Sacred Arts

1. Prologue

"Run, Amon!" His Mother's urgent cry echoed through the air. Amon's heart raced as he sprinted away from his home, tears running down his face. In the darkness of the night, the screams of his fellow clan members being mercilessly slaughtered filled his ears while he witnessed the horrifying sight of his fallen family members' bodies lying lifeless on the ground. The darkness of the night was illuminated only by the engulfing fire that consumed his home. The red flames danced against the backdrop of the black sky, creating a haunting scene of destruction and despair.

The cries of agony and the stench of blood filled the air, leaving a deep scar on the young boy's mind. The endless downpour of rain mixed with the blood of his loved ones, creating rivers of crimson that stained the earth, was sickening to say the least. At just six years old, he was burdened with so many questions. Who were the people that committed this atrocity against his family? Why did they do such unspeakable things to them?

Amon ran until his legs could carry him no further. With the break of dawn he made it to Hammond, a town in the mid-west part of the continent. He stumbled a huge dark tree to catch his breath before he lost consciousness. A man dressed in a black robe, with a scar marking his left eye knelt beside a motionless boy lying next to a tree. With hope in his eyes, he checked for a pulse and found a faint one.

"I must hurry if I want to save this boy" the mysterious man muttered to himself. Determined to help, he lifted the unconscious boy and carried him back to his home. Upon their arrival, the mysterious man hurriedly placed the boy in a vacant room and called for a healer. The healer assessed the young boy. "He's so young" the healer said astonished by the hardships she could tell he endured just by looking at him.

"With the help of some medicine he should recover fine" the healer assured the mysterious man. The man was known as Headmaster Edward. Every single day, Master Edward would diligently visit Amon, driven by his deep concern for the young boy. As time went by rumors had reached Master Edward's ears about a horrible catastrophe that had occurred a few nights prior, resulting in the complete eradication of an entire family from existence. This news left Master Edward wondering whether Amon was somehow connected to that ill-fated family or if it was merely a coincidence.

"No point in me dwelling on it, I'll just have to wait until the boy wakes up" Master Edward thought to himself as he assumed a cross-legged position. He began to focus his energy, channeling it to strengthen his cultivation until he received any updates on Amon's well-being. More days had passed, and Amon awoke in a state of panic. Surrounding him were Headmaster Edward, along with two other masters and the healer. The man introduced himself as Headmaster Edward and informed Amon that he was now at the Sacred Arts Academy.

Amon took note of Master Jacob, a towering bulky figure with short blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, and Master Shawn, a smaller, skinny, yet confident-looking elder with a bald head and long gray beard that covered his face. The healer, Emma, was short with a petite body and possessed captivating long red hair and deep, mysterious black eyes. "My name is Amon Presley" the boy said, introducing himself. "I swear I'm going to avenge my family". "Whoever did this will pay", Amon continued, as he shared his determination to seek justice for his clan's attackers.

Headmaster Edward was taken aback by the young boy's resilience and perceptiveness. "Take it easy," he calmly advised, before urging Amon to recount what little he knew. "Start from the beginning, could you name or describe any of the individuals responsible for this crime against your family," Edward asked. Amon sat in silence as he tried to recall the tragic events from that horrible night. "Never mind for now, just focus on getting some rest," Master Edward instructed, as he noticed that Amon was struggling to make sense of some senseless violence.

Headmaster Edward called the other master outside of Amon's room for a private discussion. "It could spell danger for our academy and the students here by taking in a unknown boy," Master Jacob mentioned as he expressed his concern about Amon staying at the school. "I agree with Jacob, plus this is a martial arts academy and not a daycare," Master Shawn said frustrated. "I understand where you both are coming from, but there is something about this boy, call it a hunch, but that boy could become someone great, a person that could change our world" Headmaster Edward responded to the other two masters. "And if the rumors are true then that would be even more of a reason we should help this boy" Edward thought to himself.

Jacob, in agreement, assured Edward of his support, while Shawn reluctantly acknowledged the need to assess Amon's abilities before making a final decision. Days turned into weeks, and as Amon recovered, Master Edward presented him with an opportunity. "How would you like to stay here and train, Amon?" Edward asked proudly. He explained that by honing his skills, Amon would gain the strength necessary to seek retribution for his family. After considering the offer, Amon agreed, recognizing that fate had granted him a chance to embark on a path that would have been his destiny even without the tragic events that befell his family.

Edward informed Amon that his training would start in three weeks, with a white belt as his first goal. To earn it, he would have to pass a rigorous physical test, including push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats, and a half-mile run. Amon eagerly accepted the challenge, his excitement shining through. Amon began to prepare for his entry exam immediately. He knew he had to be mentally ready as well as physically ready.

The weeks flew by as Amon dedicated himself to his training regimen. What initially left him exhausted gradually became more manageable with each passing day. Finally, the day of his admission into school arrived, along with the test for his white belt. After taking his entry exam, Amon stood tall and perspiring, as he anxiously awaited his results. After what seemed like an eternity, Amon looked up at Headmaster Edward, a broad smile spreading across his face.

"How did I do?" he asked, struggling to catch his breath. Edward, brimming with pride, presented him with his white belt, officially welcoming him to the Sacred Arts Academy. "Great Job," Master Job said, congratulating him, while Master Shawn reminded Amon that the real challenge had just begun. As Amon gratefully accepted his white belt and bowed to Headmaster Edward, he couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. He was now a white belt, but his journey towards becoming a master had only just begun. "I don't know what the future holds, but I know if I continue to push beyond my limits, then one day I will have the power to rebuild my family," Amon thought to himself with a determined look on his face.