On a stone bridge suspended over a sea of bubbling lava, Kenji and Olorun lay side by side, the intense heat radiating from below. The bridge was eerily silent, with only the distant roar of the lava breaking the stillness. The dim, fiery glow from the molten rock cast long shadows, creating a surreal and unsettling atmosphere. Kenji broke the silence, glancing sideways at Olorun. “You know, you don’t seem like a bastard, even though you tried to kill Eleo.”Olorun managed a faint smile, his eyes reflecting the flickering light. “Yeah, and you’re not as annoying as I thought.” Kenji raised an eyebrow, curious. “Why did you try to kill him anyway?” Olorun’s smile faded, replaced by a hardened expression. “I had my orders. My brother... he doesn’t tolerate disobedience.” Kenji looked at him, sensing the deeper pain beneath his words. “Your brother? What’s he like?” Olorun’s gaze drifted to the churning lava below. “He’s the only family I have left. Strong, ruthless, and ambitious. He took me in when I had no one, when I was at my lowest.”Kenji nodded, understanding the gravity of Olorun’s situation. “Do you ever think about leaving?” Olorun’s eyes met Kenji’s, filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve. “I’ve thought about it every day. But I owe him everything. He saved me when no one else cared.” Kenji considered this, his voice softening. “Sounds like you’re not as free as you think.” Olorun looked away, his mind drifting to a distant memory. 9 years ago The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. A young Olorun, only seven years old, walked alongside his mother through the woods. They had set up a small camp in a serene clearing where sunlight streamed through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The smell of fresh earth and cooking food filled the air—a comforting scent that made Olorun feel safe. His mother, a tall and strong woman with a quiet determination, was preparing a modest meal over a small fire. Olorun watched her work with innocent curiosity, admiring her grace and strength. They shared a moment of calm and warmth, laughing and talking about trivial things. But as dusk approached, the forest began to darken, and Olorun noticed a change in his mother’s demeanor. Her eyes darted around nervously, and her hands trembled slightly as she cooked. The lightheartedness of the day vanished, replaced by a tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud. “Mom, are you okay?” Olorun asked, his young voice tinged with concern.His mother forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just stay here and keep the fire going.” Olorun nodded, trying to keep his anxiety at bay. But as the shadows grew longer and the forest fell into an eerie silence, his mother’s unease began to seep into him. Suddenly, she stood up, her face set in a hard line. “Olorun, I need you to stay by the fire. I have to check on something.” Olorun looked up, confused and a little scared. “What’s wrong, Mom?” “You wouldn’t understand,” she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. “Just stay here and don’t move.” Her harsh tone stung, and Olorun’s confusion turned to frustration. “Why are you always telling me what to do? I’m not a little kid anymore!” His mother’s face softened for a moment, but the fear in her eyes remained. “It’s not safe, Olorun. Please, just do as I say.” But Olorun was too young and too angry to understand the depth of her fear. “I’m tired of being treated like a child! I can handle myself!” Without waiting for a response, he stormed off into the darkness, tears blurring his vision. The forest, once a place of safety, now felt menacing, the trees looming like silent watchers. He ran until he stumbled upon a dark, hidden cave and collapsed inside, his emotions overwhelming him. In the cave, Olorun noticed a strange, glowing shard embedded in the wall. Its eerie light beckoned him, and in his anger and confusion, he reached out and touched it. The shard shattered, and a surge of raw, crackling energy coursed through his body, filling him with a power he couldn’t comprehend. The electricity pulsed through his veins, heightening his senses and magnifying his strength. For a moment, he felt invincible, his anger feeding the energy within him. Driven by a mix of rage and newfound power, he raced back to the clearing. When he arrived, the scene before him was one of horror. His mother lay lifeless on the ground, surrounded by a group of hooded figures bearing a kitsune symbol. Olorun’s heart shattered, his mind unable to process the sight. The warmth and safety he had always felt in her presence were gone, replaced by a cold, hollow emptiness.The hooded figures, initially focused on their grim task, now noticed the boy standing before them. One of them, a tall figure with a sword, approached Olorun with deliberate steps. But Olorun, consumed by grief and fury, felt the electricity within him surge again. His body crackled with lightning, and in a blind rage, he charged at the figure. The power within him exploded outward, transforming his grief into a deadly storm. He jabbed his hand into the man’s stomach and, in a savage act of vengeance, ripped out his heart, consuming it in a brutal display of his newfound power. The remaining figures, terrified by the boy’s wrath, tried to flee. But Olorun, driven by an unstoppable storm of fury, pursued them relentlessly. He brutalized them, his grief fueling his violence until there was no one left to kill. Exhausted and spent, he collapsed beside his mother’s lifeless body, his mind numb and his body drained. The power that had consumed him now left him empty, alone in a world that suddenly felt cold and uncaring. Olorun awoke in a dimly lit room, lying on a soft bed. A young man with striking silver hair and piercing blue eyes with dark, smooth skin stood over him. His presence was calm and commanding, and his demeanor was both charming and authoritative. ”Hello, little brother,” the young man said smoothly. “It seems I’ve finally found you. I came to ensure you have a better life.” Olorun, still in shock, stared at the man. “But what about my mom?” The young man’s expression was cold. “Oh, your mother. I buried her and prayed for her soul. Now, come with me. You don’t have a choice.” The young man’s offer, though enigmatic, seemed like the only path available to Olorun. He felt lost and alone but saw in his brother a chance for a new beginning. Back in the Present: Olorun’s eyes glistened with a mix of sadness and determination as he finished recounting his story to Kenji. Olorun’s eyes glistened with a mix of sadness and determination as he finished recounting his story to Kenji. “That’s why I stay here. My brother found me after that. He gave me a purpose when I had nothing left, when I didn’t even want to live anymore.” Kenji, deeply moved, nodded thoughtfully. “Damn, that’s heavy. I can’t even remember how I ended up in World 1. I probably had a sad backstory too, but nothing like that. Still, you really should think about joining us. We could use someone like you, and maybe you need something more than what your brother’s giving you.” Olorun’s face lit up with hope, but it was tinged with uncertainty. “You really want me to join?” Kenji stood up, brushing off his clothes. “Oi, I won’t force you, but think about it. Sometimes, the family you find is better than the one you’re born into.” As Kenji walked away, Olorun’s thoughts churned, the weight of his past pressing down on him. He felt torn between the loyalty he owed to his brother and the possibility of a new beginning. “WAIT!” Olorun suddenly shouted, his voice echoing across the stone bridge. “I WANT TO JOIN YOU GUYS!” Kenji paused, glancing back with a smile. “Glad to hear it.” Eleo and Tony sprinted through the dim corridors of the castle, their breaths coming in quick, anxious bursts. The narrow passages twisted and turned, disorienting them further. “Maybe we shouldn’t have left Kenji to fight him alone,” Eleo said, glancing back worriedly. Tony grunted in agreement, his usual bravado gone. “He’s strong, remember? He fought Mikage and survived.” “Yeah, I remember,” Eleo replied, trying to convince himself more than anything. “I guess he really is strong.” Suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted, and they plummeted through a hidden trap. The darkness enveloped them as they fell, their startled cries echoing through the abyss.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.