Page 1
Mabu sits beside Thian's bed. The worry on his face makes no effort to hide itself.
The old man comes and rests a hand on his shoulder — quiet, steady.
"Come… there are things you and I need to talk about."
Mabu rises slowly. "Alright."
Page 2
Mabu enters the old man's room. Sits across from him.
The old man speaks in a warm voice:
"I have never said this before — but thank you, Mabu. Today you showed what you're truly made of. Because of you, Thian is alive. I am proud of you both… my training was not wasted."
Mabu opens his mouth to respond.
But his tears get there first.
He raises his trembling hands and stares at them:
"But Grandfather… I took a life with these hands. I can't stop thinking about it."
The old man stills for a moment. Then pulls him into a firm embrace.
"Don't be afraid, my grandson. You did the right thing. You were only defending yourself. If you hadn't, he would have killed you."
He takes Mabu's face in both hands.
"Listen to me carefully."
Page 3
"You are not a killer, Mabu. You are an innocent child who was protecting his brother. Never blame yourself for that."
Mabu wipes his tears and holds the old man in silence.
After a moment, he lifts his head:
"Thank you, Grandfather. But I have a question."
The old man looks at him seriously.
"In the forest — the moment Thian fell — I felt something heavy in my hand right before I threw that punch. And when it landed, I saw the same darkness… the same thing I saw in your hand two months ago."
The old man looks at him. A quiet, brief moment of surprise crosses his face.
"I see. Now it's clear."
He straightens.
"Look at me."
Page 4
"Long ago — thousands of years — there was only one demon in this world. A demon who possessed terrifying powers that no ordinary human could match. One day, he saw a woman…"
Mabu's eyes widen with curiosity.
Page 5
"He was drawn to her deeply. He approached out of curiosity — but against all expectation, they were drawn to each other. They married. And from that union, eight children were born. Because of his bloodline, the children inherited his immense power. The demon feared the balance of the world would break — so he poured all his remaining strength and created a parallel world. He called it the Abyss. He placed four of his children inside it, and bound the two worlds together."
Mabu is completely focused. He doesn't blink.
Page 6
"He left the other four in this world — to maintain the balance of power between the two realms. In time, the demon grew old and died. And with his absence, massive conflicts broke out among the children over who would lead next."
Page 7
"The war between the siblings grew so great that it split the continent itself in two. Each of them went their separate way."
Mabu's eyes nearly leap from his face:
"They split… the continents?!"
Page 8
"After that, each one married and had children. And their children had children. And so it continued. The demon's power spread further and further through the blood of his descendants — scattered across everyone who carried it."
Page 9
"We are descended from the eldest. The power we carry today is only the smallest fraction of what he truly possessed."
Mabu speaks slowly:
"So… we are different from other people?"
Page 10
The old man looks at him with seriousness:
"Don't let that make you think we are better than them. All people are equal. This power was given to us for a reason. We must use it for good — not to kill and ignite wars."
Page 11
"To understand how this power works, there is something you must know first. Inside every body in this world, there is a circuit called the Zuu Circuit — the circuit of spiritual energy. It is what keeps the heart moving."
Page 12
"When someone who carries demon blood is born, a second circuit forms alongside the first — linked to it, dedicated to their unique power. But to use that power… you must possess a Zuu that is large and strong."
Page 13
"Because your power is completely bound to it. Right now, Mabu, your Zuu is not large enough to use it freely. That is why what happened in the forest was involuntary — once, in a moment of extreme danger. But to control it whenever you choose…"
Page 14
"…you must strengthen your spiritual circuit. Constantly."
Mabu's face brightens: "So if I train, I'll be able to use it!"
The old man raises his hand: "Listen first. Using this power is very dangerous, Mabu. Because its origin is demonic."
Page 15
"If you use it too much without control, it will seep into you. Take hold of you. Make you hard — without mercy."
The old man exhales:
"Our power — yours and mine — is called the Stone Mantle. When activated, the body is wrapped in a layer of stone that increases your strength and speed to a terrifying degree. And there are other powers in this world from the same origin — fire, lightning, earth."
He stands.
"That is enough for tonight. Now go to sleep. Tomorrow, there is something important."
Page 16
Mabu, curious: "What is it?"
The old man smiles:
"Every four years, a grand festival is held in the royal capital. One of the senior ministers organizes a tournament of strength. The winner receives the minister's daughter's hand in marriage — and with it, great standing and position in our world."
Page 17
"You may learn a great deal from watching this tournament."
Mabu's eyes light up: "I'll absolutely be there."
Page 18
The old man smiles: "Good. Sleep now. I'll watch over Thian tonight. And tomorrow I'll wake you early."
Page 19
Early morning.
Mabu rises. Washes quickly. The old man calls for him.
Mabu stops for a moment in front of Thian's bed. Looks at him.
Still unconscious.
He whispers — barely loud enough to be heard:
"You'll wake up. I know you will… Thian."
Page 20
"Shall we go?"
Mabu looks at him, then back at Thian — uneasy.
The old man reads his face: "Can you carry him the entire way to the capital?"
Mabu looks at him, genuinely trying to work out if there's a way.
The old man laughs softly:
"We'll leave him here to recover. We'll return quickly so we can take care of him properly."
Mabu smiles: "Alright. Let's go."
They set off. And after a long walk, the capital appears before them.
Mabu stops. His mouth opens slowly.
The lights. The colors. People everywhere. A noise he has never heard in his life.
The old man looks at him and smiles:
"This is the royal capital, Mabu."
Mabu can't find words. He only nods.
Page 21
They walk through the streets.
"Meat! Fresh meat!"
"First-grade weapons!"
"Fruits and vegetables!"
Life and joy fill every corner. Mabu turns his head left and right, unable to decide where to look.
Page 22
Mabu stops in front of a massive building. The sound of cheering pours out of it like a wave.
"Grandfather… what is this?"
"This is our destination. The festival's fighting arena."
Mabu's eyes go wide: "Let's go inside — I need to see this!"
Page 23
They enter.
Mabu climbs the stands and stops.
Every seat is filled to the last. The roar of the crowd is like thunder — it fills everything. In a reserved section, a minister sits with his daughter, watching the arena below with calm eyes.
Mabu takes his seat beside the old man. His eyes sweep across everything, missing nothing.
Page 24
He looks down at the fighters in the arena. Sharpening their weapons. Preparing themselves. In every pair of eyes, one thing only: winning.
The announcer steps forward. His voice rises above the roar:
"People of the capital… at last — the Bloody Wedding Festival begins!"
The crowd erupts.
And Mabu feels his heart trying to escape his chest.
Continued in Chapter Eight