Chapter 595: The Beginning Of It All
Chapter 595: The Beginning Of It All
A few years ago, while Chiron was still trapped in the Fog of unbounded demise...
Old Fang entered the dark, stone-hewn chambers beneath the Diligence Family estate, carrying a spirit lamp. Its ethereal glow flickered softly, casting long shadows that danced across the damp walls as he descended into the hidden training grounds.
The scent of sweat, earth, and old blood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the sharp metallic tang of spiritual energy still pulsing from recent battles. As Old Fang approached the edge of a deep pit, he could hear the strained, labored breathing of someone locked in combat below.
Peering down, his old, weary eyes found Eunid. His young master stood amidst the carnage of battle, scars crisscrossing his bare chest and arms, his breath coming in hard and ragged gasps. Three giant Core Beast mosquitoes lay scattered around him, their grotesque, oversized bodies now crumpled and twitching in death throes. Blood from their shattered forms soaked the ground, turning it into a wet, sticky mess. Eunid’s fists were clenched tight, his knuckles raw and bloodied from pounding the beasts into a pulp, but his gaze remained fixed, hard with unyielding determination.
The young master had fought without a weapon, relying only on his bare hands and the shimmering shield of spiritual energy that surrounded his body like a second skin.
It flickered weakly now, nearly spent from the brutal fight, but it had served him well, allowing him to close the distance between himself and the creatures, to strike them down one by one. He was half naked, with the Rune mark for protection that had been crafted on his skin very visible on his broad back.
His strikes had been filled with force, each blow landing with the sound of bone shattering against muscle, turning the core beasts into little more than bloody smears on the floor of the pit.
Old Fang did not disturb him, merely stood at the pit’s edge, the spirit lamp casting its soft glow onto the scene below. He watched in silence as Eunid battled, knowing full well what drove the young man to push himself this hard. ’He’s training,’ old Fang thought to himself, ’because he knows he is lacking in martial arts. He knows the next fight may come sooner than he wishes’.
Eunid’s face was grim, and though exhaustion clearly weighed on his limbs, his eyes blazed with a fury that Old Fang recognized all too well.
The rage of a leader forced to confront his demons, the memory of failure, of loss. As Eunid ducked under a wild swipe from the last mosquito, the image of Arid flashed through his mind—his bitter rival, whose men had challenged his rule, thinking him weak, thinking him unworthy. He remembered that fateful day, the one where Arid had fallen, and the blood from his cousin’s neck had stained his hands.
A day that had changed everything. Eunid had always hated killing, hated the feeling of life slipping away beneath his fists. But on that day, he had been given no choice.
Nora stood there, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, shifting slightly on her feet. She was younger than Eunid and shorter by a head, but Old Fang had spared no expense in ensuring she looked every bit as beautiful as the occasion required. Shells, gleaming with iridescent light, were intricately woven into her dark hair, each one an ornament of obvious value, sparkling like gems.
Nora’s gown matched Eunid’s deep blue tunic perfectly, flowing elegantly around her with embroidered patterns that shimmered with every movement. She was stunning, with a natural beauty that made the luxurious gown almost unnecessary. But it was her expression—slightly shy, her eyes wide with apprehension—that made Eunid smile. He could tell immediately that Nora had never attended such grand events before, and her nervousness only endeared her to him more. These days, seeing her was one of the few things that brought any sense of lightness to his heart.
Eunid stepped forward, extending a hand toward her with a gentle, reassuring smile. "You look beautiful tonight, Nora," he said softly, his voice calm, trying to ease her nerves.
Nora glanced up at him, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. Her small, delicate fingers trembled as they touched his, but she accepted his hand gratefully. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes unable to meet his for too long before darting away.
As they stood together, Old Fang appeared, his hands folded neatly behind his back. The old butler’s voice was smooth and practiced, though there was a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes at how well everything had turned out. "Young Master, Lady Nora, your carriage awaits."
Eunid gave a brief nod, but what awaited them wasn’t a traditional carriage drawn by horses. Outside the grand entrance, hovering just above the ground, was a sleek airship, its hull gleaming in the moonlight. It was powered by spiritual energy, its turbines quietly whirring as ethereal light glowed faintly from the crystals embedded along its frame. The airship, though modern and elegant, maintained the regal decorum expected of those from powerful families like the Diligence.
Nora’s eyes widened at the sight of it. "Is that... for us?" she asked softly, her voice filled with awe.
Eunid chuckled softly, tightening his grip on her hand just a little. "Yes. For tonight, it’s ours." He led her toward the airship, hoping to put her at ease with every step.
As they approached, the doors of the airship swung open, revealing a lavish interior of cushioned seats and glowing lanterns. With a bow from the attendant, Eunid helped Nora into the cabin, her hand still trembling slightly. He smiled again as he settled beside her. Tonight was an important night, not just for appearances but for Nora’s future. Healing her dantian was vital, and he knew how much she meant to him.
As the airship ascended into the sky, Eunid cast one last glance at Old Fang, who gave him a nod of approval from below. He looked over at Nora, who was staring out of the window with wide eyes, taking in the sights of the city below them as they drifted toward the Chastity Family’s estate. For the first time in what felt like ages, Eunid felt something close to peace.
Unknown to him, this so called peaceful night would be the Begining of it all.
OBS