Chapter 2: The Cry 2
From the moment the blood sky appeared, disaster struck. Ancient times broke loose as long forgotten devils awoke, primordial beasts who had slept for eons finally stirred. The sky itself became a curse, driving every creature's instincts to their wildest peak.
The land of Avalonia was a world of mysteries and oddities. No man was ordinary here; strength alone decided worth. From the stories of the first man, everything began with one name "Val".
Val was born small, no larger than an ant, yet he knew from the beginning he was not ordinary. Many times he had watched colossal beings stride across mountains, devils tearing apart valleys as if they were paper. All Val could do was hide and dream. Dream of walking among giants. Dream of shattering mountains like gods.
But one day, his peace ended.
"Hehehe… I've found you."
A strange voice slithered through the forest. From the shadows stepped an ancient creature its body long and thin, its skin far too pale. It moved wrong, like a broken reflection of life. Its right hand rested upon a smooth mask that hid its face.
"Mhmmm… what a delicious scent. I must have you before the others arrive."
Val didn't think at mere sight of the creature he ran.
But the creature didn't chase. It only laughed, a low, dreadful sound that rippled through the air. Then, in the blink of an eye, it was beside him. A hand clamped around Val's right arm. Its leg pressed into his ribs and "rip".
Agony.
Val screamed as his body slammed into a tree, blood spilling from his mouth. His vision swam. Bones cracked. His strength faded.
The creature watched him with cruel amusement. It lifted the torn arm to its mask and bit into it, shuddering in ecstasy. "Peak quality meat," it whispered.
Val crawled, trembling. "I don't want to die… please, I don't want to die."
The creature's laughter grew louder. "And what would you know of death, little insect?"
It appeared beside him again, tearing at his leg. Pain consumed Val's world. His screams turned from terror to rage.
"I said stop!"
Golden Qi erupted from his left fist the first miracle of man. His arm blazed with raw qi, pure and untamed, drawn straight from the earth itself. Before the creature could react, Val drove his glowing fist into the mask.
Cracks formed.
The creature staggered, shocked but it didn't stop pulling Val's leg.
"I said STOP!"
Val's fury exploded. He struck seventy times in one breath, each punch heavier than the last, until the mask shattered completely. The creature's face twisted, its body spasming in madness. Val no longer saw fear or pain only survival.
And survive he did.
He tore the creature apart, devoured its essence, and claimed its broken skull mask as his own.
That day, the first man Val, the All Father birthed the foundation of all power.
Val taught that for a man to truly begin his journey, he must first "master himself", or be lost to demons. From this truth, the great cultivation path was born:
Body Unity Realm The first step. Five stages where flesh gathers power and forms the foundation for all who would climb higher.
Baptism Realm The second step. Man aligns his five senses with the forces of heaven and earth. Also called "the Leap of Faith."
Yomi Realm Where one transcends the ordinary, strength breaking beyond human limits. Here, man can shatter boulders to dust in a single breath.
Kai Realm The Colossal Realm. Where one's true nature awakens, fulfilling Val's vision that man was never meant to remain small.
Indo Realm Realm of Kings. The domain of conquerors who rule vast sects and empires, each own their own Domain of chaos.
Azura Realm The Realm of Ascension. The dream of all freedom from the mortal plane, the doorway to the Third Heaven.
Each realm held five ranks to be surpassed, and Avalonia overflowed with those hungry enough to climb.
Since the moment Damon awakened, the Void Palace had been in unrest.
He stood before a mirror as two maids dressed him in a dark robe. His gaze was distant, his mind elsewhere. When he tried to circulate his qi, pain shot through his bones.
"This body is in a horrible state," he muttered. "I can feel the energy in the air… but if it seeps into my skin, I'll shatter like glass."
He withdrew his energy and stepped into the grand hallway. Every servant he passed bowed deeply, but he didn't spare them a glance. His steps carried him toward a massive door.
"Ho ho, my boy, come in," came a deep voice from within.
Without hesitation, the guards opened the way. Damon entered, bowing lightly.
"Greetings, Grandfather."
Old Man Thomas sat within, but beside him was another a man wearing a smiling shura's mask, his aura thick and malicious. From elbow to fingertip, his skin gleamed crimson, as if soaked forever in fresh blood.
Damon's lips curved slightly. "Can I really have fun in this world to my heart's content?" he murmured under his breath.
Then he saw her.
A young woman aged seventeen stood behind the masked man. Her gaze was sharp yet playful, her emerald hair tied neatly, her hazel eyes almost divine. Damon had always appreciated beauty, even in dangerous things.
"Interesting…" he whispered.
But the masked man Blaire, the Heavenly Demon stiffened. "What the hell is that thing?" he muttered, leaning forward.
"As I said," Thomas replied grimly, "that is the Child of Insanity. The one who fell from grace."
Blaire's eyes gleamed. "This child… he's no ordinary being. His confidence it's chocking. I must have him !"
He smiled behind his mask. "He's been through countless battles… I can _feel_ it."
Excitement twisted his aura. The air rippled. "Old man Thomas! Give me this child!"
Thomas rose, fury igniting around him. "Little brat are you trying to bite off more than you can chew?"
The room trembled as their energies clashed. Both men stood at the peak of half-step Kai walkers.
Damon watched calmly, amused. "Ahh, are they really going to fight?"
Then, in a blink, the girl vanished from behind Blaire.
"Father, father I want him!"
A chilling pressure flooded the room. Damon spun, but she was already behind him, her hands around his waist.
"She's fast," he muttered, eyes narrowing. Then a strange sensation rippled through his chest sharp, invasive, wrong.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Damon collapsed to his knees, screaming in pain.
"What the hell… has this bitch done to me?"