The story talks about a young boy known as Cloud who aspired to become the greatest pilgrim warrior in Agaroth (the first warrior realm of mankind) despite his flaws, however there is more that meets the eyes as Agaroth is on the brink of extinction...
In an unknown terrain, little Ziron was sitting on a cliff and was staring at the skies with a saddened demeanor and at the time he was staring, a warping gate appeared behind him and Balog stepped out of it and walks towards Ziron. "Lovely sight, isn't it?" Balog asked. "This is where i usually go to think when i am sad; It clears my head." Ziron replied. "Rizel told me how you behaved today. How you reacted to what you saw." Balog said. "They killed him." Ziron said. "Hm?" Balog said as he looked at Ziron with a raised brow. "That man was just fighting for what was his and those people stabbed him like he was some sick animal." Ziron said, "His property was stolen by those thieves and he was simply fighting for it, but they killed him and those people stood there and watched while some cheered for it. The way that man fought, it was as if that it was all he had left and when he died, everyone walked away like nothing ever happened. I thought it was only the higher ranked tribes in Agaroth that were cruel." "I thought… I thought…" Ziron said as tears were flowing out of his eyes, "Those people stood there and watched those thieves kill him and none of them even bothered to help! The… The part that bothered me the most was how one of them kicked his carcass like it was a piece of garbage." "Yes, Rizel talked about that part the most." Balog said, "She talked about how you would have killed everyone there if she hadn't stopped you. I found it odd she would do something like that." "I… I am starting to dislike people. I am starting to dislike humans." Ziron said, "The things i have seen while going undercover… It sickens me. The time you sent Daeko and i to study one of the lower ranked tribes, we saw a woman's shop being destroyed by thugs; the woman was a widow and she was in debt. She pleaded with those people and tried to let them know how hard she has been working to pay off, but they didn't care, they beat her and her five children senselessly and even took one of them away, telling her that she can have her son back when she pays what she owes, and the people… They just stood there and watched; some of them even laughed at her and made fun of her. I am starting to dislike… No… I am starting to hate humans, and the worst part of it is that i am human too. How…" "How can i look at myself when i come from a race that is so vile?" Ziron asked as he glanced at Balog. "I don't know." Balog answered as he faced forward, "I honestly don't know. How you choose to deal with yourself is up to you and you alone. The only thing i can tell you is to be careful of your decisions and the effects of them. I am only training you to be strong and to do what needs to be done when the time arrives, but in order to do that, you and the others need to see the darker side of humanity so that you'll make up your minds on what to do. Rizel is a wildcard and knowing her, she will easily agree to the mission i give her as long as it benefits her desires, but you and the other midborns aren't like that. Daeko is the most composed and will play his part well, but can the same be said about you? Can i trust you to play yours well or should i place you under the same category as Rizel?" "I don't like Rizel." Ziron said as he faces forward, "She is scary and not right in the head." "Well, between you and i, she scares me too." Balog said with a smile as he peeped at Ziron. Ziron chuckled at Balog's words and Balog resumes gazing at the skies. "So, can i trust you?" Balog asked. "Yes. Yes you can trust me." Ziron answered. Currently in the grey-leafed forest, Obaru laid on the ground, twitching as he was rapidly losing blood, and during that time, Ziron gaped at him with a cold demeanor. "Looks like i doubled your payment." Ziron said, "Now…" "Die." Ziron said as he stretched forth his palm while charging a blue orb of light. Before Ziron could release the blast, Idjra swiftly deflected the blast by kicking Ziron's arm, resulting in an explosion in the direction it was sent. Idjra tries to land a few strikes on Ziron but Ziron easily evades them all, and with no time being wasted, Idjra carries Obaru and sped off. "Humph. Loser." Ziron said. "Stop right there!" A masculine voice commanded before Ziron could take a step forward. Ziron's eyes rolls back and sees the person to be a black haired hiveling male accompanied by a couple of other hivelings behind that were scowling at Ziron. "Can i help you?" Ziron asked. "You… You were supposed to be on our side but you've killed many of us than you killed of them." The male hiveling with short black hair said. "I knew it. When Balog said we can trust you, i knew it was all a lie." A female hiveling said, "Never trust a human, especially one that looks like you." "Hoh? And how do i look?" Ziron asked the female hiveling. "Kill him!" The black haired male hiveling ordered the other hivelings. Many of the hivelings charged at Ziron but Ziron's irises glowed and all the hivelings that headed towards him popped like a balloon which shocked the other hivelings that stood. Ziron smirked and curved his right hand and in a blink of an eye, holes appeared at the side of necks, heads and torsos of the remaining hivelings behind the black haired hiveling. The black haired hiveling that