Chapter 4: Descent
"Before I choose…"
Preemo looked between them.
"Can I start with my regeneration?"
Zeus answered without delay.
"Granted."
That was enough.
Preemo turned his attention to the two paths.
"I'll take the commoner route."
Hera's gaze lingered on him.
"No status. No protection."
Preemo gave a slight shrug.
"I'll manage."
Zeus lifted his hand.
"So be it."
The space folded.
Everything went dark.
…
Night.
Preemo's eyes opened.
No thrones.
No endless space.
Just a wooden ceiling above him.
Quiet.
Still.
He didn't move at first.
Then—
Softly—
"System."
For a split second…
Nothing.
Then—
[Status Window]
Name – Avon Barksdale
Age – 5
Class – Shadow Monarch (Locked)
Subclass – Battle Mage (Locked)
Health – 100
Mana – 100
Strength – 10
Defense – 10
Dexterity – 10
Intelligence – 15
The information hovered in front of him.
Clean.
Simple.
Then more followed.
Grandfather – Chief Barksdale
Father – James Barksdale
Mother – Ayesha Barksdale
Sister – Mia Barksdale
The window faded.
Avon stared at the ceiling.
"…Avon Barksdale."
He let the name sit.
Then exhaled slowly.
"West Craven…"
The memories were there.
Not his—
But now they fit.
A small village.
Quiet.
He turned his head slightly.
The room was simple.
Wood walls.
Small bed.
A single window letting in faint moonlight.
Nothing special.
But real.
He lifted his hand.
Looked at it.
Smaller.
Younger.
"…Five years old," he muttered.
A faint smirk appeared.
"Starting early."
He lowered his hand.
No need to move tonight.
No need to rush.
Everything was in place.
He closed his eyes.
And let the night pass.
…
Morning came with sound.
Voices.
Familiar.
Close.
Avon's eyes opened again.
Lighter now.
Warmer.
He sat up slowly.
The smell of food drifted faintly through the house.
Home.
A voice from outside—
"You hear that?" his mother said.
Another voice answered.
"I heard it."
Avon stood and moved toward the doorway.
His mother stood near the entrance, arms folded.
"That wolf got another chicken," she said, clearly annoyed.
His father sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'll catch it."
She looked at him.
"You said that yesterday."
He gave a small shrug.
"And I meant it yesterday too. Just a matter of time."
Avon stepped closer.
"I want to come."
Both of them looked down at him.
A brief pause—
Then they smiled.
"You're too young," his father said.
Avon didn't react.
"I can help."
His father crouched slightly.
"Not yet."
His mother shook her head lightly.
"You stay here."
Before Avon could respond—
A smaller voice cut in.
"What's a wolf?"
They all turned.
Mia stood there.
Still half-asleep.
Eyes barely open.
Avon looked at her for a second.
Then back at his parents.
Silence.
Then—
His father laughed quietly.
"You'll find out when you're older."
Mia frowned slightly.
"I'm older than yesterday."
That made Avon smirk.
"…She's not wrong."
His mother sighed.
"Both of you sit down before I give you something to do."
Mia immediately walked toward the table.
Avon stayed where he was.
Thinking.
A wolf.
One chicken today.
Another yesterday.
Pattern.
He looked toward the door.
Then back at his father.
"…It's not random."
His father paused.
"What do you mean?"
Avon didn't answer right away.
Just watched.
Learning.
Because this—
This was where it started.
Not power.
Not yet.
But understanding.