The land of Zalchron had long been torn apart by war. Rebellion had become a constant shadow over King Xeno’s reign. His tyranny, wielded with an iron fist, was feared across every corner of the land. His ambition was boundless—he sought absolute power, control over every clan and every territory, a dominion built on submission, fear, and unyielding rule. Yet, as his reach expanded, so too did the opposition. Rebels from the once-loyal clans began conspiring to overthrow the tyrant. He had reduced them to mere pawns in his grand designs, and worse still, had exiled their neighboring clans without just cause, sending ripples of unrest throughout the kingdom.

Desperate for a swift and decisive victory, King Xeno enacted a secret decree. He summoned the brightest, most ruthless scientists from the Gemini, Rover, Lunars, and Versa clans. These clans represented the most intelligent minds ranging from technology to celestial power. They were tasked with conducting brutal experiments on soldiers, abandoning morality in their pursuit of power. By manipulating genetics, cybernetics, and magic, they sought to create the ultimate warrior—a weapon designed to obliterate the rebellion and cement the King’s complete control.

In the city of Calminac, deep within the mysterious region of Kazkake, these scientists stumbled upon something unexpected—a child. Not just any child, but one whose latent abilities surpassed even their wildest calculations. They found in their tests that his body synchronized perfectly with their ultimate serum. His potential was unmatched, raw, and untamed. But there was a problem—he was only ten years old. Too young, they thought, to be the salvation the King sought. Too innocent to wield the terrible power they were unlocking.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of rebellion, a resistance group from the Wolfkin Clan, a powerful and wise clan, plotted their next move. Their fellow comrade clan, the Lykari, was attacked harshly and exiled by the King. Their clan feared they were next and banded together some of their best warriors. They had heard rumors of the King’s experiments—whispers of atrocities committed in the name of control and domination. Their target: the secret facility where these unspeakable horrors were being conducted.

The base was left lightly defended, with only the northern forces of the King nearby. The Wolfkin rebels seized the opportunity, launching a precise and daring attack. They cut through the guards and dismantled the defenses, but what they found within was more than they had anticipated. Hidden in the depths of the facility, they discovered the child—alone, afraid, and unaware of the monstrous potential within him. Some might have called it kidnapping, but the rebels believed they had rescued him from a fate worse than death.

As they made their escape, a question lingered: What had they unleashed? The future of Zalchron now rested in the hands of a child no one had expected, and the fate of the entire land would soon be irrevocably altered by his presence.

Within the snow-covered mountains that bordered Lupa and Calminac lay the Wolfkin rebels’ hideout. The cave, hidden from the King’s watchful gaze, offered protection and secrecy. Inside, the rebels regrouped, clutching their prize—a boy. The scientists had called him EX, but to the rebels, he was something else, something unknown.

EX sat in silence, his wide, curious eyes reflecting the flickering flames of the fire at the center of the cave. His black hair fell over his face, obscuring the confusion and fear that simmered just beneath the surface. He dared not speak, for even his own voice felt foreign.

The Wolfkin warriors, their faces hard from years of battle and exile, stood in a circle around the fire, casting concerned glances at the boy. Their leader, Rhaegus, a towering figure with the strength and instincts of a wolf, broke the silence.

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“We risked everything to get him,” Rhaegus growled, his voice low and authoritative. “This child... he was no ordinary experiment. The King wanted him for something far worse than any of us imagined. Though the base was lightly guarded, we lost too many men in this operation."

One of the younger rebels, Lyria, shifted uneasily, her sharp senses alert to the tension in the air. “He’s just a kid,” she murmured, her eyes glancing toward EX. “How could the King see him as a threat?”

Rhaegus’ gaze softened for a moment as he looked at the boy. “I don’t know what kind of power lies dormant in him, but the King doesn’t waste resources on the innocent. The scientists protected him with their own lives for a reason. He’s an experiment… a weapon.”

EX remained quiet, his eyes fixed on the fire. His memory of life before the facility was a blur of lights, needles, and cold, clinical voices. He could still hear the hum of machines, feel the sting of needles prodding his body, unlocking something deep within him—something he didn’t understand. His head throbbed with the pressure of memories he couldn’t grasp, and uncertainty filled the void inside him.

Then, he spoke, his voice soft but determined. “I think I should thank you… but I’m not certain. I don’t remember anything before this. I don’t believe I’m an experiment. I’m… just me. But I feel… hollow, like something’s missing—something important.”

Rhaegus knelt beside him, his voice softening. “You’re safe now, boy. No one will harm you here. But you’re right—there’s no telling what they did to you in that place. That mark on your face… it’s not just a scar. It represents what they had planned for you.”

The boy’s large eyes met Rhaegus’. “Then… who am I?” he whispered, the uncertainty thick in his voice.

The question hung in the air, heavy and unanswered. Even Rhaegus didn’t know the truth. None of them did. The boy was an enigma, a child who the King’s scientists had turned into a weapon of unimaginable power. That’s when Madris, known among the rebels as Mother, stepped forward. She knelt before the boy, her expression warm and gentle, and smiled softly.

“You are Zaxius,” she said, her voice filled with compassion. “You are no experiment. From this day forward, you are my son.”

The cave fell silent, the shock of her words rippling through the rebels. Rhaegus, more stunned than the others, struggled to respond. He knew the name Zaxius—it was the name of Madris’ son, the one she had lost to the King’s tyranny.

Outside, a blizzard began to settle over the land, its icy fingers creeping into the cave. The cold didn’t bother the Wolfkin—Lupa was their home, and they thrived in the harsh winters. But the winds carried a sense of unease, as though the very land could sense the storm brewing within.

Lyria moved closer to Rhaegus, her eyes flicking toward Zaxius. “Mother… what are we going to do with EX? I mean, Zaxius?”

“We’ll train him,” Rhaegus replied, his voice firm. “He may be young, but the power inside him… that raw potential. We need to understand it, control it. If we don’t, the King will stop at nothing to take him back.”

Madris’ voice cut through the air, sharp and unwavering. “He is not an experiment! He is Zaxius. He is just like you and me. We will train him, but not to control him like a weapon. He will learn to unleash his potential for himself, on his terms.”

Rhaegus wanted to argue but held his tongue. He knew Madris too well to press the point. “What if the power is too dangerous?” Lyria asked, concern lacing her voice. “What if he can’t control it?”

Madris glanced at the boy, her resolve unshaken. “We don’t have a choice. The King is coming, and Zaxius must learn to protect himself.”

The future of Zalchron now rested on Zaxius—the child, the experiment, the unknown weapon. As he sat by the fire, feeling the weight of the rebels' eyes on him, Zaxius couldn’t help but wonder what he truly was. A boy? A tool for war? Or something more? He felt the love and protection of Madris, but Rhaegus’ words still echoed in his mind.

In the silence of the cave, Zaxius clenched his fists. He didn’t know what lay ahead, but one thing was clear—the journey to discovering his true self had only just begun.