The nobles, humans living life high

The peasants, humans too, living like slaves, they cry

What is it with this world where we all lay?

Are we different, or are we all the same?

Are we humans, yet different species in sight?

Even an animal has a mind to care, that's right

A lion never attacks an ant out of spite

Fuck the corrupters, kill them all, that’s right.

Steller slowly descended, surrounded by Menes, Setka, Henu, and the others. Henu Safir leaned in close, scrutinizing Steller's face. "So, you're the same Steller, huh?" he remarked.

"Can you really take others' powers?" Kamil asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Steller pointed at Kamil and said, "Mute."

Instantly, Kamil couldn't speak. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Steller then said, "Unmute," and Kamil's voice returned.

"No way!" Ramon and Noya shouted in unison. Steller, looking annoyed by their energy, replied, "I should probably use this one on you two first."

The nobles began to leave, their whispers a mixture of fear and resentment. Mr. Bell walked down to congratulate Jack, accompanied by Seraphina and Alfonse, who were smiling.

"I told you everything would be fine," Seraphina said. Steller, overhearing, remarked, "You told him?"

Alfonse stepped close to Steller, staring intently for a few seconds. Just as Steller was about to touch him, Alfonse quickly backed off. Steller's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What's he hiding?" it thought.

Menes playfully placed his arm around Steller and began to ruffle its head. "Yeah, you showed them! I like it!" he laughed.

Annoyed, Steller said, "I've had enough human talk. Here, I'll give him back to you."

IN THE DOMAIN

Jack sat in the domain, surrounded by darkness, with only a candle in front of him. Suddenly, Steller appeared. Jack hurriedly stood up.

"These humans are very touchy. You can go back if you like. I'll rest," Steller said, sitting down.

"Steller," Jack called out seriously, "what is your actual power, and what is your real goal?"

Steller stared back at Jack. "My goal is something you shouldn't be concerned with right now."

"But it's me you're using. It is my concern," Jack retorted.

"Other humans would be happy to have such power. The power you are being handed. Things will make sense over time. Your safety is my concern. I am not your enemy; I am your ally. I am you," Steller replied calmly.

"Fine," Jack said, albeit reluctantly.

"And, as a side note, you can use your power now," Steller dropped the bombshell.

Jack, shocked, replied, "Really?"

Steller explained, "When you awakened and I was able to manifest, your body became somewhat ready for the power. However, don't overuse it. It's still kind of weak, and your body isn't fully prepared. Whenever I use your human form, it's as if your bones are all breaking apart."

"Thanks, Steller," Jack said sincerely.

"For what?" Steller questioned.

"You helped save me out there," Jack explained.

"Oh, that? Don't bother thanking me. Those guys outside were the real ones ready to go on their knees and request your freedom. Imagine, the strongest warrior in the land on his knees for a mere nomad, a commoner," Steller expanded.

"Well, thanks anyway. I know they risked a lot for me," Jack acknowledged. "But knowing you were there to protect me made a big difference."

"Remember, Jack," Steller said, its tone serious, "we're in this together. Your safety ensures my goals. We'll navigate this path side by side."

IN THE REAL WORLD

As Steller's skin slowly faded away, Jack's face emerged, his consciousness returning. He looked around and smiled. "Thanks, everyone," he said sincerely.

Seraphina, beaming, asked, "That thing just disappeared?"

Jack replied, "Yeah, I still don't know how all this works. It's a surprise to me as well."

Seraphina glanced at Jack's chest. The group’s faces turned red, finding her action inappropriate, but Seraphina was merely checking for the injuries inflicted by the soldiers.

"You're healed," she acknowledged.

Jack shrugged it off. "Yeah, I don't know what's going on. Its powers are something else."

"Hey, Ramon, guess what!" Jack said excitedly.

"What is it?" Ramon replied.

"I can use my power now," Jack announced, clenching his fist in demonstration.

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"That's amazing! We finally don't have to worry about you now," Ramon joked.

