In a peaceful kingdom named Lylit, some people will make history...
Lylit
Lylit is among one of the strongest kingdoms in the Velmoria region, it's surrounded by culture and ruins whose meaning have yet to be discovered.
Lylit managed to keep peace for 50 years now with the neighboring kingdoms, prioritizing peace over riches.
Inside the kingdom there is a person named Sahin who is a walking mystery, he looks just like a typical guy, yet the way he handles himself tells a different story. There are many rumors that he used to be a warrior, that he comes from a different planet. No evidence, just suspicion.
Sahin is a kind man that helps people in town. 10 years ago he took in 6 orphans who had now grown into teenagers. That action also stirred up many thoughts in people's minds wondering if it was out of pure kindness or if he saw something in those kids.
Nobody knows what Sahin is thinking, what are his next moves or what his true motives are.
***
Sahin lives on a vast mountain having built a comfortable house to live in with the kids.
Since November is approaching, Sahin is chopping wood for fire, until.
"Hey, old man! Chop that wood faster before we freeze to death!" said one of the kids, Horatius.
"Yeah, yeah. Just a second!" Sahin chuckled.
***
After the fire was made the 7 began eating dinner together at the table, not a lot of discussion yet.
Until, of course, someone broke the peace
"Say, old man... Tomorrow can we go to town to play?" asked Rami, staring at Sahin with a pleading look "Please, we'll behave."
"You're planning to cause trouble aren't you, Rami? I'm with you," said Zio, bored out of his mind
"Then I'll wake up with people at my house complaining about how you had caused trouble once again, that's not happening," Sahin said sternly
"Come on, old man! We're 14, we have every right to do what we want," Zio fought back
"Sometimes you need to learn that in life you won't always get what you want,"
"Oh, come on. That saying is so old. If you are gonna try to lecture us at least dont make it sound like were billion of years in the past,"
Bellator interrupts the conversation.
"You know, tomorrow there is a discount for groceries, we should totally go and take advantage of it. It's going to save us some money,"
Which earned blank looks from the table
"Excuse me? We're 14, what are discounts gonna help us with?" asked Seren in bewilderment, trying to understand Bellator
"Well, it saves money, I don't want us to run out of money to the point where we won't even be able to buy food,"
"It's not like it's you paying for groceries..." said Zorn, carrying annoyance.
"That really doesn't matter. I care about our well being,"
"The others are right on this one... you're 14 you should live your life, not worry about groceries and besides we have more than enough money. But anyway, we don't speak at the table" said Sahin, evading any potential arguments.
***
It's already been a few hours since the table interaction. The group had fallen asleep in their bedrooms. Except for Sahin.
He sat outside, on top of the house roof. Gulping on beer, deep in thoughts as he stares up at the black sky.
Archs have landed in Eldoria, huh?
It's a hard thing to believe, considering Archs have been isolated beings so far living on planet Trivath, stripped of any contact with any other being. Because Archs consider themselves superior, the mere thought of living with other beings disgust them.
But why now...?
If they had the power to do such a thing, why now...?
Well no matter the reasons, it's clear. It's approaching… the Grand Awakening Storm.
Something that'll awaken the powers of the weak ones...
The day will eventually come...
***
Eldoria kingdom.
Eldoria kingdom is the strongest and most prosperous kingdom in the Velmoria Region, simply because of magic. Eldoria has 7 warriors able to use magic. The same amount as every other kingdom inside Velmoria combined.
Eldoria had so much power and influence that it was set on conquering Velmoria as a whole until...
Just this night some spaceships fell in Eldoria from the sky. The Archs are here.
Archs have an impressive amount of mana, and greater destructive magic than any human. Yet that's not even their strongest aspect, their raw, physical strength is. Some might say their raw strength rivals the ones of Giants.
Even a kingdom like Eldoria was not able to withstand the Archs… not a single night. Eldoria fell, its king was killed, its warriors killed.
Eldoria's leadership was taken overnight. Every human, Dead or captive just like Zoo animals. And as for the 7 warriors… They were hanged on the castle towers.
Inside the castle at the throne sits a creature whose height is above 250 cm, its skin is still unscratched after thousands of blades hitting against it, its eyes express nothing more than the cruelness and pride, demanding the life force of any being it sees.
"Listen here, fellow Archs!" said the creature as hundreds of Archs kneeled in front of him.
