507 AN
At the royal chamber of Nebura Palace, Queen Marie Noether closed the history book with a gentle smile, the tales of King Artha still echoing in her mind like an unforgettable melody. Her violet eyes shimmered with the beauty of the Noether family, while her long black hair framed her striking face. She wore a flowing purple gown.
At her side sat Prince Nexa Starfall, only nine years old, yet already brimming with a restless spirit. His violet eyes gleamed with boundless curiosity, and his neatly kept black hair lent an elegant touch to his charming features.
Though still a child, Nexa displayed a rare intelligence and a profound love for books and stories. He admired King Artha Starfall with all his heart and often dreamed of becoming a hero as legendary as him.
Nexa leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity.
"Mother, do demons still wander in our world? Could they be hiding somewhere, waiting for the right time to strike?"
Before the queen could respond, the chamber door creaked open. Princess Rhea Starfall, Nexa's elder sister, entered. At eleven, the firstborn of the royal family was already showing signs of her beauty. Like her mother and brother, she also had violet eyes. Her black hair, styled in french braids, added elegance to her appearance. She wore a golden gown that reflected her royal status, yet her warmth and humility shone through, beloved by nobles and commoners alike. Known for her wit and playful teasing, Rhea carried herself with a lively charm.
Rhea lounged against the doorway, arms crossed, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.
"Afraid of demons, little brother?" she drawled.
"Demons are long gone. Everyone knows that."
Nexa's cheeks flared pink, but he straightened his back.
"I'm not afraid!" he shot back.
"I'm gonna become a Stellar Knight one day, and the greatest knight Nebura's ever seen! I'll be as great as King Artha himself!"
Rhea raised an eyebrow, letting out a quiet laugh.
"You? A knight?" she said, grinning.
"You wouldn't even survive the knight's trial."
She glanced toward their mother with a sly curve to her smile.
"Right, Mother? Hardly anyone passes the trial these days."
Queen Marie placed a tender yet firm hand on Nexa's shoulder.
"Yes, the trial is difficult, Rhea," she said calmly.
"But your brother has a strong resolve. If he works hard and truly believes in himself, he can reach that dream… and he might even surpass King Artha one day."
Her gentle smile filled Nexa with renewed determination.
Rhea gave a soft, dismissive sigh but chose not to continue her teasing.
Nexa, emboldened by his mother's words, stood tall and declared with bright conviction.
"You'll see, Rhea," he declared, bright with conviction.
"One day, I'll prove you wrong."
— — —
Key Garcia had grown into a bright and lively seven years old boy. Often helping his parents at their small tavern, his laughter was a sound that filled the place with warmth. On that day, he wore a loose white shirt, brown shorts, and sandals.
That warm afternoon, his family rested beneath the wide branches of a great tree outside Starhaven, at the edge of the forest that circled the town. Its thick canopy offered a peaceful shelter, away from the bustle of town.
Suddenly, a tiger emerged from the brush, its golden eyes locked on them with a predatory glare.
Hans immediately stepped forward, gripping a sickle in his hand to protect his family. But before he could act, the beast lunged, sinking its fangs into his arm. Hans cried out in pain. Laura screamed in panic, hurling whatever she could find at the tiger.
But Key moved faster.
With speed and strength no child his age should possess, he swung his left arm with devastating force.
CRACK!
The blow sent the tiger hurtling against the tree trunk, killing it instantly.
Hans and Laura froze, their eyes wide in shock at what their son had just done.
Veins along Key's left arm glowed a bright crimson, while his left eye blazed with the same fiery light, burning with strange energy.
The parents stared at their child, a storm of awe and fear tightening in their chests.
"What… what just happened?" Hans asked, the words trembling out of him.
Key looked at his trembling hand, confusion written all over his face.
"I... I don't know." he murmured, his voice barely steady.
Laura rushed to him, pulling him close into her arms. Her voice was tender, overflowing with love.
"It's okay, Key," she murmured, brushing a trembling hand across his back.
"You saved us. That's what matters."
Behind her, Hans let out a long breath. When Key looked up, he found his father watching him with a pride so deep it almost startled him.
Hans crouched beside them, a faint, awed smile tugging at his lips.
"What you just did… that was incredible, son."
— — —
The door of the Garcia household closed gently behind them. Laura carefully tended to Hans's wounded arm, the marks of the tiger's fangs still raw upon his skin.
Meanwhile, Key felt the warmth of home surrounding him, easing the heaviness of the day. The house, simple yet full of love, glowed in the soft light of twilight. Shadows danced across the walls as the orange rays of the setting sun streamed through the windows, filling the air with a quiet peace.
Key's footsteps echoed down the long hallway, each step matching the rhythm of his heartbeat. At the end of the corridor, his father stood steady, a silhouette in the soft light of the setting sun.
Hans stepped forward, his voice calm.
"Key... I've been thinking about your future for a long time."
Key halted, his curiosity sparking as he turned to look at his father.
