes filled with curiosity and skepticism. They had heard rumors of the boy in chains, the prisoner who had been sold at the auction. But now they would see for themselves whether the stories were true. The first opponent, a burly boy armed with a staff, stepped forward, his face determined. The crowd cheered as the match began, but Li Gags remained calm, his eyes calculating every movement.
The staff-wielding boy lunged at him, his strike fast and powerful. But Li Gags, though shackled, was still a warrior at heart. He parried the blow with his shield and countered with a swift strike of his sword. The wooden blade clashed against the staff, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Li Gags had barely moved, yet the power behind his strike was undeniable.
In the distance, Princess Grace watched intently, her heart racing. She knew there was something extraordinary about Li Gags, and she was right. The necklace she had given him was not just an ornament. It was a key—a key to unlocking his true potential when the time came.
As the duel continued, it became clear to everyone watching that Li Gags was no ordinary prisoner. His movements were fluid, precise, and efficient. He was a warrior, bound by chains but unbroken in spirit. The match ended in a draw, but it was a draw that spoke volumes. Li Gags was a force to be reckoned with, and though the necklace suppressed his powers, it could not extinguish the fire within him.
The training grounds erupted in noise as the duel ended, but amidst the chaos, one thing was certain: Li Gags was no mere captive. He was a warrior—a warrior who had only just begun to show his true potential.