Chapter 1: The Anti-Hero
The story opens with Lucian — a mortal who has watched countless cycles.
He has seen the axe destroy the forest.
He has seen heroes rise and fall.
He has seen the forest saved… only to suffer again.
And something inside Lucian snapped.
"This is not justice. This is madness."
Lucian did not seek to become a hero.
Lucian sought to end the cycle itself.
And so, he did the unthinkable —
He killed the hero.
He shattered the forest.
And he burned the axe.
And for one brief moment — the cycle stopped.
But then… something horrifying happened.
Lucian did not return to peace.
Lucian did not awaken from the nightmare.
Lucian… became the new axe.
And the cycle began again.