*Warning: This chapter contains gore elements which may not be suitable for some readers*
The sunlight filtered through the white curtains, casting a golden streak across the wooden floor of my old room. The faint chirping of birds greeted me as I got out from the bed. It was a rare moment of peace. Something that I hadn't experience in years.
"Zane! Breakfast!" Elise's voice cut through my thoughts; het tone far too energetic for someone who had likely been up since dawn.
I rubbed my eyes, as I made my way towards the mirror, a faint smile appeared at my face. What's reflected back was me smiling so brightly that it made me question myself–if it's actually me. It felt like I could actually let my guard down. At least for now.
After washing my face, I made my ways to our café where, my mother, bustling around the kitchen, and my father chatted with the café customers, while Elise setting a table for me as she lined plates of spiced omelets, buttered toast, and freshly brewed coffee.
"Why are you just standing there? Come and eat." Elise's voice had a usual mix of joy and affection, her hands busy pouring coffee into a mug.
I walked over, my steps slow and deliberate, as if enjoying every moment.
"Good morning, Zane!" my father greeted, looking up from a cheerful conversation with one of the customers. "You're up early?"
I shrugged, sitting down at the table Elise had set for me. "Thought I'd surprise you."
I picked up my fork and cut into the omelet. The first bite hit my tongue, and I couldn't suppress the small sigh of satisfaction. Warm, perfectly spiced, and with just the right amount of salt.
She caught on my expression and grinned proudly. "Good, right?"
Delicious!
"Decent," I said with a straight face, though the twinkle in my eyes gave me away.
"Decent?" she gasped, hands on her hip. "I slaved over the omelet! You're lucky I don't–"
"Elise," my mother interrupted from the kitchen, her voice calm but firm. "Let him eat in peace."
Elise muttered something under her breath but didn't repeat it further. Instead, she grabbed her own plate and joined me at the table.
"So," she said, her fork pointing at me, "I've taken a day off from [NOVA] to show you around the town."
"Don't you have hero training or something?"
"Please, as if anything is more important than my baby brother's homecoming."
"I'm just eleven months younger than you."
She smirked. "Details. Now. Hurry. Up!"
Elise's declaration left no room for argument. Before I could protest–or even finish my coffee–she had already darted off to grab her jacket. My parents exchanged amused glances, clearly enjoying the rare sight.
"Go on," my father said with a chuckle. "You know she won't give in easily."
With a resigned sigh, I pushed my chair and stood. "Fine. But if she starts dragging me into every shop, I'm blaming you both."
My mother smiled knowingly as she handed me my coat. "You'll survive."
Elise appeared, practically bouncing on her toes. "Ready? Let's Go!" She grabbed my arm and tugged me toward the door, barely giving me time to put on my coat.
…
The street of Honeyford buzzed with life as Elise dragged me out of the café and into the heart of the town. The ice-crystal streets were warm underfoot, catching the sunlight delicate glow. Stalls lined the road on both sides, each spilling over with goods. Vendors called out to passing crowds, their voices merging into a harmonious rhythm. The aroma of roasted chestnuts, spiced meats, and honey-glazed pastries blended with the tanginess of sea salt carried in from the distant coast.
A woman with fiery red hair, her scarf fluttering in the wind, managed a stall brimming with forged volcanic glass–Cleary imported form [Pyrestone]. Nearby, a man with silver hair showcased small wind-powered gadgets from [Stormshade], there propellers spinning lazily in the gentle breeze.
Elise stopped at a stall selling necklaces made of aquamarine beads. "What do you think?" she asked, holding one up to the light.
I glanced at it, noting how the polished stones seemed to shimmer with the faintest trace of [Aquadore] water essence. "It's nice," I said.
"Nice? Zane, it's stunning!" She tossed a few coins to the vendor, who, with his cyan hair and soft features, was unmistakably from [Aquadore]. She slipped the necklace into her bag and turned to me with a grin. "Alright, next stop!"
She grabbed my arm again, dragging me toward the corner of the marketplace where performers had gathered. My eyes wandered as we moved, taking in every little detail of Honeyford. This place felt like a living extraordinary world—a blend of all the five great kingdoms.
