In the midst of the desolate forest, a massive female bear closed her eyes, overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness and resignation. She cradled her unconscious mate in her lap, tears streaming from her eyes as she confronted the harsh reality that their time was coming to an end. Her only desire was the safety of her husband and their unborn child, yet to grace this world.
"Forgive me, my child…" she murmured sorrowfully, as her tears fell upon her husband's face. She caressed her swelling belly with regret, lamenting silently, 'If only the lake in our territory hadn't dried up.' Her weakened expression revealed her despair.
As the giant bear succumbed to her hopelessness, her husband, the leader of the black giant bears, stirred from his slumber. With a protective stance, he positioned himself between his wife and the impending threat.
"Please, sir, forgive my wife. Spare her life!" The black bear leader pleaded desperately, his face a canvas of submission. "Let me bear the burden instead. This is all my doing," he confessed, his expression darkening with the acknowledgment of his fault.
His wife attempted to rise in his defense, but he quickly stopped her, his face begging her to stay back.
"And why should I pardon monsters who seek to disturb the peace of my home?" Rayden's voice was cold and devoid of empathy. "Imagine if I hadn't the strength to protect my own. I'd be the one at your mercy now," he retorted, his tone laced with disdain as he glared at the two beleaguered bears.
Rayden's words cut deep with brutal honesty. Had he lacked the power to safeguard his domain, these cursed bears would have slaughtered him and his people without mercy.
Without hesitation, Rayden continued to unleash his fiery meteors toward the resigned black giant bears, seemingly accepting their fate.
"I beg of you, my wife carries our child. She needs adequate nourishment to ensure a healthy birth. But the lake in our territory suddenly dried up, and our farmed fish vanished without a trace," the black bear leader explained, his voice choked with sobs as he prostrated himself on the ground. Pride meant nothing if it could save his wife's life.
"My husband," the giant female bear whispered, moved to tears by her mate's sacrifice, willing to risk everything for her and their unborn cub.
Rayden, listening to the bear's plea, suddenly halted the deadly descent of his meteors, obliterating them with a swift gesture by compressing the gravitational field around each one instantly.
In that fleeting moment, memories of his own childhood surged through Rayden's mind. He recalled with vivid clarity the loneliness he endured, wandering the streets with no one to lean on. Abandoned as an infant in a trash bin, he was rescued by a kindhearted nun from an orphanage.
Rayden grew up in that orphanage until the age of twelve, when he decided to run away, hoping to ease the financial burden on the struggling institution that could barely sustain its operations.
Rayden had never once excessively complained about his life on the streets, undertaking various jobs to survive. Until one day, he finally secured a stable job and a steady savings account.
However, instead of contemplating his own future, Rayden chose to donate his entire annual savings to the orphanage that had cared for him since childhood. He hoped to alleviate their burdens and enable them to continue nurturing children in greater need.
Fast-forward to the present, Rayden landed before the two of them. Simultaneously, he dismantled the wooden barrier he had crafted.
Upon witnessing the scattered corpses of giant black bears, Rayden summoned dozens of tree roots, absorbing organic matter and microorganisms from each massive carcass. Within moments, the bodies of the bears transformed into collections of emaciated skeletons, their skin and fur barely clinging to the bones.
"Ha—damn it, you've truly struck at my weak point," sighed Rayden, exhaling deeply, feeling a mix of pity and helplessness at the same time.
Regardless of the reasoning behind their actions, Rayden had a soft spot for children, especially unborn babies. He refused to become the killer of a mother who was doing whatever it took to secure her child's future, even if her methods were entirely wrong.
"Very well, I've decided not to kill the two of you," he declared with a calmer voice, having made up his mind. "But you both will face punishment by serving as my workers for an extended period." He emphasized the consequences they would have to bear for their previous actions.
Of course, the punishment did not entail working them to death. Rayden harbored no malicious intent, as he understood the exhaustion of being a laborer, both physically and emotionally, especially when the work did not align with one's capabilities.
