A few weeks had passed by.
The city was bustling with shouts of joy and excitement. The golden palace stood over the city, serving as its most famous landmark.
Shiebe: Look at all the people out there. It sure is busy, isn't it?
Shiebe lay in his room, gazing at the view outside. The atmosphere of the city reminded him of the final moments before his life was taken by his father. This time, however, there was no sinking feeling of despair that had once plagued him.
Knock, knock.
Shiebe: Come in.
Let's hope whoever is coming in doesn't plan on taking my life.
It was a butler, looking rather fatigued, almost like he had been running.
Butler: "The Lord is requesting you in the main throne room."
Shiebe: "I see. Thank you."
Seems like training is about to start. This time, I'm going to make a name for myself in this world.
Shiebe navigated through the immense halls of the palace, the sound of his footsteps echoing against the stone floors. He reached the throne room where Zaneff was already standing alongside Eros.
Eros: "Perfect. Now, we just need to wait for the others."
Shiebe: "Others? Who else is coming?"
Eros: "Well, I did mention that I was looking for prodigies, right? A close friend of mine found a few kids about your age with extraordinary powers. They'll be arriving shortly."
The thought of other kids joining them at the palace made Shiebe a little uneasy. He had grown comfortable with just him and Zaneff. But now, these new arrivals could change everything. There was no telling who these kids were or how they would affect the dynamic. The anticipation gnawed at him.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the hallway. The sound grew louder, and Shiebe turned toward the entrance, bracing himself.
Eros: "Ah, here they are."
The doors to the throne room swung open with a dramatic creak. In walked the new arrival, his presence filling the space like a storm cloud. The boy had long, flowing purple hair that gleamed in the dim light. His sharp blue eyes flicked toward them with a glance that radiated both curiosity and arrogance. The air seemed to crackle with energy as he stepped forward, his black wings rustling softly behind him. Two curved horns protruded from his forehead, adding to his imposing figure. A confident, almost cocky smirk played across his lips.
???: "Hm. So, you must be Shiebe and Zaneff... and I assume you're the Monarch of Life, Eros Juvebuilo?"
Shiebe stiffened. There was something about the boy's voice—so self-assured, so detached—that made Shiebe immediately wary. It was the way the boy sized them up as if he already knew everything about them, as if they were just players in a game that he controlled.
Shiebe: You seem to be well informed.
The boy's smirk widened at Shiebe's remark, his gaze never leaving him.
???: "Of course I am. You two are all anyone's talking about."
Shiebe felt a small spark of annoyance flare up. The last thing he wanted was to be the talk of the town. He wasn't interested in people knowing his business, let alone someone like this stranger.
Eros: "Is it just you, Maz? What about Julius and Mona?"
Maz: "Seems they couldn't make it this year. Something about a war breaking out in their village. But at least you have the strongest one here."
Shiebe glanced at Eros, noting the slight twitch in his eye at Maz's casual tone. Eros let out a deep sigh, but before he could respond, Maz turned his attention to Shiebe, his eyes narrowing slightly. The cocky attitude in his posture didn't falter, but there was something… assessing in his gaze.
Maz: "So, you're the one they're all talking about, huh? The kid who doesn't fit in. I've heard enough about you. You don't look like much."
Shiebe's lips tightened into a thin line, but he didn't respond. He wasn't about to let some arrogant kid get under his skin.
Maz: "Whatever, I don't really care. But I guess I'll have to see for myself what you're made of."
There was no malice in Maz's voice, just pure indifference. It made Shiebe's skin crawl more than an outright insult would have. The boy was dismissive, treating him as if he were some kind of puzzle to solve. It wasn't about strength. It was about whether or not Shiebe was worth his time. The thought of being dismissed so casually was infuriating.
Eros: "Enough of this. Let's get to the garden. You can save your questions and assumptions for later."
Eros' tone was firm, and there was a slight edge to it, as if he'd had enough of Maz's careless attitude.
The group made their way through the palace, the tension thick in the air. Shiebe walked beside Zaneff, trying to shake off the uncomfortable feeling that Maz had left him with. He could feel Maz's eyes on him, but he refused to acknowledge it. Instead, he focused on the path ahead.
The garden doors loomed ahead of them, the thick green vines trailing over the large stone archway. The atmosphere shifted as they entered the garden. The sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden light over the foliage. The vibrant colors of the flowers and trees contrasted with the cool, eerie air, but the tension was still palpable. Maz's presence alone made it feel like a battlefield.
Eros: "Alright. Before we begin, I want to see the true extent of your powers. Shiebe, Maz, Zaneff. The three of you will face off against some of my beasts. Work together to defeat them."
Maz: "Yeah, yeah, we get it. Just start already."
Shiebe clenched his jaw but held back from speaking. Maz's dismissive nature continued to gnaw at him, but he didn't want to give the kid the satisfaction of seeing him riled up. He knew that showing anger was just what Maz wanted.
Shiebe: "Hey, don't talk to him like that. He's a council member and the King of this place."
Maz's gaze turned slowly to Shiebe, his expression cold, indifferent.
Maz: "I'll talk how I please. Don't try to tell me what to do."
Shiebe was about to retort, but Zaneff quickly grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to the side.
Zaneff: Forget it. It's not worth it.
Shiebe wanted to argue, but Eros' sharp voice cut through the tension before he could.
Eros: "Enough. This is a place for learning and growth. I will not have this nonsense in my garden. If you cannot respect one another, then you will not be allowed to participate."