The five kingdoms each thrived on their respective [Elemental] essence, their lands rich with it, their people shaped by it. [Frostvile], my homeland, It's people had jet black hair just like me, the atmosphere was cold and harsh, its landscapes glistening with eternal ice and snow. It gave birth to those of us who possessed [Ice Essence], a power that pulsed within our veins and resonated with the world around us.
But that was just one corner of the world.
[Pyrestone] was the opposite—a kingdom of roaring flames and searing heat. Its people, red-haired, wielded the [Fire Essence] with unmatched precision.
[Terranova], on the other hand, was grounded—literally. A kingdom of vast plains and towering mountains, its blond-haired citizens harnessed the stability of [Earth Essence].
[Stormshade] silver-haired people were the masters of [Wind Essence], living in a kingdom of perpetual storms and high-altitude peaks.
And then there was [Aquadore], a realm of endless water and serenity. The cyan-haired inhabitants, their [Water Essence] flowing as fluidly as the tides that shaped their coastline.
The [Elemental Essence] was deeply tied to each kingdom's geography and culture. But there was a catch.
If a person left their homeland and moved to another kingdom, their connection to their [Elemental Essence] would weaken. It wasn't immediate, nor was it fatal, but over time, the lack of resonance with the land's essence would drain them.
That's why most people didn't stray far from home.
We're the prisoners of our own essence…
But I was different, after that explosion when the Hero Association took me in, I found out that I can use all the [Elemental Essence] and leaving my home doesn't affect me no matter how far I go. Even if I left [Frostvile] and settled in [Pyrestone] then instead of [Ice Essence], the [Fire Essence] will provide me strength, sure enough my [Ice elemental] will be weaken but my [Fire Elemental] will become even stronger. This is the power I possess, and I think that's the reason, why none of the Heroes from Hero Association can come even close to rival me. Because my [Essence] will never be weakened. I'm the only one in this world who is loved by all the [Elementals].
"Zane, are you even listening?" Elise's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Huh?" I blinked, realizing we had stopped in front of a small stall selling grilled meat skewers.
She shoved one into my hand. "Try this."
The aroma hit me first—smoky and rich. I bit into it, the flavour exploding on my tongue. "This is... amazing."
"Told you!" she said, grinning triumphantly.
I took another bite, savouring the moment–then I saw them—a group of four red-haired individuals, their movements too deliberate, too calculated.
A girl with crimson hair, around my age, her delicate frame being dragged into a narrow alley by one of the men. Her wide, terrified eyes darted around, seeking for help, but the bustling crowd seemed to un-notice.
'A kidnapping? In a broad day light?'
"Elise, I need to…" I paused, searching for an excuse. "I need to use the restroom. Be right back."
She raised an eyebrow. "Don't take forever. I'm timing you."
…
I slipped into the shadows, my movements were quick and silent. The narrow alley reeked of damp stone and decay. The girl struggled against one of the men, her voice muffled by a gloved hand.
"Let her go," I said, my voice cold and commanding.
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
". . ."
The group turned. Their expressions shifting from surprise to amusement. The man holding the girl sneered. "Look what we have here. A little rat trying to play hero."
I stepped forward, my gaze locked onto his. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."
The woman to his left chuckled, drawing a sword. "Oh, we'll see about that." She proceeds to unleash her [Essence], "Sorry, to break it to you kid, as you can see, I'm from [Pyrestone], a worst nightmare for your [Frostvile] kind– [Flame Bullet]"
"[Distortion]." I said with no emotions.
Unleashing my [Essence] the moment she activated hers. Causing the [Elemental] flow in the area to waver. The kidnappers' weapons and powers halted, as they stumble in confusion.
"What the–? My fire isn't working!"
"Hey brat!! What did you d–"
–Click!
Swoosh!
Before the man finished his sentence, I took the katana from my [Inventory Ring], As my hand moved with lightning speed–my strike sliced vertically at the man causing him to split in half–from his head down to his crouch. Blood sprayed everywhere as his guts began to spill out from the cut. His brownish brain-matter dropped making a 'splash' sound as it lays flat on the ground. The very scene makes other three question their very decision as they trembled with uneasiness.
I smirk. "Didn't I warn you? You're in my territory now."
"Wh-Who are you?! That was triple digit Hero, A brat like you… that easily…" The woman said in disbelieved as she pointed her sword at me, with her trembling hand.
–Click!
