Argus and Pola were making their way through a dense forest. Argus shouted in annoyance, wiping sweat from his forehead, "How long are we going to walk, Pola? This forest never ends!"
Pola replied enthusiastically, stepping ahead of him, "We’re close!"
Argus growled in anger, "Pola! You’ve been saying 'we’re close' for two weeks!"
Suddenly, Pola began jumping high, pointing his hand, "Argus, Argus! Come, come! We’ve arrived!"
Argus rushed forward to find himself before an unexpected rustic scene: an old wooden cottage in the middle of the forest, decorated with colorful flowers overflowing with life. Pola ran toward the cottage, calling out in his childish voice, "Hello! Pola is here! Polaaaa is here! Master Lux, I’m here!"
The cottage door opened, and suddenly, a massive spiritual pressure emerged that froze the air in their lungs, followed by the sound of cold, steady footsteps. A man of elegant appearance stepped out, with pale skin and sharp purple eyes. His hair was short and gray, touching his shoulders, and his head was adorned with slender black horns that curled slightly upward. He wore dark clothing that highlighted his strong physique, with loose white sleeves integrated into the design. His face reflected a lethal coldness, devoid of any expression, giving him an aura of mystery and awe.
Pola ran toward him and grabbed him, lifting him into the air. Lux smiled and said, "Ah, Pola! I missed you, boy." Pola laughed and said, "Pola missed you too, Master Lux."
Lux’s features shifted from a smile to a cold gaze toward Argus. Argus’s body shivered, and his senses screamed a warning: This is no ordinary Jinn. My senses are screaming to kill him!
Pola called to Argus, "Come, Argus, let me introduce you to Master Lux."
But quickly, Argus attacked Master Lux with a wind sword. He attacked in the blink of an eye. Lux evaded the attack with provocative calmness. "Calm down, boy."
Argus directed several stabs which Lux evaded, saying, "What’s wrong with you, boy?" Pola shouted in panic, "What are you doing, Argus? Stop!"
Argus shouted in resentment, "He’s one of them, Pola!"
Pola said in wonder, "What do you mean, Argus? One of who?"
Argus shouted as he attacked Lux, "He is one of the Seven High Jinn, Lux Weiss, Master of the Great Sword!"
Lux laughed with mocking gentleness, "Hahahaha! You figured all that out from a name and a little pressure? Even though you’re a foolish human, you have good instincts."
Pola said in fear, "Please, stop!"
Argus’s anger intensified. "What did you say, you lowlife bastard?" He rushed with frantic speed, leaving his sword to deliver lightning-fast punches; four precise strikes that shook Lux’s body. Lux (with hidden admiration) thought: Whoa... what speed!
Argus vanished and appeared from above. He raised his hand to create a sword of air, and a purple color formed around his sword. Lux looked at him in amazement: "Wonderful! I’ve always known the world rewards the despicable. That’s why you possess this power."
Argus’s focus was distracted by the words, and in that moment, Lux drew his sword with a movement the eye couldn't see. He kicked Argus with force that sent him flying to collide with a massive tree trunk.
Before Argus could recover, the blade of Lux’s sword was touching his neck. Lux said, "You truly are stupid."
Argus shouted in despair, "I’ll kill you, you bastard!" Argus panted, "Damn this luck!"
Lux shouted, "Listen, you fool! You possess power, but you are stupid."
Lux said with sharp looks: "Look how easily you are disturbed; by a word said to you, by fluctuating luck, and by the smallest provocation. A word that comes from another’s mouth makes your wind change direction, and your balance collapses as if built on sand."
Lux continued, pressing the sword slightly: "Don't you see the fragility you've placed yourself in? You get angry at what you cannot control. The world turns as it must, not as you want. Another man's tongue is his own, and the hand of fate belongs to no one. Yet, you place the keys to your power at the mercy of these factors. Stay firm within yourself and let the storm pass over you, for the only kingdom that is truly yours... is your mind."
Argus asked in a raspy voice, "You... why haven't you killed me yet?"
Lux smiled calmly, "Because we possess the same goal... overthrowing the High Jinn."
Argus was surprised for a moment, then asked in a voice full of astonishment, "Then why didn't you kill them yourself?"
Lux replied with features as steady as rock, "High Jinn cannot kill one another. Any scratch a High Jinn causes to another will summon Ashura."
Argus’s heart trembled at the mention of the name. Lux laughed bitterly, "From your reaction, I think you’ve met that monster before."
Lux sighed: "I don't blame you for your fear... I saw him kill two High Jinn before me as if they were insignificant flies."
