"Isn't this a glorious day, Amelia?" Lucas beamed, gazing at the sun-dappled clearing. "It reminds me of being a child, carefree and full of hope."

“Yes Lucas”, Amelia, his wife, a radiant smile gracing her pregnant belly, mirrored his joy. The company had granted them a much-needed break, allowing them to escape the mines for a picnic in this beautiful jungle clearing.

Both worked at the Aetherite mines, the lifeblood of their realm Elysian Mithra. But today, their worries melted away under the warm sun.

Hours melted into blissful relaxation, but then, the playful breeze morphed into a menacing groan. Dark clouds billowed overhead, blotting out the sun. Thunder rumbled, a low growl that turned into a deafening roar punctuated by blinding flashes of lightning.

Suddenly, Amelia's water broke. Lucas, his heart pounding, scooped Amelia into his arms and sprinted towards the town nestled at the edge of the jungle. The wind howled, rain lashed down in sheets, and Amelia's cries were lost in the chaos.

"Just a few minutes ago, it was perfect," Lucas muttered, his voice barely audible over the storm. His only concern now was Amelia's safety.

What felt like an eternity later, they reached the town’s infirmary. The nurses helped Amelia to the room for delivery. Lucas stood outside with worried face.

The storm raged on outside, but inside, a tiny cry pierced the darkness. It was the beautiful sound of new life.

Twin boys! One, with calm eyes that mirrored the morning sky before the storm, the other a bundle of restless energy. Lucas leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on Amelia's forehead. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, "for giving me these beautiful gifts."

Lucas expressed his gratitude for her unwavering strength, before bestowing upon their newborns names that echoed their essence: Argos, the epitome of serenity, and Irakes, the embodiment of boundless vigor.

The village nurse bustled in, a curious contraption clutched in her hand. It was a pair of mana orbs, used to gauge a child's potential for magic. Anticipation crackled in the air as she gently touched the orbs to each twin's forehead.

But instead of the usual vibrant colors, the orbs remained a startling white. The nurse's jaw dropped.

"Never in my forty years as a Nurse…" she muttered, her brow furrowed in confusion. She tried again, just to be sure, but the result remained the same. A heavy silence descended upon the room.

Lucas felt a cold dread pool in his stomach. "What's wrong?" he rasped, his voice laced with a fear he couldn't quite place.

The nurse hesitated. "It seems," she began cautiously, "your children... they don't possess any detectable mana."

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Amelia gasped, tears welling in her eyes. "No, it can't be! It's all my fault!" she cried, clutching Lucas's arm. "My weak black mana…"

Lucas pulled her close, his voice soothing. "Hey, hey," he murmured. "Don't blame yourself. Mana or no mana, they're our sons, and we love them."

He was right. They could build a happy life, even without magic. But their peaceful world was about to shatter. The news of the twins' lack of mana spread like wildfire through the town, a source of whispers and pity

Years passed. Argos and Irakes, now strapping teenagers, trained diligently under their parents' guidance. The village school was out of the question; lessons there revolved solely around manipulating mana, a skill they simply didn't have.

Instead, Lucas, a former adventurer himself, taught them swordsmanship and survival skills, while Amelia honed them with knowledge during their time free from mining.

One crisp afternoon, as they practiced their basic combat techniques in their backyard, a loud, mournful alarm pierced the air. A demon attack! All able-bodied adventurers were called upon to defend the town.

Argos and Irakes exchanged a determined look. They yearned to fight alongside their fellow villagers, not just for the town, but to prove their worth, their lack of mana is gonna be a problem for them. Just then Amelia came rushing towards them.

"Both of you lock yourselves inside your room, it's too dangerous outside," said Amelia with a frightened look in her face.

Irakes, unsatisfied, retorted, "Mother, I also want to face demons! I want to prove to the villagers, with or without mana, you gave birth to powerful children!"

Argos, on the other hand, whispered urgently, "Irakes, we must listen to Mom and lock ourselves up."

Frustrated, Irakes shot back, "Don't be a coward, Argos! Just let me go fight a demon. You can see my worth!"

Amelia, her voice firm, interjected, "Irakes, listen to me. Don't be a child. Argos, take your brother to your room and lock up. I will be back with your father shortly."

With that, Argos, ever the dutiful brother, wrestled Irakes towards their room and secured the lock.

Irakes, ever the restless one, fidgeted under the restriction. Argos, the calmer twin, tried to reason with him. But their efforts were in vain. Irakes, driven by a surge of rebelliousness and a burning desire to help, managed to escape through the window. With a sigh, Argos knew he had no choice but to follow.

As they ventured out, they stumbled upon a horrifying sight – a monstrous higher demon, its obsidian hide glistening under the afternoon sun, its eyes glowing with malice. Panic seized them, but before they could react, the demon swung a clawed fist, sending them sprawling.

Hahaha! Fresh meat!" the demon cackled, lifting an unconscious Argos. "Looks like dinner came early!"

“You puny human kids tried to attack me a demon, such foolishness, I will kill and feast on you, Be honored be my meal” Said the demon menacingly with drooling

Just as the demon was about to sink its teeth into Argos, a burst of dark energy erupted from Irakes. A menacing aura enveloped him, sending shivers down demon's spine – including Argos, who was slowly regaining consciousness.

Confused and enraged, the demon lunged at Irakes, but the boy, now fueled by an unknown power, and effortlessly dodged the attack. With a swift movement, he retaliated, delivering a blow that sent the demon crashing into a nearby rock in a puff.

“You dared touching my brother, you demon you will pay” Said Irakes while glaring with bloodlust at the demon.

Silence descended. Irakes, drained and bewildered, stared at his trembling hands. Where had that power come from?

Argos, fully awake now, scrambled to his brother's side. "Irakes! Are you okay?"

Irakes, still shaky, simply nodded. Relief washed over Argos. Then, a new wave of fear gripped him as he saw Irakes sprinting back into the forest, seemingly drawn by an unknown force.

Irakes, terrified, tried to tap into that hidden power again, but it wouldn't come. He was trapped, fear gnawing at him. With a desperate cry, he turned and bolted, the demons hot on his heels.

He stumbled, his foot catching on a root, sending him tumbling through the swirling portal. The world spun around him, colors blurring into a grotesque kaleidoscope. When he finally stopped, he found himself in a desolate landscape, the air thick with a suffocating stench.

"What is this place?" Irakes whispered to himself, his senses assailed by the stench of decay and the haunting echoes of demonic whispers. Demons, more numerous and monstrous than any he had ever seen, swarmed all around him.

Alone and afraid, he braced himself for the trials that awaited him in the accursed domain of

ZAGRASH XUL' KATH.