"I Archon, deemed as the future king of all Archs order you to conquer for me, as my influence will reach every single part of this world, my name will become worshipped by every being for the rest of the lifetime, we Archs will rule the world as long as you do whatever I tell you to..." said Archon, his voice filled with arrogance.
"This is just the start of our conquest! No being is capable of stopping their superiors! We have been created to rule! The world belongs to us! Now continue the conquest, dig fear in any soul who dares to disobey... HAIL ME!"
"ALL HAIL ARCHON!"
***
Morning.
Horatius was first to wake.
Horatius climbed down the stairs and met Sahin.
"Eating already, old man? You'll get fat,"
"It's 6 in the morning. What are you doing awake?"
"I couldn't sleep,"
"Hmm...? Why?"
"I don't know... I had a nightmare where the time around me stopped..."
Sahin's expression coldened once he heard Horatius' words.
"Horatius, we need to speak,"
"About what?"
"About your nightmare. There is a chance it wasn't just a nightmare, it was a sign that you're awakening your powers,"
"You're funny, old man... well anyway, I'm going for a walk,"
Sahin stared at the exit for a few seconds before going back to eating
***
Horatius was walking around town.
Jeez, I swear that old man is trying to make me paranoid, thought Horatius, The possibility of wielding the ability to manipulate time at will… such a power cannot be wielded by anyone but gods.
Horatius continued walking, deep in his thoughts, until he… stopped
He stared up at the clock tower… and he concentrated, if Sahin's words are right, if the possibility is there… Why would he throw the chance away?
He realized that no matter what the outcome it's better to take the chance. It'd be a waste to not try. If nothing happens, he'll prove himself that it was a stupid thought.
Yet if he does stop time… He'll wield a power not only unseen, but one rivaling the GODS themselves. He would be STUPID to pass such a possibility, the possibility of time manipulation, the most rumored and fascinating powers people have ever come up with.
As fury… arrogance… doubt filled his mind… time stopped… every human… in place… a bird in the sky stuck…
Yet he didn't care… he was too deep in adrenaline to care about surroundings, the only response he gave was a sweat that broke from his forehead.
One, two- the time moves again… precisely 2 seconds of time stopping before it runs out… The beginning doesn't matter when in the end you're the one sitting on the throne, he thought to himself.
As he stood there, his body finally realized what happened, his knees felt weak, not because of mana consumption, but because it wasn't used to such a thing… Who was?
He stood… Everything was back to normal… Voices came from anywhere until he heard some interesting ones.
"Hey, have you heard that Eldoria fell?"
"What?! No way! Who could've done such a thing?"
"I think they are called Archs. They conquered Eldoria overnight!"
Eldoria? Archs? Conquest? That's it! Horatius thought. "I was destined! Destined to stop the Archs! I'm the only hope for humanity! I really am a GOD, A SAVIOR!"
And so… he ran…
***
Horatius arrived back home. He didn't even take his shoes off, he ran to Sahin.
"Hey, old man! It's just as you said, I awakened! I stopped time!"
"That soon? I expected it to take at least some days, hmmm… Good job,"
Rami interrupted.
"Wait! Powers? Like... pow powers bang, ching pow powers?" he said, eyes sparkling at the thought.
"Great joke. We're just commoners, we don't have what it takes to gain powers," Zorn scoffed. "If you want to make jokes, at least make it believable,"
"I'm telling the truth, stiff bastard! I stopped the time for two seconds!"
Rami's eyes lit up.
"Really? Really? Really? I want to see!"
"Wh- Just how dumb are you, Rami-idiot!?! It isn't possible to show time stopping!" Zorn almost shouted. "And besides, he's a liar,"
Sahin interrupted.
"No... it's true... the six of you… the six of you are fit of powers. You'll likely awaken too,"
His words shock the kids.
"What? Like you mean, I'll also gain powers? Then I'll become strong? Really?" asked Rami, his eyes lit up in excitement.
"Warriors are paid a lot, no?..." Bellator rubbed his head. "We could become… rich, rich,"
"Bellator… you're scaring me!" Seren checked Bellator's forehead for a fever.
"Youre thinking way too ahead of time, Bell," Horatius continued, "It takes someone some decades of training to become a well known warrior… You're lucky you have me, as I will become a warrior in a short amount of time,"
"Well, look how confident you are. You think you're special. Seems like your 'special' power made you delusional," Zorn almost chuckled at the audacity.
"My time stopping ability is divine, truly exceptional," fought Horatius
"Stop lying about something you don't have. And besides I thought we left boasting in kindergarten"
"How many times do I have to tell you? It isn't a lie"
"Keep telling yourself th-"
Seren interrupts.
