Somewhere very far from Earth
Continent of Eldea
Somewhere in the cloud forest
"Commander, we're being encircled by enemies," the lieutenant reported, urgency tightening his voice.
"I know," came the hoarse reply. The commander cradled an unconscious four-year-old child. "He may wake soon. We must hurry."
He passed the child to his sole surviving lieutenant. "Take him east through the forest. You'll find a teleportation array. Send him through, then destroy this side – we cannot let those bastards track him."
Though hesitating to abandon his commander, the lieutenant accepted the child. After a sharp salute, he sprinted eastward without a word. They both knew they would meet again only in death's embrace.
The commander – Harold, the One-Eyed Sword Emperor whose name once shook continents – advanced toward the encroaching shadows. He would buy their escape with blood.
Enemies swarmed him moments later. "Look who finally emerged from hiding," sneered a familiar voice. Harold locked eyes with Marcus, Fist Emperor and one of the continent's ten strongest warriors.
Marcus's face contorted with rage seeing the child gone. "Where is the cursed child?"
Harold drew his sword in silence.
"You cannot defeat me, Harold. Why resist? That child will destroy worlds!"
"He is a child," Harold countered. "You condemn him without evidence, fearing mere potential. Your terror of the unknown betrays you."
Steel shrieked as they clashed. Their movements blurred beyond mortal sight. When a soldier tried to flank Harold, a severed head thudded to the forest floor.
"Cross this line," Harold growled, his aura crushing the ranks, "and meet the netherworld."
Marcus raised a hand. "Hold! Let him die with honor." To Harold: "Prove your title, Sword Emperor."
Blades collided in fiery arcs.
For ten minutes, they seemed evenly matched – until Marcus's gauntleted fist exploded through Harold's abdomen. "A worthy fight," Marcus conceded as Harold staggered.
"Now find peace." A second strike vaporized the emperor's body.
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Eastern Forest – Teleportation Array
Lucius laid the child in the glowing circle. As he placed the final teleportation stone, blue light enveloped the boy. "Live, Your Highness," he whispered to the unconscious form. The child vanished.
Lucius shattered the array beyond repair. He'd barely fled the clearing when Marcus's forces surrounded him. "Where is the child?" Marcus demanded.
Lucius answered with a sword-charge. Marcus beheaded him mid-lunge. "Tear this forest apart!" the emperor roared.
Hours later, Marcus stared at the array's ruins. "They planned this," he hissed, chilling energy radiating from him. "The abomination survives. Alert the Council – we prepare for the unknown."