4 years passed.
The originally quiet and boring village, was extremely active.
Dylan hadn’t changed much in the past 4 years. He still maintained his strong and well-built body, but black beard grew on face, complimenting his short black hair.
“You all can’t do a single thing right.” He sighed, and went to help out the other villagers.
Contrary to the poor performance of the villagers, a young boy was diligently doing all his chore. He was assigned to collect wood from the forest. The mountain of wood piled up in a certain corn of the villagers. This much wood was enough for the village for months to come. This was clearly a 20 man work, done by a small boy.
The young boy was around 9-10 years old. With a white hair and a well-defined face, it was clear that he was going to be a handsome young man when he grows up. Even though white haired youths were extremely rare, that most captivating thing about him was his hair. Rather it was his eyes. His iris were of a beautiful dark golden. Dressed in peasant cloths the boy wore a smile on his face as he breezed through his list of chores.
His cloths were drenched in sweat. “Village chief, I’ve finished all the chores on the list.” Spoke the boy to Dylan.
Hearing this a smile appeared on his face, as he gave an approving nod. “Well done Arthur. Now Arthur, you go and train.”
“Alright.” Replied the boy with a smile.
The young boy quickly, paced towards the forest. Finding a quiet and tall tree, he climbed in mere moments.
“Hey, sorry I’m late.” Spoke the boy, to an imaginary figure. “They think I’m weird if I speak to you, in front of them.” It seemed like the boy was mental.
But through the boy’s vision he could see a figure in from of him.
The figure looked exactly like the boy, except he had a black-golden runic halo around his forehead. The light golden cross symbols, stood out in the dark golden irises. It was as if the boy was staring into a mirror of himself.
But the other figure, had countless chains binding his body. “Arthur why have you come? I thought I told you to leave me.”
Spoke the figure, in the boy’s voice.
“I can’t, after all you look so lonely.” Spoke Arthur, in a sympathetic tone.
The boy talked to imaginary figure for hours until, the sun slowly set over their heads. “Ok, bye now. I have to go, but I’ll come again tomorrow.” Smiled Arthur, as he waved the imaginary figure goodbye.
The next day, Dylan immediately got out bed, and woke everyone up early in the morning. “Ok people, the royal kingdom will be visiting our tiny village for the grand tournament selections in 11 months’ time. We have to train our younger generation, so that at least a few will get selected and bring glory and fame to our ‘Skyblade Village’.”
The speech, made the village youths blood boil with excitement. “Yes Village Chief. We’ll succeed and make our ‘Skyblade Village’, famous.”
The young generation, immediately started training for the selection process a year away. Only Arthur was calm and uninterested about the whole thing. He never really cared for power or the ability to fight. He simply wanted to lead a fun life, with the kids of the village.
1 year passed
The entourage of the royal army will be arriving today.
Once the sun rose, Arthur immediately ran towards the forest. He would usually just spend the entire day, annoying the imaginary figure. But today was different.
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A group of figures dressed in black silently waited, staring at the villagers as if they were a bunch of innocent sheep waiting to be slaughtered. The silent black figure started to make their move. Each and every single one of them were either armed with a daggers or giant axes.
Back at the forest.
“Arthur………” Spoke the figure in a sorrowful tone.
“Yeah?” Asked Arthur innocently.
“I want to tell you, but if do it’ll be the death of you.” Spoke the figure as the sorrow in his voice got heavier.
“….What happened?” Asked Arthur, slightly panicking.
The imaginary figure spoke. “Your ‘Skyblade Village’ is currently being attacked by bandits.”
The hair on Arthur’s body stood upon hearing this. Just as he was about to run towards, a black-golden ring made of various runes appeared around him, sealing his movements.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Shouted Arthur at the imaginary figure. “I have to help them.” Tears rolled down his cheek.
“The current you will be of no help at all. You get slaughtered the moment you enter the village.” Spoke the imaginary figure, as the cross in his eyes glowed. “You have to stay back….”
“I can’t do that. They raised me. Please you have to let me help them. Please help them.” Begged Arthurs, as tears fell endlessly from his eyes.
“Arthur……….I’m bound to this place for life. But…..never mind.” Spoke imaginary figure, hiding something.
“But What? Please I’ll do anything. Please.” Begged Arthur.
Seeing the child beg so sincerely, the imaginary figure gave in. “There is a way for you to take all my powers.”
“Your power?” Arthur, could stop the bandits, if he had the imaginary figure’s mysterious powers.
“Yes, Arthur my powers. But there is a cost. To use my powers, you have to first accept………the Devil’s Crown.” Spoke the imaginary figure, a cold sweat rolled down the imaginary figure’s back, as he spoke the word ‘Devil’s Crown’.
“Devil’s Crown? I don’t care I’ll accept anything I have to. Just let me protect the villagers.” Shouted Arthur.
The imaginary figure, let out a sorrowful smile, before speaking. “I sorry Arthur, I wasn’t able to protect you any longer.” The black-golden rune halo, around the imaginary figure’s head, slowly floated over to Arthur’s head. For a split second, the halo transformed in a golden-black regal crown, before settling back at the black-golden halo.
“Arthur, no….Devil’s Crown, successor to the ‘Throne of Voids’. This one is forever under your command, but I have to leave now. Grow strong my champion. Grow stronger at least for that person’s sake…..” Murmured the figure, under his breath, making sure that not a single word was heard by Arthur. A single drop of black tear fell from the imaginary figure’s eyes as the crosses within his eyes disappeared. Soon the entire body of the imaginary figure disappeared into countless specks of black-golden lights, which entered Arthur’s body.
Two beautiful light golden crosses appeared in Arthur’s irises.
As if he possessed infinite knowledge, Arthur spoke. “Rune: Speed”
A black-golden ring appeared on his back, as his speed increased by tenfold. The kind and innocent look faded from his eyes, and was replaced by a cold and callous feel.