There was no room for debate in Eros' voice. Maz and Shiebe both fell silent, though neither seemed particularly pleased about it. It was clear that Eros would not tolerate any further defiance.
Eros: "Now, let's begin. Three... two... one... Go."
Eros: "Now, let's begin. Three... two... one... Go."
At Eros' command, the ground trembled slightly, and before Shiebe could even prepare himself fully, monstrous figures began to emerge from the earth around them. The beasts that Eros summoned were grotesque creatures—half-beast, half-elemental forces—rising from the dirt like nightmares made real. There were around sixty of them, each with different abilities, but all exuding a terrifying aura. Some were covered in scales that shimmered like steel, while others had multiple eyes that glowed menacingly. Their roars echoed through the garden, each one more unsettling than the last.
Maz didn't flinch. Instead, he cracked his knuckles with a look of utter indifference.
Maz: "This is what you're worried about? Pathetic."
He moved with speed Shiebe could barely follow. With a simple wave of his hand, a burst of red lightning shot from his fingers, striking down one of the beasts before it could even charge. Another beast lunged at him, but before it could reach him, Maz casually swiped his hand, and a bolt of lightning tore through the air, frying the beast in an instant.
Shiebe: Is he serious?
Maz wasn't even breaking a sweat. His arrogance made Shiebe's blood boil. The way he treated the situation like a mere inconvenience was frustrating. Maz was powerful, no doubt about that, but his carelessness, his disregard for anything around him, made Shiebe feel like his efforts would always be overshadowed.
Zaneff: "Don't let him get to you, Shiebe."
Shiebe glanced at Zaneff, her calm expression helping him regain focus. He couldn't let Maz distract him from what he needed to do.
Shiebe took a deep breath, then turned his attention to the approaching beasts. The first one that came for him was a massive creature, with bony plates covering its back and claws sharp enough to shred stone. It lunged at Shiebe with a deafening roar, its jaws snapping shut just inches from his face.
Shiebe: I need to focus. Don't let it control the fight.
As the creature lunged again, Shiebe sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the beast's claws. He focused, pulling the swirling energy inside him. His crimson red hair fluttered as the surge of power began to resonate through his body. The air around him felt charged, as if the world itself was responding to his emotions. He could feel his Syreum beginning to stir, but he held back. Not yet.
He closed his eyes for a brief second, then with a quick motion, swung his arm forward. A blast of energy shot from his palm, slamming into the beast and sending it crashing to the ground. It howled in pain, but Shiebe didn't pause. He was already moving, his mind set on the next wave of enemies.
Shiebe: I can do this. I need to keep my head cool. Focus.
But as he turned, Maz's voice cut through the chaos of the battle.
Maz: "Not bad, but you're still just playing catch-up."
Shiebe gritted his teeth, knowing full well that Maz was trying to get under his skin. It wasn't that Maz thought he was weak—it was the fact that he couldn't care less about what Shiebe thought. Maz was someone who only valued results, not effort, and certainly not the feelings of others.
Maz: "Hurry up, or I'll be done before you even finish playing with that thing."
Shiebe's grip tightened around his energy. The more Maz spoke, the angrier he got. But instead of giving in to the impulse, he forced himself to calm down. He couldn't allow his emotions to control him, not now. Not when he had a chance to prove himself.
With another swift motion, Shiebe shot a focused burst of Syreum energy at a group of beasts charging toward him. The blast sent them flying back, their bodies crumpling in mid-air. Shiebe then turned to see Zaneff engaging with another beast, her speed and skill making her a force to be reckoned with.
But Maz was still standing there, barely moving, his hands in his pockets as if the battle meant nothing to him. His eyes were locked on Shiebe, observing, calculating.
Maz: "You're too slow."
The words were said so casually, as if he was talking about the weather. But for Shiebe, they were like a punch to the gut. Every word Maz spoke carried the weight of disdain. Shiebe knew Maz was trying to bait him into a reaction, to make him lose his focus. It was a test—a test Shiebe wasn't sure he could pass.
Shiebe: "Shut up."
But it was no use. Maz's expression didn't change. He still had that infuriating smirk on his face, as if everything was beneath him.
Maz: "You really think you have what it takes to keep up with me? You're just an afterthought."
Shiebe's eyes flashed, his hands trembling slightly. The anger that had been simmering for so long suddenly felt overwhelming. His vision blurred, and he found himself shaking with emotion. He clenched his fists, blood dripping from the cuts that had formed during the fight. But the pain only seemed to fuel the rage building inside him.
He could feel his Syreum flaring up once more, but this time it was different. It was as though the energy was burning inside him, threatening to consume him. He could feel the darkness creeping in, the power ready to burst forth.
Shiebe: This bastard... He really thinks he can just walk all over me.
He was on the edge now. The line between control and chaos was razor-thin. His vision started to fade, and the overwhelming feeling of anger clouded his thoughts. He barely noticed when Zaneff called out his name, or when Maz took a step forward, still looking completely unbothered.
But then, just as quickly as it had come, everything went silent.
Shiebe's knees buckled beneath him. The overwhelming weight of everything—his anger, his power, the emotions he had been suppressing for so long—crashed down on him all at once. His vision blurred completely, and his consciousness began to slip away.
Maz: "What? Is this what happens when you can't keep your emotions in check? Pathetic."
But Shiebe couldn't hear him anymore. The last thing he saw was the concerned look on Zaneff's face as she rushed to his side, her voice calling his name.
Zaneff: "Shiebe! Shiebe!"
And then, everything went black.