Forging of the Fangs

With every hymn, gushes of leaves smacked into each other, creating a symphony of nature. The room was a verdant sanctuary, surrounded by an endless expanse of lush greenery. Bizarrely shaped plants filled the space, each one a mysterious and beautiful oddity. In the heart of this captivating botanical haven stood a colossal tree, its height reaching seemingly into the heavens.

The ancient tree bore witness to the passage of countless years, its weathered trunk inviting a touch that would reveal the story etched in its bark. Beside the tree sat a pristine, white bed. On this bed lay a figure wrapped in immaculate white cloth, the form barely visible save for the face.

Slowly, the man beneath the shroud opened his heavy eyelids. Attempting to move, his body resisted, compelling him to gaze up at the towering tree.

"I survived, huh..."

This man was Abel. If you're curious about Abel's journey, let's delve into the past.

Abel pushed through the giant bronze door, revealing a colossal dome-like structure. Above, a myriad of intricately designed chairs formed a celestial amphitheater. Each chair was a unique masterpiece, occupied by individuals emitting powerful auras.

On the right, masked figures sat, their animal masks adding an air of mystique. One wore a snake mask, exuding an enigmatic aura capable of engulfing the unwary. Despite the ominous presence, her dress hinted at a playful nature, adorned with a riot of colorful flowers.

"Eight of them, huh..." Abel counted those on the right. Glancing left, he observed five figures barely discernible in the shadowy cloak. Finally, Abel's gaze fixed forward, where an ordinary-looking chair awaited him. The person seated there, unlike the others, emitted no distinctive aura.

"Come forth," the person announced.

Abel, guided by a sense of ancestral grace, advanced with each step exuding dignity. As he approached, the ambient sounds faded, leaving only the rhythmic echo of his footsteps. Strangely, Abel felt a calmness, a profound peace enveloping him.

Abel halted, cupping his hands and lowering himself slightly. 

"The Lion's Fangs, eternal and unyielding, shall forever rule."

"Greetings, His Eternal Father. I, Abel Reysmith, present myself to you."

"Impudence!" a voice roared from the back.

Turning, Abel faced a man in a goat mask. His attempt to apologize was thwarted by an inner force, igniting an even fiercer determination within him.

"You dare disrespect His Highness, the Grand Duke?! Even here, your arrogance knows no bound—"

"Marduk," a commanding voice interrupted the masked man's tirade.

"Pardon me, His Highness Grand Duke," Marduk apologized.

Understanding the duke's protective stance, the tension eased. "Anyways, My son, do you know the reason why you are here?" the duke inquired.

"Yes, father," Abel replied. though, he really dont know. 

The duke nodded, and with a wave of his hand, a new passage opened. A figure emerged into the light, gradually revealing Zeke Reysmith, a man shrouded in shadows. Black hair framed eyes as deep as the abyss, and a black wing earring dangled from his left ear.

Abel unconsciously gritted his teeth.

Zeke Reysmith... my younger brother...

"The Lion's Fangs, eternal and unyielding, shall forever rule."

"Greetings, His Highness Grand Duke—Archos, your most loyal subject, Zeke Reysmith, standing before your esteemed presence," Zeke declared, lowering himself almost to the floor.

"Excellent."

"How magnificent! Truly a fitting title for a prince, unlike others."

"He really is," murmurs echoed in the room.

Then, a shadowy figure emerged beside the duke, gender indistinguishable. "Since both princes are here, we will now commence the forging of the fangs," the figure announced. "Abel Reysmith and Zeke Reysmith will go on the holy battle, guided by fate and watched by the gods. Whoever emerges victorious will receive the full support and protection of the duke and will be the true heir of the Reysmith family."

The announcement sent tremors through Abel's heart. In his inherited memories, such an event had never been known.

Abel delved into his thoughts...

What holy battle?

Fight...?

Fighting each other?

Me and him...?

A sense of foreboding gripped Abel as he realized this world was unlike any he had known before. Here, Qi, a mysterious force, was harnessed by every living creature. As one progressed, the Qi accumulated and evolved within a Dantian, a reservoir of power.

The opponent, Zeke Reysmith, stood at the pinnacle of foundation establishment, on the cusp of forming his core. Abel, at 16, was only at the middle level of Qi condensation.

Should I give up?

No... I have to give up or I die...

Abel needed to surrender, but his body resisted. His heart pounded, blood boiled, and adrenaline surged.

He must not lose, especially to someone sharing his blood; he must trample and destroy them. He must!

Raging emotions consumed Abel as he resolved not to lose, unable to comprehend or halt the phenomenon. He focused on remaining clear-headed to avoid unexpected consequences.

"Why would I forfeit? Not to someone like you," Abel rebuked.

"Like me? Even my dog could kill you, and I could even kill you without lifting a finger," Zeke calmly replied.