"Come on, guys. Let's not fight over it, it doesn't matter what powers we get or have. The only thing that matters is doing good deeds with them,"
Sahin also speaks up.
"Well anyway, by the end of this week all 6 of you should have your powers. I'm thinking of leaving once you're all awakened,"
Zio steps in.
"Leave? Leave where?"
"Where the adventure takes us,"
"Where are we going to live?" asked Seren, worry buried in his expression.
"What are we gonna eat?" Rami panicked.
"Dont worry, I know a lot about adventures. Just worry about, hmmm… girls?"
***
Throughout the week, the kids awaked, some having more or less flashy awakenings
Wednesday.
Out of the kids, the second one to awaken was Bellator.
It was sunset, Bellator was walking back home from town. He was barely dragging his legs, his arms were trailing around as if carried by the wind. He had a Melancholic expression
It's often those who are careful with money that end up making the worst mistakes. That's right, Bellator gambled
He was in the town's bar, playing cards. He had a cheating strategy with his friend. His friend would stay behind Bellator's opponents and stare at his cards, then he would hint to Bellator what cards the opponents had by… spitting, the bigger the spitting, the better the card.
But it seems like Fate does not like cheaters. On Bellator's first match, when his friend spat… it just happened that a man walked past at that moment. The spit his shiny, fancy and newly bought black boots.
A whole fight broke out. Bellator ended up fighting 5 people… He broke tables… he broke walls… he even sent the last man flying through the roof!
Yet he didn't even realize that he has awakened- super strength to be precise
All he thought about was the fine he'll have to pay to the mess he caused
When he arrived back home, he stared at the mess, plates and glasses everywhere, even on the ground, the trash had not been taken out, the floor was all dirty. Hmm, maybe if I'm going to be a cleaning angel, when the fine comes nobody will suspect that I was the one that caused the mess. He thought
He washed the dishes clean, giving them a better reflection than some mirrors.
He grabbed a towel and cleaned every part of the floor, leaving nothing there, until it was a pleasure to look at it.
He arranged the beds, the sofas, the couch, made them comfortable to sit on again
And lastly, he took out the trash. As he took out the trash he suddenly stopped… realization hitting him. He thought back to the people he just beat, more specifically, how he beat them… he stood… and stood… for some good minutes… then… he screamed, "I AWAKENED!!!"
Friday.
Rami and Zio awakened next.
Ever since Bellator awakened his powers Rami… started some kind of ritual on top of a hill… documented from a fantasy book.
Every 6 hours he went up the hill… he began chanting gibberish… acting like a gorilla… praying to Monkus(a popular trickster god among Velmoria stories) that he didn't even believe in.
Rami isn't a bad boy… he's very energetic, yes it gets tiring the minute you meet him. But he's a very kind boy, he loves helping, making you feel welcomed… even if that gift stole his supposed brain cells.
"Gumba, Gumba, Gumba, Gumba!" he roared, jumping around hitting his chest.
"Shinka, Shinkaaa! Rue baaa! Rue baaaa! Rue baaaaa!" he roared as he almost tripped off the hill.
He kneeled down on the ground too, praying and yelling, "PLEASE, MONKUS! GRANT ME POWERS! Or I'll burn your folklore book!"
And that's what happens… every single time… 30 minutes of… culturism until he gets hungry and runs off to eat.
But today… Today was different.
He walked on the hill, confident, none of the earlier… monkey sounds…
The wind pushed back, like a barrier protecting a sacred place.
He pushed past the wind, he laid down on the cold ground staring up at the sky, watching the clouds… for an hour.
His heart beat like a melody, BAM BAM, he felt it against his chest.
He chuckled, growing confident by the second, "So this is what it feels like?"
He rose, just like a flower blooming.
Holding out his hand he shouted, "THIS IS FANTASTIC!" declaring his triumph.
Up in the sky a lightning hit right behind Rami, yet as it was about to land, Rami catched the bolt. With high speed and precision he threw.
The bolt flew until he hit a rocks wall, creating a significant crater.
***
Zio was out in nature. Stripped of his clothes, he jumped in a lake and he began swimming.
While swimming his mind kept wandering. Hmm, I wonder if I'll really awaken…
What are the chances of a commoner awakening? Probably low as hell, he thought.
Well, who cares? This or that, I'll still be lazy.
Zio swam for 15 minutes until deciding to get out.