Hans placed a gentle hand on his son's shoulder, his gaze deep and unmistakably proud.
"I saw what you did today, you're special, you've got something in you, real strength. And… I think it's time we help you grow it."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I want you to train. To become a knight of Nebura."
The words struck Key like lightning through the soul. A knight. The very thought made his heart race. Visions of armored warriors, their blades gleaming as they charged into battle, swirled through his imagination. Excitement rushed through him, yet doubt whispered quietly at the edges of his mind.
Hans lowered himself to one knee so that his eyes met his son's.
"But it's up to you," he said.
"Do you want this, Key? Do you want to train and become a great knight?"
Without hesitation, Key straightened his back, feeling something ignite inside him, a flame that had been waiting for this very moment. He met his father's eyes with a resolve he'd never felt so clearly before.
"Yes, Father," he said, his voice steady even though his heart hammered in his chest.
"I want to become a knight."
A slow smile spread across Hans's face, mingling pride with relief. Rising once more to his full height, he spoke with certainty.
"Good," he said.
"But you need to understand… this road won't be easy. You'll have to fight with everything you have."
Later that night, as the family gathered around the dinner table, Hans revealed his plan to Laura. and Key sat quietly, hanging on every word.
Hans folded his arms, his voice firm but thoughtful.
"This training.... And I can't do it on my own. I'll need someone who can shape him properly, someone better and stronger than me."
Laura, who'd been listening silently until then, finally spoke up. Her voice was calm, but there was no hesitation in it.
"What about Guru?" she said.
Hans froze, the name hanging heavy in the air. Guru. A man revered throughout Nebura, once his closest friend and a living legend.
He lowered his gaze, old memories drifting to the surface like dust stirred from a long sealed door.
"Guru…" Hans murmured to himself.
"It's been years since I last saw him. I'm not even sure he still trains anyone."
Laura reached across the table, laying her hand gently upon Hans's arm, her touch steady and reassuring.
"If anyone can train Key, it's him," she said softly.
"You know that."
Hans looked at his son, really looked at him, as if searching for the boy he'd been and the man he might become. Resolve slowly settled into his expression.
At last, he nodded.
"Then it's settled," he said.
"We leave next week."
— — —
[One Week Later]
A week had passed. Hans brought Key to a temple where his old friend, Guru, had chosen to live. The temple loomed before them, ancient and solemn, like a forgotten monument to time itself. Its silence carried weight, as though the stones whispered secrets of ages long gone.
As they reached the great gates, Hans slowed to a stop. He rested a hand on his son's shoulder, his expression calm but serious.
"Key," he said,
"if you choose to train under Guru, you need to be ready. His methods aren't easy. He'll push you to your limits… maybe even past them. But if you're serious about becoming a knight, this is the path you'll have to walk."
Key clenched his fists.
"I'm ready, Father."
Just then, two figures stepped out of the shadows. They were boys not much older than Key, each gripping a sword. Their eyes were sharp and focused.
"Stop right there!" the first boy barked, his voice loud and commanding.
The second boy's tone was colder, almost eerie.
"This temple belongs to us. You're not allowed to go any further."
Hans tilted his head slightly, a spark of amusement flickering in his eyes as he studied the boys. Key, however, felt a shiver crawl down his spine. The air itself seemed heavier here, as if the temple carried a presence too ancient to be disturbed.
Hans kept his voice calm.
"Listen. We're not here to cause trouble. I'm here for Guru. He taught me much in the past, and I've come to see him again."
The two boys exchanged tense glances. After a long, silent moment, their grips loosened. They lowered their swords and stepped aside.
"Follow us," the first boy said.
By the time they crossed the temple courtyard, the sun had begun to sink, painting the grounds with deep strokes of red and gold. The air grew quiet, heavy with a peace that bordered on sacred.
In the center of the courtyard sat Guru. He was perfectly still, his presence commanding even in silence.
Hans's face brightened the moment he spotted Guru.
"Hey! Guru!" he called out.
Slowly, Guru opened his eyes. His expression softened, and a gentle warmth touched his features when he recognized his old friend.
"Hans," he said, exhaling as if relieved.
"Finally decided to show up. And… looks like you dragged someone along."
Guru, fifty eight years old, a man revered across Nebura. His sharp green eyes carried the wisdom of countless battles, able to pierce through lies and hesitation alike. His long black hair, though slightly unkempt, framed a face that radiated authority.
Hans grinned and placed a steady hand on the shoulder of the boy beside him.
"This is my son," he said proudly.
"Key Garcia."
Key bowed his head immediately.
"It's an honor to meet my father's friend."
Guru's gaze lingered on the boy, studying him quietly before a faint smile crossed his lips.
"Good to meet you too, Key," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle.
"Hope this place doesn't bore you to death. Plenty of room to grow, if you're willing."
Key straightened at the casual remark, unsure whether to nod or speak. Guru chuckled very softly before adding:
"From now on, call me Master."
Key's posture stiffened with earnest respect.
"Yes, Master," he answered at once, voice steady and sincere.
