"Gasp!" a figure jolted up right, chest heaving and cold sweat trickling down his temples. The sun rays bursting through the window, revealing the dust around the room. He swiped the tears from his damp cheeks. The images still linger, the screams, flashes of blood and fire consuming everything.

"Thud...Thud...Thud." A loud bang coming from the entrance of the small room.

"Hellooo, Mister sleepy head. C'mon it is graduation day and the final test to get your ranking and alsoooo where we get to speak to the oracle. Oh, I cannot wait to see what fate has in store for me." A very loud cheerful voice sings through the door.

The young man shakes his head and gets out of bed. he walks towards the mirror and stares at himself. His longish bangs slightly cover his eyes. Reflecting on what he has went through the past eight years, training, fighting, getting stronger, honing his abilities all to take back what he lost. Today is when he can finally leave this place.

"oh Kaiiii, what is taking you so..."

Kai opens the door and surprises the girl bothering him. A pretty girl with short shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes. Wearing black and brown leather clothing, two daggers, one on either side of her hip and a belt, carrying a pouch.

"Maria, will you shut up." Blunt words from a disgruntled Kai.

"Well, your depressing as always, c'mon we are finally leaving, we are going to be warriors after this and we don't know what is going to happen next. At least give me a smile on the last day." Maria always talks like she is performing.

Kai stares blankly at Maria.

"Hmph, if you didn't have such a pretty face no one would talk to you."

"I don't need people to be friendly with me. Actually, it's better if they do not approach me." He muttered, his voice tight and low. His final words barely audible, "They're all monsters."

Maria's cheerful expression faltered. her gaze flickering with concern. Though Kai spoke softly she heard every word.

She didn't press him about his past, and didn't know anything about it, few did. If people found out who he was and where he came from, they would kill him instantly, since he is considered a 'devil'.

"You know the first time I met you eight years ago, I remember seeing Master Eld carrying you in his arms, you were badly hurt, blood all over you. The next day I seen you, sitting outside, looking into the distance. You seemed so sad, that is why I approached you, to cheer you up and now eight years later, I still haven't accomplished that." Although Maria laughs, she genuinely feels bad that she can't help a person she cares about.

Kai looks down at the floor, feeling guilty for being so dispiriting. He can't help it, his mind is just filled with an intense hate against the country and people who took his 'life' away. Even though the school he is at is in the country Mendacia* and Maria is from this country. That is why Kai has been trying to keep his distance throughout these eight years, he did not want to associate with anyone from Mendacia, but Maria just never gave up.

"Maria...I..." Kai looks at Maria. His eyes open wide and his face freezes.

Maria's eyes are watering, she is about to cry, but she quickly turns around.

"Sorry, c'mon lets go, Master and Fido are waiting for us." Maria runs off without Kai.

Kai stares at her back, when she turns the corner, He closes his fist and clenches it.

Maria's head peeks back around the corner "Kai!", she waves at him telling him to come. Kai walks after her.

Kai and Maria are walking to the main hall, on the way Kai looks around at his surroundings, for the last time. In the courtyard he sees students training, some are practicing their hand-to-hand combat, others are hitting dummies with practice swords, and there is also an archery target that students who specialise in long range combat use. This school is a school for warriors, specifically the rouge class, they specialise in, stealth, assassination, close quarter combat with daggers or short swords, and archery. There are two other schools in the country close by that specialise in the mage and warrior class. The mage and warrior schools have hundreds of students, the rogue school less than that. There are few warriors in the world, each warrior is especially strong, and all have unique abilities. Most warriors join the army, while others go on their own journey, and some even become criminals.

The school of rogues is the least popular and looked down on by the other two schools, as they are disgusted with the way rogue warriors act and kill others while hiding in the shadows. Most warriors will go to a school depending on their ability and are highly valued subjects, which is why each country tries to recruit every person possible with an ability. Each warrior will train until they reach the age of eighteen, where they are old enough to join the army. at the end of the year a final test takes place, and each warrior will get ranked, the top five will instantly become an elite and they will have to join an elite team of other warriors, where they get sent on special missions or deal with ferocious beasts. After the final tests each graduated warrior will get to speak to an oracle**, an oracle can tell what the future holds for that individual. At night a big ceremony happens where all three schools attend and celebrate them becoming true warriors.

Finally Kai and Maria reach the entrance to the main hall and walk in. At the end of the hall they see their Master, mentor to the warriors, and Fido, another warrior who has kept close to Kai and Maria throughout their years of training, in most exercises these three always work together.

"Well you both took your time, Maria what took you so long waking him up?" says Fido, mockingly staring at Maria

"Well you know Kai, always brooding about something"

Fido smirks then looks at Kai, "Eight years, we've been through a lot, put up with us for one more day." Fido says, winking at Kai.

