The Eye of Destruction
Location: A hidden village within the Eye of Destruction
Scene 1: Awakening in Shadows
The air hung thick with the scent of medicinal herbs. Months had bled into eternity since Nero's last conscious moment. Under Erl's grandfather's watchful eye, he lay suspended between life and death—until a storm erupted within his mind.
Flashback:
Ayumi's blade plunging into his back. The nobles' mocking laughter. Aryavarta's betrayal. Rage detonated in Nero's soul. Cosmic-blue spiritual blades exploded from his body, shredding the hut's walls into splinters.
"Truly… this boy possesses terrifying power," the old man murmured, eyes narrowing as Nero's soul teetered on the brink of eternal darkness.
"KILL THEM ALL! TRAITORS! BASTARDS!" Nero's consciousness screamed. "Ayumi… WHY?"
Scene 2: Eri's Light
Just as despair swallowed him, warmth enveloped his spirit. Eri—gentle, unwavering—materialized behind him, her arms locking around his fading soul.
"Don't fall into the darkness. Not for their sake… but for those who still fight for you."
Nero recoiled: "My friends abandoned me!"
Eri's voice softened: "Two nearly died shielding you. You taught me—not everyone is the same."
Tears carved paths through the grime on Nero's face as he clutched her. "Arigato, Eri-san."
Scene 3: The Necromancer's Bargain
Nero awoke to Eri's anxious gaze and her grandfather's calculating stare. Pain lanced through his skull.
Nero: "Where… am I?"
Eri: "The Eye of Destruction. Our home."
Nero flexed his hands—miraculously healed, muscles humming with unfamiliar energy.
Nero: "People… live here?"
Eri: "Mostly monsters. Hehe."
When Nero declared his return to Aryavarta, the old man's laugh was razor-sharp.
Grandpa: "Seeking death twice?"
Nero: "My family is there. I will save them."
Grandpa: "You'd shatter against the barrier. But I can grant passage… if you take Eri as your companion."
Scene 4: Truths and Terrors
Eri stood resolute, ignoring Nero's warnings. The old man revealed his name: Baltimore, the Great SSS-Rank Necromancer. Nero's condition?
"Prove you can match me after training," Nero challenged Eri.
Alone with Baltimore, Nero demanded answers about Aryavarta. The necromancer's gaze turned glacial.
Baltimore: "Ayumi stabbed you willingly. No spell. No coercion."
Nero: "How could you know?!"
Baltimore smirked, tapping his temple. "Child, you underestimate an SSS-Rank's sight."
Scene 5: Divine Gates
Baltimore produced a weathered tome—Gift from the Primordial One. Nero scoffed at its single page.
"Which idiot wrote this?"
THWACK! Baltimore cuffed his head. "This 'idiot' will unlock your Divine Gates—power beyond gods. Aryavarta? An anthill before it."
Nero's eyes ignited. "How?"
Baltimore's finger pressed to Nero's forehead. A surge of energy.
"Your soul endured hell—100x the pain required. You're ready."
Nero clenched his fists. "Then I'll carve a path to a peaceful world."
Scene 6: The King's Shadow
Baltimore's voice dropped to a whisper.
"King Fernando orchestrated your 'death.' He's no mere ruler—he's a leader of the Dark Seekers."
Nero staggered. "Impossible! He's just—"
"A monster?" Baltimore's smile was bitter. "He sacrifices thousands for power. Including… my son and Eri's mother."
He revealed his exile: Fernando sealed the Eye of Destruction after Baltimore fled with Eri. Nero's escape with Eri earlier?
"Your soul's purity breached the barrier. But now…" Baltimore gestured at Nero's chest. "I fused monster soul fragments into you to save your life. Train hard—purify it."
Scene 7: The Arc Begins
Baltimore placed a hand on Nero's shoulder.
"Your soul is primed for the Divine Gates. Strengthen your body. Temper your spirit. We begin at dawn."
As Eri's determined laughter echoed outside, Nero stared at his palms—cosmic-blue energy flickering like starlight.
Fernando… Aryavarta… Ayumi…
This pain will forge my vengeance.