[Inside the Memory]
The alley twisted into a crimson haze, and Lioran stood across the dead bodies.His golden aura burned brighter than ever, flickering like wildfire, sparks licking the air with every pulse of his breath.
Across from him, the Narvan hissed—a grotesque creature of shadow and muscle, its claws glinting like blades, its eyes glowing with cold malice.
Lioran's jaw tightened. His fury boiled over, shaking the ground itself. He vanished in a flash.
"Wha—?" The Narvan's eyes widened—too late.
THUD!
Lioran's fist drove deep into its gut. The creature's body folded, air blasting from its lungs in a guttural howl as it crashed backward, plowing a trench through the ground.
Before it could rise, Lioran was upon it again. His foot snapped forward—
BOOM!
The kick sent the monster cartwheeling through the dust. Rocks shattered. A choking cloud swallowed the battlefield.
When the dust cleared, the Narvan was gone.
A faint ripple in the air—instinct screamed.
SHHHK!
Claws shot from behind.
But Lioran's hand closed around them with iron strength. His golden aura surged, and with a roar, he swung the Narvan sideways, SMASH!—its body slammed against the stone wall, cracks spiderwebbing outward.
"GRAAAHH!" The Narvan shrieked, struggling, saliva dripping from its twisted jaw.
Then— stab of pain!
"Ahh—!" Lioran clutched his head. His vision blurred, splitting into two realities. Images flashed—blood, bodies, his own hands stained with red.
His knees weakened.
The Narvan grinned wickedly.
SHRRK!
Its claws lashed again, slicing straight toward Lioran's spine.
Too close to dodge.
But—
WHOOM!!
A magic circle erupted beneath Lioran's feet, glowing bright gold. A surge of force catapulted his leg upward with supernatural velocity.
CRACK!
His heel connected square with the Narvan's face. Bone shattered. The beast was launched like a missile, CRASSSHH!!—embedding into the wall with brutal force.
Its jaw hung dislocated, its face grotesquely twisted to the side.
The creature staggered to rise, fury blazing—only to freeze.
Lioran was already there. Silent. His golden eyes burned like suns, reflecting nothing but wrath. His expression, cold and merciless, paralyzed the beast. For the first time, fear rippled through its monstrous body.
"Stay… away…" it croaked.
But Lioran's fist had already cocked back.
BAMM!!
The first punch snapped the Narvan's skull sideways.
BAMM!! BAMM!! BAMMM!!
A storm of fists followed, raining down mercilessly. Each blow cracked bone, tore flesh, and rattled the ground beneath them. The battlefield shook under the rhythm of destruction.
"GAHHHH!!" the Narvan screeched, voice breaking.
But Lioran didn't stop. His knuckles split, blood mixing with his golden aura as he pummeled again and again.
CRUNCH! SNAP! CRASH!
Minutes felt like hours. The beast's body convulsed under the relentless storm, until at last, its screams died in a wet gargle.
Lioran's final punch landed square into its face—
BOOM!
The Narvan's head collapsed inward, the creature falling lifeless to the ground. Silence.
Lioran stood over the corpse, his chest heaving, sweat and blood dripping from his brow. His aura flickered, dimming.
Then—
"Ahhh!"
The pain in his skull surged again, worse than before. His vision spiraled. He clutched his head, stumbling, his breaths ragged.
Forcing himself upright, he grabbed his bag lying amidst the rubble and staggered away. Each step echoed with exhaustion and torment.
And then—
The memory dissolved.
[Outside the Memory]
The vision ended like shattering glass.
Lioran gasped, jerking back into reality, his body trembling. Sharin sat frozen, eyes wide with disbelief.
"It means… you didn't kill them, Lioran," Sharin whispered, voice trembling.
The words struck deeper than any blade.
Lioran's knees buckled. He dropped to the ground, tears welling. His hands shook as if he were holding invisible chains.
"All this time…" His voice cracked. "I thought I… I killed them. That I… broke her promise. The guilt—every moment—it crushed me, poisoned me. I hated myself. I thought I was cursed to destroy everything I touched…"
Tears rolled freely now. He pressed a hand to his heart, sobbing.
"But… now… I see it. That burden—it's gone. I didn't betray her. I didn't…"
He bowed his head, voice breaking. "I'm… free. Thank you so much."
Shourya placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling softly. "I did not do much, boy. I only showed you the truth. But this truth proves something—you carry the will and strength to follow Vaelion's path."
Lioran lifted his head, his golden eyes dim but steady. "Do you… really think I can take such a responsibility?"
Shourya's gaze sharpened. "I cannot say for certain. But what I do know is this—if there is anyone who can, it is you. So tell me, Lioran… are you ready to protect this world?"
Lioran's hand curled into a fist. His mother's voice echoed in his heart:
Promise me… Promise you'll help others. It is your duty.
He rose slowly, wiping his tears. His aura flickered faintly.
"I am ready," he said firmly. "I will protect this world."
Shourya's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Then let us begin your training."
[Narvan World]
Far away, in the abyssal throne hall of the Narvans, the atmosphere reeked of dread. Jagged spires twisted upward like spears around the black palace. Inside, the Narvan King lounged on his throne, draped in shadows, his presence suffocating.
Before him, a minister kneeled, trembling.
"My King," the minister croaked. "Your orders… You wish to increase the number of Narvans sent to Earth? Forgive me, but… should we not preserve our army for the coming invasion?"
The hall grew deathly silent.
Slowly, the Narvan King turned his head. His eyes gleamed crimson, sharp as blades.
The minister's body froze, paralyzed by sheer fear.
"I—I only asked… to understand…" he stammered.
The King's lips curled into a chilling smile.
"Do you know why?" His voice slithered like poison.
The minister dared not answer.
"To entertain myself," the King said, his tone almost playful.
The minister's eyes widened. "En… entertain?"
The King leaned forward, his aura pressing down like a tidal wave. "Yes. I wish to see how much Vaelion's heir can amuse me before I crush him. Let the games begin."
His laughter echoed through the throne hall—deep, thunderous, and cruel.
The minister lowered his head in terror as shadows rippled outward, signaling the beginning of a new onslaught upon Earth.
And the King smiled, whispering with hunger:
"Show me, Vaelion's heir… how brightly your golden fire burns."
TO BE CONTINUED...