Kai looks back at Fido, a slight smirk comes from his lips. Maria gazes at Kai, "Oh there was almost a smile, you know, during our whole time together I only ever see you smirk, smile or slightly laugh when Fido says something, but never me...hmm I wonder why, I'm funny..." Maria says dancing around Kai.

"I'm just funnier." Replies Fido. Maria sticks her tongue out to Fido.

The slight flicker of happiness Kai has felt during these eight years is because of these two, he has smiled and laughed at Maria's antics, he just tries to hide it, letting people get too close to him was a risk, but training at this school it was inevitable that he would have to work in a team during operations. Despite his efforts to keep his distance, Maria and Fido carved their way in. He cared for them, more than he wants to admit but after today, he has to let them go. The path he is taking has no room for attachments.

"Well young ones, today is graduation day and the day of your final test, but I have a quest for you three today." says Master Eld, an older wise man, who has been instructing students of the rogue class since he was thirty. A veteran and was a most decorated warrior, this is why he became a master.

"Oh, what have you got for us today, slay a bunch of goblins, or deliver some supplies, or maybe map out a hidden dungeon, or maybe..." happily chants Maria

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"I need you all to deliver these letters to the other two schools." Says Master Eld interrupting Maria.

Maria blankly stares at the letters the Master is holding. "That's it." Maria says while pointing to the letters.

"Yes, now do it quickly, you all still have your final test to do." Master Eld says while handing Maria the letters.

"Yes Master!" all three say in unison.

Master Eld watches them walk off with a sombre expression, he especially stares at Kai. "Today is the day Kai, where you set off on your desperate journey, I only hope that after it all, you can find peace and happiness within yourself. I promised your mother and father to keep you and your brother safe if anything ever happened to them, unfortunately only one of you came to me that treacherous night."

Standing at the entrance of the school, Kai, Maria, and Fido must walk down hundreds of cobblestone steps to reach the village at the bottom, as the school of rogues sit atop a small mountain and at the bottom sits at small village where a lot of students go to take on missions or relax.

"Okay so what school first?" Asks Maria.

"We go to the mage school first, it is on the way to the warrior school anyway." answers Kai.

"Well let's not waste any more time, lets increase our pace." Says Fido.

it is a beautiful sunny day, with bright blue skies and pure white fluffy clouds. The three warriors enter the village, the village is peaceful and surrounded by a lot of small houses, with one tavern, one bakery and one butcher. There are few children running about chasing each other or play fighting with wooden swords, but it is mostly adults living here as this location is not the safest for children as a warrior school is a main target for opposing countries.

Walking through the village, all the village folk are greeting them, Maria happily waves and says good morning to everyone, Fido just waves and smiles, Kai just stares straight ahead. The village folk are nice people, Kai has helped them with quests required for his training, and they have rewarded Kai with treats. He does not mean to be so distant, he just can't bring himself to really care for these people. Kai at first blamed everyone from Mendacia for letting what happened to his family and kingdom. He despised every single living person from here, but with eight years training here, helping some of the village folk, he knows they are not to be blamed. If he starts to genuinely like and live with these people, he will forget his mission and will also feel like he is betraying his family and his own people.

Halfway through their journey to the mage school, the three warriors have to venture through a forest where some small beasts live. The forest is filled with tall green tress, beautiful flowers planted everywhere and there is a dirt path that goes through the whole forest reaching the other end. Staying on the path is the safest as not many encounters happen with beasts but there is a slight possibility one might jump out.

"Stop, look over there, a wolf." Kai says quietly, alerting the other two. The wolf is feeding on a deer.

"A shame, the wolf is all alone, they usually hunt in packs, I wonder where his family are. Did you know people call wolves 'Devils', not just because of their red eyes but, they share similarities to the country of Calios." Maria says.

"What do you mean?" Kai says visibly startled.

"Well, my father used to tell me that the people of Calios would die for each other, they would sacrifice themselves for the survival of their loved ones and they had such strong social bonds, similar to Wolves, they sacrifice themselves for the pack." Maria says, while admiring the Wolf.

"I...I didn't know that, but it makes sense." Kai says who is staring at the Wolf, the Wolf then looks up from his prey and their eyes connect.

"haha, well why would you silly." Maria playfully shoves Kai. "No one talks about that kingdom anymore...they're all dead."

"Yeah...They're all gone." Kai says quietly but the others still catch his words. "For the greater good right, they were Devils" Kai says scornfully and sarcastically.

"For the greater good...Hmm I don't know about that. I did not know anyone from Calios, so how would I know if they are Devils or not" says Maria looking at Kai.

Kai surprised by Maria, stares back at her.

"Guys, the Wolf is looking for his next prey" says Fido interrupting their moment. The Wolf starts running towards the three.

