Chapter 1

Long long ago, when a power ruled over anything — human or even creatures, all had no say in it. Basically, they all will surrender to the strong and cast aside the weak. They did so — in order to live. However, just in that very moment of chaos, all of that was destined to worsen when the evils began to occupy the earth — not to mention, the association of them had multiplied very crazily, to the point that humanity no longer hesitated to betray.

Decades of years passed. Due to the cruelty of constant torture, and pressure, heroes were born — whose long for peace and freedom. Hence, they state a war to fight those evil beings. The prolonged war continued, yet they bravely advanced against the evils, and forced them to retreat. Unfortunately, there were still many heroes who’ve perished in the war, bringing with them a verse of bravery that repeatedly chanted.

Will unceased!

Our home awaits!

They… will be remembered for life — to the younger generation, even a thousand more years would have passed.

As a result of the hostilities, the earth was no longer what it used to be, everything was destroyed along the bloodish battlefield. Behind all that, there was the dark association, in which they had to carry the blame many times. People despised them, or even cursed them in sight. There was also a hearsay spreading across — saying that the dark association had betrayed the world, but nobody knew the truth, nor held any evidence to prove.

Even so, still, karma as a payback — were what they’ve destined to haul all their life. They were banished in the long, long alley of darkness — to the land of nothingness, where there was only cold, and darkness of night remains.

While in the desolate place, a human girl was born. She was bound to live with karma all her life — not a single thing was fated to be good to her.

All the clansmen died under the evil ambush, leaving only her, who was only ten years old at the moment — and yet, their soul had yet to vanish. They’ll keep accompanying her, as the wishes said.

For years to years, the girl roamed in the same place in search of food, or maybe someone who was still alive as her, though it was futile.

Nothing left of her, other than the loneliness of seeing soul, and the vengeance she held, under the abyss of karma.

Nevertheless, only herself would be there for solace. She would curl herself up in her embrace, for how much she shed tears was of no use. Some offered consolation, but rather was not a fix. Her eyes long lost its light — for it reflected a sheer nihility. Simultaneously, her face was vacant as she faced the span outside the cave she was sheltering on, as if it had lost its complexion of color.

The moon was hovering aloft when its glow was acute atop the cave. A hazy brim was generated, radiating a medium saturation across the space. At least, the moon hadn’t abandoned her.

Then, time kept playing over, until the girl reached the age of an adult. She possessed the strength of the unknown, in which was accumulated by her fragileness.

In addition to that, a wailing of fear had long echoed from one end of the vacant space to the other, followed by the horrendous harmony laugh of a ‘things’. A quiet desperation crept into the voices, low, trembling, and nearly broken — Help! Help! Someone….Who can help me?

Suddenly a faint tapping of light footsteps echoed slowly through the dark cave, brimming with confidence and free of fear. Then, a modest figure, standing at just 5’1 appeared after the shadowy edge. It was a woman — under a man disguise.

Her cold ,yet low tone of alluring voice interrupted, so piercing to the core, “Tell me, who were you hoping for? When there’s no help left for you? Would you mind….telling me?”. What's more creepy was, the ominous smile that steadily appeared on her face.

The prey who’d yowl earlier, shrieked, then he groaned hoarsely “What do you want?”, he grew anxious, “What exactly do you want from me!”

Once again, the cold slender tone proclaimed as the woman moved closer. “I want….your head. Eat him up!”

As the ‘things’ received the order, they; the soul, which at first floating around her, instantly scrambled to eat the prey, leaving not a single piece behind — even his soul ceased to exist.

Under the torture of being teared upon, the hunt shouted madly, swearing at her. “You will surely meet your ends someday!”

Despite that, the woman did not hesitate at all. Even silence couldn’t overwhelm her — for she laughed. She was laughing out loud in ecstasy of delight and fulfilment. In addition to how absurd his declaration was when she had bore the so-called ‘ends’ with her all along.

In satisfaction, she decided to take a walk outside, but it was raining heavily, trailed by the jagged burst of light that came just before the growl of thunder through the hollow and dense ambience — as if it was going to punish her for monstrosity. Meanwhile, in front of her was the overflowing blood, with no evidence of the body — as if the man that had been captured earlier was just one of the dozens of prey she’d just killed.

