Crystal Eclipse: The Enchanters of Elements

Chapter 1: Unforeseen Consequences

Argus' POV

On a peaceful morning, the bustling market greeted me with its cheerful noise and vibrant activity. Smiles adorned the faces of both vendors and customers as they went about their day, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie.

As I searched for ingredients for today's meal, a friendly woman greeted me with a bright, shining smile. "Hi, young man. What are you looking for?" Her warm demeanor matched her words, and I returned the gesture with a smile of my own, appreciating the kind greeting.

"How much is the whole pack of tomatoes?" I inquired, being respectful in my approach.

"Oh, it just costs 20 cents," she replied.

Handing her the right amount, I smiled in gratitude for her service.

But just as I was about to leave, the woman called out to me again. "Wait, young boy. Take these lettuce, too. Add this to your dish."

I hesitated, not wanting to take something she could sell. But she insisted, and her generosity touched my heart. Bowing to her, I expressed my gratitude and thanked her for the unexpected addition to my meal.

As I continued through the market, a warm feeling lingered within me. In a world where the government's army held immense power and fear overshadowed our lives, these simple acts of kindness shone like beacons of hope. The market was a place where people came together, where despite our struggles, we found ways to support and uplift each other.

As I walked to another stall to find more vegetables, the atmosphere in the market suddenly shifted. The government's army arrived to collect money from the vendors, and an air of trepidation washed over everyone. Their powerful presence, armed with guns and rank, silenced any thoughts of resistance. Fearful of imprisonment or worse, no one dared to challenge them.

The dark aura surrounding their bodies sent shivers through the crowd. Even the consumers hid themselves, making way for the intimidating force that had descended upon us.

Not far from where I stood, a loud bang echoed, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

A vendor had failed to meet his earnings, and the soldiers wasted no time in subjecting him to a brutal punishment using an electric stick. The man's cries for mercy filled the air, but they fell on deaf ears. I watched in horror as his skin turned violet, his body convulsed in pain, and blood trickled from his nose and mouth.

Silent rage surged within me, compelling me to act. I could no longer remain a passive observer in the face of such cruelty.

Summoning my abilities, I created an invisible force field, wrapping it around the suffering man's body with a simple gesture. Then, with a swift movement of my finger, I manipulated the water around me and splashed it onto the army's arm, electrifying them.

The effect was swift, and their bodies convulsed just as the vendor's had. Their demise was sudden, and they lay lifeless on the ground.

People around me stared in astonishment and disbelief. To them, it must have appeared as if a bucket of water had flown towards the soldiers, their end brought about by a mysterious force.

As the shock settled, murmurs of gratitude and awe echoed through the market. "Oh, praised the above," someone mumbled in reverence.

"That's a scary yet great miracle," an older man with wrinkles observed.

As I watched from the crowd, no one seemed to notice what I had done, and for that, I was grateful. The fear of exposure kept me concealed among the market-goers as they gathered around the man who had been tortured.