ordered the other to attack became dismayed as he watched them drop dead on the ground while Ziron stood a bit far from him. "H-huh?!" The hiveling said as he glanced back at Ziron while sweating. Ziron walked towards the hiveling but in doing so, he takes notice of an injured orange haired hiveling on the ground and groaning in pain while clutching his damaged torso. Ziron stared at the hiveling for a while and crushed the hiveling's head with his foot which left craters on the ground. Ziron returned his attention to the black haired hiveling which led the hiveling to subconsciously step back in fear. The black haired hiveling grunts in pain as he suddenly found himself leaning against a tree while Ziron's hand was clamped round his mouth. The black haired hiveling shivered as he locked eyes with Ziron who happened to be carrying a look of indifference with his irises glowing. "M-mercy…" The black haired hiveling pleaded. "Oh so now you are pleading?" Ziron asked as he slightly bent his head, "Have you no shame? What happened to that mighty look you carried before? Pathetic. You know, i think i should just kill you here and move on to my targets." "P-please…!" The hiveling begged as tears trickled from his eyes. "Are you crying? You truly need to die… But i won't kill you." Ziron said, "No, killing a crybaby trash like you would leave a foul taste in my mouth." "Huh?" The hiveling said in puzzlement. "You heard me. You aren't worth killing." Ziron replied with a smile, "As you have witnessed i could kill you whenever and however i want, but i won't do it; get in my way again and you will get no other chance." Ziron released his grip on the hiveling, exposing the bruise his strong grip left on the hiveling's mouth. "I apologize for unintentionally killing members of your race." Ziron said as he was adjusting the cloth of the black haired hiveling, "I'll do what i can to be more careful in killing those two morons, that way you won't have to worry about people of your race dying in my hands, hm?" Ziron slightly bent his head with a smile and the hiveling quickly nods in fear. "Good." Ziron said while smiling as his irises glowed. Elsewhere in the grey-leafed forest, many bodies of humans and hivelings laid on the ground at the time Idjra knelt beside Obaru with her hands discharging light over his chest in attempt to heal the severe damage caused by Ziron. "His injuries are terrible. Extremely terrible. He is even lucky to be alive." Idjra said within, "What is going on? Why was Ziron fighting Obaru? What could have made them fight each other at a time like this? On top of it…" "His eyes…" Idjra said within as she recalls the image of Ziron with his darkened eyes, "Why were his eyes like that? It was the same as that horned being that introduced himself as Balog, and somehow Sting had the same scleras as those two." "Another thing that is confusing is how Ziron was able force me down and harm Obaru." Idjra said within herself as she remembers Ziron using his light covering to force her to the ground and remembers the incident of blood spilling out of Obaru's chest. "That was definitely a kan ability; something Ziron said he never had despite coming from a higher ranked tribe." Current Idjra said within, "But this doesn't make any sense. Ziron was tested severally and he proved he wasn't lying; heck he even uses aura manipulation skills to combat others but yet…" Idjra sighed out of exhaustion and returned her gaze to Obaru. "I just wish i had answers to all these." Idjra said to herself, "So many of our friends are dying and are dead. We are forced to participate in this stupid red mist game where hivelings outnumber and outmatch some of us, and we have to survive long enough for the sand in the hourglass to run to the bottom, and i am not even sure how much bloody sand has gone down. It's even by luck i am able to find a darn spot to heal Obaru in the midst of this madness! Tch! This is like the rumble again, but a bloodier version of it." As Idjra was still healing Obaru, Idjra gaped at his face with a saddened demeanor. "Obaru, please wake up." Idjra said, "I can't afford to lose more friends especially my closest one." Obaru immediately opened his eyes and quickly sat up while coughing and clutching his chest, which made Idjra smile in relief. "Thank goodness." Idjra said as she hugged Obaru, "A part of me thought you were not going to make it." "Idjra?" Obaru said in confusion, "Are we dead?" "No, we are not, and hopefully we won't be." Idjra answered. "Ziron, where is he?" Obaru asked. "I'm don't know. I do know he is still in this forest but where exactly, that i cannot tell." Idjra answered, "I was even lucky to find this spot to heal you. Healing does take a lot of stamina especially when one has a severe injury, and yet Leorona, Pit, Karma and the others good at it makes it look easy." "Ziron… He-" "That's what i want to ask." Idjra cuts in, "I don't understand what is going on, i don't understand what happened between you two, and i clearly don't understand what's up with him. I need answers, Obaru. Can you give them to me?" Minutes later, Idjra and Obaru were sitting on the ground in the time Idjra clinged onto her knees with an emotionless look while facing forward. "I see…" Idjra said, "So Ziron… It was all a lie." "Yes, it was." Obaru replied. "To think we would have traitors among us. To think Ziron of all people…" Idjra said with a slightly pained tone, "This is the same person Enida had so much respect for. This is the