"Let me deal with this," Maria says. She starts walking towards the wolf, she gracefully pulls out both her daggers from her belt. She bursts into a sprint, closing the distance between them. The wolf now in attacking distance leaps at Maria with large fangs bared, going for her throat but she is ready for the attack, she quickly ducks and slides under the wolf on her knees, bending backwards in one seamless motion, piercing both her daggers into the wolf and the momentum from both the wolves leap and Maria's sprint lets her daggers skate across the wolves underbelly leaving twin trails. Maria finishes her performance and sheathes her daggers back. Behind her the wolf lies on the ground, lifeless and alone.

"You made quick work of that." Fido says.

"It was nothing, we have fought worse. C'mon lets go, not long now." Maria starts walking off.

Kai and Fido follow. Kai stares at the dead wolf sitting in a pool of blood while walking past. Cannot help but think that the dead wolf and him share the same fate.

Kai, Maria, and Fido come out of the other side of the forest and in the distance, they see the mage school. A beautiful towering architectural ornament, as big as a castle with spires piercing the sky, much larger than the rogue school, and much more appealing too. A lot of mages are arrogant, stylish, and self-assured. Rogues dress in dark, light weight leather armour, mages dress up more whimsical and attractive, though some mages do dress more appropriately for battle.

After a small journey they eventually reach the entrance of the Mage school. "Wow look at the stained glass and all the carvings of the school, it's beautiful." Maria, visibly shocked blurts out. At the entrance a courtyard, with beautiful green grass, and a cluster of colourful flowers sit everywhere. Mages are relaxing on the grass and benches, a stark contrast to the rogue school, it seems heavenly this place.

Maria, Fido, and Kai clearly out of place are the centre of attention. Mages are smirking and muttering in the background. "Typical mages." Fido says.

"Hey! You peasants are in the wrong place." says a mage, obnoxiously staring at them.

Maria steps in front of Kai and Fido "Ignore them, no drama today, okay boys. Let's just hand these letters to the master here." Says Maria while placing her hands on the boy’s shoulders.

"Girl, you have blood on you, expected of savages." the same mage from earlier said, other mages join in laughing.

Maria turns around to look at the group of mages and scathingly looks them down. Kai then puts himself in front of Maria.

"If you don't want to die today, I suggest you run off with your little group of revolting creatures. If I wanted to look at shit, I would have gone to a pigsty." Kai bluntly says menacingly staring at them.

Everyone around the area stunned in place, appalled at the words that came out of Kai's mouth. Even more shocked are Fido and Maria, surprised at Kai sticking up for them but also shocked at how Kai would never usually say something like that as he is usually broody.

"YOU DARE COMPARE ME TO THAT? YOU WILL REGRET THIS, RUNT!" The mage screams, he pulls out an intricate wand, the mage quickly makes a circular motion with it and a rift portal appears behind Kai, daggers and swords start launching through the rift at Kai. Kai's eyes narrow. The first Sword flew towards him like lightning, but he rapidly deflects the sword with one of his own short-swords, a dagger follows in its wake, Kai leapt, twisting his body in mid-air while bending backwards and fluidly places his hand on the ground and pushes himself off dodging the deadly dagger. The mage flicks his wand and summons six more rifts. The mage confidently smirks. From each rift a luminous array of weapons protruded out .

"Dodge this!" the mage sneered.

All at once they shoot at Kai, cutting through the air. Kai closes his eyes and exhales slowly, before the weapons even reach him, Kai lets out a small roar. The ground shakes subtly, and multiple chains erupt beneath him, dark and hellish they reach to the heavens, and they snap around the weapons mid-flight. Halting them in place like time has frozen.

Gasps fill the air as the spectating crowd stood paralyzed. The chains linger until finally retracting back underground and all of the captured weapons fall to the ground. The mage trembling drops his wand and falls to the ground. Kai threateningly walks towards the mage, firmly gripping both his short swords. When he approaches the mage, the mage squeals, Kai lifts both his swords crossing them at the mages neck, grazing his skin. "To the butchers, Pig." Kai says with a low, murderous voice.

The crowd watches in horror. Maria and Fido, although have seen Kai in battle a lot and get heated up by the moment but never with such a blood thirsty aura, are slightly alarmed.

"Stop this now!" A voice sparks through the air.

Everyone's attention now on the girl who disrupted the disturbing atmosphere, Kai still staring down his prey.

"Princess Lumia!" A mage student exclaims. Their voice cutting through the tense silence, the crowd chatter and the Princesses Appearance radiates and shift the entire atmosphere.

Fido says to Maria, "That's the King's daughter. Wow she is beautiful." Fido could not help but comment on her appearance.

Kai overhears, his target has changed, he fiercely glances at Lumia. "The King's daughter, I can do it, I can take something precious away from him like he did to me. If I kill her, the King will have no choice but to see his daughter’s killer." Heat surges through Kai's veins, his heartbeat like a drumbeat in his ears, fury and adrenaline coarse through him, his eyes glow a crimson red like the Wolf from earlier. The sounds and chatter around him start to fade out.

Kai mutters under his breath. "Finally, my revenge starts now."