Jack then looked at everyone and bowed deeply. "Thanks to all of you for trying so hard to get me back. I thought I was a goner. I appreciate everything, and I'll live up to your expectations. I'll protect all of you during my stay here in Egypt."

Henu Safir smacked Jack on the back, causing him to yelp in surprise.

"Don't say bullshit like that. We all protect each other, especially when half of us don't even belong to Egypt. The nobles hunt us every day, but we've shown strength, and our bonds have grown over time. You don't need to be too formal. And you're staying until you do my chores and pay me back for all the damage you did when I was fighting your friend Steller," Henu explained with a grin.

Jack, with tears in his eyes, replied, "YES, SIR!"

"Thank you, General Setka and Commander Menes. I owe you both a lot, and thank you as well, Mr. Bell," Jack said sincerely.

Mr. Bell replied, "I only did it because Seraphina wouldn't stop talking about you." Seraphina's face turned red with embarrassment.

"Furthermore, I don't own my wealth alone. This is a secret that only the queen knows, but my wealth is under my daughter and son Alfonse's name. I don't own anything, just a little stick," Mr. Bell revealed.

Ramon, Kamil, and Noya shouted in unison, "Whatttt! Really?"

Kasib questioned, "If the queen knew, then why did she allow Jack to live?"

Khonsu explained, "I told her. I went to meet her last night before the ceremony and explained everything, after which she told me she would do something about it."

Yune asked Khonsu, "How did you even get a chance to meet her?"

Khonsu replied, "When I was brought here from a young age, she and I would spend a lot of time together."

Yune replied, "Oh, okay. Well, you guys should buckle up; next week is the strength competition," Yune said as he walked off with Noya.

Kamil, Kasib, Khonsu, Ramon, and Jack were frozen, their emotions shocked.

Ramon shouted, "Oh no, I'm too beaten up after the fights!"

Kamil moaned, "I can't think. I overused my power, and my brain is hurting."

Kasib replied, "One week isn't enough, but I can try."

Khonsu smiled awkwardly, "Ah, yeah, I think I'm done."

Jack cried with tears of help, "Oh my days, I just got my power. It's too weak to fight anyone."

Henu Safir and Menes smiled with an evil grin. "Training starts this afternoon, boys," Henu announced.

Setka walked off with Alfonse, waving goodbye. "You two take care of them, will ya?" he said.

Afternoon

The sun was at its zenith, casting a sweltering heat over the training field where Yune, Noya, Memnon, Khonsu, Kamil, Ramon, Kasib, and Jack stood among other soldiers. They were all training rigorously for the upcoming strength competition. In front of them, arms crossed and faces stern, stood Henu and Menes.

"In a week, the soldiers of the Nubia kingdom will be joining us," Menes began, his voice carrying authority. "We are hosting a strength competition as a celebration of our armies working together."

Jack raised his hand, a look of curiosity on his face. "Commander, how does this competition work?"

Menes smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Soon, a competition bracket will be created to show who will be fighting whom. While we may have visited the Nubian kingdom, not all their soldiers were present. You may face someone entirely new. Keep in mind, they are just as strong as we are."

Noya raised her hand, "Excuse me, Commander. Yune, Memnon, and I didn't attend the meeting you're talking about. Can you tell us about their powers?"

"Kamil, enlighten them," Menes commanded.

Kamil stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Alright, there are three commanders we met that day. First, there's Kairo Tempest, the 3rd commander, and he's just 12 years old. He possesses a power called Float, which allows him to levitate himself or other objects. He also has a dark energy ability he didn't fully reveal, but judging by his strength, it could be his ultimate weapon."

Noya's eyes widened. "He's only 12?"

Yune nodded, incredulous. "To be that strong at such a young age is unbelievable."

Kamil continued, "Next is the 2nd Commander, Octavius Drexel. He has the ability Illusionary Tactics, allowing him to create and manipulate realistic illusions to deceive and outmanoeuvre his enemies. He'll also create the arena for us to fight in."