same person we thought of as a friend and comrade, and yet…" "Remember, he is not alone; there are others with him on this." Obaru said. "How many are they?" Idjra asked. "I don't know. He didn't mention." Obaru replied. "And you're sure Sting isn't among?" Idjra asked. "Ziron confirmed it. He too thought Sting was part of them, but it turned out he wasn't." Obaru said. "Sorry, i am finding it hard to believe his words right now." Idjra said, "If everything about him was a lie, why should i believe this one?" "Good question. As far as we are concerned anyone could be a traitor." Obaru said, "Maybe Sting is a traitor, maybe he isn't, i don't know." "Ziron… Our friends… Enida… That bastard!" Idjra said with a slightly angered tone as her irises glowed, "He has to pay for what he has done… He must pay, but the question is how do we do that? I felt his pressure earlier and it was monstrous. He is far stronger than the both of us combined and on top of it, his energy felt as if there were two dwelling inside him. How in the bloody hell is that possible?" "Unless he is a midborn." Obaru said. "Huh?" Idjra said in puzzlement as she peeped at Obaru. "When i was fighting him, he was mostly using wind to attack, but at the same time his wind attacks seemed as if there was something combined with it." Obaru said. "So what you are saying is that he is part Tenplar, part Ski-kipar?" Idjra asked, "Don't be ridiculous. The Ski-kipars were destroyed 11 years ago by Testarossa, and there is no way he can still be alive if he were a midborn; they can't live up to 5 years, so it's completely impossible." "And who gets to decide what's possible and what isn't?" Obaru asked with a smile as his eyes rolls at Idjra, "Five years ago, 5 tribes were destroyed during the unknown slaughter, leaving not a single person alive; if anyone had told us that out of those five tribes, a Dreygar and a Stormwind survived, then we would assume the person mad, drunk or under the influence of plants because it seemed impossible, but yet we just like everyone else saw the impossible before us. Before the unknown slaughter, if anyone had told us that the Dreygar tribe, the strongest tribe in Agaroth would be destroyed, we all would have deemed it impossible, but look at what happened. The feats of the founders, the feats of Agaroth, all of them seemed impossible but they still pulled them off. Look at Cloud of the Stormwind-" "Okay, i get what you are trying to say." Idjra said. "Heh." Obaru said with a smirk. "So… How do we beat him?" Idjra asked, "His level of power so far is incredible and i can wager that bloody bastard is holding back… Way back. Neither of us are a match for him and we are going to die unless we think of something." "I am a match for him." Obaru said. "Surely you jest. Please tell me this is a joke." Idjra said. "You're doubting my skills?" Obaru asked with a smile. "Yes, i am a 100% doubting your skills against Ziron." Idjra replied, "This is someone that not only injured you brutally but almost killed you if i didn't use my kan ability of faithful soul to break out of his hold!" "Ah yes, faithful soul: a kan ability that allows your soul to empower your physical capabilities just by believing. Say… Uh… How much stamina did you lose in order to break free from Ziron?" Obaru asked in confusion, "I do know that your faithful soul does have a drawback which is stamina." "There are absurd things you could believe your body to do but it ends up draining your stamina and the last you tried to believe yourself with unlimited stamina, you ended up collapsing." Obaru said as Idjra impassively stared at him. "A lot. I lost a lot of stamina in order to break free and rescue you." Idjra answered, "I also lost more when healing you. As i am right now, i won't be able to fight properly, that's one of the reasons i am asking for a plan!" "I do have a plan." Obaru said. "Really? What is it?" Idjra asked with a raised brow. "I going to hit him hard. Infact i am going to hit him harder." Obaru said with a smile. Hearing the words that came out of Obaru's mouth, Idjra's left brow started twitching and she quickly facepalms herself. "Bloody light." Idjra said, "Obaru… Is that the best you can think of? Hitting him harder?" "What?" Obaru asked. "Really?" Idjra asked with a blank face, "Are you trying to die for a second time? Obaru, this isn't a competition or task or one of those heated brawls that we would have with each other. This is serious; far serious. Ziron tried to kill you and almost did it, but unlike Onak and Van, he is going to see it through. " "He can give it his best shot if he wants but he won't succeed because i'm Obaru and I'm-" "Stop it." Idjra cuts in, "Just stop. It's this kind of attitude that landed you in so many terrible situations and humiliating defeats. You claim to have learnt from your losses but here you are, still talking about how amazing you are and overlooking your enemy's strength. Listen to me as your closest friend and get this into your big skull: you are no match for Ziron and he did not fight and is not fighting you at full power." "So am i." Obaru replied. "Huh?" Idjra said with a puzzled demeanor. "I am not fighting at full power. As a matter of fact, i am holding way back against him." Obaru said, "I just wanted to test if he was good enough to try out my new form." "New form?" Idjra asked with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, new form. You thought i was joking when i have gotten better and stronger?" Obaru asked. "You