I once again drew the katana from its sheath and slashed, severing both of the woman's hands. Blood gushed from the wounds, revealing jagged red veins, torn flesh, and the sickening sight of yellowish-red bone marrow glistening in the light.
Swoosh!
"Wh–!! AAAAAAAGGHH–"
Before she finished her scream, I cut down her mouth with a fine slice of my blade. Her teeth and tongue laid bare dangled from her torn opened mouth.
She fell to her knees, as I proceed to push the tip of my katana to one of her eye socket–After inserting my blade to her eye–I made my wrist twist as to rotate my entire blade while it's in her head. As I pulled it back red colour blood began to flow out from her once called–eye with a slight mixture of light brownish colour liquid.
The other two onlookers held their breath as they witness this gruesome scene. They both hesitantly backed away as they began to run away. But before they could, I made an arc in the air with my blade–Swoosh! which caused their leg to leave behind, as their entire body fell forward missing both of their legs.
"AAAAGG!!!"
"Please!! Don't kill m–" They both said in unison, but before they finished, I made a final slice with my blade removing the top one-fourth portion of their head.
Both the bodies fell forward as their half brains began to flow out–still slightly beating for the last time.
Then my eyes finally focused on the crimson-haired girl as she witnessing all this with a face of disbelief, disgust and fear. As I looked at her–she began to backed away a bit.
"I mean no harm to you." I said, assuring her safety.
". . . "
She staired at me like a ghost, but before she even reacts, a man hiding on roof of a house tried to attack her–
"[Fire Bull–]"
"[Fire Bullet]." I said cutting his words, pointing my katana at him– the tip of my katana glowed with red flame concentrating as it formed a tiny dot–which I shot right through that man's head which took his life.
"You are safe now. There's no any threat." I said, once again assuring her safety–for real this time.
"W–Who are you?" Stammered she asked.
I hesitate for a moment, taking in her appearance. She's not a threat–that much is clear. But the question lingers in the air, wrapping itself around me like a tightening rope. Who was I now?
As I offer her my hand. "Just someone passing by." My voice is calm, even, as if brushing off the gravity of the situation. She hesitates briefly before taking my hand, her fingers cold but steady.
"You looked like you could've handled it eventually," I said, though my tone carries a hint of teasing.
She smiles faintly, though the tension in her shoulders still remains. "I'm Anna… Anna Ashborne."
Ashborne—a prominent noble family, known for its influence in [Pyrestone]. Their crimson-haired tales were practically legends. I remember reading about them once.
"You're a long way from [Pyrestone], Anna," I remarked.
Her smile faded. "It's… complicated," she admits, looking down for a moment. "My family's caught up in a rivalry with another noble. I thought I could handle it on my own, but clearly…" Her voice trails off, and she gestures to the silent battlefield.
–Sigh
I exhaled slowly, pushing my own thoughts aside. "Next time, don't make it so easy for them."
She nods, her crimson hair falling over her face, "I'll remember that."
There's a pause—a fragile silence that hangs between us. Then Anna looked up to me, her amber eyes shining with curiosity. "What about you?" she asks. "You haven't told me your name yet."
'This could be the first step, A small one, but a step nonetheless.'
"Zane, My name's Zane. But keep it to yourself, alright?"
Anna blinks, surprised by my sudden response. "Zane," She repeated, as if trying the name out for herself. Her lips curve into a small smile. "Thank you again, Zane. Truly. If there's ever anything I can do to repay you–"
"There's no need. Just… keep it to yourself, alright?"
"Of course. If that's what you want. Um… If it's ok, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"How can you able to use… [Fire Bullet]… I mean, you have black hair–clearly, you're a [Frostvile] citizen… It basically defies the known theory–"
"That's also a secret. Keep it to yourself, kay?"
"…alright."
"It's time for me to go, take care. Anna."
With that I vanished to the roof of a nearby building, watching Anna one last time before meeting with my sister.
…
When I returned to the stall, Elise was waiting, arms crossed. "Twenty-one minutes and forty-seven seconds," she declared. "What took you so long? Were you building the restroom or something?"
I smirked. "Let's just say I got… distracted."
She rolled her eyes, laughing. "You're impossible."
As we walked back home, her laughter echoing in the streets.
I made my decision. And with that I declared it to my sister.
"I will join [NOVA]."
End of Chapter.