Guru waved a hand, amused.
"Relax, kid. I'm not gonna bite."
But almost instantly, Guru's demeanor shifted. His eyes sharpened, and the air seemed to grow heavier.
Guru straightened, his voice cutting through the silence, firm, commanding.
"Alright then, your training starts now."
The temple courtyard settled into an eerie calm. Even the wind quieted, yet the air brimmed with curiosity as Guru led Key into the center of the arena.
Two boys stepped forward from the sidelines, Renzo and Newth.
Renzo, ten years old, a boy with a kind face and black eyes, his long dark hair was tied neatly behind him. He wore an orange long sleeved shirt, loose white trousers, and sandals. A katana hung at his waist. Renzo's playful humor and friendly nature made him well liked by many. He was a dreamer, aspiring to one day become a knight as great as Guru.
Beside him stood Newth, eleven years old, with piercing blue eyes and neatly combed blond hair. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, dark brown trousers, and polished boots, he appeared almost noble. Two long swords rested at his sides. Though strict and disciplined, he was warm at heart. Smart and approachable, he shared the same dream as Renzo, to one day rise as a knight as great as Guru.
Guru's gaze shifted to Key, his tone steady and unyielding.
"These two are my disciples. They've been training here for nearly three years," he said.
"Today, you'll be dueling Renzo."
He turned toward the weapon racks and pointed."Go on. Take your swords."
Key paused, eyes lingering uneasily on the row of blades."Master… I've never used a sword before," he admitted.
A faint, amused smile tugged at Guru's mouth.
"That so? Well then, don't worry about it. Use your hands. Use nothing at all if you want. No need for a sword if you're not ready."
Renzo blinked, concern flickering across his face as he looked between Key and Guru."Master… does that mean I won't be using a sword either?"
Guru chuckled under his breath and shook his head.
"No, no. You'll use one." He nodded toward a rack of smaller, worn down practice blades.
"Grab a wooden sword from there."
Then he turned back to Key, and the sharpness in his gaze softened.
"Any objections, Key?" he asked.
Key shook his head, resolve settling in his chest.
"No, Master."
The duel began. Tension hung thick in the air as Key and Renzo faced each other in the center of the arena. Their eyes locked, each searching for the slightest opening.
Without warning, Renzo lunged forward.
SWOOSH! His wooden sword sliced through the air with blistering speed, striking from Key's left.
Key's reflexes sharpened in an instant. He raised his arm to block, but the force behind Renzo's strike was far greater than he had anticipated.
CRACK!
The impact pushed Key sideways, his balance wavering as his feet scraped across the ground.
Renzo refused to give him space. With a swift leap forward, he pressed the attack. Each swing grew sharper, faster, more relentless.
WHACK! CLACK! SWISH!
Key realized that blocking would only crush him further. Instead, he let his body flow like water, weaving and slipping through the barrage. His feet moved swiftly, his torso twisting, his breaths short and sharp as he tried to keep up with the storm raining down on him.
But Renzo's speed kept climbing. Strike after strike hammered down like thunder, leaving Key no chance to think. He was being cornered, the pressure mounting, his chest tightening as his breath grew ragged.
Then, in a fraction of a heartbeat, something changed.
BOOM!
A sudden burst of energy erupted between them.
Renzo's body was hurled backward, flung across the arena before crashing violently into the stone wall.
THUD! Dust scattered as his body slumped down.
Newth, who had been watching the duel from the start, sprinted toward him. Dropping to his knees, his face tightened with concern.
"What just happened!?" Newth blurted out, panic lacing his voice.
Renzo sucked in a sharp breath, still stunned, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I… I have no idea," he gasped.
"He moved so fast, I couldn't even see him…"
Key stood frozen in the center of the arena. His body was stiff, his mind struggling to grasp what had just occurred. Slowly, the realization struck him, and a heavy weight of guilt pressed against his chest.
"I... I'm sorry!" Key said, his voice shaking.
"Are you alright?"
The arena fell silent. Hans and Guru exchanged no words, yet the atmosphere around them felt heavier, saturated with unspoken questions.
Guru's gaze lingered on Key. His eyes narrowed as he studied the boy's left arm. Veins glowed faintly with a red light, pulsing unnaturally beneath the skin. Even his left eye shimmered with the same red light, exuding a strange and unsettling aura.
Slowly, Guru stepped closer to Hans. His face remained calm, yet his voice carried a whisper laced with deep curiosity.
"Hey… Hans," Guru murmured, eyes never leaving Key.
"Where exactly did you find this boy?"
The words hit Hans harder than any display of power in the arena.
He didn't freeze because of what Key had done, he had seen it before. He had watched his son toss aside a full grown tiger with strength no child should possess. That wasn't what sent a chill through him.
It was Guru's choice of words.
Hans turned toward Guru slowly, confusion swirling behind his eyes.Guru shouldn't have known anything. Hans had never spoken about that day, about the day they found Key.
A tightness formed in his chest as he stared at his old friend.