The sun was a distant memory of the past. The sky is now a bruised canvas, painted in hues of blood and ash. Its as if the world itself was bleeding. The air hummed with a constant low growl, the sound of demons prowling in the shadows, their presence always felt, a chilling reminder of the world's true master. Wherever the darkness go, demons shall follow and with them the scents of sulfur and brimstone, thus making the world, hellish to live.
Humans are now on the brink of extinction. Facing famine, diseases, and the never-ending invasion of demons and monsters. Making things worse, most lords of their lands, the very nobles who should have protected them, are now turning against them. Only intending to save themselves and to live life as lucrative as they can.
Hope, for mankind, is now dismal and essentially far fetched. However, even in the darkest times, there will be pockets of light. It could be a small community that resists the darkness, a group of survivors who band together for mutual protection, or even a single individual who defies the odds and holds onto hope. Yes, these very people will not let even just a flicker of hope disappear from their grasp. So they decided to gather all of the young talents, no matter the class or race. To educate, to train and to prime them up with the rules of survivability. They will be taught by the best of best that humanity can offer. They will guide them through harsh and strick tutoring. In order to make them the best version of themselves.
All of them will be the symbol of light for mankind. The light that would give them, even if its bleak, hope to this lumen deprived world. A world where there is only one small continent bask in light and it is now struggling to keep it. Truly a world of darkness.
Amongst these prodigies, a young man, with potentials that could only be seen for once in a thousand of years, chose to hide his talents. Phyxiuz Ezriel, who has a short dark curly hair with tantalizing crimson eyes and light brownish skin. Although his body is of medium frame, its muscles are ripped and hardened through rigged training. He comes from a family that would work tirelessly just to get a stable income for their own needs. Despite that, their bond is unbreakable. As his parents showered him and his little sister with love and care, hugs and kisses, and of course a bungalow that they called home.
Phyxius always accentuate his love for his family. He would often say to them " When I become a knight, I'll buy us tons of food and luxurious clothes. Just like what the nobles would wear. Father and mother would not need to work since I will provide for us. I would even buy my cute little sister all the toys that she could want. It would be just a matter of time now and all of our sacrifices shall bear the fruit of our labor. " This statement would tell you how our protagonist treasure's his family dearly. He would fight anything and even offer his life just to save his family. Well, he would do everything just to keep his family safe. Its one of the reason why he hid his genius and kept a low profile through his time in the academy. However, today is the day that he would finish the school program and finally go out in the world and fulfill his promise towards his family. Today will be a day to be merry with his family. Today is also the day that a tragedy would loom out from the shadows and destroy the very thing that he cherished the most. Today will be the day where the darkness of this world would swallow his heart and numb it, unable to feel love again. Perhaps someone would become the key to open up his heart one day but untill then, he would be covered in a viel of loathing.
Right after the convocation. Phyxius and his family would travel to an eatery called "Gargantuan Kitchen." It's a very sought out place for the common masses. It serves sumptuous but inexpensive food that it would often attract nobles. The service in this establishment provides is exemplary and it doesnt discriminate commoners from nobles. The path going to the eatery is not hard to travel to. It would take them about an hour riding their horse drawned cart at its minimum speed. The most notable place that they will be passing through would be the valley of Tristram. It is an eerie site but it was never reported to be dangerous. Nevertheless, light is stark in this valley. We could say that light has dwindled down on the continent of Philippus, at least it is not as much as it is on this place. It is still being traversed by merchants and commoners alike since there have not been any reports of accidents or demons popping out of the place.
They've planned the trip for more than half a year now, so the Ezriel family is more than excited from the thought of finally coming to the place and savour the eatery's famous dishes. Phyxius is most trilled about eating their signature dish which is the Laysion Pork Belly. It is a dish where the pork belly stuffed with herbs, spicies and some seasonings. The outside is just seasoned with salt and some other condiments. It would be tied with a cord and cooked in the oven. When cooked, it is crunchy outside but tender and juicy inside.
While musing over this eponymous dish, He and his father saw something standing beside the bushes nearing the end of the valley. "Father do you see that?" Phyxius mulled. His father frowned trying to focus his eyes on the direction he pointed out, "Yes son, I could still not make out of it since it's still too far off the distance but it could be someone who just needs a lift." His father explained. Phyxius took his sword that was hidden on the side of the cart. "Well just to be sure, where going to take extra precautions because we may never know why that person is lurking in the bushes like that." Phyxius anxiously respond. "Mommy, why did brother took his sword out?" His little sister innocently asked who is still around three to four years old. "Oh, it's nothing serious sweety, your brother is just trying to act like his some sort of a knight to show you how cool of a brother he is." His mother jokingly responded to his sister. The child giggled as she watched her brother blushed with what her mom said about him. "You don't really have to act cool in front of me brother, I already know how strong and cool brother is and I love you for that." His sister genuinely reassuring her brother. "Hahaha! We all do sweety, we all know how strong and cool your brother is and its one of the reason why we all love him. Isn't that right dear? His mother trying to get his father to agree. "Of course it is but father is still stronger than your brother sweety, see this muscle right here? It's still too early for your brother to climb over this babies right here." His father flaunting his becips to his sister. " Mom, daddy is at it again, giving wierd names to his muscle." The little girl protesting with her fathers flaunting. "Dear, why don't you just focus on the road and stop bragging about your muscles. We all know that despite you having them, you don't have any inkling on how to use them in a battle, unlike how our son do." His mother putting his father in his place. "Okay okay, I got you ma'am. " Sarcastically said by his father. They all laughed together after this playful exchange. It again reminded Phyxius how fun it is to be with his family.
As ther cart draw closer to the person that was pratically cloaking behind the bushes. Phyxius belatedly realized what was hiding behind it. Surprisingly it was not a person. No, it's far from being a person. It was a creature that has hoves as its feet, tails attached to its lower back, horns on his forehead and diabolical wings that didn't came out not until when they came closer with it. There' s only a word creeping out on Phyxius mind. That word was undoubtedly, "Demon". He spoke his mind unintentionally and everyone was stunned by his remarks.