"Lastly, there's their general, Amon Khaldun. His ability, Kinetic Dominion, allows him to manipulate and harness kinetic energy for enhanced strength and devastating attacks. He can absorb any attack and reflect it back, essentially storing the other person's strength."

Yune wiped sweat from his brow. "I think commanders and generals shouldn't be allowed to participate in this."

Henu chimed in, "You're right, Yune. However, this event isn't just for our kingdom and theirs. Leaders and commanders from other organizations also come, often in disguise, to view the event."

Jack's eyes widened. "Really?"

Henu nodded. "Yes, this is a showcase of our strength. They won't fight us, trust me. But they do attend, and it's hard to notice them in the crowd. They want to see our new technology and the strength of our soldiers."

Menes continued, "Furthermore, the prizes for non-commanders or generals are significant. If you make it high enough on the list, you can earn either a promotion, a squad of your own, or money. This competition is your chance to showcase your strength to the entire city."

"Noya and Jack,

Khonsu and Memnon,

Kamil and Ramon,

Kasib and Yune.

You guys will be duelling first 1 on 1, then we will duel in teams. Showcase us your strength without training; let us see what you are made of," Henu declared.

Kasib's thoughts raced, "I'm going to be fighting the strongest warrior other than the commander, the 1st Royal Guard of the Royal Army, Yune. This is a chance I shall not miss out on."

Menes stepped forward, "Noya and Jack, begin. Last to drop their blade wins."

"Wait, wait, wait," Jack said nervously.

Everyone moved out of their way, creating a circle. The soldiers who were training also stopped to see what was happening. Noya drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the sunlight.

"So, Jack, you're the newbie we have to train. Let's begin," Noya said.

Jack's nervousness soon turned to seriousness as he picked up his sword and gripped it tightly. "I have to do this."

Noya attacked first with a quick strike. Jack dodged back but lost a strand of hair to the sharpness of Noya's blade.

As Jack slid back, Noya spoke, "Quite sharp, isn't it? My family descends from swordsmiths. It's a blade that has passed through six generations, the strongest and sharpest blade in all of Egypt."

Jack's eyes squinted, "Damn, how am I supposed to fight him?" he thought.

Holding his blade near his waist, Jack leaped in for an attack. However, Noya struck Jack's sword, forcing him to the left and leaving him defenceless. Noya then kicked him in the kidney, sending Jack flying back in pain.

Noya jumped in for the final strike to knock Jack's sword out of his hand. Jack, still not fully on the ground, remained on his knees. Time seemed to slow down.

"Not again, not again, not again. I won't let it happen. I won't let it happen," Jack's rage erupted. He grabbed his sword and dashed it towards Noya. Midway in his attack, Noya stopped and slid to dodge Jack's sword, his eyes fixated on the blade.

"Steller, help me. How do I use my power?" Jack whispered in his mind.

Soon, a voice as if from the heavens answered, "FOCUS."

Jack's eyes opened wide, "Got it."

"Chrono Arachnid Claw!" he shouted as a claw appeared from his back, and he slid towards Noya, hitting him on the knees. Noya, too focused on Jack's blade which he threw, didn't notice Jack's attack and fell to the ground.

"I need to grab my blade," Jack muttered as his Chronotex claw reached for it. Noya smiled, "Last to drop their blade wins," and threw his blade towards Jack's blade, making them collide and causing Jack's blade to fall to the ground. Noya then used his elbow and struck Jack on the knees, making him fall and miss the blade he was trying to grab with his Chrono Arachnid Claw.

The crowd gasped, the duel was intense. Though Jack had lost, however his ability to summon the Chrono Arachnid Claw impressed everyone.

Menes stepped forward, "Well done, both of you. Jack, you showed great promise. Noya, as expected, your skills are top-notch."

Jack, though defeated, felt a sense of accomplishment but he had used his power for the first time in combat, and though he still had much to learn, he knew he was on the right path. T

Next up was Khonsu and Memnon...