Later on, the woman completely disappeared from that place, leaving the task entrusted to, as if fulfilled.

— And a new strength appeared in the Land of Light, which was the new build of humanity after the war. Now that evil had ceased to lurk around, the land had become more and more prosperous. Danger was vague in sight, and safety was stable more than anything.

Even the passerby finally had the time to meet and gossip again.

“Hey, have you heard? A new strength has appeared!”

"Wasn't that good? Now the evil would be more likely to be annihilated!”

“That might not be the case. I heard the one who leads this strength has extreme cruelty and is merciless. He was obsessed with torture! One more thing”, and this person whispered closer to the fellow others, “They rumoured to be always in a mask, and black coat veiling all over their body. Nobody truly had seen their face, nor a tiny bit of skin! Who would have known that the person we got close to right now was one of them or not?!”

Hearing all that, all of them reacted in an instant jolt, even the hair of the body rising in shiver, leading to them suddenly beginning to create distance from each other. To carry on the conversation, the other coughs to clear his throat. “I think not getting involved with this force was a very good idea. You must be very careful of him, who’s called, The Death Whisperer — Helcryne.”

And the others agreed with an anxious nod, though their curiosity still remains. “Why was he called The Death Whisperer?”

The topic continues, “Because not even you and I might know of our death. It came like a whisper, light and unpredictable — just like him, whose identity and reason was unknown. He just called Helcryne when he came into this land.”

“And how you might have received this information. Wasn’t it supposed to be top secret?”

The person waved his hand, “Aiyaa, don’t you know me? I’m resourceful!”

The fellow others laugh in awkward positions.

Who would have noticed that the noisy exchange throughout the jolly street would eventually reach the ears of who shouldn’t?

In a bustling street, followed by the hot news spreading like a hush of wind, a tall man who looked sophisticated, yet disheveled in a clean white vintage robe was walking slow-paced. His hair was long in a cold ice nuance. His foot wore no footing — appearing like someone who’s newly born onto this world, still rich in ignorance. His presence was as enchanting as the moon, and all ears towards the information.

He was waiting like there was something he’d looked forward to.

Whilst the other two were likely to be otherwise. One wore an ancient golden robe on him and was sitting in the inn, across the conversation of the ordinary folk — holding a cup of brewed tea. A hum of delight came out of him after a slurp of it. His mouth parted open as he asked the man with a muted purple robe in front of him, “Scholar — Daren Illy Schuyler, am I right? What do you think?”

The others laugh, but only to respond. It was an act of distant politeness. “Everything is good. Everything is good — “

Both of the men possessed a very mysterious equanimity — Ones that’s utmostly poised. With a glance and the level would be instantly unveiled. Their composition embodies a different kind of elegance, and stability. The scholar was more of naivety and simplicity, but the Master hinted at maturity, yet profoundly mysterious. Presumably, someone with a higher rank.

Daren cut the topic and changed anew. “Eh, I’ve heard that this new association was going to hold a competition — to scout a new prodigy for the association’s raid team. I wonder if Master Harlin Rivel would like to tag along, and see what kind of talent would emerge?”

Each time when early force arose, a raid team was a must as a commemoration of a pledged legacy.

Master Harlin Rivel, known as the youngest ever mage that took over one of the Land of Light biggest support’s associations. At the age of 25, he succeeded in mastering all of his master’s heritage, thus, gaining himself a solid footing and a title of ‘Master’. In response to Daren Illy, a newly crowned talented scholar — he gave a low and brief hum of agreement.

Both rose to their feet and set off.

As they glanced over, the echo of the places were filled with jolly conversation and whiz from all over the place — be it mage, be it warrior or any kind of other. It reached their ears from afar, infiltrating how magnanimous this time competition was. Hence, Daren Illy, and Master Harlin stopped at their pace, ascended the stairs, and went inside the designated place — Of course, someone was trailing. It was the man, who was keen enough to hear the gossip, and to see through the two destination planning, thus leading to the act.

A grand hall slowly swallowed their sight, and when they got inside, the hall was more magnificent than it meets the eye. The interior wall was beyond measure, and it drifted along a starry light. Each pillar rose in a graceful curve, while beneath them was a floor gleaming with shallow water, as if reflecting heaven. All things within were cast in celestial gold — its appearance alone signified noble origin.

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