Argus asked tensely, "Why did he do that? Aren't the High Jinn useful to him?"
Lux answered, "No, on the contrary. Ashura gains nothing from us. What makes him appear is the Ancient Covenant with the entity of Destruction. Therefore, the covenant continues with any host of Destruction. That day, Ozmik and Goutlet were insulting each other, and for some reason, the joking turned into a fight."
Argus tried to remember, "Wait! Do you mean Ozmik, Master of Mirage, and Goutlet, the Fire Tamer?"
Lux nodded his head, "Correct. That day, Goutlet surrounded the place with flames, and stupidly, Ozmik burned himself on purpose."
Ozmik had said: "Ooooh, look at me! I should be afraid now! The Lord of Destruction is coming."
Suddenly... Goutlet’s features shifted, and the blood froze in his veins. Behind Ozmik, a shadow overflowing with death emerged from nothingness. It was Ashura. Ashura whispered in a serious tone: "You dare to disturb me?"
Ozmik didn't realize the magnitude of the disaster; instead, he placed his hands insolently on Ashura’s shoulders, laughing: "Come on, Ashura! Stop playing the serious role, let’s be friends... don't you have friends?"
Ashura replied with a face as hard as steel, "Do you know where my friends are?"
Ozmik chuckled: "See? Even Ashura has friends!"
At that moment, with a movement the eye couldn't perceive, Ashura’s flaming fist pierced Ozmik’s chest and tore out his heart. Ashura whispered in his ear, "You are now heading to them... give them my regards."
Ashura moved, clenching his fist to create a portal. He heard a voice behind him: "Why did you kill him?"
He turned to see Goutlet, angry with tears in his eyes, "Why did you kill him, Ashura?"
Ashura turned with a mocking smile, "Do you miss him?"
Goutlet shouted, "Yes, I will miss him! He’s my friend, you bastard!"
With a lightning-fast flick of Ashura’s fingers, Goutlet’s head flew from his body before he could finish his shout. Ashura muttered as he entered the portal: "Then don't mention it... I’ve brought you together."
Ashura entered the portal, leaving everyone astonished at what had happened. An ancient High Jinn had just been killed.
With a shock that shook his being, Argus muttered, "From what grave did that monster emerge?"
Lux extended his hand toward Argus, his eyes gleaming with absolute seriousness. "Boy... you are not subject to the Ancient Covenant because you are human. You possess the power to defeat them without Ashura appearing. So be my disciple, and I will make you the nightmare the High Jinn fear."
Pola shouted enthusiastically, "Agree, Argus! Agree!"
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Argus looked at Lux’s extended hand... a hand carrying hope and revenge at the same time. He placed his hand in the Sword Master’s hand, and Lux lifted him up forcefully, saying, "I promise... you will be the person who brings their thrones down under his feet."
In the heart of the golden desert, where the sands reflect the heat of the scorching sun, Jasmin was sitting on Ashura’s shoulders, extremely bored, her little legs dangling as she sighed in annoyance: "Argh, haven't we arrived yet, Ashura?"
Ashura exhaled in distress that shook his massive chest, and shouted in his deep voice, "Stop annoying me, you little brat! I regret not killing you."
Jasmin looked at him from above with a fake innocent face, "Really? Do you want to kill me, Ashura?"
Ashura closed his eyes, trying to restrain himself, and muttered bitterly, "Damn you, little brat."
Suddenly, Jasmin saw a dead bird lying on the sand. She pointed her finger enthusiastically and cried out: "Look Ashura, something 'Fallen'..."
Ashura’s features shifted. A powerful blue flame erupted from Jasmin’s hand in front of them, shocking Ashura.
Ashura said in a sharp voice and very slowly, "What is this?"
Jasmin cried out in childish amazement, "What? The fire? I don't know! It came out when I pointed. Can I use magic?!"
Ashura set her down gently and grabbed her wrist, staring into her eyes: "Do not lie. This type of flame... does not exist in the human world. It is ancient Jinn flame." He shouted, "Who the hell are you?"
Ashura squeezed her wrist; Jasmin screamed in pain, "My hand! My hand! You're hurting me, Ashura!"
Ashura spun her around and looked at her, "Answer quickly, who are you?"
Jasmin replied while rubbing her wrist, "I told you, I don't remember! But... don't you think this is great?"
Ashura ignored her comment, his eyes gleaming. "This explains why I didn't kill you. You are no ordinary 'human'. Are you a vessel?"
Ashura whispered to himself: This is more logical than me possessing mercy toward weak creatures.
Ashura muttered while examining her with his eyes, "Have you felt anything strange inside you? Any voice? Any incomprehensible call?"
