The Breaking Point
The morning sun barely touched the horizon as Sang stood before a solid rock, sweat dripping down his forehead. Eldrin had set him the same challenge as before—break it with sheer energy. But no matter how hard Sang tried, his power wouldn't manifest like last time.
He gasped, exhausted, his breaths shallow. Suddenly, an overwhelming aura suffocated the air around him. His vision blurred. His body moved on its own—one step forward.
CRACK!
The stone shattered into countless fragments.
The sound echoed across the mountains. Rakhad jolted awake, his eyes narrowing.
Rakhad, alarmed,
" What was that sound?"
Zoick, half-asleep, mumbled,
" I am the one…"
Rakhad ignored him, stepping outside. Smoke curled from the edge of the mountain. He followed the trail and saw Sang standing amidst the dust, panting, his eyes flickering with realization.
Eldrin approached, a proud yet knowing smile on his face.
Eldrin, praising,
"You did it, Sang. You're improving fast."
But Sang barely heard him. His mind raced. How did I break it?
Sang, in thoughts,
"Learning to battle? Why?"
Eldrin, his voice became dark,
"You made a promise to Earian. If you want to fight, you need to be prepared."
Sang groaned.
Sang, appealing,
"Oh, come on, Master! That's impossible. I'm not capable of learning that fast!"
Rakhad, still exhausted by climbing the mountain and gasping for air, chuckled.
Rakhad, gasping,
"You can, Sang. Back when we fought, you kept up with my moves. You observed. You adapted."
Sang clenched his fists, determination settling in.
Sang, irritate,
"You guys don't understand!! I am not that much capable as you're expecting from me? "
Eldrin, his eyes hollow and determine,
" Is it? Then why do you jumped into risk to save that boy on your picnic?? On that time you didn't have this power also but you did! You haven't changed, you're just like previous — who wants to save and help and clear others problem."
Sang lifts his head ,and gives a realize sigh.
Sang, convinced,
"Alright, let's try this out. But if I don't able make it out, don't blame me!!"
Eldrin, grins ,
" Then why don't we two have a small fight!"
The Duel – Master vs. Disciple
The first move was Sang's. He lunged at Eldrin, fist cutting through the air.
Boom!
Eldrin blocked, but the force rippled outward. Sang didn't stop—his attacks rained in a flash, punches, kicks, strikes. Each one is swift. Each one blocked.
Eldrin smirked.
Eldrin, exictiment,
"Now it's my turn, Lord."
Sang barely had time to react. Eldrin vanished—then bam! A kick sent Sang tumbling, scraping across the dirt.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
Another strike came, but this time, his reflexes flared. He blocked—too fast, almost instinctual. Eldrin's eyes gleamed.
Eldrin , thinking,
" What! Hmm…Now you show your true power, Lord…"
Something had shifted — Sang fought back. He struck Eldrin hard enough to force him back.
Sang panted, his body spent, yet his movements had begun mirroring Eldrin's. He was keeping up.
Exhaustion finally won. He collapsed.
Eldrin knelt beside him, offering a hand.
Eldrin, proving,
"See? I told you. You can learn. You've had this power since birth."
Sang simply grinned.
Back at the camp, Zoick and Earian were still deep in sleep. Eldrin's face twitched with irritation.
Eldrin, roared,
"You two! Wake up!"
He kicked them both.
Zoick & Earian , groaning,
"What??"
Eldrin, punishing,
"100 push-ups. Now."
Zoick, yawning,
"In the morning?!"
Eldrin, cold anger,
"Does that concern you?"
Zoick, half-asleep,
"Yes! At least let us freshen up first!"
Eldrin's smirk widened.
Eldrin, grinning,
"Fine. Make it 150."
Zoick's mouth dropped open.
Earian burst into laughter.
Earian, teasing,
"You deserve it."
Laughter filled the air, lightening the tense morning.
The Arrival of Monsters
Far away, the first wave of Kaelthor's monsters stepped onto Earth. They inhaled the air, feeling a strange relief—an overwhelming desire.
Monster 1, exhaling,
" This place... It could be ours."
Monster 2, command,
"Find the source. No need to stir trouble."
At the same time, on Zius, a figure arrived—a high-ranked envoy sent by Threxius, the Demon Lord. Disguised in human form, he began his search.
Meanwhile, the monsters entered a city. People screamed. Panic spread. The news caught fire, flashing across televisions:
"UNKNOWN CREATURES SPOTTED. GOVERNMENT ISSUES IMMEDIATE WARNING."
Within minutes, a rescue team mobilized. Alongside them, an elite assassin unit.
Assassin Commander, offers,
"You have two choices—surrender, or die."
Monster 2, scolding,
" I already told , don't cause any trouble!"
Monster 3, excitement,
" After seeing this beings, I just want to have fun with them! I don't know these ants will create a mess to us??"
The monsters growled. One of them stepped forward, baring jagged teeth.
Monster 4, cold,
"Kill us? Then come try."
They unleashed destruction. Buildings collapsed. Humans fell. Blood painted the streets.
Sang's Test Begins
Smoke rose in the distance.
Sang, concerns,
"What's that?"
Eldrin's expression hardened.
Eldrin, worried,
"Go. It's destruction."
Sang, Rakhad, Eldrin, Zoick, and Earian rushed toward the chaos.
One monster sneered at a wounded soldier.
Monster 1, cold and absolute dominance, his fist covered with red paint — blood,
"You humans thought you could stand against us? Pathetic."
Before the final strike landed, the monster was sent flying—dashed aside by another of its own kind.
A soldier, barely conscious, turned his head. His vision blurred, but he recognized someone.
Soldier, squirt his eyes,
"Zoick...?"
Zoick hesitated. Then pointed.
Zoick, pointing towards sang,
"Not me. Him."
Sang stepped forward.
Sang, challenging,
"Let's go, Rakhad."
Rakhad nodded, but Eldrin held up a hand.
Eldrin, commands,
"No, Rakhad. Do not interfere. This is Sang's fight."
Sang clenched his fists.
Eldrin, encouraging,
" Now it is the time. This will decide you and show you what you've got, and what you capable off? "
A pause.
Eldrin, pride ,
" Now you will get the courage — to participate in the duel, you will get the trust on yourself. Go… go and get them all."
Eldrin, in his thoughts,
"Show me what you've learned"
Sang nodded. Then he moved.
His fist connected with a monster, sending it flying. Another strike—another monster thrown back. His speed was increasing. His power is growing. His blows, relentless.
The monsters fell to their knees.
Sang smirked.
Sang, clenching his two hands,
"Now you know your place."
Suddenly—BOOM!
A crushing blow sent Sang crashing through debris.
Blood dripped from his lips as he gasped.
Before he could react, the four monsters attacked at once. Their combined power overwhelmed him, flinging him across the battlefield.
Sang hit the ground, unmoving.
Zoick, concern ,
"Get up, Sang! Don't give up!"
Rakhad, concerned,
" Master! He'll die!"
Earian, encouraging,
"Come on, Sang!"
Sang groaned, slowly pushing himself up. His vision blurred. His body ached.
Eldrin smirked.
Eldrin, with a confident grin,
"Now... the real battle begins."