had a new form and i knew nothing about it even though i am your closest friend?" Idjra asked. "Actually, i was waiting for the perfect moment to show it off… Which i almost did at the rumble but Grei knocked me out." Obaru said, "But now, this seems like the perfect opportunity to use it." "Do you have anything else hidden from me, your closest friend?" Idjra asked. "Well…" Obaru said while scratching his head nervously as he rolls his eyes away which made Idjra scowl at him. "I wonder how long you two love birds are going to keep sitting there?" A masculine voice asked. Idjra and Obaru turns hastily and caught sight of Ziron sitting on a branch of a tree with a smirk. "Ziron." Idjra said as she and Obaru quickly stood on their feet. "I will admit, it was quite entertaining watching you two talk about me and yourselves." Ziron said, "It was like i was watching a play… A play of two idiots." "How long have you been here?" Idjra asked. "Far longer than you can imagine." Ziron answered. Ziron descends to the ground and stretched his neck. "Allow me to put an end to this play by burying you in the dirt." Ziron said. "Wait. Before we fight, i want to know… Who exactly are you?" "You heard everything from Obaru's mouth. That's all there is to know." Ziron said, "Besides, you said you can't trust a single word that comes out of my mouth, so why are you asking me?" "After everything that has happened…! After we have all been through together…! You would look us in the eye and tell us they were lies?! Our friendship and comradery were all lies?!" Idjra asked with a pained tone while carrying an expression of anger as her irises glowed, "Enida… She… She didn't deserve what she got from your hands! She respected you so much! She was willing to lay down her life for you and yet you still killed her!!" Ziron smiled at Idjra which her step back a bit in shock. "You're proud of it…?" Idjra asked, "You bastard…" "I'll-!!!" Before Idjra could advance in rage towards Ziron while covered in purple outline, Obaru held her back by the shoulder, prompting Idjra to look at him. "Don't let your emotions screw up your actions." Obaru said as he walked past Idjra, "You are no match for him, remember? I'll take it from here." "Oh? You're approaching me? Even after what i did to you, you're still approaching me?" Ziron asked, "Have you learnt nothing?" "Oh, i have learnt. I have learnt a lot." Obaru replied as he paused, "I have learnt i need to step up and bring a better fight." "Is that so?" Ziron asked, "No matter what type of fight you bring it will end up the same: you on the ground and me taking your life." "You think you can do that?" Obaru asked with a smug smirk, "Well then…" "Come and take it." Obaru said with a deepened voice as his eyes completely glowed. With a heavy bawl, Obaru's golden aura exploded as he spreads his arms apart, creating a strong gust of wind in the act, and just as the smokescreen cleared, stood a 7'8 being covered in a black armor, having a grey face and abdomen and with a yellow glowing chin, horns, eyes,claws, toes and patterns on his chest and medial deltoid. "Come on!" The black armored being said with a menacing voice as he dashed towards Ziron with his arm stretched forth. Before Ziron could react, the being grabs him by the face and flew off with an astonishing speed. "O-Obaru?" Idjra said in disbelief. A bright yellow streak flew across many places in the grey-leafed forest and destroyed numerous hills and forests in the process which turned out to be black armored Obaru still holding Ziron's face. Obaru takes notice of Ziron emitting his blue aura which quickly exploded and threw Obaru down to the ground; as soon as Obaru landed on all fours, Obaru raised his head and immediately vanished from the spot he was staying. Obaru appeared behind Ziron in the air and before Ziron could even glance, Obaru lands a strong punch on his face, thereby sending Ziron to crash on the ground. The moment Ziron stood on his feet, Obaru showed up behind Ziron and hurls his fist towards Ziron which created a strong air blast that made Ziron fly back and bounce on his back repeatedly. Ziron steadied himself only for Obaru to appear behind him and land another punch that sent him flying again; Obaru began to knock Ziron around from different directions, creating large sounds of explosions with each hit. "So… So fast!" Ziron said with closed eyes during the time Obaru was knocking him around, "His speed… It almost rivals that of Govo!" "Dammit!!!" Ziron said as he immediately appeared above Obaru, averting Obaru's punch in the act. However, before Ziron could attack Obaru with a blast from both hands, Obaru appeared above him and drives him down to the ground with a punch to the back of his head, creating large craters in the process. Meanwhile in the grey-leafed forest, Idjra was running at high speed with her irises glowing. "He has improved… He has improved far better than i imagined." Idjra said inwardly, "Looks like everything he said about learning and growing weren't mere words, but from the little i have seen from Ziron, i have a terrible gut feeling that something will go wrong, therefore i cannot stand back and do nothing! I have to help him in any and every way i can. So Obaru, hang in there…" "I'm coming." Idjra said with as Obaru locks eyes with Ziron (who happened to be levitating in the air with a glowing outline and his irises glowing). "Round two." Obaru said with a grin.
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