Jasmin answered while trying to remember, "A voice? No... but sometimes I feel a strong urge to laugh, or maybe... to hit someone."
Ashura looked at her bracelet, approaching to examine it, then his face broke into a wicked smile. "I understand now... little one, this bracelet is not a decoration. It is a legendary weapon storing a magical attack that works with a word, and I believe it is 'Fallen'. Don't you dare say it unless you are in danger."
Ashura then muttered to himself: " So, you are not a vessel after all, little girl "
Jasmin shrugged indifferently, "Alright. But will I still be your companion?"
Ashura said, looking at the fallen bird, "You are now the most important piece in my collection.... let's go."
Jasmin laughed and said defiantly, "Ashura, am I stronger than you now?"
Ashura smiled and said, "Perhaps." He then looked at a city and said, "Do you want to see how strong you are, Jasmin?"
Jasmin shouted enthusiastically, "Of course!"
They reached the outskirts of a quiet mud city, surrounded by a dilapidated wooden wall and backed by a towering mountain. Jasmin looked at the mountain and said, "Shall I test my strength on this mountain?"
He pointed toward the city as if asking her to destroy it. Jasmin’s expression changed. "Aren't we going to the mountain?"
Ashura replied coldly, "Our goal is here. Why tire ourselves going to the mountain?"
In a hesitant voice, Jasmin said, "But there are people living here!"
Ashura said with boredom, "What is it to us?"
Jasmin was shocked, "Wait! What?"
Ashura said boredly, "Come on! I’ll give you some time."
Jasmin shouted, "Wait, Ashura!"
Ashura began the countdown in his terrifying voice: "Five... four..."
Jasmin shrieked in terror: "Stop Ashura! Don't make me do this! ... I don't want to kill anyone"
Ashura with lethal coldness: "Three... two..."
Jasmin shouted tensely, "Stop, Ashura!"
Ashura said in a slow voice: "One."
Jasmin shrieked in terror; a very powerful sound of fire emerged. Jasmin, eyes closed, screamed, "AAAAAAAAH!"
Silence.
Jasmin opened her eyes slowly to find the city as it was, untouched by any harm. She turned around to find Ashura lying on his back, bursting into a hysterical laugh she had never heard from him.
Jasmin shouted in irritation, "What... were you tricking me?!"
Ashura wiped away his tears of laughter and rose slowly, saying, "The city is abandoned, little one! You should have seen your face!"
Ashura stood up and looked at Jasmin, who was laughing. He raised his hand toward the city and said: "Flames of Doom!"
Waves of thick purple fire erupted from his palm. It wasn't just fire; it was energy tearing through existence. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the pressure rushed to pierce the layers of the earth.
At this moment, below... Erold felt a violent vibration that nearly threw him to the ground. He shouted in panic while looking at the rocky sky above him: "What is this? I felt something from above!"
Dante replied in a serious voice while analyzing the situation: "So this place has two layers! You must head upward quickly!"
Jasmin returned to her senses, wiping dust from her eyes and staring at the horizon in total shock. The mud city was no longer there; it had been replaced by a pool of burning magma. Even worse, the upper half of the massive mountain behind the city had completely disappeared, as if a giant hand had severed it from existence.
Jasmin’s daze turned into a strange childish enthusiasm, and she shouted in awe: "What power!"
Ashura laughed: "Isn't it so, little one?"
Jasmin raised her hands toward the sky in a playful sign of surrender and said: "I withdraw from this duel! Although my powers are great, I cannot match you."
Ashura laughed, placed his hand on her head with a rough tenderness, and said the word that would be etched in her mind forever: "Well done, little one.. know your limits well...... so that you may break them."
In the Grand Throne Hall of the Kingdom of Malakarsh, tension dwelt in the corners. Prince Rigby sat on the throne, and beside him Minister Mikola, whose features never lost their subtle tremble. Rigby shouted sharply: "Where is Lawrence?"
The guard answered him in a low voice: "He’s coming, Prince."
Mikola whispered, trying to reassure him: "Don't worry, Prince Rigby, I am here with you.. no need for all this tension."
Rigby replied, clenching his fist: "I know, Mikola, but my father is coming.. and I want to prove to him that I am no longer that playful boy, but a man worthy of this throne."
Mikola muttered to himself mockingly: You aren't worthy of the throne, to be honest. Then he said aloud: "Your Highness, calm down. What will Lawrence do when the King returns? Nothing."
Rigby stood up suddenly, his facial features looking rougher and stronger than they were two weeks ago: "He will! My father will see how much I’ve changed thanks to him."