Without a second thought, the two giant black bears accepted Rayden's terms. They seemed pleased to be employed, thinking they would now receive a steady supply of food.
Anastasia and Miranda overheard Rayden's declaration. They promptly emerged from the house, walking towards his right and left sides.
"Ray, let me place the slave mark on them," Anastasia suggested eagerly, her face alight with enthusiasm.
"Darling, leave this matter to the two of us," Miranda added with a gentle smile, playfully winking at him.
Rayden agreed to the suggestions of both women and headed towards the lake to catch some fish. Unbeknownst to him, the sun had begun to rise in the eastern sky, indicating the dawn of a new day and reminding him of his hunger for breakfast.
Meanwhile, Rayden was unaware that the two giant black bears, who had surrendered earlier, were now filled with terror and dread at the sight of Anastasia and Miranda.
In the secluded expanse of the wilderness, a palpable tension hung in the air as the leader of the colossal black bears approached, a blend of reverence and anxiety evident in his demeanor. "Anastasia, the illustrious Scarlet Sovereign of Destruction, and Miranda, the unparalleled Supreme Sword Emperor. What brings such esteemed figures as yourselves to an isolated locale like this?" he queried, his tone a mixture of wonder and apprehension.
"There is no need for your concern regarding that matter," Anastasia responded, her voice a gentle melody laced with a commanding authority that brooked no argument. "Simply ensure that this remains concealed from Rayden for the time being. We do not wish to stir any unwarranted speculations about our true identities." Her words resonated with the weight of an unassailable mandate.
The two bears nodded with fervent understanding, their bodies betraying their fear as sweat dripped profusely down their fur, driven by the dread of provoking the ire of the formidable entities before them.
∆∆∆
In the majestic training hall of the hero cadets within the capital of the great Kingdom of Eldoria, the atmosphere was saturated with the intense aroma of sweat and effort. Each hero cadet was subjected to an exacting regimen designed to meticulously harness and refine the arcane energy within their bodies.
Though they possessed comprehensive knowledge of their magical talents, which allowed for instantaneous mastery of various elements, the manipulation of arcane energy was a skill that demanded relentless practice. This dedication was crucial, for arcane energy was intimately connected to the spiritual life force of all living beings. A single miscalculation could jeopardize their very existence, as these energies were intricately interwoven, with Willpower serving as the vital demarcation between them.
Every mage was required to cultivate a robust and finely-tuned willpower to effectively wield arcane energy. This was typically achieved through disciplined training in specific arts, such as martial arts, swordsmanship, and other physically demanding pursuits. Mastery could also be obtained through specialized studies imparting self-discipline and mastery over one's own mind and spirit.
However, the most potent method of training was through physical exertion. Particularly for battle mages, engaging in arcane energy exercises through rigorous physical training proved immensely advantageous. This approach significantly enhanced other attributes such as physical strength and close-quarters combat capabilities, thereby fortifying their prowess on the battlefield.
As the young hero cadets were deep in their training, the doors of the training hall suddenly swung open to reveal a muscular, middle-aged man clad in resplendent knightly armor. His presence was commanding, exuding the air of a battle-hardened veteran. His hair was short and neatly kept, a natural blond that added to his imposing demeanor.
With a mere exertion of his powerful aura, the old knight brought all activity within the hall to an abrupt halt. Instantly, every cadet found themselves temporarily immobilized, their bodies and minds compelled to focus solely on this formidable figure. Familiar with this overwhelming sensation, they offered no unnecessary resistance.
"Hmm—excellent, your training is beginning to bear fruit," the old knight intoned with a deep, resonant voice, nodding in approval. "Given that you all have demonstrated proficiency in wielding arcane energy, His Majesty has decreed that you shall be taken to the battlefield to gain real-world experience."
This declaration, both a commendation and a call to arms, resonated through the hall, leaving the cadets with a mixture of anticipation and resolve. The path to becoming true heroes was now laid before them, and the battlefield awaited their valor and skill.