As he was getting out he was complaining about the distance he has to walk to get back home.
Yet, then he heard… Voices… Panicking, he stared around and saw the shadows of 3 people approaching… 3 soft voices… FEMALES!
His face was twisted with terror, his eyes looking as if there was no soul in his corpse, his cheeks sucked in, and his body continuously growing red.
His hands moved to his private area, but then he remembered the words of a wise man (the town's pervert), "never cover your private parts, always go for the face. The better choice is evading eternal recognition than a minute of embarrassment," and so his hands moved up to face, covering it whole.
When the 3 girls showed themselves, they screamed in terror and ran away.
Zio stood there, hiding his face, his mind filled with grim thoughts until he heard one of the voices say, "THE WATER IS FLOATING!"
Reluctantly he took his hands off his face… and saw water floating in front of him, covering him whole.
He stared around, wondering if someone did it, or if it was him.
After realizing nobody saw him, he dropped his hands, sighing in relief.
Saturday
The next kid to awaken was Seren.
Seren was in town, helping people as usual.
Unlike the others, Seren didn't care about powers nor awakening. He saw powers more as a… curse, you can hurt people with powers, he didn't like hurting people, he didn't even like thinking about the possibility of hurting people in any way.
Seren was at old man Knuckles, helping him with the feeding of his farm animals, cows, pigs, chickens.
Old man Knuckles wasn't the most warm man, he was the opposite, a veteran soldier wielding magic, he's 96 and he's still going strong.
Seren is the only person that has gotten close to him, it may be because how soft Seren is.
As Seren finished feeding the cows, old man Knuckles spoke, "Say, kid, have you ever thought about becoming a warrior?"
Seren froze, his lips trembling at the thought, "No, I don't like violence"
"Violence is everywhere. If you become strong like a warrior, you'd be able to protect everyone around you, no?"
"Warriors kill… If you just kill and kill and kill… Wouldn't you just make more enemies? Place your loved ones in more danger?" Seren said as he began walking away
"Kid!" Old man Knuckles stopped him, "Your presence can give warmth even to a hurt child, even to an animal that lost all trust in humanity… A presence is hard to explain, yours is… Gentle, a gold calm river flowing around you… I don't want you to waste what you have. Give it some thought, just a bit, you can become a lot, not a warrior, but the term people have made up for someone giving hope, a hero"
Seren stopped, his hands shook. Why? Why does everyone think of powers and only powers? He thought. But nevertheless he forced a small smile and bowed saying, "Thank you, I'll think about it, have a blessed day!"
***
Sunday
The last kid to awaken was Zorn
"56… 57… 58… 59… nghhhh!... 60 push-ups!" Groaned Zorn on the ground
For the past week Zorn has been training like a mad-man, he was devoured by fury and jealousy.
They awakened their powers but I haven't!?. He thought every time he woke up, at every meal, at every activity, every time when he went to sleep.
I was the one that read about every warrior! I was the one idolizing them! I WAS the one that wished to become a warrior! Why is Fate so cruel!?!Why, why, why, why!?. He got back into a pushup position.
With every push he groaned loudly, his arms shook like an old bridge carrying the weight of 3 grown elephants.
As he kept going he got even madder. No matter how much one trains, if they weren't blessed, magical powers won't walk in their hands.
To comfort himself, he even began getting delusional. Thinking that if there is no way for Horatius to prove that he has powers that they're the two lone wolves of the group
For 2 hours he kept going… 907 push-ups, that's how many he did.
To clear out his fury he went in the forest and began punching trees, leaving his fresh blood on them
And he punched, and punched and punched.
Until finally, after punching a tree, black flames sparked and spread.
Zorn stood, shocked, he chuckled, not out of happiness, out of disbelief.
All this training, all the blood he spat, and in the end he used powers… not knowing what sparked it or how to even use it again
***
It's been two weeks since Zorn's awakening.
For the past 2 weeks the kids have been preparing to leave for their adventure, they have been making their bags, training, some more than others.
On the final day, everyone was in the living room, bags ready, everything prepared
Out of curiosity and concern, Seren spoke, "Mr. Sahin… Are you planning to tell us anything about this adventure?
"Don't worry, I'll tell you more and more with time. I'm an expert at this!" chuckled Sahin
The group left, the light breeze hitting them. None knew if it was because of the weather, or the heavy realization of what they are getting themselves into
"You'll see, you feel most free when adventuring"
One event can change Fate drastically. Was this really a plan from Fate, or a mistake?