Mikola in a wicked voice: "Your Highness..."
Luce (Lawrence) burst into the hall, panting apologetically: "Ah, sorry Your Highness, I was relieving myself."
Rigby was reassured: "My God, you scared me, Lawrence. I thank you for your efforts. Two weeks have passed since we’ve known each other, but..."
Their conversation was interrupted by the guard’s shout at the gate: "His Majesty King Osmos has arrived!"
Rigby jerked to his feet, and Mikola and Luce lined up beside him. King Osmos entered with his overwhelming dignity, surrounded by his private guard. Everyone bowed in reverence, while Rigby settled for a deep gesture of respect. The King stopped before his son, eying him with an inspecting look, then said in a tone of wonder: "Something has changed in you, my son.. you are not as I left you."
Rigby placed his hand on his chest and said steadily: "Correct, Your Majesty.. I’ve had a friend who didn’t just change me, but opened my eyes to see what I was unable to see."
King Osmos’s face brightened and he asked cheerfully, "Is it the one standing beside you?"
Rigby replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Luce was still bowed, so the King called him: "You. Step forward."
Luce stood up and stepped forward with dignity. The King laughed, saying, "Well done, human.. I hope your presence beside my son is of benefit to us all."
Luce bowed again and said humbly, "It is an incomparable honor, Your Majesty, to be in the company of the son of the great Osmos."
The King was surprised and asked, "You are informed of my achievements, human?"
Luce replied, "Of course, Your Majesty. Who does not know the unifier of kingdoms, Osmos, who fought the Giant Worm in his youth, and in the end became King of the Kingdom of Malakarsh?"
The King grabbed Luce’s palm. "You are informed of all this, human! I am reassured about my son with you, Mr..."
Luce interrupted him quickly, "Lawrence.. my name is Lawrence, Your Majesty."
The King lightly patted Luce’s shoulder. "Alright, Lawrence. I will see you in the meeting in a little while."
The King turned toward Mikola. "How are you, Mikola?"
Mikola bowed with excessive formality. "It is an honor for me that you ask about me, Your Majesty."
The King laughed mockingly: "You are still as you were, Mikola, evasive! Take Lawrence and depart. I want to speak with my son in private."
Mikola answered quietly, "As you command, Your Majesty."
Mikola exited with Luce beside him, eying him with looks overflowing with contempt and hatred. Mikola thought, his heart full of evil: How can the King treat this damn human better than me?! This stranger has gone too far.. so, it is time to execute the plan.
Mikola said quietly, "Lawrence, let's head to our room."
Luce replied, "Alright, let’s go before the meeting."
Mikola and Luce entered the room, and the Minister closed the door behind them carefully like one closing in a deep secret. Mikola headed toward the window, watching the palace courtyard, his eyes gleaming with a poisoned spark. Then he turned and asked in a mysterious tone: "What do you think, Lawrence?"
Luce replied in wonder, "About what, Mikola?"
Mikola said coldly, "About Prince Rigby."
Luce answered, "He is a kind-hearted person, and I believe his future will be very brilliant!"
Mikola exploited this enthusiasm and stepped forward with confident steps: "That is what I wanted to hear! Why don't we make Prince Rigby the next King, Lawrence? Imagine the gains we would achieve!"
Luce laughed: "Rigby loves us, so he will make us closer and closer for being the ones who brought him to this position!"
Mikola laughed to himself; the human had swallowed the bait completely. He said in a low voice: "Yes, that's right, Lawrence. So all we have to do is distance Princess Luna from the scene for a period of time, and that is what’s important. I leave this to you, Lawrence..... all you have to do is send one of the trusted guards after her. There are many greedy ones who want the throne in Rigby’s favor, most notably General Ragna."
Luce smiled with an exaggerated foolishness, and said as he was about to exit: "I’ll go to him now."
Mikola stopped him quickly: "No, no, not now.. go to him right before the royal meeting so that our matter isn't exposed."
Luce stopped and rubbed his head in confusion, "Ah.. alright. But I forgot his name.. what did you say? Ragh.. Rhagma?"
Mikola said in boredom, "Ragna."
Luce tried to pronounce it, stumbling: "Rugh.. damn, the names here are very difficult! Can you write it down for me on a paper so that I don't make a mistake and go to someone else?"
Mikola grabbed his quill and wrote the name in a broad hand on a paper: "Alright.. here is the name."
Luce took the paper and inspected it with amazement: "What a beautiful handwriting, Mikola! You are truly an artist!"
Luce placed the paper in his pocket carefully, while Mikola muttered in his heart with malice: "What a fool you are!"