The abandoned courtyard was silent, the crumbling walls bathed in moonlight. Adrian sat cross-legged on the cold ground, the ancient scroll resting on his knees. Its faded surface seemed ordinary at first glance, yet the faint golden lines etched across it pulsed like veins of living light.
He ran his fingers over the characters. They were indecipherable, yet somehow… his mind could feel them. Sword forms. Energy flow. Ancient hunting methods. The knowledge didn't appear all at once but seeped into him like a whisper in the dark.
Adrian clenched his fist. If this scroll is real… it may be the key to my revenge.
The night was cold, but his determination burned hotter than fire. He stood, leaving the courtyard behind, and climbed into the mountains. Every step was heavy with purpose.
---
At dawn, the air was thin and sharp. Adrian stood shirtless on a rocky cliff, his body already battered from endless repetition. His fists pounded into stone until his knuckles split and bled. His sword whistled through the air as he practiced the first stance shown in the scroll. His breathing grew ragged, sweat soaking his torn robes, yet he pushed on, each strike firmer, sharper, truer.
Days blurred into nights. Sleep was shallow, food scarce. The scroll's teachings unfolded bit by bit: energy circulation patterns that made his strikes heavier, sword techniques that cut with precision, even forgotten hunting methods that sharpened his instincts.
For the first time since his banishment, Adrian felt something stirring within him—power.
---
One morning, determined to test his progress, he ventured deeper into the mountain forest. The canopy swallowed the sunlight, leaving only shifting shadows. His hand gripped the bow he had fashioned himself, arrow notched, senses sharp.
A low growl rippled through the silence.
A striped shadow leapt from the underbrush—a tiger, muscles coiled, fangs bared. Its amber eyes locked on Adrian.
For an instant, fear struck him. But then he remembered the scroll's hunting stance. His breathing steadied, his arm drew back smoothly, and he released.
The arrow flew straight, piercing through the beast's chest. With a roar that shook the trees, the tiger staggered and collapsed, life draining from its eyes.
Adrian exhaled slowly. This strength… it's real.
He hoisted the heavy carcass onto his back, carrying it toward his hut. But fate had something else in store that day.
---
As he descended a narrow path, voices echoed through the forest. Harsh. Ruthless.
He froze, lowering the carcass. Ahead, five assassins surrounded a young lady in pale robes. Her hair was disheveled, face streaked with dirt, eyes wide with terror.
"Please… let me go!" she begged, voice trembling.
One of the assassins sneered, raising his blade. "Your family's wealth can't protect you out here. Be grateful we'll end this quickly."
The girl's eyes darted wildly—and fell on Adrian. Desperation filled her voice. "Help me! Please!"
Adrian's first instinct was to turn away. She was a stranger, and he owed no one anything. But then he clenched his fists. No. This is a chance. A chance to test myself. A chance to grow stronger.
He stepped forward, his voice cold as steel.
"Leave her. Now."
The assassins turned. For a moment, silence hung. Then they burst into mocking laughter.
"Leave? Boy, do you want to die with her?" one said.
"Kill them both," another snarled.
Adrian's gaze hardened. "Then come. And face me."
---
The first assassin lunged, blade flashing. Adrian sidestepped, channeling energy into his fist. His punch landed square on the man's chest—ribs cracked, and the assassin flew into a tree with a sickening thud.
The second came from behind, but Adrian pivoted, unleashing a savage kick that shattered the man's sternum. Blood sprayed as he collapsed lifeless.
An arrow whistled from Adrian's bow, piercing the third's forehead before he could strike. The fourth screamed, charging with twin daggers. Adrian slashed downward with a stolen blade, cutting the man clean in half.
Only one remained. His face twisted in fear, but before he could run, Adrian's strike severed his head in one clean motion. It rolled across the dirt, eyes frozen wide in terror.
Silence returned to the forest.
Adrian lowered his weapon, chest rising and falling. His arms ached, his knuckles throbbed, but inside, he felt a fierce satisfaction. I'm stronger than I was yesterday. Stronger than the Adrian who knelt in shame.
He turned. The young lady lay fainted on the ground, pale but breathing. For a long moment, Adrian hesitated. Then he sighed and lifted her onto his back, carrying her to his mountain hut.
---
Night fell. The crackle of fire filled the small hut. The girl stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Confusion and fear clouded her face as she looked around the unfamiliar room.
"Where… where am I?" she whispered, clutching the thin blanket.
Her gaze darted wildly, searching for escape.
Then, from the shadows, a calm, cold voice answered:
"You're safe. For now."
Her heart skipped a beat.