"Bet?"

"Bet!" Zeke agreed.

"Now, since both parties refuse to surrender, the forging of the fangs will now begin!"

As the figure announced, an immediate transformation swept the surroundings. The atmosphere shifted into a gladiator arena spectacle. Below, molten magma encircled the arena like a fiery moat, while above, combatants prepared for the square battleground. Dominating the scene was a formidable statue of a roaring lion, its fiery gaze fixated menacingly on the impending battles below.

Even though it happened suddenly, Abel wasn't taken aback. His gaze remained fixed on his opponent.

Both of them locked eyes in a tense silence, neither uttering a word nor making a move until Zeke, with deliberate steps, advanced towards Abel.

Abel understood the slim odds of winning this battle, yet he stood his ground without a hint of fear, convinced he could somehow emerge triumphant.

"I hope you're ready, brother," Zeke spoke, but Abel didn't bother with a response.

Perhaps anticipating a comeback, Zeke halted, waiting for a few moments. The smirk that once adorned Zeke's face slowly vanished as he fixed a cold stare on Abel.

And then—

"!!"

Zeke vanished, leaving Abel momentarily stunned. Quick to regain composure, Abel swiftly dodged to the right, narrowly avoiding a fist that landed on his previous spot.

"Huh!" Zeke exclaimed in surprise. "How did that fool dodge me?" he pondered. "Must've been luck."

Unbeknownst to Abel, his ability to dodge at astonishing speed became apparent.

Zeke disappeared again, reappearing at the back of Abel. This time, he swiftly landed a jab, but Abel, yet again, managed to dodge it.

"Oh, I must have underestimated you, brother," Zeke muttered. A hint of darkness enveloped him, intensifying the already scorching atmosphere.

"Time to get serious."

Zeke walked, and with each step, he multiplied.

"Confident in your dodging ability? Then try this."

The rising temperature puzzled Abel.

"What is that?"

Confusion and shock gripped Abel, but he clenched his teeth, determined to face whatever challenge lay ahead.

Suddenly, Abel's right ear rang, prompting him to instinctively duck.

"AACCK!"

As Abel evaded the attack, a punch met his face, causing him to stagger backward. Despite the sway, Abel rolled, and a surge of black fire erupted in his previous spot.

As he rolled, Abel found himself amidst a miasma of black fire. Bracing for impact, he expected a searing burn, but instead, an eerie coldness enveloped him, dampening his senses.

"AAC-!" Abel attempted to scream, but his body refused to comply. Suppressing the ghostly sensation, he was kicked in the back, propelling him into the air. Mid-flight, another kick awaited him.

*BOOM!*

Like a shuttlecock in a chaotic game, Abel was tossed around.

"HAHAHA!"

"What now? What happened to your arrogance? WHERE?! HAHAHAHA!"

Each kick chipped away at Abel's consciousness, his eyelids growing heavier, and pain accumulating.

But surrender was not an option. He despised Zeke's mocking expression, that smirk. He hated it!

Yet, Abel found himself powerless.

Why did he end up here? What was the purpose of his existence in this dismal world? Why was he alive? So many questions, but no answers.

"I want to give up. But why won't my body let me? No, it's not just about permission; my body refuses to yield."

Confusion and frustration mingled as Abel continued to be tossed around. Amidst the chaos, his mind swirled with thoughts, contemplating and questioning the world.

As Zeke's laughter echoed, Abel couldn't resist stealing a glance at his tormentor. Unexpectedly, he noticed something peculiar – a series of numbers and letters displayed on Zeke's body, like a code. It was a bizarre script that fueled Abel's curiosity. Unable to resist, he couldn't believe the absurdity of encountering such a sight.

A blend of disbelief and intrigue surged through Abel. There was a strange connection to the code, an opportunity to manipulate it. With a subtle raise of his hand, Abel delicately altered a portion of the code. His fingers danced within the digital sequence, and a ripple of energy surged through the surroundings.

In that moment, the altered code triggered a phenomenon linked to the digital realm. A cascade of energy resembling code ran through the air, creating a ripple effect. Zeke, momentarily caught off guard, experienced a sudden loss of power. It was as if Abel had harnessed the code's power, using it to disrupt Zeke's abilities and momentarily weaken his presence.

As Abel fell to the ground, the surprise overwhelmed him.

Feeling the ripple of waves, Abel was caught off guard but delighted.

"A different power! I have a power!"

""A power, unlike any other! "

Staring at his hand, his eyes emitting a mysterious glow, Abel couldn't help but smirk and look once again at Zeke.

Zeke, stunned and frozen, took a while to comprehend what had just transpired.

"What... DID YOU DO?!" Zeke roared at Abel.

Abel, still smirking, simply laughed before succumbing to unconsciousness. Little did anyone know that this moment marked the beginning of a new era.