The village burned around him, a sea of orange flames consuming everything Anazitis once knew.
The smoke clawed at the sky, turning the daylight into a sickly twilight.
The cries of the doomed echoed through the night, but they were drowned by the roar of the inferno.
The once-vibrant homes, now nothing more than charred ruins, lay in the wreckage of a place that had been his life.
Anazitis knelt in the ashes, his black hair matted with soot and sweat, his sharp eyes void of emotion. The fire had taken everything-the faces, the memories, the people he once loved-and left him with nothing but the scorching heat and the smoke-filled air.
In the midst of the chaos, a figure stood before him, silhouetted against the blaze. Their voice called to him, but it was lost in the roar of destruction. The flames seemed to whisper, a familiar call to action, but the village-his village-was beyond saving.
The air was heavy with loss, but in the silence of his heart, a single phrase whispered:Eternal happiness
It was not a vow of joy, but a resolve. His path forward was no longer about grief or the past-it was about the future. At that moment,
Anazitis became a Seeker.
A wanderer with nothing to lose and everything to claim. The ashes of his home scattered on the wind, and so too did the last fragments of the boy he had been.
---
Years later ,the Seeker crouched low in the shadow of the cell, his wrists loosely bound with chains. Beside him, Lion-a blond-haired warrior with a trusting smile and confidence in his Way of life A lion heart
"Now," Anazitis whispered, his voice calm and measured, "let's break these chains and raise some chaos."
Lion grinned, his teeth glinting like the edge of his sword. "You're always the dramatist. Fine, but let's make it quick. We've got a show to watch in the arena.
With synchronized precision, they shattered their false bindings, the chains falling to the ground with a metallic clink.
"Halfy's fighting for more than glory," Lion added, "He's after the power of the Monkey Soul."
Anazitis straightened, brushing the dust from his tattered cloak. "In this world, you're either born with the power to wield souls, or you claim them yourself. Halfy's a fighter, but he's got his limits. Let's hope he remembers to fight with his mind, not just his ambitious
They slipped through the canyon and into the The North Forest, a dense, shadowy expanse where towering trees whispered in the breeze. The ground was uneven, and the air thick with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves. Twisted roots clawed out from beneath the soil, and large ferns brushed against their legs as they moved. and every footstep echoed like a whisper of caution.
Anazitis moved with the stealth of a shadow, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. The forest felt alive, its stillness deceptive. It was a place where danger lurked in every corner, and even the wind seemed to carry secrets. The path was treacherous, but their focus remained on the distant roar of the arena crowd.
"Stay alert," Anazitis murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "The knights will be searching for us. The arena's too close for comfort."
Lion chuckled softly, his stride as confident as ever. "If they come, we deal with them. Simple as that.
As if summoned by his words, the faint sound of armored footsteps reached their ears.
Anazitis signaled for silence, pulling Lion into the shadows of a thicket.
Moments later, a patrol of knights appeared, their silver armor glinting in the dappled sunlight. Their movements were calculated, the sound of their boots crunching the leaves beneath them steady and deliberate.
"Don't underestimate them," Anazitis whispered. "They're more persistent than you think. If we're not careful, we'll draw out one of the Ten Knights."
Lion's brow furrowed slightly, the mention of the Ten Knights drawing his full attention. "You're saying you'd lose?
Anazitis' voice was cold and sharp. "I'm saying we'd be outmatched. The Ten Knights don't fight like the others. They're trained to hunt and corner-if one of them finds us, they'll have us surrounded in seconds.
Lion grinned, his confidence unwavering. "But that's exactly what you want, isn't it? A challenge?"
Anazitis glanced at him, his eyes steely. A challenge huh it's like jump into fire and say I will not burn
If i want to jump into fire i will a water
Lion laughed softly, the sound of it like the crack of thunder. "Fine, we'll do it your way-for now. Let's get to the arena before Halfy's fight starts."
The two men continued through the forest, their pace steady and purposeful. As the cheers of the coliseum grew louder, the edge of the forest came into view. The trees parted, revealing a sprawling arena in the distance, its towering walls rising like an ancient monument to bloodshed.
---
Inside the Coliseum, chaos reigned. The crowd jeered and cheered, their voices a deafening roar that reverberated off the stone walls. The heat of the midday sun bore down, the air thick with dust and the scent of sweat and anticipation. The arena was a vast circular pit, surrounded by high walls of cracked stone, with balconies packed full of spectators eager for the violence to unfold.
Anazitis and Lion entered through a narrow passage at the edge of the coliseum, their eyes immediately drawn to the sight of Halfy standing in the center of the ring.
Inside the coliseum, Halfy was preparing to face his opponent-a massive warrior who wielded an axe so large that it seemed to defy gravity. His muscles bulged, his frame imposing, while Halfy-a slender haflling-stood at the center of the ring with nothing but his dagger. The crowd jeered, underestimating him at every turn.
But Halfy didn't care. His eyes locked on the giant in front of him, and a calm determination settled over him. Easy fight. Just muscle. No brain. I'll show them what true skill is.
The brute's voice boomed across the arena. "What do you think you can do with that toothpick, little man? My axe will split you in half before you even blink!
The brute swung the axe down with terrifying force, and for a moment, it seemed as though the world itself would be split in two. But Halfy moved like a shadow. He vanished from sight, the axe cutting through the empty space where he had stood just moments before.
Halfy reappeared behind the brute, his dagger flashing in the sunlight as it carved a shallow, precise cut across the brute's side. The crowd gasped.
The brute paused, seemingly unphased, and then chuckled, a deep, booming laugh. "A scratch? That's all you've got?"
A voice whispers in the brute mind I can't move and how he disappears in front of me why i can't move
Halfy says With a sarcastic smile full of madness poison idiots
And you just reliant on your strength. You underestimating me.
How do I disappear in front of you that's what you're thinking right now
The voice of the Match Referee rang out, his tone echoing through the arena. "What you've just witnessed is the Moon Walk-a skill passed down through generations. Only those with the right bloodline can unlock it. It's a technique both precise and elusive."
The brute laughter faltered as he began to feel the effects of Halfy's poison strike. His massive body stiffened, his movements sluggish.
The crowd murmured in confusion as the brute gripped his axe with growing desperation. "What have you done?" IM strong I'm strong IM strong
As the crowd gasped in awe, Halfy couldn't help but smile. He raised his voice, loud enough for all to hear. "Look at that idiot! That's what happens to anyone who challenges a halfling like me!" His laughter rang through the arena, tinged with madness.
The crowd exploded into wild applause, the arena shaking with the power of their cheers. Halfy's eyes gleamed, his smile growing wider as he basked in the admiration. He had proven something today-not just to his opponent, but to the entire world.
The brute knees buckled, his body collapsing onto the sand with a thunderous crash. A cloud of dust billowed into the air, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Anazitis gaze remained steady. "The Monkey Soul is at stake. And if the Ten Knights are watching, this fight is more than just a show. It's a test."
The Match Referee's voice boomed through the arena, announcing Halfy's victory, but Anazitis knew the real battle had yet to begin. He turned to Lion, his voice low. "Halfy's journey is just beginning. But so is ours."
Lion's grin widened. "Let's see who's next."