Morning came and the stone walls of the temple slowly filled with pale light. The sun was rising behind the mountains, and thin rays slipped through the broken pillars, stretching long shadows across the ground. The temple itself was quiet, but in one room someone was still awake.
Tara had not slept all night.
He sat on the stone floor with his legs crossed, eyes closed, breathing slowly. His hands rested on his knees.
All night he had focused on only one thing:
Synchronizing with his blood.
Sometimes he could feel the rhythm of his heart. Sometimes he could sense the warmth moving through his veins. But controlling that power was not easy. He had struggled for hours to focus his mind.
Then there was a knock at the door.
Tara opened his eyes.
"Come in."
The door opened and Zuzit stepped inside. The old man leaned on his staff, but his sharp eyes immediately examined Tara.
"You didn't sleep."
Tara stood up.
"I don't have time to sleep."
Zuzit looked at him for a few seconds. There was exhaustion under Tara's eyes, but there was also determination in his gaze.
"Good."
Zuzit turned toward the door.
"Let's begin."
Tara followed him without saying another word. They walked through the long corridors of the temple. The walls were carved with symbols of an ancient kingdom. Most of them were broken or faded with time.
After a while they reached the arena.
In the morning light the arena looked even larger. The wide stone floor, the broken columns surrounding it, and the scars in the walls showed that this place had been used for combat training for many years.
Someone else was already there.
Work.
He stood silently in the center of the arena. His white hair fell over his shoulders, and the mask on his face hid his expression.
Zuzit struck his staff against the ground.
"Begin."
Tara didn't wait.
He rushed forward instantly.
His steps were fast. His body leaned forward as his fist shot toward Work's face.
But Work didn't even move at first.
At the last moment he tilted his head slightly.
The punch missed.
Then Work countered.
BOOM
His fist slammed into Tara's stomach.
Tara's breath was knocked out of him.
His body flew backward.
He crashed into the stone wall.
The wall cracked.
Tara fell to the ground.
Blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
For a moment the arena was silent.
Zuzit shook his head.
"That's enough."
But Tara moved.
He pushed himself up from the ground.
One hand held his chest, but his eyes were locked on Work.
"Master…"
Zuzit raised an eyebrow.
Tara spoke with a hard voice.
"Be quiet."
The arena grew still.
Zuzit looked at him carefully.
"This is no longer training."
Tara clenched his fists.
"Yes."
"This is personal."
Work stepped forward.
His voice behind the mask was cold.
"You're weak."
Those words snapped something inside Tara.
Zuzit spoke again.
"Give up, Tara."
But Tara slowly lifted his head.
His eyes began turning red.
A crimson aura started rising from his body.
The air grew heavy.
Even the stone floor of the arena trembled slightly.
Work watched him closely.
Tara gritted his teeth.
Then he brought his finger to his mouth.
He bit down.
Blood dripped out.
But the blood didn't fall to the ground.
It hung in the air.
Slowly it began to move.
The drops gathered together.
They stretched.
They sharpened.
Within seconds a sword made of blood formed in Tara's hand.
Zuzit's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So he can already shape it…"
Tara raised the blade.
His eyes were completely red now.
"You're dead."
For the first time, Work took a proper fighting stance.
Then the battle began.
Tara dashed forward.
The blood sword cut through the air as it swung toward Work.
Work blocked the strike, but the force pushed him several steps back.
Tara attacked again.
Work jumped sideways.
The blade slammed into the ground.
Stone shattered and fragments flew into the air.
Work lunged forward with a punch.
This time Tara dodged.
Then he swung the blood sword sideways.
The blade cut into Work's shoulder.
Blood fell to the ground.
Work leapt back.
Zuzit watched silently.
"First blood…"
Work moved faster now.
He spun and launched a powerful kick.
Tara blocked it but was still pushed back.
Then he attacked again.
The two fighters clashed in the center of the arena.
Punches.
Kicks.
Sword strikes.
Every collision cracked the stone floor a little more.
Work was strong.
But Tara's attacks were growing heavier.
His blood synchronization was strengthening.
Suddenly Tara rushed forward again.
The blood sword rose high.
Work blocked it.
But Tara struck with his other fist.
Work's mask cracked.
Work jumped back.
Tara saw the opening.
He gathered all his strength and delivered one final strike.
The blood sword fell.
CRAAACK
Work was thrown across the arena.
He hit the ground hard.
For a moment he didn't move.
Silence filled the arena.
Tara took a few steps forward.
His body was covered in blood.
The crimson aura slowly faded.
He looked down at Work.
Give....u
He couldn't finish the word.
His vision darkened.
He collapsed.
Unconscious.
Zuzit walked slowly toward him.
His staff echoed against the stone.
He looked down at Tara.
Then he spoke quietly.
"This young man…"
"He will become stronger than the gods."
At that moment Work moved.
Slowly he stood up.
Blood ran down his face, but he was still standing.
Zuzit looked at him.
"So you're still alive."
Work nodded silently.
Zuzit took a deep breath.
"The training is over."
"There's nothing more you can teach him."
Work remained silent.
Zuzit looked around the damaged arena.
"He learns too fast."
"From now on, his path will teach him."
Then he turned back to Work.
"Tell Lapi."
"The sword and armor must be ready."
"He needs them soon."
Work nodded.
Zuzit looked up toward the sky beyond the broken roof of the temple.
His expression grew serious.
"He released too much aura."
"The Element Lords will feel it."
"It's only a matter of time before they find this place."
Then he looked at Work again.
"One week."
"He must recover in one week."
"Take him to his room."
"And get some rest yourself."
Work lowered his head.
"Understood."
Then he lifted Tara onto his shoulder.
The arena slowly returned to silence.
But in Zuzit's mind one thought echoed clearly.
A god slayer was being born.